y) L Theil Dallas Post Dallas, PA Wednesday, August 18, 1993 T he Dallas Post Interest | in water sources still shallow With adequate rainfall absent in three of the past five summers, the need for permanent water conservation and assured sources has become apparent. Just two years have passed since the last prolonged summer dry spell, which came three years after the worst drought in recent memory forced mandatory water-saving measures in 1988. Each year, warnings and suggestions have been issued in an attempt to convince home and business owners to save water by cutting back on unnecessary use, fixing any leaks and replacing fixtures with ones that use less water. Those are all good ideas, and should be heeded whether one uses an individual well or the public water supply. In the both cases, eliminating waste saves money and water, while helping to assure the precious liquid will be there for all who need it. ~ But conservation only goes so far; the other half of the water equation is supply, and solving that may be a much greater challenge. The Back Mountain depends almost entirely on wells, and no one really knows whether they're all drawing from the same aquifer or different ones, or how large the source is. And, as the recent zigzag of rates illustrates, the cost under our existing system can be unpredictable. As the 1988 drought wore on, the region was moved to action and an ad hoc water commission formed. But interest in that group lasted about as long as the drought, and five years later we haven't made any measurable progress toward rationalizing the supply or curbing demand. ‘As with so many other important issues, it appears that the supply and price of our water will remain in limbo until a crisis of larger proportions focuses our attention. Let's hope by then it's not too late. A tragedy with no adequate explanation There are times when you can do everything in your power to protect the safety of the ones you love, and it’s still not enough. That is the sad case for the family of 3-year-old Steven P. Harris. - Steven was the victim of an August 8 automobile accident that took his life but spared his 2-month-old sister and his father. Both children were strapped into safety seats when a vehicle struck their car from behind and pushed it into the path of an oncoming truck. Steven was seated in the right rear of the car, where it was hit by the other vehicle. ‘Our hearts go out to the Harris family. Their loss is one most of us will never face and cannot truly grasp, yet we can appreciate the grief they must feel. Attempting to understand how or why such a needless tragedy could take place may be fruitless; it is a reminder that our fate often rests outside our own. control. Kenneth Harris did all that he could to protect his children, and all of us should do the same. But we can also accept that we aren't always able to steer events in the way we would like, so we should make the most of the time we have with friends and family while we're together. Look in the mirror for cause of U.S. deficit Ifyou want a clear example of why government costs somuch and. functions so poorly, look no further than in your own backyard. In its latest report to members, the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commerce announces that the group has gone on record in support of private sector lending for student loans. The article says that the existing lending institutions have “developed the technology to deliver the cheapest and most efficient programs,” for student loans. That sounds like a well- thought-out policy on first reading, even though it is countered by nearly all independent observers of the existing student loan system in this nation. But policy is one thing; the most compel- ling reason for the chamber to stake out this position is the presence of “Sallie Mae,” the largest private student loan supplier in the nation, in the Hanover Industrial Park and on the chamber’s membership list. So, like so many institutions in the United States, the local chamber talks out of both sides of its mouth, on the one side calling for an end to waste while on the other coming to the de- fense of a system that uses more money than necessary and deposits the risks on the taxpayers’ plate. Perhaps the reason nothing has been done about the na- tion's enormous deficit lies less in Washington and more on countless Main streets across the land, where principled stands accompanied by personal sacrifice have gone the way of the Dodo bird. Do you agree? Disagree? Editorials are the opinion of the management of The Dallas Post. We welcome your opinion on contemporary issues in the form of letters to the editor. If you don't write, the community may never hear a contrasting point of view. Send letters to: The Dallas Post, P.O.Box 366, Dallas, PA 18612. Please include your name, address and a daytime phone number so that we may verify authenticity. We donot publish anonymousletiers, but will consider withholding the name in exceptional circumstances. We reserve the right to edit for length and grammar. Hay, over a barrel Photo by John Davis Letters The Dallas Post Published Weekly by Bartsen Media, Inc. P.O. Box 366, Dallas PA 18612 Telephone: 717-675-5211 Ronald A. Bartizek Charlotte E. Bartizek Editor and Publisher Associate Publisher Peggy Young _ - Grace R. Dove Advertising Acct. Exec. Reporter Paul Rismiller Olga Kostrobala Production Manager Classified/typesetting Jill Urbanas Office Manager MEMBER OF THE NATIONAL NEWSPAPER ASSOCIATION AND THE PENNSYLVANIA NEWSPAPER PUBLISHER'S ASSOCIATION Chase prison lifer raps editorial Editor, I was just handed a clipping of a Dallas Post article dated August 4, headed “Keep life-sentence inmates behind bars”, which addresses the debate on whether or not to allow lifers to earn the privilege of working/studying in areas outside SCID'’s fences, but still under supervision and on prison grounds. Unfortunately, the name of this article's writer had been clipped away. I found this article to be full of social dogma and political propa- ganda right from the first para- graph, which stated that the idea of allowing lifers outside of prison walls should “attract citizen reaction...most of it in opposi- tion.” In the second paragraph, the writer begins to rationalize this prejudice by assuming that “our criminal justice system works with reasonable accuracy”; this as- sumption is anything but accu- rate. In reality, criminal justice is quite regularly an inaccurate procees, due to factors such as discrepancies between the trial tactics of Public Defenders and privately-retained counsel, pub- lic paranoia (fueled by media hype) which affects jurors with even the bestintentions, and the influences of political maneuvering upon the Commonwealth's legislative and executive branches, as well as the courts themselves. Even econom- ics plays a derogatory role, as local workers come to depend on myriad employment opportunities within the criminal justice sys- tem, and as local business seeks support for a bill which may soon make available the cheap labor of inmate workers. Know that the system is drastically flawed, in both its treatment of the guilty- but-influential (who walk away, often with only token punish- ment), and of the innocent or the peripherally-involved parties who, because of lack of financial re- Seeks information on Malone Editor, I am conducting family history research and would like to con- tact relatives of John Cain Malone who was born in Dairy, Scotland and died October 17, 1982. Among my deceased mothers’ personal effects was a memorial What did you do on summer vacation? Readers who spent their sum- mer vacation at a particularly interesting or economical at- traction are invited to share their experiences with others. Just call or write tous to let us know of your experience and to set up an interview. The Dallas Post P.O. Box 366, Dallas PA 18612 675-5211 sources, often have little chance of mounting an effective defense. Know also that plea bargaining is practically synonymous with in- justice in the courtroom. In the second paragraph, the writer goes on: to note that most lifers “have killed at least ore’ person,” and that some might do so again “given the right circum- stances.” Need I remind you that this state is perfectly willing to impose the penalty of death, per- haps the single most deliberate and cold-blooded form of “killing with malice aforethought?” Need I address the public's pride in the killing of Muslim hordes, in both their support for the Gulf War and the blind eye they turn toward Bosnia-Hersegovina? With the writer's generic qualifier, “given the right circumstances,” anyone who is capable of action is a po- tential killer, and those who pas- sively allow killing of any kind are little more than equally-culpable hypocrites. What the naive and foolish fail to recognize, and what the holier-than-thou refuse to admit, is that we humans are all killers somewhere below the sur- face, and the killer within each of us is much nearer the surface than most of us may comfortably contemplate. Conversely, a lifer knows the consequences of the human deadly impulse quite intimately. He knows, first-hand, the man- ner in which a simple action can escalate into a senseless death. The lifer who knows he has per- sonally taken life, or even contrib- uted (sometimes quite innocently) to the taking of a life, also knows the remorse, the nightmares, and the guilt such acts generally cause the actor. He is quite probably less likely to ever kill (or even assault) again than those who have never had to live with such self-recrimination! Many lifers seek little more than a chance to atone for their actions, and to card of the funeral service for John Malone which was held in Wyoming, PA. The memorial card indicates the final resting place is a cemetery in Dallas, PA. I believe that John and his wife once visited my mother, Agnes show that they can contribute to the society which they have so severely injured. So far, I have scarcely addressed the first two paragraphs of that article. These issues are far too complex to be fully addressed in a single book, let alone a ‘single letter; indeed, the writer's next topic, so contritely dismissed in but a single paragraph, can and does fill enough books to cover entire library shelves: Rehabilita- tion. The writer eventually states that “it would be irresponsible to sub- ject the public to the risk that even one mistake would be made.” I take this quote out of context deliberately with the intention of addressing such letters, and yes, even campaigns such as that of Pat Rusiloski and her so-called SCID Concerned Citizens Com- mittee, which presume to lead where they know not the way. Ignorance in such matters is in itself a mistake, and proceeding in ignorance is a far greater risk to the security and safety of the public than it would be to butt out and allow qualified penological experts to do their jobs. Itis in the nature of a hen to cluck, but were the farmer to attend each and every squawk, he would never have time to plant his fields! Fanning the flames of ignorance and paranoia serves no one. | assure you that the LAST thing most of us lifers want, dear un- known writer, is further pain or the senseless waste of another life! Yes, I am one of those lifers of whom you hold such terrible dread—and apparently, a near- total ignorance, as well. If you would play at activism, perhaps you should first know that of which you would speak! Paul Schlueter III State Correctional Institution Dallas family Hamilton Malone and father Robert Scott, in Kamloops, Brit- ish Columbia, Canada about 30 years ago. Kane Scott #46-3474 Centennial Blvd. Eugene, Oregon, 97401 Readers enjoy bee safari Editor, This summer during a trip to the city of Quebec, Canada we visited the Musee de L'abeille, Museum of the Bees. We began with a bee safari, spoken in French and English. The safari was in a horseshoe- shaped screened porch. A bee- keeper opens the hives in the apiary and carries out various beekeeping procedures. This activity allows the visitors to see the queen, drone, workers in ac- tion, and also beekeeping tech- niques. We also saw the museum and where they make mead, honey wine. There was also a store with gifts and honey tasting. Anna Bruns Tess Bruns Dallas Only yesterda y 60 Years Ago - Aug. 25, 1933 KUNKLE CHILD DROWNS IN CREEK Although her son, Lee Tracy was absent, Mrs. W.L. Tracy of Shavertown was among the ce- lebrities who attended the pre-| miere of “Dinner at Eight” at the Astor Theatre in New York City, and was among those who spoke briefly during the radio descrip- tion of the gala event. Late last night, scores of Kunkle residents were searching for Nancy, Shupp, 2, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Shupp of Kunkle, who is believed to have been drowned in the swollen waters of a creek which flows near her home. Ac- cording to reports she was play- ing with several companions when she slipped from a narrow bridge across the creek and toppled into the swift waters. Registration of first grade pu- pils who will attend Dallas bor- ough schools will be held Aug. 29 at the high school building. Par- ents are requested to enroll their] children at that time and present’ successful vaccination for all first! grade children who plan to enroll. 50 Years Ago - Aug. 20, 1'943 THIEVES BREAK INTO TITMAN'S STORE Sneak thieves gained entrance to Titman's Store through a cellar window between the close of business Saturday night and Monday morning, rifled five cash registers of small quantities of change amounting to $30 and other merchandise, candy and cookies. Discussing plans for future expansion of the company while they were here to close the pur- chase of the Wallo Well on Parrish’ Heights, Carl F.R. Hassold, Presi- dent of Dallas-Shavertown Water Co. expressed the belief that the Dallas area is one of the best suburban communities in Penn- sylvania and that the develop- ment here, after the war, will pe unlimited. You could get - Carrots Ig. bunch 5¢; onions, 3 lbs., 22¢; Ig.’ crisp cukes, 4/10¢; sugar, 5-lb. bag, 32¢. 40 Years Ago - Aug. 21, 1953 "CLEAN UP LAKE!" : RESIDENTS DEMAND... Smarting under a storm of protest from property owners of Harveys Lake, Lehman Twp. Supervisors have joined forces with the newly-formed Sunset Businessmen'’s Association in an endeavor to clean up the Sunset" area. Chief complaint is the inde- cent behavior of couples on the traffic island at Sunset; improper lighting, poor traffic regulations, lack of business property cleanli- ness and general beautification. Voters in Dallas Borough and Kington Township will be given the opportunity during the com- ing election to vote on Sunday movies. The owners of Shaver and Himmler Theatres have peti- tions in circulation requesting the County Commissioners to place the issue on the ballots. 30 Years Ago - Aug. 22, 1963 KOZICK UNVEILS LUNDY BLDG. PLANS . New owner of the Lundy Build- ing, Mike Kozick of Harveys Lake, | says he intends to run it as a! quality eating place for families: and banquets. He also will start a , delicatessen in the corner store | which was formerly Marie's. Plans | are still indefinite as to what use | shall be made of the other empty | store in the building. Dallas Junior Women’s Club completed plans for their 2nd Annual Home Tour to be held September 15, 1-5 p.m. 20 Years Ago - Aug. 23, 1973 | OUR LADY OF VICTORY | CLELBRATES 50TH Groundbreaking ceremonies were conducted Friday morning, marking the construction of the’ Back Mountain Branch Office of Franklin First Federal Savings and Loan Association whose main office is located on Market Street, Wilkes-Barre. A diversified pilot program of trimester elective courses in math, science, history and English will be available for Wyoming Semi-/ nary students this fall. Designed: for greater flexibility and a wider; variety beyond required core cur-: riculum the trimester system will, open a tremendous number of opportunities for both students and faculty at the Kingston col- lege preparatory school. Our Lady of Victory, Harveys Lake, will celebrate its Golden Anniversary Sunday when Bishop J. Carroll McCormick will preside. at the Concelebrated Mass. A reception and dinner will follow at the Irem Temple Country Club as, parishioners and friends celebrate the birthday of the church, built in 1923. J
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers