4 The Dallas Post Dallas, PA Wednesday, April 19, 1995 The Dallas Post Volunteers again show their worth Once again, Back Mountain volunteer emergency service personnel were pressed into service and performed admirably, this time when Jackson Township employees were stricken ill by toxic fumes in the municipal building. What was originally a call about smoke in the building became an incident fraught with danger as an unknown agent was believed to have caused the illness. Local emergency services have trained in the handling of hazardous materials for several years, often at their own expense. Fortunately, that training hasn't been put to much use, but when it has been, the level of skill has been evident. Perhaps the best example was the response to a gasoline truck that overturned on Route 309 several years ago. The situation was quickly controlled, even to the point of trapping leaked gas so that it didn’t run into a nearby creek. No one was seriously injured in the Jackson Township incident, and the mysterious toxin vanished as rapidly as it had appeared. It’s good for the Back Mountain that the people who respond to emergencies don’t disappear, but are there when- ever they are needed. Welcome back, Thom, sort of, maybe, perhaps He's baaaack! That's right, Thom Greco says he'll open the amphitheater at Harveys Lake (we won't use that other name and give the sponsor free advertising) after a year’s hiatus to what he thought would be greener pastures at Montage Moun- tain. Of course, it wouldn't have been a Greco-like announcement without an expression of his great altruism. You may recall he once said he was opening the amphitheater here in order to support Harveys Lake, which in his eye was a rotting carcass in need of revival. Now, Thom’s sights are higher; he told another newspaper the main reason for his change of heart was loyalty to Luzerne County over that distant, foreign land to the northeast. Come off it, Thom. You're in business to make a buck — actually, to make as many bucks as possible — and whatever happened between you and your partner at Montage, you figured you'd be better off going it alone at the lake. That's okay with us, as long as you run a tight ship and don’t reopen the Tijuana bar until it’s soundproofed. No grand statements of your charitable heart are required. Let's get on with 309 signal installations Back Mountain motorists are eagerly awaiting the installa- tion of new traffic signals along routes 309 and 415. Part of an overall plan that included last summer's widening and the ad- dition of a fifth lane in Shavertown, the installation of five signals along with modifications at each intersection are necessary to control the heavy traffic flow on the highway. Last year's work has cut down on the frequency and severity of accidents on 309, except in the area just below Carverton Road, which remains dangerous, especially in wet weather. The lights will make driving in the Back Mountain even less risky and much more pleasant. As anyone who has tried to pull onto 309 during rush hour, which seems to be the entire day lately, knows how frustrating it is to wait for a break in the flow. Too often, the result is a stab on the gas pedal and a too-close encounter with oncoming traffic. The construction is far behind the original timeline an- nounced three years ago, but once it begins later this year it should go quickly. We can’t wait. Publisher's notebook Add one more hall of shame award to Pennsylvania’s high- ways. During a trip to Harrisburg last week, I was treated to a demonstration of why the state’s roads are considered the worst in the nation when I spent nearly an hour in a traffic tieup on I-81, only 15 minutes from my destination. The delay occurred in a construction zone; however, in the entire time, I didn’t see a single PennDOT worker or state policeman either at work or trying to speed the traffic flow. On the return trip, I was struck by the volume of filth along our roadways, made apparent by the lack of snow cover or vegetation. It won't be picked up, but at least the grass will hide it in a month or so. Locally, I vote for Lower Demunds Road as the trashiest in the Back Mountain. The amount and variety of junk is as- tounding, from the usual cans and bottles to plastic of all description. This is a perfect example of how welfare recipients could put their idle time to good use cleaning up the roadsides and parks. The next order of business would be to beat some sense into the slobs who have so little regard for their sur- roundings, or, apparently, themselves. THE LODGE AT WILDWOOD, GIRL SCOUT TROOP CAMP, In years past at Harveys Lake. HARVEY 3S LAKE. PA. 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 Grace R. Dove REPORTER Peggy Young ADVERTISING ACCT. EXEC Paul Rismiller Olga Kostrobala PRODUCTION MANAGER CLASSIFIED/TYPESETTING Jill Urbanas OFFICE MANAGER J fSov INK SOY INK MEMBER OF THE NATIONAL NEWSPAPER ASSOCIATION AND PENNSYLVANIA NEWSPAPER PUBLISHER'S ASSOCIATION © VOTED 3rd BEST SMALL WEEKLY IN THE U.S., 1993 Letters Game Commission should tell it like it is Editor: After reading several articles on the increase of hunting license fees in Pennsylvania, I believe the main issue is being overlooked. Many hunters are complaing of a low deer herd, and they are right. But on the other side, look at the length of the seasons — with archery, regular antlered, anter- less with bonus tags and muzzle loader, I know hunters, if they could get eight Bonus Tags, they would do their best efforts to fill those tags! These are the same hunters that blame the Pennsyl- vania Game Commission for the drop in the deer population. To put it very simply, deer move into an area where there are three things — food, water and shelter, John W. Johnson . One of the more pressing is- sues now being addressed by the new Congress is an attempt to reform the legal system. Even the system's most staunch supporters acknowledge the need for reform in a system where, if there were only two lawyers in the entire United States, there would be a minimum of four lawsuits filed. And those suits would be filed because, greedy citizens, aided and abetted by too many talented lawyers chasing too few legitimate clients, are both view- ing the legal system as simply another way to make money...an extension of free enterprise. From this chair, a favorite (sickening) example of this trend comes in the form of an account- ant who, along with his two chil- dren, were flying to a Bahamas vacation. As the plane neared Nassau, itbegan to buck violently, and a pilot announced that an engine failure would force a re- turn to Miami. Within minutes, the plane's other two engines had stopped, and the passengers were informed that the plane would have to ‘ditch.” However, the pilot man- aged to get one engine restarted and the plane landed safely. All's well that ends well, right? Not if you're the alleged victim of alleged “psychological injuries,” as the accountant claimed. Not that he and the other two dozen passengers are ungrateful for the pilots having saved their lives; and hopefully not to be disturbed. That is why there are so many deer in Frances Slocum Park. Now you can hunt in state game lands #57 for many days and not see a sign of deer, and you don’t have to have a Ph.D. in Zoology to figure it out. NO FOOD! No one in their articles or let- ters mentioned the cost of opera- tions of the Pennsylvania Game Commission. They have 725 employees on the payroll, most with families to support, mort- gage payments to make. They have medical plans, dental plans, retirement benefits and that has to come out of license fees. They have retirees that have to be paid and they have cost of living in- creases. There are 135 vehicles that have to be maintained—gas, oil, filters, tires and other miscellaneous items. There are six regional of- fices and the main office in Har- risburg with heating, phone, and electric bills that have to be paid. That is why they want a license increase. Don't tell us sportsmen and women in this state about the cost of raising pheasants, we know what happened to them. I have “hunted in this state for over 50 years. It used to be great, let's get it back! The Pennsylvania Game Commission should tell it like it is. Fred F. Murray Shavertown. We desperately need to reform our legal system ‘rather, the accountant wanted to be compensated for being fright- ened. Perhaps more frightening is that he’s not the first, and that there are some court cases on the books where plaintiffs have received favorable treatment by the coursts when seeking to be paid for psy- chic-damage and phobia claims...witness the incredibly stupid woman who was awarded millions of dollars because she was dumb enough to place hot coffee between her legs and then drive away, burning herself. Other cases have included: —A federal appeals court up- holding a $207,000 verdict to five persons who claimed a fear of becoming ill after a chemical firm contaminated ground water. —The famous case of Rock Hudson's lover, Marc Christian, who was awarded $5 million for Christian's alleged mental anguish over learning that Hudson had AIDS. Put another way: Is it now rea- sonable for us to sue another driver because he or she almost hit us? Better still: will major league pitchers eventually be the subject of litigation for keeping batters off the plate? You laugh ....but where there's greed seeking a lawyer, there's a potential and probably lawsuit. According to several members of Congress with whom this writer spoke last week, following are highlights of ways the new Con- gress wants to rein in our run- away legal system: —Limit so-called punitive damanges to $250,000, or three times the amount ofactual losses, whichever is higher. Medical malpractice pain and suffering claims would also be limited to $250,000. —Block plaintiffs from receiv- ing money from defendants be- yond their share of blame for any injury. —Prevent damage recoveries if alcohol or illegal drug use was more than 50 per cent respon- sible for any injury. —Permit judges to require some losers of federal civil cases to pay the winner's legal fees. The need for reform speaks to our society becoming “victim” oriented....everyone is someone else's “victim,” and there's always a lawyer to hold your hand. The tendency to bring litigation today has allbut brought the legal system to its knees, and true respect for the law to the brink of becoming a laughing matter. To quote English jurist Lord Moulton: “The measure of a civi- lization is the degree of its obedi- ence to the unenforceable.” In the accountant’s case noted earlier, the unenforceable was a reasonable expectation that equip- ment does, indeed, malfunction, and that, indeed, life is not fair, nor a respecter of circumstance. And if you agree with Lord Moulton—that whether or not we are civilized is measured by our self imposed obedience to the unenforceable—then the truly frightening reality is that this nation is rapdily becoming a band of savages, roaming the court- rooms of America in search of legal firewood with which to burn the bonds of honor, integrity and mutual respect, the very fibers of which a free nation, intending to remain so, depends. And reforms——serious, broad ranging reforms——are needed now. Federal Officials Representative Paul E. Kanjorski (PA 11th District) (Democrat) Wilkes-Barre: 825-2200 Washington: (202) 225-6511 Address: 10 E. South St., Wilkes- Barre PA 18701-2397 or 2429 Rayburn Building, Wash- ington, DC 20515 Senator Arlen Specter (Republican) Wilkes-Barre: 826-6265 Washington: (202) 224-4254 Address: 116 S. Main S., Wilkes- Barre PA 18701 Senator Rick Santorum (Republican) B-40 Dirksen Building Washington, DC 20510 Washington: (202) 224-6324 Fax: (202) 228-4991 State Officials State Sen. Charles D. Lemmond (R) (717) 675-3931 22 Dallas Shopping Ctr., Memorial Hwy., Dallas PA 18612-1231 Lemmond's district includes the Back Mountain. State Rep. George Hasay (R) 287-75050r542-73450r474-2276 Only yesterday the construction of the proposed 60 Years Ago - Apr. 26, 1935 ROUTE 309 LUZERNE BYPASS DISCUSSED | An attempt to speed plans for ~~ § BE by-pass at Luzerne to shorten the route between Dallas and Wyo- ming Valley will be discussed by directors of Wyoming Valley Mo- tor Club and C.B. Forbes, district engineer of the Pa. Department of Highways. The project would { eliminate the present roundabout route through Luzerne Borough and would provide a modern high- way to connect with the concrete road which begins West of Luzerne. It has been considerad for several years. Work will start shortly ona big, new gasoline filling station, to be constructed by Atlantic Refining Co. in the parking lot owned by James R. Oliver in the middle of Dallas. The new station will be one of the largest in this region and will be equipped with 12 modern pumps and tanks of large storage capacity. - 50 Years Ago - Apr. 20, 1945 SUNSET HALL IS SOLD Sunset Hall on Lake Street, a familiar Dallas landmark for five generations has been sold by owner Mrs. Morgan A. Wilcox to George Uebe, textile exporter/ importer of Boonton, NJ. Mr. and Mrs. Uebe expect to move to their new home as soon as alterations can be completed. Cpl. Edwin A. Burkhardt miss- ing in action since his flight over Germany Dec. 17, 1944 is now back with American Forces. Sgt. John Owen, also missing in ac- tion March 19 in a bomber flight over Germany, is now back with his old outfit in England. Dallas area is being seriously considered as a possible location if a VA Hospital is established in Luzerne County, according to persons close to the movement since its inception. Four such hospitals are to be located in 3 Pennsylvania under grants made by the Federal Government, one to be located in Philadelphia and one in the Pittsburgh area and two others in other parts of the state. 40 Years Ago - Apr. 22, 1955 | WESTMORELAND HILLS PLAN IN THE WORKS -- F. Gordon Mathers, Trucksville: » contractor, is preparing to open‘a new residential development to be known as Westmoreland Hills on a 38-acre plot along Carverton Road opposite Trucksville Gar- dens. At noon on Opening Day of trout season, Lois Avery of Har- veys Lake was way ahead of hundreds of fishermen. Her 16- inch rainbow trout was the big- gest caught up to that time at the ® Alderson end of the lake. ie “Bridges of Toko-Ri" starring Grace Kelly and William Holden now playing at the Himmler The- atre. Re = 30 Years Ago - Apr. 22, 1965 CHASE PRISON TO GET 100 NEW CELLS A new nusiance ordinance § adopted by Kingston Township Supervisors last week will rid the community of junked cars and other eye sores and health haz- ards formerly uncontrolled. So: licitor Mitchell Jenkins prepared the ordinance. Test drilling began this week on state grounds at Jackson; preparatory to building a brand new cell block at the Correctional |g Institution. The cell block, pro -* jected some time back, will be the 11th at the Jackson Institution. It will have 100 cells housing 100 more inmates. \ Mr. and Mrs. Edward Roberts; Pioneer Avenue, Shavertown will celebrate their 59th anniversary April 25. A family dinner will be held at the home of a grandson | Raymond Roberts. They are the g parents of four children and have ; four grandchildren. \ > 20 Years Ago - Apr. 24, 1975 or 477-3752 369 South Mountain Boulevard, Mountaintop PA 18707 Hasay’s district encompasses: Harveys Lake, Lehman Township, Jackson Township, Lake Town- ship, Franklin Township, Ross Township, and Dallas Township's north voting district. State Rep. Phyllis Mundy (D) 283-9622 or 655-3375 Suite 107, 400 Third Avenue, Kingston PA 18704 Dallas Borough, Dallas Township except for the north voting district, and Kingston Township. BROTHERS OF BRUSH VISIT SHAVERTOWN An ordinance making it unlaw- ful to maintain or permit nui sance or dangerous structures was adopted at the regular April meeting of Dallas Borough Coun* cil. Charles Lemmond, borough solicitor, brought the ordinance to council for approval, which was granted by a unanimous roll call vote. i Brothers of the Brush will be one of the many attractions at the upcoming Shavertown Fire Co.'s 50th Anniversary Celebration May 18-24. The men will act as Key- stone Cops to enforce any viola- tions of the Brothers of the Brush.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers