ee TT o RELY TERT aC Tn RE 1% BC RTS HER ET 9.5: wT Serie pm . > 4 The Dallas Post Dallas, PA Wednesday, August 28, 1996 ow, we EDITORIALS Perhaps we can make a place for skateboards Dallas Borough has come down hard on skateboarding in the town, adopting an ordinance that virtually forbids the activity in public areas. The action comes because some boarders are practicing their hobby recklessly or in a manner that inconveniences or endangers others. Authorities say youths have been seen riding down the center of roads, moving concrete curbing to make jumps and frightening pedestrians on the borough's sidewalks. It’s unlikely skateboarders will disappear from the borough just because of this harsh law, any more than teens will stop smoking because President Clinton signed a regulation forbid- ding tobacco sales to minors. Irresponsible behavior can be reduced by enforcement, but it can only be eliminated by the people who are directly involved. In this instance, individual boarders and their families could have averted formal action by cleaning up their act, but that hasn't happened. Skateboarding is not a major sport in the Back Mountain, but it is a worthwhile diversion and challenge for young people who aren’t attracted to more traditional activities. Like other sports, skateboarding is best done on a proper facility, and if the town is going to ban it from streets and shopping centers, it should consider providing a place for boarders, perhaps at the Kenneth Young Park which is the focus of recreational activity in Dallas. There would be a risk, of course, that destructive behavior | would simply move to the park from the streets. But it would also be possible that boarders would feel a responsibility to maintain their area or lose it, and proximity to other people and activities might expose them to positive peer pressure that is now apparently lacking. TV station application illustrates useless rule Sometimes government regulations aren't costly or cumber- some, just silly. That appears to be the case with an application for a new television station filed with the Federal Communica- tions Commission. Sprinkled liberally throughout the paper- work are references to the station being the first to serve Dallas, when in fact the station is unlikely to have any local commit- ment. The FCC looks more kindly on applications that serve a public interest, so applicants make sure to point out what a boon their investment will be to the poor folks who have struggled without them for so long. “The truth is that Channel 62 has far less to do with Dallas than with California, where the investors live and Warner Brothers — the company that formed the network this station plans to affiliate with — is headquartered. The profits will flow west, not to Dallas. That won't make the new station much different from others in the Wilkes-Barre /Scranton market, three of four of which are owned by outside interests. That doesn’t necessarily mean they don’t care about the local area, but it surely means their economic impact is less than it might be. ' Times have changed, but regulations haven't always kept up. Now that television choices include several broadcast stations and dozens on cable, the government no longer must look after the “public interest” impact of new outlets. It could ‘better serve the public interest by collecting fees for use of the airwaves, and allowing viewers to determine who is best serving . their needs. EEE YCEE IDIRECTORY Federal Officials Representative Paul E. Kanjorski (PA 11th District) (Democrat) Wilkes-Barre: 825-2200 Washington: (202) 225-6511 10 E. South St., Wilkes-Barre PA 18701-2397 or 2429 Rayburn Building Washington, DC 20515 State Officials State Sen. Charles D. Lemmond (Republican) (717) 675-3931 22 Dallas Shopping Ctr., Memorial Hwy., Dallas PA 18612-1231 Back Mountain. State Rep. George Hasay (Republican) or 477-3752 Mountaintop PA 18707 Senator Arlen Specter Lemmond’s district includes the 287-75050r542-73450r474-2276 369 South Mountain Boulevard, Hasay’s district encompasses: (Republican) Wilkes-Barre: 826-6265 Washington: (202) 224-4254 116 S. Main S., Wilkes-Barre PA 18701 Senator Rick Santorum (Republican) B-40 Dirksen Building Washington, D.C. 20510 Washington: (202) 224-6324 Fax: (202) 228-4991 Harveys Lake, Lehman Township, Jackson Township, Lake Town- ship, Franklin Township, Ross Township, and Dallas Township's north voting district. State Rep. Phyllis Mundy (Democrat) 283-9622 or 655-3375 Suite 107, 400 Third Avenue, Kingston PA 18704 Dallas Borough, Dallas Township except for the north voting district, Ronald A. Bartizek PUBLISHER Peggy Young ADVERTISING ACCT. EXEC Paul Rismiller PRODUCTION MANAGER 2) PRINTED WITH | =Isovink| The Dallas Post Published Weekly By Bartsen Media, Inc. P.O. Box 366, Dallas PA 18612 717-675-5211 Jill Gruver OFFICE MANAGER NNT g NUN PENNSYLVANIA NATIONAL NEWSPAPER INEWSI APER ASSOCIATION Charlotte E. Bartizek ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Grace R. Dove REPORTER Olga Kostrobala CLASSIFIED/TYPESETTING Just ducky! Photo by Charlotte Bartizek. ~~ LETTERS Could state court kill personal property tax? Editor: What's the latest on Pennsylvania's personal property tax? : Montgomery County officials are threatening vigorous legal ac- tion in an effort to collect some $3 million in 1996 Personal Property Taxes from Walter H. Annenberg, which they contend he owes. Mr. Annenberg says that, based on a U.S. Supreme Court ruling concerning a similar North Caro- lina personal property tax, he owes nothing and, therefore, he refuses to pay. The issue is cloudy because, in February, the U.S. Supreme Court held that a tax similar to Pennsylvania's Personal Property Tax which was extant in North Carolina violated the “Commerce Clause” of the U.S. Constitution because it favored in-state busi- nesses over out-of-state competi- tors. The Court declared the tax “unconstitutional” and sent the case back to the North Carolina Supreme Court for remedy. That court has not yet made a ruling. Many believe that the court will likely abolish the tax and give refunds to taxpayers who paid under protest and who have filed requests for refunds. But, obviously, this would cause a considerable distress and anxiety to County officials who, for a number of years have, in good faith, collected the tax (and spent the money). Consequently, the court could logically decide just to abolish the personal prop- erty tax—but give no refunds. Since March, a number of law- suits have been filed in State and federal courts over personal prop- erty taxes levied in Montgomery, Chester and Delaware Counties. Subsequently, a ruling by Pennsylvania's Supreme Court will undoubtedly be forthcoming. For Annenberg, and his fellow taxpayers, a best case scenario would be that the state courts rule that the tax is unconstitu- tional, no one is penalized for failing to pay the 1996 assess- ment and everyone is given a re- fund for the last three to five years. A worst-case scenario would have the court deciding the tax is. valid and Annenberg and fellow taxpayers have to pay the tax plus penalties and interest. What are the odds? Stewart M. Weintraub, an adjunct professor of law at Temple University, said: “I do believe the taxpayers’ case is very strong because, on review, the Pennsylvania statute looks close enough to the North Caro- lina scheme that the U.S. Su- preme Court's decision will be controlling. Therefore I'd say that Annenberg's decision (not to pay) was logical”. We live in interesting times. Hugh P. King Dallas Thanks to all who gave something for Sawyer Editor: “When you look back on your life years from now it won't matter what kind of car you drove, how big your house was, or how much money you made. What will mat- ter is that you made a difference in the life of a child.” Sincerest thanks is extended to the community for its tremen- dous support of Sawyer Hammersley and his family. In March of this year, Sawyer was diagnosed with medulloma blastoma (a brain tumor). The son. of Jim (Watchulonis) Hammersley of Centermoreland, Sawyer has com- pleted intensive chemotherapy treatment and is now undergoing monthly maintenance care at the Children’s Hospital, Philadelphia. and Claire ° A special thanks goes to Robert Perks, .Shavertown; Carol Sabatini, Play Plaza, Exeter; Ted Tsioles, Rollaway, Dallas; and the following businesses: Insalaco’s, Offset Paperback Manufacturers, Sue Hand's Imagery, Roth Jewel- ers, J & J Deli, The Dough Com- pany and Malcolm Haircutters. Kimberly Hall Dallas Scout thanks all who helped with his project Editor; I am an Eagle Scout candidate from Troop 232 of Gate of Heaven, Dallas. Mr. Bob Neher is my scout- master. I built as my Eagle project two wooden bridges on the Back Mountain Rail-Trail's Luzerne sec- tion. The bridges are to help walk- ers, runners, bikers and the physi- cally challenged to safely pass kLisnsay By NANCY KOZEMCHAK During the 50th anniversary celebration of the library in Octo- ber of 1995, the committee lo- cated many of the photographs taken during the course of the past library auctions. They have these grouped together in date sequence, matted and framed for permanent storage at the library. We will feature some of these in a special place in the library from time to time during the year. The first group is called “The Early years”, which features a pic- ture from July 1951, the view of the auction at the Risley Barn, a picture of the auctioneers on the auction block from 1951; Herman Thomas auctioning off a chair to over two areas eroded by moun- tain runoff water. I would like to thank those who donated supplies and materials for my project: Al Swinick, senior road runner; Dale Bartnick of Dale's Sharpening Services, Kingston; Jake Apalski of Little Lumber Co., Dallas; Sterling Sprau of Wickes Lumber, Wilkes- Barre; Joe Mack of Champion builders, Kingston; Bernie Banks of American Asphalt, Shavertown; Joe Stager of Ruckno Construc- tion /Forty Fort Lumber and Chris Lacy of Design Systems Printing of Wilkes-Barre. Again I thank you for your sup- port. Joe Latosek Troop 232 LIL Special old photo display recaptures past auctions the highest bidder in 1952; Howard Risley, editor and pub- lisher of The Dallas Post looking for the highest bidder for a prize cow donated by a local farmer on July 15, 1953; July 13, 1954, Bob Bachman, Herman Thomas and Howard Risley on the block look- ing for bids on a large soup pot with runners waiting to deliver the goods, Lou Dana and Dick Ide; and July 1960, members of the auction committee including Dot Hedden, Doris Pierce and JanetJenkins keeping watch over their ‘treasures’. This group will be on display in the reference room. New books at the library: “The Conqueror's Legacy” by Timothy Zahn is the story of Pheylan Cavanagh who was the only sur- vivor, and though he was a POW, he refused to surrender to his captors, the Zhirrzh, a people who claimed the humans had fired i028 first. While he watched and waited, other players entered the game: the Mrachani, an alien race with its own agenda. “Flesh Wounds” by Stephen Greenleaf is a powerful thriller beginning with “Marsh? It's Peggy”. The words strike like light- ning bolts into the life of John Marshall Tanner, reopening old wounds, rekindling old desires. The speaker is Tanner's former secretary who left his life six years ago. “The Outsider” by Penelope Williamson tells about the life of Rachel Yoder which has been a straight path, howeverbrutal. She came to Montana with her family and other plain people, an Amish sect which had fled the corrupt- ing influences that threatened to destroy their simple way of life. In this wild new territory, she was blessed with a passion and a hu- mor that she shared. on ONLY YESTERDAY 60 Years Ago - Sept. 4, 1936. AREA SWIMMERS GO - --. FOR PRESIDENT'S CUP Two local swimmers Irvin g Roe Jr. of Country Club Road, Dallas, . o and Elwood Davis of Harveys Lake, contributed to the upset which, marked the President's Cup Race on the Potomac at Washington, : D.C. last Saturday, with Jimmy. Campbell of Hanover Township, the third member of the local team, surprised a large audience and most of their competitors by. tak- ing second place in the cup race. Volunteer solicitors of Henry M. Laing Fire Co. of Dallas Bor-. ough and Dallas Township went over the top this week as they passed their $700 goal in their first anniversary campaign for funds. Collections totaling $712 ters. Kingston Township High School football team, which won the Back. Mountain Championship last year, will open a strenous season after . September 12 by meeting ‘an alumni team on the Trucksville High School gridiron. 50 Years Ago - Sept. 6, 1946 ‘ were reported at the final meeting |, in the fire company’s headquar-. COLLEGE SEES RECORD * ENROLLMENT With an advanced enroliment greater than at any time in its’ College" Misericordia has been forced to previous history, postpone its opening September 15 until a later date, when its two ) ERA WT dormitories can be brought nearer: completion. Exact date of open- : ing will be announced by college authorities within the week: Excavating and filling opera- tions at the new Natona Mills'plant - : BR schedule, according to Kenneth » superintendent for" This’ week carpenters started work pre-- west of Dallas are proceeding on J. Ridall, Sordoni Construction Co. paring forms for pier columtis and for the foundation and back re- taining wall of the boiler room.’ This will have to be poured before backfilling can be completed. - - 40 Years Ago - Aug. 31, is ie G.I.'SURGED TO FILE. > FOR TUITION EARLY Bernard O'Hara, manag er of the Veterans Administration Re- gional Office, Wilkes-Barre, has urged Korean vets planning to start school this fall under the Korean GI Bill to file their applica- tions now. The VA also said it expects some three quarters of a million veterans to be in schools and training establishments this fall. By applying early vets can help prevent delay in processing their papers, the VA pointed out. Work on the Jackson Town- ship Institution for Mental Devel- opment began to step up with the arrival of many pieces of heavy earth moving equipment on ‘the job. John McShane Co., general contractor have bulldozed a 100- {t road and are leveling and grad- ing the top of the hill. : Now playing at the Himmler Theatre “The King and I" with, Deborah Kerr and Yul Brynner. ; 30 Years Ago - Sept. 1,1966 LIGHT FIXTURE IN LAUNDRY CATCHES FIRE On one of the muggiest days of ‘the™ summer, patrons in : Shavertown Shopping Center were treated to a heavy smoke bairage, when a fluorescent light fixture ballast. in... the Laundromat caught fire. Smoke poured into the Acme Store next door, gaining entry through a’ crack in the fire wall which allows for expansion. The weather maker ‘ in the air conditioning unit was.. turned on, clearing the big mar- ket in a short time. 20 Years Ago - Sept. 2, 1976 ‘OFFICIALS UHANPPY WITH BICENTENNIAL ' . When Harveys Lake borough. councilmen meet Thursday evening, there's likely to be quite . a bit of discussion about the pro-, posed purchase of some lakefront property to use as a park,, as Wormeck" discussed publicly for the first | time last week. Council president Robert Wintersteen proposed the © purchase of 6.8 acres at Sandy . Beach owned by Helen Sgarlat for approximately $130,000. Wintersteen suggested the coun- cil explore the possibility of ob- | taining a federal grant. Sid Es
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers