8 The Dallas Post Dallas, PA Wednesday, October 23, 1996 Special meeting - (continued from page 1) dent Ernest Ashbridge read a statement prepared by the board's lawyer pointing out that the evening's discussion was limited to the suspension because Brady still awaited a full hearing on the charge made by a parent that he had disciplined the son too harshly. Attorney Ralph Kates had been retained by the group, and began the club's presentation by saying, “The fabric of this community has been seriously stressed” by the incident. He said the club had conducted an independent inves- tigation, which concluded that Brady had acted within the bounds of propriety when he as- signed escalating numbers of an exercise to a freshman member of the team who had missed a game. Kates emphasized that Brady's suspension, which followed a com- plaint by Ron Pietraccini, father of the disciplined player, was not consistent with past practice in the school district. Kates said ac- tion had usually been taken only after the school had received the results of an independent investi- gation. Steve Wengen, a Shavertown resident who described himself as a friend of the football program, cited the “family atmosphere” of the team. Pointing out that the administration's investigators had recommended a writlen repri- mand, Wengen said he [elt sus- pending Brady would set a “dan- gerous precedent,” and weaken discipline on the team. Frank Perkoski carried his heart on a sign for the meeting. Football players helped swell the crowd to at least 500. Dealening applause followed Mark Kaschenbach and Scott Townsend, two senior members of the team who spoke next. Each described the positive aspects of the program, and referred toJdack- son and not Brady by name. Townsend cited the opportunities for college scholarships the expe- rience presents. “It's an honor to be a part of the Dallas program,” he said. Clarence Michael gestured toward the audience as he spoke at Friday's special school board meeting. Michael has been a critic of head football coach Ted Jackson, but urged that the homecoming game be played during his turn at the microphone. Gary Beisel, a three-year mem- ber of the Gridiron Club, pre- sented a petition requesting Brady's reinstatement, signed by 143 students. He defended coaches from complaints, saying his son learned important les- sons while on the team; dedica- tion to team goals, respect and discipline. “I am sad today,” said Linda Dorrance, whose children have been in the program in the past. At the same time, she said, “I am very proud.” She defended the program and its discipline by say- ing, “I don't think there's anyone here who did more ‘hit-ups’ than Willie,” her son. Marty Moore credited Ted Jack- son with turning his son's life around. He said he first met Jack- sonwhen he was the newly-elected president of the Gridiron Club, and Jackson had kicked his son oll the team for smoking. He said his son accepted his punishment and went on to be MVP of the conference litle game. Adding a sophisticated twist, Moore cited Winston Churchill's comment to the effect that the battles of World War II were won on the playing fields of Eton. When Wengen took the micro- phone to summarize the Gridiron Club's presentation, Clarence Michael, a former school director and outspoken critic of Jackson and the football program, shouted, “Is this a school board meeting or a Gridiron Club meeting?” Wengen rebuffed his comment, aided by a few catcalls from the audience, and continued his summary. Kates wrapped up the Gridiron Club's portion of the meeting by saying, “He (Brady) is part of the system he worked within," and requesting the suspension be lifted. Michael was the only speaker - not on the Gridiron Club agenda. After walking to the microphone to scattered remarks, he said, “My major concern is the kids.” He suggested to the board that the consequences of discipline apply to adults as well as students. He . also said he objected to one indi- vidual — Jackson — jeopardizing a game and reminded the board that they employed coaches and not the other way around. After Michael reiterated that the homecoming game should be played and saying the incident shouldn't have escalated, he re- turned to his seat surrounded by polite applause. That contrasted with the thun- derous applause that followed the board members vote to lift Brady's suspension until a full hearing on the complaint against him could be held. All five members of the school board who were present voted for the motion made by Tho- mas Landon. Four board members — Thom Russ, Reese Finn, John George and James Richardson — did not attend the meeting. Leat collection now going on in Dallas Dallas Borough Fall leaf collection has begun. All residents are requested to rake their leaves into rows, no wider than three feet, along the front edge of their yards. Only leaves should be raked out for collection; branches, stones, and other yard waste materials will cause ° damage to the vacuum leaf collector. Residents who wish to do so may continue to place leaves in bags, no larger than 33 gallon for collection. All bags should be placed along the curb for pick-up. All leaves collected by the borough are turned into shredded mulch and delivered to local farmers or residents (o provide nutrients and improve the soil. Call 675-5211 to Advertise Fellowship Evangelical Free Church 45 Hildebrandt Rd., Dallas 675-6426 Sunday Worship Service 9 am & 10:30 am Nursery provided for all services "A Church that cares about you" PHARMACY + Computerized Prescription Service » Russell Stover Candies » Greeting Cards + PA Lottery Ticket + Newspapers + Magazines 153 N. Memorial Hwy, Shavertown, PA 675-1191 ©0000 00000006000 0O0COVG”OOL GQ Fall fun for kids at Fellowship Evangelical A [all celebration for kids will be held at the Fellowship Evangelical Free Church, Hildebrandt Rd., Dallas, Oct. 31, 6-8 p.m. Fun, snacks, games and entertainment by clowns for kindergarten through 6th graders will be featured. Parents are invited to stay. There will be a costume judigng with prizes (when picking costumes, please choose the “good guys and gals. Pre-registration is requested. Sign up at the church 675-6426 or at Gifts From Above on Rte. 415, 675-0354. Er AFFORDABLE QUALITY RUGS! Rift (continued from page 1) as the first step to emasculating the program. The Dallas Gridiron Club's re- sponse — to request a special meeting of the school board — and its leaders handling of the meeting helped cool tempers, at least temporarily. Board members voted to lift the suspension until a formal hearing can be held on the matter, which was enough to sat- isfy head coach Ted Jackson and most of the audience. People familiar with the foot- ball program, speaking on condi- tion that their names not be used, said some school board members and others in the community have felt for some time that the pro- gram was out of control. They point toJackson'’s profanity-laced tirades from the sidelines as an example of behavior that is inap- propriate in a high school atmo- sphere. Clarence Michael, who was the lone speaker not affiliated with the Gridiron Club Friday night, has made no secret of his desire to get Jackson out of the district. : Two incidents this season, star running back Frank Valvano's ejection from the opening game and a series of fights at the end of a game with rival GAR, have given critics more ammunition. The in- cident involving Brady is seen by some as simply an extension of a program gone awry. There also is a feeling among some observers that Jackson doesn’t do enough to help players seeking college scholarships. They point out that few Dallas football players have gone on to Division 1 colleges alter graduation, and that the deal,” Jackson, who teaches in Plains, simply can’t be available to sup- port the players’ efforts. Supporters contend the Dallas program teaches valuable lessons, and Jackson sets high standards for his players both on and off the field. Before each season begins, they say, Jackson lays down the rules and enforces them evenly, in the process teaching discipline, team spirit and self-sacrifice. Parents and players spoke Fri- day with a great deal of pride and gratitude for what the experience of playing football at Dallas had done for them while in school and after they had graduated. And two recent graduates, Greg Nadzan in 1993 and Dave Townsend in 1994, went to Ivy League schools. One question that hasn't heen raised is why Brady, a first-year coach only two years out of Dal- las, was ‘given the task of disci- plining a troublesome player. An- other Back Mountain high school coach expressed the opinion that veleran coaches, one of whom had a run-in with the youth days be- fore the incident, should have handled the matter. For his part, Ron Pietraccini said Sunday that he doesn't think Brady represents a threat to his son, nor must he lose his job over the incident. And he's grateful his two sons in the program — Aaron and Brian, a senior co-captain — haven't suffered more. “Their friends at school have been noth- ing less than wonderful,” he said. But the scars are still slow to heal. “My son's trying to get over Pietraccini said. Business group slates Halloween party The Back Mountain Business and Professional Association will hold a Halloween party for members and guests Tues., Oct. 29 at the Huntsville Golf Club. A per person charge of $15 will include hors 'd oeuvres and a band. The party will be held from 7 to 11 p.m. Reservations should be made by Fri. , Oct. 25 by sending payment to: BMBPA, Box 25, Dallas PA 18612, or by calling 675-9380. Leave a message that tells how many will attend. OLD What Was Shavertown Fire Co.'s Firemen's "Hot" Bingo Every Friday Night Sunday, October 27th, Is the time for changes. Turn Clocks Back 1 hr. Replace Detector Smoke Detector Battery Smoke Detector Battery Battery Wow! Ch%ck This Out &”"S) Has Changed To Shavertown Fire Co.'s Firemen's "Hot" Bingo Every Sunday 6:00 pm Come Play Our New Sunday Firemen's "Hot" Bingo Lots of New and Exciting Games and Prizes!!! 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