8 The Dallas Post Dallas, PA Wednesday, December 31, 1997. DAMA (continued from page 1) little reserve over the years,” Lutsey said. The borough was not required to join the program in 1991, since it has fewer than 5,000 popula- tion. But Lutsey said when he investigated setting up a separate recycling program, “we. couldn’t handle it,” even with state grants to purchase equipment. Lutsey checks around the bor- ough each Monday to see if the job is being done efficiently, and he is pleased with the results. “Everything’s running smoothly,” he said. “I don’t get any com- plaints.” Apex Waste Services holds the contract for the program until Dec. 31, 1999, at which time it will be sent out for bid. The last time it was rebid, in 1994, costs went down and the rate was reduced to $112 per year. The hauler who won that bid, Wayne-Pike, sold out to Waste Management which subsequently sold to Apex. The local program has exceeded the state goal of recycling 25 per- cent of household waste, reach- ing 27 percent in 1996. "Basi- cally, everyone has gotten behind the program,” Bagley said. The volume of recycled materials has increased over the years, espe- cially plastic. Businesses are not included in the DAMA program, although small offices that generate nomore waste than a household can re- quest service at the same price. Larger businesses must contract separately. The contractors give DAMA an annual report about how much waste they have picked up and what percent was recycled. Dale Williams, who manages waste and recycling programs at Offset Paperback, the Back Mountain's largest employer, said the plant's waste goes to different vendors, depending on their spe- cialty. For example, one vendor takes use aluminum printing plates and gives Offset a credit on its charges equal to the value of the recycled metal, while another takes all paper waste. “It makes good business sense,” Williams said, aside from making the company a good neighbor. In addition to household waste, DAMA has set up drop-off points for used motor oil. They are: Schmid’s Amoco, Shavertown; L.L. Richardson and The Finish Line, Dallas Borough; and Back Moun- tain Transmission, Dallas Twp. Used auto batteries may be brought to DAMA'’s office off Rt. 309 in Trucksville. There's one more item Lutsey would like to see added to the recyclables list, tires. He thinks a convenient disposal point might cut down on the number of old tires that are left along roadsides, especially on Reservoir Rd. and other lightly-traveled spots. The borough does accept tires at its annual spring cleanup, at a charge of $2 each. DAMA will take charge, debit cards While the price is going down, the 2 bag limit on trash and unlimited recycling materials remain in effect. Also, DAMA will begin taking VISA, . Mastercard and debit cards for payment of sewer and trash bills starting after Jan. 1. Authority oversees septic systems, applies for composting grant In addition to managing the municipal sewer system in the Back Mountain and the trash/ recycling program in three towns, the Dallas Area Municipal Au- thority handles on-site septic sys- tems in Dallas Borough and Dal- las and Kingston townships. Tom Bagley, DAMA executive director, said the authority pro- vides inspection, permits and en- forcement, removing those tasks from borough and township offi- cials, and “all the tons of paper- work that goes along with that kind of thing.” DAMA also has applied for a grant that would fund composting equipment. If that program be- comes reality, leaves and yard waste could be converted into mulch and low-grade fertilizer that would be returned to the commu- nities for use by residents. Despite taking on new respon- sibilities, DAMA operates with a total of seven employees, the same number as it had before the recy- cling program began in 1991. That's in part because sewage is no longer fully treated at the Trucksville plant, but is sent to the Wyoming Valley Sanitary Au- thority for processing. In addition to Bagley, DAMA employs one person as sewage enforcement officer and recycling coordinator, two clerical workers who take care of all billing and record keeping, and three plant operators. If you missed The Post - you missed the news! ee POST PHOTO/KYLIE SHAFFERKOETTER Wellness class donates flour to food bank Dallas High School students donated 90 bags of flour to the Back Mountain Food Bank. For a Wellness One project, students had to carry a five pound bag of flour for two days to simulate caring for a baby. Some of the students who participated, from left, seated, Erin Cooper, Rachel McCue, Ketura Lispi; standing, Molly Savage, Ruth Scammer, Wellness, Health and Gym teacher; Corey Pajka, Paul Wisnieski, Maureen McGuire and Amanda Russ. Speaker (continued from page 1) college degree and at least three years work experience. Sometimes military training or law school can substitute for the work expe- rience. A background check and physical test are required, plus a polygraph (lie-detector) test to make sure applicants are telling the truth. Although the prerequisites may sound grueling, it’s worth itand a lot of fun, said Shanley, who is a new agent with six months under his belt. During the 16-week FBI training in Quatahi, Virginia, trainees get to drive fast cars, run around a fake town arresting ac- tors and get into gun fights with the bad guys. All the pretend action is part of practical applica- tion. Swimming and boxing are also part of the program. The agents said they generally do not have cause to fire their weapons. They are mainly inves- tigators. “Our job consists of get- ting information, documenting and gathering evidence and put- ting it all together,” Shanley said. “If it’s not written down, it didn’t happen. That's the rule to re- member.” The FBI is different from the Dallas Outpatient Center 332 Memorial Highway Dallas, PA 18612 675-5075 Nig 1 | police patrolling the streets. “We get to plan when and where we will arrest someone,” he said. One student asked what col- lege degrees would best suit the FBI. “If you have something you like to do, do that and you will do a good job at it,” Gaffney sug- gested. “Everyone thinks you have to study criminal justice if you want to be in the FBI.” The agents suggest students pursue what they want, but said majors like accounting, law. or language can be helpful in the FBI. 3 This information proved help- ful for seniors Sean Sarokas and Bryan Banko, who both want to pursue a career in the FBI. “That is what I want to do. The FBI sounds really good,” said Sarokas, who thinks the Speaker of the Month program is helpful. “Be- fore now I had no idea (about the FBI). It's good when people can come and sit down and talk (about their profession).” Banko said he has been inter- ested in the FBI “forever. It was good to get the specifics on what you have to do and what it’s like. | After hearing the requirements’ realize that I do stand a chance,” he said. Jen Moser, a junior, was pleas- antly surprised to learn the FBl is 20 percent female. “I didn’t know what an FBI agent really did. This is an opportunity to hear about more unusual occupations,” she: . said. o Sam Mikolaichik, a senior, said. he’s read many books about the FBI. “I've been looking at it since: I was young. what's a good background for col- lege. This is a really good pro- gram,” he said. “You get to see the darker side of life. | It'svamazing how some people can live, said J.G., leaving the students with a little mystery. \ i { { { 1 H | i a ALLIED SERVICES John Heinz Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine TV) “Your Best Choice!” i | { SN I wanted to know. . ~~ - &
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers