The Dallas Post Dallas, PA -6 - Wednesday, February 11,1998 EDITORIALS ‘Encon has been an asset, and we hope remains so The shifting global economy, with its emphasis on low costs, has claimed its share of U.S. businesses and the jobs that went with them to Asia, South America, Mexico or other places where ~unskilled labor can be had for pennies an hour. But despite fears that loosened trade barriers would cost more jobs than they preserved, the American economy has been on a roll, replacing ‘most of the jobs that moved out with positions that pay better and require more skills. The Back Mountain is home to one American success story, Energy Converters Inc., known as Encon. Not that Encon, started here in 1973, hasn't faced its share of global competition. The company has seen most of its rivals move production and subcontracting out of the country to take ‘advantage of low wages and slack regulations. Encon has responded not by emulating them, but by using its resources to | identify new markets in which it can shine, often as a result of its own research and development investments and the quality of its workmanship. The strategy has been so successful that Encon added 20,000 square feet and new equipment to its Dallas plant last spring. Brokers of foreign labor have contacted Encon, trying to lure its business to Mexico with the promise of lower costs and higher profits. But the local company has said “no thanks” to those entreaties, preferring to make the most of this region’s dedicated workforce, which has helped the company get to the high point it occupies today, so much so that it has been acquired by the largest company in Encon’s industry. The entire Back Mountain can be proud of Encon and its employees. The company is an example of American ingenuity at its best, and even more, of commitment to its community and employees, a commitment we sincerely hope will be continued by the new owners. Towns shouldn't shrink from regulating towers Unwilling to be: steamrolled by wireless communications companies, the Kingston Township Planning Commission will meet Feb. 17 to discuss new regulations that may be imposed on the size, placement and use of towers that carry antennas for cellular phone systems. This is a welcome step, because: if local municipalities don’t take a firm stand, towers will be popping up like daisies in spring, but they won't be nearly as attractive. -.‘Some representatives of the cel- lular industry try to pull the wool over local officials’ eyes, claiming that the federal Telecommunica- . tions Act of 1996 gives them com- ‘plete freedom to place towers any- ‘where they see fit. That is not true, ‘of course, but some towns have chosen to switch rather than fight, ‘and their reward has been ugly . towers in inappropriate places. If we may be so bold, here are some suggestions for Kingston Township, and every other town in ‘the Back Mountain: © e Require that companies share ‘towers rather than each building ‘their own. They want to serve the - same customer base, and face iden- .tical topographical obstacles, so . sharing is reasonable. . .* Wherever possible, antennas ‘should be placed on existing struc- ‘tures, such as sign boards or tall ‘buildings. » All towers and antennas should be disguised, which can be done by .masking them to look like trees. e If towers are placed on public ‘property, the municipality should ‘share in any future revenues a company takes in by leasing ‘space on its tower. These and other regulations are in effect in other communi- ‘ties, where officials and citizens have taken the time to meld new ‘technology with esthetic and community values. There's no .reason the Back Mountain shouldn't be in that category. This is a cellular phone tower, dressed as a tree. Some communities require that towers be disguised. The Post is online! Now you can send letters and other material by e-mail, to dalpost@aol.com But please call first. We want to avoid receiving unusable material. So, call us the old-fashioned way at 675-5211 and tell us what you want to send by e-mail. Thanks. The Dallas Post Published Weekly By Bartsen Media, Inc. . P.O. Box 366, Dallas PA 18612 717-675-5211 ; Charlotte E. Bartizek ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Ronald A. Bartizek PUBLISHER Kylie Shafferkoetter REPORTER Jessica Appolo ADVERTISING ACCT. EXEC Ruth Proietto PRODUCTION MANAGER Olga Kostrobala CLASSIFIED/TYPESETTING Jill Gruver OFFICE MANAGER , MEMDLA vd 2) PRINTED WITH : NIN ¢ PENNSYLVANIA SOY INK] NS COIATION SPAPER INEWSPAPER A furry friend — or enemy depending on your perspective — out for a stroll. ONLY YESTERDAY 60 Years Ago - 2/18/38 STATE TAKES OVER PART OF CENTER HILL ROAD Representing motorists who have complained again concern- ing the condition of Center Hill Road, Dallas, Wyoming Valley Motor Club this week took steps to have the section from Lake * Street to the railroad taken over by the State Department of High- ways, a step which would settle a controversy of many years dura- tion. The dividing line between Dallas Borough and Dallas Town- ship, Center Hill Road, has been the cause of a number of disputes and the question of responsiblity for its maintenance has even pro- voked law suits. A cherished ambition of Shav- ertown Vol. Fire Co. will come to realization on Monday’ evening. On that night the firemen will formally open their new home on Main Road, Shavertown with a party to which all the folks of the ~ community have been invited. Library news pe Nancy Kozemchak The Back Mountain Memorial Library is progressing with the construction of the children’s wing; the renovation of the library office and front desk area. The front desk check out area is in full ‘operation and the computers are now ready for patron use, includ- ing Infotrac, Internet, Interlibrary, loan titles and authors listing and the Union Catalog with CD Rom which includes World Book Ency- 50 Years Ago - Feb. 20; 1948 LIBRARY BOARD SAVING MONEY FOR FUTURE With newly elected officers pre- siding, the Executive Board of the Back Mountain Memorial Library met Tuesday evening and heard Henry Peterson report that the Association now has a cash bal- ance of $6,440.25. A part of this, possibly $2,000 will be invested an an endowment fund to assure permanent existence of the library and to help tide it over any future contingencies. An insurance plan with the library as beneficiary and a form for the inclusion in wills will be studied. Dallas Borough High School basketball teams will meet Kingston Township cagers tonight on the Kingston Township floor in what promises to be one of the best games of the season. Dallas has a string of eight victories behind it and Kingston Township is out to upset the applecart. Tues- day the boys team won by a score of 46-27. Charlie Brobst had 18 while Glenn Roberts turned in 10 points. : 40 Years Ago - Feb. 14, 1958 HORSE RACING TRACK TO BE BUILT NEAR DALLAS One of the fastest growing sportsin the U.S., Quarter-Midget Racing will be introduced in the Back Mountain this spring. A track to be built a short distance from Dallas will conform with simi- lar tracks rapidly springing up all over the 48 states. The cars will be driven by youngsters from age 6-16 inclusive. Each car weighs approximately 250 lbs. with a 48 1/4 wheel base powered by Briggs & Stratton 4-cycle engine and quick release safety belts. A third Back Mountain Home- making student is in the race for Betty Crocker Homemaker of To- . morrow. Sandra Engelman se- nior student at Lake-Noxen ex- celled over other homemaking stu- dents taking the examination Dec. 3 and may now try for State and National honors along with Cecelia Mazonkey of Lehman-Jackson- Ross and Ruth Clark of Dallas- Franklin-Monroe. 30 Years Ago - Feb. 22, 1968 CTCO PLANS TO BUILD A $6 MILLION PLANT Commonwealth Telephone Co. has earmearked $5,990,000 for new plant facilities in 1968, the second largest outlay in the company’s history. J.B. Hibbard, president announced recently the 1968 program is designed to main- tain and improve the quality of the communications service it of- fers, increase the versatility of these services and expand and modernize its plant facilities. Serv- ing 17 counties in eastern Penn- (sylvania, Commonwealth oper- ated 110,390 telephones through 74 central offices at the end of 1967. Photo by Monica Marzani. The 61d Joe Elicher, home on Pioneer Avenue was purchased some years ago for a rectory for Prince of Peace Episcopal Church. Plans have been made to demol- ish the home and replace it with a more modern structure. 20 Years Ago - Feb. 16, 1978 DALLAS PRINCIPALS TO RETIRE FROM POSTS Robert Dolbear, Dallas Senjor High School principal and John F. Rosser, Junior High School principal announced their retire- ment effective July 1, in letters submitted to Dallas School Board at the meeting Monday night. Dolbear who has been with Dallas schools for the past 38 years has given his resignation due to, per- sonal health and that he wanted some time to attend to leisure interests. Rosser also with the Dallas School District for more than 30 years was now ready to enjoy some leisure time. Michelle Kravitsky shed tears as her teamamtes rushed out on the floor to congratulate her in the Dallas-Lake-Lehman game last Saturday when she scored her 1500 point. The Dallas ath- lete achieved what no other girl has done in three years, scored 1500 points with four or five games left to play. The Lady Mounts won to remain undefeated in the sec- ond half after taking the first haf title. New computers are up and running clopedia, Britannica, Granger's Index to Index and the Phone Disc. The children’s room will be open beginning Feb. 16. The en- tire library was closed on Sat., Feb. 7 for shelving children’s books. : New books at the library: “The American Bar Association guide to Wills and Estates” is the com- plete and easy guide to all the law every adult should know about planning now to protect your fam- ily. The book explains what you need to do to save money and assure that your plans are carried out as you wish. “The American Bar Association guide to Workplace Law” includes everything youneed to knowabout your rights as an employee or employer. lr It covers all of the topics that are important, from the law that surrounds hiring and firing to specific questions about work- place safety. It has the answers you need. “Loving Chloe” by Jo-Ann Mapson is quite possibly the best love story of the decade—and clearly the wisest, most magical. Thirty-four-year-old Chloe Mor- gan appears on Hank Oliver's doorstep in Cameron, Arizona, she arrives with more than her old white German shepherd, Hannah, and arambunctious young horse. Chloe is pregnant with Hank's child and she’s tough-talking and vulnerable. “Black and Blue” by Anna Quinlen is a stunning novel about a woman and a marriage that Bursting with Bec Movntain news J The Dallas Post a hometown paper you can feel good about begins in passion and becomes violent. It fis a brilliant novel of suspense, substance and impor- tance. It is a spell-binding story, how at 19 Fran fell in love with Bobby, how their marriage became a nightmare, why she stayed and what happened on the night she decided to run away. “The Great Pharaohs of Egypt” is a new library addition of a four volume video with expert inter- views, computer re-creations, ex- tensive location footage and the latest archaeological and scien- tific evidence to tell the story of these ancient kings; explore the legacy and the awe-inspiring pyra- mids. ‘ne sb a Ac’ AA
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