@ Wow! a John Thompson, left, was astounded by a rotating solar system model at the Dallas Elementary School science fair, sponsored by ® &S By KYLIE SHAFFERKOETTER @ 1997 at the age of 51. The Dallas Pos Dallas, Pennsylvania Vol. 109 No. 18 May 6 thru May 12, 1998 Change in state law may save taxes on school construction By KYLIE SHAFFERKOETTER Post Staff DALLAS - Three weeks after the Dallas School District agreed to pay a 45 percent commission to a company that recovers sales taxes improperly paid on construc- tion projects, the State Legislature has passed a bill that could avert payment of the taxes in the first place. Neither Gil Griffiths, superintendent of schools, or Dave Munroe, a tax con- sultant for Chartwell Advisory Group, was aware of the change in tax collection, which has the potential to make Chartwell’s services unnecessary. But Griffiths said the district would continue with the agreement. “I don’t think it will change anything because of the contingency. A lot of the contractors won't know (about the bill). By the time our building is built, we will probably. make a significant amount of money (from Chartwell’s services),” he said. The district broke ground on the S10 million Gerald J. Wyecallis Elementary School Monday. Quandel Group Inc. is I, _ a O, ._.__" _. “The contract prices would be lower. It would save the district and the taxpayers money.” Joe Chicora Project manager, Quandel Group Inc. Va the general contractor. Joe Chicora, a project manager for Quandel, was not aware the bill passed, but said it would give districts a six percent reduction in construction costs. “The contract prices would be lower. It would save the district and the taxpayers money,” said Chicora, who is not the Dallas district's project manager, but works with other districts. Chicora said approximately 50 per- cent of the districts he works for use Chartwell or similar companies to get their sales tax refunds. “There is a lot of cause they just don’t have the time,” he said. Chicora, who knew the bill was under discussion, said Quandel will probably take advantage of the bill's provisions once the company is formally informed of them. Contractors are charged sales tax on items that will be a permanent part of a building, such as boilers or bricks. Munroe said Chartwell serves 230 school rama adr I POST PHOTOICHA RLOTTE BARTIZEK the school's parent-teacher group. Behind John, from left, Max Spencer, Kaitlin Evans and Anthony Macri. More photos on page 8. Ground broken for Wycallis elementary school Post Staff perintendent of schools told DALLAS - The long-anticipated the crowd. groundbreaking for the Gerald J. Wycallis Elementary School, held Monday night, was an emotional to be here to- event. The large group made upof night with administrators, board members, Mrs. (Judith) faculty and parents, remembered the former superintendent, who lost a battle to cancer in January. “Tonight is a night of celebra- tion... The site is within the con- fines of the campus and is an las addition we will be proud of,” Gil Griffiths, su- “It gives me great pleasure Wycallis and family. Gerry was a very im- portant per- son in my life Judith Wycalis, right, spoke and the Dal- during Monday's groundbreaking ceremonies. Her children, J.J. and District's. The Matt, stood at left. School greatest honor is that his name will live on for- ever and that the direction of the building is overseen by a gentleman whose name is on the building,” he said. “We've gone through the sad times. Now we start renewal and look for- ward ito: the completion of the Wycallis build- ing in Aug. 1999.” y Board president John Litz said that Wycallis was a real leader and the district was very fortu- nate to have had him. Gerald Wycallis spent 25 years in the district, serving first as principal of Dallas Elementary School. He was appointed interim superintendent in 1984, then elected to the post by a 5-4 vote. But he was known as much for his public service as his work, volunteering with youth sports See SCHOOL, pg 2 Dallas math students are tops in national contest By KYLIE SHAFFERKOETTER at : Post Staff ® five points. * é .- But, Scott Saba, math team ‘DALLAS - After four grueling # tests, the scores are in and Dallas High'School’'s math team is ranked number one among 200 private and’ public high schools in the entire United States. “I'm so excited for the kids. They were the ones who put in the work.” Scott Saba Dallas math teacher *'This is the first time the math team competed in a national con- test. They secured first place in the advanced math test by a solid ‘It's a great way to end my senior year,” said Jeff Faneck. Although the test scores are posted on the Internet, the results were- not confirmed for about a week. Jeff's mother, Jeanne, was concerned. “I keep worrying they're going to find some glitch in the score. 1 wish we knew for sure,” she said. supervisor, confirmed the score. “I thought we would rank high, but I didn't think we would get number one,” grin on his face. the kids. They were the ones who put in the work.” There are almost 30 juniors and seniors on the team. met once a week with Saba to study for the tests. “It gives them a sense of ac- complishment and pride. are the best,” Saba said. Two hundred schools from all said Saba; with a “I'm so excited for They They Dallas High math team, from left, first row; Beth Carey, Michelle Jayne, Stacey Wagner, Sarah Williams, Aileah Kvashay, Stephanie Potisek, Virginia Leah Sarti. Second row; Thomas Swartwood, Jacey Peterson, Jennifer Vodzak, Rose Alaimo, Michael Cleary, Kristyn Race. Third row; Anthony Luizza, Jeffrey Faneck, William Piasta, Amy Samuels, Janine Chalk, Segan Millington, Scott Saba, instructor. Fourth row; Brian Blase, David Williams, Chad Newell, Erik Steltz, Jason Vodzak, Ken Hoover, Chris See MATH, pg 8 Schneider. Absent, Brenda Karavitch. paperwork involved. Getting the money back isn’t easy on a big project. administrators use these companies be- The districts in the state. See SALES TAX, pg 8 Mundy wins hike in women's health funds By KYLIE SHAFFERKOETTER Post Staff BACK MOUNTAIN - The num- bers are not adding up for health care programs designed to help “working poor” women in Luzerne County and across the state. With a continual increase of poor pa- tients and annual decrease of funds, women’s health care and family planning for those hover- ing around the poverty line are in a crunch. State representative Phyllis Mundy is making family planning and women’s health care a prior- ity. After the House voted down Mundy’ s $6 million dollar budget proposal for women’s health care and alternative to abortion pro- grams, she renegotiated and won $1 million for each. “It's remarkable we got the ad- ditional money,” said Mundy. Remarkable because there are many people who oppose funding for family planning for many rea- sons. “There are people who do not believe in birth control. There are people opposed to any money go- ing to such groups as Planned Parenthood because one of the services they provide is counsel- ing and one of the options (in- cluded in the counseling) is abor- tion. Others were concerned about taking money from tourism and marketing and putting itinto fam- ily planning,” she explained When designing a budget, rep- resentatives must take money from a line item to finance other items. Mundy chose tourism and marketing because Luzerne County received only 0 000 for tourism last year. “A lot of areas of the state rely on tourism. If I thought Luzerne County relied heavily on that money | would have taken it from somewhere else,” said Mundy. Mundy believes there is a large number of working women who simply cannot afford health in- surance or a doctor's care. “I see women who are trying to get off welfare and trying to be responsible. Maybe they've found See WOMEN'S HEALTH, pg 5 Neighbors oppose office in R-1 zone DALLAS TWP. - People who live on Center Hill Rd. are petitioning against the issuance of a special exception for Edward Hartman who wants to move his insurance office to an existing house on an R-1 lot. strictly residential. “Everyone I talked to does not want an office there. We want to keep it all resi- dential,” said Eva Ryan, who lives next door to the house and lot that are for sale. "Since it’s an insurance agency, you know people will be coming and go- ing.” Ryan said a petition has just started circulating to homes around the neighborhood. + Despite the fact that professional offices can be in a residential area with zoning board approval, the neighbors want to keep their street Edward Hartman wants to put his insurance office in this house on E. Center Hill Rd. See ZONE, pg 2 HE Looking good Dallas and Lake-Lehman Indoor Color Guards place well at championships. Pg 2. Hl On track Lake-Lehman boys track team is having an out- standing season. Photos, pg 9. 14 Pages, 2 Sections Calendar................. 11 Classified............: 12-13 Crossword................ 11 Editorials... 4 Obituaries............ 12 School.................50 10 Spoons... a 9, 14 CALL 675-5211 FOR HOME DELIVERY, NEWS OR ADVERTISING > The Dallas Post EL- Please enclose this label with any address changes, and mail to The Dallas Post, P.O. Box 366, Dallas PA 18612-0366 MAILING LAB - a
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