6 The Dallas Post Dallas, PA Wednesday, June 17, 1998 Board's influence on hiring must be kept in check The request by Lake-Lehman school directors to be more involved in hiring teachers seems innocuous on its face. Lois Kopcha, the school board chairperson, says she just wants to be able to tell the public more about why a particular teacher was hired over other candidates. That way, she says, public skepti- cism about the process can be quickly and easily diffused by the logical response that the best candidate was hired. So far, so good, but there's the chance this could be the proverbial camel's nose under the tent, leading to board members not just request- ing information, but expressing favoritism for applicants. That would not be good. : Rumors of preferential hiring by schools are rife in Northeast- ern Pennsylvania, and probably other places as well. Most of us have heard the story that aspiring teachers are told to deliver tribute to this school director or that one in order to get a full- time job. Or, better yet, just be related to someone on the school board or in the administration and you're a shoe-in for the position. Most of these stories are untrue, of course, but the fact that they continue to be told illustrates their power to influence our thoughts. That's why it’s a mistake to take action that feeds cynicism that already infects many people in this region. If all the school directors wanted was to review the candidates — which most of us assumed they already did — they surely could simply have asked to see the files or to sit in on interviews, as is the practice in many districts. That raises a question: Why does Kopcha think it necessary to vote on what appears to be a routine matter? Is this simply an effort on her part to assert herself, in the belief that giving weight to trivia is a sign of leadership, or is there something more sinister at work? Only time and experience will tell. Probably the best aspect of this episode is that the public now knows some board members want a larger role in hiring teach- ers,-and more eyes will be watching the results. That is almost always a good thing, especially at Lake-Lehman these days. Inspiration beats self pity In an age when it sometimes seems anyone who has not won the lottery is considered a victim, Eileen Rockensies sets an example for all of us to follow. Mrs. Rockensies has suffered with Multiple Sclerosis for nearly three decades. As the disease has progressed, she has faced challenges that could easily have sapped her spirit and changed a positive attitude to bitterness. But she resisted, giving birth to and raising three children who are ‘healthy in mind and body while continuing to volunteer to help others in need. For her, MS is “just another problem in life that has to be dealt with.” The perception that most people would rather complain about every little discomfort while asking for special treatment is probably inaccurate, fueled more by attention seekers and a willing media than by our experience. Still, it is unusual for someone facing such large obstacles to adapt to them so graciously, keeping so much room in their heart for others. Perhaps that is Mrs. Rockensies’ secret; that she takes time to think about and work for the benefit of people whom she can help, even if she is denied some of the pleasures of life they enjoy. Whatever the recipe she’s using, we could all use some of the ingredients. Publisher's notebook ; I am proud to have been awarded first place for headline writing in the Keystone Press Awards contest. I'm far from mastering this art — as I'm sure you can tell each week — even though I've spent years trying. But when they let you pick your three best headlines from an entire year of work, well, maybe a monkey couldn't win it, but he might stand a chance at honorable mention. I'm troubled though, by the judge's comments, at least the ones she put on the back of the evaluation form. After praising my heds (that’s newspaper lingo for headlines) as accurate, appealing and telling the stories well, she couldn't resist sug- gesting that I work on finding “punchy words that have a little ‘attitude’ (without editorializing).” Maybe this “attitude” is one of the reasons the “media” is now held in about the same high regard as penny stock salesmen. I don’t know about you, but I'm not sure how to cop an attitude without slanting the end result. But I'll try. Instead of writing: Winner miffed at judge’s comments I could write: Judge’s comments suck Hey, it’s even shorter ... and punchier. i tase rl fn Kl GS i a GU Ll a F AP Do you agree? Disagree? Editorials are the opinion of the management of The Dallas Post. We welcome your opinion on contemporary issues in the form of letters to the editor. If you don't write, the community may never hear a contrasting point of view. Send letters to: The Dallas Post, P.O. Box 366, Dallas, PA 18612. Please include your name, address and a daytime phone number so that we may verify authenticity. We do not publish anonymous letters, but will consider withholding the name in exceptional circum- stances. We reserve the right to edit for length and grammar. 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 Jessica Appolo ADVERTISING ACCT. EXEC Kylie Shafferkoetter REPORTER Ruth Proietto PRODUCTION MANAGER Olga Kostrobala CLASSIFIED/TYPESETTING Jill Gruver OFFICE MANAGER MEMBER PRINTED WITH NIN SOY INK SEEGRAL Ryvonnren Bleeding hearts aren't just political liberals. Photo by Charlotte Bartizek. The economic Viewpoip Howard Grossman Have you ever wondered what is happening in parts of North- eastern Pennsylvania towhich you may have never traveled, even though some of these areas are only one hour distance away? For example, Tobyhanna Army Depot in Monroe County, the largest employer in Northeastern Penn- sylvania, will be receiving 825 new jobs as a result of a transfer of jobs from McClellan Air Force Base in Sacramento, California to Tobyhanna over the next three years. Monroe County will have a referendum on the May 1998 bal- lot asking for a $25 million open space bond issue. Monroe County also is undergoing an extensive visioning process which is de- signed to help guide the county into the next century. Pike County has received fund- ing for the development of a new business park. Pike County is the fastest growing County in Penn- sylvania. A feasibiity study was recently released concerning the opportunity to establish a major performing arts center in that county which would be equiva- lent to the legendary Tanglewood in Massachusetts. Places to go, things to do Wayne County, which contains the communities of Honesdale and Hawley, has one of the finest land preservation sanctuaries on the east coast, Lacawac Sanctuary. It also contains the Dorflinger Sanc- tuary, which holds summertime concerts and is a cultural mecca of great substance. The Lackawanna Valley Indus- trial Highway, a 17-mile, $461 million project, should be com- pleted sometime in 1999 and will connect Scranton with Carbondale and open up new land areas for development in Lackawanna and Wayne Coun- ties. A proposal based upon a major study has advocated the restora- tion of rail passenger service be- tween Scranton and New York City, traversing Lackawanna and Monroe Counties in Northeastern Pennsylvania. ; Grey Towers, the former home of Gifford Pinchot, a 1930's Gov- ernor of Pennsylvania and na- tionally known conservationist and forester, is an outstanding facility which attracts tourism as well a special workshops with benefits of national significance. Lake Wallenpaupack is the larg- est man-made lake in Pennsylva- nia with a 52-mile lakefront. The Lake Wallenpaupack Area Management District is a model lake protection program includ- ing Pike and Wayne counties, eight municipalities and a small part of two other counties. The Nature Conservancy be- lieves that sections of the Pocono Plateau in Monroe County repre- sent “one of the last great places” in the nation, has an office in Monroe County, and is working on the preservation of thousands of acres in the Pocono Mountains. The Stourbridge rail line is an excellent excursion rail system in Wayne County, and connects Honesdale to the former home of author Zane Grey. The Delaware Water Gap Na- tional Recreation Area in Pike and Monroe counties is the 10th most used national park facility in ‘the nation. The Upper Delaware Wild and Scenic River facility is a na- tional asset which impacts Pike and Wayne Counties. The region is blessed with out- standing facilities and assets which may, not be widely known to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton/ Hazleton Metropolitan Area resi- dents but which are part of the Northeastern Pennsylvania expe- rience. Those who want to know more about these and many other facilities within the Pocono North- east should contact the Economic Development Council of North- eastern Pennsylvania (EDCNP) at 1151 Oak Street, Pittston, Pa 18640 to find out more about the heritage, current activities, and the 21st Century future of one of the great regions of the world. Howard Grossman is Executive Director of the Economic Develop- ment council of Northeastern Penn- sylvania. He lives in Dallas. WORD ON THE STREET @.: Should school directors be more involved in teacher hiring? ea _. - = DAVID PUCHALSKY Lehman "I'ma proponent of states holding general elections for teaching positions. | don't know if board mem- bers would be helpful." tion." RON TRIBENDIS Hanover Twp. "| don't think they should be involved atall. There's going to be favoritism with the board or ‘administra- Where asked: Cook's Grocery and Sun Palace Sunoco in Lehman interviews." STAN EGAN Lehman DAN HISLOP Lake Silkworth "The board should do "Theboardshouldbe very most of the hiring, if not involved." all. They should sit in on ONLY YESTERDAY 60 Years Ago - June 24, 1938: PRINCE OF PEACE BUYS =". LAND FORNEW CHURCH : The Church of the Prince of * Peace Protestant Episcopal, bo] * * wr bought from Fred Renard this week, a large tract of land situ-: * ated to the right of the intersec- Mi tion of the Fernbrook Rd., Pioneer y Ave. on which the rection ofa new :’ «. ture. The action of the church which was formed in 1929 in Shav- ertown, has received the formal approval of Bishop Frank W.: chapel will begin in the near fu“ Sterrett and plans for the new 1. structure to be built on 2200x200 foot track are being drawn up by. Col. Thomas A. Atherton. WPA project for the improve- ment of Dallas Township High School was approved this week by President Roosevelt. An appro- priation of $7,350 has been allot- ted, which will be used towards : the construction of courts, drive-i ways, gutters drain, catch basins, grading, spreading, filling, load- post and railings, excavation. . ing and hauling and the perfor-': : mance of incidentals and appur-- ©: tenant work. ¥ Ll 50 Years Ago - June 25, 1948 ** HILLSIDE FARMS HOLDS FIELD DAY Hillside Farms Inc. will wel-’ come the Luzerne and Columbia Counties, Holstein Association and others interested in Holstein-- cattle at the annual Field Day’ July 8. Visitors will inspect the - cattle and visit the farm. There will be a basket lunch at noon. In the afternoon there will be inter: - esting talks by interesting people: ::= A gift of $750 from Russell Frantz, head of Motor Twins, and: a resident of Chase nounced at a meeting of Jackson Township Volunteer Fire Dept. :c Monday evening at Rome School: Members were informed that an. was an-a&a’ > » 59] r yi J elaborate record of contributions ‘i= and payments has been set up under the supervision of Paul 2b Gross and James Twaddle. PET OWNERS URGED TO INOCULATE DOGS Panama Williams Corp., Hous- - ton, TX has been awarded the contract for laying 130 miles ‘6f 24-in. and 30-in. gas pipeline across Pennsylvania and New Jer- 40 Years Ago - June 20, 1958 += x Aon ! sey for Transcontinental Trans- ‘> mission Corp. About 100 miles.of - '? 24-in. line will be laid in Pennsy}-* vania from Picture Rocks to the: State line at the Delaware River.’ From there changing from 24-in. A) to 30-in. the line will extend 30 miles ending near Princeton, NJ. Back Mountain residents are’ urgently advised to have their dogs *~ inoculated at once against rabies: Two foxes showing peculiarities + of conduct have been killed re- cently in the Kunkle Area. Look-'* ing back to the mad-fox scare six years ago, inoculation is a small. : price to pay for peace of mind. 30 Years Ago - June 27, 1968 * DISQUE APPOINTED DEPUTY CORONER Richard H. Disque II has been appointed by Luzerne County * Coroner Dr. John Gibbons as a w ? 1] u deputy coroner of the Back Moun tain area which includes Trucks- ville, Shavertown, Dallas Borough, Dallas Township, Lehman Town- ' ship and Harveys Lake Borough "*° and Harveys Lake Township. Due *" to the large territory covered and the increased need for the ser- ; vices of a coroner, Disque will alternate with his father Richard’ H. Disque in this field. For the first time in 11 years, Rabbi Abram Barras will not take’ the pulpit at Shavertown Method- ist Church during the vacation of Rev. Robert D. Yost. The vacation *'’ schedule of both clerical leaders = coincide. Barras has been enor- mously popular with the Shaver- town congregation. He is spiri-' tual leader of Temple Israel in" Wilkes-Barre and a close associ- ~~ ate of Rev. Yost. 20 Years Ago - June 22, 1978 TRUCKSVILLE FIRE CO. CELEBRATES 60 YRS. Trucksville Volunteer Fire Co. will celebrate its 60th anniver- 3 ST 1 sary with the annual “Summer ; Fair” June 22-25. F. Allen Nichols and Paul Sabol, co-chairmen have A— J Or e Rh p annoumnced the fair will be held oF, 9 on the Howard Isaacs Used Car ~ Lot, Rt. 309, Trucksville. AS ON) 2
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers