a9 3 Vol. 110 No. 34 The Back Mountain's The Dallas Post I= BAAN CRE gs =Ne{e] VVC REI=ISH OL =i i o | =48 BVA EH WARSI 8 WAN (=H R= 2 | VAN RS 01 z [00] I BI IS i Si [OF ES Dallas, Pennsylvania 50 Cents August 25 thru August 31, 1999 School work eh Preparing for the new school year, the demolition crew from Mesko Glass removed an old window from Gate of Heaven School. The Private well owners urged to take precautions By KASIA McDONOUGH Post Staff BACK MOUNTAIN - The De- ) | partment of Environmental Pro- ~ tection (DEP) advises private well owners to prepare for potential problems associated with decreas- ing ground water levels. Geological and physical char- acteristics coupled with persis- tent drought conditions across the region have created an imbalance between water supply and de- mand. “The Back Mountain is in a uniquely vulnerable position be- cause the area is above the water table,” said Mark Carmon, DEP Community Relations Director. “Most of the precipitation that falls simply runs off into creeks and streams, very little is absorbed so POST PHOTO/CHARLOTTE BARTIZEK school replaced many windows in preparation for the 1999-2000 school session, which begins Monday. Back to school pages 10-11. it takes a long time to re-charge ground water levels in these com- munities.” Ironically, too much water was a contributing factor to increases in population growth which now strain the watershed. “After the Agnes Flood, we had an influx of new residents to the Back Moun- tain,” said Carmon. “Many of them rely on private wells and many of the public water companies which serve the region also use wells.” The long-term lack of precipi- tation is taking a toll on ground water levels and sensible con- sumption has become even more crucial. “We had an unusually dry winter, then we had some rain last spring but it did little to im- See WELLS, pg 8 Could menin towers have | spotted escape? Revelation that security system was not operating comes as shock to many By KASIA McDONOUGH Post Staff JACKSON TOWNSHIP - Ad- ministrators at the State Correc- tional Institute at Dallas (SCID) are under fire as community mem- bers, local government officials and prison guards question the effectiveness of the facility's secu- rity system, which failed to detect two escapees last week. The revelation, offered by Ken Burnett, Director of Public Affairs at SCID, that high-tech surveil- lance equipment and containment measures were not yet fully op- erational came as a surprise, even to those working at the prison. “Everybody was led to believe it was up and running,” said one guard, who said he is not allowed to comment publicly. Phone calls to Burnett were not returned Mon- day or Tuesday. Prior to the decision to install additional electronic surveillance equipment as a cost saving mea- sure, correctional officers were stationed in observation towers around the clock. “I think they should be manned 24 hours a day seven days aweek,” said the guard, who asked not to be identified. Pat Rusiloski, who led a group of Jackson Township residents in the fight to keep guards in the towers, thinks the decision was made haphazardly. “If they want to cut back on spending they should get rid of some of the pro- grams they have for the inmates,” she said. “They are the ones in prison, not us.” Last week's escape has renewed the effort to create dialogue be- tween residents and prison au- thorities. “Our group hasn't had a meeting since October of 1996,” said Rusiloski. “We stopped try- ing because we felt the Bureau of Corrections just didn’t care about what we had to say, but I think they will have to listen to our concerns now.” Rusiloski and several others presented a petition with 679 sig- natures to the Bureau of Prisons at the time de-manning the tow- ers was being discussed, but their efforts had little impact. “I would like to see more government offi- cials get involved. I think the su- pervisors of Jackson and Lehman Township have to get involved if the situation is going to improve.” In addition to the reduction of See ESCAPE, pg 8 They sing of lifelong friendship Members of the Dallas Women's Club Choral gathered recently for the group's 61st reunion. The Choral was reorganized in 1948 after World War II, and sang locally/and at Grand Central Station in New York for many years. Photos, story, on page 3. C ® Tears, tributes dedicate new Wycallis School By KASIA McDONOUGH Post Staff DALLAS - A touching ceremony, linking the past and future of education in the Dallas School District, was held Sunday at. the new elementary school. The day's festivities included a tribute to Gerald Wyecallis, the former superintendent for whom a new elementary school building is named. “For many years, Gerry was the cornerstone of this district and it is only fitting that we honor him today,” said State Senator Charles Lemmond in his dedicatory address. In an era when most schools bear the names of political leaders, it was equally appropriate that a state senator take time to extol the would have had a lot virtues of those who usually of fun here.” Matt Wycallis remain in the shadows of the lime-light. “I have been involved in education myself for many years,” said Judith Wycallis, the former superintendent's widow. “And this is only the second time I have seen a new building named for an administrator.” The uncommon honor is a small repayment for the many years of service Wycallis offered during his 25-year tenure at Dallas, speakers said. “We've built a child-centered, kid-oriented school that will always be associated with the man who we remember here,” said Dr. Gilbert Griffiths, Superintendent of Schools. At the school’s main entrance a paper-doll shaped figure holds a sign reading “Welcome.’ ' The greeting is extended to students, many of whom had previously attended Westmoreland Elementary, and to family, friends and neighbors of Gerald Wyecallis who took part in the opening ceremony. “Throughout the years, Gerry's family, his wife, brothers, sisters and children have been most gracious whenever we called,” said Griffiths. “We hope they will continue to be a part of the Dallas family for See DEDICATION, pg 2 POST PHOTO/KASIA McDONOUGH Dr. Gil Griffiths, Superintendent of Schools, spoke at the dedication of the new Wycallis Elementary School. Griffiths served as assistant superintendent to Gerald Wycallis, for whom the school is named. Imprints on the wall are taken from children's drawings. Building designed with kids in mind DALLAS - Wycallis El- ementary was constructed from typical materials such as steel, masonry and tile but a sense fun, which the architects included in their plans, distinguishes the school. : The newly opened facility, built at a cost of $8,099,717, features 28 teaching stations furnished with the latest high-tech educational equip- ment. Natural light streams through the school's many windows and vibrant shades of red, blue, green and yellow coat the walls. “Our strategy was to approach the design of this project from the eyes of a child,” said Joel Sims, of the Quad 3 Group. This concept was bolstered by current architectural trends which call for the use of renewable and recycled, or recyclable, materials. “When | was growing up ev- eryone threw everything in the trash can and never gave it a second thought,” said See BUILDING, pg 2 14 Pages, 2 Sections Calendar................... 14 Classified............. 12-13 Crossword................ 14 Editonials.....c.oouiinn 4 ObUAIIES., iu: visu denis 12 SCAOOL.. iter. vues ons 10-11 SPOMS. cities bi fons son 9 CALL 675-5211 FOR HOME DELIVERY, NEWS OR ADVERTISING E-mail: dalpost@aol.com The Dallas Post MAILING LABEL- Please enclose this label with any address changes, and mail to The Dallas Post, P.O. Box 366, Dallas PA 18612-0366 ‘A |
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