i § | : [ i i i | i The Dallas Post Dallas, PA Wednesday, December 15, 1999 IEDITORIALS op — Thanks, and a challenge to those who serve Local school boards and municipal governments are seating new members this month and electing new leaders. While it’s fashionable (and sometimes even a little fun) to criticize anyone and everyone in government, this is a good time to recognize the important contributions these men and women make to the betterment of our communities. Conscientious elected local officials are financially compen- sated for only a fraction of the time and effort they put into their positions. We tend to think of them as people who sit at a meeting table once or twice a month, but there is far more to their jobs than that. The good ones — and most of them fit this category — spend hours each month reviewing documents, visiting sites in their areas and researching matters that come before them. They hold ultimate responsibility for our schools and roads, our parks and police, and take that task on because of a personal commitment to public service. Unfortunately, the only time many of them get any special attention for the effort is when something goes wrong, or a controversy arises. Then the television crews and daily paper reporters flock into town with eyes peeled for dissension and strife, missing the over- whelming majority of time things run smoothly. We wish the best to new and incumbent officials alike, and hope they have the desire and courage to fix what is broken and the wisdom to know when to keep hands off. Publisher's notebook Attention advertisers - don’t waste your money on television. Ignore what that salesman in the cheap suit tells you about “reach, frequency and pairs of eyes.” It’s not true — his bosses say so. I know this because whenever the suggestion is made that children who watch thousands of people being beat up, thrown from roofs and shot dead may be just the slightest bit affected by what they see on the boob tube, the network honchos react with horror at such wild speculation. But when they call on potential advertisers, there's not a doubt in their minds about how effective television is at persuading people to buy more potato chips or Internet stocks. I don’t think Super Bowl advertisers are forking over millions for a minute of our time and not expecting to influence us. Of course, I could be wrong. It wouldn't be the first time (I mean in the past hour). Perhaps, like executives of tobacco companies, who swore under oath they hadn't the faintest idea that smoking was addictive, the folks who give us kickboxing heros and the WWF are shocked . . shocked that anyone might think they would knowingly air shows that could appeal to our base instincts. Besides, they're just giving us what we asked for, right? Well, not really. Cable has certainly added variety to our viewing choices — now we can see dangerous weather or crazy car chases on five or six channels — but it’s not as if we screamed in unison for more blood and gore. However, the people who watch the most television, unemployed housewives in curlers, apparently vote for this stuff, along with soap opera- like prime time shows whose theme is Sex, Sex, Sex. I don’t have anything against that either, except that the portrayals are right out of middle school students’ daydreams. Anyhow, the next time your son’s classmate body slams him on the playground, or when your teenage daughter starts trying to look like Buffy, don’t think it’s because of television. It’s probably your fault. About letters, columns and editorials The Dallas Post attempts to publish opinions on a variety of topics in many forms. Editorials, which are the opinion of the managment of The Post, appear on the editorial page and are written by the editor unless otherwise indicated. Any artwork represents the opinion of the cartoonist, and columns are the opinion of the author. Letters to the editor are welcome and will be published, subject to the following guidelines: * Letters should not exceed 500 words. * No writer may have more than one letter published on a single subject during a 30-day period, except as a reply to another letter. * Letters must be signed and include the writer's home town and a telephone number for verification. * Names will be withheld only if there exists a clear threat to the writer. * The Post retains the right to accept or reject any letter, and to edit letters for grammar and spelling, as well as to eliminate any libel, slander or objectionable wording. In addition to letters, we welcome longer pieces that may run as columns. The author or subject's relevance to the Back Mountain will be the prime consideration when selecting material for publi- cation. The Dallas Post helps you feel at home in the Back Mountain The Dallas Post Published Weekly By Bartsen Media, Inc. P.O. Box 366, Dallas PA 18612 570-675-5211 Charlotte E. Bartizek ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER OFFICE MANAGER Ronald A. Bartizek PUBLISHER Gregory Culver : ADVERTISING ACCT. EXEC Kasia McDonough REPORTER Olga Kostrobala CLASSIFIED/TYPESETTING Ruth Proietto PRODUCTION MANAGER Christine Pizzano OFFICE ASSISTANT PRINTED WITH PENNSYLVANIA SOV INK] re Deyn C [i Ae Frosty in two dimensions. Photo by Charlotte Bartizek. Jones bids farewell, and says thanks to all Editor: ' As the last few weeks of this administration nears, allow me to thank the people of Luzerne County for their trust and sup- port in giving me four years as a Luzerne County Commissioner. My sincerest ap- preciation to Luzerne County employees who work hard each day to do the public's work and uphold its trust. Also, my gratitude to the news media, who must daily balance fairness and accuracy and not abandon its principles for the sale of circulation and ratings. To my family and friends, simply, thank you, you know how much I value your support. Four years ago, I promised “Progress Not Politics” and hope that this administration's accom- plishments reflect that the goal was achieved. During the last four years, the Wyoming Valley Levee Project finally got under- way, approximately 25 years after it was initially proposed. Argu- ably the most important and his- toric partnership project ever in Luzerne County, when completed it will provide a safer, more eco- nomically-attractive region. In mid-June 1998, Luzerne County Enhanced 9-1-1 went on JOSEPH "RED" JONES line. The Emergency Communi- cations Center operates continu- ously on a 24-hour, seven day a week basis and is staffed by over 50 trained telecommunicators. Simply put, Luzerne County is safer because 9-1-1 saves lives. There was continued expan- sion at Luzerne County Commu- nity College, where quality, af- fordable education is offered to the young and the young at heart. In June 1996, a $21 million cam- pus renovation effort commenced, including the now open three- story Campus Center. I suggest that if you have not seen the won- derful campus in Nanticoke, take time to do so. It is truly a crown jewel in education. There's so much more I could talk about. Creation of the Tour- ist Promotion Agency, a new park- ing garage to better serve those who use the courthouse, a County Greenways Initiative, the creation of a Farmland Preservation Study Commission, a new Voter Ser- vices Inspection Board to ensure ballot count integrity, enhance- “ment of services at our Hazleton Annex, computers for our library system, new busses, creation of the Children’s Alliance and ag- gressive economic development including the Keystone Opportu- nity Zones initiative. Note that each of these projects or programs helps develop a safer community, a better quality of life or a more attractive economic development climate. And, yes, the magnificent Luzerne County Arena, opened its doors last month. It will for decades be a cornerstone for tour- ism and a beacon to a better way of life in Northeastern Pennsylva- nia. Much like the community college, if you haven't seen it yet, take the time and do so. It is a building all of Northeastern Penn- sylvania can point to with pride. These programs and projects were started or completed because of your trust and support. You gave me four years and my only hope is that the time was utilized to enhance the quality of life in Luzerne County. Remember my goal: that Luzerne County resi- dents would be better off today than they were four years ago. That is what was meant by “Progress Not Politics.” I will let the record speak for itself. In closing, I am most thankful for having had the opportunity to serve. For having had interaction with good citizens, who share the same vision of a better of Luzerne County. For the friendships that were established. For the work that was accomplished and the services which were enhanced. To my colleagues, Tom Makowski and Frank Crossin, it was a pleasure to work with you. To the people of Luzerne County, it was an honor to serve you. Joseph “Red” Jones Commissioner LEGISLATORS DIRECTORY Federal Officials State Officials Representative Paul E. Kanjorski (Democrat) Wilkes-Barre: 825-2200 Washington: (202) 225-6511 e-mail: paul. kanjorski@hr.house.gov # 400M, 7 N. Wilkes-Barre Blvd., Wilkes-Barre PA 18702 or 2353 Rayburn Building, Washington, DC 20515 Senator Arlen Specter (Republican) Wilkes-Barre: 826-6265 Washington: (202) 224-4254 e-mail: senator_specter@specter.senate.gov 116 South Main Street, Wilkes-Barre PA 18701 or 711 Hart Senate Office Bldg., Washington, DC 20510 Senator Rick Santorum (Republican) Scranton: 344-8799 Washington: (202) 224-6324 Fax: (202) 228-4991 e-mail: senator@santorum.senate.gov 527 Linden St., Scranton, PA 18503 120 Russell Senate Office Bldg. Washington, DC 20510 State Senator Charles D. Lemmond (Republican) (717) 675-3931 e-mail: smurphy@pasen.gov 22 Dallas Shopping Ctr., Memorial Hwy., Dallas PA 18612-1231 (Republican) State Representative George Hasay 287-7505 or 542-7345 or 474-2276 or 477-3752 144 North Mountain Boulevard, Mountaintop PA 18707 Hasay's district encompasses: Harveys Lake, Leh- man Township, Jackson Township, Lake Town- ship, Franklin Township, Ross Township, and Dal- las Township's north voting district. State Representative Phyllis Mundy (Democrat) 283-9622 or 655-3375 Suite 113, 400 Third Avenue, Kingston PA 18704 Mundy's district encompasses: Dallas Borough, Dallas Township except for the north voting dis- trict, and Kingston Township. ONLY YESTERDAY ‘Shavertown. 70 Years Ago - Dec. 14, 1929 MODERN HARDWARE STORE WILL OPEN IN DALLAS An announcement was made this week that W. B. Risley of} Noxen and Stuart Major of Kingston have purchased the bankrupt stock of hardware of the former Dallas Hardware and Sup- ply Co. and will open a thoroughly modern hardware and farm sup- ply store in Dallas. The sale of stock which does not include the present building was made at the offices of the referee of bankruptcy” 4 in Wilkes-Barre. Talking motion pictures will soon be heard in Dallas. Wesley Himmler, owner of Himmler The- atre placed an order with Vitaphone Corp. this week for one of its latest and most modern theatre talking equipments. 60 Years Ago - Dec. 15, 1939 MRS. MABEL ALLEN STANG DIES AT HOME 3 A daughter of a man who was born while George Washington was president, Mrs. Mabel Allen Stang, 82, died Tuesday evening at her home on Shagbark Drive in Seldom ‘does the span of two lives stretch over such a historic period as that which was inclosed in the generations represented by Mrs. Stang andsy her father Augustus Allen. Mr. Allenwas born Oct. 29, 1796 while Washington was president. His life and the life of his daughter covered the terms of all the presi- dents of the United States. 50 Years Ago - Dec. 15, 1949 NEW WATER PUMP HELPS FIRE CO. BATTLE BLAZES There will be an importanig meeting of Dr. Henry M. Laing Fire Co. for nomination of officers. At the same time the company will purchase a new auxiliary pump to be used in areas where the only source of water supply is a stream or a spring. A pump of this sort would have been of invaluable service at the recent Pauling fire in Parrish Heights. Placed at thery source of supply the pump will furnish water for the truck booster tank. The company will also pur- chase two flood lights with a 1,000 watt generator and 150 ft. of coiled wire on a reel. These lights will provide illumination for night fire fighting and or accident and di- saster work. 40 Years Ago - Dec. 17, 1959 GATE OF HEAVEN REACHES OUT TO SCHOOL IN NEED As a neighborly gesture and to assist a parish that has suffered severe financial loss through re- cent mine subsidence in Forty Fort, Gate of Heaven Parent Teach- ers Guild will repeat its success- ful minstrel High Pockets and Crackerjacks in Forty Fort High School auditorium for the benefit gy of Holy Name of Jesus School. Funds raised from the minstrel will go toward repairs to the dam- aged school which amount to ap- proximatelv $50,000. You could get - Turkeys, 49¢ 1b.; butt half hams, 69¢ 1b.; sweet potatoes, 31bs., 19¢; Ocean Spray cranberry sauce, 2 1g. cans, 55¢; Breyers Ice Cream, 1/2 gal. $1.00. 30 Years Ago - Dec. 18, 1969 NEW ACME MARKET TO OPEN IN DALLAS Acme Market, long a Dallas landmark will have a new home this summer when work is com- pleted on the huge new market now under construction at the corner of Church and Foster Streets, Dallas. The market will be built on property previously gg owned by Mr. and Mrs. Lee Culver and Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Culver as well as on the ground where the old Ben Franklin Five & Dime Store and now defunct Harveys Lake Light Co. presently stands. The new market will house a deli- catessen, as well as a complete selection of gourmet foods. 20 Years Ago - Dec. 13, 1979 LEHMAN BUDGET INCLUDES gg TWO MILL INCREASE Lehman Township supervisors passed a proposed budget of $152,497 for 1980 at their meet- ing Monday evening. Proposed budget for 1980 shows an in- crease of $16,178 over 1979 bud- get of $136,178. It includes a two mill increase over nine mills of 1979 which is expected to be used{@ for purchase and repair of fire department equipment for the township's three fire companies.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers