4 The Dallas Post Dallas, PA Wednesday, March 15, 2000 EDITORIALS The people we rely on could use some more help Local fire and ambulance companies are looking for a few good men and women. Just like the U.S. military, Back Mountain emergency crews are only as strong as the individu- als who comprise them. The present members are more than qualified, there just aren't enough of them. Shortages of volunteers are nothing new. Ever since the Back Mountain began to grow, as people who worked elsewhere saw the region as a desirable place to live, the demands on fire and ambulance personnel have been expanding, but the pool of willing bodies hasn't kept pace. This is especially true during the daytime hours, when many people are out of the area at work, but traffic flow is high, resulting in more accidents but fewer firefighters and emergency medical technicians (EMT's) to respond to them. Many of today’s volunteers are following in the bootsteps of parents and grandparents, but not all. Anyone with a desire to help people is more than welcome to join neighbors of varying interests and experience who come to the aid of victims of fire, accident and weather. It doesn’t pay much — actually it doesn’t pay at all in monetary terms — but the satisfaction of saving lives and property outweighs money in the bank for these dedicated volunteers. Yes, they must be dedicated. While they aren't paid, local emergency personnel are well-trained and highly motivated to keep up with the latest techniques. That means they spend free time taking courses and practicing with equipment so that when they are needed, they will be ready. Not every volunteer needs to grab a fire hose or insert an IV, though. There's plenty more that needs doing, from keeping the books to staffing fundraisers that bring in the money needed to keep equipment up to snuff. In many ways it is more difficult to be a volwiicer firefighter or EMT today, but it is just as rewarding as ever. If you're so inclined, get in touch with the company in your town and see what you can do to help maintain these vital services. Publisher's notebook | Now that Bill Bradley and John McCain have been removed from the Campaign 2000 scene, we can look forward to a traditional late 20th century general election race between two men who want to win the presidency in the worst way, which is exactly how they'll probably go about it. You know, with dialogue goes something like this: Algore to Dubya: “Your mother wears Army boots!” Dubya to Algore: “Oh yeah, you eat your boogers!” Actually, there's hope the discourse will reach a higher plane, spurred in part by Bradley's and McCain's emphasis on reforming the way campaigns are financed. Here's a sample: Dubya to Algore: “I've got more money than you, and that makes me better, nyah, nyah, nyah!” Algore to Dubya: “See, see, that’s why we need campaign reform, so I'm not forced to take money from the Chinese army just to keep up with him.” Then there's the “character” issue that drew so many people to the alternatives, looking for someone who told the truth and had been proven through hard times. Here’s how the two major candidates might address that one: Algore: “T'll admit it, I didn’t really serve in combat, and I ‘exaggerated’ my military experience a bit. Can you forgive me, since I invented the Internet?” Dubya: “I am not a drunk . . any more.” Of course, it’s unlikely McCain would have fared much better in news reports had his “insurgent” campaign succeeded. (Don’t you just love that tag, applied to a man with a genuine military pedigree? Makes it sound like his ragtag band was about to storm the White House with M-16s blazing.) Surely more would have come out about his failings, although he did have a great tactic in telling the press all about his faults before they could even ask. And what about Bradley? All the guy had going for him was a brilliant intellect and a commitment to spreading America’s wealth around. Look where that got him. An old saying claims the electorate gets what it deserves. Makes you wonder in this case how we became so undeserving. Your news is welcome The Dallas Post welcomes submissions about Back Mountain people and events. In order to plan each issue, we must adhere to self-imposed deadlines, as well as those of our printer. To have the greatest likelihood of publication, items should be received at our office by 4 p.m. the Friday prior to each issue. Items will be accepted until 4 p.m. Mondays, although much of the paper is already assembled by that time. Send or bring items to: The Dallas Post, 607 Main Road, P.O. Box 366, Dallas, PA 18612. Our normal business hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. A deposit box is located at the front of the building for after-hours submissions. One more light dusting, hopefully the last, along Rt. 118. Photo by Charlotte Bartizek. LETTERS Time is now to save Huntsville reservoir Editor, About a month ago The Dallas Post printed a letter submitted by Matt Lloyd in which he urged our community to think about the consequences of letting further development around the Hunts- ville Reservoir go unchecked. In his letter Matt admitted to remov- ing survey stakes at a lakeside construction site as an act of pro- test. Later in the letter, Matt apolo- gized for these illegal and disrup- tive acts pleading instead for Back Mountain residents to take greater responsibility for the management and development of the land in our community. The letter chronicles Lloyd's moral development: from angry vandal taking the law into his own hands, to responsible, civic- minded resident exercising his right to enter the public debate. Unfortunately, too many of us are content to rely on the former method of affecting change. Sure, we don’t all vandalize, but we do criticize and complain without opening up much-needed public dialogue. Lloyd's plea pushed me to fi- nally sit down and write this let- ter. I grew up at the Huntsville Dam. It was here that Matt and I spent countless days fishing, swimming and exploring. Now, and in the near future, I feel my childhood playground is in peril. Whether PG Energy actually suc- ceeds in keeping little rats like Matt and I off their property, or the Dam is surrounded by gaudy houses with four car garages, we stand to lose a valuable opportu- nity to establish a beautiful com- munity space. In practical terms, the Dam is under private ownership; yet, it is undeniably a part of our collective experience as residents of this community. Driving past Hunts- ville corners and looking at the Dam itself, or admiring the views from Reservoir Road, you know exactly where you are. These are scenes collectively owned by Back Mountain residents. So what is the answer: should we let the few bold trespassers enjoy this resource; or, perhaps, we should reserve access for those privileged enough to build a house next to the lake? Clearly, neither option is fair. So what now, do we revolt and claim the Dam as the property of the people of the Back Mountain with communist bra- vado? Clearly this will not work either. My suggestion and sincere hope is that the people who have posi- tions of influence and understand the issues surrounding this re- source will commit themselves to designing a collaborative agree- ment that will give the people of the Back Mountain access to this community defining resource. Similar to Francis Slocum State Park, this would be a place to walk dogs, ride bikes, fish, and maybe have a picnic. An arrangement of this sort need not alienate partici- pants or make the debate one pitting “us” against “them.” On the issues of public spaces, there should be room for all partici- pants to benefit, landowners, PG Energy, and, most importantly, the residents of the Back Moun- tain. Philip Gager Dallas LEGISLATORS DIRECTORY Federal Officials State Officials Representative Paul E. Kanjorski (Democrat) Wilkes-Barre: 825-2200 State Senator Charles D. Lemmond (Republican) ONLY YESTERDAY 70 Years Ago - March 14, 1930 SHAVERTOWN FIRE DEPT. GAINS 37 NEW MEMBERS In a drive for new member that has been in progress for the past six weeks, the local Shavertown fire company gained 37 members, bringing the total membership close to one-hun- dred. In the campaign, two teams were selected to battle each other . to see which one would get the most members. The team captained by George Shaver wor easily by gaining 27 new mem- bers, while the team led by Herm VanCampen gained ten. 60 Years Ago - March 15, 1940 LOCAL FARMERS JOIN IN SPRING TIME EGG FESTIVAL With an expected increase in the production of eggs this spring, plans are being made by the poul- try producers throughout i ) country to put on a "Springtim Egg Festival". During these weeks there will be special offers with newspaper publicity, posters, egg displays, radio talks and more, to increase the consumption of eggs. The object is to remove surplus eggs from the market and thus help egg producers. You could get: chuck roast, 15¢/1b.; Gold Seal flour, 24 b.@ bag for 79¢; sugar, 6¢/1b.; apples, 19¢ for 5 Ibs. 50 Years Ago - March 17, 1950 RAINBOW OF EGGS WILL BE COLLECTED BY KT YOUTHS Five thousand hard boiled eggs in all colors of the rainbow will be concealed throughout the grounds of Kingston Township High School, Trucksville. Boy and Girl Scout from Trucksville and Shavertown troops assisted in hiding the eggs. The territory will be divided into sections, with a special spot re- served for preschool children and lower grade schools. The hunt is open to all residents of the Back Mountain Communities. Harry Trebilcox of Trucksville, is one of the many young artists ¥) who will appear on the program o the Third Annual Community Concert at Kingston Township High School Auditorium next Fri- day night. 40 Years Ago - March 17, 1960 DALLAS CLUB SEARCHES FOR ALL-AMERICAN FAMILY Mrs. Frances Dixon has been appointed chairman for the All- American Family search beinggy, sponsored by Dallas Junior Woman's Club in the Back Moun- tain area. The contest, conducted nationally is open to any family active in educational, religious, civic or community affairs. The state winner will receive an ex- pense-paid trip for the entire fam- ily to Florida for the grand finals. The Grand Award for the national winner will be a Total Electric §J Gold Medallion Home. Rents for one-bedroom units at the Meadowcrest housing project will ‘be reduced from $50 per - month to $40. The decision to lower the rent was made by the Luzerne County Housing Author- ity. 30 Years Ago - March 19, 1970 DALLAS STUDENTS SCORE 100% IN COMPETITION UF] Four seniors from Dallas par- ticipated in a scholastic contest March 6, at West Hazleton High School. The contest which is simi- The Dallas Post Published Weekly By Bartsen Media, Inc. P.O. Box 366, Dallas PA 18612 570-675-5211 Ronald A. Bartizek PUBLISHER Charlotte E. Bartizek ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER OFFICE MANAGER _ Ken Brocious ADVERTISING ACCT. EXEC Kasia McDonough REPORTER Joanna Cease OFFICE/TYPIST/CLASSIFIEDS Ruth Proietto PRODUCTION MANAGER 4d PRINTED WITH PENNSYLVANIA SOY INK|_ ho NEWSPAPER 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 (717) 675-3931 e-mail: smurphy@pasen.gov 22 Dallas Shopping Ctr., Memorial Hwy, Dallas PA 18612-1231 State Representative George Hasay (Republican) 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. Do you agree? Disagree? Editorials are the opinion of the management of The Dallas Post, and are written by the editor unless otherwise indicated. 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 or bring letters to: The Dallas Post, 607 Main Rd., 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 circumstances. We reserve the right to edit for length and grammar. lar to College Bowl; involved stu- dents from Luzerne, Lackawanna, Carbon and Wyoming Counties. The Dallas students answered 15 questions and got 15 correct! The Dallas Senior High School gy band will present its annual spring concert Friday evening. The cho- rus will sing "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" to the accompani- ment of the band. 20 Years Ago - March 13, 1980 DALLAS ELEMENTARY PERFORMS MINI-WEDDING Dallas Elementary school stu- dents will present the "Tom Thumb Wedding", March 20 at the Dallas Junior High School auditorium. Admission will be $1 with the proceeds for the benefit of the Dallas PTO. Penn State Wilkes-Barre is looking for housing for students. Many students enrolled at the campus in Lehman are from out of the area and need to rent apart- ments. The dean of student af-g fairs is preparing a list of available housing unites that will be shown to students who need housing in the fall term.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers