Vol. 111 No. 15
Dallas, Pennsylvania
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50 cents
April 12, 2000 thru April 18, 2000
Tax assessment challenges eating into school district's revenue
By KASIA McDONOUGH
Post Staff
DALLAS - Several members of the
Dallas School Board warned Monday that
the district may have to raise the prop-
erty tax millage rate.
The school board is concerned by a
trend in which local businesses are ask-
ing the Luzerne Court of Common Pleas
to approve property reassessments al-
lowing the companies to collect tax re-
funds from the district and reduce future
payments. “Every major company and
Report due
next week
on gas spill
d Solicitor says Sun
will have to pay if public
water supply needed
By ELAINE SLABINSKI
Post Correspondent
JACKSON TWP. - Sun Oil Co. will
report next week on tests for gasoline in
the area of a spill earlier this year.
Department of Environmental Protec-
tion hydrogeologist Gerry Olenick and
Jackson Township's Independent Envi-
ronmental Consultant Christopher
Zwiebel came to the April 3 supervisors’
meeting to give updates on the gasoline
spill and answer questions. Zwiebel re-
ported that they are continuing to moni-
tor well water data, with no further infor-
mation available at present. Olenick
reported that Sun Oil has sunk 38 shal-
low wells and three bedrock wells to
monitor water quality as well as contami-
nation levels. “Sun has agreed to send us
an interim report by April 18. They con-
tinue to treat the (spill) site and monitor
the residential homes.”
See JACKSON TWP. pg 8
Schweitzer appointed
to West Point
Matt Schweitzer, a senior at
Dallas High School, was
notified he has been accepted
to the United States Military
Academy at West Point.
“We think it is a great
accomplishment and we'd like
to congratulate Matt,” said Dr.
Gilbert Griffiths,
superintendent. “His tireless
efforts in our academic and
athletic programs have set a
high standard.”
big development in the district is fighting
assessment and they're all winning,” said
Maureen Banks, school board member.
“PNC Bank, Offset Paperback and Com-
monwealth Telephone all did it (ap-
pealed),” said Banks. “And the sad thing
is it’s really hurting the people of this
district, especially old people and young
people who can’t afford to pay any more
in taxes.”
The board voted to refund PNC $8,284
for overpayments of 1997 and 1998 taxes.
The reassessment will mean a yearly loss
of $4,142 in tax collections from the
day.
Men of summer (and spring)
Bruce Goerninger, left, and Craig Williams spent part of
their Saturday morning putting up signs at the Back
Mountain Little League field. The pair and many other
volunteers cleaned up the fields in anticipation of opening
bank. Offset and Commonwealth have
‘both appealed, but their cases haven't
yet been settled.
Karen Kyle, school board member,
said a millage increase is the most likely
remedy. “If the number we multiply the
millage rate by doesn’t change, the tax
rate has to increase,” she said.
How much taxes will be raised, ifat all,
has not been decided. “It will have to be
determined when the budget is devel-
oped,” said Dr. Gilbert Griffiths, superin-
tendent. “If there's a continuation of this
trend where abatements cost the district
needed revenue something will have to
be done to make up for that. Of course,
any time you talk about a tax increase it
LCRA]
CRT
Students at Little People
Day Care School in Dallas
prepared for the arrival of
the big bunny by making
seasonal crafts Monday.
Harry Parkurst didn't let a
broken wrist keep him
from making a fancy
basket to place chocolates
and other goodies. More
photos on page 3.
POST PHOTO/CHARLOTTE BARTIZEK
POST PHOTO/JIM PHILLIPS
By KASIA McDONOUGH
Post Staff
room.
TRUCKSVILLE - Members of
Boy Scouts Troops 693 and 281
learned potentially life-saving les-
sons last Friday as they partici-
pated in a mock trial at District
Justice James Tupper’'s court-
The staged event is designed to
provide a real-life look at the jus-
tice system at work. This year’s
trial, based on a case in which a
young man was accused of ve-
hicular homicide and other
charges leading to the death of a
6-year-old child, hit close to home
POST PHOTO/KASIA McDONOUGH
Joe Bednash, left, and Chris Belles played the role of prosecuting attorneys in the mock trial
held by Boy Scout Troops 693 and 281. Here they prepared for their closing arguments.
Area Boy Scouts learn trying’ lessons
for many of the teenagers present.
don’t realize how
quickly life can change,” said
Tupper. “Some of you guys are 16
and others will be 16 before you
know it and these are things you
have to think about when you get
“Most kids
See MOCK TRIAL, pg 18
becomes a whole issue in itself and there
are a number of voices to be heard on that
subject. Right now we just want people to
be aware of the problem.”
In years past, residential and commer-
cialdevelopment has added to the district's
revenue but money generated by new
taxpayers is being offset. “It used to be we
didn’t have any abatements and we had
many additions, but now it’s about even,”
said Griffiths.
The district has collected $100,725 in
See SCHOOL TAX, pg 9
Letter to editor
draws angry
response from
Authority
J HLMA manager
says rate increase not
in the works
By ELAINE SLABINSKI
Post Correspondent
HARVEYS LAKE - The April meeting of
the Harveys Lake Municipal Authority
began in its usual fashion with several
pieces of business being completed. At-
torney Tom O'Connor completed his in-
vestigation of the William Davis proper-
ties in order to proceed with a lien and the
possibility of a Sheriff's sale to collect
accumulating debt which remains un-
paid. Manager Richard Boice detailed the
damage to three or four manholes from
traffic and environmental changes and
his proposed remedy. He also reported no
major breakdowns in the system during
the past month.
But the main topic of concern was a
letter to the editor of The Dallas Post on
April 5, signed by Sandra Serhan of
Harveys Lake. Borough Council mem-
bers George Andrews, Francis Kopko and
See HL SEWERS, pg 8
30 Pages, 3 Sections
Calendar..................: 13
Classified............. 16-17
Crossword................ 13
EQHONAIS........c..coo ine 4
Obituaries................ 15
School... lili an 7
Sports... iiiisi: 11-12
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