——————— a The Dallas Post Dallas, PA Thursday,July 4, 2002 EDITORIAL State must do more to support equal education There is hardly a better example of the need for greater state support for education than the Dallas and Lake- Lehman school districts. While they share geography and many aspects of their lifestyles, one benefits from a healthy ~ tax base that includes hundreds of businesses, including substantial office parks, while the other is much more rural and larger lower income. Add to those factors the greater property tax collections in a district that has seen rapid growth in new luxury housing and it’s easy to see that exces- sive reliance on local tax income inevitably leads to inequity. This is not just a comparison of millage rates — comparing those numbers can be deceiving, since the numerical rate combines with property values to determine local tax rev- enue. The real concern is the disparity in financial resources between districts that are so similar in other ways, and the consequent distance in educational resources available to children who happen to have been born a few miles apart. Their individual merit or that of their parents is not the is- sue; rather it is whether we as a society are willing to com- mit to providing roughly equal opportunity to all children, or if we're content to allow public schools to further the gap be- tween the strata of our society. Reasonable people can disagree about the priorities within a particular school district's budget, but it's hard to imagine an argument for starving one school district's children while another’s live on Easy Street. The state recently took a baby step toward greater fairness by modestly increasing its allo- cation to local schools. Much more needs to be done, includ- ing mandated reassessment across Pennsylvania, so that not only school districts but taxpayers can be satisfied they are being treated fairly. Publisher’s Notebook Ron Bartizek A recent walk past the site of the World Trade Center in Manhattan led to all kinds of emotions and questions. In the time it takes a human baby to gestate, thousands of tons of rubble have been removed and rebuilding efforts have begun. Other than a few flags, some ironwork in the shape of a cross and a steady stream of onlookers, nothing about the empty land would indicate anything remarkable happened there. But this was the place nearly 3,000 innocent people died at the hands of fanatical killers who believed their act of terror would shake the foundations of an evil nation. The reaction of the American population was probably a surprise even to many of us, but it must be shocking to members of Al Quida and other organizations who have con- vinced themselves that our open democracy and wasteful materialism are signs of weakness. And: ‘must. gonfess to . sometimes wondering if the rush to clean: n-up. and rebuild the WTC area isn't a bit hasty and lacking in decorum..and feel- ing a little queasy about the stands selling “tragedy card” around the site. But I know Americans better than the poor and ill-informed zealots who are eager to strap a bomb around their waists and enter heaven. We probably devote too much effort to work and acquisition of material goods (one feeding the other), and we don't sufficiently share our national wealth with the rest of the world, at least in terms of the percentage of our economy committed to foreign aid. On the other hand, a tiny percent of our wealth is still a lot of money, and it has yet to be proven that simply giving more away — particularly to corrupt regimes — solves the recipi- ent’s problems. Our overseas political stance is a more legiti- mate issue; we have an ongoing habit of supporting authori- tarian states that would seem to be the antithesis of our own society, in the misguided belief that dictators and monarchs can somehow succeed anywhere but in the U.S. America’s 200+ years of accomplishment have proven that open, democratic societies are the best defense against radi- cal, anti-social behavior. Sure, our governing process is messy and our free markets have huge gaps in them through which too many good people fall. But by and large, the re- sponse to the attacks on New York and Washington illustrate clearly how a diverse people who treasure freedom can recov- er from senseless acts of violence against them. We would be foolish to ignore threats to the continuation of our nation. But we also can be proud of our ability to rebound from ad- versity even as we tolerate disagreement and dissent. Those bedrock values are two pillars of our success and prosperity. Letters, columns and editorials 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 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 li- bel, slander or objectionable wording. The Dallas Post TIMESeLEADER unity Newspaper Group P.O. BOX 366, DALL A 18612 » 570-675-5211 Ronald Bartizek GENERAL MANAGER William J. Dunn Jr. ADVERTISING ACCT. EXEC. Timothy J. Raub REPORTER Ruth Proietto AD PRODUCTION MANAGER Darlene Sorber Terry Quinn OFFICE MANAGER PAGE DESIGN “And the rockets’ red glare, the bombs bursting in air, gave proof through the night that our flag was still there. 2» This flag flies over Fort McHenry in Baltimore Harbor, giving approximately the same view seen by Francis Scott Key when he was inspired to write The Star-Spangled Banner. Photo by Timothy J. Raub. New, memorial books added at Back Mountain Library The Back Mountain Memorial Library, 69 Huntsville Road, Dal- las, announces the addition of the following books to their collec- tion. FICTION “The Beach House” by James Patterson “True to Form” by Elizabeth Berg “Exposure” by Alan Russell “Prague” by Arthur Phillips “The: House on Sprucewood Lane” by Caroline State NON-FICTION “Elijah Among Us” Loren Sandford “A History of Sans Souci Park” by Charles Ciesla “Tank: the progress of a mon- -.Strous war machine” by patrick wrig it he Russia Hand” by Strobe by John Batol “Unveiling Islam” by Ergun Mehmet Caner “Insiders’ Guide North Caroli- na’'s Central Coast and New Berlin” ONLY YESTERDAY 70 Years Ago - July 1, 1932 LOCAL GIRLS IN LEGION CONTEST Rachel Williams of Trucksville and Frances Thomas of Shaver- town, are among contestants in the On-To-Bermuda contest be- ing sponsored by Black Diamond post, No. 395, American Legion. Long and Proice, proprietors of Dallas Economy Store, have an- nounced that they will inaugu- rate a strictly cash policy at their store, in keeping with the mod- ern trend toward lower prices for cash. Noxen will have an “old fash- ioned” Fourth of July celebra- tion. The program ill include two baseball games, a parade, ath- letic events, band concerts and fireworks. 60 Years Ago - July 3, 1942 GAS REGISTRATION TO START Special registration for the canning sugar allotment will be held in Dallas. Local registration will take place in the Himmler Building and will be open to res- idents of Dallas and Kingston. MYSTERY “Diamond Dust” by Peter Lovesey “Dead Midnight” by Marcia Muller LARGE PRINT FICTION “Sea Glass” by Anita Shreve “Three Fates” by Nora Roberts “City of Bones” by Michael Connelly “Closer Than She Thinks” by Meryl Sawyer BOOKS ON CD “Under Fire” by W.E.B. Griffin “Sin Killer” by Larry McMurtry “Jolie Blon’s Bounce” by James - lee Burke “Guide to Optimum Health” by Dr. Andrew Weil “Mount Vernon Love Story” by Mary Higgins Clark YOUNG ADULT “Juvenile crime” edited by Auri- ana Ojeda “Immigration and American Re- ligion” by Jenna Weissman Joselit “When Objects Talk: solving a crime with science” by Mark P. Friedlander, Jr. “The Healing Power of Pets” by Marty Becker SPECIAL DONATIONS ‘Jump Start Your Business Brain” by Doug Hall donated by Wilkes University Business Divi- sion “1,029 Backyard Birding Se- crets” donated by Maryan Daily Memorial books The Back Mountain Memorial Li- brary announces the addition of new memorial books In memory of Becky Kerr, “Goose's Story” by Cari Best, pre- sented by allison and Edward Maier In memory of Becky Kerr, “Oh My Gosh, Mrs. McNosh!” by Sarah Weeks, presented by Alli- son and Edward Maier In memory of Damein Ceselsky, “The Four Agreements Compan- ion Book” by Miguel Ruiz In memory of Jerry Shonk, “The Hummingbird Book” by Don Stokes, presented by Lucille Shonk In memory of Jerry Shonk, “An Illustrated Guide to Attracting Birds” Shonk In memory of Darrel Crispell, “A History of Sans Souci Park” by Charles Ciesla, presented by Robert and Jane Parry In memory of Victor J. Smith, sr., “150 Garden Ideas” by Joop Hoffmans, presented by Melissa Schobert In memory of Jean Madison, “Little Raccoon” by Lillian Moore, presented by Harry and Deifhie’ Cooper In memory of Jean Madison, “Tell Me, Tree: all about trees for kids” by Gail Gibbons, presented by Harry and Debbie Cooper In memory of Jean Madison, “Mary Todd Lincoln” by Dan Sa tow, presented by Harry and Debbie Cooper E HONOR BOOKS | In honor of Mr. and Mrs. Mi 9 Millington, “The Brave = Litt Seamstress” by Mary Pope: “Os- borne, presented by Kathy Millington In honor of Mr. and Mrs. Milton Millington, “Anansi and the Mag- ic Stick” by Eric Kimmel, preserit- ed by Kathy Millington. u One adult in each family is to apply and ration books must be brought to the registration cen- ter. At Fairlawn store, Dallas some of the items you could get: Sweet pickles qt., 31¢; Mueller's Maca- roni products 3 pkgs., 25¢; cat- sup 8 oz., 10¢; apple butter 38 oz., 19¢; stuffed olives 4 oz. jar, 29¢; French's Mustard 9 oz. jar, ‘11¢. Damage amounting to about $75 was done when a Wilkes- Barre Railway motor bus caught fire as it was about to start from Dalals. Henry M. Laing Fire Company responded. Years Ago - July 11, 1952 BAKERY TRUCK CRASH CAUSED BY POOR PAVEMENT Poor condition of the section of Main Road, Dallas, was respon- sible for an accident which caused the steering wheel of the F. and W. Bakery truck to wrench from the driver's hands, and the truck went out of con- trol into a service pole. Fred Anderson, Shavertown was elected president to Dallas Borough Kingston Township Joint School Board at a meeting im Dallas Borough School Build- ing. Dallas Township Police, head- ed by James Gensel, have laid speed traps on Pioneer Avenue at midnight over the busy week- ends to catch speeders. 40 Years Ago - July 5, 1962 PRINCE OF PEACE CALLS REV. JOHN S. PRATER Rev. John S. Prater, st. Clair ahs accepted rectorship of Prince of Peace Episcopal Church.Rev. Mr. Prater has been vicar of Holy Apostles Church, St. Clair; st. Stephen’s Church, Forrestville. Captain Harold C.W. Birth, son of Mr. and Mrs. Clyde w. Birth, Trucksville, was honored by the 10th Tactical Recon twice. He achieved the most out- standing reconnaissance photo- graph of the week on two differ- ent occasions. Absence of adequate parking on Lake Street is creating a traf- fic problem at Dallas Post office where office personnel have no place to park and access to the courtesy mail box is often blocked by patrons’ cars. 30 Years Ago - June 22, 1972 FIVE DALLAS SCHOOLS REQUIRE SEWER LINES Five schools of Dallas School District will require installation of sewer lines in order to be con- nected to the new sewer system of Dalals Area Municipal Author- ity. The schools are Dallas Inter- mediate, Dallas, Shavertown, Westmoreland and Trucksville Elementary Schools. Kingston Township Board of Supervisors expressed its inten- tion at a meeting to meet with officials of other municipalities, and until such meetings, they will defer voting on a petiti which protests the formation of a water authority in the Back Mountain Area. Employees of Dallas Area Mu- nicipal Authority arrived at the treatment plant site to discover vandalism had been done to the control building and a seeded embankment of the back of the site. Cheif Operator Tom Bagley reported that 12 panes of glass onine control building had been broken by rocks, and hay, which had covered the newly- -SoWn bank had been burned. e 20 Years Ago - June 30, 1982 120 BED NURSING HOME CONSTRUCTION TO BEGIN Ecumenical Enterprises nails about to begin construction otk a 120 bed nursing home adjacel ; to The Meadows Apartments the elderly on Lake Street, Dal- las. After two years in operatigh. the Back Mountain Medical Ceh- ter continues on the road to be- coming a satellite station for medical services. Plans for the future include adding x-ray and physio-therapy to the blood work and EKG pre-hospital testing. The Back Mountain Hawks continued to hold their lead in the Tri-Countyu League by de- feating Twin Cities 4-1.Lefthand- ed pitcher Steve Skammer struck out 10 and held Twin Cities to only two hits on the losers field. presented by Lucile® : i aE a x 8 iy i { Q: Where do you find the most Back Mountain news each week? | A: Only in The Dallas Post. Call 675-5211 to subscribe.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers