The Dallas Post Dallas, PA Thursday, November 21, 2002 EDITORIAL Get involved in discussion over large development Now the real work begins for those people opposed to the construction of a massive retail store complex, possibly an- chored by Wal—Mart, at the intersection of Routes 415 and 118 in Dallas Township. Last week’s submission of a prelim- inary application and plan for the property is the start of what should be an extensive process in which a developer seeks to maximize the value of his investment while other property owners — hopefully assisted by elected officials — attempt to keep such a project at a scale that doesn’t destroy the characteristics that made this location so alluring in the first place. Of course, there is a difference in perspective as to what those qualities are. To a developer, they are lots of popula- tion and traffic — just the things that many people feel are destroying the Back Mountain bit by bit, until little is left of the attractive qualities that make our region different and more pleasant than communities that have been overrun with shopping centers and chain restaurants. In this case, acres of pavement would replace some of the most visible open land left along our major roadways. And if Wal—Mart indeed becomes the anchor store, they will likely follow a pattern established across the U.S. of destroying local stores that are an integral and important part of the fabric of our lives. This possibility comes at the same time a “visioning” process is underway, with hopes of charting a future for the Back Mountain that maintains and improves our quality of life. There are undoubtedly many people who feel a Wal— Mart would do that, offering a wider selection of merchan- dise and the impression of lower prices in a newly conve- nient location, although it’s a safe bet they aren’t the majori- ty among the volunteers who are devoting their time and en- ergies to this look into the region's crystal ball. And even those who favor a Wal—Mart or other huge discount store need to consider the impact on all aspects of our lives, not just on cutting minutes off the drive to Wilkes—Barre or Tunkhannock for a shopping trip. There is something else now going on in the Back Moun- tain that could help lead to the best decision on this ques- tion. A Council of Governments is in its early stages — a co- operative organization among local communities that recog- nize how events in one township or borough affect the others for both good and ill. Certainly, a development of this size, with or without Wal—Mart, will have ramifications far be- yond the borders of Dallas Township. This is particularly true when it comes to traffic and safety, given the congestion that now exists along Route 415, the primary access to the property, and the high number of serious accidents on Route 118. This is the perfect opportunity for all the communities of the Back Mountain, along with the state Department of Transportation and other pertinent agencies, to work togeth- er to make decisions that are consistent with the long—term health, safety and viability of our region. It's important that everyone who ‘has a stake in this issue make the effort to have their voice heard af every opportunity. Publisher’s Notebook In recent interviews, Eminem, the white hope of rap music, has joined the long and distinguished list of celebrities who show their appreciation to fans by treating them as if they were a curse, not a blessing. A couple of years after bursting on the scene with his obscenity laced, misogynistic, hateful — but clever — lyrics, Marshall Mathers has been whining about fans who ask for autographs when he’s eating at Mc- Donald's. Now, if I was insanely wealthy and powerful, I : wouldn't spend much time at Mickey D’s and I can’t imagine . why this guy does. Yo, Marshall, you be a rich dude now and you shouldn't set foot in a fast food joint until you've blown all the dough you've been collecting for your act. In some sense, I can understand Em's frustration with ; pesky hero worshippers. Hardly a week goes by that I'm not approached by a few dozen people eager to get a close look at the guy who broke 90 at Sand Springs and who once won honorable mention for his writing prowess. My first instinct, also, is to lash out at these invaders of privacy who interrupt as I wash down a BLT sandwich, light on the bacon, at J&J Deli. But I hold my tongue and patiently sign their pathetic little napkins, smeared with french fry oil and ketchup. So, you see, fame fits best those who pair it with humility, even if that part is faked. This should be easy for entertain- ers, who devote their working lives to crafting an image they hope will be popular, but who often confuse that with their actual, miserable little personas. It’s probably more difficult for sports stars, since they are under the misapprehension that fans value their talents more highly than their willing- ness to scribble their names on every scrap of parchment or cheesy souvenir shoved under their noses. They have other choices, of course, like using the drive through or keeping their traps shut about the rabble. Don’t count on it. The Dallas Post TIMES*LEADER Community Newspaper Group P.O. BOX 366, DALLAS PA 18612 * 570-675-5211 Ronald Bartizek GENERAL MANAGER Kari L. Wachtel ADVERTISING ACCT. EXEC. Erin Youngman REPORTER . Claudia Blank AD PRODUCTION MANAGER Darlene E. Sorber Terry Quinn OFFICE MANAGER PAGE DESIGN Huntsville dam was a riot of fall colors last weekend. Photo by Charlotte Bartizek. 9 \ x Ol - ES Writer asks support for stamp honoring coal miners Editor, A United States Postal Stamp in honor of our nation’s past and present coal miners is long overdue. In recent years a great effort has been made by local educators and students to bring this situation to the attention of the nation. Not enough can be said about their tireless work and effort to move this project forward. Nevertheless, it seems unfortunate that much more has to be done to bring the goal of a ‘stamp honoring coal min- ers: to fruition. Consider for a ONLY YESTERDAY 70 Years Ago - November 18, 1932 LOCAL SCHOOL RIVALS MEET ON THE GRIDIRON Football teams of Dallas and Dallas township will play each other for the first time in several years. The game is expected to draw a large crowd. A pre-game “Prep” meeting was held at Himmler Theatre. At a tea given at the home of Miss Marie Wollbert a number of the young people of Dallas formed a club to be sponsored by the Wyoming Valley Junior Women’s Club. The new club plans to take an active role in charity work as well as to con- duct social functions. Some of the items you could get at the American Stores Co. were: lard, 3 lbs,. 19¢; pumpkin, 3 big cans 25¢; fruit cake, 85¢; mince meat, 1 1b. 19¢; apple but- ter, 2 12-0z jars, 29¢. 60 Years Ago -November 13, 1942 STATE COMMENDS TOWN- SHIP BOARD Dallas Township School Dsitrict has been commended by moment the subject of other stamps. It's nice to honor people like Elvis Presley and others for their contributions to the music and entertainment world, but the coal miners’ contributions (for centuries) played a para- mount role in our economy and our quality of life. Not only the economy of our region was af- fected, but the roots of the In- dustrial Revolution in the Unit- ed States can be traced to coal mining and the Wyoming Val- ley. The many immigrants (Poles, the State Department of Health for improvements to its build- ings suggested by Supervising Principal Raymond Kuhnert and carried through to completion by the Board of Education during the summer months. Michael Kozemchak and Ray Casterline of Overbrook avenue planted six acres of tomatoes and made double the money. Nine loads of tomatoes, picked green, were shippped by truck to Fort Benning, Georgia, and Fort Bragg, N.C. The Dallas Post obtained a supply of flags for sale to fami- lies having one or more mem- bers in the armed services. The flags were sold for $1 and the proceeds were used to help de- fray the costs of sending papers to soldiers from this community. 50 Years Ago - November 28, 1952 FIRE TRUCK FUND NEARS $10,000 A gift of $500 from Dr. Henry M. Laing Fire Company Auzil- iary, one of $100 from Dalals Oneida Lodge, 100F and a col- lection of $120 from individual members, announced at a meet- ing, brought the fire-truck fund up to nearly $10,000. Ralph Downend, contractor, stated that the new Postoffice building on Lake Street will be ready soon. Joseph Polacki, postmaster, said that as soon as the building is ready, he is ready to move. Some of the movies that played at the Shaver Theatre in Shavertown were: “Big Jim McLane” with John Wayne; “Sto- Italians, Welsh, Irish, Lithuani- ans, and others) worked tire- lessly in the bowels of the earth. The work was hard and life was not easy. Conditions were poor, hours were long, danger and pain were facts of life. The pay was low, but still the miners perse- vered because that’s all they knew. They were miners. The fruits of their work were a life breath to the factories, homes, and trains of our coun- try. Coal kept us warm in the winter, fueled our “fgetories. (spawning eeonomic- i —. ry of Robin Hood”; “Where's Charley” with Ray Bolger; Son of Ali Baba” wth'Tony Curtis, Piper Laurie. 40 Years Ago - November 20, 1962 BOARD APPOINTS GLENN HOWELL Glenn M. Howell, Dallas veter- an secretary-treasurer for Dal- lals Township was appointd Su- pervisor at a board meeting in Dallas Junior High School. Total cost for the new Kingston Township Building will be $40,388 with the federal gov- ernment footing 58 percent ac- cording to Supervisor Lester Hauck, agent for the township. Some of the merchandise you could get at Stanton’s TV & Ap- pliances holiday closeout in Dal- las were: Hotpoint 30” Range, $158; Hotpoint refrigerator, ¢199.95; Admiral television, col- or console, $565; Admiral televi- sion, black & white console, $245. 30 Years Ago - November 16, 1972 DALLAS COUNCIL NARROWLY GRANTS HEDDEN VARIANCE By a margin of one vote, Dal- las Borough Council granted Raymon R. Hedden & Company a variance to the municipality’s zoning code which will permit the contractor to complete a four-family apartment already under construction on Pramba Avenue. The firm of Glace and Glace Consulting Engineers, Harris- burg, had offered its services to EUR has mt ment) and provided a catalyst for our rail system, rail systems that transported our goods. In short “Coal was King.” It, therefore, would seem logi-g. cal, and fitting that a Coal vin ® ers’ Stamp is long overdue. Thanks to the individuals that that the foresight to start this effort. let's all lend our voices and support to this worthy cause, so that our ancestors’ contributions can be fittingly honored. esl Haryeys Lake iy ‘Township for the pur- pose of ascertaining the com- munity’s future needs relating to swage and water in confor- mance to standards of Pennsyl- vania’s Department of environ- mental Resources. The Dallas High School Grid- ders defeated G.A.R. team 28- i.) iB “mr “om ‘Daniel FyBlaind@ 14, chalking up the 10th conf) secutive win for the Moun- taineers this season. Charlie Griffin was the pacesetter for the Mountaineers, scoring two touchdowns and kicking four PATS. 20 Years Ago - November 17, 1982 OLD SHOE CONTEST CONSID- @ ERED A TOSSUP The Dallas Mountaineers and Lake-Lehman Knights at the Edward Edwards Stadium in Lehman. It will be the 34th time the bronzed shoe will be up for grabs between two Back Moun- tain Schools. Both coaches agree that it can be an exciting contest and one where you throw away the record books. Kingston Township recently completed the installation of a new solid state system of traffic lights. Three new 12-inch lights have been installed at a total cost of $43,581, replacing the former eight inch traffic signals in operation since 1962. The Dallas Marching Band, competing in the Tournament of Bands, Eastern Coast Chamionships at Cornwall Heights, PA was awarded the second place trophy in Class I competition. Kingston Township reminds residents to keep right-of-way clear Kingston Township residents and property owners are remind- ed not to place encroachments, such as fences, landscaping tim- bers, trees, shrubs or any other item within the ‘Township street right-of-way. Property owners need to be aware that they do not own up to the edge of the roadway. Street right-of-ways vary from 33 to 50 feet. Residents that are unsure of the width of their street may call the Township Office for further information. It is very important that the right-of-way remain free of en- croachments for snow removal, utility construction and street maintenance. Residents are also reminded that this area is not their proper- ty and that the Township has the authority to order removal or to remove, the encroachments from the street or road right-of-way. The Township is asking for co- operation from all residents in respecting the public right-of- way. Residents with questions may call the Township Adminis- trative Office at 696-3809. Q: Where do you find the most Back Mountain news each week? A: Only in The Dallas Post L 7
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers