6 The Dallas Post Dallas, PA Thursday, January 2, 2003 EDITORIAL It’s an excellent year for resolutions It’s tempting this time of year to write a column of flippant, irreverent resolutions — tongue-in-cheek suggestions really — to people in the news. Who can resist taking a convenient shot at such easy targets as Trent Lott, Britney Spears, or the “Raelians” who claim that cloning a baby is only the first step in their quest to produce adult humans in a matter of hours with an “Accelerated Growth Process.” But all the ob- vious buffoons and blather abounding in the world today are disguising the hard truth — we are at a crossroads as a na- tion and as citizens of an ever-shrinking Earth, and we need to get serious about addressing problems that are both pre- sent and looming on a variety of fronts. So, here's a list of potential resolutions for the next year, decade and generation, accompanied by the hope’ that they will become reality as necessary. If we don’t take some of the steps suggested here and elsewhere, we could very well miss the opportunity to pass on to our children and grandchil- dren a world in which they can find beauty and fulfillment, perhaps even survival. For General Motors, Ford and other auto makers: To commit their companies to the goal of raising fuel economy, safety standards and production methods well beyond any- thing dreamed of by the most liberal of critics, inspiring oth- er manufacturers to follow their example. In the process, they may find that being progressive corporate citizens is good business. ' : For members of the U.S. Congress: To respond in a prag- matic, thoughtful manner to the growing pressures on our system of health care, assuring that every American can re- ceive adequate attention and medicines, placing the interests of individual citizens above those of drug companies and in- surers. To defend the rights of individuals, not the privileges of campaign donors. To follow their consciences and good sense, not the urgings of their party leaders. For drug companies: To recognize the enormous good they can do for the health of people throughout the world, and to respond by assuring a ready supply of low-cost phar- maceuticals where they are needed to combat diseases and conditions that have lingered for decades, even though we know how to eliminate them. For major media corporations: To reinvigorate the sense of mission and commitment that has dwindled as revenues have grown, reclaiming their rightful position as searchers of truth rather than miners of profit. For the Bush administration: To accept that as the most powerful nation on Earth, the United States must hold itself to a standard higher than simply pursuing our own inter- ests, and must set an example for countries that will inspire them to join the family of nations that welcome differences within their citizenry and the world. And to recognize that the rich aren't better than the rest of us, just richer, so stacking the deck in their favor is not healthy for us or the world. For entertainment and sports writers: To tell us if a movie was good or bad, a performance memorable or forget- table or an athlete skillful or clumsy; and to leave the finan- cial reports to the business pages. For college and university administrators and trustees: To be certain the opportunities and experiences they offer are made available to a wide range of students, not just those who can afford hefty tuition or excel at carrying a foot- ball. For every elected, appointed, hired or volunteer official at every level of government: To place the long-term inter- ests of the citizens you represent above convenient short- term gain or political expediency. For all of us: To become more aware of the forces that shape our lives, and more active in fighting for the things we value and against those we abhor. Your opinion is welcome The Dallas Post attempts to publish opinions on a variety of top- ics in many forms. 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. 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 publica- tion. The Dallas Post TIMESeLEADER unity Newspaper Group P.O. BOX 366, DALL A 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 TAT TTT TAT STATE Toye TY TT Tse wore Old barn in the snow. Photo by Jim Phillips. New books added to Back Mountain Library collection The Back Mountain Memorial Library, 96 Huntsville Road, Dallas, announces the addition of the following books to their collection: FICTION “Kentucky Sunrise” by Fern Michaels “I, = Richard” George “The Edge of Doom” by Aman- da Cross “Hotspur” by Rita Mae Brown “Hollywood Tough” by Stephen J. Cannell by Elizabeth “That Old Ace in the Hole” by Annie Proulx “White Doves at Morning” by James Lee Burke “The Seduction of Water” by Carol Goodman “Forbidden Fruits” Hamilton “Kings of Many Castles” by Brian Freemantle “Adele” by Emma Tennant “Lucy” by Ellen Feldman by Julia NON-FICTION “The Conquerors: Roosevelt, Truman and the destruction of Hitler's Germany” by Michael R. Beschloss “Bush at War” by Bob Wood- ward “Nine for Nine” by Andrew Morton “Energy Breakthrough” by Sarah Mountbatten-Windsor, Duchess of York MYSTERY “When the Women Come Out to Dance” by Elmore Leonard “Lying Wonders” by Susan Rogers Cooper “A Pawn for a Queen” by Fiona Buckley BIOGRAPHY “Agent 146: the true story of a Nazi spy in America” by Erich Gimpel LARGE PRINT FICTION “Reversible Errors” by Scott Turow “The Kiss” by Danielle Steel LARGE PRINT NON-FICTION “The Cell: inside the 9/11 plot and why the CIA and FBI failed to stop it” by John Miller ON NI YESTERDAY 70 Years Ago - January 6, 1933 HARVEYS LAKE MONASTERY WILL BE RECONSTRUCTED Sacred Heart of Jesus- Monastery at Harveys Lake, damaged by fire, which resulted in a loss of several thousand dollars, will be rebuilt immedi- ately, according to an an- nouncement made by Rev. L.S. Brigmans, superior in charge. At a recent meeting of the Dr. Henry M. Laing fire company, Warden Kunkle was elected president to succeed Addison Woolbert who has served in that capacity for two years. Some of the items you could get at the American Stores Co. were: tomatoes, 3 cans 25¢; peaches, 3 large cans 29¢; bread, loaf 74; coffee, 1b. 21¢; 60 Years Ago - January 1, 1943 SUPERVISORS VOTE TO BUY AIR RAID SIRENS Dallas Township Council of Defense passed resolutions re- questing the purchase of four air raid sirens-one by the school board and three by the supervisors-at a meeting at the office of Squire John Q. Yaple in Goss Manor. Dr. Henry M. Laing Fire Com- pany at a meeting refusted to abide by a recent decision of Dallas Borough Counciul to abandon the nightly 9 o'clock curfew in the interests of na- tional defense. The Junior Choir of Huntsville Christian Church brought joy and good cheer to the old and shut-in of their community Christmas morning when they sang carols from door to door. 50 Years Ago - January 2, 1953 FREAK FIRE SETS DOLL TO BLAZING AT STORE A Christmas night fire which might have caused extensive damage to Crompton’s Tots and Teens Shop in Shavertown, turned out to be harmless when Dr. Miller of Pittston driving by, smashed the plate glass window which had already been cracked by the heat, and pulled a blaz- ing doll from the window dis- play. Some of the movies that played at the Shaver Theatre were: “Somebody Loves me” with Betty Hutton; “Springfield Rifle” with Gary Cooper; “mon- tana Territory” with Lon MacAl- lister and Wanda Hendrix; “Everything I Have Is Yours” with Marge and Gower Champi- on. Dr. C. G. Perkins, Truckasvi- Heating grants available UGH Utilities, Inc. is helping eligible gas and electric cus- tomers apply for federal energy assistance dollars to keep their homes warm this winter. These grants, which do not need to be repaid, help cus- tomers with limited or fixed incomes pay their heating bills, repair or replace a heater and avoid utility service shut off. Last winter over 10,000 UGI customers received money from this fund. The average grant was $239. For more information on federal energy assistance, and how to apply, customers should call UGI'’s toll-free phone number: 1-800-UGI-WARM (1-800-844-9276). ulle, heads the staff at Nesbitt Memorial Hospital for 1953, succeeding Dr. J. C. DeSanto. 40) Years Ago - January 3, 1963 BRUTAL COLD SWEEPS AREA Brutal cold swept into the area along with a bitter north- west wind which piled new fall- en snow into drifts, immobilized cars, froze plumbing, and forced the thermometer down to sub- zero temperatures. Service sta- tions were swamped with calls. Dallas schools suffered minor damage to plumbing as a result of the sub-zero temperatures. Lake-Lehman schools had no shut down though drinking fountains were frozen in some of the more exposed locations in the new high school. SP 4 Peter Fritsky, Jr. Fern- brook, son of game warden Pe- ter Fritsky, was selected “Sol- dier of the Month” by 25th Sig- nal Battalion, Company B, Karl- sruhe, Germany. 30 Years Ago - January 4, 1973 FIRST BABY OF 1973 BORN AT 4:55 A.M. Glenn W. Eyet Jr. Dallas was advanced to comptroller and as- sistant secretary. Mr. Eyet had previously served as cashier and assistant secretary. The winner of the Daring’s “First Baby of the Year” contesT was B. Corcoran, Dallas who guessed that the first baby would arrive in the area at 4:15 a.m. The first baby born was Amy Beth Kern, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Kern, Dallas, Amy arrived at 4:55 a.m. At a meeting of the Oak Hill- Civic Association, President Jack Cleary announced three signs will be erected /4 the three entrances to Oak Hill: at 42nd Street and Route 415; at Idetown Road, off Route 118, and at Idetown Road near Bri- arcrest Road. 20 Years Ago - January 5, 1983 KUDERKA STEPS DOWN AFTER 29 YEARS AT POST OFFICE Kelly Elizabeth Wagner, 7 Ib. 12 1/2 oz. baby girl, was born to William R. and Michelle Wag- ner of Dallas. Kelly is the ou- ple’s first child and the winner of the Dallas Post's 2nd Annual New Year's Baby contest. Katri- na Marea Fanti of Dallas was the Post’s “First Baby”. Ray Kuderka, Sr., superinten- dent of postal operations at Dallas Post Office, ended his 28 years in the Federal Service. Kuderka spent 26 years of his tenure at the Dallas office. Prior the U.S. Army. to that he served two years i ® A rash of burgleries throug out the Back Mountain has lo- cal police convinced that the ring of thieves has become more brazen with the holiday season. Suspucion that a burglery ring has been the contention of law enforcement personnnel for sev- eral months. Q: Where do you find the most Back Mountain news each week? A: Only in The Dallas Post
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers