nT r—r 8 The Dallas Post EDITORIAL Friday, June 20, 2003 OUR OPINION Roundabout first, ‘big box’ store later One way or another, it is looking more certain that the five- way intersection at the center of Dallas Borough will be home to a traffic circle arrangement that will eliminate the confusing array of signals that now control traffic there. If supporters of this layout have their way, the circle — or perhaps oval — will become a focal point for the Back Mountain, incorporating at- tractive landscaping and monuments and acting as a catalyst for the replacement of ugly, dangling wires with underground utilities. That’s the good news. Less positive is the prospect that before this innovative and long-overdue upgrade is in place, a “big box” store could be up and running in Dallas Township on the former Yalick farm property at the intersection of Routes 415 and 118. That could happen if the state Department of Transportation (PennDOT) grants a highway occupancy permit to the developer simply on the basis that Dallas Borough officials have reached a consen- sus that the traffic circle — or roundabout as PennDOT prefers to call it — is suitable and desirable and is thus added to Pen- nDOT’s 12-year plan. Indications are that construction could begin within three or four years, but that could still be a year or more after the retail complex is operating. If that were to hap- pen, traffic tie-ups and slowdowns would grow beyond the present barely tolerable level before and during the road work. The retail store is not the only proposed development put- ting pressure on the highway. Two townhome complexes at Harveys Lake, an assisted-living facility that straddles the Lehman and Dallas Township lines and a rumored residential subdivision in Dallas Borough will all contribute to a steadily- growing flow of traffic at all times of the day and night, and something must be done to accommodate it. So it would seem the roundabout should be more than a gleam in the collective eyes of present-day officials before the store and other develop- ments, which would generate thousands of cars and trucks a day in shoppers, commuters and suppliers, are allowed to pro- ceed. BARTIZEK PUBLISHER’S NOTEBOOK One of the most frequently heard knocks on northeastern Pennsylvanians is that they don’t appreciate and support insti- tutions and events that contribute to a higher quality of life, unless they take place right in their own back yard. If my per- ceptions as a volunteer at the Northeast Pennsylvania Classic golf tournament are any example, the critics may be right. Two aspects of this experience stand out — that not enough people attend this noteworthy event, and de- spite its region-wide appeal, it attracts far more volunteers from Lackawanna County than Luzerne, I assume because it happens to take place a few miles over the border. Both impressions are disheartening for peo- ple who understand the important role this kind of national exposure can play in our fu- ture. To my mind, this tournament offers as much potential to lure new industry and employment as a dozen concerts at the First Union Arena or Montage Mountain amphitheater, which, while providing new entertainment op- portunities, also serve to drain people’s wallets at an alarming rate. This year’s tournament was particularly noteworthy, as a spate of PGA Tour winners were in the field, presenting a won- derful opportunity to expose possible employers to a first-class event held at a top-flight facility, supported by eager volun- teers. Admittedly, the weather was uncooperative, but even when the sun was shining, attendance was sparse. As for my fellow volunteers, you couldn’t ask for a more dedicated, appreciative bunch, and the prospect of serving with them again will bring me back next year. RON Letters, columns and editorials The Dallas Post publishes opinions on a variety of topics in many forms. Editorials, which are the opinion of the managment of The Post, appear on the editorial page and are writ- ten by the editor unless otherwise indicated. Any art- work represents the opinion of the cartoonist, and columns are the opinion of the author. Letters to the editor are welcome and will be pub- lished, subject to the following guidelines: e Letters should not exceed 500 words. e No writer may have more than one letter pub- lished during a 30-day period, except as a reply to an- other letter. e Letters must be signed and include the writer's home town and a telephone number for verification. e 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 libel, slander or objectionable wording. In addition to letters, we welcome longer pieces that may run as columns. The author or subject's rele- vance to the Back Mountain will be the prime consid- eration when selecting material for publication. Tue DALLAS POST TIMESeLEADER Cogaunity Newspaper Group P.O. BOX 366, DALLA 18612 * 570-675-5211 dallaspost@leader.net Ronald Bartizek EDITOR/GENERAL MANAGER Kari L. Wachtel ADVERTISING ACCT. EXEC. EAR Youngman REPORTER Claudia Blank AD PRODUCTION MANAGER Darlene E. Sorber OFFICE MANAGER Provence, or Dallas? Photo by Ron Bartizek. LETTER TO THE EDITOR Class of 2003 says thanks for a great, safe party Editor, As one of my last official acts represent- ing my fellow classmates as Secretary of the Dallas High School Class of 2003, I would like to publicly thank all the individ- uals responsible for the amazing night at the Dallas High School Lock-In. Qur grati- tude goes to Dr. Gil Griffiths, Mr. Frank Galicki, Mr. Jim McGovern and the other members of the administration. Our sin- cere appreciation to all our teachers and sponsors, the businesses that donated and supported the various committees, the chaperones, our parents, and most of all the Grad Lock-In 2003 committee mem- bers. After experiencing such a magnificent night, we realized how very hard everyone worked to put such an enormous event to- gether. A special thank you to Kathleen Savage, who was the fundraising chairper- son. Without her efforts we would not have had half the events. The games, decora- tions, food, prizes, video, etc. made a per- fect graduation even better. I hope that all my fellow class members give a verbal thanks to anyone they know that was involved. I personally know how hard everyone worked since my mom, Deb- bie Cooper, and Trudy Matley co-chaired the Lock-In. Life can now get back to nor- mal in our households! Good luck to the Class of 2004. May I suggest that you as a class involve your- selves by selling the various fundraising items and wash those cars. Do whatever else you can to help your lock-in and the parents running your event to be as suc- cessful as ours was. Once again, thanks for the most extraor- dinary night that we will always remember. Lacey Cooper Secretary Dallas High School Class of 2003 70 Years Ago - June 23, 1933 TAXPAYERS TO OPEN FIRE ON LIST OF FIFTY DEADBEATS Plans of Dallas BoroughTaxpayers Association to bring pressure on prop- erty-owners who have repeatedly evad- ed payment of borough taxes moved forward as officials of the organization prepared for drastic legal action against a selected list of fifty local property- owners. Noxen post office was one of the seven- ty five Pennsylvania post offices whose classification was re- duced because of re- duction in postal re- ONLY cel pts. YESTERDAY Some of the items at the American stores Co were: sugar corn, 3 cans 25¢; mayonnaise 16-oz. jar 15¢; coffee, 1 Ib. 21¢; Lipton’s Tea 1/4 1b. pkg. 19¢.. 60 Years Ago - June 18, 1943 THREE SLOT MACHINES CONFISCATED AT LAKE Acting on complaints received in the District Attorney's office, County detec- tives Henry Hones and John Loughney, assisted by Harvey's Lake Police, came down on twelve Harveys Lake business places in the early morning in search of slot machines. Three machines were confiscated. Canteen workers of the Shavertown Unit got some valuable experience when they served luncheons at cost to volunteer workers at the Red Cross Chapter House in Wilkes-Barre. Be- tween 30 and 60 workers were served each day. A new York manufacturer of women’s dresses is making a survey of th Back Mountain area to determine whether there are between 100 and 200 women here who would be available to work in such a plant if he should decide to es- tablish his business in Dallas. 50 Years Ago - June 19, 1953 KINGSTON TOWNSHIP AMBULANCE CORPS IS OUT OF DEBT With expenditures of more than $5,000 since its organization some months ago, Kingston Township Ambu- lance Association board at the meeting in Shavertown Fire Hall that its total current indebtedness is now less than $30. In recognition of his services, Dr. H.A. Brown Back Mountain's Hordse and Buggy Doctor, was given the coveted fifty-year award, at Luzerne County Medical Society at Twin Lakes. Darrel Major of Trucksville, received both of the Senior Agriculture awards presented at Commencemtnt exercises of Lehman-Jackson Joint school. 40 Years Ago - June 20, 1963 CONTRACTOR HOPES TO PAVE HIGHWAY BY SUMMER’S END With ideal weather prevailing initial operations for new Dallas-Luzerne Highway were slated by H. J. Williams engineers. First among operations were excavations for widening the “big bend” to six degree curve and digging for relo- cation of the railroad. Thge 402nd Military Police Prisoner of War Camp annnounced the promo- tion of Robert D. Richardson. Some of the car sales you could get at Luzerne Motor Co. were: ‘59 Ford $995; ‘60 Ford $1,275; ‘69 Chrysler $1395; ‘68 Buick $1185. 30 Years Ago - June 21, 1973 HARVEYS LAKE SEWER HOOKUP NOW GOVERNED BY ORDINANCE Harveys Lake Borough now has a mandatory hook-up ordinance for the proposed sewer system. passage of the ordinance came about during the regu- lar meeting of council, at which a letter of resignation from council chairman Thomas Cadwalader was read after he had excused himself late in the meet- ing. Sister Ann Horgan, RSM, dean of stu- dents at College Misericordia, was named chairman of the Luzerne County dean's Association for 1973-74. It is the first time in the organization's two-year history that woman has held an “® tive position. 2 : A formal charge of murder was lodged against two inmates at the State Correctional Institution at Dallas after District Magistrate Leonard Harvey handed down a decision that a prima facie case had been established against Freddy Butler and Glenn Jordan in the stabbing death of Thomas M. Wilson, also a SCID inmate. 20 Years Ago - June 22, 1983 IRATE LAKE-LEHMAN TAXPAYERS PROTEST MILLAGE HIKE Several hundred irate taxpayers at- tended the Lake-Lehman School Board meeting to protest the proposed tax in- crease announced by the board in May. The increase by the board at that time was 18 mills over the present 98 mills paid by the district taxpayers. Sr. Therese Marie Marques, RSM, of Dallas, a Sister of Mercy from the Province of Scrantion,received a $7,000 grant from MIVA, the Missionary Vehi- cle Association. The MIVA grant will be used for a car that will be reliab transportation for Sr. Therese and he colleagues in Georgetown, Guyana, South America. Jennifer Lynn Reno, Harveys Lake, was crowned the 1983 Little Miss Har- veys Lake during ceremonies held at the harveys Lake Pub. Jennifer, age 5, toped a list of 12 candidates for the ti- tle. Dallas Borough will formally restrict use of driveway July 1 Dallas Borough council is notifying the community that as of July 1, public access to the private driveway located between the Dallas Borough Building at 25 Main Street and the property located at 27 Main Street that presently houses Gem Therapeutics and residential apartments will be limited. The action is being taken to protect the clients and residents of 27 Main Street, Dallas Borough personnel and con- Kingston Twp. composting site open to residents for disposal of brush, grass clippings The Kingston Township Board of Supervisors announce that the composting site at the Public Works Facility will be open on Wednesday evenings until 8 p.m. from through September 30. The composting site hours will be Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, stituents that visit the Borough Building. Despite the fact that the driveway is a pri- vate driveway, over the years there has been an increasing amount of traffic and vehicles are presently exceeding safe speed limits when they utilize the drive- way. Borough Council has agreed to utilize the existing gates at the Borough Public Works compound and the gates will now routinely be locked after office hours at 7 Friday from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Wednesday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., | and Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The site is open for brush, grass clippings, leaves, and other yard waste only. For any questions call the Township Office at 696-3809. the Borough. A dusk to dawn light will be installed and flashers will temporarily be installed during the first month of the new traffic configuration. The Borough apologizes for any incon- venience to drivers that routinely utilize the driveway but reminds drivers that the driveway is not a public street. Public co- operation in this matter is greatly appreci- ated. 7 or ILE De is Rd ik ;
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