L Q°" 114 No. 45 The Back Mountain's Newspaper Since 1889 November 9 to November 15, 2003 Magical lesson at | Wyecallis. Page 4 SERVING THE COMMUNITIES OF THE DALLAS & LAKE-LEHMAN SCHOOL DISTRICTS Election winners want Gochoel on board By ERIN YOUNGMAN Post Staff DALLAS TWP. — Newly elected Dallas School Board members are not shy about who they want appointed to @: newly vacant board position. They say Dennis Gochoel, who finished ahead of three long-time board mem- bers to win in the May primary, is the logical choice. On Tuesday, voters elected three new faces to the board; Gary Mathers, Russell Bigus and Bruce Goeringer, and re-elected Deborah Morgantini and James Richardson. The day before the election, it was announced at the school board work Rec group considers taking on old road By ERIN YOUNGMAN Post Staff ) LEHMAN TWP. — Citing cost issues, the township wants to vacate a 3.5 mile stretch of road that travels through some of the most pris- tine woodlands in the area. Back Mountain Recreation Inc. is interested in acquiring the property for the creation of a walking trail, but the clock is ticking — the township plans to advertise to vacate the road this month. Cassie Green Road, located in the southwest corner of the township, travels through acres of conservation district land predominantly owned by @ Land Corporation and ennsylvania-American Water Company. For years the road has not been maintained. Township of- ficials say it is not a thorough- session that board member Anthony Barbose had resigned. In an e-mail written by Barbose and read at the meeting, he explained he would be moving to Arizona “for personal rea- sons.” Barbose had served on the board for six years. By law, the current school board has to appoint a new member to fill the va- cancy by November 30. The open seat could allow one of three current board members, Ernest Ashbridge, John Litz or Tom Russ, all who lost in the May primary, to be ap- pointed to the position. All of Tuesday’s winners who were interviewed said they felt the voters “... the voters indicated in May what they wanted.” Russell Bigus Elected Tuesday had spoken and that Gochoel should have the open seat. “It would only be fair that Gochoel be offered the opportunity (to be on the board),” said Mathers. “He was the clear winner over the other candi- dates.” Morgantini, who just won her sec- ond term on the board, agreed, saying, “He was the next person in line who would have made it.” Bigus and Mathers both said they think Gochoel’s campaign platform of new ideas would benefit the district. “The truth is, the voters indicated in May what they wanted,” said Bigus, referring to the long-time board mem- bers not making it through the pri- mary. “We need someone who would bring a fresh perspective to the board.” Mathers and Bigus were outspoken about how they feel Gochoel would do in the position. Bigus said he knows Gochoel and that he is confident he would do a great job. “I would really look forward to working with him. I'm quite impressed with him,” said Mathers. Gochoel, who is a Republican, but ran on the Democratic ballot, said he is flattered by the suggestion that he should be appointed. Ironically, he lost to Barbose two years ago, by what he said was less than 100 votes. Gochoel is somewhat unsure about how the appointment process works, but said he would be interested in tak- ing the position if asked. “Do I intend to put in a letter asking for the posi- tion? Sure I do,” he said. Election winners James Richardson and Bruce Goeringer, could not be reached for comment. See ROAD, pg 2 Weekend emergency response POST PHOTO/CHARLOTTE BARTIZEK Universal game, uneven equipment Back Mountain youth soccer players, their parents and friends collected soccer balls and other needed items November 1 that will be sent to children in poor countries. The drive was organized by the parents of the Back Mountain (U-10) Rap- tors, an intramural travel soccer team with more on their minds than winning. Forty four balls and other equipment were collected. Mary Ann Dunn displayed examples of soccer balls that might have been made by children in impoverished na- tions from rags and trash. Story, more photos on page 11. Dallas School Board election Directors ready to get down to work By ERIN YOUNGMAN Post Staff DALLAS TWP. — Newly elected Dallas School District board members say they are ready to get to work on issues ranging from a high school ren- ovation project to creating op- portunities for the “average” kid. On Tuesday, voters elected three new faces to the board, Gary Mathers, Russell Bigus and Bruce Goeringer. Current board members Deborah Mor- gantini and James Richardson were re-elected. “We must take care of the average student — they are so important.” Gary Mathers Elected Tuesday Three long-time board mem- bers didn’t win in the May pri- mary and will be leaving at the end of the year. They are Ernest Ashbridge Jr., who has nearly three decades on the changes By RONALD BARTIZEK Post Staff DALLAS TWP. — A new arrangement for emergency services is expected to provide quicker responses on week- ends. Dallas Fire and Ambulance Ind Kingston Township Ambu- lance are now sharing duties between 6 a.m. and 4 p.m. Sat- urdays and Sundays, maintain- ing paid personnel who can re- spond immediately to calls. Each department’s volun- teers are then available for backup if more personnel are needed or an additional emer- gency arises while the first crew is occupied. The chief of Kunkle Fire and Ambulance asked the supervi- sors at the November 3 meet- ing how the change affects his department, which is the “sec- ond do” according to a town- ship resolution. “Have we been taken out the picture?” Jack Dodson asked. “I just don’t want to have some- See RESPONSE, pg 8 r Se ole Bg * Fs iA Er POST PHOTO/CHARLOTTE BARTIZEK Ezra Frick showed the page in Ranger Rick magazine where advisory panel com- ments are published. Ezra, 9, is one of about 30 youth advisors nationwide. His par- ents, Scott and Marie, shared the couch. Dallas boy IS advisor to national mag By CAMILLE FIOTI Post Correspondent board, John Litz and Tom Russ. “There are quite a few changes (to More the board),” election said Morgan- stories tini, who was on page 3 re-elected to her second term. “But I think it’s all very positive.” How to enrich offerings for the average student takes top priority for Mathers, a retired Dallas wood shop teacher. “Not DALLAS — Ezra Frick is only 9 years old but he knows more about wildlife than a lot of grownups. That is one of the reasons why this spunky, articulate only child of Scott and Marie Frick of Dallas was chosen to be on the advisory panel of Ranger Rick Magazine. A popular nature magazine for kids, Ranger Rick is published in Washing- ton, D.C. by the National Wildlife Fed- eration and has received many awards, including the Ed Press Gold- en Lamp Award for excellence in edu- cational journalism. “He has always loved this magazine, so we've subscribed to it for four or five years now,” Ezra’s mom said. He is one of approximately 30 children See RANGER RICK, pg 8 everyone can be a doctor, lawyer or engineer,” he said. Now that he’s been elected, Mathers wants to waste no time in figuring out how to in- crease the quality of offerings for such students. “We must take care of the av- erage student — they are so im- portant,” he said. Morgantini said she feels pur- suing research on renovating the high school should come next. She said the school was built in 1964 and is “dated.” A princi- pal in the Wyoming Valley West School District, she said she feels a pleasant “state-of-the- See DALLAS, pg 3 V INSIDE THE Post 14 Pages, 2 Sections Calendar Church Editorials Obituaries DALLAS HIGH ScHooL GIRLS TEAM WINS STATE CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIP. PAGE 9. V¥ How To Reach Us News: 675-5211 thepost@leader.net 15 N. Main St. Wilkes-Barre PA 18711 Advertising: 970-7102 Subscriptions and Delivery: 829-5000
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