6 The Post EDITORIAL Sunday, December 7, 2003 OUR OPINION Tax on businesses could do more harm than good Desperate times call for desperate measures, but even so, slapping a tax on businesses in Kingston Township makes lit- tle sense. The idea for a $500 to $600 annual “Business Privi- lege Tax” popped up unexpectedly at one of a series of super- visors meetings on the 2004 budget. It joins higher fees for the recreation program, charges for spring cleanup and other pro- posals meant to extract the township from a projected deficit in its operating budget of more than $200,000. The capital budget as originally proposed contained another nearly equal shortfall. There’s no doubt the supervisors are desperate to stabilize the budget, but are constrained by public demands that servic- es and employment be maintained. Even people who don’t like to pay more taxes are willing to accept them if they are proven to be truly necessary. We'll leave that determination to others, but if more revenue is needed, this tax is not the smartest or most effective way to get it. The biggest shortcoming of this type of tax is its extremely regressive nature. Unlike an income tax — or even a tax on property — this one hits tiny and huge businesses with un- equal force. Surely the supervisors who favor this plan recog- nize that it will have far more impact on a two-chair beauty sa- lon than on a thriving convenience store. Yet, each will pay ex- actly the same amount. You can in part thank a ruling by the state courts barring any new “mercantile” taxes for that cir- cumstance. A mercantile tax is levied on gross sales, thus as- suring that larger enterprises pay more than smaller ones. But in their wisdom, the courts found it constitutional to charge each entity the same amount, just as the “per capita” tax on in- dividuals. Based on a list of 145 business entities in the township, this tax could bring in up to $87,000, which is nothing to sneeze at. But before the supervisors rub their hands in anticipation of a windfall, they need to realize that the net effect will be much less once collection costs are taken out and a reasonable number of non-payers are factored in. In the end, it’s likely the township would see little more than an eighth of the amount needed to close the gap. The long-term effect could be even less positive if small businesses were to decide that moving out of the township could preserve more profit without a loss in customers. The supervisors are not in an enviable position, and they must take firm action to put the township’s finances on a sound course. Tax hikes may be part of the solution, but not one that poses so many risks for so little reward. Back Mountain Library thrives with your support Townships, boroughs and cities aren’t alone as they face budget challenges this year; libraries are among public institu- tions waiting anxiously to see what the final state spending plan does to their ability to provide services. For the Back Mountain Memorial Library, cutbacks proposed so far could mean fewer new books, less access to the resources of other li- braries and reduced internet opportunities. : The library also depends on contributions from municipali- ties in the Dallas and Lake-Lehman school districts, and the Want to help districts themselves. The picture there is the library? less bleak than on the state scene, with ~ most towns and the school districts main- Call 675-1182 | .". . and ask Row. taining their level of support. : The Back Mountain library is fortunate to have the support of dozens of volunteers who not only help with day-to-day functions, they also are the power behind sig- nificant fundraisers, chief among them the annual auction. In response to the looming shortfall in funds, they have added smaller events, such as the Haunted Library and a Giving Tree, which contribute a few hundred to a few thousand dol- lars to the $340,000 annual operating budget. Still, something will have to give if the state follows through on a projected 50 percent cut in funding, a roughly $48,000 reduction. Already, library employees have been told they will not receive raises in 2004. As hard as that may be to swallow, though, it’s a whole lot better than what happened at the Osterhout Library in Wilkes-Barre, where 20 workers have been given pink slips and closing one or two branches is a pos- sibility along with cutbacks in hours and children’s programs. While future support from the state is uncertain, we feel confident that individuals, families, businesses and institu- tions will step up to maintain the Back Mountain Memorial Library as an important resource for our community. Not everyone has the personal wealth to have home computers or to buy books, but we all share access to the library and its valuable programs, and we should all be willing to help it sur- vive and thrive. Lighting the way at the Meadows Nursing Center. Photo by Charlotte i A Bartizek. LIBRARY NEWS Crafty kids invited to the library on Saturday A special holiday “make and take” craft session is scheduled for young adult pa- trons between the ages of 12 and 18 at the library on Saturday, December 13, at 10 a.m. Cheryl A. Sutliff, an independent demonstrator with Stampin’ Up!, will con- duct the session. Par- ticipants will complete two holiday projects. Registration is re- quired; call the library. A fee of $3 for supplies CAROL KING is payable to the instructor as the class be- - gins. Extra supplies may also be pur- chased. o00 : For those who ordered fruit or cheese- cakes in the Friends citrus fruit sale, one fi- nal reminder: the pickup dates are Friday, Dec. 12, 4 to 6 p.m.; and Saturday, Dec. 13, 9 am. to 3 p.m. Remember that cheese- cakes should be picked up on Friday for op- timum quality. o0e The library will hold its annual Holiday Open House on Tuesday and Wednesday, December 16 and 17, from 1 to 5 p.m. each day. On Wednesday the Dallas Middle School Select Chorus, under the direction of Choral Director Jill Antall, will perform a selection of seasonal music. Everyone is welcome. [ NN J Registration for the spring story hours for toddlers and 3-5-year-olds will be held on Monday, January 5, 2004. Call the li- brary, 675-1182, after 9:30 a.m. The story hours will begin the week of February 2 ‘and will conclude the week of April 12. There will be no programs during the week before Easter, the week of April 5. ooo Ornaments on the Giving Trees at the li- brary are growing'in number. Be sure to! stop by and add yours (the paper orna- ments made by the Girl Scouts are avail- able at the library) as you make a contribu- tion from $1, on the children’s room tree, to $25 or more. You may, if you like, have it inscribed with a book dedication for a donation of $25. Your contributions are tax-deductible, and will be greatly appreci- ated as the Back Mountain Memorial Li- brary combats the uncertainties of the state funding for libraries. Other items available at the library for holiday gift-giving are library tote bags (two sizes), slate chalk boards, and Enter- tainment Books. [ KX X J The collection of birds which Alva EF. Taylor of Harveys Lake had carved an} painted, on display recently in the library" was much admired. A new display by Dave Kozemchak of White House ornaments is now on view. He has been collecting them for about 20 years. Made of a variety mate- rials, they are very appealing. o® 0 Everyone present at the recent discus- sion by the Monday morning book group of “Life of Pi,” by Yann Martel, enjoyed the book. Shirley Forney was the moderator. It’s an unusual novel, to say the least. The plot can be interpreted, on the face of it, as - a tale of adventure in which a 16-year-old boy survives a shipwreck accompanied by a Bengal tiger on a 23-foot lifeboat — a real challenge. Most felt, however, that it was a religious experience in which allego- ry plays a large role and accounts for "9 boy’s survival because of his faith in God A good read, either way. @ 70 Years Ago — December 8, 1933 EDUCATIONAL PICTURE SHOWN AT SCHOOL — “The Gift of Montezuma,” and educational and industrial sound motion picture dealing with the growing and selling of Cocoa beans in the tropics, was shown Wednesday at in dallas ONLY YESTERDAY Letters, columns and editorials Letters to the editor are welcome and will be published, subject to the following guidelines: e Letters should not exceed 500 words. ® 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. e 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. Tue POST TIMESeLEADER Cogunity Newspaper Group 15 N. MAIN ST., WILKES-B E PA 18711 » 570-675-5211 dallaspost@leader.net Ronald Bartizek Patrick McHugh EDITOR PUBLISHER Justin Wisnos ADVERTISING ACCT. EXEC. Greg Stauffer AD PRODUCTION MANAGER Erin Youngman REPORTER borough high school auditorium. — The Civil Works Board at Harrisburg approved the con- struction of an 18-foot roadway on Cemetery Street, Dallas, 450 feet from Rice Street to Foster Ave, including a stone bridge, as the first of the bor- ough’s share in the civil works appropriation for the county. 60 Years Ago December 3, 1943 STEVENS IS NAMED V-P OF MONTGOMERY WARD — A young man who was born and raised in Dallas is to- day the vice president and gen- eral merchandiser of Mont- gomery Ward and Company, the giant mail order and retail company. — Funeral services were held Thanksgiving day for Mrs. Elizabeth Bradel Staub of Trucksville. Mrs. Staub was stricken with a heart attack Monday at her home. — Lehman Township schools have been awarded the grand prize of $20 for the high- est per capita collection of waste paper, 442 pounds. 50 Years Ago December 11, 1953 HOLIDAY LIGHTS GO UP ON DALLAS MAIN STREET — Main Street Dallas is be- ginning to take on a holiday ap- pearance. Paul Shaver has had a crew of men at work erecting Christmas lights. — In spite of heavy down- pour, sixteen interested resi- dents met at Back Mountain Library Annex to discuss the need of the formation of an am- bulance association to service Dallas borough and Dallas township. — Items that could be pur- chased at Halls Pharmacy: Whitman's sampler chocolates, 2 pounds for $4.50, wrist watches from $6.50 to $12.50, Yardley bath powder, $1.50 to $3.75. 40 Years Ago December 5, 1963 HUNTING TRIP ENDS IN HEART ATTACK DEATH — Death came to Ervin Den- mon at dusk on the first day of hunting season, as he was near- ing his home in Beaumont af- ter shooting his buck in the nearby woods and dragging it to his car. He suffered a heart attack. — The Dallas Rotary met at Irem Country Club, Myron bak- er presiding. The club voted in favor of joining other clubs in discorouruaging the erection of billboards along the newly modified Luzerne-Dallas High- way. — Beverly Eck, Shavertown, made a notable record at the Junior Miss Contest by win- ning top honors in the scholas- tic achievement competition. 30 Years Ago November 29, 1973 MCCARTY CHOSEN ARAB PATROL HEAD — Victor McCarty, Hillside Road, Shavertown, was recent- ly elected president of Arab Pa- trol, Irem Temple AAONMS, at an election held at Irem Tem- ple Country Club. — Art Mooney will join the Big Band Cavalcade scheduled to be presented by College Mis- ericordia’s Theater 3 organiza- tion. — Items that could be pur- chased at the A&P: Beef liver, .69 cents a pound, chuck roast, $1.28 a pound and western car- rots, 2-1 LB. bags for .35 cents. 20 Years Ago December 7, 1983 FARMERS ARRESTED FOR SHOOTING AT SPOTTERS — One hunting season incj ) dent has developed into a fu) | inal matter as Martin Murray and William Murray were ar- rested for allegedly shooting at four people spotlighting deer on their property. — John Gabriel has decided to appeal the Dallas School Board’s decision to fire him from his position as supervisor of grounds and maintenance. — Michael Romanchick of RD 2, Box 71, Harveys Lake, bagged his biggest buck in 35 years of hunting when he brought down a 12-point deer. Lake Township recycling December 13, no paper this month The voluntary recycling dropoff center for Lake Township ac- cepts items from 10 a.m. to noon on the second Saturday of each month. The center is at the township building on Rt. 29. The fol- lowing items may be dropped off: aluminum and bi-metal cans, clear, brown and green glass, plastic #1 and #2 only. No motor oil containers or scrap aluminum can be accepted. Newspaper will not be accepted this month. Do not drop off items before the cen- ter opens. Q: Where do you find the most Back Mountain news each week? A: Only in The Pos® fh 4 J TES
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers