4 The Post
EDITORIAL
~ Sunday, March 7, 2004
OUR OPINION
Go slow with water
rate increases
While we may not have an absolute right to good water for
drinking, bathing and cooking, we surely should expect it in
areas that are served by a public utility. But people who live in
several neighborhoods around the Back Mountain, while being
either encouraged or forced to connect to regulated systems,
have for years been abused and neglected by the utility that
held a monopoly on their water supply. Thankfully, that reign
of irresponsibility came to an end in 2002, when the state Pub-
lic Utilities Commission forced the takeover of National Utili-
ties Inc. by Philadelphia Suburban Water Co., which has since
transformed itself into Aqua Pennsylvania. Now the new com-
pany wants to increase rates ag it seeks to improve service, but
customers think things should be the other way around. So do
we. :
If some of its actions so far are an accurate indication, it ap-
pears that Aqua PA is sincere in its desire to improve service.
A commitment to invest $2 million in replacement piping and
* other hardware has been fulfilled, and a recent hearing on its
request for higher rates drew no comment from customers of
three systems that had stark histories of neglect; Oak Hill in
Lehman, and Rhodes Terrace and Warden Place at En
Lake. Other customers, while noting more responsiveness to
complaints, said they had seen no improvement in the overall
quality of their water.
There is no doubt that the company has a big job ahead as it
rehabilitates these systems after decades of inattention. In
many cases, it will be less a repair job than a new installation,
as inadequate, corroded lines and other infrastructure are re-
placed. In some cases, such as with five systems in Kingston
Township, Aqua PA will attempt to tie them together into one,
with the economies of scale helping to justify enhancements
that have been languishing as long as the systems have exist-
ed.
These are all positive developments, and given the PUC’s
desire to “equalize” rates within a company’s statewide sys-
tems, they justify higher rates, but only after more work has
been completed. While it’s good to give utilities confidence in
their financial well-being, it is at least equally important that
customers are assured they are getting what they pay for. The
former customers of National Utilities may be paying less than
those served by other, more responsible, water companies, but
they have gotten a whole lot less for their money. They de-
- serve at least a few years during which the equation works the
other way around, and the PUC needs to grant them that re-
prieve.
‘Roundabout’is best
option for Dallas center
Slowly but surely, it seems the construction of a “round-
about” in the center of Dallas Borough is moving forward. Offi-
cials of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation said
recently that money will be allocated to study the roundabout
and other solutions to improve traffic flow at the five-way in-
tersection. That is good news, and not just because it may re-
lieve annoying congestion.
Along with the roundabout, which PennDOT feels-is a
friendlier word for traffic circle, is expected to come a beautifi-
cation project that will include removal of a now-abandoned
gas station and placement of utility lines underground. At the
center of it all will be an attractive park-like area that will hold
the veterans memorial and other features that will give resi-
dents and visitors a positive impression of our community.
That is the best case. The worst would be if the roundabout
plan was rejected by local officials and citizens, forcing Pen-
nDOT to revert to the usual tactic of adding lanes to accom-
modate increased traffic. The result would be the complete
and utter division of the borough and the creation of yet anoth-
er unattractive, even if efficient intersection, complete with
even more signals and wires.
There is one inescapable fact that must guide consideration
of the roundabout: something will be done to alleviate grow-
ing congestion at this spot. Given that reality, we support full
consideration of installing a roundabout, until and unless it is
proven to be less desirable than another option.
Letters, columns and editorials
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Study in red on an old Beaumont barn. Photo by Charlotte Bartizek.
LETTERS
Merger of Dallas police departments makes sense
Editor;
As a life resident and police officer in
' Dallas Township for 8 1/2 years, I would
like to comment on the idea of police con-
solidation. With the all-too-recent trend of
cutting police services and officers, it
seems logical to change the old system,
and consolidate police departments.
In 2001, Dallas Township and Dallas
Borough agreed to have a feasibility study
conducted by the Governor’s Center for
Local Government Services. The study
showed that the two local governments
would be ideal for consolidation.
Demographically the Township and the
Borough have contiguous borders (Town-
ship surrounds the Borough) and they are
ideally situated to be serviced by one po-
lice department. Furthermore, the study
concluded that the consolidation of the
both departments is both feasible and
workable. Ya,
The immediate and long-term results
would be beneficial in providing 24-hour
patrol services and direct response to calls
24 hours per day. The new agency would
provide strengthened administration, su-
pervision, and specialized services while
allowing for better training opportunities
and career advancement. The new services
with consolidation will
Sergeants, detectives and even juvenile of-
ficer(s). In particular only one Chief will
spend more time on managerial tasks.
The sergeant (s) will maintain continuity
in supervision and efficiency of the depart-
ment.
The new agency would be able to deploy
officers more effectively based on work-
load. Also.the new agency would provide
substantially enhanced professional police
services at an overall reduction in cost.
The study estimated an overall savings
with both departments consolidated at
$33,560.00 or 4 percent. This is only an
initial estimate, which allows for future
savings overall.
With consolidation there are many more
opportunities available that would not be
“accessible to smaller local government’
agencies. There are many more grants
available to consolidated agencies which
would help absorb the tremendous expens-
es involved in having a police department,
and also help in absorbing the rising health
allow for
care costs.
Officers of each municipality, on a regu-
lar basis, assist each other and handle calls
for service and investigations. It is fair to
say that the departments are consolidated,
just not formally. Being a police officer, I --
have the advantage to seek the input of fel-
low officers, and it seems they are support-
ive of consolidation. Each municipality has
a great police department, but if merged,
could be even better.
I challenge the elected officials and reai-
dents to support consolidation, and H
pioneer for the modernizing of police S€iv-
ices in the Back Mountain area: I ask that
the residents of Dallas Township and Dal-
las Borough support consolidation and let
their elected officials know. Come to the
monthly meetings or call your elected offi-
cials and voice your opinion. Please sup-
port the idea, and change the “old” way of
running local government. We have noth-
ing to lose. Consolidation will enharice and
better ‘current local ‘government ‘opera-
tions.
Fred J. Rosencrans
Dallas Township Police Department
The POST
TIMESeLEADER Community Newspaper Group
15 N. MAIN ST., WILKES-BARRE PA 18711 * 570-675-5211
thepost@leader.net
Ronald Bartizek
Patrick McHugh
EDITOR
PUBLISHER
Erin Youngman
REPORTER
Justin Wisnosk
ADVERTISIN
Greg Stauffer
AD PRODUCTION MANAGER
Hy A Oe
Free orthopaedic clinic at Wilkes-Barre General Hospital @
Wyoming Valley Health
Care System and Shriners
Hospitals « for Children,
Philadelphia, will co-sponsor a
free outreach clinic on Sunday,
March 21 in the admissions
department of Wilkes-Barre
General Hospital to aid in the
examination and treatment of
area children with orthopaedic
problems. The clinic is free
and open to all children up to
age 18. :
A Shriners orthopaedic
physician will be on hand to
examine and treat any child
with an orthopaedic condition.
Parents who wish to have
their children examined must
register by calling Shriners
Hospitals admission depart-
ment at 1-800-281-4050, exten-
sion 4140. Physician referrals
are not necessary.
The clinic is open to chil-
dren regardless of race, reli-
gion, financial status or rela-
tionship to a Shriner. Any
child who has an orthopaedic
problem’ is eligible. Shriners
Hospitals for Children treats
orthopaedic patients from
New York to Virginia totally
free of charge. Shriners also
provides transportation at no
charge for patients to be treat-
ed at its facility in Philadel-
phia. :
The hospital is equipped
and staffed to provide care for
virtually all pediatric or-
thopaedic problems, with the
exception of acute trauma. In
addition, the hospital has de-
veloped special expertise in
spinal cord injuries, cerebral
palsy, scoliosis (curvature of
the spine), spina bifida, hand
disorders, club foot, hip disor-
ders, brittle bone disease and
juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.
Since 1926, Shriners Hospi-
tals for Children has been pro-
viding expert medical care
completely free of charge to
children with orthopaedic con-
‘ditions resulting from injuries
and diseases of the bones and
muscles, as well as spinal cord
injuries.
70 Years Ago
March 9, 1934
DALLAS NAMESAKE HAD
COLORFUL CAREER
Alexander James Dallas, for
whom Dallas was named, was
an outstanding figure of his
time. Washington, Franklin,
Jefferson
and
Hamilton
were
among
his
friends.
ONLY
YESTERDAY '“ conter
Hill Road
is in the limelight as it its bad
condition has lead to an indict-
ment of the borough and town-
ship.
Reports that Battery B ar-
mory at Tunkhannock will be
moved to Pittston or Hazleton
evoked Tunkhannock citizens
to vigorous action this week in
opposition to the move.
60 Years Ago
March 3, 1944
LEHMAN SCHOOL BAND
DIRECTOR, DRAFTED
Sante Ragno, band and mu-
sic instructor at Lehman grade
three dozen, $1.69.
and high schools passed physi-
cal and mental exams at the
draft boards last week and is
awaiting call.
Lieutenant Phyllis Whitting-
ham of the Wilkes-Barre re-
cruiting office will open a part
time information and recruit-
ing booth at the Dallas Post Of-
fice.
William Wright is the sixth
son of Mr. and Mrs. William
Wright, Noxen, to be called to
serve. A record in the Back
Mountain region.
50 Years Ago
March 5, 1954
TEENAGERS MAY
ABANDON LEAGUE
Discouraged by lack of inter-
est on the part of parents, pro-
moters of the Bi-County Teen-
ers Baseball League are about
ready to throw in the sponge.
Grace Cave’s new store
opens this week in the Durkin
Building, Main Street, in space
originally occupied by Flanni-
gan’s Furniture Store.
Items that could be pur-
chased at the Trucksville Mill
Poultry Shop: Roasting chick-
ens, 65¢ per pound; large eggs,
40 Years Ago
March 5, 1964
HEAVY REPUBLICAN
REGISTRATION
Shavertown YMCA was a
beehive of activity on Monday
with 155 new Republican regis-
trations and 39 Democrat filed.
Richard Disque, Dallas un-
dertaker, was notified yester-
day by Dr. John P. Gibbons,
Luzerne County Coroner, of his
appointment as deputy coroner
for the Back Mountain area.
The old retaining wall on
Huntsville Road by the reser-
voir at junction with Over-
brook Road is being replaced
by the county.
30 Years Ago
March 7, 1974
FRANKLIN TWP. OBTAINS
OPTION TO LAND
Franklin Township Board of
Supervisors obtained an option
to buy 12 acres of land from
Phillip Williams. Located on
the east side of Williams Road
in Orange, the land will be
used for a township garage and
general storage.
Those interested in having
Dealer Award.
|
little league softball for girls
are urged to attend the next
Back Mountain Baseball Inc.
meeting. League officials have
announced if enough interest is
shown, the organization will
have|a girls program.
The General State Authority
is attempting to delete an
ber of items from the plann
Frances Slocum Park swim-
ming facilities project, so it will
fall within the funds allocated
for the project.
|
~ 20YearsAgo
~~ March 8, 1984
|
RESIDENTS BATTLE
ABOUT HOUSING
Shavertown residents are
still meeting, still protesting
and still organizing over a pro-
posed housing development on
North Lehigh Street.
le Back Mountain now has
its very own travel agency with
the March 5 opening of the
Back Mountain branch of the
Valley Automotive Club.
Time Magazine has named
George J. Alles, Jr. of Harveys
Lake, president of Geo J. \
Inc., an auto dealership in
* Kingston, as a recipient of the
1984 Time Magazine Quality