The Post EDITORIAL Sunday, January 16, 2005 OUR OPINION Condo battle is symptom of a much larger issue eauty, as those who possess it know, can be both a Biisiz and curse. While it can open doors and lead to opportunities, beauty can attract unwanted atten- tion, even obsession, that brings undesirable consequences. That is something like the situation confronting home owners in The Maples subdivision of Dallas Township. Theirs is a beautiful development, with handsome homes situated on at least an acre of land, surrounded only by trees and fields. At least it used to be that way. A new set of homes, which the builder claims are every bit as nice as those in The Maples, is going up next door. As is usually the case, the construction process is messy and a number of trees that shielded Maples homes from this subdi- vision have been removed. But there’s something else the folks in The Maples don’t like — the new homes are condo- miniums in a Planned Residential Development, PRD for short, and that allows for greater density than with single- family housing. Perhaps even worse, in the eye of one Maples family, one of the new units would be set just 25 feet from their property line. Such is the price of progress, says the developer. He’s right, at least in the context of today’s zoning rules, which the con- dominiums appear to satisfy. Neither he nor the people will- ing to plunk down $250,000 for a condo can be faulted for exercising their rights. There is a tendency for people who have found their little slice of paradise to slam the gate shut before others can join them. Some of that may be at work here, along with genuine concern about property values. But any argument that the new housing isn’t suitable, or desirable or allowable is likely to fall short if used in attempts to derail its construction. The energy going into that fight might be better directed toward pressing the supervisors to thoroughly review and upgrade zoning regulations that are 20 years or more old, and do not reflect the demands being made on the landscape by those who see the Back Mountain as a great place to live — or to make a profit building homes for them. MOMENTS IN TIME The History Channel ® On Jan. 18, 1778, English explorer Captain James Cook becomes the first European to discover the Hawaiian Islands. Cook and his crew were welcomed by the Hawaiians, who were fascinated by the Europeans’ ships and their use ‘of iron. ® On Jan. 20, 1870, Victoria Woodhull and her sister Tennessee Claflin open Woodhull, Claflin & Co., the nation’s first brokerage firm run solely by women. The successful firm represented an ~ early victory for equal rights in the often-chauvinistic world of Wall Street. ® On Jan. 19, 1921, crime novelist Patricia Highsmith is born in Fort Worth, Texas. Highsmith, whose novels include “Strangers on a Train” and “The Talented Mr. Ripley,” frequently portrayed a world chillingly free of morality or consequences. ® On Jan. 21, 1959, Carl Switzer, better known as Alfalfa from the “Our Gang” comedies, is shot and killed after an argument over a $50 debt. Switzer became a hunting guide and bartender in Northern California after his acting career fizzled. ® On Jan. 17, 1961, in a nationally televised speech, Dwight D. Eisenhower addresses the American people for the last time as president. During the speech, Eisenhower first warned of the unfettered growth of the “military-industrial complex,” as he "coined it. ® On Jan. 22, 1973, in a historic decision, the U.S. Supreme Court rules in Roe v. Wade that women, as part of their constitu- tional right to privacy, can terminate a pregnancy during its first two trimesters. Only during the last trimester, when the fetus can survive outside the womb, would states be permitted to regulate abortion of a healthy pregnancy. e On Jan. 23, 1997, Madeline Albright, born Maria Jana Korbelova in Czechoslovakia in 1937, is sworn in at the White House as America’s first female secretary of state. As head of the US. State Department, Albright became the highest ranking female official in U.S. history. (c) 2005 King Features Synd., Inc. Millstone from the mill at Ceasetown. Photo by Charlotte Bartizek. LIBRARY NEWS Reception Jan. 26 for Marilyn Rudolph Martha Butler, library director, announces that an open house commu- nity retirement party for Marilyn Rudolph, the children’s librarian, will be held at the library on Wednesday, Jan. 26, from 5 to 8 p.m. The community is invited to CAROL KING drop by to wish Marilyn well in her retirement. Marilyn was first hired to serve as an assistant to the then- librarian in the house on Main Street, which was the site of the library at that time. Within a few years she became the assistant librarian, and then the children’s librarian. Like many of your children, mine grew up in Dallas knowing her as the “library lady.” We have a distinct impres- sion that Marilyn will be just as busy from now on as she has been in her 35 years as librarian. Among her many hobbies are bridge; travel, gardening < and reading! — for which she has often wished wistfully that she had more time. o00 There will be an auction meeting at the library at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 27. Anyone interested in helping with the 2005 auction is urged to attend. o0e Registration for the winter/spring chil- dren’s story hours has begun. Call the library to register a child for any of the fol- lowing sessions: toddlers (2 yr. olds), Tuesdays, 10:30 to 11 a.m.; 3 to 5-year olds, Wednesdays, 9:45 to 10:45a.m. (new time), and 11 a.m. to 12 noon (new time); Thursdays, 10 to 11 a.m. and — another new time — 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. The stories are scheduled to begin the week of February 1 and end the week of April 4. Please note“that if, in case of snow or for other reasons, school openings are delayed or school is closed, there will be no story hours. ®o00 A second Wordhorde, sponsored by the Friends of the Library, will be held on Friday, Jan. 28, starting at 7 p.m. Call the library to register if you would like to par- ticipate in this open-mic forum. E oO hd ! The Tudor Bookshop announces that on Tuesday, January 25, at 7 p.m., author Elisabeth Robinson will meet with fans to discuss her new novel, “The True and Outstanding Adventures of the Hunt Sisters,” at Wyoming Seminary’s Stettler Gabriel Weiss's collection of “Toy Story” ; items is on display this month. ; Learning Center on Sprague Avenue in Kingston. : bos oO “ J The free computer classes at the library are still in the planning stage. Call the library, at 675-1128, if you would like to take advantage of this program. See LIBRARY, pg 5 Re RS 70 Years Ago Jan. 18, 1935 ‘MEN OF THE COMMUNITY’ INVITED TO INSTALLATION The installation of new elect- ed officers of the Brotherhood of St. Paul's Church will be held on Monday night. The men of the community are invited. ONLY YESTERDAY Letters, columns and editorials Editorials, which are the opinion of the management of The Post, appear on the editorial page and are written by the editor unless otherwise indicated. Any artwork represents the opinion of the cartoonist, and columns are the opinion of the author. Letters to the editor are welcome and will be published, subject to the following guidelines: ¢ 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. i 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. Letters can be sent many ways: By e-mail to: thepost@leader.net By mail to: The Post, 15 N. Main St., Wilkes-Barre PA 18711. By using the drop box located in the Uni-Mart convenience store on Route 309 in Dallas, across from the Dallas Shopping Center. Always include a daytime phone number for verification. Tie POST TIMESeLEADER Community Newspaper Group 15 N. MAIN ST., WILKES-BARRE PA 18711 * 570-675-5211 thepost@Ileader.net Ronald Bartizek Patrick McHugh EDITOR PUBLISHER Justin Wisnos ADVERTISIN Pat O'Donnell PREPRESS MANAGER ] \ William Cobleigh is the new chairman, Berton Riley, vice-chairman, George Hunt, secretary and K.G. Laycock, treasurer. The first half of the rural bas- ketball league season ended this week with Jack Roberts’ Dallas Borough five in full pos- session of first place as the result of its sensational show- ing during the past four weeks. The local quintet won eight of its nine games, losing only one contest, to Lehman in a game which necessitated an extra period. Local girls and women were scheduled to exhibit at the Pennsylvania Farm Show in Harrisburg. Among them were: Mrs. Joseph Perry, Dallas; Mrs. King Murray, Mrs. Lewis Skok, Miss Olive Lakowski, Jackson Township; Mrs. Grover Stock, Flora, Jean and Wilman Stock, Carverton; Dorothy and Mildred Dierhlof of Huntsville Dam. 60 Years Ago Jan. 19, 1945 A BAD WEEK FOR LOCAL SOLDIERS IN EUROPE Three local soldiers were reported missing in action in Europe; Pfc. Paul Kocher, Cpl. Alfred J. Brown and Lt. Jack Reese. News that he has been miss- ing in action in Luxembourg since December 22nd, was soft- ened somewhat for the family of Pvt. Paul G. Fiske, 26, of Davenport street, when they received a V-Mail letter from him on Monday dated December 29th. Pvt. Joseph Yanek, who had served in Africa, Italy, France, Belgium and Germany, was killed in action. He had been wounded three previous times. Sgt. William C. Gensel, miss- ing since a bombing flight over Austria on October 16, is now a prisoner of war in Germany. Mrs. Paul Eckert entertained members of her bridge club at her home in Shavertown Friday evening. High scorers were Mrs. Walter Cook and Mrs. Howard Ide. Others present were Mrs. Willard Durbin, Mrs. Burdett Crane, Mrs. Cedric Griffith, Mrs. Herbert Ray and Mrs. Frank Garris. 20 Years Ago Jan. 14, 1955 GROUND BROKEN FOR NEW LEGION HOME Ground was broken for the new American Legion Home Sunday afternoon at 2, board members and membership of the Daddow Isaacs Post meet- ing at the intersection of Center Hill Road and Memorial Highway for the ceremonies. Fred Cockayne, commander, wielded the pick, Frank Ferry, president of the Home Association, the shovel. Air Explorer Scout Johnny Sheehan will be honored for his achievement in attaining the rank of Eagle Scout at a dinner in the Church Hall of the Prince of Peace Church. Rev, William McClelland will deliver the reli- gious charge and Frank Trimble, Principal of Westmoreland High School, will administer the education pledge. William Hess was the first man at the wheel of the new Driver-Trainer dual control Dodge on Monday, when George McCutcheon started road instruction in the new training program at Westmoreland High School. Observers were Robert Eidam, Alan Root, and Stephen Balut. 40 Years Ago Jan. 14, 1965 TRAPPERS BOAST 26 MUSKRAT PELTS Albert Matukitis and Bob Cyphers have turned out to be the reincarnation of Davy Crockett and Daniel Boone as they have accumulated a total of twenty-six muskrat pelts, along with various other furs, during this year’s trapping sea- son. They have discontinued their efforts now because the ponds are frozen. Many residents of Dallas still laugh when they remember how Dr. William J. Kennedy, Machell Avenue dentist, used to flash a button the size of a soup-plate when the campaign for John. F. Kennedy was on. Dr. Kennedy, 67, in ill health for the past two ‘years, died December 30. Betty Oatridge, new Worthy Advisor of Charles James Memorial Assembly No. 144, International Order of the Rainbow for Girls, will be installed with her fellow offi- cers at the Trucksville United Methodist Church. Donna Smith, retiring Worthy Advisor, will perform the installation. 30 Years Ago Editor’s Note: The Dallas Post was shut down abruptly after the Dec. 23, 1974 issue by its owner, Greenstreet News. A new owner resumed publica- tion Jan. 30, 1975, and “30 Years Ago” will return when we reach that date. 20 Years Ago ] Jan. 16, 1985 : BOROUGH RESIDENTS * WANT BURNING RESTRICTED Some residents of Dallas Borough were preparing to ask the council for restrictions on open burning. Michael Witek planned to present petitions asking the council to designate at least three “no burn” days each week. Council president Harold Brobst agreed that burn: ing should be restricted, but® not banned entirely. Post sports correspondent John Rodgers lamented the res- ignation of Dallas High School football coach Ron Rybak, who had been fired by the school board a year earlier, then rehired a short time later. Rybak’s record over six seasons was 26-37-4. Rodgers wrote: “Maybe his record could have been better, but his class and style reflected in his players and, on this level, that is just as important.” A “new gourmet seafood restaurant,” The Dry Dock, advertised its special. It was in a space once and again occu- pied by the Overbrook Inn. ¥ Only Yesterday is compiled from the back-issue files of The Post. i £ : fen —@
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers