© 4 The Post EDITORIAL OUR OPINION A little trust would go a long way for towns e can’t disagree with Lehman Township Supervisor \ \ Dave Sutton’s assessment of the drawn-out and apparently unnecessary bickering that dominated last week’s meeting of the Back Mountain Area Council of Governments. “This is a silly matter for an amount that small,” he said about the back-and-forth over insurance cover- age in the event grant funds might be abscorided with. The controversy was sparked when the Kingston Township solicitor cautioned the supervisors that a contract accepting a $37,500 grant to fund a traffic study contained no specific ref- erence to bonding. He interpreted that to suggest the COG member municipalities could be held liable should the money be misappropriated. That possibility turns out to be highly unlikely for two reasons. First, grant funds are seldom given to a COG or individual municipality, but are only provided as reimbursement after actual expenditures have been paid. Second, a municipality’s general bond insurance applies to all its activities, including grants that are frequently obtained for ‘use by other organizations within its borders. It also seems this issue could have been addressed far more quickly and effectively if a Kingston Township supervisor or the solicitor had simply picked up the phone and called other members of the COG to express their concerns. That's essen- tially what happened during the meeting, creating an air of dissension in a group that can thrive only on cooperation. Other recent events illustrate how the COG can be helpful to its members. Dallas Township is expecting to receive a sep- arate grant, part of which will be used to pay the cost of reviewing its 40-year-old zoning ordinances. The township also is participating in a study that will develop planning and zoning recommendations for the four COG members. By coordinating the scope and goals of the two projects, it’s likely that Dallas Township will be able to afford a more thorough makeover of its regulations. It was a bit surprising when Kingston Township, for decades one of the most progressive communities in the region, only reluctantly joined the COG several months after it was formed. Now, as the second-largest member by popula- tion, the township and its officials can play an important part in assuring that this worthwhile experiment in regional think- ‘ing is a success. If the supervisors get involved in a positive way, Kingston Township can offer a great deal of expertise to the COG and its mission to keep the Back Mountain moving forward. That is a goal there should be no argument about. Got milk? Photo by Charlotte Bartizek. LIBRARY NEWS Library annual meeting open to public T h'e annual meeting of the Back Mountain Memorial Library Association will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 1, at 8 p.m. in the Community Room at the library. It is open to the CAROL KING public. oe There are still a few vacan- cies in the two-part class on the Internet at the library. The ‘dates are February 16 and 23, from 2 to 3 p.m. Call 675-1182 to register. [ XN J The Book Discussion Group met last Monday to discuss “Prodigal Summer,” by Barbara Kingsolver. This is a beautifully written novel set in southern Appalachia. It weaves together three stories of human relationships during one “prodigal summer,” with a lot of emphasis on man’s con- nection to the flora and fauna of the area. We recommend the book highly. The group has also read and enjoyed other novels by Barbara Kingsolver: “The Poisonwood Bible” and “High Tide in Tucson.” L Sunday, January 30, ®- Historical society seeks school yearbooks The Luzerne County Historical Society is seeking yearbooks from schools in Luzerne County. Although the society has several yearbooks from various junior high schools, high schools and col- leges, there are many gaps. The society would welcome donations of yearbooks from any year. They can be sent or dropped off at: Luzerne County Historical Society, gd9 S. Franklin St, Wilkes fl) PA 18701. To contact the soci- ety, call 823-6244. Letters are welcome Letters to the editor are welcome and will be published, subject to the following guidelines: e Letters should not exceed 500 words. e Letters must be signed and include the writer's home town and a daytime telephone number for verification. e Names will be withheld only if there exists a clear and verifi- able threat to the writer. 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. MOMENTS IN TIME The History Channel e On Feb. 6, 1820, the first organized immigration of freed slaves to Africa from the United States departs New York harbor on a journey to Freetown, Sierra Leone, in West Africa. The immi- gration was largely the work of the American Colonization Society, which later founded the colony of Liberia south of Sierra Leone. e On Feb. 1, 1898, the Travelers Insurance Company of Hartford, Conn., becomes the first company to issue an automo- bile insurance policy to an individual. Dr. Truman J. Martin of Buffalo, N.Y., paid a premium of $11.25 for the policy that covered $5,000 to $10,000 of liability. ® On Feb. 5, 1937, President Franklin Roosevelt announces a controversial plan to expand the Supreme Court to as many as 15 judges, allegedly to make it more efficient. Critics charged that Roosevelt was trying to “pack” the court and thus neutralize jus- tices hostile to his New Deal. ® On Feb. 4, 1941, the United Service Organization, a civilian agency, is founded to offer support for U.S. service members and their families. The ‘USO is best known for sending actors, musi- cians and other performers to entertain U.S. troops. ® On Feb. 3, 1959, rock stars Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and J.P. “The Big Bopper” Richardson are killed when their chartered airplane crashes in Iowa minutes after takeoff. Holly, 22, had just scored a No. 1 hit, “That’ll Be the Day,” while Valens, 17, also had hits with “Donna” and “La Bamba.” ® On Feb. 2, 1982, David Letterman's offbeat late-night talk show debuts. A favorite of college students, the show aired after Johnny Carson’s “The Tonight Show.” ® On Jan. 31, 1990, the Soviet Union's first McDonald’s fast-food restaurant opens in Moscow, and throngs of people line up to pay the equivalent of several days’ wages for Big Macs, shakes and french fries. An American journalist reported the customers seemed most amazed at the “simple sight of polite shop workers.” (c) 2005 King Features Synd., Inc. “qe THe POST TIMES*LEADER Community Newspaper Group 15 N. MAIN ST., WILKES-BARRE PA 18711 » 570-675-5211 thepost@leader.net Patrick McHugh Ronald Bartizek PUBLISHER EDITOR Justin Wisnosk ADVERTISIN Pat O'Donnell PREPRESS MANAGER 70 Years Ago Feb. 1, 1935 ROBERTS’ GIFT TO HARVEYS LAKE IS PUT INTO USE Although it has not been for- mally dedicated yet, the new combina- tion fire and police sta- tion at Harvey’s Lake, the ONLY gift of YESTERDAY Daniel C. Roberts, is being used by the two borough departments. It is a stone and concrete structure, two and one-half stories high and, together with the land, repre- sents a cost of close to $20,000. Two elective offices in the borough are vacant as a result of the death of Harry Anderson last Sunday and it is probable that action toward filling one will be taken shortly. Gow. George Earl will fill the justice of the peace vacancy. Prominent men suggested for the office are Ira Cooke, Stanley Doll and David Blocksage. The Public Service Commission ordered Dallas Water Company to make improvements to its system, including construction of a 70,000 gallon standpipe by August 1. It was also ordered to connect to the Golf Club Spring Line, and replace some mains. 60 Years Ago Feb. 2, 1945 JOE HARDISKY STANDS OUT AT PA FARM SHOW Joseph Hardisky, a senior at Dallas Township High School, placed third in the State at the Pennsylvania Farm Show for his project in small fruits. Joseph raised 369 quarts of red strawberries on his 1/4 acre plot of land and made a profit of $114. He also raised potatoes, had four colonies of bees and raised a calf. Noticing that the letters sent home by her son, Pfc. Robert Race, have all borne the initials of the same censor, Mrs. LaVerne Race of Davenport street, Dallas, decided to send a Christmas card to the censor. Delighted at the thought, the censor, Lt. Earnest A. Clark, the platoon leader, wrote back in a lettered addressed to “Mom,” in which he praised Pfc. Race and promised to “help him return as near as he was when he left you as possible.” Bernard and Helen Breza, children of Mr. and Mrs. John Breza of Overbook Avenue, are both in the service. Sgt. Bernard Breza is with the Marine Corps, stationed at Cherry Point, N.C. Helen is a Hospital Apprentice Seaman, first class, with the Waves at St. Albans Hospital on Long Island. 50 Years Ago Jan. 28, 1955 ‘NICE KIDS’ TRYING TO CASH IN WITH CHINCHILLAS Two nice kids, newcomers to Dallas, are engaged in the unusual occupation of raising Chinchillas. Not Chinchilla rab- bits, but the real thing, those fabulously expensive little rodents native to the high Andes. John and Willa Petrella plan to keep their stock and its progeny until they get notable results. One of the four pairs has produced the goods, a baby Chinchilla. Liquor licenses of four Harveys Lake taverns were sus- pended for varying periods by the State Liquor Control Board. Colony Inn, C.G. Condaras pro- prietor and Eva C. Kizis, Harveys Lake jurisdiction, each were penalized by thirty day suspension for Sunday sales. Fred Brokenshire was suspend- ed forty days for the same offense. John E. and Stella Nothoff have the heaviest penalty, sixty days for Sunday and after-hour sales. Members of Huntsville Christian Church voted to start work immediately on the con- structic ff seven additional class rooms. The addition will provide room for Milton Culp’s Bible . Class, Mrs. Walter Covert’s Class and for Rev. Charles Frick’'s Christian Friendly Class as well as choir rooms. 40 Years Ago Jan. 28, 1965 SPORTSMEN, INCLUDING ST. LOUIS CARDINALS PLAYER, HELP STOCK RABBITS Local sportsmen helped District = Game Protector Edward Gdosky stock rabbits in the Harveys Lake area. Lending a hand were Clayton .Traver, Dallas, Class B Trapping Agent; George Bednar, Shavertown, local sportsman and lineman for the St. Louis Cardinal Football Team; and Mrs. Malcolm Nelson, Secretary, Harveys Lake Rod and Gun Club. Morris King, 75, went on the radio to reminisce about the days of the one-room school. The veteran schoolmaster taught in Jackson Township from 1928 to 1949, taking out six years during the World War. Those planning to buy or build a home could get a mort- gage at 5.5 percent at Miners National Bank in Dallas. There was a catch, you had to borrow at least $5,000. 30 Years Ago Jan. 30, 1975 NEW OWNER REVIVES THE DALLAS POST New Post owner Ray Carlsen introduced himself to the com- munity. Carlsen, who had lived in Tunkhannock while working for . The Charmin Paper Products Company, bought three weekly newspapers in Ohio in 1970. He restarted the Post, The Abington Journal and The Mountaintop Eagle, which had been shut down before Christmas by Greenstreet News Company. Brian Corbett scored the only Dallas pin, but that was enough to lead the Mountaineers wrestlers to a 25-20 victory over Bishop O’Reilly. Excellence in the cass had its rewards. Elby’s family restaurant in Dallas offered a free Big Boy hamburg to grade school students who had at least one “A” on their report card. 20 Years Ago Jan. 30, 1985 POLICEMAN RECOVERING AFTER BEING RUN DOWN Ralph “Rusty” Seitzer, a part- time Kingston Township police officer, was in serious condition at Nesbitt Memorial Hospital after being struck by a vehicle driven by 17-year-old youth from Dallas. According to police records, he was run down as he tried to block in a car containing three juveniles at Lower Demunds Road and Roushey Street. Rick and Rocky - have been selected as members of the East team for the East- West All Star Wrestling Match to be held at Utah State University, The brothers, both students at Bloomsburg University, represent the only school with more than one wrestler on the team. Both are ranked third in the nation in their weight class. Susan Nutche, Midway Manor, shared her tasty chicken recipes with Post readers. With three sons and a contractor husband to care for; she has learned to make hearty one- dish meals, particularly chick- en, which can be served in a variety of ways. Cancer Society solicits volunteer drivers The Wyoming Valley Unit of the American Cancer Society needs volunteer drivers for its Road to Recovery program. Road to Recovery is a program of volun- teers who drive patients to treatment cen- ters and home again. Your Amerjcan Cancer Society needs more volunteers to unsure that all patients have transportation when they need it. Volunteers drive the American Cancer Society van to transport patients in the Wyoming Valley. Road to Recovery volunteer can drive as little as once a month or as often as a few timeg per week. Patients are grateful for this service, as many of them could not otherwise (88 their treatments. Having reliable t portation and caring ACS volunteers to take them to their appointments is very comforting to them. For more ,, information call Gina Severcool at 1-888-227-5445.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers