The Post - EDITORIAL Sunday, May 1, 2005 C OUR OPINION While imperfect, a lake speed limit could help e proposal to institute a weekend speed limit for boats on Harveys Lake is not without its critics. As proposed, the 45 miles per hour limit would apply weekends and holidays from Memorial Day through Labor Day, exactly the times when the lake is most crowded with boaters, swimmers and users of “personal watercraft,” the speedy jet-powered water sprites that carry one, two or even three riders. Advocates of the limit feel it is one way to avert a potential tragedy. Opponents argue that it is an infringe- ment on their rights and cannot possibly be consistently enforced, making it pretty much useless. We side with the proponents, while agreeing that the limit may be more of a psychological deterrent than a real one, unless the Fish & Boat Commission miraculously comes up with funding for a solid enforcement presence. Don’t hold your breath. As for the principle that someone in a powerful boat should be able to go as fast as they care to — as long as they're responsible about it — well, let’s just say that just such a posi- tion has long been argued by sports car fans, but logic has superseded their enthusiasm. In this case, the speed limit is geared toward times when the most people are likely to be on the lake, some of them in boats and others in the water, whether intentionally or inadvertently. On weekends especial- ly, there are fishermen and pleasure boaters, sailors and those piloting motor craft. But there also are more swimmers, water skiers and tubers than at other times, and some of take an unplanned dip far from the protection of docks and buoys. Like a speeding car in a busy neighborhood, an otherwise - harmless boat racing through this commotion might easily run down someone who shouldn’t be in their path, but they are. Our support for the speed limit is influenced in part by exactly the same factor as that used in some arguments against it — that enforcement of existing laws is ineffective. Yes, the present statutes are supposed to penalize “negligent operation of a watercraft,” but there are two problems with that. First, there is inadequate enforcement simply because the commission doesn’t have enough manpower. James Stout, Waterways Conservation Officer out of the Sweet Valley office, must patrol lakes, streams and ponds throughout northern Luzerne and Columbia counties. He cannot devote his efforts exclusively to Harveys Lake. Equally important, the current regulations are imprecise. What exactly constitutes “maintaining a safe speed?” If an offender decided to fight a charge, could the commission make it stick? Chances are it would be difficult and time-con- suming, forcing an officer to spend his time in court and not on the waterways. We don’t disagree that there will not be enough muscle behind the speed limit. Even so, with an objective maximum, at least some real enforcement will be possible, when time and conditions permit. The bigger issue, nearly everyone agrees, is careless, intoxi- cated or simply irresponsible boaters. They can and should be prosecuted now, and along with the speed limit, we urge the Fish & Boat Commission to find a way to ramp up the enforcement presence and send a message that reckless disre- gard for safety will not be tolerated on Harveys Lake any more than it is on the roads that bring boaters there. MOMENTS IN TIME The History Channel ¢ On May 6, 1937, the airship Hindenburg, the largest dirigible ever built and the pride of Nazi Germany, bursts into flames upon touching its mooring mast in Lakehurst, N.J., killing 36 pas- sengers and crewmembers. e On May 3, 1947, Japan's postwar constitution goes into effect. The progressive constitution granted universal suffrage, stripped Emperor Hirohito of all but symbolic power, stipulated a bill of rights, abolished peerage and outlawed Japan's right to make war. The document was largely the work of Supreme Allied Commander Douglas MacArthur and his occupation staff. ¢ On May 4, 1959, the winners of the first Grammy Awards are announced. Henry Mancini won the Best Album award for “The Music From Peter Gunn”; Perry Como was voted Best Male Vocalist, and Ella Fitzgerald Best Female Vocalist. “Volare,” by Domenico Modugno, won Best Record. * On May 7, 1966, “Monday, Monday,” by the Mommas and the Papas, hits the top of the charts. It was the first No. 1 hit by a musical quartet featuring fully balanced co-ed vocals. * On May 8, 1984, the Soviet Union announces a boycott of the 1984 Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Although the Soviets cited security concerns, the boycott was more likely the result of strained Cold War relations due to America’s generous aid to Muslim rebels fighting in Afghanistan — and payback for the U.S. boycott of the 1980 Olympics in Moscow. e On May 5, 1990, Jesse Tafero is executed in Florida after his electric chair malfunctions three times, causing flames to leap from his head. Tafero’s death sparked a new debate on humane methods of execution, and several states ceased use of the elec- tric chair and adopted lethal injection as their means of capital punishment. (c) 2005 King Features Synd., Inc. The POST TIMESeLEADER Community Newspaper Group 15 N. MAIN ST., WILKES-BARRE PA 18711 + thepost@Ileader.net 570-675-5211 Patrick McHugh Ronald Bartizek PUBLISHER EDITOR Erika Calvert ADVERTISING Pat O'Donnell PREPRESS MANAGER Howard Whitson , Lehman, goes fishing in the pond at the Meadows Center in Dallas. Photo by Charlotte Bartizek. LETTERS Speed limit on lake unnecessary and intrusive The attempt to put a speed limit on boats at Harveys Lake is nothing but the next step in a continuous assault on boating that has been going on for over 15 years. Every year this senile bureaucracy brings more and more regulation that not only encroaches on personal free- doms and liberties, but it fos- ters their reason for existing. The boating industry has felt the effects of micro-managed regulation both statewide and nationally for years. marine industry both as a marine retailer and trade asso- ciation leader and have wit- nessed firsthand on how these processes develop. I also have seen numerous petitions for more regulation, promulgated by people who don’t know or understand the real issues at hand. I will give you an example of a petition I saw two years ago. It had names containing dis- gruntled fisherman in small boats, sailboat owners who had nothing to do with boating, elderly retired people who never went near water, people who just sit on a dock and drink, and uninterested people who would sign anything for a friend. This petition ignored the erosion of freedom and per- sonal choices of boat owner- ship, law enforcement deficien- cies, and economic relavancies. What most people don’t real- ize is that this type of regula- tion only is a half-hearted attempt to appease the malcon- Boat Commission reat has existed for years that states no boater may operate a vessel a faster than conditions permit. The Waterways Conservation, : Officer has the right to deter- : mine that. Also, funding for law |. enforcement in my opinion has, never been sufficient to meet the needs of boating safety. So’. 2 the question comes down to;. are there not enough laws or not enough enforcement ‘® what already exists? George C. Horwatt 2005 visits of children from New York City. Each summer, more than 5,000 chil- dren, ages 6 to 18, spend two weeks or and Canada. Local Fresh Air Fund volun- teers recruit and interview prospective host families, check references and coor- I am a 20-year veteran of the hate power boats, people who tents of society. State Fish & Dallas ° ° eo oo Fresh Air Fund planning 2005 summer visits The Fresh Air Fund is seeking volun- more with host families in suburban and dinate activities. [ teers and host families for the summer small-town communities in the northeast For more information or to volunteer, .,; 92 call Denise Moskaluk at 674-3707. To;y learn more about.The Fresh Air Fund, . : visit www.freshair.org. 70 Years Ago May 3, 1935 QUOIT CLUB ELECTS OFFICERS FOR YEAR Henery Disque was named president of the Dallas All-Star Quoit Club at an organization meeting held this week in preparation for the sum- mer season. Other offi- cers are Scott Van ONLY YESTERDAY Horn, vice-president; W.J. Jones, secretary; Grant Shaner, treasurer; Charles Stookey, cap- tain, Dominick Detter, first assistant captain and ground keeper; Phil Anderson, second assistant captain, and Grant Shaner, official referee. A charter was granted to the Dallas Post of American Legion at a meeting of the county com- mittee on Monday night. The local post met last night to dis- cuss local appointments and plans for its program of activi- ties. Rev. W.S. from the Alderson- Noxen charge was transferred to fill a vacancy at Bennett Memorial and St. Andrew’s Churches in Wilkes-Barre. 60 Years Ago May 4, 1945 WAINWRIGHT DIES IN PHILIPPINES Major Talcott Wainwright, husband of the former Arvilla Randall of Shavertown, died in the Philippines on April 19. Major Wainwright served in the Army Medical Corps in the Pacific area for three years. He was awarded the Legion of Merit badge for his outstanding work in command of a portable hospital. Dave Pascoe, seventeen-year- old son of Mr. and Mrs. Phillip Pascoe pf Carverton, suffered severe burns on the chest and right hand Monday evening when he touched a wire hang- ing over the light wires across the road from his home. David and several other neighborhood children were throwing copper wire across the electrical cables to see them spark. Staff Sgt. Raymond Kuderka, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Kuderka of Vernon, is well and safe after being liberated by the American Army. He was report- ed missing in action in Belgium December 25 and this is the first news his parents have had since that time. 50 Years Ago May 6, 1955 LOCAL DOG WINS BEST IN SHOW Kashdowd’s White Rock of Coolyn Hills, Mrs. Z. Platt Bennett’s imported bull terrier won his fifth best in show last week at Chester. He was shown and handled by John Roberts. Daniel Smith, Ruggles, lost the three fingers which sur- geons were struggling to save after the accident at Armour Leather Works which mangled his hand. Mr. Smith caught his hand in the wringer while feed- ing a wet hide through the rollers. Beacon of Hope Drive to raise money for cerebral palsy victims will end this week with the Telethon over Station W.LL.K. Local artists who will sing Saturday night include William Burnaford and Charles S. Nicol, Jr., the evening pro- gram ending with selections by the Dallas Womans Club Chorale. 40 Years Ago May 6, 1965 STOCK KILLED IN NOXEN BARN FIRE Fire of undetermined origin consumed a barn on the Donald Goble property, Buckwheat Hollow, around 7:45 p.m. Tuesday, killing several pigs and some chickens. With the possibility of Jackson Township secretary of Board of Supervisors, Edward Jeffery, being in the hospital well into the summer, the board appointed Mrs. Louise Lamoreaux, Chase, as assistant secretary, Mrs. Lamoreaux stat- ing that she would serve with- out compensation. You could get: six ten ounce packages of green peas for $1; a seven ounce bottle of Listerine for 45 cents; 100 teabags for 85 cents; and a 12 ounce jar of Skippy peanut butter for 45 cents. 30 Years Ago May 1, 1975 LAKE-LEHMAN CANDIDATES FACE THE VOTERS In interviews early this week, the six candidates for Lake- Lehman school board respond- ed to questions centered around the Middle States Association’s evaluation of the district and its recommenda- tions. There are six candidates trying for three seats. The can- didates are Paul Crockett, Broadway; Richard C. Ide, Idetown; Joyce Hrabowski, Oak Hill; Angelo DeCesaris, Chase; Edward Mark, Ceasetown; and Michael Slimak, Chase. Local new car dealers attrib- ute their sales figures above the national average for 1975 to two significant factors. The first boost to slackening sales result- ing from the energy crisis came in early January in the form of manufacturer’s factory rebate programs according to local dealers. The second “saving” factor is the introduction of new models meeting present economic trends. More than 265 members of the congregation and friends attended the 50th anniversary dinner of St. Paul's Lutheran" 1 Church last Saturday night" College Misericordia. 20 Years Ago May 1, 1985 WHOOPS! FOUL-UP FORCES CANDIDATES - TO RUN AGAIN A misunderstanding by the Dallas Borough Council may cause borough residents some confusion when they to the polls to cast their ballots this May. Following the candidate: registration deadline, three two year terms somehow went unnoticed by those running for, the three four year seats, leav- i ing no candidates to run for D | 9d > WN these positions. A representa- i; tive for the Luzerne County .h Board of Elections said the elec- + tion board has no idea how this’ could have happened. If you've driven by the : ) Hunstville Dam or along 1 Hillside Road lately and wonfff}) dered what’s behind the drastic™ change in scenery, you arent: alone. Many local residents have wondered why so many: old trees are being leveled Ps the Pennsylvania Gas and Water Company. The company said that many of the trees are. too close to the road and have created a hazard. The Back Mountain Memorial Library and The Dallas Post are pleased to: announce the three first place winners in its jointly-sponsored photography contest. First place in the Adult Color Category goes to Carol M. King, Dallas. First place in the Adult Black and White Category goes to Rhonda Bartorillo, Shavertown. First place in the Student Black and White Category goes to Kris Ertley, Dallas. Only Yesterday is compiled from the back-issue files of The Post. ) irk ia Qo TR ig SES aR i f
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