The Post EDITORIAL Sunday, July 17, 2005 OUR OPINION Icky subject, but a graceful solution n a remarkable and welcome yearlong effort, a develop er, Dallas Township, the Dallas Area Municipal Authority and the state Department of Environmental otection have put themselves on the verge of adopt- ing a plan to handle household wastewater that may become a model for other communities. The proposed Goodleigh Manor — 145 home lots on 485 acres in the township — was planned with individual well and septic systems. Past experience with that setup raises two fears; that the wells will run dry and that septic systems will malfunction, fouling the ground and lowering property values. The arrangement that is nearly completed addresses both issues in a rational and affordable manner. It also provides assurance that the septic systems will be properly maintained over the years and through resales. Essentially, the deal is this: each lot will have two areas proven to be acceptable for septic systems. That way, if the initial installation fails, there is an alternative site on the same property. Deeds will contain a requirement that the sys- tem be regularly inspected and maintained, with the lot owner responsible for initial construction and the cost of the maintenance contract. Developer Jim Comes describes the arrangement as similar to a property association. Maintenance will be done by a private contractor, with DAMA keeping tabs on their work. This development — township engineer Tom Doughton calls it “the largest subdivision I've ever reviewed” — raised a host of new issues. Under the old township ordinances, Landview might have been required to install a “capped” sewer system, even though DAMA’s mains do not reach the property. That would have added enormous expense, and might have eventually resulted in two or three times as many homes being built on the property, in part because smaller lots are allowed when sewers are installed. Instead, using this template, the zoning ordinances have been revised to require at least two-acre lots where sewer lines are not present, and a similar maintenance scheme if a subdivision creates three or more lots. It may be tempting to see this as catering to the wealthy, making lot sizes larger and thus more expensive. That would not be a fair characterization; smaller lots can still be devel- oped along or near sewer lines. There is a need and demand for a variety of real estate development, and this plan simply rationalizes one segment of it. This innovative design did not emerge overnight. It took hard work and original thinking from all parties over a long period of time to evolve, and it still hasn’t passed all neces- sary reviews. But it sounds good so far, and everyone involved in its creation deserves credit for their contributions. It could mark a new and more balanced approach to development in the Back Mountain. MOMENTS IN TIME The History Channel ¢ On July 21, 1861, Confederate forces under P.T. Beauregard turn back Union General Irvin McDowell's troops along Bull Run in Virginia. The inexperienced soldiers on both sides slugged it out in a chaotic battle that resulted in a humiliating retreat by the Yankees and signaled, for many, the true start of the Civil War. e On July 23, 1903, the first two-cylinder Ford Model A is deliv- ered to its owner, Dr. Ernst Pfenning of Chicago. The Model A was the affordable runabout that Henry Ford needed to begin market- ing his company’s stock, and the following year the Ford Motor Company was incorporated. ® On July 22, 1933, American Wiley Post becomes the first avi- ator to fly solo around the world when he lands his Lockheed Vega monoplane at Floyd Bennett Field in New York. Post completed the 15,596-mile journey in 7 days, 18 hours and 49 minutes. ¢ On July 20, 1948, President Harry Truman institutes the first peacetime military draft in U.S. history with a proclamation call- ing for nearly 10 million men to register within the next two months. Truman’s action came during increasing Cold War ten- sions with the Soviet Union. ® On July 24, 1956, Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis perform their final comedy show together at New York’s Copacabana Club. They made their first appearance in 1946 at a club in Atlantic City, N.J. — performing an act in which screwball Lewis constantly inter- rupted straight man Martin's singing — and were an instant hit. ® On July 18, 1984, James Oliver Huberty opens fire in a crowd- ed McDonald's restaurant in San Ysidro, Calif., killing 21 people and wounding 15 others with several automatic weapons. Huberty, who had a history of mental problems, was killed by a SWAT sharpshooter. (c) 2005 King Features Synd., Inc. Letters are welcome Letters to the editor are welcome. Letters can be submitted several 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. : The POST TIMESeLEADER Community Newspaper Group 15 N. MAIN ST., WILKES-BARRE PA 18711 * 570-675-521 thepost@leader.net Patrick McHugh Ronald Bartizek PUBLISHER EDITOR Erika Calvert ADVERTISING Pat O'Donnell PREPRESS MANAGER LIBRARY NEWS Farmers market opens, runs to September Library Director Martha Butler wishes to express thanks to all the vol- unteers who donat- ed ideas, time and labor, finan- cial help om and new CAROL and used KING goods to make the 59th Annual Auction so successful. Some worked for many months, some in the last crucial days of the setup, some from start to finish. All contri- butions were vital. oO The first prize in the auction raffle, the 40,000 BTU CharBroil Gas Grill & Rotisserie, was won by Julie Orlandini. The second prize, a Boscov's $100 travel certifi- cate, was claimed by Jane Chilson. Special note: The 50-50 raf- fles winners on Friday evening did not claim their prizes. The winning ticket for the 8:30 p.m. drawing was purple, #879203, and the one for the 10:30 p.m. slot was red, #271117. Call Brian Fulton at the library desk, and come in and claim your rightful prize. The Farmers market at the library has been open for the past two Saturdays, and will be held every Saturday for the next eight weeks. The hours are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. There is a full quota of vendors of fruits and vegetables, and I Gourmet, West Pittston, will man its cheese stand again as well. oo The Book Discussion Group reviewed “Motherless Brooklyn,” by Jonathan Lethem, at its last meeting of the season. One member in par- ticular enjoyed it because of the evocation of life in Brooklyn, a unique society. The bulk of the discussion, however, centered on Tourette’s Syndrome, the disorder which afflicted the central character. It was sur- prising that many people in the group were aware of the condi-,| tion, through teaching or; through having a close relative affected by it. We appreciated learning more about it through’ reading the book. Some of the! group, however, found thes underlying story about a team of bumbling detectives ® humorous or particularly ente taining. “Motherless Brooklyn’ received a National Book Critics Circle Award for fiction. ~ 70 Years Ago July 19, 1935 CONGRESSMAN DIETRICH GOING TO ALASKA Congressman C. Elmer Dietrich of Tunkhannock may go to Alaska next month, accompany- ing Dr. Frank T. ONLY Bell, United YESTERDAY States Commissioner of Fisheries, on his annual trip North. Although the party of nine will be on official business, Dietrich explained that he would be required to pay his own expenses. He said he will take along a camera and an adequate supply of film if he goes. Wanderlust struck three Dallas children this week, but ended with the youngsters back home. The adventurers were the children of Mr. and Mrs. Harry LaValle, Rose, 10, Harry, 6, and Howard, 3. They disappeared on Monday after- noon, financing their trip with money which they obtained by cashing a $5 check they col- lected from their father. Their expedition ended safely when an uncle brought them home from Swoyersville where they had spent the night. The five dollars, Rose said, went for shoes for herself and suits and socks for her brothers. Throngs of persons from Methodist Churches in Dallas and surrounding communities, ~ joined yesterday for a success- ful outing at Harvey’s Lake pic- nic grounds. Winners of prizes in sports events were: Peanut race for boys, Donald Dix, Dallas; paper bag blowing for women, Mrs. Lewis LeGrand, Dallas; balloon busting, Bud" LeGrand, Dallas; plate step- ping, Elinor Machell, Dallas; balanced potato race, Mrs. Arthur Dungey, Dallas; water- melon eating contest, Stuart Dalley, Trucksville. 60 Years Ago July 20, 1945 SHAVERTOWN FIREMEN AIM TO RAISE MONEY Undaunted by a discouraging community response to their efforts to raise $4,000 for better fire protection in Shavertown and vicinity, Shavertown Firemen are planning to make their Fifteenth Annual Community Days on August 3 and 4 the biggest in their histo- ry. The firemen are determined to raise $2,300 to achieve their goal of buying a new firehose and paying off the remaining indebtedness on the fire house. Pfc. Donald F. Chesney, 23, of Dallas, an aircraft armorer with the 454th Liberator bombard- ment group, will return soon to the United States. The veteran group has been serving with the 15th AAF in Italy for the past eighteen months. During this time, the 454th has flown 243 missions against strategic tar- gets in German-held Europe, contributing to the German downfall by the bombing of Vienna, Munich, and numerous other targets. The frame garage owned by Frederick Eck on the Harvey’s Lake Highway at Shavertown Corners, is being moved across Toby’s Creek and will be used as a plumber’s shop. Mr. Eck will erect a modern concrete garage on the site shortly. 50 Years Ago July 15, 1955 LEHMAN SENIOR IS PA REP AT NATIONAL CONVENTION Elenor Rodriquez, Lehman- Jackson-Ross senior, will repre- sent the State of Pennsylvania as one of three State voting del- egates at the National PHA Convention at University of Iowa on July 18. Elenor is sec- ond vice president of Pennsylvania Future Homemakers of America. Dallas Rotary Club installed new officers for 1955-1956 term at a dinner meeting held at Irem Country Club. William A. Valentino, of Lehman, was installed as president; Francis Ambrose, Dallas, vice presi- dent, Leslie Warhola, Dallas, secretary, and Harold Titman, Dallas, treasurer. Gosart’s Cash ‘n Carry Store on Memoridl Highway in Dallas is selling the following items: Musselman’s Apple Sauce, 2 med. cans for 25¢ Eggs, 2 doz. for 39¢ Kosher Pickles qt. jar for 33¢ Boscul Peanut Butter for 39¢ Nestles Milk, Carnation, 8 cans for $1. 40 Years Ago July 15, 1965 CUSTOMERS VOTE TO ELIMINATE TOLL A total of 467 Harveys Lake- Noxen customers have voted in favor of eliminating the 15¢ toll charge to Kingston-Wilkes- Barre in the customer poll being conducted by the Commonwealth Telephone Company, J. N. Landis, District Manger, announced today. A bobcat was shot by Borough Assistant Police Chief Alexander McCulloch near Davenport Street about 9 on Saturday night, and it was prob- ably killed. McCulloch said he hit the cat from about 50 yards, terming it a “lucky” shot, on the Newberry property close to Davenport and the Schooley property where it was first sighted. Connie Bogdon led the mem- bers of the Horseshow 4-H Club in their competition last Sunday in the Lehman Horse Show, taking five firsts, two sec- onds and one third. Two of Connie’s firsts came in 4-H classes Hunter Seat Equitation and English Pleasure. 30 Years Ago July 17, 1975 SWANSON OPENS NEW FUNERAL HOME Curtis E. Swanson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Carl Swanson, Harveys Lake, achieved his goal last month when he officially’ opened a new funeral home June 22 on Route 118 at the intersection of Route 29. The large, white colonial-style home is an attraction to the area. Future plans for a complete sports center, which may include indoor tennis, are under consideration by a New York-Pennsylvania group whic last week announced plans for [ $500,000 roller skating facility on Route 415-118 north of Dallas. Target date for comple- tion of the new structure has been set for Dec. 1, 1975. The Westmoreland farm team has taken the Back | Mountain farm league champi- onship. The team was undefeat- ed in nine games this year thanks to fine pitching by Peter Kelly, 4-0, Mike Banks, 4-0, and Chris Lawley, 1-0. 20 Years Ago | July 10, 1985 LAKE-LEHMAN ADDS SOCCER TO ROSTER Lake-Lehman School District added another sport to its ath- letic department last week when the board appointed a soccer coach and an assistant | coach for the 1985-86 sch year. Raymond Dennis of Sw Valley was appointed head coach at $1,140 per year and James Welby of Lehman was appointed assistant coach at $895 per year. John A. Farkas, a Dallas resi- dent, has been named Director of Admissions at Keystone Junior College, according to John L. Wighton, Vice President for Development and College Relations. The ongoing battle to neu- tralize the anabaena algae bloom at Harveys Lake reached the treatment level Tuesday morning when officials admin- istered the much discussed | ‘copper sulfate’ solution. | Officials of the Ecoscience Co. of Moscow treated the lake with 2,200 pounds of Copper Sulfate, which should kill the algae within a 24-48 period. ™ Q: Where do you find the most Back Mountain news each week? A: Only in The Post 12 .
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers