1 Ry Vol. 122 No. 10 THE BACK MOUNTAIN'S NEWSPAPER SINCE 1889 April 24 - 30, 2011 The ALLAS POST. WILKES-BARRE, PA. www.mydallaspost.com AN EDITION OF THE TIMES LEADER DALLAS TOWNSHIP ZONING orill Chief Gatherings executive about gas station Residents By SARAH HITE shite@mydallaspost.com It was the residents’ turn to ask questions Wednesday evening at Chief Gathering LLC's continued hearing for special zoning excep- tions to build a natural gas meter- ing station off Hildebrandt Road. Chief Gathering LLC submit- ted plans to the township earlier this year to build a metering facil- ity about 1,300 feet from the Dal- las School District campus. The site plans include two metering buildings, two flow control build- ings, a 100-foot communications tower, a 10-foot flare to be used once a month, an 8,000 gallon tank of mercaptan and various piping and valves associated with the project. The company also has plans to build a pipeline that will lead to the metering station and tap into the Williams-owned Transco pipeline to send gas to market. Dozens of residents and parents were in attendance at Wednes- day's hearing - a small crowd compared to the hundreds who showed up at the two previous hearings. Despite a 3 4 hour running time, no decision was made in the matter that has been ongoing for months, and a future meeting will be announced. Pipelines were discussed at the hearing but no plans about Chief’s pipeline project have been submitted to the township. The company had plans to build a compressor station as well, but due to public opposition and concerns of local legislators, has decided to relocate the com- pressor station to be at least 3 miles from the Dallas schools. The location has not yet been re- vealed. Dozens of residents were in at- tendance at Wednesday’s hearing - a small crowd compared to the hundreds who showed up at the two previous hearings. Despite a 3 % hour running time, no deci- sion was made in the matter that has been ongoing for months, and a future meeting will be an- nounced. Ken Komoroski, a Chief attor- ney from the Fulbright & Jawor- ski law firm based in Canon- sburg, stated before the meeting it is Chief’s opinion the proceed- ings for zoning approval have gone on “longer than necessary” and asked if a public information session after the hearing would be more appropriate to address community questions. Zoning board solicitor Phil Gelso said Komoroski’s opinion See GRILL, Page 11 Lake-Lehman VP accident q * ® llled in John Peter Farrell was dedicated to his position on local school board. By SARAH HITE shite@mydallaspost.com The Lake-Lehman communi- ty is mourning the loss of a man described as dedicated - to his family, profession, communi- ty and position as vice president of the Lake-Lehman School Board. John Peter Farrell, 46, of Har- veys Lake, died following a car accident on State Route 29 in Noxen Township last Thursday, according to state police at Tunkhannock. State police said Farrell failed to negotiate a curve and lost control when his 1987 Chevrolet Corvette struck a tree. He was pronounced dead on the scene of the late-night crash, according to state police. Farrell, often referred to as Peter, worked as head custodian & the administration building Wi the Wilkes-Barre Area School District for 25 years. His wife, Lorraine, is a reading coach at the Leo E. Solomon Elementary School in Plains Township. “He always wanted to be sure everything he did was to the benefit of the students,” said Jeff Namey, superintendent of Wilkes-Barre Area School Dis- trict, who knew Farrell for at least 15 years. “We'd sit around and talk of the problems of the world, but mostly about educa- tion.” Family, friends and fellow school board members saw Far- rell as a kind, caring and helpful member of the community who often talked about his wife and son, Christopher, 10. “As much as he was dedicat- ed to his job and position at the Lake-Lehman School District, they paled in comparison to the JOHN PETER FARRELL dedication he had to his wife and son,” said Namey. Lorraine Farrell said her hus- band was excited to run for re- election to the Lake-Lehman School Board, which he began serving in 2008. She said his father, the late John Patrick Far- rell, served as a school board member in the Wilkes-Barre Ar- ea School District and was Far- rell’s inspiration for committing himself to education. Mark Kornoski, a fellow board member who ran in the last election with Farrell, said Farrell's name will still be on the ballot in the May primary. “Peter was a very good school board member,” said Kornoski. “We were going to run together this year.” Lorraine said her husband “always put the kids first” and became a school board member “for the right reasons.” “We took a vacation last sum- mer in Baltimore, Inner Harbor, and we sat in the lobby of the hotel for almost 45 minutes be- cause there was a school board meeting that night,” Lorraine said, explaining that the family See VP, Page 14 CHARLOTTE BARTIZEK PHOTOS/ FOR THE DALLAS POST elebrating EASTER "Tis the season of Easter bunnies, egg hunts, brightly-colored hats and lots and lots of chocolate. Above, Josie Straigis wears a very creative Easter bonnet to the Ross Elementary School Easter Pa- rade. At left, Easter Bunny, aka Morgan Cohen, has the attention of Noah Love, of Shavertown, at the annual Kingston Township Easter Egg Hunt. More photos of both events inside. N Barb Mikielski will host a Mom Prom to raise funds for the prevention of suicide. to Iski’s ‘Mom Prom’ offers fun and awareness of suicide By SARAH HITE shite@mydallaspost.com Barb Mikielski, of Lake Town- ship, is planning a prom - but not for high school students. Though she will have a DJ, pho- tographer and some flashy décor at the event, there are a few dif- ferences. First of all, it’s for women only. “The guys didn’t really dance (at my prom), so we just elim- inated the hassle,” Mikielski said. And second of all, it’s to raise money for an organization close heart. an online A Mom Prom, a fun-filled dance for women over the age of 21, on April 29 will raise funds for the American Foundation for the Prevention of Suicide. Mikielski’s brother, Lenny King, committed suicide in April 2005, and she is working to en- sure others can get the help they need before it’s too late. Mikielski learned of the orga- nization after searching for an- swers after her brother’s death. “I wanted to know why it hap- pened, why did he choose this, why these things were happen- ing, how do we fix our prob- lems,” she said. “I got help from rt group and a tal health issues. Mikielski wor END F KF MOA ATTE 3 EE RE RIICND IRBE MUB AB RL What: Mom Prom to benefit the American Foundation for Suicide Pre- vention When: 8 to 1 p.m. Friday, April 29 Who: Women aged 21 and older Where: Irem Temple Country Club in Dallas Township Tickets: $30 in advance, $35 at the door Details: The Mom Prom will feature a DJ, photographer, cardboard cutout dates, cash bar, hors d'oeuvres, a prom queen drawing and raf- fles, including gift certificates, gift baskets, a handmade quilt and more. Information about AFSP will also be available. More info: Contact Barb Mikielski at 762-2319 or barb@mikielski.com. lot of reading.” She said suicide isn’t just about one person — entire fam- ilies often feel the effects of men- ried whether her family would ever be the same, and if their problems were “normal.” “Yes, we are normal,” she said. “The healing process is different for everyone, and sometimes people never recover.” Mikielski became active in the AFSP-based Out of the Darkness Community Walks in Wilkes- Barre for the past two years, and now she is working to start a northeast chapter of the Amer- See PROM, Page 14 GO SO
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