a A a hr Sunday, May 29, 2011 THE DALLAS POST PAGE 3 DALLAS SCHOOL DISTRICT Board approves $32 million budget with 5 percent tax hike By SARAH HITE shite@mydallaspost.com "The Dallas School Board ap- proved a 5 percent tax hike in a 6-3 vote Monday for its proposed final budget. Board members Dennis Go- choel Jr, Maureen Matiska and Karen Kyle voted against the tax increase while Russell Bigus, Ri- chard Coslett, Bruce Goeringer, Gary Mathers, Charles Preece and Catherine Wega voted in favor of the spending plan. The $32 million preliminary fis- cal plan for the 2011-12 year was presented to the board back in Feb- ruary with an increase from 11.0118 to 11.5624 mills. Business Manager Grant Palfey said this could translate to an additional $85 per property for taxpayers in the district. A mill is $1 for every $1,000 in as- sessed property value. In addition to the millage in- crease, the budget also calls for a $10 per capita tax, a 1 percent earned income tax to be shared be- tween the district and municipal ities and a $52 emergency services tax, of which the district receives $5 with the remainder going to the municipalities that have enacted such a tax. This budget was changed slight- In addition to the millage increase, the budget also calls for a $10 per capita tax, a1 percent earned income tax to be shared be- tween the district and municipalities and a $52 emergency ser- vices tax, of which the district receives $5 with the remainder going to the municipalities that have enacted such a tax. ly since the release of Gov. Tom Corbett’s state budget in March — Palfey ‘had anticipated about $340,000 in state funding cuts for the February budget, but the board had to deal with a nearly $900,000 state funding shortfall. Actions to close the funding gap included using current staff to re- place retiring teachers, which in- cludes the appointment of Paul Re- inert, assistant superintendent and director of curriculum and in- struction, to replace Kathleen McCarthy, principal of Wycallis Elementary. Reinert will keep his title as director of curriculum and instruction, and his position of as- sistant superintendent will be phased out of the administrative roster. Other penny-pinching tactics in- clude eliminating before and after- school tutoring programs in math and reading, reducing the district speech therapist position to an hourly rate and decreasing individ- ual building budgets for each school and the administrative wing. All the changes added up to an $826,000 savings for the district, and Palfey said the tax increase is largely caused by the completion of the new high school building which is set to open in mid-Sep- tember. The budget is currently availa- ble for public viewing in the dis- trict’s administration offices next to Wyrcallis Elementary. The final budget must be passed at the board’s June 27 meeting. The board tabled a decision to enter into an agreement with Chief Gathering LLC that would cause the company to relocate cer- tain aspects of natural gas activ- ities from the school district ser- vice area. For months, the district has had legal representation at Dallas Township zoning board hearings in Chief Gathering LLC's applica- tion for special exceptions to build a natural gas metering station off See HIKE, Page 12 BACK MOUNTAIN COMMUNTIY PARTNERSHIP Talk of regional police force returns By SARAH HITE shite@mydallaspost.com The Back Mountain Com- unity Partnership discussed ka issue brought up in past years but never before came to fruition during a meeting last Thursday - regionalizing the area’s police force. Vice Chairman John Wilkes Jr. said the partnership was re- cently notified by the Gover- nor’s Center for Local Govern- ment Services about an oppor- tunity to utilize a police re- gionalization study to be conducted in Back Mountain municipalities. “I don’t know how the Back Mountain feels about this, but this study may bring results that are positive,” said Wilkes. “It’s a free grant.” Lehman Township Supervi- sor Ray Iwanoski said he would look favorably on such a study, but reminded the part- nership a similar study was done more than 10 years ago and never materialized into any sort of action. Wilkes added the study can be done between at least two municipalities, and it’s up to the supervisors whether or not they would like their police forces to be involved. Dallas Borough Mayor Tim- othy Carroll said a police re- Dallas Borough and Dallas -1ownship a few years ago, and while it seemed like a good idea at the time, not everyone was on board for the change. He said he wouldnt be in favor of the study because he believes not everyone would agree to the proposed changes. Tom Yoniski, of state Sen. Lisa Baker’s office, said when he was part of a police chiefs’ association, talks of regional- ization often sparked heated debates. “I don’t even want to repeat what was said at those meet- ings,” he said. Yoniski continued that po- lice officers should be included in the discussion, even if just to give them a head’s up to proposed changes. Iwanoski said police force consolidation doesn’t always translate to cost savings, but it could give Back Mountain po- lice departments the opportu- nity to have more and better services for residents. hr Dai study was done “I don't know how the Back Mountain feels about this, but this study may bring results that are positive. It's a free grant.” John Wilkes Jr. Partnership vice chairman “It’s more professional,” he said. “You can have K-9, drug, detective units.” Wilkes said the group should table the decision until its June meeting, but in the meantime discuss the possibil- ity of the study with their indi- vidual boards. Iwanoski asked those from Jackson and Kingston town- ships to consider partnering with Lehman Township to re- quest a weight limit to be im- ‘posed on Hillside Road and Old Route 115. He said large trucks travel- ing to and from Williamsport are using the route as a short cut from State Route 118 to State Route 309 and vice ver- sa. Iwanoski said the road’s windy path and school traffic for the Penn State Wilkes- Barre campus and Lake-Leh- man Junior/Senior High School are issues for large trac- tor trailers and heavy haulers to contend with. He said Lehman Township has requested a weight limit on the roads in past years, but that has not happened because the roads are also located with- in Jackson and Kingston town- ships. He said the parts of the road located in Jackson and King- ston townships are maintained by the county, while Lehman Township’s road department is responsible for repairing the road damage in its territory. “Those roads are always ripped up,” said Iwanoski. Solicitor Jeffrey Malak sug- gested the three municipalities write a request to appropriate officials for a weight study to be conducted on the roads. In other news, the partner- ship agreed to make a $100 do- nation to the Margaret Reino Scholarship Fund of the Penn State Wilkes-Barre campus. Reino, who passed away May 17, was the wife of partnership chairman James Reino Jr. Tour 1s The Back Mountain Bloomers will present their “Tour of Back Mountain Gardens” from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, July 2. The tour will include six pri- vate gardens and a chance to see the new Shakespeare Garden at Misericordia University. Pro- ceeds benefit the Anthracite Sce- nic Trails Association (ASTA). The gardens offer a variety of unique and creative features, in- cluding beautiful stone walls built by the homeowner; multi- ple gardens highlighting a single property; a unique retreat creat- ed with boulders; a sparkling pool combined with a large patio and stone-built waterfall; an ulti- mate country garden; perennial beds offering plenty of year- round color and new home land- scaping offering instant curb ap- peal in a wooded setting. All of the gardens are in the Back Mountain. The Shakespeare Garden at Misericordia University was ded- icated in June 2010 in memory of beloved English professor Regina Kelly, RSM. It is designed in the English garden style and includes water features, arbors and brick pathways that wind around a cen- tral knot garden. All the plants are species of plants which were named in various Shakespeare plays. A full schedule of garden, na- ¥ Bloomers Garden July ture and landscaping workshops and demonstrations is planned by some of the region’s most rec- ognized master gardeners, pro- fessional landscapers and arbo- rists. The Back Mountain Bloomers will also hold a Standard Flower Show and Special Exhibits fea- ture that day in Sandy and Mar- lene Insalaco Hall at Misericor- dia. Tying into the Shakespeare Garden tour, the theme of this year’s Flower Show is “Expres- sions of the Bard” and will in- clude three table design classes, three miniature design classes, five sections of horticulture with 25 classes and special exhibits. The Special Exhibit classes will include Adult Educational, Youth Educational, Youth Horti- culture, Artistic Crafts and Invita- tional. Entries are welcome. A complete Flower Show schedule, including detailed rules, entry specifications and directions, is available on the Back Mountain Bloomers website, www.back- mountainbloomers.org or by contacting Louise Mattas at 674- 5973. Back Mountain artist Sue Hand will paint at the Shakes- peare Garden during the day of the tour. Her painting will be of- fered at a Silent Auction at 4 p.m. Surrounded by cool and stately wooded areas, this country garden was designed with tender loving care featuring shrubs, annuals and plenty of perennials including daylilies, yucca, rudbeckia, astible, coreopsis, monarda, lupines, hosta and loosestrife. This private gar- den is one of six that will be featured during the Back Mountain Bloomers 201 "Tour of Back Mountain Gardens" on July 2. malin i oi You've heard of bodacious? Come see boulderacious! Boulders form the base of the supporting walls, cascading streams, bub- bling fountains and even outdoor tabletops. This landscape is all about boulders and yet it is as if it were painted by an artist using plant material as the medium. This garden in Dallas is one of seven to be featured during the Back Mountain Bloomers 201 "Tour of Back Mountain Gardens" on July 2. that afternoon. Bids will be ac- cepted throughout the day at In- salaco Hall. All proceeds from the day’s events will benefit ASTA, an or- ganization developing and main- taining the Back Mountain Trail, a 15-mile former railroad bed that has been transformed into a rec- reational trail for hiking and bik- ing. Five miles of the trail located between Luzerne Borough and Dallas Township have been con- structed and are open to the pub- lic. The trail will eventually con- tact to Ricketts Glen State Park. To date, the Bloomer’s Garden “Tearin’ it Up for the Tear Down’ today ® “Tearin’ it Up for the Tear own” will be held from 1 to 11 p.m. today, May 29 at the Lu- zerne County Fairgrounds. There will be live music from area bands, including Echo Whiskey Charlie, Mother Na- ture’s Sons, Strawberry Jam, Concrete Road, Dymond Cutter, . Southbound, Bus 5, Studio 309, RJ of Stealing Neil, Headlock and more. There will also be food and plenty of festivities for the whole family, including pony rides, free petting zoo, face painting for the kids and special guests. There will be hourly raffles with great prizes from local businesses. As the sun goes down, a fireworks display by Piz- za Paul will light up the sky. Tearin’ It Up for the Tear Down is being held in conjunc- tion with the demolition of the current Dallas High School building and is an opportunity to reunite with old classmates, teachers and friends. The event is open to the public. A no-alcohol policy will be in effect at the fairgrounds. All pro- ceeds will benefit Make-A-Wish, with a video message to be played from Make-A-Wish CEQ Dave Williams, a 1977 Dallas High School alumnus. Tickets can be pre-purchased at a discounted rate of $15 for adults, $10 for children ages12 to 17 and free for children under 12. Family passes are also available for families of four and can be purchased at the following Dal- las locations: Kern Bros., Dallas American Legion, Dallas Tap and Grille, Waynes World and Appliance Parts Etc., George Avenue, Wilkes-Barre, Memorial Day parade Monday Daddow-Isaacs Dallas Amer- ican Legion Post 672 will hold its traditional Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 30. The parade will begin at 9 a.m. from the Dallas American Legion Post building and con- tinue to the center of Dallas. It will then continue to Woodlawn Cemetery and then to Chapel Lawn Cemetery for abbreviated services. Honorary Parade Marshal will be Sally Mock, daughter of Walter Galka, deceased mem- ber of Post 672. Marchers will include Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts and Brownies, American Le- gion baseball team, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, Brow- nies, Lions, Shepherds, the Dal- las High School Band, fire trucks, ambulances, antique cars and more. The Rev. William Lewis, a re- tired Army chaplain and chap- lain of Post 672, will be the main speaker. The Lions Hometown Heroes Project will be recog- nized. Joe Kelley is Post Command- er. Tours in 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2009 attracted more than 1900 people and have raised over $23,000 for ASTA and the Back Mountain Trail. Tickets for the “Tour of Back Mountain Gardens’ are $20 per person if purchased on or before June 25. The ticket price is $25 per person after June 25. A Garden Tour Brochure with ticket request form is available online at www.backmountain- bloomers.org or by contacting Ju- lie McMonagle at (570) 696-5082 or e-mail jmcmon@frontier- net.net. Tickets will be available June 1 at the following outlets: Back Mountain Library, 96 Huntsville Rd., Dallas; Wild Birds Unlimit- ed, Dallas Shopping Center, Route 309, Dallas; The Lands at Hillside Farms, Hillside Road, Shavertown; and Perennial Point, 1158 N. River Rd., Plains. Tickets will also be on sale the day of the tour at the Back Moun- tain Library and inside Insalaco Hall at Misericordia. NO HARP TODAY Harp Heffernan’s column “Har- pin’ on things” does not appear today. It is expected to resume in the June 5 issue of The Dallas Post.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers