Vol.121 No. 25 THE BACK MOUNTAIN'S NEWSPAPER SINCE 1889 August 14 - 20, 2011 The DALLA 50¢ ®/iLKes-BARRE, PA. www.mydallaspost.com AN EDITION OF THE TIMES LEADER By SARAH HITE shite@mydallaspost.com Dallas Township Supervisor Frank Wagner wants to learn about everything involved in the Marcellus Shale boom — espe- cially because it’s directly affect- ing the township. “‘m interested in anything that concerns the gas companies and what we've been dealing with for the last eight months in Dallas Township,” he said. During that time, Dallas Township officials have dealt with two companies, Chief Gath- ering LLC and Williams Field Services LLC, both who want to build natural gas metering sta- tions within 1,800 feet of the Dallas School District campus and run gathering lines through the township. Wagner said his interest in in- forming himself on the natural gas industry fueled his decision "Read the fine print. Don't just get a lawyer - get a lawyer that knows what's involved with the envi- ronment and the rules and laws of Dallas Town- ship.” Frank Wagner Dallas Township supervisor to attend a recent trip to Penn- sylvania’s Northern Tier spon- sored by the Gas Drilling Aware- ness Coalition. The bus trip was organized to inform local government offi- cials and those running for office this year to learn more about what's happening in Bradford County where gas drilling, com- pressor stations, metering sta- tions and gathering lines are a part of daily living for residents. The trip took attendees to Sugar Run, Granville Summit and two stops in Towanda. They received a first-hand look at a drill site and a compressor sta- tion, and they were able to talk to residents and business own- ers about the effects of natural gas developments in the area. Wagner said it was important to educate himself in these is- l Super gets up-close look at gas drilling operations sues because of the wide-spread effects natural gas developments have on a community. “People don’t realize what it is until they see .. whats in- volved,” he said. “Yeah, they may get paid for a pipeline run- ning through their property, but read the fine print.” Wagner said he didn’t know anything about the industry three years ago because there See GAS, Page 10 DT police chief is a legal studies master By SARAH HITE shite@mydallaspost.com When Dallas Township Police Chief Robert Jolley talks about receiving his master’s degree in legal studies, he often cites one- half of an old Pennsylvania Dutch proverb to explain his love of edu- cation. “We grow too soon old and too late smart,” he said. Jolley, of Dallas Township, re- ceived his master’s degree in le- gal studies with a specialization in criminal justice from the Cali- fornia University of Pennsylvania in May at the age of 55. He’s been the chief of police in the township for 10 years and a member of the force for 22, but it wasn’t until Jolley decided to pur- sue his bachelor’s degree in ad- ministration of justice from Penn State Wilkes-Barre that his adora- tion of education began to devel- op. “It’s something that I wanted to do without any excuses,” said Jolley. “You know, you can put it off to tomorrow and tomorrow never arrives.” It was during that time Jolley felt his pursuits were reinforced — he was invited to attend the Fed- eral Bureau of Investigations Na- al Academy in Quantico, Va., early 2007. “That’s probably like one of the hizhligis of my career,” said Jol- ey. The program includes 10 weeks of training in areas such as law, behavioral science, forensic science, understanding terrorism and terrorist mindsets, leader- ship development, communica- tion and health and fitness. Jolley graduated from the na- tional academy in March 2007 and completed his bachelor’s de- gree in December of that year. “That was like the kicker to keep me going,” he said. “I came right home from that, finished my bachelor’s degree, took a se- mester off and started on my master’s degree.” At home, Jolley was inspired by the effect his academic pur- suits had on his own family. While attending classes at the p— HR a Lehman campus, his son Jason was in a program called Young Scholars, which allowed him to take college courses during high school. “lI was well past college age while I was taking the class so my son and I were in the same class,” said Jolley. Completing coursework with his son made Jolley realize his work could be a positive influen- ce on his children. His wife, Mary Ellen, also holds a master’s de- gree and works in the education field. “...You know it’s one thing to tell a kid to do their homework,” he said. “It’s entirely different when you say, ‘You can do your homework the same time I'm do- ing mine.” Jolley maintains he pursued higher education for his own ben- efit, and he could attest to how difficult rigorous coursework can actually be. “I was taking summer classes at Penn State and the family went on vacation to the Outer Banks (in North Carolina),” he said, re- membering how he had to miss the trip. Jolley said the technological skills he gained while working on his degrees will help him immen- sely in his career, as well as the critical thinking skills he learned from humanities courses. “When I was in high school, we were computer-less. They talked about them,” he laughed. “This whole world’s changed. And the key to change is education.” Jolley didn’t feel his age was a factor in learning the materials, not is age a good excuse to put academic goals on the backbur- ner. “I think you're seeing a lot of people that are older in classes ... especially with the downsizing and outsourcing of jobs,” he said. “..Ageisn’tafactor and sexisn’ta factor — it seems those things aren’t affecting education, which they shouldn't. At least I found it that way.” After all this talk of enjoying his education, is there a spot on the wall for a doctorate degree in Jolley’s future? He said anything is possible. CHARLOTTE BARTIZEK/ FOR THE DALLAS POST Dallas Township Police Chief Robert Jolley recently earned a master’s deg ree from the California Universit y of Pen ylvania SUMMERTIME FUN CHARLOTTE BARTIZEK/ FOR THE DALLAS POST Enjoying a timeout, a hot dog and each other's company at the Kingston Township Summer Recreation Program are, from left, first row, Mike Gross and Blake Perrogo. Second row, Anney Kratz, Hannah Yanovich, Maria Bednar, John Betzko, Brian Kmetz and Morgan Dworak. For more camp photos, please log on to www.mydallaspost.com. Showcase supports youth gathering By SARAH HITE shite@mydallaspost.com A forecast of clouds and rain didn’t stop patrons of the Live Auction and Summer Showcase on August 6 at St. Paul's Luth- eran Church in Dallas from hav- ing a good time. From fresh, homemade food to the Dallas Got Talent singing contest, attendees were sure to find something to enjoy during the event, which will benefit a trip for 11 teenage church mem- bers for the 2012 Evangelical Lutheran Church of America National Youth Gathering in New Orleans, La. This will be the third time the church’s youth will attend the national gathering, which is available to young Lutherans ev- ery three years. The first gather- ing attended by St. Paul’s Luth- eran Church youth was held in San Antonio, Texas in 2006. In 2009, the group went to New Or- leans, La., four years after the city was devastated by Hurri- cane Katrina. Former youth group member and church volunteer Samantha Marquart, 22, said many at St. Paul's were surprised to learn about the return trip in 2012. “Now they can go back and see how the community has pro- gressed over three years,” said Marquart, of Dallas. “It’s about kids going and having an amaz- ing time giving back to this vi- brant community.” The Summer Showcase as a kickoff fundraiser for the trip. Marquart said trip attend- ees work hard throughout the year to fundraise, as the church ensures anyone who wants to go to the gathering can do so at no cost to the individual. Marquart said working with church members to plan and raise funds for the trip creates a special bond between the youth group and the general congrega- tion. “The entire congregation gets involved and it invigorates the entire community,” she said. “It's something our whole church is a part of, even when were just talking about what we're doing; you feel a deep con- nection with every single person in the congregation.” She said the youth gathering in 2009 had about 38,000 attend- ees from all over the country, and that sort of Lutheran togeth- erness couldn’t be matched in Marquart’s mind. “It is one of the most enrich- ing experiences a young person can have where they can really be themselves and feel comfort- able to learn about themselves and their relationship with God,” she said. “It was impor- tant for me because I wanted to experience something new and I wanted to deepen faith and have an opportunity to be with peo- ple similar to me. It was pure ex- citement and fun.” Marquart, a recent Massachu- setts Institute of Technology graduate, said attending the trip to New Orleans in 2009 changed Leigh Ann Saylor and her daughter Amelia are treated to new toys from grandma Maureen Isaac, of Lehman. her life in another way, too. Dr. Viola Vaughn, founder of the 10,000 Girls organization CHARLOTTE BARTIZEK/ FOR THE DALLAS POST 6'B098151200798g
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers