Sunday, February 3, 2013 THE DALLAS POST PAGE | ‘Al | € TOAWAMCL VALLAYS IVIINJI Report says period of rapid growth is now passed By CAMILLE FIOTI Dallas Post Correspondent uring a visioning session on 29, Jack Varaly, a consultant he township’s Comprehensive Plan Committee, reported the re- sults of the American Communi- ty Survey, an ongoing activity of the U.S. Census Bureau. The township is in the process of developing a comprehensive plan to identify issues regarding the future of the township and da- ta collected by the Census will be used in the plan. Varaly said, although the town- ship population continues to grow steadily, the period of rapid growth has passed. The median age of township residents is 44.3 and only 12.3 % of its residents are school-aged children. “There’s a lot of empty-nesters now,” he said. Of the 3,333 house- holds in the approximately 18.7 square miles of the township, 99% of its occupants are white and primarily of German, Irish, Italian and Polish descent. Varaly also reported that the Varaly said, although the township population continues to grow steadily, the period of rapid growth has passed. The median age of township residents is 44.3 and only 12.3 % of its residents are school-aged children. Varaly also reported that the average home value in the township is $182,400. average home value in the town- ship is $182,400. “That’s well above that of the county or state and it’s among the highest in the Back Mountain ar- ea,” he said, adding that Jackson Township’s average home value is the highest at $218,000. “In- vesting in housing in Dallas Township is a worthwhile invest- ment.” Part of the process of develop- ing a comprehensive plan is up- dating the township’s maps and ordinances. The committee dis- cussed the township’s zoning dis- tricts and the possibility of changing the designation of some areas. Varaly suggested rezoning some Agriculture-zoned areas (Al) to a Conservation designa- tion, which could protect lan- downers from oil and gas uses such as compressor stations and processing plants. “It makes sense to be in a conservation dis- trict,” he said. Therese Kosek, a member of the Visioning Committee, said she’s concerned about losing green space along the highway business district on state Route 415. “I'd hate to see the whole cor- ridor of land turn into one long strip mall to Harveys Lake,” she said. Varaly pointed out that zon- ing modifications can be made for set-back requirements and sign height. The group will meet again at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 7 in the municipal building and also at its regular meeting held at 7 p.m. on the last Monday of each month, as needed. ad ly 3 Jace Garnick is the solo Grand Champion in the 10 to 12 year-old category. CHAMPION DANCERS Dancers from local dance studio win cash prizes in Contest of Champions. By CHARLOTTE BARTIZEK Dallas Post Correspondent On a cold Sunday afternoon, far from their cozy living rooms and football games, a group of dancers and their faithful parents piled into the Back Mountain Dance Studio of Bob and Kristine Oberst to celebrate a phenom- enal victory. While the feathered and se- nced Back Mountain dancers ¥. won competitions before, never have they won this many trophies and cash - a total of $4,300. The competitions are run by the Performing Arts Alliance which, according to its website, is considered one of the “best dance competitions on the East coast.” Competitions are held in May and November and dancers or teams that place first, second or third in those competitions are then eligible to compete in a Con- test of Champions in January. Oberst says the local studio of- ten wins parts of the competi- tion, but this year it’s more like a sweep. Local dancers took the grand championships in four age groups: in solo performance ages 8t09;10to 12, 13 to 15 plus a duo /trio championship in the 16 to 18 age group. Two groups com- peted and won in the 8 to 9 and 10 to 12 year old bracket and there was a Grand Champion for Mod- from the school. , if that wasn’t enough, 12- year-old Nick Oberst, son of the studio owners, won as best solo ‘entertainer of the year and the group Locomotion won $1,000 for having the most entertaining ‘routine of the year. . “It's enough to take one’s ‘breath away,” said Oberst. “It was ‘a big surprise.” The competition involves over 500 contestants from about a idozen dance studios from New York, New Jersey and Pennsylva- nia. + The Obersts have owned and ‘operated the Back Mountain Af 1} "SUGAR" 8-9 Grand Champion Group/Line Samantha Blamire, Faith Bradley, Carly Kappler, Mia Karcutskie, Olivia Karcutskie, Megan Krakosky, Mikayla Krakosky, Samantha Ma- tushek, Erin McLaughlin, Tegan Ostroski, Morgan Risch, Makenzie Walsh, Bailey Zelinski “LOCOMOTION" 10-12 Grand Champion Group/ Line, Entertainment Award Angelena Allen, Jessica Bowden, Megan Daily, Jace Garnick, Emily Gomelko, Madeline Gomelko, Danielle Krispin, Grace Kuschke, Maranda Moosic, Mikayla Rey- nolds, Morgan Rogers, Amanda Roxby, Gabriellé Sabatini, Angelina White, Alexis Wyandt, Lauren Zeisloft, Abby Zondlo Dance Studio since 1990 and have won honors for their school and their choreography. See DANCERS, Page 10 ‘Entertainer of the Year’ Nick Oberst holds one of his trophies over his head. The Back Mountain Dance Studio won $4,300 in cash and swept a regional dance competition in southern PA. Garnick and Tegan Ostroski. Carly Kappler, dancing for the Back Mountain Dance Studio, was a Grand Champion for her solo tap performance in the 8 to 9 year- old category. CHARLOTTE BARTIZEK PHOTOS/ FOR THE DALLAS POST Some solo winners from Back Mountain Dance Studio include, from left, Jamie Bonsall, Sara Pizzo, Nick Oberst, Carly Kappler, Jace vs] Studio. An award-winning trio of Jamie Bonsa Il, Nick Oberst and Sara Pizzo from the Back Mountain Dance L
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