Editorial Holey Moley

by Ruth Isenberg

The “discovery” by PennDOT of large holes on a bridge over Pond Creek in Foster Township resulted in an emergency closure of the Pond Creek bridge on Oley Valley Road on Tuesday. Judging from the size of the holes, they did not develop overnight.

It’s good that they were noticed now, before an oil truck or fire engine found them the hard way, and broke through. Winter weather is hard on all our roads, and the holes will doubtless become larger by spring.

It would be nice to think this is an isolated situation. Unfortunately, it probably isn’t. Our area in particular and Luzerne County in general is filled with small and remote roads, with old infrastructure and especially with old bridges. PennDOT’s resources are stretched thin, and backroads often don’t get the same attention as main thoroughfares.

What’s the solution? This is a situation where the motto, “If you see something, say something,” really applies. The folks who rely on these smaller roads need to take the initiative to keep any eye out for any problems as they develop. Township supervisors need to be made aware of deteriorating conditions on local roads, no matter who is responsible to fix them. They need to bring dangerous situations to the attention of PennDOT, loudly and often.

Residents of this far end of the county often feel neglected. There may be dozens of bridges in need of repair in our area. It’s up to us to make sure county and state officials are aware of the problems and that they fix them promptly.

February 4, 1993

Editors & Publishers

Jay and Clara Holder

The front page picture for this issue was of Crestwood school board members who attended the board’s meeting at the White Haven Community Building last week. Attending were Michael Sinco board president, John Pisaneschi v.p., Joseph Krivak, James Newell, Richard O’Dea and Ray Whalen.

Among the topics discussed that night was “the future of ‘outcome based education’” and the gifted student program. “Their new idea for the gifted program… is an ‘inclusionary’ program, (where) the gifted students would not be isolated” (but) be incorporated into regular classes.

Video cameras may soon be monitoring children on school buses.

Superintendent Dr. Gordon Snow closed the meeting by telling attendees “I would not recommend to the board to build another school unless it is really needed.” In that event, it would be preferable to build it near the present high school…

Lehigh Township made its first payment to Carbon County to be part of the new 911 service of $75. There is also a $1.50 per telephone line charge.

The White Haven Municipal Authority will submit an application for PennVEST funding for a new sewage treatment plant, an approximately $4 million project.

The White Haven Christmas Lighting Committee thanked everyone who helped put up this year’s decorations including those who donated towards repairs and buying new garland and three new decorations.

The Mountain Laurel Resort put a flyer in this newspaper for their February activities including Music Across America lunch shows by King Henry and the Original Showmen, and also evenings Friday and Saturdays. Available everyday sleigh rides, snowmobiles, cross country skiing weather permitting. AND winter golf, 9-hole course, unlimited play.

St. Jude’s Winterfest is this Friday and Saturday.

The annual Cherry Festival at Salem United Church of Christ will be next Saturday.

This issue included Freeland Elementary School News, news from Crestwood High School submitted by Nicole Balliet, and Weatherly Area High School News by Dave Boyer and Shannon Gray. Crestwood will present “Little Miss Christie,” a musical mystery, March 12 and 13. The WAHS band is selling French bread pizzas for $3.50, and the SGA sponsored the annual ‘Motivational Media’ assembly “The Edge” for the student body.

The Carbon County Area Vo-Tech advertised Adult Evening Classes classes start March 1.

Mario Iezzoni advertised accounting and tax services.

Foster Township hosted a special meeting about the C&D Superfund site. Additional data was added to the (“inaccurate and incomplete”) reports, including adding a fetal death indicating high lead content.

Pastor’s Corner this week was written by the Rev. Robert vonFrisch.

The Saint Joseph Weatherly Satellite will operate from 9 to 1 Monday thru Friday with Dr. D. Patel “until our new physician joins us March 1.”

Mr. Fun of Jack Frost Mountain will be camping on the top of the main lodge at Jack Frost from February 6 to 13 in order to raise money for the Ronald McDonald House in just a tent with a sleeping bag. Stop by Jack Frost Mountain to make donations. The Ronald McDonald House ski race will be held Saturday, also raising money.

The Big Two Resorts will be bringing 20-2 teenagers who are being treated with chemotherapy at Geisinger-Danville for a weekend of skiing and snowmobiling this weekend.

Carbon County will raise real estate taxes by 5 mills.

Phil Engman grumped about Berwick’s Ron Powlus choosing to attend Notre Dame over Pitt. He’d hoped Powlus would have chosen Penn State.

The Lady Wreckers are just two wins away from a

See ARCHIVES, page 5