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ODDS

‘NEnds

by

John P. Kameen

&

Patricia Striefsky

VOL. 129, NO. 35 Wednesday, July 27, 2016

75¢

$30.00/yr. Susq., Wayne, Lacka Counties$40.00/yr. all other mailing zones636 Main Street, Forest City, PA 18421

Clifford Picnic set for Thurs.-Sat., July 28-30

The 68th annual Firemen’s Picnic, sponsored by the Clifford Twp. Vol. Fire Co., will be held July 28, 29 and 30. More than $8,000 in prizes will be raffled off!

The firemen’s parade will be Thursday, July 28, at 7 p.m. and end at the picnic grounds. There will be a great show of fireworks at 10:30 p.m. on Fri., July 29. Sat-urday’s chicken is a big hit start-ing at 5 p.m, Prizes will also be awarded at this time with more fireworks later that evening.

There will be live music each night with some great area bands, refreshments, clams, games, kiddie rides, carnival concessions, chain saw carving demonstrations and more.

Parking is $1 per car. Everyone is welcome for some family fun!

Steve Suraci, Union Dale, who has a computer technology busi-ness, among his many pursuits, also publishes a weekly email called Elk Mountain Wanderlist. Writing under the name of Hill Dog, he always prefaces his listing of area businesses and upcoming events with a current photo he has shot, along with a short disserta-tion about the weather, time of year, etc. Recently he referred to “A History of Dundaff” from which he quoted a 1900 description of Fern Hall, also known for years as the Johnson Estate, Crystal Lake. Not being aware that a history of Dundaff existed, I asked him to allow me to read his “dog-eared” copy. Written in 1952 by Margaret Strom it details the establishment of Dundaff at the turn of the 19th Century. It was actually a bustling community in the late 1800’s but due to the growth of the coal in-dustry in neighboring Carbondale and Forest City, it gradually died away until it became as the his-tory’s author called it, “a four cor-ners with two stores opposite each other.” The most interesting fact gleaned from it is something I did not know but does make sense. Our Dundaff Street in Forest City, and other other Dundaff Streets in the vicinity, were named because those streets led to that busy me-tropolis. I guess I am never too old to learn something new!

* * * * *

Vandling Borough Coun-cil spent much of the monthly meeting discussing the munici-pal solid waste management or-dinance and a property on Clin-ton Street that must be cleaned up.

Council made some changes to the garbage ordinance in-cluding removal of wording in the definition of a multifamily housing having four or more dwelling units per structure. Also, ash collection will be con-ducted by the Vandling Bor-ough on a defined schedule.

In the billing procedure, The Borough shall establish a rate that will apply to all rental units, occupied or unoccupied as well as non rental units. The landlord is responsible for payment of the rental unit fee. Fees will not be prorated based upon duration of occupancy for rental units or non rental units. Annual unpaid refuse fee’s will be carried forward year to year. Council may undertake other actions to collect unpaid fees such as denial of refuse collec-tion or other legal action.

In addition, a landlord or residential owner may declare a unit uninhabitable and not be required to pay a refuse fee. A verification form may be ob-tained from the Vandling Bor-ough Office by contacting the Compliance Officer at 570-785-5070. The completed form will

be returned to the Compliance Officer with the inspection fee of $50. The inspection service (BIU) will perform an inspec-tion and if the rental unit is comfirmed to be uninhabitable the Compliance Officer will ad-vise the Tax Collector.

Rick Kulasinsky questioned whether the Borough will again allow dumpsters to be obtained for rental units.

Councilman John Mayers said all generators of garbage in the Borough shall use a Bor-ough approved authorized col-lector for the collection of waste and recycling. He said it would be up to the Borough whether or not to allow the dumpsters and he is not in favor of it.

President Fran Pantzar said the main concern with garbage is the collection of money which needs to be quicker. He said the changes to the ordinance will come in the collection of money, people with excess garbage, en-forcement and whether or not to allow some to have their own hauler.

Solicitor Paul Smith said a lien could be placed against properties for non-payment. Pantzar said if people don’t pay their bill, the borough can stop picking up the garbage at that residence. Atty. Smith said he is not sure it can be done.

Rick Kulasinsky said if not collected the garbage will pile up and then what. Councilman Mayers said there are remedies in the body of the document for each possible scenario.

Mary Pucul asked why peo-

ple are allowed nine months to pay the garbage fee. She said the bill used to be sent out in January and had to be collect-ed by May. Council said they had no knowledge of when the change occurred allowing nine months for payment.

President Pantzar said in re-cent years the Boro instituted a discount for people who paid by a certain date.

Pres. Pantzar said changes to collection of garbage fees can be made by the borough at anytime and do not need to be included in the ordinance. Council will start looking at the collection system next month when they start the process of deciding on a new garbage contract which will be up in December.

Councilman Bill Boyle asked if the ordinance will still include lids being needed on garbage cans. President Pantzar said that needs to be policed.

Boyle said something needs to be put in place that upon de-linquency a certain action will be taken. He said new proce-dures need to be discussed for this problem. “It should be a written procedure not arbi-trary,” stated Boyle.B’DALE FIRE REPORT

Jason Obelenus of the Brown-dale Fire Company said the company had 11 incidents for the month of June.

He stated that the Richmon-dale Water Tank is currently down. They are repairing it and hope that it is fixed in the near future.

Garbage collection & salvage yard major Vandling topics

39 ½ Years of Bus Driving is Honored

Mary Ann McCusker was honored by Forest City Regional School Board on July 18 as it was announced that she would be giving up her M. Durko Busing contract after 39 ½ years of service to the District. School Superintendent Dr. Jessica Aquilina thanked her for her many years of dedicated service to the District and for the many students she transported safely in her school buses. She wished her well as she takes leave of this duty. She was given flow-ers and a token gift in remembrance of her service. Shown above, from left, Superintendent Dr. Jessica Aquilina, Mary Ann McCusker, Transportation Manager Patricia Chesnick and Board President Mary Emmett.

Rockhill Heating Service Donates Air Conditioning to Hist. Society

Larry Rockhill, of Rockhill Heating Service, Union Dale, was honored by officers and mem-bers of the Forest City Area Historical Society recently for being responsible for securing and installing an air conditioning unit in the Museum of the Historical Society at no cost to the Society. During his revamping of the heating and cooling units at the Dollar General store, Forest City, Mr. Rockhill was able to arrange with the building owner, Larry Reed, of LRC Realtors, to donate one of the air units which was only one year old. Mr. Rockhill and his workers then installed the unit in the Museum at an estimated cost of approximately $5,000 and then later announced to the Society that he would donate all the labor and materials for the Installation. The Society last year applied for a state grant for $27,000 for the installa-tion of air conditioning but did not receive the grant due to the state’s budget crisis. Past President Tammy O’Reilly, who helped arranged the donation of the unit, expressed her ap-preciation to Mr. Rockhill and Mr. Reed for their community-minded gift . Pictured above from left: Society Pres. John P. Kameen, Treasurer Bob Wirts, Vice Pres. Dave Homisak, Larry Rockhill, Dave Opeka, Past Pres. Tammy O’Reilly, Mary McElhinney, Frank Brager, Peggy Brager and Paul Ferraro.

Cont. on page 2

Forest City Regional School District Board of Education handed out raises totaling over $21,000 to ten school administra-tors at its July 18 Board meeting. Nine of the raises were 2% or 3% but one of the hikes, a 23.4% increase, was due to the new federal overtime pay increase which goes into effect next year.

Patricia Chesnick was the re-cipient of the overtime wage in-crease which totals $9,019. Mrs. Chesnick, whose new salary is $47,500, is the transportation manager as well as handling the school’s Child Accounting/Pennsylvania (PIMS) Manage-ment System. She also serves as administrative assistant to the school superintendent.

School Superintendent Dr. Jessica Aquilina told the News that Mrs. Chesnick’s many du-ties cause her to work much lon-ger than her contracted 7 ½ hour work day thus she falls under the Federal rules requiring over-time pay. Those rules go in effect at year-end.

Three administrators were granted 3% pay increases based on their evaluations and Board approval. Leeta Dennebaum got a $2,400 increase to $82,400. She was curriculum specialist at a salary of $80,000 and also was the acting elementary principal for 2015-16 school year with an additional $7,000 stipend. She is returned to her single positon as curriculum specialist with the appointment of Mr. Brian Kelly as elementary principal. Mr Kel-lys’ salary is $90,000.

Also receiving 3% increases were Cafeteria Manager Mary Lee Martines, a $1,200 hike to $41,200; and Elementary Secre-tary Darlene Hamlyn, a $1,079 increase to $37,053.

The 2% salary increases went to Business manager Kath-leen Seifried, $1,709 increase to $87,199; Maintenance head John Reeder, $1,014 hike to $51,699; Special Education administrator Donna Potis, a $1,668 increase to $85,098; Technology special-ist Paul McCormick, a $927 hike to $47,277; Donna Keslo, a $713 increase to $36,348; and a $1,318 hike to technology coordinator Stephen Glynn.

High School Principal Peter Jordan was among those listed among the school administra-tors but he has since tendered his resignation to take a new positon with Wayne Highlands School District. The District is presently advertising for his re-placement.

All school administrators fall under the Act 93 benefits pack-age. They include:

*PPO Blue health coverage for the individual and family for medical, dental and vision in-surance with no premium share.

*15 holidays, 2 personal leave days, 12 sick days/yr., and be-reavement absence for the death of a family member.

*15 paid vacation days during the first full seven years of ser-vice and an additional five days after seven years.

*Life Insurance for two times employee salary or $65,000.

*Mileage reimbursement for school-related travel.

*Tuition reimbursement for college courses.

*Payment of membership in one professional organization.

*A workday of 8 hours with a 30 min. duty-free lunch break.

And in addition all are cov-ered by PSERS, state employee pension benefits.

School administrators get$21,000 in pay increases

FCRHS PrincipalPeter JordanIs resigning

High School Principal Pe-ter Jordan is leaving his job at Forest City Regional to take a position at Wayne High-lands School District, Hones-dale. An advertisement seek-ing candidates for his post is in this week’s edition of the News.

School Superintendent Dr. Jessica Aquilina stated that his impending resignation was discussed at the School Board executive session prior to the July 18 meeting but was not discussed at the public Board meeting because his position had not been approved by the Honesdale Board.

School officials state they regret his leaving the District but wish him well in his new job.

When the government tells you, you don’t need a gun, “You need a gun!” The problem is not guns—It’s hearts without God, Homes without discipline, Schools without prayer, and Courts with-out justice.

* * * * *We are happy that the five mile

stretch of SR 171 from Forest City to Herrick Corners has been paved but unfortunately it will probably just increase the excessive speed-ing on that road which has been occurring over the past several years.

* * * * *My classmate, Marianne Ar-

tone, a longtime resident of Wil-liam Penn Apartments, passed away last week. She and her twin brother, Joseph, were members of Forest City High School Class of 1959. Her nickname was “Gladys” and she was the class comedienne. She was a gentle lady and suffered from health problems for most of her life. She is the 19th of 68 class members to pass away. Our con-dolences to her brother, Joseph.

* * * * *

B’dale Firemans Lane update

The NEWS was contacted last Thursday from a represen-tative for the group of Brown-dale residents concerning the issues regarding Fireman’s Lane which was reported in last week’s Forest City News. As of Thursday, July 21, the group has received nothing from the Browndale Fire Company or its attorney about the matter.

The group of about 28 resi-dents asked that the letter be retracted and if they could set-tle the matter amicably. Over 20 residents have sent letters to the Fire Company with no re-sponse from them.

At the July 13 meeting of the Clinton Township Supervisors, the residents of Fireman’s Lane reported they had received a letter from the attorney for the Browndale Fire Company tell-ing them Firemans Lane was being deeded to the residents effective July 29.

The group has retained an attorney to handle the matter. Senator Lisa Baker and Repre-sentative Sandra Major have also been contacted.