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If a major think tank and re-search organization succeedsin redefining some key terms,Luzerne County CommunityCollege and similar institutionsoffering associate degrees andtrade certifications could bedeemed the biggest trainers oftech-savvy employees in thearea,potentially leading to moregovernment funding.
In a report dubbed The Hid-den Stem Economy releasedMonday, the Brookings Met-ropolitan Policy Program pro-posed redefining what a STEM(Science, Technology, Engi-neering and Math) job is. Tra-ditionally and in most casesofficially as far as governmentmeasures are concerned such
jobs require a bachelors degree
or more; Brookings argues itshould include jobs in the same
field that require an associatesdegree or less.
University attendance is notthe only path to a STEM ca-reer, report author and Brook-ings Associate Fellow JonathanRothwell said in a press release.While highly educated STEMprofessionals are a vital part ofthe economy, many less educat-
WILKES-BARRE Sincethe Posten Taxi companyclosed last week, all four driv-ers who worked there havehitched a ride with the compe-tition.
Robbie Burgit has hired the
Posten drivers who lost theirjobs last week and has orderedtwo new vehicles to bring hisfleet to 18 cabs.
Burgit, 53, of Plains Town-ship, owner of Burgit City TaxiCo., on Monday said he is notgloating over the demise ofPosten.
I want to assure that wecontinue to give first-class taxiservice tothe peopleof the Wil-kes-Barre area, he said.
John Katorkas, owner ofPosten Taxi, announced Fridayhe was shutting down the busi-ness, citing a slow economy.Posten Taxi operated in thecity since 1860. Katorkas wasunavailable for comment onMonday.
Burgit said the taxi business
has been on the decline overthe last 20 years or so. He saidmost households have two ormore cars, and reliance on pub-lic transportation has dimin-ished. He said Internet shop-ping has also caused ridershipto drop.
Despite the decline, Burgitsaid he has ordered two newcabs he uses Kia Soul vehi-
cles exclusively. Hell add twomore shortly to bring his fleetto 20. The cabs are white with
black and red trim.With the hiring of the four
Posten drivers, Burgit has 34full- and part-time drivers, plusthree dispatchers and threeclerical support staff at his hubon South Main Street.
Burgit said his goal is toprovide service within 10 to15 minutes of a call. The cabservice operates seven days a
week, year-round.
timesleader.comWILKES-BARRE, PA TuESdAy, JunE 11, 2013 50
THE TIMES LEADER
6 0 9 8 1 5 1 0 0 1 1
Much more thanchicken scratch
BUSINESS, 8BHEALTH, 1C
How much babyweight is proper?
INSIDE
A NEWS: Obituaries 2A, 6ALocal 3ANation & World: 5AEditorials: 7AWeather: 8A
B SPORTS: 1B
B BUSINESS: 8BStocks: 8B
C HEALTH: Birthdays: 4CCrossword/Horoscope: 7CTelevision: 6CComics: 8C
D CLASSIFIED: 1D
Spy programs met with anger
Nearly a year and a half afterthe implementation of the homerule form of government, Lu-zerne County officials are start-ing to address leadership chang-es in former row offices.
Home rule eliminated theelected county sheriff, recorderof deeds, coroner, prothono-
tary, clerk of courts, register ofwills and treasurer to give theadministrationfreedom to de-cide how theirduties are cov-ered.
The adminis-tration is rely-ing on tempo-rary appointees four row
officer deputies and the countysecurity director to run theseoffices.
The countys new JudicialServices and Records DivisionHead Joan Hoggarth said Mon-day the following restructuringplan is in the works:
The county soon will seekonemanager to oversee boththeprothonotary and clerk of courtsoffices because separate direc-tors of each office arent needed.
The deeds and wills ofcesalso will merge under one direc-tor, and that position will be ad-
vertised shortly. When these two manage-
ment positions are filled asearly as next month after a pub-lic search, the long-standingdeputy director positions in allfour offices will be permanentlystripped from the budget.
The sheriff and coronerposts will be publicly advertised.
The sheriffs office has no depu-
ty, but Hoggarth plans to elimi-nate the $42,500 chief deputycoroner position, now filled by
William Lisman, after a coroneris hired.
Hoggarth said the plan willsave money, but the amount willdepend on the salaries of thefour advertised positions, whichhavent been finalized.
The eliminated row officersalaries already were removedfrom the 2013 budget, exceptthe prothonotary $36,562
Countysofficesstill filled
with tempsAmiistratio otlies plafor how row positios will be
strctre, maage.
By JENNIFER LEARN-ANDES
Hoggarth
REDEFINING TECH JOBS
In a report issued Monday, Brookingsproposed redefining STEM (Science,Technology, Engineering and Math) jobs toinclude those that require an associatedegree or less. Most STEM jobs in theScranton/Wilkes-Barre/HazletonMetropolitan Area would then be held bythose with two-year degrees or less.
Require bachelors degree or moreRequire associate degree or less
STEM jobs
9,299
33%18,971
67%
Mark Guydish/The Times Leader
Burgit hires former Posten drivers
WASHINGTON TheObama administration facedfresh anger Monday at home andabroad over U.S. spy programsthat track phone and Internetmessages around the world inthe hope of thwarting terroristthreats. But a senior intelligenceofficial said there are no plansto end the se-cretive surveil-lance systems.
The pro-grams caus-ing the globaluproar wererevealed by Ed-
ward Snowden,
a 29-year-oldemployee of government con-tractor Booz Allen Hamilton.Snowden, whose identity wasrevealed at his own request, hasfled to Hong Kong in hopes of es-caping criminal charges. Sen. Di-anne Feinstein of California, whoheads the Senate IntelligenceCommittee and supports the sur-
veillance, accused Snowden ofcommitting an act of treasonand said he should be prosecut-ed.
Coolly but firmly, officialsin Germany and the EuropeanUnion issued complaints overtwo National Security Agencyprograms that target suspicious
foreign messages potentiallyincluding phone numbers, email,images, video and other onlinecommunications transmittedthroughU.S. providers.The chiefBritish diplomat felt it neces-sary to try to assure Parliamentthat the spy programs do not en-croach on U.K. privacy laws.
And in Washington, membersof Congress said they would takea new look at potential ways tokeep the U.S. safe from terror at-tacks without giving up privacyprotections that critics chargeare at risk with the governments
Phoe a Iteret trackig
efforts focs of cotrovers
after cotractors isclosre.
ByLARA JAKES
AP National Security Writer
Reaction from local lawmakers is mixed
In light of a leak confirmingthat a National Security Agencyprogram has been monitoringcommunication between peoplein the United States, membersof Northeastern Pennsylva-nias congressional delegationare asking questions about the
agencys action and whether itcrossed a constitutional line.
Rep. Matt Cartwright, D-Moosic, said members of Con-gresshave been invitedto a clas-sified briefing today at 5 p.m.
that willinclude an NSA official.He said hes anxious to hearmore about the program and
whether the allegations leveledby Ed Snowden, the 29-year-oldBooz Allen Hamilton employeebehindlast weeks series of leaksabout the NSA surveillance onfellow Americans, are accurate.
Is this guy a hero or a trai-tor? Cartwright said.
While he stopped short ofcondemning Snowden for tak-ing his information to the me-dia, other members of the local
congressional delegation arenot defending him.
Appearing on a morningradioshow in Allentown on Monday,U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey said that
while he wants to learn moreabout the NSA program, he alsobelieves that what Snowden did
was improper.Ill start off with a serious
reservation with someone whohas a security clearance, theyhave access to classified infor-
AP PHOTO
Demonstrators hold signs supporting Edward Snowden in New Yorks Union Square Park on Monday. Snowden, who says heworked as a contractor at the National Security Agency and the CIA, gave classified documents to reporters, making public twosweeping U.S. surveillance programs and touching off a national debate on privacy versus security.
They worry about possible
govt intrusion, but dont
support leak of info to press.
ByANDREWM.SEDER
Robbie Burgit of Burgit Taxi discusses the state of the localcab industry and its decline over the last two decades.
Most local tech jobs goto 2-year degree gradsMany well-paying STEM jobs
can be obtained without a
bachelors degree, experts say.
ByMARKGUYDISH
AIMEE DILGER/THE TIMES LEADER
Cab compa also will a
more vehicles to its fleet to
service the area.
ByBILL OBOYLE
Cartwright Toomey
Snowden
See ANGER, Page 8ASee REACTION, Page 8A
See STEM, Page 8ASee BURGIT, Page 8A
See TEMPS, Page 8A
7/28/2019 Times Leader 06-11-2013
2/32
MORE OBITUARIES, Page 6A
www.timesleader.com TIMES LEADERTuESDAy, JunE 11, 2013 timesleader.com
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LOTTERY
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OBITUARIES
Calafut, FlorenceCannon, WilliamChopyak, MaryDaron, EdithDymond, DanielEllis, John IIIGalazin, LawrenceGuerrieri, CarmineHuesser, EdwinaKoshinski, SophieKus, Francis
Landmesser,ElizabethLaRusso, MarjorieMcKeown,Eugene Sr.Quare, FrancisRegulski, DoloresTruchon, SylviaUren, LillianVanLuvender,Frances
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Issue No. 2013-162
Frances B. VanLuvenderJune 7, 2013
Frances B. VanLuvender, 68,a resident of Kingston andformerly of Plymouth, passedaway Friday evening at Geisinger
Wyoming Valley Medical Center,Plains Township.
She was born in Manhattan,N.Y, on Nov. 1, 1944, a daughterof the late Robert Harvey andFrances M. Klesseraht Malcolm.
She attended and was a gradu-ate of the New York City publicschool system. Frances and herhusband, Robert, and family trav-eled the world extensively duringhis long military service while inthe Marines Corps. Upon return-ing to the local area she had beenemployed for many years by theLord & Taylor Distribution Cen-ter, Wilkes-Barre Township.
Mrs. VanLuvender was a mem-ber of St. John the EvangelistChurch, Pittston. She always
was an extremely strong womanwho cherished her children andgrandchildren. She was truly agenuine and constantly loving
woman who always put the needsof others before those of herself.Her humor was as big as her heartand she always greeted you with a
smile on her face.She has been preceded in deathby her husband of 38 years, Rob-ert J. VanLuvender, and by hergranddaughter Kira M. Turcotte.Also she was preceded in deathby a brother, Ronald Wright, andby her stepfather, William J. Dzu-biak.
Surviving are her children,John Dzubiak, Plymouth; FrancesBanash, Tigard, Ore., and Wendy
Turcotte and her husband, Chris,
Kingston, withwhom sheresided;grandchildren, Kurisu and Koji
Turcotte; Anjalene, Yasmene andWilliam Banash; Nicole and An-thony Dzubiak; sisters, Beverlyand Elsie Malcolm, Floral Park,N.Y.; several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be heldat 8:45 a.m. Thursday at the Nat& Gawlas Funeral Home, 89 ParkAve., Wilkes-Barre, with a Mass ofChristian Burial to follow at 9:30a.m. in St. John the EvangelistChurch, 35 William St., Pittston,
with Msgr. John J. Bendick ascelebrant. Interment will be inMountain View Cemetery, Hard-ing. Friends may call from 5 to8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeralhome.
In lieu of flowers, memorial do-nations maybe made to C.J. Foun-dation for SIDS, HUMC:WFANPediatric Center, 30 ProspectAve., Hackensack, NJ 07601.
Online condolences may besent by visiting Francess obitu-ary at www.natandgawlasfuneral-home.com.
Sylvia Truchon
June 9, 2013
Sylvia Truchon, 72, of ReyburnRoad, Shickshinny, passedaway Sunday morning in KindredHospital of the Wyoming Valley.
She was born in Nanticoke onJune 30, 1940, the daughter of thelate John and Anna Novak Priceof Honey Pot (Nanticoke).
She was employed by the In-ternational Ladies Garment
Workers Union as a seamstressfor Ronnie Dress Factory, Shick-shinny.
She was a member of St. Nicho-las Ukrainian Catholic Church,Glen Lyon.
Sylvia loved cooking, bakingand sewing for her beloved fam-ily and dear friends. Her favoritepast time was feeding and caringfor her wild birds.
She was preceded in death by abrother, George Price.
Surviving are her husband of54 years, Stephen Truchon; herdaughter, PamelaVolovic,and herhusband, Dan, of Wilkes-Barre;son, Stephen John Truchon, andhis wife, Damita Jo, of Shickshin-ny; three grandchildren, NoelleVolovic of Chicago; Dan Volovicof Wilkes-Barre; Kelby Truchonof Shickshinny; a brother, DavidPrice, and his wife, Vicki, of Hon-ey Pot.
Sylvias family would like tothank the entire staff of KindredHospital for their kindness, dedi-cation and commitment. They are
forever grateful.Funeral services will be held
at 11 a.m.Thursdayat theCharlesL. Cease Funeral Home, 634 Rey-burn Road, Shickshinny, with theRev. John Seniw, of St. NicholasUkrainian Catholic Church, offi-ciating.
Interment will be in DodsonCemetery, Southdale.
Friends may call from 9 a.m.until time of service.
In lieu of flowers contributionscanbe madein Sylvias memorytothe St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catho-lic Church, 153 Main St., P.O. Box62, Glen Lyon, PA 18617, or theDodson Cemetery Association,474 Southdale Road, Shickshinny,PA 18655.
For directions or online condo-lences, please visit www.charlesl-ceasefuneralhome.com.
William Daniel CannonJune 9, 2013
Mr. William Daniel Cannon,90, of Wilkes-Barre, diedSunday in Hospice at St. LukesVilla after living a long, healthyand very happy life.
He had resided at St. Lukessince the death of his wife of 54
years, Lillian Edwards Cannon, in2008.
A longtime resident of SouthWilkes-Barre, Bill was born inPringle on Sept 22, 1922, toJames A. Cannon and Esther Hel-frich Cannon, the seventh of eightchildren. He grew up in Kingstonand graduated from KingstonHigh School in 1940. He was a
very proud World War II veteranand served in the U.S. Army from
1942 -1945. He was awarded theBronze Star and the Purple Heartfor wounds received in France.
After being honorably dis-charged, he attended Wilkes-Barre Business College, where hemet the love of his life and his life-long hobby, Lillian Edwards. He
worked at Western Union, PennTobacco, and retired from the VAHospital in Wilkes-Barre after 38
years of service in the fiscal divi-sion. In retirement, he worked asa courier for First Eastern/PNCBank for many years.
A faithful member of St. Aloy-sious Church and the Holy NameSociety, Bill was also a member ofthe VA Bowling League. He andLillian spent many happy yearsdancing together as members ofthe Big Band Society, the Party
of the Month Club, and followingKing Henry and the Showmen
wherever they performed acrossNortheast Pa.
A loving and caring father, heserved as Cubmaster of Pack 55and Scoutmaster of Troop 55 atFirwood Methodist Church and
was a longtime member of the Fir-woodSenior Citizens. He traveledto Germany, Alaska and to manyother states to visit his childrenand grandchildren.
Bill is survived by his daughter,Peggy Cannon Krapf, and her hus-band, Richard, of Williamsburg,
Va.; three sons, William CannonJr. and his wife, Donna, of Pott-stown; David Cannon of Aniak,
Alaska, and Scott Cannon andhis wife, Sherri, of Plymouth, andsix grandchildren, Michael Krapf,Emily Krapf, Norah Cannon,
Wade Cannon, Gabi Panzetta andLily Ruth Cannon.
A kind and quiet man, Billloved being with people.
He enjoyed telling storiesabout theplaces he visited aroundthe country during the war years,eating with his veteran buddies atOllies Restaurant (where some-one would always thank them fortheir service and pick up theirlunch check), and spending time
with his family. One of his great-est joys was to dress up and goout on the town dancing
which he continued to do untilthe very end of his life.
A memorial service
will be at 10 a.m. Fridayin St. Robert BellarmineChurch, 143 Division St., Wilkes-Barre. Interment will be in OakLawn Cemetery, Hanover Town-ship. Friends may call at thechurch from 9:30 a.m. until timeof service.
Memorialcontributions may bemade in Bill Cannons memory to:
The Honor Flight Network, 300E. Auburn Ave, Springfield, OH45505 or www.honorflight.org
Funeral arrangements are bythe William A. Reese Funeral Cha-pel, Plymouth.
Sophie KoshinskiJune 7, 2013
Sophie Koshinski, 92, a residentof Swoyersville, passed awaypeacefully on Friday evening atthe Highland Manor Nursing andRehabilitation Center, Exeter,
where she had been a guest forthe past year.
Her beloved husband was
the late Walter Koshinski, whopassed away on Oct. 24, 1971. To-gether, Walter and Sophie shared33 years of marriage.
Born on April 1, 1921, in Swoy-ersville, Sophie was the daughterof the late Vincent (Veytovich)
Wojtowicz and Anna (Leonard)Wojtowicz.
Sophie was raised in Swoyers-ville and had resided there mostof her life. For 12 years, she andher husband lived in New Jer-sey, returning to the local area in1969.
Prior to her retirement in 1993,Sophie was employed in thehousekeeping department of theformer Nesbitt Hospital, Kings-ton, taking care of their execu-tive offices. In her earlier years,she worked in the local garment
industry.Sophie was a lifelong member
of the former Holy Name/St.Marys Parish Community, Swoy-ersville.
A dedicated homemaker, So-phie greatly enjoyed cooking forher family and was known forkeeping an immaculate home.
Sophies late husband was atalented musician and she lovedlistening to his music. She had alively personality and always en-
joyed dancing.Family was the most important
thing to Sophie and she alwaysenjoyed spending time with herloved ones.
Her beautiful presence will bemissed, but her spirit will con-tinue to live on in the hearts of allthose who knew and loved her.
In addition to her parents, Vin-cent and Anna Wojtowicz, and herhusband, Walter, Sophie was pre-ceded in death by an infant son,Ronald Koshinski; her brothers,
John Wojtowicz, William Vey-tovich and George Veytovich; hersisters Mary Schultz, Helen Mull-ish, Violet Golumbeski, StellaKovalchik, Florence DiOrio, VeraYagloski and Nellie Bebey.
Sophie is survived by her chil-dren, Gene Koshinski and his
wife, Sara, of Fort Worth, Texas;Eddie Koshinski and his wife,Aline, of Spring Brook; BeverlyMonahan and her husband, Larry,of Wyoming; Cindy Bernstein andher husband, Bill, of Midlothian,
Va.; Debra Faldowski and her hus-band, Charles, of Swoyersville;and Lisa Zdancewicz and her hus-band, Jeff, of Swoyersville; her 14grandchildren, 27 great-grandchil-dren and one great-great grand-daughter; her sisters DorothyBozinko of Wyoming and DoloresChieco of New York; her manynieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends arerespectfully invited to attend aBlessing Service which will becelebrated at 7 p.m. Thursday atthe Wroblewski Funeral HomeInc., 1442 Wyoming Ave., FortyFort, with the Rev. Joseph J.Pisaneschi, pastor of St. ElizabethAnn Seton Parish, Swoyersville,officiating. Family and friends areinvited to call from 4 to 7 p.m.
Thursday at the funeral home.
For additional information orto send the family an online mes-sage of condolence, you may visitthe funeral home website www.
wroblewskifuneralhome.com.
Edwina J. HuesserJune 9, 2013
Edwina J. Huesser, 74, passedaway peacefully Sunday at herhome in Alden.
She was born in New YorkCity on June 18, 1938, and wasthe daughter of the late Edwardand Stacia Poplar Beldowicz. Shemoved to this area at an early ageand attended Nanticoke schools.Edwina was also a member of the
former St. Francis Church, thatis now St. Faustina Parish and amember of St. Faustina Churchchoir.
She is survived by daughters,Teri Hermanofski and companionPaul Roback, Hanover Township;Barbara Minuto and husband An-thony, Long Island, N.Y.; brother,Edward Beldowicz, Bear Creek;grandchildren, David, Anthonyand Zachary; her beloved com-panion, Stanley Stavetski; a lov-ing pet, Pepper.
The funeral will be held at11 a.m. Thursday at the Gront-kowski Funeral Home P.C., 51-53
W. Green St., Nanticoke, with a
Mass of Christian Burial at 11:30a.m. in St. Faustina Parish Church(primary site) with the Rev.James Nash officiating. Interment
will be in St. Josephs Cemetery.Friends and relatives are invitedto join the family for calling hoursfrom 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday. Asa request by the family, donationsare to be made to the SPCA ofLuzerne County, Fox Hill Road,
Wilkes-Barre.
WRIGHT TWP. TheBoard of Supervisors an-nounced on Monday that ithas received $15,000 from the
Crestwood School District forthe use of the townships ten-nis courts complex.
According to township of-ficials, the 10-year agreementcalls for Wright Township to
maintain the courts for the du-ration of the contract.
In other business : The Zoning Board re-
ceived an initial project planfrom Jack Williams Tire for
the construction of a new facil-ity along Route 309.
The board voted to re-scind last months settlementagreementwith a township po-lice officer, regarding a work-mans compensation matter.
Dstt ays Wght Tw.f us f tnns utsBy STEVEN FONDO
Times Leader Correspondent
LAFLIN B orough councilmembers responded to inquiresfrom residents on Monday nightregarding the future of the bor-oughs police department by in-dicating the forces future mightindeed be in doubt.
Crime Watch members have
heard the department may bedisbanding and contracted out,said Glen Gubitose, chairman ofthe Crime Watch.
Council President Paul Bend-eravich responded: We cannotcontinue moving forward withcurrent expenses. It would makeit necessary to raise taxes every
year, he said.Gubitose said it would be
worth paying an increased taxamount if it meant increasedsafety for residents. He also ex-pressed concern a diminishedpolice presence might negative-ly affect property values.
Regionalization is the fu-ture, said Benderavich. We areconsidering several options forfunding our police department.
He also stressed discussionson the matter were preliminary,
with Laflins police contract run-ning through 2014.
Laflin was not awarded anystate gaming money, despite aninfrastructure badly in need ofmaintenance, stressing its bud-get.
We cannot forget sewer is-sues that need our attention andfinances, said Councilman TomParry.
It blows my mind that we areso close to the casino and havenot received any gaming mon-ey, said resident Bob Pinkos.
In another matter, council ac-
cepted a bid from Smith Black-topping for $1,300 for roadrepairs near Cherrywood andDogwood streets. It also accept-ed a bid from Pikes Creek SiteContractors for its Walnutwoodinlet replacement project for$6,419.
Council also announced theannual community yard sale tobe held June 22.
The next meeting of councilwill be at 6 p.m. July 8.
Laflnstuds
ltnsBy GERI GIBBONS
Times Leader Correspondent
poLice bLoTTer
PITTSTON TWP. Po -lice on Sunday said KathleenSmith, 53, of Scranton, was ap-prehended around 7:20 p.m. byloss prevention personnel at the
Walmart store on state Route315 after she was seen placingsteaks, potatoes and electronicmerchandise into purse and try-ing to leave without paying forthe items.
KINGSTON A Scrantonman was arraigned Mondayafter police said they foundfound a loaded handgun andprescription medication duringa traffic stop on South GoodwinAvenue.
Joseph White, 37, of North
Decker Court, was chargedwith illegal possession of a fire-arm, firearms not to be carried
without a license, possessionof a controlled substance, falseidentification to law enforce-ment, driving with a suspend-ed license, and three traffic
violations. He was arraigned byDistrict Judge Martin Kane in
Wilkes-Barre and jailed at theLuzerne County CorrectionalFacility for lack of $40,000 bail.
7/28/2019 Times Leader 06-11-2013
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TIMES LEADER www.timesleader.com TUESDAY, JUNE 11, 2013timesleader.com PAGE 3A
LOCALWILKES-BARRE
Zamboni drivers wantedThe Ice Rink at Coal Street Park is
hosting the regions first-ever Zamboni
Fantasy Camp, which will take place atthe facility the weekend of June 22-23.
Camp participants will receive drivinginstructions and group and individual icemaintenance training from members ofthe W-B/Scranton Penguins ice techni-cian crew, as well as a behind-the-scenestour of the teams facilities at CoalStreet.
The cost for the two-day camp is $99per person, and class sizes will be limit-ed. Contact the Ice Rink at Coal Street at570-208-9473 or register online at www.coalstreeticerink.com. Camp participantsmust be 18 years of age or older and pos-sess a valid drivers license.
For more information on programsand upcoming summer schedule, visitwww.coalstreeticerink.com or call 570-
208-9471.WILKES-BARRE
Facade money applicationsThe city is now accepting applications
for Phase II of the Faade ImprovementGrant Program on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Application materials can be picked upat the City Clerks Office on the fourthfloor of City Hall, downloaded fromthe homepage of the city website www.wilkes-barre.pa.us under the bannerCity Announcements or acquired bycontacting Deputy City AdministratorGreg Barrouk.
Phase II focuses on Academy, Horton,Parrish, North and South Sherman, Mill,Lehigh, Kidder and Spring streets; Park,
Pennsylvania and Courtright avenuesand Old River Road.The city would offer a 50-percent
match to homeowners seeking an exte-rior faade improvement on their homecapped at $5,000. Eligible improvementswould include painting, exterior wood-work, repairs or replacements to doorsand upper windows, and new sidingamong other things. Applicants wouldbe asked to provide documentation ofestimated costs and describe the scopeof the improvement to be made.
PRINGLE
Water line work beginsPennsylvania American Water has
begun main replacement projects total-ing more than 4,000 feet of aging pipe
in the borough of Pringle to improvereliability for customers, reduce servicedisruptions and increase water flows forfirefighting. The projects are valued atabout $680,000.
New 8-inch ductile-iron pipe is beinginstalled this week along several streets,including: Broad, Hoyt, Flanagan andEvans streets. The new water mainreplaces existing 4- and 6-inch cast-ironpipe dating back to the 1890s.
Construction will take place between7 a.m. and 4 p.m. through Friday. Thecompany expects to complete the work,including transfer of all customer ser-vices and final paving restoration, by theend of September.
Customers might experience tempo-rary service interruptions, discolored
water and/or lower than normal waterpressure. For more information, callPennsylvania Americans customer ser-vice center at 1-800-565-7292.
LUZERNE COUNTY
Dog licenses, shots requiredDuring the week of June 17, dog
wardens will canvass homes in HanoverTownship and surrounding areas toensure dog owners have current licensesand rabies vaccinations for their dogs.
According to state law, all dogs 3months or older must be licensed byJan. 1 of each year. The fee is $6.45 foreach spayed or neutered dog and $8.45for other dogs. Older adults and personswith disabilities may purchase a licensefor $4.45 for spayed or neutered dogs
and $6.45 for others.Additionally, all dogs and non-feralcats 3 months and older must be vac-cinated against rabies. Boosters must beadministered periodically to maintainimmunity. Violators can be cited with amaximum fine of $300 per violation pluscourt costs.
Licenses may be purchased throughLuzerne County Treasurer DominickDePolo by calling 570-825-1764, visit-ing www.padoglicense.com, or at thefollowing locations: Hoof-n-Paw, Dallas;Sue Rossi Notary, Butler Township;Village Pet Supplies, Hanover Township;Hazleton Animal Shelter and John KuligInsurance, Hazleton; and Pet SuppliesPlus and SPCA of Luzerne County,Wilkes-Barre. Visit www.licenseyourdog-PA.com or call 717-787-3062 for moreinformation.
I N B R I E F
Borbon
Woman pleads guilty to taking money
WILKES-BARRE ADrums woman charged withtaking more than $30,000from the American Red Crosspleadedguilty Mondayto a re-lated felony charge.
Shelly Zito, 44, of West But-
ler Drive, was scheduled tostand trial Monday on chargesshe used a credit card to pur-chase $34,462 in gift cards sheallegedly used for personal use.
Instead, Zito entered a pleato a charge of theft by decep-tion. She faces a maximum ofseven years in prison when sheis sentenced on July 26.
According to court papers, inFebruary 2010 a routine auditwas conducted by Tony Fer-lenda, chief executive officer ofNorth Eastern Penn Blood Re-gion, which revealed that Zito
used an American Red Crosscard to purchase gift cards forhospital sales.
Ferlenda noticeda deficit andnotified a local Walmart, andsaw surveillance video of Zitopurchasing gift cards with theAmerican Red Cross card andthen using that card for per-sonal use.
Zitos card history was re-viewed from July 2009 to No-vember 2009 where a subjectwas chosen contest winnerand named health care work-ers as winners of gift cards,
according to the criminal com-plaint.
The health care workers werecontacted by police, who notednone of them were aware ofwinning any contest, and thatif they had won they would notaccept prizes because of theirprofessional and business re-lationship with the AmericanRed Cross.
Between February 2009 andJanuary 2010, investigatorssaid$34,462 was spent on gift cards.
Police later interviewed Zitoin October 2011, according to
court papers, who said she wasdealing witha shopping/spend-ing addiction for years.
Zito said she began work-ing at the American Red Crossin 2001 and was promoted in2008, receiving a debit card.Soon after, Zito said, she be-gan buying gift cards in theamounts of $25 and $50 andusing them for personal use.The criminal complaint doesnot specify what Zito allegedlyused the cards for.
Zito remains free on$5,000 unsecured bail.
BySHEENADELAZIO
Zito faces upto7 years inpris-
onfor usingRed Cross credit
cardforpersonal purchases.
Trial dateis delayedin macheteattack case
BySHEENADELAZIO
Attorney reassignment for
defendant moves start of
procedure to Aug. 5.
WILKES-BARRE The trialof a man charged with attack-ing a teen with a machete out-side GAR High Schoolhas beencontinued to August.
Juan Borbon, 21, with no lastknown address, was scheduled
to stand trial this week on sev-
en charges relating to the Feb-ruary 2012 attack that nearly
severed the hand of then-15-year-old Marquis Allen.
Borbons at-
torney, JosephYeager, asked
that he bepermitted to
withdraw from
Borbons caseand that an at-
torney fromthe Public De-
fenders Office be assigned.
Judge Joseph Sklarosky Jr.allowed Yeagers request, reas-
signed attorney William Wattto represent Borbon and sched-
uled an Aug. 5 trial.
Watt had previously repre-sented Borbon until Yeager
was hired by the Borbon familyin April.
In March,Watt filed court pa-
pers declaring an alibi defensethat Borbon was nowhere near
the GAR High School whenAllen was injured but was at a
home on South Franklin Street
and has witnesses to prove it.CitypoliceallegeBorbonwas
involved in the fight and took amachete from a backpack car-
ried by Yansy Abreu, 17.
Borbon allegedly swung themachete that nearly severed Al-
lens left hand. Allen testified ata preliminary hearing last year
that he was helping a black
student who was jumped by agroup after classes had ended
for the day.
The fight occurred off schoolgrounds on South Grant and
Lehigh streets.Abreu previously testified
the planned fight was betweenstudents of African-American
and Dominican heritages.
Borbon faces two counts ofaggravated assault, two counts
of simple assault, two countsof criminal conspiracy and one
count of reckless endanger-
ment.Abreu was originally charged
as an adult for his alleged role,but his case was transferred to
juvenile court, where he faced
unknown related charges.Borbon is jailed at the Lu-
zerne County Correctional Fa-cility.
Raven sentenced in fatal hit-and-run crash
WILKES-BARRE A Jenkins Town-ship man charged with causing a crashthat killed two people in September inPittston Township was sentenced Mon-day to 6 to 25 years in state prison.
I feel you are a danger to this com-munity, Judge Michael Vough saidafter sentencing Walter Raven, 60, tothe lengthy prison term on six relatedcharges.
Prosecutors say Raven drove a Buickinto the path of a mo-torcycle operated byDonnie Pizano, 38,on state Route 315 onSept. 2.
Pizano and a pas-senger on the motor-cycle, Robin Walsh,39, both of Plains
Township, were killedin the crash.
Vough apologizedto the families of Pi-zano and Walsh incourt Monday, notingno sentence he couldhand down wouldbring back either oftheir loved ones.
The judge noted that Raven mayhave been involved in an accident, butit was no accident that he was behindthe wheel the night of the crash and
driving with a suspended license.You had no right or privilege to be
driving, Vough said.Two of Ravens friends and his sister
spoke Monday, calling Raven a kindman who is remorseful.
Raven spoke briefly before beingsentenced, saying he never intended tohurt anyone that night.
I never thought I would be here for something like this, Raven said.Now, I have a fear of being behind the
wheel. I feel terrible.Raven said that when the crash oc-
curred he didnt know what had hap-pened, and that he certainly did notknow he had killed two people.
There is no way he did not knowwhat happened, Assistant DistrictAttorney Mamie Phillips said, hand-ing photos of Ravens vehicle after thecrash to Vough. Phillips noted the carhad significant damage and there wasglass inside the vehicle.
Phillips said Raven has written sev-eral letters to the District Attorneys
Office and Vough in which he alleg-edly stated that he initially thoughthe was a victim of hit-and-run.
Phillips said that although Ravenhas said he is sorry for what hap-pened, he continually puts himselffirst, an indication he does not feelremorse.
Ravens attorney, John Pike, saidhis client has suffered from a numberof medical conditions and has under-gone several surgeries. Pike also saidRaven has helped state police make anumber of arrests while working as aconfidential informant in drug cases.
Pike said a number of arrests andconvictions could be attributed toRavens work as a confidential infor-mant.
This is a horrible, tragic accident,Pike said. He did not set out that day
to kill someone. It was an accident.Pike said that because of Ravens
work as a confidential informant Ravenhas accepted responsibility by pleadingguilty in May.
Vough ultimately ran each sentenceon the six charges consecutively ratherthan concurrently, totaling 6 to 25
years. Raven faced a minimum of oneyear on each of two counts of accidentsinvolving death or injury.
Prosecutors say that after the crash,Raven and his friend Daniel Antoniniused a pressure washer to clean theBuick.
Antonini, 46, of Wilkes-Barre, wassentenced last month to 17 days timeservices to 12 months in county prisonand immediately paroled.
CLARK VAN ORDEN/THE TIMES LEADER
Jenkins Township resident WalterRaven was sentenced to up to 25years in prison.
Jenkins Township man gets 6 1/2 to
25 years in state prison for killing
motorcyclist and his passenger.
AIMEE DILgER/THE TIMES LEADER
Francis Mamola helps students on their way to school safely cross the intersection at North Washingtonand Hollenback streets in Wilkes-Barre Monday morning. Maamola, a crossing guard for the past 23years, has three more days of work before Wilkes-Barre Area School District lets out for the summer, and
would be wise to tote an umbrella to work for the rest of the week. More thunderstorms are possible today,
Thursday and Friday. But some sun is forecast for Wednesday and a lot more of it expected for the week-
end. See the complete forecast on Page 8A.
Walsh
Pizano
A wEt wAlk to school
7/28/2019 Times Leader 06-11-2013
4/32
Whenever Wayne Namey ofWilkes-Barre thinks about the
serious injuries many militarypersonnel have endured, hewants to help.
God bless them, their livesare altered forever, he said,thinking especially of veterans
who have lost one or morelimbs.To raise money for the non-
profit Keystone Wounded War-rior Project, which is based inLehigh Valley, he is organizinga NEPA Labor Day Festival andCelebration full of activities at
Wilkes-Barres Kirby Park andPublic Square.
The way he sees it, the eventwould not only benefit veter-ans, but also commemorate theareas labor heritage, includingthe way Mary Harris Mother
Jones and John Mitchell workedto organize and lead the UnitedMine Workers more than a cen-tury ago.
It would also showcase localindustries, products and employ-ers, and, he hopes, local home-made food perhaps supplied bychurch groups or Scout troops.
Planned for Sept. 2, the ac-tivities would begin at 7:30 a.m.at Kirby Park with a home-runhitting contest for children andadults. Namey anticipates boysand girls up to age 17 could par-ticipate for $3 and adults wouldpay $5 each.
Later that day, activities from11 a.m. to 5 p.m. are planned forPublic Square, where the Eckleyand Patchtown Players will pres-ent costumed dramas about theareas labor history.
Local author Elena Castri-gnano will be on hand to signcopies of her book about Wilkes-Barre, Namey said, a chorus willsing and magician Pat Ward willdonate his time to entertain the
crowd.Other musicians or dance
groups who are interested inperforming are welcome to con-tact Namey with their ideas, hesaid.
Hes especially hopeful somechurches or civic organizationsmight want to operate food
stands and donate a portion oftheir proceeds to the KeystoneWounded Warrior Project. Hecan be reached at 570-466-3385or [email protected].
The Keystone Wounded War-rior Project is a Pennsylvania-based affiliate of the national
Wounded Warrior Project, whichaims to raise awareness and en-list the publics aid for the needsof injured service members, to
help injured service members as-sist each other.
Among the activities men-tioned on the Keystone Wound-ed Warrior Projects Facebookpage are a fly-fishing weekendfor veterans, a golf tournamentand participation as a team inthe Philadelphia marathon in
November. It mentions a semi-nar held in Reading in April thatwas designed to warn veteransabout scams that might targetthem.
On its website, the organi-zation reported it had helpedsome veterans find employmentand had provided one-year gymmemberships to other injured
veterans to help with their recu-peration.
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TIMES LEADER www.timesleader.comTuESDAy, JunE 11, 2013 N E W SPAGE 4A
SHICKSHINNY Authori-ties searching for a wanted mansaid they uncovered a metham-phetamine laboratoryin thebase-ment of a Glen Avenue house,the second discovery of a methoperation in the tiny borough ina week.
Police said a large amountof methamphetamine was be-ing cooked inside 10 Glen Ave.,
where two teenagers were resid-ing with Victoria Ann Maslar, 42,and her husband, David Maslar,53, on Thursday.
The discovery was made whenauthorities went to the Maslarhousehold searching for a fugi-tive.
It was the second meth discov-ery in the borough in four days,
prompting a plea for help fromShickshinny officials.
Stephen Rodney Reider, 32,was charged June 3 when policeinvestigating purchases of coldmedicine at area pharmacies
were led to his house at 14 BaerSt. where they allegedly found in-gredients and tools used to cookmeth, according to the criminalcomplaint.
Maslars house and Reidersresidence are less than 1/2 mileapart in the borough of fewerthan 900 residents.
Mayor Beverly Moore said bor-oughofficials have reached out tothe state Office of Attorney Gen-eral for assistance and guidance
for Shickshinny and other smallmunicipalities that have limitedpolice resources in battling meth-amphetamine production.
Shickshinny is patrolled bytwo part-time officers splitting25 hours a week, with council ap-proving 10 extra hours to workdrug enforcement during themonth of June, Moore said. Shenoted the two officers are not ex-
perienced drug officers.Small communities like ourshave to come together, she said.We survived a devastating flood.
We can stand up and come to-gether for this.
Moore said she is hoping theAGs office can provide educationand training, not only for the twopart-time officers, but also forres-idents in what to look for if theycome upon a methamphetaminelab, whether inside a house or ina car.
The Maslars werechargedwithpossession with intent to manu-facture a controlled substance,child endangerment, recklessendangerment and possessionof a controlled substance. They
were released from the LuzerneCounty Correctional Facility af-ter posting $25,000 bail each onSaturday.
Arrest papers say borough po-lice contacted state police drugtroopers after finding a largecontainer with a white substanceand liquid in the basement thatburned their eyes and mouths.
Troopers with the state policeclandestine team removed the
container, which tested posi-tive for a very large amount ofmethamphetamine, arrest papersallege.
Police said the Maslars had
purchased pseudoephedrine 17times at area pharmacies sinceJanuary. The purchases weremade by the Maslars submittingtheir identification cards that
were electronically recorded pri-or to purchases, according to ar-rest papers.
A 13-year-old girl anda 15-year-old boy were living in the house
when the methamphetamine wasallegedly discovered in the base-ment.
Shickshinny seeks aid in battling meth labsMayor hopes state attorney
general can provide guidance,
training for officers, residents.
ByEDWARDLEWIS
Recent meth bustsPolice found ingredients for meth
in two Shickshinny homes
1. 10 Glen Ave
2 14 Baer St.
FRED ADAMS PHOTOS/FOR THE TIMES LEADER
Police said that on Thursday they found a large amount ofmethamphetamine that was being cooked inside this residenceat 10 Glen Ave. in Shickshinny.
Stephen Rodney Reider was charged June 3 when police inves-tigating purchases of cold medicine at area pharmacies wereled to his house at 14 Baer St., Shickshinny, where they alleg-edly found ingredients and tools used to cook meth, accordingto the criminal complaint.
Labor Day Festival to benefit Wounded Warrior ProjectW-B residet plas activities
that will also highlight areas
labor heritage.
ByMARY THERESEBIEBEL
WILKES-BARRE Wilkes-Barre Area School Board votedoverwhelmingly against a pro-
posal to hire member JamesSuseks wife for part-time sum-mer work Monday. The boardalso tabled a vote on a contractfor a long-delayed key-card en-try system after several mem-bers raised questions of the bid-ding process.
A three-page list of person-nel actions included appointingthree women to do cleaningandmaintenance work foreight
weeks at a maximum of 32hours per week for the summer,includingMary AnnSusek, wifeof Board Member James Susek.James Susek abstained whileLouis Elmy, Lynn Evans, Chris-tine Katsock, Maryanne Toole,
Shawn Walker and Board Presi-dent John Quinn voted no.
After the meeting Susek saidhis wife has worked for the dis-trict since 1997 andthat shehasbeen hired for summer work al-most every year but two.
In thesamevote, Katsock andToole voted against acceptingthe resignation of Andrew Kuhlas director of secondary educa-tion effective June 27. Katsock
questioned how Kuhl couldbe resigning June 27 when he
was sworn in at his new job asHanover Area SuperintendentJune 5.
Whenit cametime to award acontract for district-wide accesscards for all buildings, designedto help track which employeesenter and exit a building when,Evans was the first to raise con-cerns, despite having pushedfor the system for years.
Evans noted the contractcalled for the system to be usedat three or four doors in eachbuilding when she had repeat-edly urged only one door beused initially for all employeesunder the new system. Sheasked why her request to seebid specifications before they
were sent out was not filled.Purchasing director Jim Post
said he and building adminis-trators had conducted a reviewof buildings to determinewhichdoors should have the system,
with the help of Torbik Safe andLock of Wilkes-Barre as con-sultant. That raised new con-cerns by Katsock, who said shethought the district couldntlegally use a consultant who
would also bid. Torbik, in fact,was the low bidder at $99,585.
WBA board memberswife rejected for jobByMARKGUYDISH
Cyber school is only option forsummer school in DallasBySUSANDENNEYTimes Leader Correspondent
DALLAS TWP. Cyberschool will now be the only op-tion for summer school in theDallas School District.
High school teacher JenniferLamoreaux and Vice Princi-pal Brian Bradshaw outlinedthe new summer school pro-gram before the school boardsmonthly work meeting onMonday night.
Also, the board passed the2013-14 final budget of $33.6million with no changes fromthe plan proposed in May. Thebudget calls for a 2 percent in-crease in taxes this fall.
Thats about $37 for theaverage property owner, Busi-nessManager Grant Palfeytoldthe board at Mays meeting.
Board member MaureenMatiska cast the lone no vote.She said after the meeting thatthe budget did not meet herapproval because it did not putmoney aside for the elemen-tary school.
Summer school will not be
used for acceleration but willbe offered to students whohave lost credit in one or moreclasses. Bradshaw said packetshave gone out to students who
were recommended by thecounselors for remediation.
The cost of the program willbe $100 for one-half credit and$200 for a full credit. Arrange-ments for lending laptops canbe made for those students
who do not have a computer athome.
Bradshaw and Lamoreauxalso said the district had saved$108,000 in fees which wouldhave gone to charter schoolsin its first year of cyber school.
The program also created stu-dent success and increasedgraduation rates.
Lamoreaux said four stu-dents who had planned to dropout were able to graduate withtheir class this year because ofthe cyber program.
In all, eight seniors this yearused the cyber school to helpthem earn enough credits tograduate.
7/28/2019 Times Leader 06-11-2013
5/32
KABUL, Afghanistan Seven Taliban fighters withrocket-propelled grenades andmachine guns launched a rareassault on NATOsoperationalheadquarters at the militarysection of Kabuls interna-tional airport on Monday. Allseven militants were killed.
Their failed attack showedthat despite an asphyxiatingsecurity blanket around thecapital, Afghanistans insur-gency is far from defeated af-ter nearly 12 years of war, andmilitants can still menace thecapital.
Gunfireand explosions fromthe pre-dawn battle could beheard in many parts of Kabul.No one was killed except theattackers, but it emphasizedthe challenges faced by Af-
ghanistans fledgling securityforces as they prepare to takethe lead from a U.S.-led coali-tion that is rapidly withdraw-ing its remaining forces.
The spectacular attacks areaimed at demoralizing thepopulation and sowing mis-trust in the Afghan securityforces ability to protect theircitizens rather than mili-tary gains.
We can expect high pro-file attacks, we can expectinsider threats and we canexpect maybe some assassi-nations, said German Gen.Gunter Katz, spokesman forthe U.S.-led International Se-
curity Assistance Force. Weadapt our security measuresappropriately, we assess thesecurity situation on a perma-nent basis and we remain very
vigilant.
The Taliban, who claimedresponsibility for the airportattack, have been testing Af-ghan security forces as for-eign combat troops pull backmore than a decade after theU.S.-led invasion to oust the
Taliban regime for shelter-ing al-Qaidas leadership afterthe Islamic extremist grouplaunched the Sept. 11, 2001,terrorist attacks in the UnitedStates.
In declaring their springcampaign, the Taliban saidthey would target Afghanand coalition forces and gov-ernment officials around thecountry. Although they said
they would not target civil-ians, the overwhelming num-
ber of dead and wounded sofar has beenordinary Afghans.
TIMES LEADER www.timesleader.com TUESDAY, JUNE 11, 2013N A T I O N & W O R L D PAGE 5A
WASHINGTON
Talks on arming Syria rebelsThe Obama administration
began discussing Monday whetherthe Assad regimes rapid militaryadvance across the heart of Syrianecessitates a drastic U.S. response,
with officials saying a decision onarming beleaguered rebels could hap-pen later this week.
Top aides from the State andDefense Departments, the CIA andother agencies were gathering fora deputies meeting at the WhiteHouse on Monday afternoon. There,theyll seek to lay the groundworkfor a meeting that President BarackObama will hold with his seniornational security staff, planned for
Wednesday, said U.S. officials, whowerent authorized to speak pub-licly on the closed-doors talks anddemanded anonymity.
Moved by the Syrian regimesrapid advance, officials say the ad-ministration could approve lethal aidfor the rebels in the coming days.
BAGHDAD
Bombings kill at least 57A wave of car bombings rocked
central and northern Iraq on Monday,killing at least 57 people and extend-ing the deadliest eruption of violenceto hit the country in years.
Attackers initially targeted market-goers early in the morning, then
turned their sights on police and armyposts after sunset. Security forcesscrambled to contain the violence,blocking a key road in central Iraqand imposing a curfew in the formerSunni insurgent stronghold of Mosulafter the blasts went off.
Killing in Iraq has spiked to levelsnot seen since 2008.
SANFORD, FLA.
Zimmerman trial beginsOn the first day of his trial Monday,
George Zimmerman got a look at thepeople who might decide whetherhe committed second-degree mur-der when he fatally shot 17-year-old
Trayvon Martin.The first group of 100 potential
jurors filled out questionnairesabout themselves and their ability toserve on the jury as prosecutors anddefense attorneys sought to find sixobjective members and four alter-nates.
In Florida, 12 jurors are requiredonly for criminal trials involvingcapital cases, when the death penaltyis being considered.
Zimmerman was present in thejury holding room as his defenseattorneys and prosecutors introducedthemselves to the potential jurors.
DETROIT
Testimony in girls shootingA Detroit grandmother testified
Monday that she could only watch in
terror as masked police officers withguns drawn stormed her home in ahunt for a murder suspect that led to
the fatal shooting of her 7-year-oldgranddaughter.
Officer Joseph Weekley is charged
with involuntary manslaughter in theMay 2010 death of Aiyana Stanley-
Jones, who was asleep on a couchwhen police raided the house.
Aiyanas grandmother, 50-year-oldMertilla Jones, said after a flash-bang
grenade exploded through a window
she rolled onto the floor and was lyingon her stomach facing the door when
Detroit special response team mem-bers forced their way inside.
Weekley has said his gun acciden-tally fired when Jones bumped into
him or grabbed it. Prosecutors say hewas negligent in failing to control hisweapon.
I N B R I E F
AP PHOTO
An Afghan security and intelligence official inspects wreck-age Monday at the site of a suicide attack near Kabul mili-tary airport in Kabul on Monday.
AP PHOTO
Release of detainees demandedYemeni Shiite Hawthis demonstrateMonday to demand the release ofpolitical detainees near intelligenceheadquarters in Sanaa, Yemen.Clashes between Shiite protestersand security forces in Yemens capitalSunday killed many people andwounded more than 80, a Yemenisecurity official said.
Taliban rebels attack Kabul airportSuicide assault on NATOs
operational headquarters
challenges Afghan security.
ByPATRICKQUINN
Associated Press
US Senateby 66-27approvesfarm bill
WASHINGTON The Sen-ate on Monday night passed afive-year, half-trillion-dollar farmbill that expands governmentsubsidies for crop insurance,rice and peanuts while makingsmall cuts to food stamps.
The bill passed on a biparti-san 66-27 vote. The legislation,
which costs almost $100 billionannually, also would eliminatesubsidies paid to farmers wheth-er they farm or not. It wouldsave about $2.4 billion a year onthe food and nutrition programs,including across-the-board cutsthat took effect earlier this year.
The bill also would set policyfor programs to protect environ-mentally sensitive land, interna-tional food aid and several proj-ects to help rural communities.
The Senate passed a similarfarm bill last year. House Speak-er John Boehner, R-Ohio, saidMonday that his chamber willtake up its version of the farmbill this month.
Pointing to cuts in the bill,Senate Agriculture Chairwom-an Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich.,says the legislation is the mostreform-minded farm bill in de-cades. But it would still gener-ously subsidize corn, soybeans,
wheat, cotton, rice, sugar andother major crops grown by U.S.farmers. It would also set policyfor programs to protect environ-mentally sensitive land, interna-tional food aid and other proj-ects to help rural communities.
The Senate passed a similarfarm billlast year on a bipartisan64-35 vote.
The Houses action on its ownversion of the farm bill could bea contentious and much morepartisan floor fight over domes-tic food aid, which makes up al-most 80 percent of thebills cost.
The Senate rejected amend-ments on food stamp cuts, pre-serving the $400 million annualdecrease. The bills farm-statesupporters also fended off ef-forts to cut sugar, tobacco andother farm supports.
The bill also would overhauldairy policy by creating a newinsurance program for dairy pro-ducers, eliminating other dairysubsidies and price supports.
The new policy includes a mar-
ket stabilization program thatcould dictate production cuts
when oversupply drives downprices.
Chairwoman Stabenow calls it
most reform-minded farm bill
in decades.
ByMARYCLARE JALONICK
Associated Press
WALNUT CREEK, Calif. Tenelderly women escaped unharmedwhen the limousine they were inburst into flames while idling inNorthern California, authorities anda passenger said.
The Sunday morning fire in Wal-nut Creek came a little more than amonth after five nurses were killedwhile trapped inside a burning lim-ousine on the San Mateo-HaywardBridge.
Fire crews were called to a gated
community in Walnut Creek around11:35 a.m. Sunday for a vehicle fire.They quickly put out the burning2009 Lincoln Town Car, a dispatchertold the Contra Costa Times.
Many of the women were in their90s. They were apparently headed
to Sonoma to celebrate a friends96th birthday.Passenger Mary Chapman told
KGO-TV the driver of the limousinetold everyone to get out, and sheand two other women who weremore able-bodied helped others es-cape. She smelled and saw smokeand said flames erupted secondslater.
When I looked out, there werered flames all over the place andblack smoke, Chapman said, stand-ingin frontof thecharred limousine.
And now you can see the result.The other passengers were depen-
dent on walkers and canes, she said.The limousine has been inspected
and maintained, Claudius Oliveira,owner of Town Car SF, which oper-ates the limousine, told KGO-TV.
He attributed the fire to the limoselectrical system and said a manu-facturers defect was to blame.
Im speechless because this is anew car. I keep great records ofthe cars, Oliveira said.
Walnut Creek police are investi-gating the fire and have alerted theCalifornia Highway Patrol about it,Lt. Lanny Edwards told the ContraCosta Times.
The CHP is investigating the May4 fire on the San Mateo-HaywardBridge.
AP PHOTO
In this photo from Sunday, tow truck driver Danny Brady hooks up a burned-out 2009 Lincoln Town Car limousine ina driveway along Skycrest Drive in the Rossmoor community of Walnut Creek, Calif.
Elderly women escape burning limoVehicle burst into flames as pas-
sengers, many in their 90s, were
on their way to a birthday party.
The Associated Press
No charges are expected in fatal shooting by boy, 4
PRESCOTT VALLEY,Ariz. Police arent ex-pected to seek charges inthe death of an Arizona man
who was accidentally shotby his 4-year-old son, author-ities said.
Justin Stanfield Thomas,35, was fatally shot Fridayafter he and his son traveledfrom Phoenix to a friendshome 90 miles away in thenorthern Arizona commu-nity of Prescott Valley for asurprise visit.
The boy found the load-
ed gun in the home withinminutes of arrival, asked aquestion about it and pulledthe trigger, Prescott ValleyPolice spokesman BrandonBonney said.
Thomas later died at ahospital.
The child has been withhis mother since the day theshooting occurred.
Bonney said the gunshould have been lockedaway, but that Thomasfriend, whose identity hasntbeenreleased,was caught offguard by the unannounced
visit. No children lived in thehouse.
Theyre processing ev-
erything to see where theystand with the interviewsand the crime scene investi-gation and see if everything
is matchingup, Bonney toldThe Prescott Daily Courier.
Th d ib d
Thomas as an Army specialforces veteran who served inI
Arizona child shoots dad
while visiting a friend who
hada loadedpistol in home.
The Associated Press
AP PHOTO
Police stand outside a home in Prescott Valley, Ariz.,where an Arizona man was accidentally shot by his4-year-old son.
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BALBERCHAK - Daniel, funeral10 a.m. today at the WroblewskiFuneral Home Inc., 1442 WyomingAve., Forty Fort. Mass of ChristianBurial 10:30 a.m. in St. ElizabethAnn Seton Parish, Swoyersville.BIGA - Loretta, Mass of ChristianBurial 10 a.m. today in SacredHeart Church, Duryea. Thoseattending the Mass should godirectly to the church. There are
no calling hours.DOUGHER - James, funeral 10:15a.m. today in the Peter J. AdonizioFuneral Home, 251 William St.,Pittston. Mass of Christian Burial 11a.m. in Our Lady of the EucharistParish, 535 N. Main St., Pittston.HAAS - Evelyn, funeral 11 a.m.today at the George A. Strish Inc.Funeral Home, 105 N. Main St., Ash-ley. Friends may call 10 a.m. until
time of service at 11 a.m.KILE - Dorothy, funeral 9:30 a.m.today at the George A. Strish Inc.Funeral Home, 211 W. Main St, GlenLyon. Mass of Christian Burial 10a.m. in Holy Spirit Parish/St. Adal-berts Church, Glen Lyon. Friendsmay call 8:30 to 9:30 a.m.
The Times Leader publishesfree obituaries, which have a27-line limit, and paid obituar-ies, which can run with a pho-tograph. Obituaries must besubmitted by 9 p.m. Sundaythrough Thursday and 7:30p.m. Friday and Saturday.
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LAWRENCE J. (LARRY)GALAZIN, 61, of OverlookDrive, Nanticoke, passed awaySunday at the Birchwood Nurs-ing and Rehabilitation Center,Nanticoke.
A memorial Mass will beheld later this month at a timeto be announced. Arrangementsare by the Stanley S. SteguraFuneral Home Inc., Nanticoke.
FRANCIS X. QUARE, 81, ofKingston, passed away Sun-
day at his home surroundedby his family. His wife of 62years is Irene Yanchik Quare.He was born Dec. 16, 1931, inthe Parsons section of Wilkes-Barre. He was the son of thelate Michael and Helen DeversQuare. He was a veteran ofthe Korean War serving as aprivate first class in the U.S.Army. He was employed as acarpenter throughout his life.He was preceded in death by abrother, Michael Jr. Surviving,in addition to his wife, Irene, arehis children, Frank, David andAnn; his brothers Thomas and
William; five grandchildren andfive great-grandchildren.
Funeral serviceswill be held at the con-venience of the family.Arrangements are en-
trusted to the care of the SimonS. Russin Funeral Home, 136Maffett St., Plains Township.
CARMINE GUERRIERI,84, died on Friday in Sebring,Fla. He is survived by his son,George Guerrieri, and wifeMercedes, of Long Island, N.Y.;and his granddaughter, BethanyGuerrieri of Long Island, N.Y.
Funeral services are at 9:30a.m. Saturday at the Thomas P.Kearney Funeral Home Inc., 517N. Main St., Old Forge. Friendsmay call from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday.
MARJORIE K. LARUSSO,81, of Moosic, passed awayMonday. She is survived by
her beloved husband, AnthonyLaRusso Sr. She is also survivedby her son, Anthony LaRussoJr., and wife Marion, of Scran-ton; her daughters, RosanneKolberg of Columbia, S.C.; LynnSpiecker of Monroe Township,N.J.; Lisa Wilkins and husbandRichard, of Factoryville, andPhyllis LaRusso of Taylor.
Memorial services will beheld at 11 a.m. Thursday in ElmPark United Methodist Church,712 Linden St., Scranton.
FUNERALS
Daniel W. DymondJune 7, 2013
Daniel W. Dymond, 72, of Falls,passed away Friday in theWilkes-Barre General Hospital.
Born in Kingston, he was theson of the late Daniel and AnnaClara Dymond. He was a gradu-ate of Tunkhannock High School,Class of 1957. Prior to his retire-ment, he was employed by Cas-cade Paper. He was a veteran of
the U.S. Army. He was a memberof the Vernon Baptist Church.Daniel had a passion for hunting,fishing, pets and gardening. Hedearly enjoyed his yearly trips toCanada.
Preceding him in death was hiswife, Mary Lou Hoyt Dymond.
Surviving are his niece andcaregiver, Phyllis Reed, Falls;sisters, Erma Corby, Falls; AnnaSands and her husband, Korah,Falls; brother, Wilbur Dymond,and his wife, Lillian, Towanda;several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services willbe held at 2 p.m. Thurs-
day in the Nulton-Kopcza FuneralHome, 5749 SR 309 (Beaumont),Monroe Township.
Interment will be in the FitchCemetery, North Moreland.Friends may call from noon untiltime of service.
In lieu of flowers, memorialcontributions may be made to
True Friends, 16332 SR 706, Mon-trose, PA 18801.
John (Jack) H. Ellis IIIJune 8, 2013
John (Jack) H. Ellis III, 90, ofKingston, went home to bewith our Lord on Saturday.
Born in Edwardsville, June 6,1923, he was the son of the lateJohn and Blodwyn Edwards Ellis.He was a graduate of Edwards-
ville High School, class of 1941.During World War II, he served
in the Air Force as a medic. Hemet his wife, Helen Bogdanow-icz in March 1946 and they weremarried Nov. 25, 1947. In Novem-ber 2012, they were married 65,
years.After the war, he attended Wil-
kes College and was initially em-ployed by Glen Alden Coal Co.in their accounting office. Later,Jack was employed by KingstonNational Bank and spent the next40 years in the banking industryuntil his retirement in the early1990s. Jack and his wife enjoyeddancing. In his retirement years,he belonged to societies as theBig Band, the Italian-AmericanClub, and Party of the Month. Hespent most of his retired years at-tending his grandchildrens activi-ties.
Jack was a member ofthe VFW,the Masonic Lodge 395 for more-
than0 years, the Bloomsburg Con-sistory and was a Irem TempleShriner.
He was a life member of theDr. Edwards Memorial Congrega-tional Church, where he served asa Deacon and currently a trusteeof the church.
Surviving are his wife of 65years, Helen; his daughter, Helen-marie, and husband Walter (Pete)Petrofski; his son, Dr. John H. El-lis IV, and his wife, Sharon; grand-children, Dr. Jason Petrofski andhis wife, Tamara; Amy Marr andher husband, Cory; Dennis Ellisand his wife, Maryann; Lyndsay,John, Christopher and Justin El-
lis; great-grandchildren, Riley,Braelyn and Quinn Marr; TaylorandJack Petrofski; MiaEllis, Mor-gan and Adriana; sisters, BlodwynBarclay and Margaret Jacoby, inaddition to multiple nieces andnephews.
Funeral services willbe held 10 a.m. Wednes-day in the Dr. EdwardsMemorial Congregational
Church, Main and Church streets,Edwardsville, with the Rev LouisFalcone, pastor, officiating. Inter-ment will follow in Mount Green-
wood Cemetery, Shavertown.Family and friends may call
from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Dr. Ed-wards Memorial Congregation-al Church, Church and Mainstreets, Edwardsville.
The family asks that flowers beomitted and memorial donationsbe made to the Dr. Edwards Me-morial Congregational Church.
His family wishes to thank allthose kind and wonderful caregiv-ers who cared for him during hisstays at the Wilkes-Barre GeneralHospital and the Meadows Nurs-ing Home.
Funeral arrangements are un-der the care of the Edwards andRussin Funeral Home, 717 MainSt., Edwardsville.
Francis J. Frank KusJune 7, 2013
Francis J. Frank Kus, 83, ofMain Street, Sugar Notch,
passed away Friday at his home,surrounded by his loving family.
Frank was born in Ohio on Oct.3, 1929.
He was the son of the late Johnand Helen (Domanski) Kus. Frank
was a graduate of Sugar NotchHigh School and was employed asa general foreman for the Labor-ers Local Union 215.
Frank was preceded in death byhis first wife, the former TheresaHudak.
Surviving are his wife, the for-
mer Janet Bresney; daughter, The-resa Johnson, and her husband,Howard; sons, Joseph Kus andcompanion Bernice; Frank Kusand wife Barbara; Mark Kus and
wife Janet; stepdaughters, Lisaand Paula; stepson, Samuel; nu-merous grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and nieces andnephews.
Private funeral services wereheld from the George A. StrishInc. Funeral Home, 105 N. MainSt., Ashley. Private interment washeld in St. Marys Cemetery, Ha-nover Township.
Edith M. Daron
June 10, 2013
Edith M. Daron, 86, of HickoryHills Road, Dallas, died onMonday at Hospice CommunityCare Unit, Wilkes-Barre.
Born in Wilkes-Barre, she wasthe daughter of the late Arthurand Violet Hirthler Anderson.She graduated from Kingston
Township High School, class of1945. Edith had resided in Dallasfor the past 51 years.
Preceding her in death wereher husband, Durland E. Daron,1991; brothers, Arthur and JohnAnderson.
Surviving are her son, Craig,and his wife, Ruth, Shaver-town; daughter, Jill Tomek, andher husband, Richard, Dallas;grandchildren, Kyle, Katie, Kelly
Tomek, James, Bethany and Ja-son Daron; numerous nieces andnephews.
Funeral service will be at 11a.m. on Wednesday at the HughB. Hughes & Son Inc. FuneralHome, 1044 Wyoming Ave.,Forty Fort, with the Rev. MarcE. Ramirel, pastor of the Fellow-ship Church, Dallas, officiating.
The interment will be in Memo-rial Shrine Cemetery, Carverton.
Friends and family may callfrom 10 a.m. until service timeat the funeral home.
Memorial contributions, ifdesired, can be made to St. JudeChildrens Research Hospital,501 St. Jude Place, Memphis,
TN 38015 or to the FellowshipChurch, 45 Hildebrandt Road,Dallas, PA 18612.
For information or to sendthe family an online message ofcondolence, you may visit thefuneral home website at hughb-hughes.com.
Elizabeth BettyLandmesser
June 10, 2013
Dolores RegulskiJune 10, 2013
Dolores Regulski, 68, of Hun-lock Creek, passed awayMonday at home.
Mrs. Regulski was born in Nan-ticoke on Jan. 3, 1945, and wasthe daughter of the former Eliza-beth Krynik of Hunlock Creekand the late Andrew Pastuszak.
Dolores graduated from Nan-ticoke High School in 1963 andreceived her bachelors degree asa registered nurse from LuzerneCounty Community College in1986. She began her career atMercy Progressive Care Unit in
Wilkes-Barre, was employed byGeisinger Wyoming Valley Medi-cal Center for two years and re-tired from State Correctional In-stitution, Dallas, after 16 years ofservice. She was a member of the
Sweet Valley Church of Christ.Dolores enjoyed golfing, and hergrandchildren were the lights ofher life.
Surviving, in addition to hermother, are her husband of 49
years, Charles J. Regulski; daugh-ter, Jacqueline Stanton of Hun-lock Creek; sister, Andrea Jonesof Harrisburg; grandchildren,Robert and Taylor.
A private funeral service will
be held at the convenience of thefamily, with Pastor Joel Staufferof the Sweet Valley Church ofChrist officiating.
There will be no calling hours.
Arrangements are by the CurtisL. Swanson Funeral Home Inc.,corner of routes 29 and 118, PikesCreek.
Memorial contributions can bemade to the Sweet Valley Churchof Christ, 5439 Main Road, SweetValley, PA 18656 or Hospice ofthe Sacred Heart, 600 BaltimoreDrive, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702.
Online condolences can bemade at clswansonfuneralhome.com.
Elizabeth Bet-
ty Landmess-er, 93 , of Nich-olson Street,
Wilke s-B arr e,forme rly of Regent Street,passe d intoeternal rest on
Monday at Geisinger South Hos-pice Unit.
Elizabeth was born in Potts-ville, on Dec. 14, 1919 and wasthe daughter of Mary and JohnMorgan of Pottsville. She was amember of St. Robert BellarmineParish (formerly St. Aloysius),
Wilkes-Barre, and volunteeredfor 20 years at the annual bazaaras chairman of the doll booth andlater became known as the DollLady. In her younger years she
was a hairdresser by trade but
worked most of her life in retail atS.S Kresges and American Cloth-ing. She graduated from HanoverHigh School and was a graduateof Madame Fenwicks BeautySchool.
She was preceded in death byher husband of 55 years, RonaldD. Landmesser; brothers, Leo,Joseph and William Engle, andsisters, Marie Hughes and Jose-phine Williams; as well as son-in-law Andrew Evanoski Sr.
She is survived by daughter,Debra Evanoski; grandchildren,Holly Evanoski and AndrewEvanoski Jr. along with his wife,Shara, as well as numerous niecesand nephews.
Funeral services will beheld at 10 a.m. Thursday in St.Robert Bellermine Parish (St.
Aloysius Church), Wilkes-Barre.Interment will be at St. MarysCemetery, Hanover Township.Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m.
Wednesday at the Desiderio Fu-neral Home Inc., 679 Carey Ave.,Hanover Township.
The family requests those at-tending the funeral Mass Thurs-day to assemble at the church.
Florence J.CalafutJune 9, 2013
Florence J.Calafut, 87,of Carbondaledied Sundayat the V NAHospice Unitof GeisingerCMC, Scran-ton.
She was the widow of Frank L.Calafut, who died in 2005.
Born in Simpson, she was thedaughter of the late Adam andMartha Kiehart Smith. She wasa graduate of Fell High School,Simpson. She had been em-ployed by Waymart Knit WearCo., Waymart.
Florence was a member ofSt. Michaels Church/ St. RoseParish, Simpson, and a mem-ber of the former Confrater-nity of Christian Mothers andGuild. She was a loving motherand grandmother who will bemissed.
Sheis survivedby a son,FrankCalafut, and wife Margaret, Car-bondale; two daughters, AnnMarie and husband Jack Ruane,Laceyville, and Janice Calafut,
Carbondale; brother, AndrewSmith; two sisters, Helen Je-drasiak and Genevieve Ostanik;six grandchildren, Tina andhusband Jim Yarnall; Kelly andhusband Jimmy Kulsicavage;Shannon, Adam and Ethan Cala-fut; Brandon Calafut and wifeChrysa; two great-grandchildren,Hunter and Elaina Kulsicavage;nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death byfour brothers, Michael, Francis,Edward and Henry Smith, andtwo sisters, Martha Kowalskyand Adelia Mihalik.
The funeral will be Wednes-day from the Joseph W. Scotch-las Funeral Home Inc., 621 MainSt.,Simpson, withMass of Chris-tian Burial at 10:30 a.m. in St.Michaels Church, 46 Midland
St., Simpson. Interment will bein the parish cemetery. Friendsmay call Wednesday from 9 to10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memo-rial contributions may be madeto St. Anns Basilica, 1233 St.Anns St., Scranton, PA 18504 orAmerican Cancer Society, 712 S.Keyser Ave., Taylor. The family
will provide flowers. For direc-tions or condolences, visit www.scotchlasfuneralhome.com.
Mary ChopyakJune 8, 2013
Mary Susan Emily Chopyak,92, passed away at home onSaturday in Hughestown.
She was born on June 3, 1921,in Bitumen, Pa., to John Volanskyand Mary Minno Volansky. In herearly years, she lived in Bingham-ton, N.Y.; Hughestown, Dupontand New York City. After she mar-ried John Chopyak, she resided inHughestown until her passing onSaturday.
Mary graduated from St. Johnthe Baptist School and belongedto St. John the Baptist Church inPittston. For many years she wasa member of the Christian Moth-ers Association, Altar and RosarySociety and the Blue Army orga-
nization. When St. John the Bap-tist Church closed, Mary becamea member of St. John the Evange-list parish community.
Her main focus in life, aroundwhich everything else revolved,was her love for Jesus and Mary,His Mother. This was evidencedby her daily attendance at Massfor most of her life, her defenseof the Faith, her generosity, kind-ness, love and compassion. Maryhad a magnetic personality thatattracted everyone she met. Onebrief encounter with her becamean unforgettable experience. Shetruly was a most loving person,and especially a very caring wife,
wonderful devoted mother andgrandmother.
She was preceded in death byher husband, John Chopyak, who
died on Dec. 26, 1987, and herdaughter Mary Ann, who diedon Dec. 24, 2010; sisters CeceliaMlodgenski and Theresa Colac-chi; brothers John, Andrew, Jo-seph, Michael and Frank Volan-sky.
Surviving are sons, John A. andwife Judy, of Plymouth; Georgeand wife Anne, of Buckhannon,
W.Va.; Daniel and fiancee MarilynSmith, Hughestown; daughterNaomi Chopyak,whoresidedwithMary, Hughestown; Marys long-time family friend of special note,M.A. Saleem, M.D.; sisters, HelenColorafi of Brooklyn, N.Y.; Anna
Welch, Gardner, Kan.; Lillian Sh-emanski, West Melbourne, Fla.;brotheres Edward Volansky, Nau-gatuck, Conn.; George Volansky,Dupont; two grandchildren, TaliaChopyak and Rebecca Chopyak
Williams; one great-grandchild,Wesley Williams; numerous step-grandchildren; step great-grand-children; nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be heldWednesday from the Kizis-LokutaFuneral Home, 134 Church St.,Pittston. A Mass of ChristianBurial will be celebrated at 9:30a.m. in St. John the EvangelistChurch, William Street, Pittston.Interment will be in St. John theBaptist Slovak Cemetery, School-ey Avenue, Exeter. Friends maycall from 5 to 8 p.m. today at thefuneral home.
LILLIAN UREN, 79, ofWilkes-Barre passed away Sun-day in ManorCare in Kingston.She was born Sept. 23, 1933,and was the daughter of the lateMichael And Monica Zafia and
was the youngest of 10 children.
She was formerly employed byPlymouth Dress. She was pre-ceded in death by her husband,Joseph, son, Joseph, and grand-daughter Marcia Zamber. Lillianis survived by her daughter,Jean Neely, and husband Rick,Plymouth; niece, Amy Uren,Hanover; three grandchildren;11 great-grandchildren; onegreat-great-grandchild.
A memorial service willbe held at 7 p.m. Thursday at
Williams-Hagen Funeral HomeInc., 114 W. Main St., Plymouth.Friends may call from 5 p.m.until time of service.
Eugene Robert McKeown Sr.June 10, 2013
Eugene Robert McKeown Sr.,78, of Swoyersville, passedaway peacefully at home on Mon-day.
Born Dec. 23, 1934, in WestNanticoke, he was the son of thelate Edward and Elizabeth Rob-erts McKeown. Eugene was agraduate of Harter High School in
West Nanticoke. He was formerlyemployed by Plymouth Borough,the Royer Foundry, Kingston, andby the Capital Building ServicesGroup.
Eugene was a member andPast Grand Knight of the Knightsof Columbus Assumpta CouncilNo. 3987, Luzerne, and was a 4thDegree member of Our Lady OfCzestochowa Assembly No. 1928.He currently served on the Boardof Directors of Assumpta Coun-cil and was District Warden forDistrict 36. He was also a mem-ber of the American Legion Post558, Plains; Trustee of the SlovakLeague of America Branch 474,and an Associate Member of theFraternal Order of Police, FrankAlbert Memorial Lodge, Wyo-ming.
In addition to his parents, hewas preceded in death by broth-ers, Lawrence and Edward McKe-own, and sister Ruth McKeownStortz.
He is survived by his lovingcompanion of 26 years, DorothyChisarick, Swoyersville, with
whom he resided;sons, EugeneR.McKeown Jr., Kingston, and his
wife, Beth; David L. McKeown,North Carolina, and his wife, Co-lette; daughter, Linda McKeownLetteer, Wilkes-Barre, and herhusband, Lance; grandchildren,Brittany, Kyle, Erika, Kaitlyn andMartin McKeown, and Laurenand Lance Michael Letteer; great-grandchild, Khloey Lamoreaux;several nieces and nephews.
Funeral will be held at 9:30a.m. Thursday at the KopickiFuneral Home, Zerbey Avenue,Kingston, with Office of ChristianBurial at 10 a.m. in St. MarysByzantine Church, ChestnutStreet, Kingston. Interment willbe in St. Marys Byzantine Catho-lic Cemetery, Edwardsville.
Friends may call from 5 to 8p.m. Wednesday.
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EDITORIAL
TUESDAY, JUNE 11, 2013 PAgE 7ATIMES LEADER www.timesleader.com S E R V I N G T H E P U B L I C T R U S T S I N C E 1 8 8 1
OUR OPINION: PROPERTY VALUES
Reassessment:
Get ready nowI
T IS EASY to see why manyLuzerne County officialsand property owners cringeat talk of another county-
wide property value reassess-ment. The reassessment processthat changed taxes for almosteveryone in 2009 was long, ex-pensive and contentious.
It was also unequivocally nec-essary. At the time, the county
was still using assessed valuesfrom 1965. Between then and2009 we had gone from orbit-ing chipmunks to landing menon the moon, from room-sizedcomputers with tape reel data
storage to desktops and laptopsand thumb drives, from tanks inVietnam to unmanned drones inAfghanistan.
The point is, things changed unless you were a propertyowner in Luzerne County.Here, your assessed value onlychanged when you bought andsold. Which created staggeringinequity in who was paying howmuch in taxes.
While reassessment broughtmany howls of new inequity, in-dependent reviews have shownthe system here is now amongthe fairest in the state. To keep itthat way, the officials who votedfor reassessment last time also
proposed the assessments be up-dated every four years.
That hasnt happened for a lotof good reasons. Votersapprovedchanging the form of countygovernment from three full-timecommissioners to an 11-memberpart-time council, a move thatconsumed a great deal of timeandattention. Thecountyfinallystarted to face staggering debt,
which required large spending
cuts and layoffs.And the great recession hit,
not only shrinking the amountcoming into county coffers, butdepressing property values, thusthrowing the 2009 assessments
out of whack with sale prices.In fact, as reported in a TimesLeader page 1A story Sunday,County Assessment Office Di-rector Tony Alu suspects that, ashousing prices rebound, countyassessments will start to line upmore closely with sale prices.
Fair enough. But as the samestory showed, an analysis of 150properties sold in May provedassessed values are getting outof synch with sale prices. Prop-erties were sold for as little as 48percent of assessed value to asmuch as 448 percent of it.
This may not be the best timeto sink an estimate $2 millionplus into an assessment update.
The switch to a new county gov-ernment is not quite complete,balancing the county budget isstill a brutally tough trick, andthe economy and housing mar-kets may be on the rebound butremain fragile.
If county council chooses todelay reassessment, thats un-derstandable. But it cannot bean indefinite delay. Set a time-line, soon. Start setting aside
the money and setting up theprocess.
Because surely the lesson waslearned in 2009: The longer the
wait, the more inaccurate the as-sessed values, the more inequi-table the tax load, and the moreexpensive and contentious thefix.
MALLARD FILLMORE DOONESBURY
Transportation billis coming due
