In other business:
Council passed on first reading a $52 Emergency and Municipal Services Tax on all those making more than $9,400 a year.
Rejected the county government's offer to collect county taxes within the municipality for $1.50 per bill.
Congratulated Kevin Grevera, a Nanticoke police officer, on being named Luzerne County police officer of the year.
Announced the city had collected $50,000 in uncollected taxes this month, decreasing the total amount of uncollected taxes for the year to $70,000.

12/26/2004
Nanticoke tackles social issues with task force
By Elizabeth Skrapits , The Sunday Voice

Connie Mihalichko, an eighth grader in the Greater Nanticoke Area School District, and Sean Haines, a freshman, agree that Nanticoke is a pretty "beat" town.
"If you don't play basketball or sports, there's nothing to do," Haines said.
"Except bowling," Mihalichko added.
They said it would be nice to have an arcade or someplace similar, for kids to go.
"But drugs aren't going to go away, so something like that would be taken over, too," Mihalichko said.
"She said a mouthful," Nanticoke City Police Officer Kevin Grevera said, shaking his head. He sees firsthand the extent of the drug problem in town.
That is why the Greater Nanticoke Area Drug Task Force Inc., listened to the teens in town when they said that more than anything else, they wanted somewhere to go.
Mihalichko and Haines have been members of the GNA Youth Task Force almost from its inception in February. They both know people who were involved with drugs and want to help their peers avoid the problem.
Besides, there are things to do at the youth center, which is open Tuesday nights in the basement of St. Francis Church.
Task force board member Michael Kotch, who also is affiliated with Clearbrook Lodge, said the number-one relapse trigger for a recovering addict is boredom.
It's also about preventing kids from getting involved with drugs in the first place, board member James Samselski said.
"We can't tell kids to say 'no' and not give them an alternative,'' Samselski said. "That's what this whole thing is about."
Grevera said there are youth sports programs, but not everyone is into athletics. There is no indoor recreation in Nanticoke - nowhere for "latchkey kids" to go after school.
He pointed out that not only do kids need something to do, they need a safe place to do it, which is what the youth task force wants to provide.
Grevera said there is a "good majority" of kids involved in the program who are not necessarily at risk and who do not have drug problems. Diversity is a key element of the program.
"They have common ground in what they see in town - they want something better here," Grevera said.
Kotch said he and Samselski are both fathers of 14-year-old daughters, which is one reason they got involved with the task force. They remember there being more to do in Nanticoke when they were growing up.
"We see what's going on in this town. We don't want it for our kids and we don't want it for other peoples' kids," Kotch said.
Williams initially wanted to invite a Narcotics Anonymous chapter into Nanticoke. But they felt the city needed more, so over time, the GNA Drug Task Force was developed.
It was formed in Aug. 2003, with a board of trustees that includes doctors, clergy, school district personnel, mental health professionals, parents, and city councilmen.
When the task force was formed in February it began with three members, and now has about 35 active members.
Grevera said he went for help to Rev. William Langan of St. Francis Church, who became the GNA Task Force vice president. Langan sent out letters seeking support from churches of different faiths, and allowed the youth task force to meet in the basement of the church.
Board member Don Williams, who is also treasurer of Clearbrook Lodge, said the GNA drug task force attempts to work on three areas - prevention, education and intervention.
The common goal is not just to build a permanent youth center, but to have after-school programs for kids, educational seminars and space for 12-step programs, Grevera said.
"I think these kinds of ideas occur in many communities, but Nanticoke put it into action," Samselski said.
Grevera said the church is a great place to meet, but the group is growing so it needs more room. If the youth task force keeps increasing and a bigger, permanent home is not found, some kids may have to be turned away.
"These kids have been so enthused about this, they have raised their own funds to keep things going," Williams said.
They sent out mailers, had bake sales and Samselski said the kids made close to $2,000 selling hoagies. Area businesses have been generous with their donations - such as supplies for the hoagie sales - and there has been a lot of support from the community.
Several possible locations are being scouted, but no commitment has been made, Grevera said. "I really don't feel the people in this town are going to let us down, and let these kids down," he said.
In the meantime, the task force is seeking funding for the building and operating expenses. Grevera said the goal is to raise $200,000, but he would like to collect $500,000.

12/24/2004
County gets 6 towns to agree to cut tax commission rates
By James Conmy and Elizabeth Skrapits , Citizens' Voice Staff Writers

In an effort to save approximately $146,000, Luzerne County is implementing property tax billing and collecting changes in six communities.
Commissioners Greg Skrepenak, Stephen Urban and Todd Vonderheid approved the move at Thursday's budget meeting.
Hazleton, Nanticoke and Pittston, all third-class cities, and Kingston and Wilkes-Barre townships and the Municipality of Kingston, all home-rule communities, will still have the opportunity to collect county property taxes themselves.Municipal officials must agree, however, to lower the commission they receive from $3.50 and up per bill to $1.50.Under the former agreement, Pittston charged $15.91 per bill, Nanticoke charged $6.93, Hazleton charged $3.45, and Wilkes-Barre Township, Kingston Township and the Municipality of Kingston each charged $3.50.The county started collecting its property taxes from Wilkes-Barre residents in 2003. The move has saved the county $161,722 annually."It was very last-minute," Kingston Township Manager Ed O'Neill said. "I got a call Tuesday morning from the treasurer's office. We had the option of taking the reduction or they would assume duties of collection."
Since the county treasurer's office told him they had to know what Kingston Township was doing by the next day - Wednesday - O'Neill said he had to do a quick phone survey of the five supervisors.
Having tax collector Karen Rose go from $3.50 to $1.50 commission for each taxable she handles for the county means a loss of up to $7,000 in revenue in Kingston Township's budget, but the supervisors opted to do it anyway, O'Neill said.
He said he was in the treasurer's office Thursday, where he learned that of the other six municipalities, Wilkes-Barre Township, Kingston, Hazleton and Pittston City also offered to take the reduction. He said the only municipality that did not give an answer was Nanticoke.
"This is the first I've heard of it," Nanticoke Councilman John Bushko said when asked what the city planned to do about the tax collection changes.
Council was not notified about the matter by City Administrator Greg Gulick, who Bushko said should have done so in order that a meeting could be called to discuss the city's options and make an informed decision.
Bushko also believes the county should have given municipalities more time to respond.
"They just asked Tuesday, and they want an answer Wednesday? That's very unfair to do it that way," he said. "The county commissioners know how municipal governments work, and you can't expect to get an answer in one day."
Bushko said there are 4,600 people to whom Nanticoke sends bills. He does not think the city can afford to reduce the commission to $1.50 per bill without having to lay off one of the three people in the tax collector's office.
Luzerne County, Nanticoke City and the Greater Nanticoke Area School District each pay a third of the salaries for the three employees, according to Bushko.

12/22/2004
New Bridge opens to traffic on Union Street

Motorists today can begin using a new $494,000 bridge along Union Street in Nanticoke. Officials cut the ribbon marking the completion of the work Tuesday. The $494,000 construction project involved the replacement of the old structure over Forge Creek with a precast concrete box culvert, rebuilding of he roadway on both sides of the bridge, drainage work, concrete curbs and concrete sidewalks. The project in was paid for with 80 percent federal, 15 percent state and 5 percent local funds. A short detour had been in effect since construction began last spring. The detour is scheduled to end today when the new bridge opens to traffic. Marking the opening of the bridge Tuesday were, from left, Jake Censulla, Slusser Brothers; Greg Gulick, city administrator; Bernie Walko, PennDOT; Ben Sevenski, Michael J. Pasonick Engineering; Jeff Novitski, PennDOT; Bill Brown, Nanticoke council; John T Yudichak, state representative; Ted Zurla, PennDOT; Paul Maher, aide to Congressman Paul Kanjorski; Michael Yurkowski, city clerk; John Toole, mayor; John P. Flannery, PennDOT.

12/20/2004
'Christmas in Nanticoke' draws crowd
By Robert Kalinowski , Citizens' Voice Staff Writer

With his reindeer resting at the North Pole and his sleigh getting a tune up, Santa Claus was given a fire truck escort to the fifth annual "Christmas in Nanticoke" on Sunday.
The event is funded by private donations and proceeds from the Nanticoke Musicfest, according to Nanticoke Mayor John Toole.
Toole believed Sunday's festivities, which were held on Patriot Square, attracted the largest turnout in the event's history - approximately 150 people.
"I talked with some of the kids," Toole said. "They're just happy to see Santa Claus."
Children and their parents were treated to horse-pulled wagon rides around the park after Santa gave out his gifts.
Following a Christmas carol sing-a-long led by the Greater Nanticoke Area High School Chorus, Santa took time to speak to the gathered youngsters.
Santa assured each youngster he'd pass along the requests to his elves in the North Pole workshop. However, he reminded them they would have to be especially good this week.
Taylor Kotsur, 7, of Nanticoke, told Santa she wanted a new bike.
However, when he asked if she'd been good, she told him, "Not all the time."
Her mother, Tammy Stortz, doesn't think that will be a problem come Christmas.
"She's honest," Stortz said. "So that makes up for it."

12/19/2004
Bronze Star recipient trained 'all his life' for duty
By: Tom Venesky

Shickshinny resident Barbara Poperowitz fondly recalls the days when she used to get on her husband's case about sitting on the porch having a beer when he should've been taking care of odd jobs around the house.
Today, she yearns for the day when her husband will be back on the porch enjoying a cold one.
Mrs. Poperowitz's husband, 1st Sgt. Francis Poperowitz, 52, has been away from home since last December when he was deployed to Iraq.
Mr. Poperowitz has been a full-time soldier with Nanticoke B Battery of the 109th National Guard for nearly 30 years. Mrs. Poperowitz describes him as a family-oriented spouse with many friends, but when he's with the soldiers, "he's all business," she said.
That approach recently earned him the Bronze Star Medal for his work in building the Iraqi security force and defending Iraqi police stations in Sadr City against attacks by the insurgent Mahdi Army.
"He was shocked when he got the medal. This is the first time he was deployed and he trained all his life for this,"
Mrs. Poperowitz said. "Getting this medal was big for him.
"But he doesn't have to win medals, we're proud of him anyway."
Mr. Poperowitz is stationed outside of Baghdad and his wife said he goes into the city three times a week to supplement the police force.
She said phone access in Iraq is hard to come by so the couple communicates by e-mail. The conversations rarely center on the perils of combat. Instead, Mrs. Poperowitz said her husband wants to know how the family is doing and who won the latest NASCAR race.
When he does write about his experiences in Iraq, she said he tells her how strongly he believes in the mission and how he fully supports President Bush.
"He told me the Iraqi people want a good education for their children and a decent life, and it's just a handful of insurgents that want things back to the way they were," Mrs. Poperowitz said. "Other than that, he really can't say what he does."
His daughter, Tina Balasavage of Pittston, said she e-mails the results of every race to her father and she has big plans for him when he is expected to return home next February.
"We're hoping he gets back in time for the Daytona race because we'll throw him a huge race party," she said.
But with many soldiers having their tours extended, Balasavage said she doesn't dwell on the day her father returns.
"I don't think about it because I know how things can change in the military," she said. "I don't want to put myself through that. When I get the call saying he's on the plane headed home, that's when I'll get excited."
Mrs. Poperowitz has no doubt that day will come and she will see her husband sitting on the porch at home with the family.
"Everybody is praying for him and prayer is very powerful, that's why he's coming home," she said with tears in her eyes.

12/19/2004
Plymouth Twp. officials asses DPW damage
By: Elizabeth Skrapits

It was black Saturday for Plymouth Township in the aftermath of a fire that devastated the public works department's garage.
Three trucks and plows and the road crew's equipment, was damaged by the blaze that fire officials estimate began before 8 p.m. Friday.
A state police fire marshal sifted through the debris Saturday, but did not release a cause of the fire.
Black soot covered the floor of the meeting room in the municipal building where the board of supervisors, Ed Brennan, Mike Manley, and Chairwoman Gale Conrad, met with Mike Carroll of State Rep. John Yudichak's office and Jeffrey Box of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Alliance, the township's Act 47 coordinator.
The first priority was to arrange for plowing in case of snow, which is predicted Sunday night. Carroll said PennDOT would be available for emergency snow removal.
Conrad assured residents and the Greater Nanticoke Area School District that the supervisors would do everything possible to be sure roads are cleared.
Two of the three destroyed trucks just had $8,000 worth of work done to them, according to Brennan, who is also roadmaster. He said one truck can be salvaged and will be fitted with a plow and spreader.
The township's recycling and garbage trucks were not damaged, and Brennan said pickup will proceed as usual this week.
Township offices were not harmed, but the building is inhabitable. The fire damaged the plumbing and electrical systems, so the building is without heat, light, or water.
"If you flush the toilet, it's going to come out of the ceiling," Brennan said. "Everything's burnt right out."
The supervisors will decide next week what to do about temporary offices. Conrad said residents who need to contact the township may call 779-5388.
Jackson Township Supervisor Chairman and roadmaster John Wilkes, Jr. came by to offer neighborly assistance to Plymouth Township, volunteering the use of Jackson Township's municipal building and public works department garage if needed.
"When we got the call this morning, I came down to lend a hand any way we could. Who knows, we could be in the same position," Wilkes said. "Anything we can do to help out, that's the bottom line."
Box said the situation is now in the hands of Plymouth Township's insurance company, which will send an adjustor Monday morning to assess the damage and bring in a cleaning crew. NEPA Alliance will also aid the township any way it can.
"We'll work with them to re-adjust their financial priorities, to get them through this latest disaster," Box said.
Plymouth Township started the year by having to lay off its police force in January due to an extreme lack of funds, was declared Act 47, or financially distressed, by the state in July, and then was hit hard by the flooding from Tropical Storm Ivan in September - it took the township two months to clean up all the debris.
"We'll get through this," Conrad said of the fire. "We'll be better for it, I'm sure."

12/19/2004
Nanticoke Area Notes
By:Pamela Urbanski

These students have the spirit
Students who attend first grade at Pope John Paul II School have been busy little elves.
The past several weeks they have been making decorations for the Christmas tree at the Nanticoke Municipal Building.
First grade teachers Ellie Anthony and Helen Baluta tell me it's an annual event the children look forward to. "They have a great time making the decorations," said Mrs. Anthony. "We explain to them that they are helping to bring Christmas joy to their neighbors and friends."
A highlight of the project is a trip to the city building to decorate the tree and sing some Christmas carols. "We appreciate the invitation and the people at the city building really make the children feel welcome," added Ellie.
The students are not the only ones who look forward to the trip. So do those who work at the city building. "The kids are really adorable," said Karen Kanjorski from District Justice Donald Whittaker's office. "The ornaments they make are really nice and every year they do a great job decorating the tree."
We all know that decorating is hard work and requires a lot of energy. That's why the students were treated to cookies and punch and received a treat bag filled with Christmas goodies.
Get your history book(s) now
"The History of Nanticoke and Newport Township" by Charles Ciesla is available from the members of the Nanticoke Historical Society. The book, 8½ by 11 inches, contains 363 pages and includes more than 100 photos of breakers, churches, schools and businesses in the area. Mr. Ciesla tells me the book makes an excellent gift for the holidays. The price is $30 and all the profits go to the Nanticoke Historical Society. The book may be ordered by calling 570-258-1367.
Time for Christmas in the Park
Don't forget to visit Santa Claus today from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. at the annual Christmas in the Park. There will be free, horse-drawn carriage rides. Caroling will be presented by the Nanticoke High School and Holy Trinity Church choirs. Culinary students from Luzerne County Community College will provide the Christmas cookies. Who knows maybe Mother Nature will provide some Christmas snow! See you there!

12/17/2004
Artist of the week
By MARQUES G. HARPER-mharper@leader.net
Artist Anthony J. Waichulus, a Nanticoke resident, has become a national name through his trompe l'oeil works. At his home studio, he works on new pieces and teaches several art students. He is the Artist of the Week.
T he names of his works:
'The Polisher'
'A Fool's Argument'
'Pieces of History'
'Caps & Robbers'
Waichulus at a glance: A recent incident took Waichulus by surprise. One of his latest pieces, called "Orchestrating the Drama," won first place in a contest sponsored by The Artist's Magazine.
The 32-year-old Nanticoke resident recalls thinking the award was a mistake. Out of 13,000 artists, Waichulus' work took top honors in the still-life category. The piece was reproduced in the magazine's December issue.
"Thankfully," he says sitting in his dimly lighted home studio, "I continue to be well-received. I thank God every day. It's like a dream to do what I do every day. I'm just very grateful for all of it."
These days, Waichulus sticks to a schedule that allows him to paint constantly at the studio where he teaches several students. He also teaches at Luzerne County Community College and the Wyoming Valley Art League, among other local spots.
As far back as he can remember, he says, he has wanted to do something creative. He studied art at The Art Hatchery in Bear Creek, Luzerne County Community College and the Schuler School of Fine Arts in Baltimore.
His journey into trompe l'oeil still lifes began on a trip to New York while he was an LCCC student. In the great halls of priceless artwork, he discovered the lifelike painting style in which he is now well-versed.
"When I saw that work for the first time, I knew that's what I wanted to do for a living," says Waichulus, whose works are sold at the John Pence Gallery in San Francisco.
On another college trip to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in the 1990s, he got a chance to court the woman, Leah, who later became his artist-wife.
Laughing, he says, "The Met has probably played a crucial role in my professional and personal life. I should write them a letter or something."
Advice to aspiring artists: "A masterpiece can come from anywhere," he says, noting that his award-winning piece depicts a similar thought. The piece, he told The Artist's Magazine, came from a lively class discussion at LCCC.
He told the magazine: "We were discussing what makes a successful expression of art. I wanted to tackle this idea in a painting, giving the viewer a behind-the-scenes understanding of artistic impression."
Ultimately, he says artists should stick to the three Ds: drive, determination and discipline. In his case, sticking to the Ds worked.
"When you have a real drive to do something," he says, "it almost becomes an obsession." For example, he says, he took what he needed from Schuler's program in two years instead of the usual five and was told by his instructors to go into the world and paint.
"Don't get too discouraged," he says. "You usually are your own worst critic. That's the biggest message I try to deliver to my students. Don't be afraid of a challenge."
Web site: http://www.thewaichulisstudio.net or www.johnpence.com

12/17/2004
Pioneers sign GNA grad
Former Greater Nanticoke Area High School standout Todd Bargella was one of three players recently signed to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers training camp roster.
Bargella (6-foot-6, 280 pounds) was an all-conference selection at Nanticoke and played at Lackawanna College in 2000-2001 before transferring to NCAA Division I-AA Western Carolina. As a junior there in 2002, he had seven catches for 55 yards and a touchdown, while totalling 12 tackles and two sacks on defense. In 2003, he played in 12 games, catching five passes for 53 yards to earn all-Southern Conference honors as a tight end. He also made 12 tackles and two sacks on defense that season.

12/16/2004
Nanticoke looks to state for help in solving money woes
By Elizabeth Skrapits , Citizens' Voice Staff Writer

Nanticoke City Council voted to take the first step on the road to fiscal stability at a special meeting Wednesday night, by approving the city's participation in the state Department of Community and Economic Development's Early Intervention Program.
The program provides municipalities in financial difficulty with 50-50 matching grant funds, to be used for hiring a consultant to help develop and implement a comprehensive multi-year financial plan.
DCED Local Government Policy Manager Dean Fernsler called Nanticoke "a prime candidate" for the program, and was pleased with council's vote.
"In their particular case, I think it would be advantageous for them," he said.
Earlier Wednesday, council and Mayor John Toole met with Fernsler and state Rep. John Yudichak, D-119, both of whom stayed for the meeting.
The five-year financial plan was recommended in a recently released study compiled by DCED's Governor's Center for Local Government Services.
The study indicated Nanticoke could be facing insolvency no later than fall 2005, and would not be able to continue to provide its current level of services.
If a five-year plan is not adopted, the state will be unwilling to grant the city money for programs and projects, and the city could even face Act 47, distressed municipality designation, according to the study.
Yudichak said the process Nanticoke is about to embark on is the same one Wilkes-Barre City has already undertaken.
Nanticoke has an opportunity to achieve fiscal discipline through the program, and Yudichak believes the city will get an honest assessment of its current debt and how to get out of its bind, among other benefits.
Fernsler said it is up to Nanticoke now to get things started by submitting requests for proposals from professional financial consultants.
Once the bids are in, they will be evaluated, a consultant selected, and then the city applies to DCED to get started with the program.
"At that point, we would expedite that application fairly quickly," Fernsler said.
He said he hoped the city could get into the program as early as the first quarter of 2005, but it would depend on city officials.
Toole said he heard the program could run anywhere from $120,000 to $300,000, but he hoped that since Nanticoke was such a small city, the cost would be less.
He said the city would have to look for money for the matching-funds portion of the grant.
Toole suggested the city go to court to petition for use of the approximately $255,000 he said is in the sinking fund, which is meant for paying off debt.
"It would be a godsend if we could use it," he said.
Yudichak said there is flexibility in the program, and costs to the city could be minimal; DCED realizes some cities cannot afford the 50 percent share of matching funds. For example, he said City Administrator Greg Gulick's work could be considered an in-kind contribution.
Toole said the city would be sending out requests for proposals soon, but expressed skepticism about the city being able to overcome all its problems without following a plan year after year.
"This five-year plan is actually never-ending," he said.
Toole said to get Nanticoke out of its financial hole, departments will probably have to be downsized and contracts re-negotiated.
The city might also end up raising the occupational privilege tax, which is currently $10 annually for people who work in the city and earn more than $10,000. New state legislation permits municipalities to increase the tax up to $52, to be used for emergency services.
During the meeting, Solicitor Bernard Kotulak handed out copies of a sample ordinance, one that was passed recently on first reading by Wilkes-Barre City Council.
Nanticoke council will have to decide by the Dec. 29 work session whether they want to raise the tax, and if so, by how much, and what the minimum income limit will be.

12/16/2004
Worried Nanticoke will seek state help
The city hopes to avoid insolvency by obtaining financial advisers.
By JON FOX-jfox@leader.net

Hoping to fend off municipal insolvency, city council appealed to the state's Early Intervention Program at a special session Wednesday evening.
After a 20-minute meeting with state Rep. John Yudichak, D-Nanticoke, and a representative of the Department of Community and Economic Development, council members voted unanimously to apply to the program.
If accepted, the city would receive half the cost necessary to retain professional financial advisers. The move came close on the heels of a state commissioned report that painted city finances in an exceedingly bleak light.
The city, it stated, could face insolvency, from which it would not recover, by fall 2005. A $225,000 budget deficit was predicted for this year.
"I think it's great for the city," Mayor John Toole said. The program, however, he noted, requires a 50 percent match by the financially strapped municipality.
"We don't have it budgeted right now, so we're going to have to sit down next week and look for the money," he said.
Councilman John Bushko welcomed the assistance that may come in the form of a detailed recovery plan drafted by consultants. "We need help and we need it quick. You have to be willing to go with the recommendations. Sometimes it may not be pleasant."
Toole said he anticipates advisers recommending cuts to the fire and police departments and arbitration to restructure labor contracts. It is an area of expense the recent state report indicated was pushing the city close to distressed status under that state's Act 47 relief program.
Pay rates, paid leave benefits and health benefits are "out of control," it stated.
The Early Intervention Program, introduced in September, is a way to prevent the more drastic "distressed" status declaration, Yudichak said. "There's no question it's a precursor. Act 47 is on the horizon. It's a good opportunity to spend some money now and get local government back on track."
Dean Fernsler, local government policy specialist with the Governor's Center for Local Government Services, said the city could be accepted into the competitive program as early as the first quarter of 2005.
If accepted into the program, the city would then seek proposals from financial consultants. Once a firm is selected the municipality will likely undergo a financial assessment and management audit and then adopt a multi-year recovery plan, according to DCED literature.
Even with the state contributing half the cost of financial advisers, the burden to a overburdened budget could be extreme. Mayor Toole said the city's contribution could be nearly $100,000.
"In speaking with DCED and discussing the city's current financial situation, they're aware that the city may not be able to make the 50 percent match," Yudichak said.
Fernsler, the local government specialist, said the program accepts "in kind contributions," which are services performed by municipal employees, such as a city manager, that may count as payment.
At the moment, the state has received only one application for the new program based on a model Governor Rendell developed for Philadelphia. That application is from Luzerne County government.
In addition to Nanticoke's application in process, Fernsler said "there are a number of applications being developed by cities across the commonwealth."

12/13/2004
Updated financial software advised
Ailing city would benefit from new accounting methods, says state analysis.
By JON FOX-jfox@leader.net
City officials will meet with representatives of the Governor's Center for Local Government Services during the next two weeks with hopes of updating municipal accounting software, said state Rep. John Yudichak.
A recently issued state analysis of Nanticoke's administrative and financial situation recommended the city update to software specific to state local government accounting.
Such a software package, costing in the range of $8,000 to $12,000, could be paid for with a grant, according to the report. At a recent council meeting, Yudichak offered assistance in securing such a grant for the city, which a recent report commissioned by the state Department of Community and Economic Development indicated could face financial insolvency as early as the end of this year.
It's important to ascertain what type of software will be appropriate for a city of Nanticoke's size, said Yudichak, D-Nanticoke. "Obviously, something the size of what Philadelphia has is not going to work for Nanticoke."
QuickBooks accounting software is the favored package utilized by Pennsylvania municipalities.
The report states the current system entails "duplicative work, and needed reports are not being produced." In moving to a new software package, "the payback in efficiency of office personnel and information to council would be rapid."
"One of the glaring issues was that there wasn't a monthly financial statement produced," Yudichak said of the analysis. In speaking with the author of the report, a Philadelphia-based analyst, there appeared to be "a general lack of communication between" the city's finance department and council.
Sue Bennett, the city's accountant and financial analyst, says monthly reports are being produced.

12/13/2004
Honey Pot fire company struggling
By Tom Venesky, Citizens' Voice Staff Writer
Just like the community, the 1964 pumper truck has always been there for the Honey Pot Volunteer Active Fire Co.
But time has taken a toll on the 40-year-old truck. It has been refurbished twice and parts are hard to come by.
Locating a simple window crank has proven to be an impossible task for the company.
Age has turned a formerly reliable piece of equipment into a liability, with the truck often out of service for weeks at a time while it's being repaired.
The company is working to purchase a new engine, but coming up with the $225,000 is proving just as impossible as the search for the window crank.
According to Chester Kopco, president of the Honey Pot Firemen's Active Association, the old pumper was purchased for $45,000 in 1965, when the fire company was born. The truck was paid for entirely by the Honey Pot community, but Kopco acknowledged that asking the community of 600 households to bear the cost of a $225,000 engine is not realistic.
"We need a miracle. We need to hit the lottery," said Honey Pot Volunteer Active Fire Company Chief Frank Wolfe. "We do our best to raise money for a new truck and we also have tried to get grants, but we're having a hard time getting any and that's what's hurting us the most."
The company has 28 members and prides itself on being self-sufficient, thanks to community support. When the company is in need, the citizens always deliver, Kopco said. But with such a large expense for a new engine, the fire fighters had no choice but to seek grant assistance.
The company applied for a federal Homeland Security Assistance Grant and was turned down right before the final approval stage, Kopco said. The company will try again in 2005.
The grant would cover 90 percent of the cost of a new truck, Kopco said, and he was confident enough funds could be raised through the community to cover the remaining 10 percent.
"This was the first time we ever applied for any grant money at all," Kopco said. "We always went to the citizens or bought it on our own."
If the federal grant fails to materialize next year, the company does have another plan to obtain the money - a plan that parlays decades of generosity from the community.
Kopco said Honey Pot will host the Six County Fireman's Convention in 2006, and the company plans to turn the convention into an enormous bazaar that will showcase the Honey Pot community.
If all goes well, the convention will generate enough money for a down payment on the new engine.
"It will be a celebration of the Honey Pot citizens because they have been our sole contributors for 40 years," Kopco said. "It's a thank-you to them."
The most pressing reason for a new engine is not the age of the 1964 pumper, but rather safety concerns that arise when the old truck is down for repairs.
Kopco said when the pumper is out of service, the Nanticoke Fire Department covers Honey Pot.
State Rep. John Yudichak said the department has been successful recently in obtaining several state grants to perform repairs to the fire hall. He cautioned, however, that it wasn't wise to expect a large state grant to purchase a new truck.
Instead, Yudichak recommended the company continue to focus on a grant from the federal government and also look at other funding options.
"The large dollars are going to come from the federal level," he said. "There's also the state low-interest loan program, where a fire department can seek a grant to match the funds they've raised and take out a loan to cover the difference."
Yudichak said he's worked closely with Honey Pot volunteers. The company's story is similar to many other small community fire departments.
"They have limited revenue, funds are hard to raise and there are only so many volunteers," he said. "The cost of equipment is astronomical, but these small departments all do a great job for their communities and they need a reliable equipment base."
Wolfe said the company raised $11,000 this year, and $2,000 of that went toward truck repairs.
"Our truck was alright, but now we're putting so much money into it and we're nickel and diming ourselves to death," he said. "We need a new truck desperately, but the cost is extremely high. That's why we need help, volunteer or financial."
To help the company, contact Wolfe at 735-8031 or Kopco at 735-7030.

12/13/2004
Soldiers' children celebrate holidays with 'Army friends'
By Robert Kalinowski , Citizens' Voice Staff Writer
Alycea and Marissa Ohl enjoy being with their "Army friends."
To do this, though, the Corning, N.Y., youngsters come to Northeastern Pennsylvania.
Their dad, Capt. Bob Ohl, is the commander of Bravo Battery of the 109th Field Artillery, Pennsylvania Army National Guard, now serving in Iraq.
The proud youngsters said they haven't fit in with their hometown classmates since their dad left for the war in January.
"The kids say I am immature because I wear this outfit," said Alycea, 8, wearing a desert Army uniform her dad sent from Iraq.
Alycea and her sister, along with 10-month-old brother Robert Jr., and mother, Ginny, attended a Christmas-themed party for soldiers' children held at Bravo Battery headquarters in Nanticoke on Sunday.
"I thought it would be nice for the kids to be around other kids in the same situation," Mrs. Ohl said. "They call these kids their 'Army friends.'"
When it's possible, Mrs. Ohl said she brings Alycea and Marissa to events organized by the Bravo Battery family support group, known as the "Busy B's."
At Sunday's party, Alycea, Marissa, 6, and the other children received presents and candy from Santa's "elves," made Christmas tree garland with string and cereal, listened to holiday music and took rides in a horse-pulled wagon.
The event was paid for by proceeds from the Nanticoke Musicfest, according to Nanticoke Mayor John Toole.
"I like seeing the kids enjoy themselves," Toole said. "That's what it's all about."
The Ohl sisters said the party was fun and it helped them look forward to Christmas - especially the presents.
"I want anything Hillary Duff," said Alycea.
"I want a new piggy bank with a lock on it," Marissa said, joking that every time her piggy bank feels a bit light, Alycea seems to have some extra money.
"Well, I actually want my dad back, but it's going to be after Christmas," said Marissa.
"Yeah, in February," Alycea quickly added.
Samantha Sorber, 9, of Hanover Township, daughter of Sgt. 1st Class Jaime Sorber, realizes this fact, but is still holding out hope.
"I want him to come home on Christmas," she said of her dad.
Shrugging her shoulders about if that's going to happen, Samantha said she talked to her father in the morning and he assured her that he'd be home "soon."
"Soon" is tentatively scheduled to be early February, as Bravo Battery soldiers are set to complete a one-year deployment to Iraq.

12/12/2004
Nanticoke Area Notes
By: Pamela Urbanski
He knows how to paint a town
When driving through the city of Nanticoke, you might have noticed the colorful paintings on storefront windows.
With the holiday season in full swing, Nanticoke resident and artist Leonard Davenport is working with store owners to not only help them advertise, but add a festive touch to the community.
Through our conversation, I learned his business, Paintings by Leonardo is a well-known company. Leonard has customers from Milford to Selinsgrove and Williamsport to Mount Carmel. He tells me that he is one of the few people left that provide this service.
"Window painting is a dying art, but I love it and it is a service that is needed." He added that the people of Northeastern Pennsylvania are the nicest people he has ever worked with.
This past week, I found him at Bartuska's Furniture Store on East Main Street where last year he painted scenes from the classic holiday film, "A Christmas Story" by Jean Shepherd. It was well received.
"We actually had people calling us this year and asking if we could do the same thing," he said.
Says storeowner Jim Bartuska. "I think people love it so much because it takes them back to a time when things were a little less hectic and demanding," said store owner Jim Bartuska.
"It is the perfect family film," Davenport added.
Yes, he will bring Ralphie and his Red Ryder BB gun to life again on the side window. You won't be disappointed in this year's main window. When passing Bartuska's Furniture Store on East Main Street, I am sure you have noticed the Serta sheep just lounging around.
Jim tells me because Serta mattresses are so comfortable, people don't need to count sheep anymore. The sheep are bored and need a job! So while they are not grazing, they will be pulling Santa's sleigh to the North Pole!
Leonard thinks the makers of Serta mattresses would be very impressed! "I told them to take a picture and send it to the company," he commented.
Below the red-nosed sheep pulling the sleigh is the village from the Christmas story with Ralphie peeking out from the side.
"I think people will enjoy this year's theme just as much," Jim said.
I can tell the good people at Bartuska's enjoy thinking of and providing a different theme each year for people to enjoy!
Planning to make a street safer
While driving up Kosciuszko Street this past week, you probably noticed some heavy equipment and mounds of dirt.
According to Frank Grevera, director of buildings and grounds for the Nanticoke Area School District, drivers have been complaining about not being able to see when then are trying to make a right-hand turn coming out of the high school at the intersection of Union and Kosciuszko Streets.
"Because of the safety issues, as well as numerous complaints we have received about kids riding their bicycles up and over that hill into the road, we decided it was time to take care of the problem," Frank said.
The hill will be cut and the ground leveled. In the spring, they will decide what to do with that area. "We are discussing projects such as a walk of fame."
He tells me rather than hanging signs on the fence in that area, plaques would be placed to honor athletic teams. Other ideas include planting grass and flowers to perk up the area.
Get set for Christmas in the Park
Be sure and make time for Nanticoke's Christmas in the Park next Sunday, Dec. 19, from 1 to 4 p.m.
There will be free, horse-drawn carriage rides. The sounds of the season will be provided by the Nanticoke Area High School choir and the choir from Holy Trinity Church. Of course, the highlight of the event will be a visit from Santa Claus.
See you there!!
If you like trains, this is for you
If you are one of those people who love to see a train chugging along the tracks beneath the Christmas tree, then you might want to visit Clemar Distributions Inc. on Market Street in Nanticoke.
The O'Jevich family has owned a business in Nanticoke since the 1940s. About 10 years ago, Clem O'Jevich decided to concentrate on trains. "It is a hobby for me," he said laughing. "It is something I enjoy doing and it keeps me busy."
I have passed the store many times and decided I to check it out.
It is a neat place, carrying a full line of trains like LGB, Aristocrat, O scale and HO scale to name a few. He also carries replacement parts and accessories. What he doesn't have on hand, he can order for you from one of his many distributors.
Another neat "toy" is the large-scale train for the outdoors. "Because of their size, these trains are really detailed," Clem added. "You can see every nut and bolt that would be on a train on these models."
I know most of us are not thinking outdoors now, but he tells me they are great for your yard or around ponds and can be left outdoors year round. Sounds like a great Christmas gift to me!
Store hours are Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to noon, Friday from 9 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can call the store at 735-5570 for additional hours.

12/8/2004
Pepsi challenge too good for GNA to stay with Coke
By BONNIE ADAMS-badams@leader.net
The Greater Nanticoke Area School District has switched from Coke to Pepsi vending machines in a deal that might net more than $200,000.
School Board President Bob Raineri said the board approved the seven-year deal at Monday night's meeting. Raineri said Pepsi will give the school district $10,000 up front and $5,000 a year in the contract's second through seventh years.
Raineri said the district will get a 35 percent commission on water and soda sales and a 20 percent commission on Gatorade sports drink sales.
He said the school district will receive about $217,000 for the contract, which he described as more lucrative than Coke's. The contract also includes a $1,000 annual scholarship.

12/8/2004
BURN VICTIM
Boy's family can only watch, wait
By JON FOX-jfox@leader.net
The family of a 13-year-old boy severely burned while playing with gasoline last week has set up a fund to help cover his medical bills.
Jimmy Knight Jr. was playing with four friends at a cemetery on West Field Street on Nov. 30 when he inadvertently lit himself on fire.
"I guess they were making a bomb," said his mother, Donna Roman, speaking in her mother's home on New Grant Street.
Jimmy remains in the Lehigh Valley Hospital Burn Center recovering from second-and third-degree burns over more than half of his body.
Roman has spent nearly every day since the accident at her son's side.
She is focused on Jimmy's recovery, and expects medical costs to be significant. She has insurance, but said she has no idea how much of Jimmy's expenses will be covered.
Jimmy's grandmother, Dorothy Kopiak, told the story of how he was burned:
On Nov. 30., Jimmy came home, fetched some gasoline from Kopiak's garage and met his friends.
"From what I understand, he spilled it on himself, and when he lit a match he caught fire."
His four friends, all brothers, covered Jimmy with their jackets, helping extinguish the flames. But by the time his gasoline-soaked clothing was put out, Jimmy had suffered the burns.
Jimmy's friends helped him walk several blocks back to his grandmother's house. Jimmy lives across town on Orchard Street with his mother.
His clothes burned to tatters, the flesh on his legs and arms scorched, Jimmy told his grandmother he loved her and embraced her.
"He said, 'Gram, I'm burnt.' How he walked that far, I have no idea."
The sight of her injured grandson was so shocking that Kopiak couldn't even manage calling 911, she said.
Jimmy's aunt, Monica Kristensen, called emergency medical services and Kopiak called Roman after she had calmed a bit.
Kopiak was so shaken that two hours later she suffered a heart attack. "I came completely unglued." She said she underwent a catheterization procedure and is recovering from her first heart attack.
Jimmy was airlifted to the burn center outside Allentown, where he remains.
On Thursday he underwent skin grafts. He remains under sedation and is unable to speak.
Roman spends most days at the hospital, sleeping at a home for family members of patients where lodging costs $30 per night.
On Tuesday, however, Roman spent the day at her mother's.
She appeared exhausted and conceded she was still in shock.
"Today, I'm not going down because they're changing his dressing," she said.
The painful procedure takes four to six hours and extra pain medication will likely push her son nearer unconsciousness, Roman said.
"We're just taking things day by day," she said.
"They say it's going to be a good couple of years before he's better," Roman said.
Jimmy is one of about 1,500 children who are burned each year playing with matches and gasoline, according to the Burn Foundation, a Philadelphia-based non profit organization.

12/6/2004
CITY FINANCIAL WOES
Nanticoke must curb labor cost, state says
By JON FOX-jfox@leader.net
Overstaffing, runaway pay rates and benefits in the municipal work force are identified as problems ruining city finances, according to a report by the state Department of Community and Economic Development.
But bound by restrictive state labor-relation laws, the city is limited in its options to deal with organized labor, the report concedes.
Pegged as a significant contributor to a deficit likely to reach $225,000 this year, labor policy is a problem more easily identified than remedied.
If city leaders fail to address labor-related issues, there is "a limited probability" the city will be able to avoid distressed status under Act 47, the state's relief program for financially failing communities, according to the report.
The city, it states, will require "excellent core policy, preparation and representation" in dealing with labor over the next five years.
As for specifics, the report suggests the city could be fully protected with eight full-time firefighters rather than the 10 it employs now. It also suggests changing the structure of their shifts.
Currently no "coherent policy or plan with regard to labor exits," the report states.
Under state Act 111, emergency personnel such as firefighters and police officers relinquish the right to strike, but in return they receive the right to binding arbitration. Municipalities cannot appeal the decisions arrived at through arbitration.
The bargaining process should result in concessions by management as well as labor, but unions have made few concessions to the city, according to the 47-page report.
In addition, pay and benefits are "out of control to the extent that failure to significantly modify them over the five years will likely contribute to forcing the city into Act 47."
But altering the firefighters' contract, which calls for a minimum staffing level of 10 individuals with two on per shift, is just not possible, according to Mayor John Toole.
"It can't be done," he said. "I don't call that defeatist. It's a fact."
"We don't have $130,000 to go to arbitration," he added referring to estimated legal fees. In November, the city entered into a new four-year contract with firefighters.
With 18 building fires in 2003 including "fewer than five" categorized as "major incidents," the city's current staffing level is unjustified, the report states.
The report advises employing seven full-time firefighters working 24-hour shifts and a full-time chief. Currently the city employs its firefighters in 10-hour day shifts and 14-hour night shifts.
Cutting two firefighters would save between $100,000 and $120,000 in salaries and benefits, according to cost estimates by City Administrator Greg Gulick.
Nanticoke's condition as a community confronting financial failure and trapped in binding labor agreements is not unique. Labor costs often make up the largest portion of municipal budgets and navigating labor law is often difficult.
"There's no question that the labor element is a constraint. It's a very significant constraint, and it's not one unique to Nanticoke," said Scott Hoh of the Governor's Center for Local Government Services.
If the city seeks relief as a distressed municipality, a recovery plan drafted by state-appointed financial advisers could trump union contracts, releasing the city from some of its obligations.
But state Rep. John Yudichak, D-Nanticoke, hopes complete financial failure is not a prerequisite for change and disagrees with the mayor's bleak assessment.
"I think it's disingenuous to suggest nothing can be done," he said. "Just look a few miles north at the city of Wilkes-Barre."
That city, he said, has made tough choices and worked with unions to move toward stable fiscal footing.
The state report suggests preparing for eventual arbitration and a strategy of explaining the city's tough financial position to employees and unions.

12/06/2004
Nanticoke-based military unit honored in Iraq
By Robert Kalinowski , Citizens' Voice Staff Writer
A ranking U.S. Army officer recently presided over an awards ceremony held in Iraq to recognize the service of local National Guard soldiers in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Col. David Philips, commander of the 89th Military Police Brigade, commended the Nanticoke-based Bravo Battery guardsmen of the 109th Field Artillery for their performance in combat operations, especially in the April insurgent uprisings in Baghdad and Sadr City.
Their work included patrolling the streets of Baghdad, performing traffic control, conducting convoy security escorts and taking part in base and police station security operations, according to information supplied by 1st Lt. Cliff A. Morales, public affairs officer for Bravo Battery.
At the ceremony, 14 soldiers received the Bronze Star Medal and 86 soldiers received the Army Commendation Medal.
Col. Philips commended the professional attitude the soldiers have displayed towards Iraqi citizens during their tough mission.
He told the unit that their professionalism has helped build a stronger Iraqi-American bond and a more stable environment for the new democratic government in Iraq.
Though they have long sacrificed by serving and risking their lives in a foreign land, they have ensured a safer homeland for the American people, especially their own families, the colonel said.
Col. Phillips then shared a personal story with the guardsmen - how he spent his morning of Sept. 11, 2001.
At the time, he was working as a senior security official at the Pentagon.
Just 10 minutes before the terrorists drove a hijacked plane into the building, he was finishing a conversation with a Department of Defense civilian and two soldiers. He then walked out of their office and out of the Pentagon.
Seconds later, the plane struck the building.
Col. Phillips was one of the first people to rush into the burning, smoke-filled building to search for survivors.
He found none.
The office he had just left was destroyed. His worst fears were later confirmed when he learned the people he just talked to were killed.
Hoping to walk out of the building with survivors propped over his shoulder, Col. Phillips left the building only able to salvage a single United States flag.
He stood proudly with that flag at the Bravo Battery awards ceremony, which was held on Nov. 24, saying he wanted to remind the soldiers of that fateful day when everything changed.
Col. Philips said he feels looking at the flag helps people remember why they fight against terrorism to ensure the American way of life.
At the awards ceremony, Col. Philips, along with several other military officers, personally presented each soldier with a certificate of achievement for excellence in combat and other citations.
First Sgt. Francis Poperowitz, of Bravo Battery, an artilleryman, was honored for earning a place on the honor roll of military police for his performance Iraq.
He was issued a challenge coin from Command Sgt. Maj. Charles Guyette, of the 89th Military Police Brigade.

12/6/2004
Helping to keep their spirits up
109TH FIELD ARTILLERY
By STEVE MOCARSKY-smocarsky@leader.net
Decorations of red and green, an electric train encircling a Christmas tree, dozens of children running and playing. All that combined with the empathy of others present helped relieve some of the heartache and loneliness.
But the underlying feelings of everyone in the room were pronounced in the lyrics of one song that played on a jukebox at the edge of a barren dance floor: "All I Want for Christmas is You."
"That song says it all," said Jane Harris, whose husband, Spc. William Harris, is deployed with the 109th Field Artillery's Bravo Battery in Iraq.
Bravo Battery's "Busy Bs" family support group had its Christmas party, which included a luncheon, at Lacey's Catering Hall on Main Street next to the Nanticoke armory on Sunday.
"It's a great way for the families to get together and support each other in a time of need," said Harris, of Ashley.
She has the daunting task of seeing through the holidays two stepchildren, two foster children and a foster son she and William are in the process of adopting. "He left at a good time, when it came time for potty training," Harris joked.
This will be the first holiday season through which she and other support group members will have to cope with the absence of their military spouse, parent, child, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew or sibling through the holiday season. Bravo Battery was deployed for training to Fort Dix, N.J., on Dec. 30 last year before leaving for the Mideast.
"I could cry now," Harris said when asked what she expects it to be like for her and the kids on Christmas Day. "It's going to be a sad day, his not being there to see the expressions on their faces, the toys they got."
One tradition Harris will miss is attending midnight Mass with her husband. She hopes he'll call her as the Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City is being broadcast so she can hold the phone up to the TV and they can keep some part of their family tradition intact.
Jeremy Metz said he'll miss opening one present each on Christmas Eve with his brother, Spc. Adam Metz of Wilkes-Barre, and going to their aunt's house on Christmas Day to open the rest of the presents and share a family dinner.
Apparently, Jeremy will also miss being able to razz his brother in person, as he noted that Adam's war injury consists of a broken shoulder that resulted from an overenthusiastic football game.
Adam's mom, Diane, will miss "just having him home for the holidays."
Sitting at a table with the Metzes, Sophia Arnold of Hunlock Creek spooned mashed potatoes onto the plate of 2-year-old Jaycee Arnold, the daughter of her son, Spc. Stephen Arnold.
"He is very family-oriented, so it's going to be hard. He'll miss everything - being together with the family, shopping with the baby, all of it," Arnold said, her voice trailing off as she suppressed an urge to cry.
Jennifer Sorber, support group president and wife of Sgt. 1st Class Jaime Sorber, said getting together with the group for the holidays means a lot to her.
"As the deployment went on, we all became better friends. I didn't have a lot of friends before; now, I can't count them all. And we didn't let terrorism stop our happiness in getting together," Sorber said.
Sorber predicted that her husband's absence through Christmas will be hardest on her 5- and 8-year-old boys, Carl and Kyle, more so than the other three children. "The older boys feel the absence more."
As for herself, Sorber misses the tradition of decorating a live tree with Jaime.
"I didn't have the heart to put up a real tree and decorate it by myself. My parents bought us an artificial tree and decorated it for us. My husband promised me we would never have another Christmas without a real tree."
Given her husband's almost certain absence on Christmas, what else would Sorber want to receive on Christmas Day?
"I just hope we can talk to him. The lines will be long for the phone, so I'm praying."

12/5/2004
Smiles in time of war: 109th's party goes on
The troops are away, but the families of Battery B still provide kids a good time.
By JENNIFER LEARN-ANDES-jandes@leader.net
It won't be quite the same this year, but the 109th Field Artillery Battery B children's Christmas party will still go on.
Last year's party was canceled because the unit's Army National Guardsmen were in the process of being deployed, so this year their spouses and other family members in the Busy Bees support group decided to get it together for the children, and each other.
As they wrapped Bratz dolls and GI Joe figures at the Nanticoke armory on Saturday, the women felt the absence of their husbands, sons, boyfriends and brothers.
Michelle Gallagher remembers shopping and wrapping gifts for the party two Christmases ago with her husband, Staff Sgt. Patrick Gallagher. Gallagher and the other men had done most of the cooking for the party.
"It's very difficult to do Christmas this year but we have to do it for the kids," she said.
Through donations and fund-raisers, the group raised about $900 to hold today's party at Lacey's Catering in Nanticoke for 62 children and 86 adults.
Rita Kania, of Mountain Top, said the bustle of folding and taping wrapping paper was a welcome distraction. Her son, 20-year-old James Kania, doesn't want store-bought Christmas packages sent to Iraq.
He craves his mother's baking instead.
She already sent brownies and is about to ship a batch of dozens of chocolate chip and oatmeal raisin cookies. Her favorite cookie shipping device is a Pringle's potato chip can.
Kim Rogaski, of Plains Township, said her boyfriend, Brian Lukashewski, put green tea, beef jerky and Christmas lights on his holiday list. He plans to use the lights to decorate his tent and others.
Lukashewski was pleased to learn through e-mail that the holiday party will continue, Rogaski said. Their 7-year-old daughter, Kaitlyn, had always looked forward to attending with him.

12/05/2004
Nanticoke Area Notes
By: Pamela Urbanski
Looking at a church's history
Let me take you back in time, way back to the year 1742.
It was a time when one of the few visitors to the Wyoming Valley and the Indians living by the
Susquehanna River, the Shawanese tribe of Plymouth or the Nanticokes, were the Moravian missionaries who came preaching Christianity to the tribes.
Around 1762, close to 200 settlers arrived after learning of the beauty and fertility of the
Wyoming Valley. In 1770, the First Presbyterian Church was started in the Wyoming Valley. The wars and battles that followed throughout the years could not deter the growth of the church and the communities that surrounded it.
Members met and worshiped in various places and buildings. In 1829, a group of people wished to organize a new Presbyterian Church. The new church, to be known as the Presbyterian Church of Hanover and Newport, was organized.
In 1860, with only 13 members in the congregation, the church was reorganized and the name changed from the Union Church to the Presbyterian Church of Nanticoke.
The congregation outgrew its building and 30 years later, the construction of a new church (the present edifice) was begun in 1893. During the early years of the 20th century, Nanticoke was a thriving town with a growing population.
These were the days of "packed pews," Christmas cantatas, church suppers, ice cream socials, strawberry festivals and active missionary societies.
With the dawn of the 21st century, additions and renovations were made to the church building and manse (parsonage). The church elders tell of the dawn of the 21st century as a "rough patch."
The six-person Board of Session, along with pastor Robert Boyar, was faced with structural problems of the church building and dwindling members. But, they were determined that God would see them through their time of strife.
The first-ever commissioned lay pastor, Laura Lewis, arrived in 2001. Since then, with determination and the strong faith of church leaders and members, there has been a slow, but steady increase in membership.
This year marks the 175th anniversary celebration of the First Presbyterian Church of Nanticoke, founded Nov. 27, 1829.
On Oct. 24, 2004, a special morning worship service and banquet was held to mark the occasion. The celebration continues.
Today, church members will sponsor a Victorian tea. Those attending will be treated to tea and homemade refreshments including tiny sandwiches and warm scones.
The cost is $7, but I've been told tickets were just about sold out for this event. However, those wishing to get a glimpse of the past are invited to a Victorian open house on Dec. 12 from noon to 4 p.m.
Members have planned a wonderful holiday event. "The parsonage next to the church will be decorated to reflect the Victorian era, complete with evergreens and candlelight," said church elder Martha Price.
"We are taking you back to a very important time in our church and community history," she added.
In addition to the tours, a craft fair featuring homemade wooden and needlepoint items, in addition to jewelry, will be held. Martha tells me committee members have worked very hard for the past six weeks organizing this event.
"It's a great opportunity to buy something for yourself or a Christmas gift for someone special on your list," she commented.
Homemade cookies also will be available to purchase and a Chinese auction featuring theme baskets for young and old will be held.
I thank Martha for providing me with a history of the First Presbyterian Church. There is so much to be written. Unfortunately, my space is limited. Perhaps the elders and members of the church say it best.
"As we look back on these 175 years, we fondly recall and remember the many past members of this church, a congregation that once filled nearly every pew in the church. Though we are now a smaller group, the congregation of the First Presbyterian Church of Nanticoke remains even more dedicated to bringing the good news of the Gospel to our community."
The church is located at Main and Walnut Streets with parking on Spring Street. For information about events, please call 735-6449.

12/4/2004
Nanticoke's winter rink being moved to school lot
Paved area near the football field will be used because area provides more parking.
By BONNIE ADAMS-badams@leader.net

The city plans to move its ice skating rink to school property this season to provide more parking than last year's location.
Greater Nanticoke Area Superintendent Anthony Perrone said the city recently approached the school district about relocating the rink from the park along Prospect Street.
The school district plans to locate it in a paved area near the football stadium, where there's ample parking. He said a drain will need to be covered.
Perrone said there is a paved edge on three sides of the macadam area. The city will place sandbags on the fourth side to contain the water until it freezes.
He has heard some complaints from residents who questioned the ice skating project's cost, but Perrone said it will not cost the school district anything. He said the fire department will fill the area with water.
Perrone said the city is in charge of the project and the city's liability insurance will cover it.
"Kids have nothing to do in this town," Perrone said. "The school is here for the kids."
Perrone said the rink should be open before Christmas if temperatures are cold enough. The concession stand will sell hot beverages.
School board President Bob Raineri said it's important to create recreational opportunities for children in town.
City administrator Greg Gulick said locating the rink on a paved area will save money because a liner won't be necessary.

12/4/2004
Kingston ordered to pay in dispute
A Nanticoke businessman says the borough owed him money for clothing vouchers.
By RON LIEBACK-rlieback@leader.net
A Nanticoke businessman who said Kingston municipality failed to pay for more than $900 in clothing purchased at his sporting goods store recently won a default judgment against the borough.
District Justice Joseph Halesey issued the judgment in favor of DNR Sports owner Mark Komoroski after both parties failed to show for a Nov. 22 hearing. Kingston was ordered to pay $927.
Mayor James Haggerty disputes the judgment and said he plans to appeal. He has until Dec. 23 to take action.
Haggerty said the borough did not attend the hearing because Halesey held it in the wrong place. Haggerty insists the hearing should have taken place in Kingston, not in Halesey's Hanover Township office.
Komoroski filed the civil complaint at District Justice Donald Whittaker's office in Nanticoke in April. DNR Sports provided vouchers to Kingston public works employees so they could purchase clothing for work. Komoroski said he gave the borough 15 vouchers, worth $150 each, and Kingston refuses to pay for six that have not been used.
Haggerty has said he refused to pay because Komoroski submitted invoices stating that work-related clothing was bought. He said Komoroski didn't oversee what was purchased, resulting in at least one Kingston employee buying items not related to work.

12/3/2004
Yudichak offers Nanticoke help in solving financial crisis
By Elizabeth Skrapits , Citizens' Voice Staff Writer

State Rep. John Yudichak, D-119, offered assistance to Nanticoke in getting the city's finances in order, and council now must decide whether to accept his offer.
A preliminary report on Nanticoke's financial situation recently issued by the state Department of Community and Economic Development states, among other findings, that the city might end up with a 2004 operating deficit of $225,000, and could be facing insolvency within the coming months.
Yudichak came to Wednesday night's council meeting to offer his assistance, recommend the city get involved with DCED's early intervention program, and ask council members if they wanted him to obtain a grant for a computer system and financial software.
Early intervention is a program managed by the DCED's Governor's Center for Local Government Services. Yudichak said it provides up to $100,000 to hire a personal financial adviser to work with the city in putting together a five-year financial plan and a strategy to get the city on a track to a balanced budget.
Yudichak said he thought it would be a smart idea for the city to bring in outside help, someone who could step back and take an objective look at the financial situation.
He said it would not be a case of the state taking over the city; all decisions would be made by Nanticoke officials.
"But this gives us some help at virtually no cost to the city," Yudichak said. "It makes good sense that when you have a financial crisis, you bring in an expert and plot a strategy to get out of that predicament."
DCED's report recommended a software package specific to Pennsylvania local government accounting, which would handle tax, sewer and refuse billing, fixed assets billing, accounts payable and receivable, and reporting functions.
It would cost from $8,000 to $12,000, but suggested a grant would be appropriate.
Council voted to have Yudichak try to obtain the computer grant, but will have to pass a resolution to get involved in the early intervention program.
Councilman John Bushko said City Administrator Greg Gulick will get the paperwork done for the program.
Since council does not meet until the work session on Wednesday, Dec. 29, Bushko said he would like to try to call a special meeting to pass the resolution.
An immediate financial problem brought up Wednesday night is the fact that the city was in danger of not having enough in its coffers to meet the $73,607 total December payroll, let alone other pressing expenses.
Treasurer Albert Wytosek said there is $102,984 outstanding in municipal property taxes, and $8,050 behind in per capita tax.
"Some people wait until the last minute to pay their taxes. Dec. 15 is the deadline," Gulick said. "We're not short yet. We're getting there, but we're still going. We may only get a half of it, a quarter of it or none of it, but there's still money to come in."
If an insufficient amount of taxes come in, the city will have to transfer money from another account to make payroll, Gulick said.
Councilman Bill Brown said some tax funds came in from Berkheimer on Thursday, bringing the cash on hand from $63,393 "up to the $70,000 mark."
The first payroll for Dec. 10 should be covered, said Brown, but the city still does not have money for the second payroll, which will fall due Dec. 24.

12/2/2004
Nanticoke urged to enter financial program
Rep. Yudichak recommends getting fiscal advice from state before it's too late.
By JON FOX-jfox@leader.net
State Rep. John Yudichak, at Wednesday night's city council meeting, called for the city to enter the state's early intervention program for financially troubled municipalities.
The program would allow the city to take advantage of professional financial advice and devise a five-year plan for recovery, said Yudichak, D-Nanticoke.
The representative's advice comes a week after city officials received a draft of a financial analysis commissioned by the state Department of Community and Economic Development.
The report paints a bleak picture of the municipality. It indicates the city is floundering financially and could face insolvency this year, by next fall at the latest.
"We finally have in black and white evidence of what you were raising concerns about," Yudichak told city council at the meeting. Mayor John Toole was absent because of a death in his family.
There are more bills than there is money, and it's been that way for seven of the past nine years, Yudichak said.
Nanticoke needs a plan "to get us away from taking the (Tax Anticipation Note) every year, to get us away from deficit spending, to right this fiscal ship," he said.
There was little argument from council members.
Asking that the city administrator be authorized to solicit quotes for a TAN, a type of loan, to get cover budget shortfalls, Councilman Bill Brown said the money will be critical in getting the city through the first months of the coming year.
"Yeah, but in July we won't be able to pay it back," said Councilman John Bushko.
From a balanced budget in 1999, the city has slowly slid into debt and leaned more heavily on short-term credit. This year the deficit is likely to be in the neighborhood of $225,000, according to the state report.
"We're having a problem trying to make the last month of payments to vendors and payroll," Brown said.
The city needs $294,369 to pay all its end-of-the-year bills and $73,607 just to pay employees.
The city account, however, holds only $63,393. Treasurer Albert Wytoshek said he only expects an additional $15,000 in property taxes to flow in before the year's end.
And in the spirit of a final straw, the city just received a bill from the state for more than $20,000 for their share of a bridge project on Union Street.
Seemingly exasperated, Brown appealed to the audience for suggestions on how to pay the bill. Simply put it off, one person said.

12/2/2004
Nanticoke lacks funds to make December payroll
By Elizabeth Skrapits , Citizens' Voice Staff Writer
Nanticoke City Council examined some negative financial news at Wednesday night's meeting.
Councilman William Brown, who was sitting in for absent Mayor John Toole, said the city is having trouble meeting its $137,000 December payroll.
He said the city has due $67,918 in health insurance, $33,643 in non-uniform retirement fund payments, and needs to come up with $119,200 for the refuse fund.
The city only has a total of $63,393 total cash on hand, and needs $73,607 more just to make payroll, or $294,369 altogether, Brown said.
In addition, the city owes the state $20,256 for its share of the Union Street Bridge project, payment of which council agreed would have to be postponed.
Bills are not getting paid on time, according to Brown, and there will only be about $19,000 left in the sewer fund at the end of the year.
"I don't want to run a shop this way," he remarked.
Treasurer Albert Wytosek said the city was "extremely far behind" in all the taxes taken in. So far, it has collected $102,984 in city taxes, which is $40,000 less than usual, and Wytosek estimated less than $15,000 is due to come in by the end of the year. The city has also received $8,050 in per capita taxes, which he said is less than normal.
Council voted on the first reading of the ordinances to pass the annual taxes, but chose to table an ordinance maintaining the occupational privilege tax of $10 for 2005.

12/1/2004
Schools wary of slots impact
Districts want to be certain how much gambling money they will get before committing to tax reductions.
By BONNIE ADAMS-badams@leader.net

State gambling legislation that would reduce each homeowner's school taxes by about $109 to $359 a year has sparked questions and skepticism among local school boards.
They are still untangling details before deciding whether their school districts should opt into the Homeowner Tax Relief Act program, commonly known as the Homestead Act, which uses gambling proceeds to help fund education.
The property tax savings from Act 72 vary by school district and come at a cost because participating districts must increase their earned-income taxes. That 0.1 percent increase must be used for property tax relief in addition to gambling proceeds.
"It's probably one of the toughest decisions a board will have to make," said Tim Allwein of the Pennsylvania School Boards Association. Association representatives are traveling statewide to help school boards and the public understand the legislation.
"There are a lot of questions," he said. Allwein said it is frustrating for school boards because they want to know for sure how much gaming money their school district will receive before committing to the program.
"No one's sure what a good estimate will be," Allwein said. The state Department of Education has released estimates for each school district based on two distribution totals - $1 billion and $500 million a year.
Each district's estimate is based on a tax relief formula that gives the most state resources to districts with the greatest tax burden and the least local wealth.
Wilkes-Barre Area business manager Ralph Scoda agrees with Allwein that the decision is difficult for school boards. "It's not a win-win situation for both sides."
He said that what might be good for the school district could mean a higher earned-income tax for residents. Also, the act includes a back-end referendum: If a district opts into Act 72, it can't raise taxes beyond a certain point without voter approval.
Scoda said that no matter what a school board decides, it will be based on guesswork. "It's extremely difficult."
Virginia Falzone, president of Wilkes-Barre's North End Citizens and Taxpayers group, said senior citizens are hoping for a tax break.
But she said residents are skeptical that the yearly property tax savings will be as high as the state estimates. Department of Education figures list savings of $200 to $356 for homeowners in the Wilkes-Barre Area School District.
Lake-Lehman School Board President Jim Mahon said the estimates are inflated. He doesn't believe Lake-Lehman homeowners will pay $133 less a year if there is $500 million in the fund, or $214 less if there is $1 billion.
Mahon said a Pennsylvania School Boards Association representative will attend a future school board meeting to address the board and public. He opposes using gambling proceeds to help fund education. Mahon said he would rather see property tax relief through wage tax increases.
If a district already collects an income tax - and all local districts do - the school board must pass a resolution by May 30, 2005, to raise that tax by 0.1 percent.
Greater Nanticoke Area School Board President Bob Raineri said the district plans to form a citizens advisory committee to seek input from retirees and working people. Wyoming Area is doing the same.
Raineri said a homeowner might pay less in school taxes, but pay more in earned income taxes. "I really don't think we're going to gain too much from this."
Pittston Area School Board President Mark Singer said it's likely the district will opt into the program because it needs the money. Pittston Area faces a $550,000 budget shortfall from the closing of Techneglas in Jenkins Township.
"From what I know, I think it's a situation where we have to," Singer said.
Bonnie Adams, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 829-7241.

On the net
For more information on the Homeowner Tax Relief Act program, go to the state Department of Education's Web site at: www.pde.state.pa.us/proptax/site/default.asp.

11/30/2004
Draft of state report says Nanticoke in financial trouble
By Elizabeth Skrapits , Citizens' Voice Staff Writer

Nanticoke City is in deep financial trouble that will require quick action by city officials, according to a draft report from the state Department of Community and Economic Development obtained by The Citizens' Voice on Monday.
The report, based on a study performed for DCED's Governor's Center for Local Government Services by Cornell Hopkins of Hopkins and Hopkins LLC of Chalfont, outlines the city's financial mistakes, their consequences, and the need for a five-year plan.
The report states that the city is facing a 2004 operating deficit of $225,000, and could be "facing insolvency from which it cannot recover," starting "as early as late this year and not later than fall of 2005.
Some key questions outlined in the report are whether the city can pay for programs and services it currently furnishes; if there are reserves to finance economic emergencies; and whether there is financial flexibility
The answer to all the questions is no
"It paints a very stark picture for the city," state Rep. John Yudichak, D-119, said of the report. "It validates some concerns I've had, and that some members of council have raised, about the financial health of the city.
DCED spokesman Kevin Ortiz said the report is in the draft stage, and should be completed soon
"This is a report that will help DCED help Nanticoke make sure they can follow the best practices in a way that will help them to best use state resources to avoid fiscal insolvency," Ortiz said
The final report will include a recommended five-year financial plan and management advice to help implement it. Wilkes-Barre City is following a five-year plan from DCED
The report states that if Nanticoke does not adopt the five-year plan, the state will be unwilling to give it funding for programs and projects, and there is the possibility the city could enter Act 47 - distressed municipality - status
"It's exactly what I expected from it. I could have told them that," Nanticoke Mayor John Toole said of the report
He said the $225,000 figure may end up being less, and doubts the city will become insolvent this year or next, although he admits to the possibility "a few years down the road.
The report states that the city has operated in a deficit for seven out of the last nine years, and has been using $1.1 million in tax anticipation notes from 2000 to 2003 to cover operational expenses from previous years, instead of using them to run the city for the first few months of the new year. The city then consolidated two of the TANs into a $1 million bond that created an additional $150,000 in principal
"The city's got to tighten its belt and start doing things the right way," Nanticoke Councilman John Bushko said. "Basically, we can't afford our services on the amount of tax dollars we take in.
Bushko noted the budget has a "built-in deficit guaranteed every year," and the city has been raiding the sewer fund for years for operating expenses.

11/28/2004
Nanticoke Area Notes
By: Pamela Urbanski
Sewer fees put to good use
The City of Nanticoke continues to put the monies collected through its sewer fees to good use.
City officials continue to map out plans to repair and upgrade sewer lines throughout the city. It is an ongoing process and the worst sewer lines are targeted and repaired.
Hopefully, two current projects on the to-do list will be completed before the winter weather arrives.
Betsy Chesinski, city administrative assistant, tells me the sewer line on Chestnut Street running from Ridge Street to Church Street is undergoing repair. Once that sewer project is complete, the roads will be paved. New handicap-accessible corner sidewalks also will be installed. Lagana construction was awarded the contract for the work.
In the Hanover section of Nanticoke, engineers found a major sewer line problem in the area of Standard Place. It is considered more of an alley than a street because of its size and location, which is behind Front Street to the rear of Pelas candy store. Krasavage Construction was awarded the contract to replace 1,000 feet of sewer line, manhole covers and paving of the roadway. This work is set to begin within the next few weeks.

11/25/2004
Trojan effort is just what GNA needs
School problem no way universal
jpetrucci@leader.net
Greater Nanticoke Area's Len Butczynski will try to remain undefeated today in his third time coaching the East team in the UNICO All-Star Football Classic.
Amazing what a coach can do when he has a full team to work with.
He'll coach 40 high school seniors in today's game, nearly twice the number of players occupying the home sideline at Nanticoke.
At Nanticoke the past four years, Butczynski led half a team to a 9-31 record, including the recent 1-9 season that ended with about 23 Trojans in uniform.
Because of that record, Butczynski has become a target of some Nanticoke fans who think someone else could do better.
I'd like to meet that someone, and tell him about college vacancies at Florida and Illinois.
Nanticoke has the second-largest male enrollment among District 2's 15 Class 2A schools. But when it comes to the amount of boys who played fall sports, the number is small pierogies. Of 410 boys at Nanticoke Area, only 58, or 14 percent, participated.
"Kids just don't want to practice," said senior tight end Chris Ushinski.
It's not just the football team. The Trojans boys soccer team, a state qualifier last year, ended this season with only 15 players and just missed the playoffs. Same goes for the cross country team, which, two years removed from a division title, finished with about five boys. The Trojans golf team? About six.
This is not a school lacking athletic success, tradition or community support.
What happened to the Distasios, the Bilkos, the McDermotts?
This is clearly a guy thing. Nanticoke's girls have little trouble filling out their teams' rosters.
Butczynski, a 1986 Nanticoke graduate, has discussed the problem with his athletic director. Butczynski and his staff try to recruit boys in school, along every road that intersects with Kosciuszko Street and at other school sporting events. The coach was even able to sell the fact that the school district committed to renovating the stadium for this past season.
Still, he was barely able to field a team. He admits he has no answers.
With so few players, Butczynski has no choice but to go half-speed in practice, against blocking bags and tackling dummies. He tries to stress the importance of stepping it up to full speed for games, but the Trojans are still outnumbered, still a step behind.
Ushinski, who said he enjoyed his career despite three 1-9 seasons, tried to convince his classmates to join the team.
"They'll come out for a day and say 'This isn't for me.' They'll make up some kind of lame excuse."
Two other lame excuses, according to Ushinski: "My stomach hurts" and "I don't think my mom or dad will let me play."
Smaller rival Hanover Area doesn't have this problem. The Hawkeyes football team consistently fields about 40 boys. So it appears that priorities have changed for teenage boys in Nanticoke. No one, however, is sure why they've changed, or what's behind the change.
Cars, girls and jobs have long robbed high school teams of players. Add computers, video games and extreme sports to the list of accomplices.
If kids aren't hearing the adults, maybe they'll accept the challenge from one of their own, Ushinski: "Kids aren't as hard-nosed as they used to be, I guess."

11/18/2004
Nanticoke can no longer afford to ignore growing drug problem
There were 37 overdose deaths in the city over the past four years.
Editor: Citizens' Voice
This letter is for the edification of the citizens of Nanticoke as it relates to the growing drug problem within our community.
The following is a partial account of narcotics activity in Nanticoke City during October: A woman died from a heroin overdose; a pharmacy was robbed at gun point; a bar was robbed at gun point; a pharmacy was burglarized; two attempted burglaries of a pharmacy occurred; two families lost custody of a total of six children; 64 criminal arrests were made as a result of thefts, assaults, and other drug related crimes.
There have been at least 100 instances of drug overdoses over the last four years. To wit, 37 have resulted in death. I often hear the question, "In Nanticoke?" The answer is emphatically, "yes." Families have been ruined and bankrupt, parents have taken their own lives over this epidemic, and hepatitis has become no less common than a seasonal cold.
Despite the efforts of parents, police, clergy, schools and medicine, nothing has changed. We tell our children, "don't use drugs" but give them few alternatives. We placate the taxpayers and forget the future taxpayer. We ponder the exodus of the best and brightest, yet offer no vocational opportunity.
Slightly more than a year ago, concerned members of our city bonded together over the bleak realization that we are in big trouble. We formed the non-profit GNA Drug Task Force Inc. We held a meeting with about 30 people. All were under age 20. Three have since died. Overwhelmingly, they told us they wanted a place to go, a youth center. They asked why they never got their skate park that was promised.
To date, the task force has welcomed Narcotics Anonymous into Nanticoke, established a youth group, held educational events and organized efforts of recovery and treatment for individuals. We cannot afford to be embarrassed about our drug problem any longer. Our city needs a youth center, and we are working toward that goal.
If you need help, or can help; please contact us at:
GNA Task Force, P.O. Box 139, Nanticoke, PA 18634.
Officer Kevin J. Grevera
GNA Task Force president

11/18/2004
Nanticoke library declines stock offer
By Robert Kalinowski Citizens' Voice Staff Writer

Mill Memorial Library board members declined a donation of $165,000 in stock from a cofounder of Cornerstone Technologies during a meeting Wednesday.
Board members at the meeting, which was held at the Nanticoke library, lamented about "digging deeper" into their trust fund and discussed several costly purchases.
Susan Maza, board president, explained that the donation was wanted - and especially needed in the face of government cutbacks - but the library could not obtain the money due to a conflict with the contributor, Bruce Conrad, and current company operators.
"The issue has to be settled among the shareholders. It's not a stock that's readily accessible on the open market," she said.
The stock in question, she explained, is invested in severa1 "limited liability" entities and is not traded as a stock on the New York Stock Exchange would be traded.
One of those entities is Cornerstone Technologies, an innovative research and development company which began operation in 1999 after Congressman Paul Kanjorski, D11, helped secure more than $9 million in government funds for the project.
Since that time, the company has been at least four of Kanjorski's relatives.
Conrad parted ways with the company several years ago and has recently claimed the company had been trying to buy out his stock for some time.
When the dispute could not be settled, Conrad offered to donate the stock to the library.
However, it became apparent to the library board the unresolved dispute would not allow for that, Maza said.
"We couldn't liquidate it," Maza stated after the board voted 6-0 to decline Conrad's offer.
After Conrad made the offer in September, the board vowed they would perform "due diligence" before accepting.
In recent weeks, several board members were told Cornerstone is involved in litigation and the library might be "liable" if it accepted the transaction.
A Cornerstone official also told a board member that there was "no market value of the stock."
When contacted at his Jim Thorpe, Carbon County, home Wednesday night, Conrad disputed both of these statements and hinted that some people close to the situation might have tried to corner the library in to declining the donation - or at least from pursuing it.
He noted that the $165,000 was a proposed settlement to a lawsuit the company filed against him for allegedly stealing company secrets. That amount, he said, was what they subtracted from the stock's worth due to his alleged "harm" to the company.
"They alleged in court that the stock was worth that value. So, were they lying then or are they lying now?" he asked.
Conrad said that it is "clearly not true" that the library would be held liable if litigation were brought against Cornerstone. He said that it's a corporation's responsibility to protect its shareholders.
In recent weeks, Peter Kanjorski, CEO of Cornerstone and the congressman's nephew, could not be reached for comment about the donation.
"I really did try to give the library something of value. It's appalling that isn't possible," Conrad said Wednesday.
Now that the library board has rejected the offer, Conrad said he does not know where the stock is or where it will go.

11/17/2004
DA's office offers farewell to arms, hello to rewards
State, federal funds will allow county officials to purchase handguns for a $75 gift certificate; shotguns, rifles for $50.
By DAVID WEISS-dweiss@leader.net

Have a gun you don't want anymore?
Sell it to the district attorney's office. The staff would be more than happy to buy it.
That way the weapon will be sure to stay out of criminals' hands, said spokeswoman Carol Crane.
Luzerne County District Attorney David Lupas on Tuesday announced the start of a new program, dubbed "Operation Safe Guns."
The program will allow Lupas, using a $10,000 grant, to buy guns from people who no longer need or use the weapons. The guns will be destroyed.
Crane said the office will pay the gun owners with gift certificates. Crane said gift certificates were chosen because the program will mirror a successful program used in Allegheny County.
"Guns are like gold to criminals," said Crane, noting stolen guns can be sold at a high price to drug dealers. "The less that are laying around out there, the better."
A handgun will be worth $75, shotguns and rifles will be worth $50. Crane said the gift certificates will most likely be from Wal-Mart because consumers would be able to use the certificates for merchandise and groceries in every part of the county, Crane said.
The gun buy-back program is only one component of the new initiative.
Lupas also will be distributing brochures to teach people about gun-safety. The brochures will give gun owners insight on storing weapons at home, telling them to keep them out of children's reach.
Crane said the grant came