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Sunday, June 08, 1997 Page:
SAYSO
I guess it’s gonna take the voters to show (Luzerne County Commissioner)
Mr(Tom) Makowski that whenever an employee makes a major mistake in the
courthouse, we don’t approve. Apparently, anybody can make a boo-boo up there
and get away with it as long as you’re on Mr. Makowski’s team. The voters will
take care of Mr. Makowski. We’ll show him how disappointed we are.
The Hazle Township Zoning Board denied a day care center at Humboldt
Industrial Park. I think the Hazle Township Zoning Board has a lot of
explaining to do. Hazardous materials and safety are matters for Occupational
Safety and Health Administration, not for unknowledgeable people who make
decisions on whim and fancy. The board should also be held accountable for its
decisions. Why doesn’t the public know about these conditions, that they’re
allowed to exist? Does the Zoning Board have no concern for the young women
who work at the Humboldt Park and may be in child-bearing condition and the
possible impacts on them and their newborn? Those hazardous materials still go
out in residential areas, and we are not told.
Editor’s note: Two Berwick area women want to open a day care center at the
industrial park, but the Hazle Township Zoning Board denied a variance
request, saying children would not be safe in an industrial park that could
expose them to fumes, trucks carrying industrial materials and a nearby active
railroad. Cheryl Fischer and her sister, Karen Preston, sought the variance
because the park is in an industrial zone. Zoning Board representatives could
not be reached for comment on the SAYSO call. Township Supervisor Andy Benyo
said he agrees with the board’s decision. Benyo said he’s reluctant to allow
children in an industrial park, especially when there are regularly chemical
spills there. Benyo said government agencies regularly inspect industrial
parks to make sure they meet air quality and other environmental standards.
We’re interested in buying a house to raise our two teenage children in. We
looked at new homes in the Freeland area. We were very interested in Freeland
until recently. The reason for our concern is the high arrest rate of
juveniles. It seems that Freeland police and the magistrate are against
teenagers. We read in the paper that they arrested teenagers trespassing and
there were various other things they’ve been charged with. It seems that in
Freeland, teenagers are not allowed out of their houses. And if they leave
their houses, they are charged with trespassing. Are the kids allowed to walk,
talk or stand? They can’t even be kids. Maybe Freeland Police should issue a
map showing where these kids are allowed to be kids within the borough. The
map should show any sidewalks the kids are allowed to walk on, where the kids
are allowed to talk and where the kids are allowed to stand. It apparently
would not cost very much to produce this map, since there are not many places
these kids are allowed to be. I have never witnessed such negative feelings
against teenagers. Didn’t they ever hear the saying, “Kids are the future?” If
the saying is true, the police in Freeland better hope these teenagers will
not have negative feelings against senior citizens.
Editor’s note: Freeland Police Chief Joseph Palko said police cite and
arrest anybody who commits a crime, regardless of age or identity. Palko said
some juveniles have been violating the no-trespassing ordinance, and property
and business owners have asked police to step up enforcement. Groups of
loitering people can cause problems like littering and vandalism, Palko said.
He suggested area youth participate in the Little League, the bowling league
or visit the borough’s three playgrounds.
In Hazleton’s other paper, the former managing editor wrote an article
entitled, “Could Columbo sort out Clinton’s legal troubles?” His attempt at
humor was execrable, and the word doesn’t mean excellent. I would like to see
him get some intestinal fortitude and start writing stories about the area
School Board, the missing $94,000 worth of equipment and the demise of the
Hazleton Area High School. What do you say? Are you up to the challenge? I
doubt it. Instead of writing such silly drivel about Columbo solving the
president’s problems, attack these problems please.
This is Michael E. Holovacs. This is for the people to read and to cover-up
specialist (Hazleton Housing Authority Executive Director) Mr. (Richard)
Campbell. At the last May 1997 Housing Authority meeting, I asked that you
send me the letters that you said you sent to the federal Department of
Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and also the letters that you received
from HUD. I also asked that you send me the minutes of the last meeting. I
received the minutes, but no letters. These letters should be on record at the
meeting and also public information. I want my money. I will not go away.
Editor’s note: Holovacs, a Section 8 landlord, said the authority wrongly
withheld rent subsidy from one of his apartments.
As a General Foam employee, I was wondering if The Times Leader could
update us on a couple of separate cases that also involve General Foam
workers. First, the Roy Allen case. I thought he pleaded guilty to
embezzlement, and I was wondering what his status is. And also, on the case of
Dr. Eugene Gorski, whose late wife, Debbie, was a General Foam employee.
Please give us the updates and let us know what’s going on with these two
cases.
Editor’s note: Allen was found guilty of 22 counts of embezzlement, 13
counts of federal falsification of entries or reports and one count of
criminal forfeiture. Allen’s sentencing has been continued to Aug. 26, and he
continues to work at General Foam as a production foreman. The Luzerne
District Attorney did not return a call for comment about the status of the
Gorski case. In November a coroner’s inquest found Gorski guilty of his wife’s
death.
There are certain people who do not want Frankie Fay to have the authority
to appoint the nominees for Hazle Township supervisor. The reason for this is
simple. A handful of people control who gets hired and who gets contracts.
When Frank Fay controlled the township, he took care of people from all over
the township. The current majority led by Benyo only takes care of its own
interests.