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Sunday, May 03, 1998 Page:
Editor’s note: The Hazleton Times Leader has set up the SAYSO phone line
(459-2159) to accept readers’ opinions on matters that interest them. There is
no charge other than the typical one from the phone company for making a phone
call. Callers are asked to speak for no more than 30 seconds and, please, do
not try to monopolize the phone line.
According to the Hazleton Police Chief, officer Greg Rossi was not
responsible for striking two cars, because he claimed the brakes failed in the
car that had over 130,000 miles on it. Where was the city mechanic who was
supposed to keep these cars inspected? If they knew the car was in this
condition, why wasn’t he driving a safer car? Now tell us the true story.
I am very depressed today. We’re getting a roof re-shingled. The
contractor’s a nice man and checked the adjoining properties to make sure no
debris was left behind. Well, at 6:15 this morning, when I went out to pick up
the paper, I found that one of our neighbors had stuffed a piece of plastic
from the shingles in the newspaper slot. Needless to say, it upset us and hurt
us deeply. Wouldn’t it have been easier just to throw it in the garbage can?
Gloria Pesock, in order to have heart problems, you have to have a heart.
On reading the other paper today, I can’t believe that they’re going to
move ahead with field repairs. Where is this district getting all the money
from? Taxpayers, wake up! Get rid of (Hazleton Area School District Business
Manager/Board Secretary Donald) Boyer and (District Superintendent Geraldine)
Shepperson. Do you realize how many buildings are being torn down and
repaired? Do you realize how many schools are being built? There isn’t any
place, maybe in Wilkes-Barre, that they build one school. But we are building
schools. Rich people must live here. I don’t see where they’re getting the
money from.
I just read in your paper where (Hazleton Area School Board President) Mrs.
Pesock admitted she received a loaf of bread from (Hazleton Area School
Director) Mr. Rossi and enjoyed it. That was a very expensive loaf of bread. I
think there were 30 pieces of silver baked in it. Could be.
I passed the Hazleton Junior High School today, and noticed that the two
brick turrets have been removed down to the heavy limestone base. I think the
junior high school looks better and more modern than it did when the brick
turrets were higher. I think the turrets should not be rebuilt, and the half a
million dollars could be saved by the school district and put to better use in
many other essential areas. By the way, I am a 1945 graduate of Hazleton High
School.
There’s a heck of a lot of cars and motorcycles around here with loud
mufflers, or no mufflers, blacked-out windows and expired out-of-state license
plates. Why aren’t our local and state police departments enforcing the laws
in Pennsylvania?
I see where our school board is so enamored of Donald Boyer that they voted
to renew his contract. I don’t see what’s so impressive about the man. His
only solution to every weekly crisis, real or imagined, is to spend as much
money as possible. You don’t need a college degree to do that. I can get a guy
off the street to do it for you for $5 an hour.
I hear that (Kline Township Supervisor) Tony Morelli was at The Times
Leader office screaming at the editor, because he received the coal award.
Keep up the good work, Times Leader. You help to put political villains like
him where he belongs.
Editor’s Note: No screaming. Just a conversation that occasionally got a
little loud.
I just noticed in The Times Leader that Gloria Pesock was so grateful that
she received some gifts from Mr. Rossi, and among those gifts there was a loaf
of homemade paska bread. I was just wondering, did Mrs. Rossi have a class on
baking paska bread Easter week? Just curious.
I just read in the SAYSO column about the meetings in Kathy’s coffee house.
This is true, and I’m glad that someone’s finally pointed it out. I believe
that the McAdoo borough council people that voted for going with Hazleton were
heavily pushed by Tony Morelli and Carmen Cara into it. I’ve talked with many
of them, and all they keep telling me is what Kline Township had to say.
Everything Kline Township has to say has been lies, nothing but lies. All of
their township meetings have ended in arguments over the sewer. It’s a shame
that the McAdoo borough council people can’t make up their own minds and do
what’s right. All of the studies prove that the worse thing in the world is to
go with Hazleton. We should be building our own plant just like Banks has
chosen to do.
Editor’s note: Last week, the state Department of Environmental Protection
ordered McAdoo and Kline Township to build a sewage treatment plant. In
published reports, McAdoo Borough Council President Joe Jevitt said he will
ask DEP to let the borough pump its sewage to a Hazleton City Authority plant
in the Valmont Industrial Park.
Jennifer Learn’s investigative reporting of Cindy Fetchko’s problem in
obtaining a teaching position is positive evidence that it’s not what you
know, but who you know in the hiring policy of our school district. If Cindy
Fetchko is not hired in the next teacher’s opening, I personally have vowed to
do everything possible to defeat each and every school director when he or she
seeks re-election. And I urge every other voter to do likewise.
Editor’s note: Fetchko, who passed her teaching exam in her junior year of
college and graduated magna cum laude with an elementary education degree,
said she hasn’t received a full-time district teaching job because she is not
politically connected.
She gave The Times Leader copies of her college transcripts, resume and
recommendation letters- including a glowing one from district Superintendent
Geraldine Shepperson- to prove that she was more qualified than more district
friends and relatives who have been hired in the past few years.
This is in reference to the letter to the editor that was published in the
Times Leader April 26. It was titled, “Pesock responds to letter.” Somebody
better tell Gloria Pesock she’s president of the Hazleton Area School Board,
not president of the United States. I would think that the tarnished
reputation the Hazleton Area School Board has in this community and her being
president of it is a dubious distinction at best. Get a grip, Gloria. Being
president of the school board just implies some kind of D-E-A-L was made.
I hope Tony Bonomo does decide to resign from the school board. At least he
managed to get himself and his wife a job out of his being a school director.
As far as any kind of legacy he leaves behind as what he’s done on the board,
at the meetings I attended, it seems as if all the complex issues sailed right
over his head, and he always appeared as if he had trouble paying attention to
the issues. I hope he does resign.
Editor’s Note: Bonomo resigned from the board Tuesday after accepting a job
in the state auditor’s general office.
I read with interest Betsy Durso’s letter to the editor in Sunday’s paper,
“Politics making the school board dysfunctional.” I’d like to quote her where
she says, “Maybe I’m a little confused or naive, but the state School Board
Association, which addresses effective board service, says boards must stay
focused on the educational needs of the students.” Betsy, this is exactly what
the parents want. The parents are interested in the curriculum. We want the
curriculum to be evaluated. If it’s not working, we want it to be revised. We
want to know about the standardized test scores. We want to know about SAT
scores. We want to know where our students fall, not only on the state level,
but on the national level. We want to know, how prepared are our students for
their entry into college? Yes, school board, that’s exactly what the parents
want to know about. We want to know about the curriculum and the educational
needs of the students.
When Tipper Gore comes to the Hazleton Campus to give her speech, I would
hope that someone in the newspaper or television media would have the backbone
to ask the following question of her: How come her and her husband, who were
one of the leading do-good liberals in the country and find nothing wrong with
confiscating 40 to 50 percent of a person’s wages, between federal, state and
local taxes, made $197,129 adjusted income in 1997 and only could give $353 to
charity? This comes to less than 0.2 percent.
McAdoo Sewage Authority whiz-kids want to build a sewer treatment plant for
2,200 people. They’ve planned this for three years. But they don’t know where
they’re gonna put this plant, and they don’t know where to put the water
run-off. They sure are knowledgeable people. Divide 2,200 people into $3.5
million and see what it costs. And that’s not counting the price of digging up
the streets. This sure seems like a big problem.
I’m calling with regards to all this comment on the dress code in school. I
think, before the school board does anything with the kids, they should start
with the teachers. It’s ridiculous. I saw a teacher with Reebok sneakers,
jeans and a T-shirt on. What ever happened to a teacher going to school in a
suit and tie? I think if they start at the top, they can get the kids to do
the same thing.
This is in response to the one that couldn’t handle the neighbor’s dogs.
How would you like to live next to someone with eight pens and some cats, and
you can’t use your yard for 11 years because the smell is so bad? It’s a lot
worse than yours.
About the game room for the SWAT team: Are you an idiot? Open your ears,
ask questions. (The) Adult probation (department) is opening a new office
downstairs in the courthouse annex.
I’m calling about the SWAT team. I guess it’s popular to bash the SWAT
team, probably just because it’s associated with our unpopular mayor. But I
for one think it is a good idea to have a police department that is prepared
for an emergency. Once someone is already taken hostage, it is too late to
grab a couple of cops and try to show them what to do. I think we should be
proud that we have this highly-trained unit available for our residents.
I wonder if Louie Rossi, Hazleton political boss, is looking for adopting
any children? I understand from The Times Leader last Sunday, and from a
statement made in the newspaper, that his son is now going to apply for a
teaching position? That’s three positions that I now of, and I know he had a
fourth down at the courthouse as a per diem sheriff. I was just wondering, if
Louie Rossi is looking to adopt any children, I’m available for adoption,
because I’d like to have a political job. Some people can’t even get one, and
his son gets four?
Editor’s note: District watchdog Vicki Mackin predicted in last week’s
Times Leader that Greg Rossi will soon be hired for a teaching job at the
Career Center. Vince Zola was switched from law enforcement
instructor/security director to assistant business manager/security director
recently, leaving his teaching position open.
Greg Rossi worked for the Hazleton Fire Department, where his father once
worked, and then got his present job on the Hazleton Police Department. He has
a criminal justice degree and applied for a teaching job a few years ago.
I gave this some thought before making this call, but I would be remiss if
I didn’t make it. A friend of mine and I went to the same eye doctor. The
doctor told both of us that we needed an operation on our eyes for cataracts.
I went to a doctor from the Wills Eye Hospital for a second opinion, and he
went to one down in the Lehigh Valley. Our doctors told us that we did not
need an operation on our eyes. In fact, the one doctor told me that my eyes
would be worse if I had the operation. Now, this doctor is in the Hazleton
area. Is he basically incompetent? Everybody, no matter what the operation is,
should get that second opinion.
I was wondering if The Times Leader could print the minor league team that
former Red Barons General Manager Bill Terlecky is now a part of?
Editor’s note: Terlecky, who served as the Barons’ general manager since
the team’s inception in 1989, resigned last year. He left to take over as
president of the Madison, Wisc., Black Wolf team. That team is part of the
Northern League, an independent professional baseball league that has no ties
to Major League Baseball.
Rick Muntean, Terlecky’s former assistant, is now serving as the team
general manager.
We are paying Kline Township workers hundreds and hundreds of dollars more
than we did when George Stefanisko and Leon Durchin were in power. And every
one of these workers are Morelli himself, his relatives or his political
cronies, which includes (name deleted), who has no specific duties whatsoever.
And yet, the announcement of the Kline Township meeting which was held almost
two weeks ago still hangs on the door. What an outrageous waste of taxpayers’
money. No wonder no one can see the time cards, not even Supervisor George
Stefanisko.
I think the decision of Kline Township and McAdoo to go with Hazleton with
their sewer is utterly ridiculous. The problem I see is that Kline Township’s
facts and figures are not correct. I think the DEP should be watching over
this more and push the people to make the right decision. The problem I see is
that Kline Township’s study says that the cost for taxpayers per household is
$60 to $70 per month. That’s just not the case. The real case is, the tap-on
fees and all the hidden costs. After talking with the councilmen from McAdoo
and the Kline Township solicitor, I’ve gotten nothing but lies out of all of
them. They clearly don’t understand what’s going on, and they clearly have
made the wrong choice.
I’m calling from Freeland, concerning our borough’s council granting a seat
on the municipal authority board of directors to Foster Township for accepting
their sewage. Isn’t it enough that we are saving Foster Township thousands of
dollars by accepting their sewage, that we are forced by them to add this
seat, and a potential seat to Butler Township? To extend this board from five
to seven members, I think is a mistake.
It’s been over one month now, and we still haven’t heard anything
concerning the West Hazleton Community Ambulance in the borough. I, as a
member, would like to know if I’m going to be covered by the West Hazleton
Community Ambulance Association. What is the status of the audit?
Editor’s note: Borough Council removed Community Ambulance from first
responder status back in February. Ron Lashock, then Association president,
resigned shortly after. An audit was ordered by the Association board
following Lashock’s resignation.
Ambulance President Robert Segaria said last week the audit results haven’t
come in yet. Segaria said the association is getting some final things in
order, but they are ready to go and would like to resume service in the
borough.
Association officials plan to meet with council next month at their regular
meeting, and they hope council will reinstate the association as first
responder in the borough..
He said the ambulance has already returned to Mutual Aid, serving the
Valley area and Hazleton.
It would appear that, with the resignation of Tony Bonomo from the school
board, that Gloria “Chameleon” Pesock has been given another chance. Well,
Gloria, the ball’s in your court.
Mayor Mike is a poor example for everyone. Now let’s see him talk his way
out of this one.
Editor’s note: According to published reports, Marsicano was arrested for
speeding on Interstate 80 in Butler Township last Sunday. Marsicano was
allegedly traveling 90 mph in a 65 mph zone.
I called the other day in response to the person with their neighbor’s dog
barking. I mentioned the 11 years I’ve been putting up with my neighbor’s
dogs. In case anybody’s interested, it’s at the corner of Hazle and Juniper
streets.
Tower to mayor. Tower to mayor. Your approach on Runway 80 was a little
fast. You’re in a car, not in a jet. Please observe the speed limit.
When our mayor ran for election, he said crime was his most important
issue. I want to ask his supporters who call in the SAYSO line, is it a crime
to speed down the Interstate?
So what kind of a beef does that state trooper have if he was watching
Mighty Mike fly down the Interstate? After all, the man is a pilot. He does
have a license to fly.
When Mighty Mike arrested that youth last year, he stated to the youth,
“I’m the mayor, and you’re under arrest.” When the state trooper stopped
Mighty Mike on the Interstate, the trooper looked at Mike and said, `You’re
the mayor, and you’re under arrest.’
Mighty Mike, if you’re wondering why you got so much publicity on your
speeding ticket, it’s because you’re the M-A-Y-O-R.
Mighty Mike brags about being an ex-state policeman, but apparently he
feels the laws were written for other people, and not for him.
Sam Lesante claims he’s not biased. What a joke. Everyone noticed how
Channel 13 failed to show the Marsicano speeding story. What’s your excuse
this time, Sam? You say you’re fair with everyone. Maybe you should do a
little more research in City Hall.
First I want to commend Mark Carmon (of DEP) for the decision on building a
treatment plant. It shows he has vision for the future of the municipalities
involved. McAdoo, Hazle, Banks and Kline. At the end of paying their loans
off, they should be able to reduce treatments costs down to where taxpayers
can handle.
Gloria Pesock has proven to be a major disappoin