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BERNADINE ELICK Times Leader Correspondent
Thursday, March 22, 2001 Page: 4A
Tom Lavan was named Mayor for a Day at the last meeting of Wilkes-Barre
Township Council.
Honoring a township resident of Irish descent to serve as honorary mayor of
the township has been traditional for several decades.
Lavan is married to the former Marilyn Stavish. Both are lifelong residents
of the township and parents of two children, Tom, who resides in Mountaintop
with his wife Patty, and Karen Bokelman, who resides in Philadelphia with her
husband Mark.
Lavan, a 1953 graduate of Wilkes-Barre Township High School, attended
Marywood College and is a Navy veteran of the Korean Conflict and participated
in the testing of nuclear weapons in the Nevada desert.
Lavan has been employed by the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections for
30 years and is deputy superintendent at the State Correctional Institution at
Dallas.
Citizens speak out
Marian Becker of Nicholson Street said she saw an article in the newspaper
several weeks ago pertaining to a methadone clinic and was concerned that one
could be established in the township. She asked that the township officials
take action to protect the residents.
Council President Lorraine Mrackoski said council introduced an ordinance
several weeks ago. Township solicitor Bruce Phillips is forwarding the matter
of establishment of a methadone clinic to the planning commission for its
review, Mrackoski said.
The issue would then be presented to the zoning hearing board and to
council for a public hearing.
The ordinance, introduced Dec. 4, calls for strict regulations and
stipulations as to if and where a methadone clinic could be established.
Becker also expressed concern about an application by her neighbor, Dr.
Stanley Bohinski, to use his residence for his practice. Becker said the
physician is planning to add on to his home.
She said she contacted Michael Evans, township zoning officer, to get a
copy of Bohinski’s application, his plans and tapes of the two zoning hearing
board meetings, but was denied access because the matter has been continued by
the zoning hearing board.
Attorney John Rogers, who substituted for Phillips, said that since the
matter is pending before the zoning hearing board, he couldn’t comment on it.
Becker said she would appeal if Bohinski’s application is approved by the
zoning hearing board.
A resident of Saratoga Court complained about noise and exhaust pollution
emanating from tractor-trailer trucks that have their engines running
throughout the night in the vicinity of Lowe’s.
Kuren said he spoke to the Lowe’s manager last year regarding the noise and
exhaust problem and was told the truck drivers would shut off the engines
while the vehicles are parked. Kuren said he would contact the manager again.
Financial report
A financial report for $127,198.67 for February was approved. Bills in the
amount of $59,950.84 for February were approved and certified for payment.
Kuren announced that through the efforts of township business administrator
Michael Revitt, the township received a Department of Environmental Protection
Grant for $36,514. This is a result of the township’s recycling program.
Kuren and council members commended Revitt for searching and obtaining
$180,000 in grants last year, bringing a total of $216,000 in the 14 months.
Kuren expressed his gratitude to all township departments for their
cooperation in holding the line on spending. With full cooperation, the
township is in good financial shape, Kuren said.
Councilman Gary Polakoski, on behalf of council, commended Revitt on his
performance as business administrator and complimented him for securing grants
and watching where every dollar is spent.
Audit complete
The 2000 audit of the township has been completed, Kuren said.
According to auditor Mark Yanus, in a letter to the township: “The
management of Wilkes-Barre Township have implemented many positive
improvements to internal control and should be commended for the positive
changes that have taken place during the year ended Dec. 31, 2000.”
Under old business, Mrackoski questioned the status of Austin Powder Co.
Kuren said he has not received correspondence from anyone relative to the
company.
Polakoski informed council that PennDOT will repave Old Ashley Road, Casey
Avenue, East Northampton Street and sections of Route 309 in the township this
year.
Kuren said a storm sewer line on Hemlock Street collapsed. Because of the
emergency situation, Kuren contracted Pioneer Construction Co. to replace the
collapsed line. Approximately 600 to 700 feet of the line collapsed in three
different areas. Kuren said another line may have to be replaced.
Final passage of two ordinances is set for 7 p.m. April 2 before the next
meeting.
The ordinances authorize an easement agreement between the township and the
Luzerne County Redevelopment Authority and an agreement between the township
and developers of Highland Business Park.
Revitt and Councilman Frank Tarnalicki were absent from the meeting. A work
session will be held at 7:30 p.m. Monday.
Lions Club news
Wilkes-Barre Township Lions Club will tour the John Heinz Institute of
Rehabilitation Medicine at 6:15 p.m. Tuesday. Dinner will be served in the
Heinz dining room after the tour.
The club’s next business meeting is at 7:30 p.m. April 10 at the fire hall.
Elections of officers will be held.
These members were nominated at the March business meeting: Dorothy
Faymore, president; Michael Brozowski, first vice president; Susan Sinavage,
second vice president; Frederick Van Orden, third vice president and tail
twister; Al Harvey Faymore, treasurer; Peter Duda, secretary; Loretta Van
Orden, financial secretary; Leo Kucewicz, publicity coordinator and lion
tamer; Monsignor Alexander Kulik, chaplain; and Stanley Filip, historian.
Members nominated to serve on the board of directors are Elizabeth Duda,
Josephine Filip, Edward Katarsky, Frederick Van Orden and Ann Wajda.
Judith Brozowski, Elizabeth Duda and Dorothy Faymore were nominated to
serve on the hospital committee. Members nominated for the membership
committee are Michael Brozowski, Harvey Faymore and Leo Kucewicz.
Greek Catholic Union
Members of District 5, Greek Catholic Union, will adopt a section of Exit
46 near the First Union Arena.
Volunteers of all ages, especially the youth, are needed to make the
project a success. For more information, call District 5 president Andy
Turriziani at 823-3675.
St. John’s news
Father James Badeaux, pastor, invites the public to Lenten divine liturgies
Wednesday and Friday at 7 p.m. Lenten Typska with Communion is held on Monday,
Tuesday and Thursday at 8 a.m. Divine liturgy of St. Basil the Great will be
celebrated on Saturdays at 5 p.m. and Sundays at 9 a.m. during the first five
Sundays of Lent.
Kolachi rolls will be sold at St. John’s. Varieties include nut, poppy
seed, apricot and lekvar. Pickup will be after 2 p.m. April 4. Cost is $5.50
per roll. Deadline to order is Sunday. For more information, call 823-1890.
An Easter pysanky raffle is sponsored by St. John’s Church and Greek
Catholic Union Lodge 433. Chances may be obtained from any parishioner, at the
rectory, or by calling 825-4416.
St. Joseph’s news
The Altar and Rosary Society will sell daffodils to benefit the American
Cancer Society this weekend. Cost is $6 per bunch. or $1 for a single flower
or a single flower. If you would to purchase a bunch, call the parish office
before Saturday.
Birthday greetings
A happy birthday wish goes out to my oldest grandson, Erik Smith, who will
blow out nine candles on his cake Saturday. His mom makes the most beautiful
decorated cakes. Erik will be honored with a birthday party by his family and
friends on his special day.
If your club has a meeting, fund-raiser or dinner coming up, or if you have
a birthday, or anniversary, call or fax me at 823-7540, mail it to 59 S.
Walnut St., Wilkes-Barre Township, PA 18702, or you can e-mail me at
[email protected] by noon Monday.