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' gill ... , .|M wii»s< SSiiiiiii Si 7 ' iirV’SSSS ■ . -i'-h: ■ |ji W ■ .7 M' ' - 77'i: ■-Ji' .. 9■■fh-h-■ 77^71 <7: :.7--7 i 7 h- ’’ XA' �TREASURE ROOM J'S 45/ W<1 1971- I97£ WILKES COLLE1 VOL u BOROUGH CHANGING nFUbcnofficers OFUbt-w ’ SALARIES rP sessions in in a a substantial num During budget wo°k December, considerat of Pennsylvania elective and appointive Io Xialsen Since the salaries of incumbent borot J and councilmen had all been prev.ously f1 > "/'ordinance, the core of the d.scuss.ons was perennial question whether the salary of a public offn may be reduced or increased during the term for whi he was elected or appointed. All too frequently, it is believed that the salary o borough mayor or councilman can neither be increas or diminished during the term for which he was elects In other words, the salary fixed by ordinance prior to official’s assuming office is thought to be unchangeat until after the next election S a provision in law shall increasea c. or ~diminish the salary of a pub| officer after his election applied to all local -•1 f” or appointment. This rule w government officials until |9| when, in a case involving Homestead case i Pennsylvania Superior court held that Borough, tl Superior ordinance fixing •• (I) a boroui fixing a a salary is not al of the Constitution, and (2.) municipal 1 law within themeanir —Jon, and councilmen, etc.) are not public officers are not icers (Maye Constitution. etc.) Consequently, for some forthis decision, Consequently, salaries of local official1 ln terms of tl of |oca| years followir appointed, couldsaiaries be changed by ordinance, s- elected ar changed by at any time. However, in 1927 the Pennsylvania UP or dowi cogmzed the problems ensuing from legislatm a speclli P°Wer t0 re^’ate municipal thi s deci si 01 or town hStatU7 Pr°VidinS Lbat ”no .affairs, it e sa'ary C'P Sha" hereafter increase enacte Clty. borough officer’ aSehnSat’°1n’ °r emo'^ents _&a, towi or diminish th meant that no 2 e'ect10"”For V of any electe any *ay durinCo u- °fficer’s salary . ’s r thistwenty years, thi 7uncilmen as<.S thlS tercer m,and ’ cou'd be . m,and 2'S’ature’thu !SS°urS' tertax collec' 1 change thus deluded tax __d mayor; -ue shed a ctors, etc. Th etc. but Officers .1 rule, which di which did Ptovid the constitution; the same sal ar same ^^SbS:daSp—' law s 10 the ^Sled"^ in1 ,effect . form6r as to ;a" muni' ci.Un*l, b court ''P3litie. Ptin ci Pa ' �I EUGENE S.'lEDDEfl FARLEY LIBRARY I kWletter VOL. XVIII, NO. I WILKES COLLEGE WILKES-BARRE, PENNA. JANUARY 15, 1971 BOROUGH CHANGING OFFICERS' SALARIES During budget work sessions in a substantial number of Pennsylvania Boroughs last December, consideration was given to salaries of elective and appointive local officials. Since the salaries of incumbent borough mayors and councilmen had all been previously fixed by ordinance, the core of the discussions was the perennial question whether the salary of a public officer may be reduced or increased during the term for which he was elected or appointed. All too frequently it is believed that the salary of a borough mayor or councilman can neither be increased or diminished during the term for which he was elected. In other words, the salary fixed by ordinance prior to an official’s assuming office is thought to be unchangeable until after the next election. This misconception is based on a provision in the Constitution of Pennsylvania which declares that no law shall increase or diminish the salary of a public officer after his election or appointment. This rule was applied to all local government officials until 1911, when, in a case involving Homestead Borough, the Pennsylvania Superior court held that (I) a borough ordinance fixing a salary is not a law within the meaning of the Constitution, and (2) municipal officers (Mayor, councilmen, etc.) are not public officers in terms of the Constitution. Consequently, for some years following this decision, salaries of local officials, elected and appointed, could be changed by ordinance, up or down, at any time. However, in 1927 the Pennsylvania legislature recognized the problems ensuing from this decision. Under its power to regulate municipal affairs, it enacted a special statute providing that "no city, borough, town, or township shall hereafter increase or diminish the salary, compensation, or emoluments of any elected officer after his election”. For twenty years, this meant that no elective officer’s salary could be changed in any way during this term, and this included mayors, councilmen, assessors, tax collectors, etc. The legislature thus established a special rule, which did not bring these local officers within the constitutional Provision, but which did provide the same salary Protection. This Protective Law continued in effect until, by J47, the provisi on was repealed as to all municipalities, thus returning to the former court principal which . permitted changes in local officers’ salaries at any time by changing the ordinance which fixed that salary. The legislature may make exceptions as it has done in the case of salaries or commissions for tax collectors. The current rule, prescribed in the Borough Code, provides that council has the duty of fixing the salary of the mayor, as well as other municipal officers, unless excepted by special statute, and that if the mayor is to be paid any salary at all it must be fixed by ordinance. Furthermore, that council may change the mayor’s salary, up or down, is subject only to the time limitation that his compensation "shall not be increased or decreased oftener than once in two years". Concerning councilmen, the salary provisions are clearly spelled out in the Code. Councilmen may receive compensation according to maximum levels based upon population, and these salaries must be enacted through the ordinance procedure, subjecting the ordinance change to the mayor's veto. Further, such ordinance may be enacted at any time and from time to time. In I960, in the case of In Re Baden Auditor’s Report, the court ruled that the law providing for councilmen’s compensation by ordinance must have intended that councilmen may increase their own salaries "as long as they kept within bounds set by the legislature". One additional limitation placed upon council salaries is that they may not exceed that of the mayor. The rule, then, may be summarized as fol lows. 1. Council may fix a salary of the mayor by ordinance, may change said salary at any time, but not oftener than once in two years, and subject to ordinance veto by the mayor. 2. Council may fix its compensation and change it at any time by ordinance, providing the compensation is within statutory limits and does not exceed the mayor’s, and also subject to veto by the mayor. WHN 197 0-71 PERSONNEL SURVEY Tabulation of personnel salary data for the Second Annual Pennsylvania School Boards Association survey reveals that 32% of Pennsylvania's school districts have a minimum salary schedule of $6,300 or less based on the bachelors degree status. However, only 5% of :he districts are presently on the State schedule, which means that 95% are paying salaries in excess of the State mandates. This reflects a drastic change over a one year period. During 1969-70, approximately 78% of �0F REGIONAL AFFAIRS INSTITUTE Dr. Hugo V. Hailey. Director NEWSLETTER NO. I JANUARY 15, 1971 VOL. XVIII This News-letter, published monthly as a mmunity service, originates in the Institute of Regional Affairs of Wilkes College. Notes and inquiries may be addressed to Dr. Hugo V. Hailey, Director, Institute of Regional Affairs, Wilkes College, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania 18703 Subscription free upon request. the districts were paying salaries in excess of the State schedule. The study also revealed that 62% of the districts had a maximum salary of 510,500 or less. 17% of the districts reported maximum salaries of $1 1,000 or more, as compared to 1969-70 when only 5% reported these same maximums. Again, salaries reported indicated basic salary schedules and not total earnings for the employees. W-2 form totals of gross earnings, rather than salary schedules, are the true indicators of an employee's total earnings. 67% of the districts indicated 180 days of school for pupils. However, 80% of the districts had 183 or more teacher days. This compares to 81 % reported having 183 days or more for teachers during 1969-70. The expectations that as salaries increased the average number of days required for teachers would also increase undoubtedly has not been recorded during 1970-71. This may tend to indicate that the much needed improve­ ments in curriculum were not accomplished at the local level unless additional sums of money were paid to accomplish this task. School districts appear to be investigating salary plans other than across-the-board" raises which have been predominate in the past; as a matter of fact, 15% o, the state s school districts have indicated some form of merit pay during 1970-71. PSBA Survey October, 1970 AUTHORITY ADOPTS PERSONNEL POLICY MANUEL c“«' Manual Affairs admini strati to all. It aids the -J clearly ’ personnel re,tSand priv-'eges equally Ttle position classification s;-section describes the qualifications, E1 - specific duties and ’ c' ,°f each administratlve. operational, '■ and clerical position Joint Authority employed by the and clearly fixes [heAlNlNG TR application ^^V’t its sponsibility. On this basis, the Authority Merit Pay Plan, consisting of eight wage E of the sixteen position grades. The P|an~ the principal of equal pay for equal work, the unfair practice of automatic annual employees by granting increases stated in the basis of satisfactory performance. a :: - - el,mi"ates raises the M for a|| ~ a' p TheS’; executives agree Most top to non-policy po be confined “Specialists are most he PROGRAM Regional Affairs was of af Federal grant to offer for institute for a informed t service an<j continuing education project ,plication a jnjng program For Parents of Retardates and -o and cor volunteers program under Title For I of the Higher Education Y‘>uthf (965 (public Law 89-329) has been approved. under ■ Act ° -^am will be held in conjunction with Marywood Board is now in a better position to Proiect its r ™ wage obligations and the employees are aware off' wage potential. S's program -- The section devoted to Rules, Regulations and Policies clearly states the responsibilities, be^ it and privileges of Authority personnel oersonne! by establish „ specific policies on such matters as overtime payS promotions, discipline, insurance coverage, grieva^ procedures, holidays and vacations, leaves, and Ion; ------ tgevity pay increases. ■ Its content is.dc.._ with the retardate problem teChmost directly concerned with me -----------ar who feel the need for basic training. It will also be • an“ W , w the youth volunteers who also feel the need i volunteers who also f^the same training, and who may also desire the field , and who may Jpara-professionals or professionals. s or prof—----The specific area chosen for the Lackawanna part of Each employee has been given a copy of the Manual which will be revised and updated as operations or policies require. The University Area Joint Authority is governed by a Joint Board of six members representing the PattonFerguson Joint Authority and the College-Harris Joint Authority, all of which are adjacent to State College. David A. Allison is Chairman and Executive Director. SUSQUEHANNA RIVER COMPACT Within the past few weeks, the President of the United States signed legislation permitting the United States to join with Pennsylvania, New York, and Maryland in the Susquehanna River Basin Compact, under which a commission will be created to plan for and regulate use of the basin's water resources. This Commission will be similar to the Delaware River Basin Commission. Although the greater part of the Susquehanna River flows in Pennsylvania, the federal government and the other states are equal partners in the compact with the same rights and privileges. This is because the Constitution forbids individual states to conclude treaties with other states or to enter into any alliance or confederation. But there are numerous areas in which the states must sometimes work together, Thus, they are authorized to participate in compacts, Congressional approval is required. Over the years, many states have made compacts with their neighbors to meet various common prob en1^ Most compacts deal with the common use of natur$ resources. The compact system offers many advantag^^ Ass but remains unwieldy and cumbersome. Susquehanna River Basin Compact demonstrate^ such takes many years of negotiations to set up su program. are 3 As the Commission gets underway, there t ever What number of questions that come to mind, Advisor/ happened to the Susquehanna River Basin Awhile' Committee? It was an active organization for a , eyef' but then just faded out of sight, Now, more than '’J The it mu5tb this organization should be revived, study of the Basin has been completed - now 'mplemented. PRT question and challenge line < says. merit into thinking strategical their into thinking. However, non thi nkingbest talent in line positions. A talent in I they have a good balance of t have a their judgment should have a their judgment deci sion-making.’ ’ Execu '’a practical methods and . directed C°neP^am Wi" emphaSiZe to the parents who for the the program is a repeat of a program currently being is the result conducted in Luzerne County. The program of the combined thinking of the professional directors of SHORT ci The following courses co-: Regional Affairs and the I of the Departmei Pennsylvania offered in the Spring semester COURSE the Mental Retardation Associations of the two counties, the Director of the Institute of Regional Affairs at Wilkes Advanced Communications College, and the Director of Continuing Education and a Auxiliary Police Radiological Refresher member of the faculty of the School of Social Work at Radiological Monitoring Marywood College. Ine arcoo ........ for the Luzerne part of the program The areas chosen are in part identical to the first year program. Changes are in part L,_____ ; have been made to accomodate the youth volunteers. Medi cal Self Help To realize the goal of keeping the retardate in the community and trying to train him to be a contributing citizen, a greater burden is placed on the volunteer Shelter Management Light Duty Rescue Criminal Investigation Fire Ground Attack Secretary’s Course (especially Human Relations in Manag nurses), public school teachers, and, most important, on the parents of the retardates and the young volunteers who work with them. This is the purpose for which the program has been designed. interested within the next fe' social agencies, on medical personnel Informational notices v PRT GET It’s official. the SP E Cl AL 1ST-G EN ER AL 1ST CONFLICT For many years there has been a conflict between generalists and specialists in industry, but never before has conflict been innovation has created a so ----critical. Demand for while the ;’„e corporate structureproliferation has become of specialists. by L the ,e require) requirements of specialized ' management has welcomed the s;_ e more fragmented rgement has -expertise. 1Certainly, arms - for innovation is where the for innovation is \ specialists >with open °ccurs usually because the specialist is usually becauseenvironment, the profit lies. 'Nhh his immediate his , • Conflict .. . .s more > Ethnical Immediate environme1" distant concerned ....ar goals, with the To c. impersonal aims ofthan the company. programs, hi s and, to him, generalist, or the linec manager, .o somei extent he has Expertise allows him to J line Electively, by withhold! at his t0 defend hi mercy for his "T techniques, by controlli s own nS lnformation, t bailiwick quite by smokescreen­ Whole. ov maY not b>e nS his department in ways value ■ to the company as a Sesame Stre program for pre-schoolers, i; been touting it to be. And t So concluded the Ed Princeton. New Jersey, af program. Citing the ‘exce Sesame Street, ETS resear made its greatest impact t who regularly watch the se increased by as much as 6 as much programs can reduce the c usually separates advai children even by the time study reported. Of even greater greater signify study showed J t' that three ye; more than four tand five ye suggesting that pr —t Preschool skills traditionally' introdi which means that school I set to cha _'..ange their those prima million knocki seven ng. ’ Se �AFFAIRS sctor I NO. I nonthly as e Institute ij>" a of Notes and Dr. Hugo V. onal Affairs^ XI vanI a 18703 est. :cess of the State 1 of the districts sss17 % of the S I I ,000 or more, % reported these indicated sported earnings for the earnings, rather indicators of an of school days ricts had to 183 or 81 % reported during 1969-70. ssed the average ild also increase during sponsibi I i ty. c Merit IPaX Plan,°n this basi ’ consi sti ng of f 7 of the sixteen Pos i ti on the grades. Pr'ncipa| of equal pay fo|_ the unfair equal Practice °f automati - work. It f' employees by C ; annual the basis of wanting increi raiSes ■ases _stated «•in Board is r~;. sati sfactory Perform; lhLe Ma, now a better ■ •lance. 1 he ; wage obligati =--ions and the Position to project wage potential. emp| oyees its f are avvare offuture The section i their Policies clearly devoted to Rules, p Regu'ations, states the and privileges of ’■esponsibii^ and Authority specific policies personnel by est=krneW c n esta bHshi, on such matters t=k ' promotions, discipli..^, •S as 0 Over time P ine, insurance c , Pay, procedures, holidays and coverage, ,grievar once pay increases. —, - mid vacations, leaves, -■ and |On, 'gevity Each c ' employee has been given a < which will be revised C°PX the Manual '.'.I be revised and updated policies require. as operations Or 1970-71. needed improve- The University Area Joint Authority is uy a Joint Board of six members representing governed the Pattonby Ferguson Joint Authority and the C-"*j College'-Harris“jZt a..-i— ■■ of‘ which are adjacent to State Authority, all David A. Allison is Chairman and Executive College. Director. SUSQUEHANNA RIVER COMPACT Within the past. few T weeks, the President of the United States signed “ ' legislation ' ------- 1 permitting the United States to join twith ' ' ~ ; Pennsylvania, New York, and Maryland in the Susquehannaa f. River Basin Compact, under which a commission will .. be created .„d to plan for and regulate use of the basin’ s water resources. This Commission will be similar to the Delaware River Basin Commission. hed at the local :y paid were to stigating salary ses which have ter of fact, I5% cated some form 3SBA Survey October, 1970 ■s ANUEL Center County, n by adopting a ployees. The of e rd. Regional It aids the Board clearly on personnel stablishing reially applicable describes the ich administra-nployed by the upervisory re" Although the greater part of the Susquehanna River flows in Pennsylvania, the federal government and the other states are equal partners in the compact with the This is because the same rights and privileges. states to conclude forbids individual Constitution treaties with other states or to enter into any alliance areas in But there are numerous or confederation, sometimes work together. Thus, which the states must Con----- , 2 authorized to participate in compacts. they are gressional approval is required. Over the years, many states have have made compacts probl ems. with their neighbors to meet various common of natural Most compacts deal with the common use advantages. resources. The compact system offers many As the but remains unwieldy and cumbersome. unwieldy t demonstrates, it Susquehanna River River Basin Compactto set up such a takes manv many years years of negotiations there are a underway, Commission gets What ever As the tof questions that come to mind. AdvisoT Basin number to the Susquehanna River while' for a ' organization happened ' I It was an active active org; thani ever. faded out of sight. Now, more Commi ttee? year of sight, The six but then just should be revived. it must be be now >ani zation been completed — this orga...'. ' ■ Basin has study of the PRT implemented. program. TRAINING PROGRAM Recently, the Institute of Regional Affairs was ■ formed that its application for a Federal grant to offer 1,1 community service and continuing education project 3 titled Training Program For Parents of Retardates and vl,th Volunteers under Title I of the Higher Education T t of 1965 (Public Law 89-329) has been approved. This program will be held in conjunction with Marywood CollegeThe program will emphasize practical methods and techniques, Its content is directed to the parents who most directly concerned with the retardate problem are who feel the need for basic training. It will also be and directed to the youth volunteers who also feel the need for the same? training, and who may also desire the field or professionals. as para-professionals f The specific area chosen for the Lackawanna part of the program is a repeat of a program currently being conducted in Luzerne County. The program is the result of the combined thinking of the professional directors of the Mental Retardation Associations of the two counties, the Director of the Institute of Regional Affairs at Wilkes College, and the Director of Continuing Education and a member of the faculty of the School of Social Work at Mary wood College. The areas chosen for the Luzerne part of the program are in part identical to the first year program. Changes have been made to accomodate the youth volunteers. To realize the goal of keeping the retardate in the community and trying to train him to be a contributing citizen, a greater burden is placed on the volunteer social agencies, on medical personnel (especially nurses), public school teachers, and, most important, on the parents of the retardates and the young volunteers who work with them. This is the purpose for which the be Most top executives agree that specialists should confined to non-policy positions. As one expert says, “Specialists are most helpful as individuals who question and challenge line decisions, push manage­ ment into thinking strategically and being creative in their thinking. However, normally a company has its best talent in line positions. And they are there because they have a good balance of talents. For that reason, their judgment should have a greater influence in final decision-making.” Executives' Digest SHORT COURSES The following courses co-sponsored by the Institute of Regional Affairs and the Public Service Institute of the Pennsylvania Department of Education will be offered in the Spring semester, 1971: COURSE STARTING DATE Advanced Communications February Radiological Refresher Auxiliary Police January 10 February 17 9 Radiological Monitoring February 18 Medical Self Help Shelter Management March I Light Duty Rescue March 17 Criminal Investigation February Fire Ground Attack February I I Secretary’s Course February 10 Human Relations in Management February February 19 Informational notices will be mailed interested within the next few weeks. to 8 9 those program has been designed. PRT THE SPECIALIST-GENERALIST CONFLICT For many years there has been a conflict between generalists and specialists in industry, but never before has conflict been so critical. Demand for innovation has created a proliferation of specialists, whiIe the corporate structure has become more fragmented by the requirements of specialized expertise. Certainly, management has welcomed the specialists with open arms — for innovation is where the profit lies. Conflict °ccurs usually because the specialist is more concerned w'th his immediate environment, his programs, his technical goals, than with the distant and, to him, impersonal aims of the company. To some extent he has ^e generalist, or line manager, at his mercy for his exPertise allows him to defend his own bailiwick quite effectively, by withholding information, by smokescreen'"g techniques, by controlling his department in ways th,at may or may not be of value to the company as a •"hole. GET SET It's official. Sesame Street, the innovative television program for pre-schoolers, is all that school people have been touting it to be. And then some. So concluded the Educational Testing Service, Princeton. New Jersey, after a two-year study of the program. Citing the ‘excellent educational impact” of Sesame Street, ETS researchers said the program has made its greatest impact on disadvantaged youngsters who regularly watch the series. Their cognitive skills increased by as much as 62 percent. “Such television programs can reduce the distinct educational gap that usually separates advantaged and disadvantaged children even by the time they enter first grade," the study reported. Of even greater significance to school boards: The study showed that three year old regular viewers learned more than four and five year old less frequent viewers, suggesting that preschoolers are able to learn many All of skills traditionally introduced at later ages, ,.._cr.s that school boards probably had best get which means their primary school curriculums before set to change c... those seven million Sesame Street viewers come knocking. 7S“135930 �UGtft SVltVV ary FEb a- 3 197 ’ ,#e¥ER m .: R' ■ ’■ ' : stare. a-:, - .............. NEWS-LEI governmental associations or institutions with purposes, cannot identify nor solve all tf,e" si|uilar problems in all the local jurisdictions of their r PreSs'0j areas of activity. As in the case of the federal eSpect‘ve governments, more concern and action by the |and sSta, tat“e officials themselves is essential if those local °Cal' unit 1 to survive as responsive service agencies. Un'ts‘ are commission5 < *’ ■ :e federal. ' needs, e'-ged and .................e-s or educaFederal aa a ... es — tion. we -a e. exe .es a a a Sa ■ - a - a-a procedures of legislateae - • st a: a - a a ver«e °f adoption. State east:, ex.s.a s "t-‘1 commonplace ■ eae t'ea. s. eg siatixe ana administra­ ece -eos. eg * tive reorga.' aa: a • - t'e states 'as -ace sc' o progress, St-S-S nation S and there is cS e-s - -t'f a re-ex»' of the principal­ agent relations?: a zet-'te' states a - t'e ■ local units. At the municipal eve . a cess ana. s~ n administration is receiving better acceptance. Fragmentation into small uneconomic units is at last being timidly recognized by local officials as their chief obstacle to progress, and regionalism, or intermunicipal cooperation in services is becoming the "in thing". There has been progress, but not nearly enough. In terms of evaluating and improving legislative and administrative machinery, the federal and state govern­ ments have in recent decades shown considerable activity. The federal Hoover Commission’s inventory of problem areas and recommendations is still the basis of potential improvements at that level. Many states have completed similar self-evaluations through so-called “Little Hoover Commissions." Pennsylvania’s Little Hoover Commission issued its final report in January of 1970 which is replete with excellent proposals affecting both state and local government. The primary mission of the Institute of Regional Affairs is to use all its resources to secure improvements in local government. I.R.A., and all the other non- WILKES-BARRE, PENNA. We suggest that any local unit, large or establish commissions similar to the "Big" u1”11Commission, and the "Little" Hoover Commission °f°Ver WILKES COLL^2B states. Composed of competent citizens appointed b 6 mayor or council, or supervisors, their primary fu? the should be to make a thorough inventory of the C?-°n of local services and their operation, and to make ty recommendations for an overall program of attack31" for an overall program of weak areas. In If "Maxi” Hoover Commissions and "Mini" Hoov Commissions .... ....... can contribute so much to better govern ment on the larger levels, there is every reason to believe that "Micro-Mini” Hoover Commissions at the local levels can do the same. THE LIBRARY MUNICIPAL FINANCE MAGAZINE - Municipal Finance Officers Association - A Magazine on debt and financial management. MUNICIPAL POLICE TRAINING COUNCIL BULLETINOffice for Local Govermnent - A bulletin giving in­ formation on training courses and police procedures. NEBRASKA MUNICIPAL REVIEW - League of Nebraska Municipalities — Published monthly on municipal developments in that state. THOUGHTS FOR TODAY Some women are so dumb they wonder how electric light poles grow in a straight line. When a man has been jilted by a street AWARD N ONII - L ibmission of •n arrivedj for su the Institute has ag ain . bme v7“e Awards made by ’ dinner for 'local *' , Awards r. Service n°-"inat!00nal Affairs; at "U , programs its -nan a...at itS i the training °f Re? and participants .rticipants m The Annual (Graduation should °fficia.|sbya Wilkes College. ... _" Nominations held in May latter than the Institute not left ■ubmitted to t— therefore be si.-. WHN IN 21 SERVICE time TIME for (’nations cleaner's AP Th'' Awards are granted by the Institute in recogn have contributed their T„f those local officials who :rnmental capacity, to their community in a govej tion Persons who have services ovc, extended period of years, not "eligible for no min aover an minimal service are nn performed have previously received tion, nor are any persons who Institute of Regional Affairs Wilkes College Wilkes-Barre, Pa. 18703 rose eligible for nomination are; school Included in those and secretaries, councilmen, mayors, board members a.L or commissioners, municipal township supervisors engineers, planning and zoning secretaries, solicitors, <-..t---------- , r board members, policemen, firemen, and other public employees. Anyone wishing to to regif The chief response national government. using its and its expertise expertise a..d the national governor.t. PAID fine local action toward regionalisr place a name in nomination should not hesitate to do so because of any doubt as to the eligibility of the individual. In case of doubt, Please contact the Wilkes College. The original initiative to came from the Office of the Pr Congress likewise seems sense sound of solving pre Institute of Regional Affairs at Housing The CHALLENGE iurisdicti- Local government boundaries no longer encompass coherent socio-economic areas; hence, boundaries do "nd C?lncide w’th the demands for public services. ofteed’ large of local units themselves large number r ef?n impedes, or at least delays, achieving timely and -x or at least delays, „ ----- -z slices wt wT l !S t0 new and services P°“nS to capital new andinvestments increasing demands for ’’Vhere »ner< high for aa se high capital investments are required service not coi/r'j6 ^unc 'lon or where the service —ion or where the service area does coincide ahnd ar»~' e w.''b the 'be political political boundaries, boundari economic area rconside---must prevail over parochial eSin°r'n-v? 'e- sts - ierations s must prevail if'th'r 8 g°verni -,ie service is ;<■ to — be realized. Most Cental units in this country appear too of I the need for coordinating hou other with OF THE 10’S” All residents of a metropolitan area have a c0™™.°5' 'ntefest in th. y ot entire le social and economic health and vi area. The difficulty is not that the metro­ Pditan areas do not have the resources, but rather that Pm,Le..SOurces and needs and needs are mismatched with the local governmental jurisdictions. Act legislation deal ing wi th urban regional Non-Profit Organization U. S. POSTAGE It h< regional approach. daughter, he should sewer. Wilkes-Barre, PaPermit No. 355 Return Postage Guaranteed small to achieve economics of I i k< and raise quality. It seems this be able to do jointly in units cannot cannot do do singly. Thus the decade of the 196C :he decade movement termed termed regionalism, re vehicles to to resolve resolve area-wi< boundary lines I ines have been temporary expedients expedients which th accepted and by its and assisted assist some of these endeavors have sumc of these faced with ful, the l970’s are build stronger and n need to L_ ;' institutions. this Award. "REGIONALISM - THE IRA NEWSLETTER o local agencies. communiti In 1954 recognized the involvement o solution of urban problems b states, counties, cities, met regions and establishment of units, and made grants avail metropolitan and regional age Congress moved a ll. step fu Cities and Metropolitan —i Dex specifically referring . to are to perform metropolitan or re did the act refer to “a uni “but the regional emphasis action-type regional agencies The handwriting is on th many Federal agencies are c Any doubt as to the trend o> insist on regional projects d,spelled by the growi'ngX, whose project applications^ hud d <■ «ermined to T' HUD localities be joined i„t0 0“„e joined into �M’SSlOftjs governmental C -!re finding it Slb''ities oA; . rue throughout "y Co new con'nge ln °Ur time government to ence in political uPdate federal, ’ modern needs, challenged and olems of educa- and procedures n the verge of have ns been and administra^some progress, f the principal­ air I oca I units. administration ocj Purposes, Problems’ all oftheire Posed of mayor or council o COmPetent citizensamniission> counci I, sh°u'd be to makeoraStUhPervis°ts, : make a of local service" i’;; Vfeheir services and their : Ory of the Uncti°n recommendations operation, for an overall - ’ and to mapty weak areas. "’’:i Pr°gram’ of ar, apt a't5ck in „ Maxi ’ Hoover Commissions cTcTnuiCJ^0^ and “Mini'* ment on contr i bute S° mucb better H°0Vef the larger |eve|s s °jnuch to bette, “Micro-MinrrHotJere 'S every reaV?'’' loc^revelT HonvT can do the same. ^y Commissions ' recognized by legislative and " to at the WHN IN the library MUNICIPAL FINANCE MAGAZINE -Municipal Finance Officers Associati ------------ion - A Magazine on debt and financial management. Dt and municipal police training cc COUNCIL BULLETIN- i considerable ’s inventory of Office for Local Govermnent — - A bulletin giving information on training courses and police procedures. i 11 the bas is of NEBRASKA MUNICIPAL REVIEW - League of Nebraska - ny states have Municipalities 3ugh developments in that state. so-called ivania’s ;e monthly on municipal THOUGHTS FOR TODAY Some women are so dumb they wonder how electric light poles grow in a straight line. of Regional e improvements the Published Little t in January of osals affecting other non- NEWS-LETTER r states. Composed"Little; ’ progress, and i in services is f state govern- Si 16 fed6ra,resPec °n b> th! I e locai ak n 2nd ; ition into small n progress, but EUGENE SHEDDEN Wf U8PAM f EB 2 3 BH areas of governm (ents, more officials : themselve: to survive as responSi We r-.Suggest that establish 3 c°™*isSi0ns Commission, When a man has been jilted by a street cleaner's wlTxvTii. NO. 2 WILKES COLLEGE TIME FOR SERVICE AWARD NOMINATIONS The time has again arrived for submission of nominations for Service Awards made by the Institute of Regional Affairs at its annual dinner for local officials and participants in the training programs offered by Wilkes College. The Annual Graduation Dinner will again be held in May. Nominations should therefore be submitted to the Institute not latter than April I. The Awards are granted by the Institute in recogni­ tion of those local officials who have contributed their services to their community in a governmental capacity, over an extended period of years. Persons who have performed minimal service are not eligible for nomina­ tion, nor are any persons who have previously received this Award. Included in those eligible for nomination are; school board members and secretaries, councilmen, mayors, township supervisors or commissioners, municipal secretaries, solicitors, engineers, planning and zoning board members, policemen, firemen, and other public employees. Anyone wishing to place a name in nomination should not hesitate to do so because of any doubt as to the eligibility of the individual. In case of doubt, please contact the Institute of Regional Affairs at Wilkes College. daughter, he should sewer. "REGIONALISM - THE OF Non-Profit Organization U. s. POSTAGE PAID ., PaWilkes-Barre^ permit No. 355 ’ THE CHALLENGE 70’S” All residents of a metropolitan area have a common interest in the social and economic health and vitality of the entire area. The difficulty is not that the metro­ politan areas do not have the resources, but rather that the resources and needs are mismatched with the local governmental jurisdictions. Local government boundaries no longer encompass coherent socio-economic areas; hence, boundaries do n°t coincide with the demands for public services. Indeed, the large number of local units themselves often impedes, or at least delays, achieving timely and effective responses to new and increasing demands for services. Where high capital investments are required °r a service function or where the service area does not coincide with the political boundaries, economic and area considerations must prevail over parochial needs or interests if the service is to be realized. Most existing governmental units in this country appear too WILKES-BARRE, PENNA. FEBRUARY 15, 1971 small to achieve economics of scale that can cut costs and raise quality. It seems likely that regionalism may be able to do jointly in this regard what individual units cannot do singly. Thus the decade of the 1960’s favored a new dynamic movement termed regionalism. All sorts of devices and vehicles to resolve area-wide problems that cross boundary lines have been invented. They are all temporary expedients which the federal government has accepted and assisted by its "glue” money. Though some of these endeavors have been partially success­ ful, the 1970’s are faced with the stark reality that we need to build stronger and more responsive regional institutions. The chief response to regional needs has come from the national government. It has acted as a catalyst in using its expertise and financial resources to spur local action toward regionalism. The original initiative to deal with area problems came from the Office of the President. Congress likewise seems to have developed a very sound sense of solving problems predicated on the regional approach. The Housing Act of 1949, the first important legislation deal ing wi th urban problems, first recognized the need for coordinating housing and renewal programs with other local communities, but did not mention regional agencies. In 1954 and 1965, housing acts recognized the involvement of metropolitan areas in the solution of urban problems by encouraging planning by states, counties, cities, metropolitan areas and urban regions and establishment of appropriate organizational units, and made grants available under section 701 to metropolitan and regional agencies. Congress moved a step further in the Demonstration Cities and Metropolitan Development Act of 1966 by specifically referring to areawide agencies designed to perform metropolitan or regional planning. Not only did the act refer to "a unit of areawide government, "but the regional emphasis passed from planning to action-type regional agencies. The handwriting is on the wall. Just observe what many Federal agencies are doing to local governments. Any doubt as to the trend of the federal government to insist on regional projects under its aid programs is dispelled by the growing number of local governments whose project applications were delayed or disapproved because HUD determined that the projects of two localities be joined into one. For example, in a number �-HIKING HITCH H,,U ‘\her. every! -.body SAVE the weather, —iethi WE CAN saw aboUt ^ot^many d° somC ' ng many .ke the old Id saving, but- not "ernments as vwell as n about <ks al°tab|ies to 'local l°cal g° g° vel aid or written eements, . been -BY . regional AFFAIRS virtually submerged, perhaps never to may be rec»ver from the shock. (to be H VM COntinue<l) INSTITUTE OF Dr. Hugo V. Mailey, Director newsletter JANUARY 15, 1971 NO. I VOL. XVIII This News-letter, ^InstHute of community servlce’ College Notes and Regional Affairsh°f ^sed to6 Dr. Hugo V. inquiries may be address^ SKSi-Barre, not par^' ^divi^g'through la l8703 Subscription free upon request. of instances, grants for separate sewage disposal systems have been denied because the federal agency insisted that a single regional joint system would be more efficient and economical. Resistance to this federal insistence on the regional approach where feasible has already appeared. Warren, Michigan, refused Urban Renewal funds because it would not accept the regional conditions attached. Blackjack, Missouri, attempted to block construction of a federally subsidized housing project for similar reasons. The latest setback was in the Detroit suburb of Novi, where the Metropolitan Detroit Citizens Development Authority has postponed plans to build a new community for lowmoderate income families. Reasons for the postpone­ ment, of the 1000 acre development, which was supposed to be racially and economically integrated, were citizens resistance to required zoning changes and the “feed­ back" from Blacks who did not want to be isolated in a suburban ghetto. The federal committment to regionalism is crystal clear. Every subsequent piece of congressional legislation reflects the same theme. The only void that remains unfilled is a definite federal policy clearly setting forth the specific action-type regional agency which the Federal Government will recognize. Currently, there is a tremendous contrast in the organization of such agencies, and to the present they are single­ purpose oriented. The chief remaining source of criticism is this cont.nued practice of establishing a separate agency to perform each function required in a regional area Single service agencies result in disjointed, unplanned approaches to reg10nal problems, and increasedP costs abotmtented f'SCal resources add to citizen confusion bout government. More importantly, from the viewpoint of popular sovereignty, citizen control of si nd 2 purpose regional agencies becomes almost impossibli. allure of the federal government to eliminate this criticism does not mean that it will not do so. The efforts of most national local and regio'na'l nrnh' °rganizations concerned with problems, including mendations, are beg^nninTtn '"f udlng specific recomf|uence th Congress in that direction. * 'ng tQ t0 j'n nfluence . When, and if. Congress finally establishes policy of true a clear multi-purpose agencies tto deal with programs on a ;.egl0nal basis, the effect -t on local government structure will be of such dimensions that local government tremendous as now constituted the economic future OF CITY AND SUBURB Many readers of the IRA News-Letter may be int in obtaining a personal copy of a supplementary ted (No. 30) entitled "The Economic Future of C-Paper Suburb.” The paper ranks in importance with pry.and publications by the Committee for Economic Develon'°Us (CED) dealing with modernization of local and Pme,lt governments. state Prepared by David L. Birch of the Harvard Gradu School of Business Administration, the report proj/'6 “that the central city crises of the 1960’s may well ar^ as the suburban crises of the 1970’s.” The author forsees an increasing economic specializa tion of the central city, as manufacturing moves to the' suburbs. He believes that absolute declines in many types of jobs will be offset by the substantial gains to be made in the future development of the communication­ sensitive "service industries”: banking, corporate headquarters, educational and health facilities, non­ profit membership organizations, and the specialized manufacturing and service firms for these growing functions. He predicts that accompanying this shift in economic activity will be a marked shift in population: a growing "suburbanization of the poor” as blacks and other minorities move from the cities into suburbs. At the same time, the changing mix of activities in the central city are expected to attract a growing number of white collar workers "whose skills are increasingly in demand in the central city and whose commuting time from the suburbs to the city is rising.” The cumulative effect of these economic and residential changes will be to transfer many of the present problems of the central city to the suburbs, particularly the inner suburbs. On the basis of recent census data, the author con­ cludes that a growing proportion of the black population is participating in the out migration to the suburbs. He notes also that while central city densities through­ out the country have declined since 1950, "suburban densities”, in contrast, are growing rapidly and, by central city standards, have enormous potential °r growth. Copies of Committee for this paper Economic may be obtained Development, Avenue, New York, New York, 10002. dollar per copy. from the 477 Madison The price is WHN SAVE YOUR BOTTLES Don t throw away your used glass containers! Someay they may be used to build the streets in y°ur town* ion unheard of. >5^ use dV vale"1- pven the u js Still common in annexations in -sg where of sound considered ___cidered a order to needed isn’t pre—cedures in in many nental , .n the vocabulary of governm word m the g heard of hhitchhow many resa combined purchasing> on a means cum" ------kiino P^^inbeffect.’ nn open-end enabling many the contract advantages of reduced hiking5Cale under £ to realize the idea behind inter^-‘^sis basically although most such “ -cre I 111 agreements, unitJ | purchasing and done’’ contracts, 1 -under once , are not generally taking "chasing is done uni ci pal iti es Neither is the state of Undoubtedly, mb-buying. advantage of mass Pennsylvania. excel lent opportunity A little known proposal offers an proving state procurement at lower prices and at e? there °.asphalt and lime for adhesion. If it sU e||ars! h re will undoubtedly be a lot of tidy house ce - tO HUD 701 accomplishment the ^"^gj-hen the instil local governments the needs of all citi 2. committee reached the conclusion that 'ecommended^state systl under continuous , g°Vemed ?nd by Procedures the Realize orderly should be The conce Governor’s office, L0"??? 'Ion S best illustrated ^commendation bnnLk-^ S-trated by the committee’s on on Purchasing is suggested to automotive equipment, contracts for permit open-end state such equipment and ments t0 ■•J allow local governmake contracts open-end state Would rre =ceive -v the ad Callfornia. Thus, local units mass buyip. cost through the central cities and si Improve housing an 4. and S?ts *°uldrtru'ndlCates that r- • Oepend'm= „„ , lnt° the miirsavings to LU local local govern'-as of dollars <-______ ' number items lowered r he c°mmittee d num ber of of items sn level of servi low and moderate ir relates to employme The guidelines stress executive management cap; within the context of compi in determining priorities, a ing and programs, planning and local and evalt management governments t< sharing and greater reliant As m Legi si at ion ^isdoneirc.?^ the phy and development 01 including effective the newlX consei future generations; 3. Department of Property andSuppliesshould be responsi ble for fully informing all other government entities within the state about commonwealth contract purchasing arrangements so that these groups can take advantage of state bulk procurement. This should result in lowering costs for all parties concerned. Under the recommenda10ns, the state’s total procurement effort and the “mmeenntteffOrtS°umUnicipa1’ County’ and other local and Improve and earth resources referred to as the "Little Modern State Government, by former Governor Hoover Committee” <appointed Raymond P. Shafer. The GUI FUND Administ HUD '^prel of the <------, ?,u7l0d‘!.'nprSog„m. The emPh _o: t^ local government !he same time extend the advantage --3 of the recommendations units. The idea is found in one c. ’s Commission for made early last year by the Governor " 1970, applicant to give specialI Land Use and Environmental attentior C Orderly Quality ar ments. N otewo rthy is the fact by s be distributed I 4-J _ among ten I mg C earmarked 20t ,be being ;- Offices’uP"e°r na simi lar a«ncy effectiveness. at is, if a 5-year test by Glass Container Corp°rpar|t be'ng conducted at the Fullerton Air Industrial b f “ri S °ut’ They’ve built an experimental str ,dStl and w 3 V’ cornP°sed of 60% glass, 33% stone d and the ’ bidd co des local icipa1 Mum require the alized by. ■ently cum -j be I eg*-dures could procei througn chasing pun jrchas ed *•• •to be ptJ idea rem; is rni sing ger This Pr01 for report■nnsylvaQj' s j gn ificant Pei government in inter■red. early dat it remains-> so an 1 [deration at ■ it wi 11 con sithat i hope interested in the -- truly legislator local resou ease our and there way t0 other states, h-hikii in <- - • ; save by “hitch . cannot of the state. power • ^idF^nts under \ehetakreSources, ■ Under n ' vanous aid , to umts, Purchasallocated to Programs |ike Ptirch;‘asinS and csuch Attract law ?a Procedun applicable !-re would be ■a '"egal. HUD staff will r~ServingonThe r™" negoti ’ O 4-- I a tight linka »•«. The fo'eal -1 with S' 1 Point for ' regard to aPPlicati0 and Offi <'w'where8 •. I be none have ■’ admini �AFFA|RS may be virtua|| from the X SUbrT,erged> shock. ector perhaps neV*r t0 H Vm rl NO. | m°nthly as he Institute a of e. Notes and Dr. |Hugo ‘ V. '°nal Affairs^ :y I vania 18703 uest. system would be e on the regional Ppeared. Warren, because it would ched. Blackjack, on of a federally 5r reasons. The b of Novi, where Ppment Authority nmunity for low>r the postpone-h was supposed :d, were citizens and the “feedbe isolated in a is crystal ngressional e only void that policy clearly egional agency nize. Currently, organization of ey "S CITY and suVUre SuBUrB in (No. WE c°m "Thl C[?Py °f (cen>T'on^ are single- suburbanization of the poor” as blacks and othe? minorities move from the cities into suburbs. At the same time, the changing mix of activities in the central city are expected to attract a growing number of white collar workers “whose skills are increasingly in demand in the central city and whose commuting time from the suburbs to the city is rising.” The cumulative effect of these economi c and resident! al changes wi 11 be to transfer many of the present problems of the central city to the suburbs, particularly the inner suburbs. On the basis of recent census data, the author con eludes that a growing proportion of the black P°PU is participating in the out migration to e su He notes also that while central city d®^'tie,<su|)1jrban arate agency to out the country have declined since . by densities”, in contrast, are growing rapioix^ for central city standards, have enormous P regional area, ted, unplanned growth. ticism is this creased costs, izen confusion i the viewpoint ol of single- from tt,e obtained l^ladi son :t, 477 Development,^ is one Committee for Economic The price York, 10002. T.1 Avenue, New York, New . Copies may of this dollar per copy. WHN ;t impossi bl e. eliminate this ot do so. The oncerned with pecific recome Congress in ishes a clear to deal with :ect on local h tremendous w constituted be paper SAVE SAVE YOUR YOUR BOTTLES j class container Don’t throw away your used g streets in y°“ ti0(i day they may be used to ul Container Co P That is, if a 5-year test by G^Air Indu park 0 being VbuiU as p„d 5%’asphalt •"‘'J™' there will undoubtedly be , («■ SAVE BY HITCH-HIKING but such arrangements are not particularly common in Pennsylvania. Consolidation of services by annexations or consolidations of local units are almost unheard of. Reordering of municipal service priorities in order to uSe available resources where most needed isn’t pre­ valent. Even the use of sound business procedures in procurement is still considered a reform” in many municipalities. It is not a new word in the vocabulary of governmental purchasing, but how many readers have heard of “hitch­ hiking”? In effect, it means combined purchasing on a large scale under an open-end contract enabling many government units to realize the advantages of reduced unit costs. This is basically the idea behind inter­ municipal purchasing agreements, although most such purchasing is done under “once and done” contracts. Undoubtedly, municipalities are not generally taking advantage of mass buying. Neither is the state of Pennsylvani a. A little known proposal offersan excellent opportunity for improving state procurement at lower prices and at the same time extend the advantage to local government units. The idea is found in one of the recommendations made early last year by the Governor's Commission for Modern State Government, referred to as the “Little Hoover Committee” appointed by former Governor Raymond P. Shafer. The committee reached the conclusion that the Departmentof Property and Supplies should be responsible for fully informing all other government entities within the state about commonwealth contract purchasing arrangements so that these groups can take advantage of state bulk procurement. This should result in lowering costs for all parties concerned. Under the recommenda­ tions, the state’s total procurement effort and the procurement efforts of municipal, county, and other local government units should be governed by the newly recommended state system and procedures should be under continuous scrutiny by the Governor’s office. The concept is best illustrated by the committee's recommendation on purchasing automotive equipment. Legislation is suggested to permit open-end state contracts for such equipment and allow local govern­ ments to make purchases under the open-end state contracts as is done in California. Thus, local units would receive the advantages of low cost through the mass buying power of the state. The report indicates that savings to local govern­ ments would run into the millions of dollars annually, depending on the size of the unit and number of items so Purchased. The committee, too, would be a beneficiary of lowered costs because a substantial percentage of municipal, county, and other local governmental purchas'nS is paid for from state tax resources, allocated to ocal governments under the various aid programs like Liquid Fuels. to tidZ CAN Much like the old saw about the weather, everybody today talks a lot about saving, but not many do something about it. This applies to local governments as well as to individuals. Much has been said or written about reducing costs through local joint purchasing agreements, oF Ira Neews<etter. 30) w\,atl5Pd'rS0"’' 22 er may h r-- • ~f a < Suburb.’ FUpp|emen'>Stgd Econ paper ranks'! 0,?0^0 ' ranks jn -le Committee f'mporitc-cD) dealing . nce with „'v and — With rnoderni governments. of Sent „ . Frepared by David d state School of Business . >Administrat^nth!hHarvard that the cen tral Clty crises of the l96nT reP°rt dilate as the suburban < Projects Crises of the 1970’s.’’ Smay^il -I ariSe The: author forsees an 'increasing economics tion of the ; central city, suburbs. |He believes i as manufacturing m„ Peciali«*at absolute decliTeH;0^ types of jobs wiTl be made in TeT'l.-by ** substantial the ffuture develop^; C 1 com £a,ns to sensitive “service iindustries ‘ ba; “TUrni«'ion. ”; headquarters, educational and health ' . educational corporate ------ 1 and health profit membership organizations and the"'"ies, non. membersh ip organizations, manufacturing and service firms for th specialized service firms functions. ror these -e growing With SeW disposal e federal agency ilism (t0 be rECONO|V||C the Under present purchasing and contract law applicable local units, such a procedure would be illegal. Municipal codes and the general 1 contract provisions currently require local bidding, fHowever, the system could be legalized by the simple 2 amendment of code purchasing procedures to permit exceptions if any item IS to be purchased through a state open-end contract. This promising idea remains buried in the pages of a significant report for general improvement of state government in Pennsylvania. It will be unfortunate if it remains so interred. The idea deserves legislative consideration at an early date. We publicize the proposal in the hope that it will come to the attention of a legislator truly interested in exploring every possible way to ease our local resource problems. It has worked in other states, and there is no reason why we, too, cannot save by “hitch-hiking” on the mass purchasing power of the state. WHN HUD 701 FUND GUIDELINES RELEASED HUD Regional Administrators have received the 1971 guidelines of the Comprehensive Planning Assistance ‘‘701’’ Program. The emphasis this year will be on the accomplishment of locally-determined objectives within the framework of these broad national goals: 1. Strengthen the institutional capability of state and local governments to understand and respond to the needs of all citizens; 2. Improve and conserve the quality of air, water, and earth resources for the benefit of present and future generations; 3. Realize orderly physical growth through planning and development on a state and areawide basis including effective planning for linkages between central cities and suburban communities; 4. Improve housing and related community facilities and level of services to all persons, including low and moderate income families, particularly as relates to employment activities. The guidelines stress the need for strengthening the executive management capability of chief elected officials within the context of comprehensive planning that assists in determining priorities, allocating resources, implement­ ing programs, and evaluating performance. Effective planning and management is expected to enable state and local governments to tool up for federal revenue sharing and greater reliance on block grants. As in 1970, applicant agencies are being encouraged to give special attention to Government Management; Land Use and Orderly Growth; Housing Development; Environmental Quality and Meeting Planning Require­ ments. Noteworthy is the fact that 1971 fiscal year funds are not being earmarked by subject category. Funds are to be distributed among ten HUD Regions using population, poverty, and prior funding experience factors. Regional Offices will use similar criteria, including a factor for agency effectiveness. HUD staff will negotiate with key elected officials serving on the policy-making bodies of areawide agencies to ensure a tight linkage between planning and implemen­ tation. The focal point for ”701” Program administration with regard to application receipt, negotiation, signoff and processing will be the highly decentralized area Offices. Where none have been established, the Regional Offices will retain administrative responsibility. �NON GRADED 1N STR U C]'°^iate a long- ^Ch0°!1eiSiS|i^^; The Pittston Area range program to replace t ® truction permitting sss-X-* graded instruction, a pupil enters . twelve si:, 5* £ p“n" ( TX- -»' individualized instruction which is necessary to attain their highest potential. The School District proposes to place each pupil at his own instructional level, based upon ability determined by standardized tests, and then permits the pupil to progress according to his own ability and rate of learning. This means that all artificial and arbitrary horizontal divisions within the curriculum would be removed. Beginning with 15 in-service instructional sessions for the school's professional staff prior to opening of school in September, The Institute of Regional Affairs will provide consultation and continuing instruction to the staff and to instruct para-professional personnel of the District in their duties under the new program. The Institute will also provide student teachers as a part of the program at the end of the year, and submit an annual report on the effectiveness of the program as it progresses. The proposed program does not mean that the graded system will be abandoned now or in the future, since participating pupils will be selected on the basis of demonstrated ability and with the consent of parents. The Non-Graded Instructional Program will be under the direction of Assistant Professor, J. George Siles, who joined the Education Department at Wilkes College in 1963. Mr. Siles has been appointed Associate Director responsible for Educational Planning with the '“t ?OnK AffairS’ His extensive experience and background in the educational field, and particularly I El WNEWS ncntory education, eminently qualifies him elementary Mon-Graded Instructional Program. t0 d'rect the I.--- are you an urbanite? The most complex problems of our s. attributed to the urbanization of the country Thi f re doesn’t disturb most people simply because that urban areas are only cities. Not so! sociev ar • WILKES COLLEGE WILKES-BARRE, PENNA. About 75% of us live in urban probably one of them. According to the U.S.' Bureau Of the Census, your place of residence is an urban area if it meets any one of the following criteria: I. It is an incorporated city, borough, at least 2,500 inhabitants; 2. It 3. is a densely settled VOL- °r v'llage witl) urban fringe whether incorporated or unincorporated, around a city of at least 25,000; or, It is an unincorporated area of at Ieast 2,500 inhabitants outside of an urban fringe. You don’t have to I ive in a big city to be an urbanite Start counting. You may find that you a — one. Then are smile, because you have moved into the modern -1 age. THOUGHTS FOR TODAY A linear is last year’s word for straight, which was the year before’s word for square. 2^ 5 IE I5 A racist is a gentleman of another color with whom c 20 one is having an argument. B I IN THE LIBRARY NEW ENGLAND ECONOMIC INDICATORS - Federal1 Reserve Bank of Boston — A survey ofT tko the Ma.., New]! £ Cz> 70 CM Oi cE X 3 1 ■ England economy published by the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston. NEW JERSEY MUNICIPALITIES - New Jersey State League of Municipalities - This magazine serves as a medium of exchange of ideas and information on municipal affairs for public officials. NIGP LETTER SERVICE - National Institute of Governmental Purchasing — A publication dedicated to improving governmental purchasing. IRA NEWSLETTER Institute of Regional Affairs Wilkes College Wilkes-Barre, Pa. 18703 Non-Profit Organization U. S. POSTAGE X PAID Return Postage Guaranteed Wilkes-Barre, P* Permit No. 355 HUGO JUNE 29, mauley 19 IS - MARCH 8. DIRECTOR INSTITUTE OF REGIONAL 1971 AffA1RS �ACTION 'Ct Will initiati ■e 3 I ong‘ditional grade instruction p- system Permitting nadeheir/bility- Thi': nade under a contract egional Affairs. 5t prevalent system of rs school at the first h the normal twelve rade through a system nt from gradeto _ grade ,„ drives the less- able — e of is necessary to attain to place each pupil at ed upon ability deterand then permits the s own ability and rate artificial and arbitrary curriculum would be instructional sessions aff prior to opening of te of Regional Affairs ntinuing instruction to fessional personnel of the new program. The t teachers as a part of ■, and submit an annual of the program as it >t mean that the graded ar in the future, since ected on the basis of ; consent of parents. Program will be under ssor, J. George Siles, ment at Wilkes College appointed Associate onal Planning with the s extensive experience I field, and particularly NEWS-LETTER that urban areas are only cities. Notlo^56 theVt“ ^ct think About 75% of us live in probably one of them. According ?0 The’ U ar the Census, your place of residence is an ’S’,Bureau nf it meets any one of the following criteriaan ar^ if 1. It is an incorporated city, borough or vin at least 2,500 inhabitants; ’ V aSe with 2. VOI .XVIII, N0- 3 It is a densely settled urban fringe incorporated or unincorporated, aroima ’' Aether a c'ty of at least 25,000; or, It is an unincorporated area of at inhabitants outside of an urban fringe. least 2.50Q You don’t have to I ive in a big city to be an i urbanite. Start counting. You may find that you y — • are -- one. Then >. smile, because you have moved into - — the .. .e modern 3. age. y THOUGHTS FOR TODAY v- A linear is last year’s word for straight, which was i j er the year before’s word for square. b A racist is a gentleman of another color with whom^ . to one is having an argument. 0 -j IN THE : LIBRARY NEW ENGLAND ECONOMIC INDICATORS - Federal’ Reserve Bank of Boston - A survey of the New: England economy published by the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston. NEW IERSEY MUNICIPALITIES - New Jersey State League of Municipalities - This magazine serves as a medium of exchange of ideas and mformatio municipal affairs for public officials. Institute of NIGP LETTER SERVICE - Natj°nal . dedicated Governmental Purchasing - A publica to improving governmental pure asing. Non-ProW Organization U. S. POSTAL PAID Wilkes-Barr . permit No- 3 o? to or X 8 i WILKES COLLEGE WILKES-BARRE, PENNA. MARCH 15, 1971 �Dr. K—o Science, Wilkes College, • jts itc cust customary before 9 a.m., Monday. Marc , l97L ™ jn omary format was prepared for publication under his dire NEWS-LETTER in Its ry.^ by Dr. Maj|ey under the tit|e ..Region dire«iona This issue of the NEWS’^^lead artic|e was v The lead articl highest priorities in a long list of local and state govern^ few days before his pass. g. among i:._ work of local government in Pennsylvania, this the frame coU|d be the basis of a complete restructuring pr°viSg°government in the Commonwealth. °' 0 | bills bills appeared appeared before before the the General General Assembly Assembly • 1_ - —• ** ♦"Li q noct* for m \ kx i z— kv o ** a SeVery|vania during the past term which are designed of Pennsy^e basic -,nnrnach approach to to the the nrohlem*: problems nf of water av pollution staff, Hugo was not just its founder and director in Pennsylvania. ,ers of the Institute To the present and past members, -HE be its guiding hand. WAS THE INSTITUTE. He will always excluded from this March issue except Dr. Mai|eys other items have been To acknowledge this fact, all article prepared prior to his death t0 any ..tampering” with his NEWS-LETTER. The staff be„ “tampering” with his NEWS-LETTER. his ardoMoMts tX^sion and promises that all future issues will bring to its readers the same breadth of One of the; bills involves the authorization for the _ of establishment^ < Regional Water and Wastes Management The Regional Water and Wastes Management AUth°rities '"th rities ’ would would be be formed formed by by the the Counties Counties in in the the AUthOs which have previously been determined and re^'°nated by the Sanitary Water Board. If the counties deS'8t appoint a Regional Water and Wastes Management significant items upon which he insisted. Authority, then the Sanitary Water Board, after a certain period of’time, is authorized to do so. THE CHALLENGE OF THE 70’S" "REGIONALISM At the state level, interest and activity is on the; upswing, partially as a reaction to specific federal programs and partially as a means to strengthen the states' capabilities to administratively address them­' selves to functional and area needs. This increased interest is demonstrated by new enabling legislation, financial support to regional organizations, executive, reorganizations and policies, including a regional approach. Just as the aid systems of most states have not been adjusted to fit current conditions, the states have assumed few functional responsibilities which were once local. What’s more, the state level has not produced any strong regional or metropolitan leadership. About all that can be said for states is that they have passed permissive legislation making inter-local cooperation possible. In the face of problems becoming1 regional, the states tread gingerly and hope that it will be attained voluntarily through local arrangement. They have not undertaken any major overhaul of local govern­ ment. for'L^WO’s^thW0'^ “ TPare l0Cal foments; , : Hon, and the finance . p er’ me imagmacapability to overcome munkioT^’-T1 ab°Ve al1 the must reappraise and relocate tire )“'''sd!ctlons- States to the proper levels To num Ut,'°n °f problems units in the hope that lor-a? P m°re funds int0 local unrealistic, unless the carrot ■* - Ta8'native|y planning and regional implementation can be attained on some kind of sensible regional basis. To g 1 ....... grant more powers to lower levels of government when a problem belongs at a higher level is unrealistic. And to pass more laws and to create more programs seems only to compound this illogical, unreasonable, and unnecessary mess. Pennsylvania, for instance, has not taken an inventory of local tasks, local needs and local functions at all, It has taken a swipe at reappraisal at times - when other subjects were under consideration, such as home rule, housing, unemployment, protection and safety, sewage, etc. No deliberate attempt has been made in this state to carefully select functions which local governments can perform within the limits of their civic and political leadership, physical boundaries, and financial resources. The Constitutional Convention of a few years ago struck out in this direction. The fact that Pennsylvania amended its Constitution to provide optional ways for the exercise of powers at the local unit of government level is, in a real sense, a recognition of the need or reform in local governmental institutions. In sum, these local government amendments imply that the form, structure, and powers of Pennsylvania local governme are not adequate to meet today's needs and that electorate should have more positive means for in uen ing change. The most innovative provision of Article IX is contained in Section 6 and 7 concerning area goveir ent The General Assembly is to provide for theesta ' gOf of and dissolution of area governments and the gra ( great powers to such governments. Although there 1 rernuncertainty as to the meaning of the term area role W* ment and much confusion as to its future There is no question that if this kind of bill is assed, it will substantially alter the mode of operation in the water quality management field in Pennsylvania. More importantly, it is a recognition of the simple fact that the voluntary approach by small units of government has not been the answer to regional problems and that water resource management should be moved up to another level of government — whether the county, area government, or a regional authority. This is not to say that regionalism is being promoted and/or coerced by each individual state agency. It is however what can be labeled “Regionalism by Executive Fiat.” Let’s look at just two instances. Recommendations developed at a Governor’s Con­ ference are serving as the foundation for many of the policies, procedures and guidelines that the New Environmental Department is using to implement Act 241, Pennsylvania’s Solid Waste Management Act. All three conference panels pointed up the needs for long-range, comprehensive regional or areawide solid waste manage­ ment planning, for intergovernmental cooperation at both g e. state and regional levels, for utilization of all available resources and for federal and state monies to f_e P implement solid waste management programs, to fi nan ce a more research and demonstration programs, to the<phub|-'' KCI waste wasce nandlln g techniques, lt Proper handling techniques, ano and to to euu«-o educate Mans'1 Severa' occasions, the Governor’s Solid Waste favor^ernent Advisory Committee has gone on record as mana"18 broad area planning for sound solid waste for th8n nent Systems’ The Committee has voiced support be nr epartment’s suggestion that area-wide planning author?rn°^ed dy making Act 241 more explicit in its zation for the formation format-inn of nf regional solid waste management governmental agencies Tl states that a solid waste management submitted jointly by the municipalities an authority or county or by one c municipalities with concurrence of the . provides for needed reviews including om agency with areawide jurisdiction, if one county planning commission.” Therefo for planning assistance are being coi Department in this light. This is certa and stick” approach. The approach of the Department Affairs in promoting regionalism is ant of the same strategy. The Shamokin are a typi cal example of how it operates in th< yet widely prevalent-instances. Some sev (potentially 13) in the LAREDO deve which the DCA supports with seed fundi assistance, have been in the process o' which, one would then hope to encouraj next step; an area, government. f “relatively” more affluent and capabl neighbors saw "nothing in it" for Sham to join. DCA had funded Shamokin gener for a wide range of important developmt badly need additional help for some recreation development projects. DCA Shamokin: “You join and fully suppc COG financially and otherwise, or y recreation development assistance from You do not hear about these little st for obvious reasons. But they are goin in all communities, and they are determinants of the decisions with resp not to assist and to what extent. The c of many actions of this kind is bui potentially impressive total. These examples and others subst; that regionalism is coming, not by the i governments, or by a local citizenry enlightened, or even by any stated url General Assembly. We seem to be easin; without a preconcieved urban policy, important, ;~t, without any policy of Area i' kind of chaotic regionalism that is a k.. ihw It sounds good because it begi into. It available. It allows for flexibility, “grand theory." The lack of a pop regionalism is even more serious, without a re-appraisal of local governm services is no regionalism at all. �ugo V. Hailey, Director of the Institute of Regional Affairs and Ci,, Chairman of the Deckes College, died in the Wilkes-Barre General Hospital following '"2 a heart attack :pj* n rtrnent of p0|. , Monday, March 8, 1971. hls office '/‘'cal short|y issue of the NEWS-LETTER in its customary format >— _J S- PLMailey ePred under" for.Publ'cation The lead article was written byWn Dr. fore his passing. • -------- r the title the 70’s”. The subject was among the highest priorities ini a long list of local ch he devoted his life. Ji nd le present and past members of the Institute staff, Hugo was not just its founder and dire. iTITUTE. He will always be its guiding hand. “ Ilu Qlr ector _ cknowledge this fact, all other items have been excluded from this March is^.o issue ed prior to his death. except Dr. Mai|ey’s less, Hugo would object strenuously to any “tampering” with his NEWS-LETTER The staff begs ir its transgression, and promises that all future issues will bring to its readers the same breadth of ims upon which he insisted. "REGIONALISM THE CHALLENGE OF THE 70’S” tate level, interest and activity is on the irtially as a reaction to specific federal d partially as a means to strengthen the ibilities to administratively address themjnctional and area needs. This increased demonstrated by new enabling legislation, ipport to regional organizations, executive ins and policies, including a regional he aid systems of most states have not been fit current conditions, the states have / functional responsibilities which were once t’s more, the state level has not produced egional or metropolitan leadership. II that can be said for states is that they d permissive legislation making inter-local possible. In the face of problems becoming e states tread gingerly and hope that it will voluntarily through local arrangement. They dertaken any major overhaul of local govern- tates are going to prepare local governments )’s, there needs to be an injection of a more s role because the state is the affluency of /ernment with the legal power, the imaginate finances to experiment, and above all the to overcome municipal jurisdictions. States raise and relocate the solution of problems )er levels. To pump more funds into local e hope that local units will be able to deal problems cooperatively and imaginatively is unless the carrot and stick approach is even then, it is doubtful if comprehensive planning and regional implementation c can be attained on some kind of sensible regional basis, ■■ To grant more powers to lower levels of government when a problem belongs at a higher level is unrealistic, And to pass more laws and to create more programs seems only to compound this illogical, unreasonable, and unnecessary mess. Pennsylvania, for instance, has not taken an inventory of local tasks, local needs and local functions at all. It has taken a swipe at reappraisal at times - when other subjects were under consideration, such as home rule, housing, unemployment, protection and safety, sewage, etc. No deliberate attempt has been made in this state to carefully select functions which local governments can perform within the limits of their civic and and political leadership, physical boundaries, t financial resources. The Constitutional Convention of a few years _ Pennsylvania struck out in this direction. The fact that -■-for ways famended its Constitution -q to provide provide optional opnona ent the exercise of powers at the the local local unit unlt of ° , Z~ - -J , >'•' level is, in a real ______ sense, a a recognition recognition of o the n local governmental institutions, n su^» reform in b.............. ........ local government amendments imp y structure, and powers of Pennsylvania and that the are not adequate to meet today s nee for infl"enc’ electorate should have more positive mea ing change. The most innovative provision of contained in Section 6 and 7 concernin The General Assembly is to provi e o ‘‘ |X is that governmc0'’ eStablisbrl^ f grant'^ t and dissolution of area governments ^ere js powers to such governments. J ° °rrn “area uncertainty as to the meaning or ment” and much confusion as to I future r°e mework of local government in Pennsylvania, this the n could be the basis of a complete restructuring Misgovernment in the Commonwealth. ral bills appeared before the General Assembly Pnnsylvania during the past term which are designed 0 , r rhe basic approach to the problems of water One of the bills involves the authorization for the One tablishment of Regional Water and Wastes Management Tthorities. The Regional Water and Wastes Management Authorities would be formed by the Counties in the ■ s which have previously been determined and regions designated by the Sanitary Water Board. If the counties do not appoint a Regional Water and Wastes Management Authority, then the Sanitary Water Board, after a certain period of time, is authorized to do so. There is no question that if this kind of bill is passed, it will substantially alter the mode of operation in the water quality management field in Pennsylvania. More importantly, it is a recognition of the simple fact that the voluntary approach by small units of government has not been the answer to regional problems and that water resource management should be moved up to another level of government - whether the county, area government, or a regional authority. This is not to say that regionalism is being promoted and/or coerced by each individual state agency. It is however what can be labeled "Regionalism by Executive Fiat.’’ Let’s look at just two instances. Recommendations developed at a Governor’s Con­ ference are serving as the foundation for many of the policies, procedures and guidelines that the New Environmental Department is using to implement Act 241, Pennsylvania's Solid Waste Management Act. All three conference panels pointed up the needs for long-range, comprehensive regional or areawide solid waste manage­ ment planning, for intergovernmental cooperation at both the state and regional levels, for utilization of all available resources and for federal and state monies to (elp implement solid waste management programs, to financee more research and demonstration programs, to teach P|roper waste handling techniques, and to educate On several occasions, the Governor’s Solid Waste anagement Advisory Committee has gone on record as avoring broad area planning for sound solid waste f0^naLEe,Tlent systems. The Committee has voiced support t e Department's suggestion that area-wide planning aiiu.Pr°moteb by making Act 241 more explicit in its or|zation for the formation of regional solid waste management governmental agencies. The original Act states that a solid waste management plan “may be submitted jointly by the municipalities concerned or by an authority or county or by one or more of the municipalities with concurrence of the others.” It also provides for needed reviews including one by “a planning agency with areawide jurisdiction, if one exists, and the county planning commission.” Therefore, applications for planning assistan.ee are being considered by the Department in this light. This is certainly the "carrot and stick” approach. The approach of the Department of Community Affairs in promoting regionalism is another illustration of the same strategy. The Shamokin area offers perhaps a typical example of how it operates in the more homespunyet widely prevalent-instances. Some seven municipalities (potentially 13) in the LAREDO development district which the DCA supports with seed funding and technical assistance, have been in the process of forming a COG, which, one would then hope to encourage to move to the next step; an area, government. Shamokin, being “relatively” more affluent and capable than its small neighbors saw "nothing in it” for Shamokin and refused to join. DCA had funded Shamokin generously in the past for a wide range of important development efforts. They badly need additional help for some highly desirable recreation development projects. DCA just simply told Shamokin: “You join and fully support the LAREDO COG financially and otherwise, or you get no more recreation development assistance from DCA.” You do not hear about these little strategies pubicly, for obvious reasons. But they are going on all the time in all communities, and they are the fundamental determinants of the decisions with respect to whether or not to assist and to what extent. The cumulative impact of many actions of this kind is building up into a potentially impressive total. These examples and others substantiate the point that regionalism is coming, not by the initiative of local governments, or by a local citizenry that has become enlightened, or even by any stated urban policy of the General Assembly. We seem to be easing into regionalism without a preconcieved urban policy, and what is more important, without any policy of Area Government. This is a kind of chaotic regionalism that we are slipping into It sounds good because it begins with what is available. It allows for flexibility. But there is no "grand theory.” The lack of a popularly controlled regionalism is even more serious. And regionalism without a re-appraisal of local government functions and services is no regionalism at all. HVM �SWEDEN F&R' £ NEWS-LETTER WILKES COLLEGE WILKES-BARRE, COMMONWEALTH institute of Dr. Hugo REGIONAL AFFAIRS V. Hailey, Director NEWSLETTER VOL. XVIII MARCH 15, 1971 NO. 3 This News-letter, published monthly as a community service, originates in the Institute of Regional Affairs of Wilkes College. Notes and inquiries may be addressed to Dr. Hugo V. Hailey, Director, Institute of Regional Affairs, Wilkes College, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania 18703 Subscription free upon request. HONORS DR. MAILEY Under state legislation, Local Government Day is celebrated on April 15 of each year in Pennsylvania in recognition of the vital role of local government in the lives of all citizens, and the need for active citizen interest in their local affairs. The Governor’s Proclama­ tion dedicated this year’s observance to Dr. Mai ley for his many successful years of unselfish service devoted to improvement of local government throughout the state. This is believed to be the first time any individual was Instituted by the late Hugo V. Hailey to honoi outstanding contributors of service to local governmen and to award Public Service Institute certificates ti participants in the many courses for public officials an employees, the dinner has become one of the College' most popular events. As a further token of respect for the late IRA Director, officials of the Local Government Day Committee of the Commonwealth and of the Department of Community Affairs visited Wilkes College on April 15 to present the official Proclamation and honor to Mrs. Mailey in a simple but impressive ceremony held in Weckesser Hall. Mrs. Mailey was also given the proclamation pen in remembrance of the Day. H Institute of Regional Affairs Wilkes College Wilkes-Barre, Pa. 18703 U. s. posTAGE pAIU Wilkes-Ba"®’ The feature of the evening will be an address by th Honorable William H. Wilcox, Secretary of the Departmer of Community Affairs of the Commonwealth. The relation between the Department, which is dedicated to th improvement of local government, and the Institute < Regional Affairs have been extremely close and produi tive. The newly appointed Secretary has alread indicated by his actions since assuming office that f intends to enlarge and enhance that relationship. All public officials in Northeastern Pennsylvani and local government employees, as well as interest! citizens, are invited to attend. More than one thousar letters of invitation wilI be mailed about May I. Reserv tions should be forwarded to the Institute of Region Affairs, 50 Parrish Hall, Wilkes College as soon ; possible. Philip R. Tuhy is in charge of arrangement Presentat'on was made by the Honorable William • Wilcox, Secretary of the Department of Community a,rs and the Honorable Genevieve Blatt, former ecretary of the Department of Internal Affairs and ^onorary Chairman of the Local Government Day weaVhanCe’ Th® delegation representing the CommonGov^ 'nc'uc'ed Rodney Terry, Director, Bureau of Local Services; Edwin Sites, Director, Region II Cnh?16^ department of Community Affairs; and Donald 'rector of Public Relations. permit Return Postage Guaranteed ANNUAL DINNER MAY 25 The Nineteenth Annual Dinner sponsored by the Institute of Regional Affairs, Wilkes College, will be held in the dining room of the New Men’s Dormitory or Tuesday, May 25, 1971 at 6:30 P.M. thus honored. Non-Pr°fit Organixat'01’ APRIL 15, 1971 -precedented gesture, Governor Milton Shapp In an■ unpr d this year’s Local Government Day to the dedicated f-: of the late Dr. Hugo V. Mai ley, Founder and memory of the Institute of Regional Affairs. Director Victor Mai ley, Newport, Rhode Island, son of the late Dr. Mai ley was the personal guest of Governor Shapp at the signing of the Proclamation at Harrisburg on April 14. Top-ranking state officials witnessed the ceremony. IRA NEWSLETTER PENNA. Mayor5'i^a''ey was accompanied by her son 'Victor, and guest McGlynn, Wilkes-Barre, was; a special LABOR RELATIONS IN PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT WORKSHOP This workshop, which was originally scheduled I Saturday, April 3, 1971 has been rescheduled for Frida May 14, 1971. The workshop is being co-sponsored the Institute of Regional Affairs and the Institute f Urban Policy and Administration, Graduate School Public and International Affairs, University of Pittsburg Sessions will be held in Room 53, Parrish Hall, Wilk College. Re2ineP?Senting Wilkes College and the Institute of ^reside Affairs were Dr. Francis J. Michelini, Historynt’jW''kes College; Dr. David Leach, Prof, of and pr.fnd Chairman of the Division of Social Science, Ass'ociat m°rS PhiliP TuhX and Walter H’ Niehoff’ b0th e Directors of the Institute of Regional Affairs, die Coli^ai'ey and son Victor, were honored guests of P^ticinan^6 at t'1e Westmoreland C,pants °f the ceremony. Club attended by -----_ 10:00 A.M. and will adjot Sessions will begin at 4:00 P.M. There will be no charge for the workshr at _ _ . -■."te for elected public officia It is a training course and public employers. The wo solicitors, managers a."d , .. L —. It is financ will be limited to 35 participants, shop t from a grant ... './ States Governmi by the United Sr? in part the Higher Education Act of IS Title I of ' ' under Pennsylvania by the Department administered in Education. �SHEDDEN LIBRAS NEWS-LETTER WILKES COLLEGE WILKES-BARRE, PENNA. INSTITUTE OF REGIONAL COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS Dr. Hugo V. Malley. Director NEWSLETTER VOL. XVIII MARCH 15. 1971 NO. 3 This News-letter, published monthly as a community service, originates in the Institute of Regional Affairs of Wilkes College. Notes and inquiries may be addressed to Dr. Hugo V. Mai ley. Director, Institute of Regional Affairs, Wilkes College, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania 18703 Subscription free upon request. HONORS DR. MAILEY iffairs 3 iteed u. s. p°5TAGE Wilkes-8f% permit N°*__ DINNER MAY 25 In an unprecedented gesture, Governor Milton Shapp dedicated this year’s Local Government Day to the memory of the late Dr. Hugo V. Mailey, Founder and Director of the Institute of Regional Affairs. The Nineteenth Annual Dinner sponsored by the Institute of Regional Affairs, Wilkes College, will be held in the dining room of the New Men's Dormitory on Tuesday, May 25, 1971 at 6:30 P.M. Under state legislation, Local Government Day is celebrated on April 15 of each year in Pennsylvania in recognition of the vital role of local government in the lives of all citizens, and the need for active citizen interest in their local affairs. The Governor’s Proclama­ tion dedicated this year's observance to Dr. Mailey for his many successful years of unselfish service devoted to improvement of local government throughout the state. This is believed to be the first time any individual was thus honored. Instituted by the late Hugo V. Mailey to honor outstanding contributors of service to local government and to award Public Service Institute certificates to participants in the many courses for public officials and employees, the dinner has become one of the College’s most popular events. Victor Mailey, Newport, Rhode Island, son of the late Dr. Mailey was the personal guest of Governor Shapp at the signing of the Proclamation at Harrisburg on April 14. Top-ranking state officials witnessed the ceremony. As a further token of respect for the late IRADirector, officials of the Local Government Day Committee of the Commonwealth and of the Department of Community Affairs visited Wilkes College on April 15 to present the official Proclamation and honor to Mrs. Mailey in a simple but impressive ceremony held in Weckesser Hall. Mrs. Mailey was also given the proclamation pen in remembrance of the Day. Non-Pr°fit Organ ixati°" ANNUAL APRIL 15, 1971 The presentation was made by the Honorable William H. Wilcox, Secretary of the Department of Community Affairs and the Honorable Genevieve Blatt, former Secretary of the Department of Internal Affairs and Honorary Chairman of the Local Government Day observance. The delegation representing the Common­ wealth included Rodney Terry, Director, Bureau of Local Government Services; Edwin Sites, Director, Region II of the Department of Community Affairs; and Donald Gohr, Director of Public Relations. Mrs. Mailey was accompanied by her son 'Victor, and ™7or John B. McGlynn, Wilkes-Barre, was; a special Soest. Representing Wilkes College and the Institute of Keg'onal Affairs were Dr. Francis J. Michelmi, «ident, Wilkes College; Dr. David Leach, Prof, of anjt07 ar,d Chairman of the Division of Social Science, ■ Professors Philip Tuhy and Walter H. Niehoff, both °ciate Directors of the Institute of Regional Affairs. MrS’ r‘-: Mailey and son Victor, were honored guests of 'he.C°lleg, de at the Westmoreland Club attended y Parti ci Pants of the ceremony. th The feature of the evening will be an address by the Honorable William H. Wilcox, Secretary of the Department of Community Affairs of the Commonwealth. The relations between the Department, which is dedicated to the improvement of local government, and the Institute of Regional Affairs have been extremely close and produc­ tive. The newly appointed Secretary has already indicated by his actions since assuming office that he intends to enlarge and enhance that relationship. All public officials in Northeastern Pennsylvania, and local government employees, as well as interested citizens, are invited to attend. More than one thousand letters of invitation will be mailed about May I. Reserva­ tions should be forwarded to the Institute of Regional Affairs, 50 Parrish Hall, Wilkes College as soon as possible. Philip R. Tuhy is in charge of arrangements. LABOR RELATIONS IN PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT WORKSHOP This workshop, which was originally scheduled for Saturday, April 3, 1971 has been rescheduled for Friday, May 14, 1971. The workshop is being co-sponsored by the Institute of Regional Affairs and the Institute for Urban Policy and Administration, Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, University of Pittsburgh. Sessions will be held in Room 53, Parrish Hall, Wilkes College. Sessions will begin begin at 10:00 A.M. and will adjourn Sessions will 4:00 P.M. There will be no charge for the workshop. at ........ "”•'3 for elected public officials, It is a training course and public employers. The worksolicitors, managers t. • ' p®n“l. It is financed shop will be limited to 35 Pa™5! in part from a grant tby the United States Government u.e Higher Education Act of 1965 under Title I of the Pennsylvania by the Department of administered in F — Education. �/ n>0'* atrr*Ctre>fr \e&c id rn° .d^n ever,ere 3 ctu a< ich A fo r Ci wh 5 '"th® pre intOffiC pro n^ d': re and t,uSf’eS 51’ ’ r den 5 cre^’ |O^ al. 5< and SiCi phYci tie enc iaj° rds *h ■ rm al of our tren forms |east very the or & wer® ta* to the the resul hi ch decline PriVa‘ae dras''c build'n was a for The ^n.a ^s declin' accelerated^ the d a^'rS R.E.A.D. PROGRAM ATTAINING GOALS The Wilkes College Reading Excellence Attainment Development program, or R.E.A.D., msti Maj|ey added community service last June by Dr. Hugo V Maley, has reached enrollment beyond original e^e“atl0"®e The reading program, designed to improve the language and study skills of young people through developmen and application of a course of study based upon individual student needs, was developed and implemented y Professors J. George Siles and Joseph Bellucc, instructors in the Graduate Division of Education at the College. Administration and supervision of the instructional staff and general program is done by Professor Si les, who is also Associate Director for Educational planning of the Institute of Regional Affairs. Since inception of the program in June, 1970, young people from twenty public and private schools have participated. Fifty-two students, ranging in age from seven to sixteen have been tested and given instruction. A modest tuition fee covers the expenses of testing, instructional staffing, and materials. The basic approach to the reading course is individual attention made possible by a low pupil-teacher ratio. Each instructor is responsible for only two pupils during the summer sessions, and three during the regular academic year. All children receive a battery of tests immediately following admission to the center. Group and individual tests are administered by an educational psychologist with official certification, and who is a member of the American Psychological Association. Dr. Bellucci developed the testing procedure and, in addition to formulating each child’s case description, interviews and counsels children and their parents. Initial and final written reports are provided for parents during the five week summer sessions and the ten month academic year program. Interim reports are also given at the mid­ point of the academic year course. Currently, three types of instructional areas are utilized at the instructional center. Room “A” consists of a wide range of mechanical and electronic devices which are not only highly sophisticated instructional tools, but which have a fascination which few children can resist. Room “B” contains programmed materials for independent study and self-directed instruction. In both rooms, trained aides supervise and assist each child under direction of his teacher. Aides are skilled undergraduate students who have completed a professional semester which includes reading instruction. Room “C” is used exclusively for directed reading instruction, and the emphasis is on a relaxed tutorial atmosphere between instructor and the child. The instruction day begins at 9:00 a.m., and each chi d spends a portion of his morning in each of the instructional areas. In addition, there are frequent field rips to the local public library and to the Eugene S Farley Library to give each child an opportunity to make op:xasect,ons of books which he - rharEfhllJati°n °f,the program t0 date strongly indicates that the program’s primary objective to foster attitudes of the children toward reading is being attained. MUNICIPAL ANNEXATION N°- TANGLE Procedures for municipal annexations in Pennsy|Va . have always been complex, and frequently unpopu| 'ai A provision in the revised Pennsylvania Constitutj I was intended to clarify the procedure, but now the°n‘ appears to be two. a 3S nthiy•tote of Af* led <Inst' in 4 a<- ai . Z'sshinthe'- i’71 uV||l An amendment to the Pennsylvania Constitution adopted by popular referendum in 1968, provides for such annexation by a majority vote of the citizens in both municipalities. It also directs the General Assembly within two years (deadline April 23, 1970) to “enact uniform legislation establishing the procedure for consolidation, merger or change of boundaries of municipalities.” The purpose was to give to all voters in the township control over disposition of any part. The basis of the legal tangle is that the legislature failed to enact the required legislation by the established deadline, thus opening a question as to which of the two procedures is currently valid. At least five common pleas courts have rendered differing opinions, and the matter can be clarified only by action of the legislature or the new Commonwealth Court in which appeals are pending. 7 H,i5Aer*icen'f Vfi^ t0 D'r®f ee T-.ilege, The annexation of a part of a township by a bor< rough illustrates the new tangle. Under P. L. 550, enacted in 1953, the annexation procedure started with a petition signed by a majority of the property owners in the part of the township to be annexed. Following acceptance of the petition by the borough council, the latter indicated its acceptance by submitting a petition for annexation to the common p|eas court, which approves or disapproves after public hearing Governing bodies in townships, and the taxpayers of the remaining portion not to be annexed, frequently opposed this procedure because both took no part in the decision shi<f 4 ,nwW c ,eq req'ueSt' ,8703. 0ade' 5iibsc p UXhe STRA NGLE her factorthan any other ° h js now -n city and f?orts of the efforts °f nsiJie^cilitl®;s publ,c i"8’ pland a generous dose of oth •?e"/CVe automobile neutra|ize the overwhelming Pittston, and Philadelphia. Scranto , boroUghs are . XXri-^^^,(»nrre8lon. The full impact of the dominance of the automobile on the city was not impressed upon the urban conscience until after World War 11. The increasing dominance of this form of transportation was accompanied by expansion of metropolitan areas and a sharp decline of public mass vansit transit service. FRoads, highways, and parking spaces One opinion, reflected in a decision of the court of common pleas in Lackawanna County, contends that the new constitutional provision has nullified the previous Petition method. ~ The court in Lehigh County last March 9 decreed that Coopersburg borough was correct, in adhering to the procedure in P. L. 550 in annexing a part of Upper Saucon Township. The latter has appealed. simply couldn’t keep vehicles, Urban ,> pace with the growing number of . . ---- “0 transportation tfauopui I problems mounted to ""F;,,,ulvl, ^Wons, and urban 'hecondition -i renewal programs aggravated The Pennsylvania Local Government Commission, a legislative service agency, has recommended, on the basis of an opinion by the Attorney General, that the appropriate procedure depends upon the date of initial annexation action. In other words, P. L. 550 procedure’ should be used for all annexation procedures started before the constitutional deadline date of April 23, 1971.) The Coopersburg case falls within this category, according Timehasorn method of m Ven tklat initial, and sti11 th only wronp !elln^ transportation o S<dominant, more and ' se^'defeatinp Th Pt°blem 1 was not high, n,ore vehicles entered he. Iogic v" was fejera| must be built Th' C'T, more andthat if which L8°vern,nent in X Was ^e aonm, c i more cei)tr a as otle . 1949 urban rerrn to the opinion, because proceedings were initiatedin June, 1968. On the other hand, actions started after April 23, 1970, are probably governed by Article IX of the new Constitution. freew Clt7 access bv S mai°r goals Wa . Pegram Crj. ■ Since ai|_ . e automobiln ari ' mcreasp c ^quir^ 'ation of th„ and the of states endoas Capita® chroni c Since an opinion of the Attorney General is subject to counter by the Commonwealth Court, the final decision( depends upon the outcome of the cases now before that body. On the other hand, the legislature could solve the( egal tangle by fulfilling its constitutional mandate,! already overdue, to enact new annexation laws which | conform to the revised constitutional provisions. Senate Bill 382, currently in the hearing stage before the Senate Local Government Committee, would untangle the tangle- of the sttee es Were insf.nd '©Cal urhan reS°Urces | -- “tl0«l levs? 'nStOp-^ lraf)i '"ere red.c Uted at the i areas, Onlv authori .°wi Vertir ^8nated °Ca' level naj "es w cal Parkjn ne-Way , ; D, a$sj at'eets, estab|jSL 8arages a v^^ti; ’ sPeciai d to I,. ere bui|t. £reater ^ tv^ Fn c bU$ |a n. ’ M'ked'car,kiris j tUr^ Ped TXPdteri ane as'ngt uld „ e nteasu tr--. !e» '4 hide. personal vel.The dismal pl'Sht The have • • -- rai Major r- I road s i couni ^ices. adding commute of automobile c. York is bog, into New Rockefeller’: Governor commuter service in tht bursting at the seams, area, is on the brink of privately owned transi that it recently offer County and/or the cit> date. There are a few pre deci sion-makers recogr in imass ------- ---transit as thf syndrome, The federa developing r,w programs tc •n this di recti ■ion. Th changed --J its PennsyK r the P'ennsy|vania Depa • nd i cat|ng some sh i construct! on of highw mass tran si t. • The ci metro rapid ,rail subvv; . syst milli on service < mprep dollars transit San system, in ^is’cn ^nov/r COUnt... countr y. ->desnDf° r Jrtun ; §eneraP|re ' ■^ad / • 1 sn< Pace J'fifties rat,"' wi'V thu >n by to the '> the ate|y> the . lnacti on tec,^nitic betwP& to tb bui|dhn -■= 'rar,' ? ub| ic and :P< Lents ^y UrbJan . P i U st cc hQw em fa- °n, �1 ATtainiNg G0ALs MUN'C>PAI_ AWNEXaTln RdlESAEDXCe'i'enCe Attainment R.e.a.d., ^Junebybr s/ond HutUtv as an orig“na^pSOV-^ley, ;ned f People 'f study oay improve the^an“S’ throuah j language based2 development cased upon individual «s and a„Td Joseph , by Bellucci D'v.s.on of Education at the isVdl°n L_.d°ne?.y instructional Professor Siles, -tor for Educati onal planning al Affairs. r°gnr*m in June> 1970, young and private schools have 'de"^’ ranging in age from -ested and given instruction s the expenses of testing aterials. s reading course is individual a low pupil-teacher ratio, le for only two pupils during 1 three during the regular h,v® ssociation. :edure and, in Dr. Bellucci addition to ase description, interviews their parents. Initial and vided for parents during the and the ten month academic :s are also given at the mid­ purse. of instructional areas are center. Room “A” consists ical and electronic devices sophisticated instructional cination which few children tains programmed materials elf-directed instruction. In supervise and assist each teacher. Aides are skilled ave completed a professional T “ TAI,gLe ^Srelulte?"aSSista"« Program A rProvision in was ’ ’"“"dad appears to be theC°mplex’ and fre^ 'n Penns 1NStitute OF to 'LL’™”: two. ae Procedure The anneAi d, a Parl 'Ilustrates the Part of aa tow"ship by a new tangle. Under p. | 550, enacted in m Procedure J 953, t; the the Petition S|gned by / a Following 0riT -a Part of the <»3 annexed, borough council, < the latter mdkatJd^” bi submittin the ;theJatter indi °fT'.? Petition anneal'," annexation court, which „ ' ’Kpluve PPtoPes or disapproves Governing bodies in p|,J An amendment to the Pon adopted by popular referendum *? annexation by a majority vote o the decision Co^titUtion' S Pr°V,des f°rsu municipalities. It also directs the r 'Zens in both within two years (deadline April 23 S Asaembl» uniform legislation establishing the Seed consolidation, merger or chant of ?rocadure fa municipalities.” Tht purposewal to ive°to aH^ " the township control over disposition of The basis of the legal tangle is that the legislature failed to enact the required legislation by the established deadline, thus opening a question as to which of the two procedures is currently valid. At least five common pleas courts have rendered differing opinions, and the matter can be clarified only by action of the legislature or the new Commonwealth Court in which appeals are pending. One opinion, reflected in a decision of the court of common pleas in Lackawanna County, contends that the new constitutional provision has nullified the previous Petition method. The court in Lehigh County Iasi March 9 decreed that Coopersburg borough was correct in adhering to the procedure in P. L. 550 in annexing2 part of Upper Saucon Township. The latter has appoa e The Pennsylvania Local Government Co"1,"iss'on^ legislative service agency, has recommen e , °' basis of an opinion by the Attorney General, t appropriate procedure depends upon the annexation action. In other words, . ■ should be used for all annexation proced edlire started 3> |9?| before the constitutional deadline date aCCOrdinJ The Coopersburg case falls within this category,^. . ling instruction. jsively for directed reading is is on a relaxed tutorial to fh e up" * , bo,1 Hand actions started ,y ol June, 1968. On the other hand, a Artic|e |X April 23, 1970, are probably governe X ,r and the child. is 51 subject r^npral is of the Attorney General Since an opinion of the the finalJCourt, bef°re to counter by the Commonwealth Commonwea cag^s now tdepends upon the °“tcom h legislature could ins at 9:00 a.m., and each iis morning in each of' the ion, there are frequent field irary and and to to the Eugene S. :hild an opportunity to make enjoy throughwhich he can c , , strongly indicates i to date foster positive ibjective to being attained. rd reading is REGIONAL AFFAIRS NEWSLETTER VOL. XVIII APRIL 15, 1971 NO. 4 This News-letter, published monthly as a community service, originates in the Institute of Regional Affairs of Wilkes College. Notes and inquiries may be addressed to Director, Institute of Regional Affairs Wilkes College, WilkesBarre, Pennsylvania 18703. Subscription free upon request. pot.,;- not to be ’T ■his procedure because both to.^p.T^T'T*'- m >attery of tests immediately enter. Group and individual an educational psychologist md who is a member of the a'ways'SbJer„,"u"idP’1 wnexatl the new Constitution. body S On the other hand, the leg by fulfill •» lds2i ""Lb.n l.« titutional i" whi^ Sens'* already overdue, t0 ,enconstitutional Pr°vlS'° the 5^‘ conform to the revise aring stage bef° a taqg|ee' tang' Bill 382, currently in the woU|d untangle Local Government Committee, THE STRANGLER The private automobile, more than any other factor, created the modern sick American city and is now choking it to death! Despite the desperate efforts of the decision-makers to cure the potentially fatal urban ailments through ingestions of urban renewal, public housing, planning and zoning, model cities, new towns, open space, and a generous dose of other rehabilitating remedies, the automobile continues to neutralize the treatment simply by pouring in and out in overwhelming numbers. Strangulation is occuring not only in the large cities like New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Boston, and Philadelphia. Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, Pittston, Hazleton, and many of the neighboring boroughs are choking too. The automobile is a concern of our region. The full impact of the dominance of the automobile on the city was not impressed upon the urban conscience until after World War II. The increasing dominance of this form of transportati on was accompanied by expansion of metropolitan areas and a sharp decline of public mass transit service. Roads, highways, and parking spaces simply couldn’t keep pace with the growing number of vehicles. Urban transportation problems mounted to crisis proportions, and urban renewal programs aggravated the condition. Time has proven that the initial, and still thedominant, method of meeting the transportation problem was not only wrong, but self-defeating. The logic was that if more and more vehicles entered the city, more and more highways must be built. This was the approach of the federal government in the 1949 urban renewal program which had as one of its major goals an increase in central city access by the automobile and the new urban freeway. Since alleviation of the chronic urban traffic crisis required r tremendous capital resources beyond the capacity of states and local urban areas, only stop-gap measures were instituted at the local level. Downtown sheets were redesignated one-way to allow greater raJc flow; vertical parking garages were built; parking eythorities were established to keep parked cars off a|or streets; special bus lane reservations were ass'8ned; and even computerized traffic control systems re developed. These measures, mostly short range nature, cou|(j not, however, keep pace with t e easing traffic difficulties. to tu?eLfederal government in the mid-fifties stepped in t0 fill the tbe gap in state and local financial resources y f«t by Hnking cit es h °US'y succe^ful engineering advantage of thP"t0Wn bUSineSS interests’ ea^ take which would Sener°usu federal grants for highways pressed for ttract saburban residents to central city, new hithw m°re freeways- The result was that the an^ 'g 7yS were actually squeezing more cars, goods, and people into the central city area, and, in effect creating more traffic problems for the renewed residential and central business district areas. The new roads also encouraged low density sprawl which has adversely affected the physical, social, environmental and economic forms of our major cities. These negative developments were the very trends which urban renewal was attempting to change, or at least slow down, in an effort to save the vitality and the tax base or the central city. Accompanying the increasing personal mobility by private cars which resulted from rising national affluence, was a drastic decline of urban mass transit systems. The mania for building more and more access roads accelerated this decline by diverting travel into and out of cities from the discomfort of deteriorating mass transit facilities to the privacy and convenience of the personal vehicle. The dismal plight of mass transit is well-known. Major railroads have eliminated or cutback passenger services, adding countless former riders to the family of automobile commuters. The Long Island Railroad into New York is bogging deeper into distress despite Governor Rockefeller’s promise to make it the best commuter service in the world. New York's subways are bursting at the seams. Septa, serving the Philadelphia area, is on the brink of bankruptcy. In our own region, a privately owned transit system is in such dire straits that it recently offered its franchise to Lackawanna County and/or the city of Scranton — with no takers to date. There are a few promising signs that at long last the decision-makers recognize the expansion and improvement in mass transit as the only antidote to the private car syndrome. The federal Department of Transportation is developing programs to encourage state and local efforts in this direction. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania changed its Pennsylvania Department of Highways to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (Penndot), indicating some shift in emphasis from exclusive construction of highways in the direction of promoting mass transit. The city of Washington has scheduled a metro rapid rail system, and Boston has completed a subway service improvement program costing about four million dollars. San Francisco is building a new rapid transit system, known as the Bay Area Rapid Transit Authority (BART), the first of its kind in over fifty years in this country. Unfortunately, these examples simply highlight the widespread inaction throughout the nation There is recognition, at least among experts, that the g m rhe transportation crisis is a desirable mix answer private transport facilities to help STealthy urban communities which meet the.require­ ■ hty. The question is ments of modern population. mob, balanced mix. The answers iust how to attain such a c----------range from encouraging voluntary use of public mass �transit facilities by making them more comfortable, parking facilities. The alarming fact is that although the primacy .of action on the mass transit problem is fully recogrzed and the technological tools are available, decision­ makers are still indecisive, at times working at cross­ purposes, and powerful special interest groups are erecting threatening barriers to effective mass transit policies and programs. Congress continues to play games with meaningful mass transportation legislation, but was recently quite hasty in renewing the federal Highway Trust fund for road construction for another five years. In Pennsylvania, the transportation aspect of the new Penndot is receiving slow and grudging attention, and, in fact, the constitutionality of using liquid fuels funds for other than highway construction and maintenance is being challenged by the construction industry and motor clubs. There appears to be little, or at best occassional, attention to the problem of mass transportation in urban areas of northeastern Pennsylvania. In order to stimulate appropriate interest and action, the Institute of Regional Affairs has done some preliminary research into the need for regional transportation improvement, but a strong catalyst is needed to translate the need into a solution Perhaps realization that the future of every community ma>berethatncatealysiS UP°" tranSportati°n WHN CARS WILL BE AROUND AWHILE Expansion of mass transit is i -------inevitable, but don’t get panicky that your car will soon be obsolete. Henry Ford II has the following word of comfort: "Mass transportation in certain areas is certainly a necessity, but if you think mass transportation is going to replace the automobile, I think you’re whistling ‘Dixie’ or taking pot." CARS, CARS, CARsj |t appears that at least some hard-nosed see no hope that the grave urgency 'nf-°r or ed PeW development will outweigh the strong emotin, .Z mass t?lsts ment of people for their own personal cars, -Jna| -,,ariS[t nothing short of complete frustration 7 1 '’ They„ ‘acL for thoSeP > planners who see mass transit as the city’; ' run "For I looked into the future Far as human eyes can see; ^TxvmTNoZs Saw a vision of the world RetUrn Postage Guaranteed WILKES COLLEGE^ WILKES-BARRf And all the wonder that would be. Saw the freeway filled with traffic, No mass transit, only cars 200 million Fords and Chevys, The urban planners drunk in bars.” IN THE LIBRARY PARKS AND RECREATION — National Recreation Association — A publication —concert and with ' ' imorovemenr improvement of nf park —J and recreational facilitii concerned programs, <and leisure time activities. ----ies, PASSENGER TRANSPORT - A... _. — American Transit Association — The weekly newspaper of the wper of the transit industry. PENNSYLVANIA BUSINESS SURVEY’ — Center for '"""'Z___ ^.wci Research of the C ” College of _Business Administration, Penn State University — A .zoroi— * magazine of economic activity in Pennsylvania. THOUGHTS FOR TODAY A hypocrite is a man who writes a man who writes book praising atheism, then prays that it will sell well. Only successful men admit they are self-made. men ,RA newsletter w'lkeS.Barre, Pa. |8703 NEWS-LETTER This prognosis is reflected in a in the New York Times: Non-Profit Organization U. S. POSTAGE PAID Wilkes-Barre, Pa. Permit No. 355 OMNIBUS crime control funds Pennsylvania expects to receive $20.8 mi Ilion in planning and Action grants for the fiscal /ear 1971, according to information released by the Governor’s justice Commission. When the Law Enforcement Assistance Agency (LEAA) approves the State’s 1971 Comprehensi ve Plan for the improvement of Criminal Justice, which -----------, „ui(_h was recently submitted to Washington, Pennsylvania will be in a position to receive $19.5 million in action monies under Title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act for the fiscal year ending next June 30. Thus far $1,278,000 in planning monies has been awarded. The Federal Act requires that 75 per cent of all action grants be distributed r to units of local general government. The remaining 25 per > per cent is reserved for use as discretionary funds by , the -.a Governor’s Justice Commission. Pennsylvania received $10.5 million in Safe Streets money during the calendar ) r year 1970. This compares with $1.4 million received in - ,— .---------- — ,,1 the first year of operation. Juvenile i .. Delinquency r, .. and drug abuse are arc among the u.c principal 1971 targets in the State’s Comprehensive Plan. As in the past, police departments will receive the largest amount under the Plan, but prevention and control of juvenile delinquency will receive a record of 54,185,155. Earmarked for prevention of crime is 51.494,148 with $884,063 of this sum aimed at preven­ tion and treatment of drug and alcohol abuse. The expected total grant for 1971 exceeds last year’s by about $9 million. The Northeast Region has been allocated $50,000 in planning monies for fiscal and $l,6|| ,390 in action funds for the same period. CAN PRIVATE INDUSTRY RESTORE our cities? a Pubhc Lectors American free enterprise are taking “robber h 6at'^ reminiscent of the attacks against the the focu"005 ’ °^ the late nineteenth century. Currently, resPonsih i°f public charges and indignation is on the Water vPrivate industry for pollution of air and land, aduV^ natural resources and despoliation of Consunlers,:erat:'on food and drugs, and deception of The e~ engu|fj areaa have - for Pr°blems urban and metropolitan or|g been attributed largely to private penna. MAY 15, 1971 industry’s attitude of "profit without social conscience.” Blamed for the creation and uncontrolled development of the city, corporate enterprise has been further castigated for handing its "dirty mess” to government for urban rehabilitation at public expense. The fact that the titles alone of government programs on behalf of urban areas at the federal, state, and local levels, fill an impressive volume attests both to the magnitude of the problem and the intense, though fragmented, £— effort C. of government to substitute for private default. There is, however, increasing skepticism of govern­ ment programs. Some of it may be attributed to American impatience to get things done in a hurry. Critics contend that bureaucratic restrictions, the influence of special interest groups, and the reluctance of voters to support funding at the local level dooms government effort to certain failure. President Nixon’s proposal of a New Federalism”, under which much responsibility for meeting urban problems would be returned to the state and local level, at least indicates some admission of failure of federal action. The growing demand for revenue-sharing without restrictions is being challenged by those who doubt the competence of state and local governments to do any better on their own. Governor Rockefeller's "Creative Federalism” reflects a doubt that even federal, state, and local cooperation alone can solve the city’s problems without all-out cooperative contribution by the private sector. Rockefeller’s introduction of private enterprise into the urban attack team represents a real turn in direction, because it reflects at least a partial response to the public charge of corporate irresponsibility. It goes only part way, however, since most of the burden would doubtless still fall on government, and private effort would still be subject to all the restrictions of partner­ ship with government. Industry’s optimum contribution might be to apply the full and independent thrust of the free enterprise system to urban problems, stimulated by the profit motive, but with a social conscience. Regardless of the reader’s position on the social responsibility or irresponsibility of private industry in the past, it appears reasonable to say that the intensity and urgency of urban problems presents an interesting challenge to private enterprise at its current stage of development. The question is “can private industry with its financial resources and technology provide the models and guidelines for resolving problems of troubled metropolitan areas when governments have been unable to do so?” �institute VOL. XVIII OF REGIONAL NEWSLETTER may 15, 1971 AFFAIRS NO. 5 ____, published monthly as a This News-letter, publ^eo Institute of .. .3 News-letter^institute ■ — originates 'unity.service.or community service or 1ginate gina csoiiege Notes .and of Wilkes C; Regional Affairs Idd^essed ,, ssed to to Director, Director, Institute inquiries may be add' Co||ege, W||kes. ac-. - b:...zl Attain. Affairs Of Regional Pennsylvania free upon request. The uniqueness of the project lies in for businessmen to help resolve social urbanized society outside of the frani^ ment. The hope is that because of j ■” private financial resources, the business c 'e||an^ act with a speed and despatch denied the n■■'unity 'Unih processes. g°Ve'f co Pr°bleJtuS ork S°ing°neal exampl >11>r|e of contemporary confusion was edition of the Chicago Tribune A d in the February F ' mammoth lammoth Chicago Auto Show. was a box on “Show Facts” which said place, the site of the show, was from "the th Loop . . • easily accessibly by car. 1 1 "minut®® taxioftai' ' next column, the headline stated "Cars Jam ln the the next e to Auto Show”. It reported a huge traffic ive Going Going ro mj|es around McCormick Place. Police ■tending !• iam ernal!y forced to cdivert traffic off Lake Shore -■ Drive, f'noar 'kefront major lakefront artery. the major lI the same edition offered some remedial Luckily the same LUCk'dations. The editorial opposed proposed .ecommendations, recommen^o;t,|at.on |imiting tOp speed of cars to 95 federal legislation But there was a more subtle message miles per hour, veterans of traffic jams. The editorial to the numerous, that “The real purpose of the automobile, said further that some of our legislators and government and it seems have forgotten this, is mobility. Anything we employees h: -s mobility is unmistakenly a backward do that reduces be vigorously resisted”. step and must Apparently the first step in our drive to increase y would therefore be to get rid of the big auto mobility v.— the second step be far show. Once C— this is done, can behind? WHN PENNSYLVAN IA New towns certainly are not a new idea Th has been in practice in Europe for many years'* B°nCept e.cnson, Associate ExtenAccording to Rosaline Levenson^ Public Service, University Institute of sion Professor, and business leaders of Connecticut, — corporate of Coniieuu^u., r-----J are willing to raise Hartford believe it is possible__and towns are anew program in Pennsylvania, and the n'ne" ment of Community Affairs has done an excellent ^k"' localizing the concept for use in this state. One f °f their conviction. nearly five million dollars to test t The basis or mis vemu.», the first of ['s kind in 'he The basis of this venture, United States, is a six-month study titled The Hartford Process” completed in 1970. The study was financed best publications we have seen on the subject hash ' published by the Departmentundertitle "NewCommunit"" for Pennsylvania, which can be secured from the Public* by the Greater Hartford Corporation formed in 1967 oy leaders of some twenty Hartford Area firms to finance and promote long talked-about change in Connecticut s capitol city and its environs. It warned that the Greater Hartford area, like others in the nation, was faced with "the double-edged threat of unplanned suburban sprawl and uncontrolled deterioration of its central older cities.” It found that government agencies develop policies and programs with goals limited exclusively to problems in deteriorated neighborhoods and then plan suburban development in such a way that it hurts, rather than helps, the very urban center it is dependent upon for its economic, cultural, and social life. The new towns concept is analyzed from Europe to the United States and finally in the state of Pennsylvania The report is optimistic. It envisions new towns in Pennsylvania achieving genuine social integration long before established communities. It recommends that a new state agency be formed with powers to lend or use state funds for new town development, to take land where necessary, to direct local government during development, and to buy or sell land as needed. The report found a fundamental fault in the usual public approach to municipal innovations under which each public agency acts independently of other public agencies, without considering the effect on all other local functions. The Corporation is examining all public services in the Capitol region to see how they relate to each other - how housing, for example, affects public health, education, welfare, and transportation. It is then setting standards which represent the wants or desires ’T rnrthe regiOn' ComP'ehensive model plans for each of four types of community areas will to eacehPatryPeW Pr°blemS in WayS aPPropriate actual urban development plans is Jo be finT^'°f privately organized redPVAinn t0 be fmanced by a all financing will be with priva^fundTThed011, corporation will be permitted m u th develoPment individual projects as the market wm he mUCAh Pr°fit °n profits, however, will nor on u ' dear- Anticipated wi" used to finance aevens’hf°lders but’ ia®tead, Provide residents who feel " L. n rfortumLor c°“ncil to of !'fe in Hartford and the ° °f the "^"Stream Participating in community dec W'th means of voice known. Y decisions and making their tions division of the Department. OLD TWIST IN development of new towns in the nation. Currently five new town projects are developing with Punishments for criminal offenses against persons or property obviously are more humane than those inflicted in Babylonia under the Code of Hammurabi nearly four thousand years ago. Based upon the principle °f an eye for an eye”, punishment of the offender was loans guaranteed under that program. One of the principe difficulties encountered is that old cities who desue^ participate in the new town program do not have su ici vacant land available within their juris 1C'' boundaries. There is considerable interest in exp extremely harsh. If a man destroyed the eye of another, ' e eye of the offender was also destroyed. If a son struck his father, the son’s fingers were cut off. If a . oct°r operated on a patient with a bronze lancet, caushm|j's death, the doctor’s fingers were also cut off. If a ®r constructed an unfirm house which collapsed and Pun^k'tS 0Wner> the builder was put to death too. Such has S ment certainly took care of the offender, but, as the possibility of acquiring a new town site on . of metropolis, even though not contiguous to boundary. In the Toledo new town, the Ohio eg land ten permitted the city to annex non-contiguous 5eq-tTiS' new towns. for litt|e”tnera"y been the case into modern times, it gave angible satisfaction to the victim. j as '• codeCta?|57’ a new amendment to Pennsylvania's penal This new possibility is not as farappears. Cities have annexed land for an harbor using shoestring corridors to meet mee a requirement of continuity. wan'10 The federal act now provides f°rrcideSJwn .r OlR’ Si/,' build new communities “in town”. 'n , Perhaps some of the new cities will be cities. • NEW LAW There's little consolation in seeing a criminal punished for theft or injury to your person or property if you, the victim, are not compensated by return of the injury. Yet, that’s about the best the innocent victim could expect under Pennsylvania’s penal code until a recent amendment recognized that he should be entitled to more than the satisfaction of seeing his offender behind bars. The publication is of timely interest because in February of 1972 the President will send to Congress his first report on Urban Growth, which is required every two years by the HUD Act of 1970. The report will undoubtedly include progress information on the miles away to assure giving the town an ac- , system. This would indicate that it is ius^ nrral t0 central step to permit such “skip-annexation for all municipal purposes, of non-contiguou r J purposes, . confusion . that feeling that no one really knows what’s gver 8et If the "Hartford Process” fails to meet its 'chief loss \A/nnld would hp be nriwatprivate biectiv.( i_!_r lz-.eeacap"tai'7° ______ the administrations would topple; no elected “No would end; and, no taxpayers’ group d°>l careers ■ ” ” If the project is successful Uld show its wrath. „ _____ the prototype for a new role of prjv^C°uldWen become t in urban rehabilitation. te mdUs NEW TOWNS IN ^temporary ' injury , g last g'lves a break to the victim of criminal cr'|ninal>r (C°SS of ProPerty. It compels restitution by Cr'nies °.fenders to the victims of crimes of violence, to perSo6ainst P'°Perty, crimes of fraud, and for injuries and property. It provides that any person a crime involving theft or damage to property '"I«, K a Person may be sentenced not only to im author^es1’sentench^ Ke/T'^0"/0 T Victim‘ lt Position of the offender and the , dT 1116 financial to set appropriate arrangements for restiwt^on be extendeT'by' SM* Victim Mansfield has prooos^ government. Senator Mike victims of criminal vinle e8'slat'on to compensate federal Violen ChL A ’ Under his Pr°PosaL a uerai violent Crime Compensation Commission rather than a sentencing judge as in Pennsylvania would make d rect awards to victims of injuries suffered in the course , , , Crlmes, committed within federal jurisdiction In addition, the bill would provide block grants to states to underwrite similar compensation commissions at the sLate i evel. This consideration for the victim is hailed as a step forward in criminal justice, but the new law is really only a slight twist in Hammurabi's harsh code. It provided that if a man is robbed on a public street or. highway and the stolen . property is not returned to the victim, the city where the robbery occurred was required to reimburse his loss. WHN NEW LOOK AT CITY AND SUBURB Although confirmation will have to await compre­ hensive analyses based upon the 1970 census, there is considerable preliminary evidence to warrant a new look at commonly held predictions of the economic future of our cities and suburbs. In recent decades, the increasing economic disadvantages in central cities created trends which added up to despair for their future. A common picture emerged of central cities populated by lowincome families, with a small proportion of very highincome families, and a high concentration of poor black population. The cities were surrounded by what was pictured as comfortable thinly populated suburbs of middle and high-income families. The prognosis indicated inevitable strangulation of the city and a resurgence of the good life in the suburbs. There are some signs to suggest that the trends which produced this pattern may be changing. The old cities may again enjoy a different but definite economic revival, while the may be assuming the .... suburbs _____ s may characteristics and a,, disadvantages of the older cities, It is obvious that the large central cities can no satisfactorily as general-purpose longer function as they did in times past. But with economic systems all taxes, liicic niuoi . concentration of economic activity found in True, those the advantages of c. ------- 1 can offer are either leaving or the first place. the possible economic Perhaps the the answer to the fact that they are of the central city is resurgence •a function and. are their general-purpose Declines in many types of abandoning becoming more specialized. offset by substantial gams in ,3 activities, such as banking, educational �LIB OCT 7 W in the library service firms that supply these growing This specialization in services is growing manufacturing 'rapidly in the older, larger, established urban activities.^ than ■■in the younger, smaller ones While the more rr central cities are experiencing rapid growth in centers j, „iost economic activities, economic specia ization younger bemeexpected to increase as they mature. all or On the other hand, inner-suburbia densities are can t- approaching those of the central cities for a variety of reasons. Many of the economic activities which cannot thrive within the disadvantages of the central city have located or relocated in the outlying areas or suburbs. The attractions of employment, better education, etcetera, are drawing many of the white and nonwhite low-income people to at least the inner parts of suburbia. While black population in the suburbs increased at an annual rate of only 0.7 per cent from 1959 to 1966, it jumped to a rate of 8.0 per cent in the next two years. An even greater movement of low-income whites has occurred with the rise in their incomes. In Massachusetts, for example, there are now more poor in the state’s suburbs than in its central cities, and the suburban share is said to be growing fast. □avid L. Birch, writing for the Committee for Economic Development, suggests that because of such changing trends the central-city crises of the 1960’s may well appear as the suburban crises of the 1970’s Thus, the cumulative effect of economic and residential changes will be to transfer many of the present problems of the central cities to the suburbs, especially the inner suburbs. As this shifting of economic activities and population continues, the pressures on all parts of the governmental system will be immense local governments world be wise to prepare for the develop. greatest at the\o“. Wi" be PENNSYLVANIA SCHOOL BOARDS Weekly service for educators articles legislation and and other other -------- on legislation school to school administrators. administrators. ASSn with ClAT|Ohl is‘ ,r, ,nton»» fortl ’N’x i«? ss esUes of Of c atl'on WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE^ PENNA.' THOUGHTS FOR JUNE 15, 1971 today He who polished the apple in school will polish the brass at work. pr°bab|y Tax credit is a way of luring private er.tr endteisPribei^ the ghetto. The political principle involved j’ " r'n that(he way to solve the problems of the poor is to giv t0 glVe money to the rich. When a duck flies upside down it quacks up SEE YOU AT THE ANNUAL DINNER MAY 25th WHN IRA NEWSLETTER Institute of Regional Affairs Wilkes College Wilkes-Barre, Pa. 18703 Non-Profit Organization U. S. POSTAGE PAID Wilkes-Barre, Pi Permit No. 355 Return Postage Guaranteed newsletter PUBLIC MANAGEMENT - International rAssociation monthly magazine devT^ tyMar Manat. science of public administration. ted aq 111 ~ art PLANNING NEWS — A newsletter a,lli concerning t. and redevelopment techniques ■n New York state6 ANNUAL awards dinner n three hundred local government officials, bdore than t md their guests from throughout the Northeast employees’a?" region attended the Nineteenth Annual Pennsylvania sponsored by the Institute of Regional Awards dinner Wilkes College on May 25th. The affair, Affairs at 1 Philip R- Tuhy, Associate Director of the arranged by of Regional Affairs, marked the close of the Institute, c. „ 3 most successful year of short courses in a Institute's r of local government service areas. variety c. ■Francis J. Michelini, President of Wilkes College, •• ---- --------- 1 I _ _------- l_ r— _ I I ■ welcomed the guests and introduced Joseph F. Gallagher, Esq., Solicitor of Newport Township and Wyoming Borough, who 'served as master of ceremonies for the nineteenth consecutive year. The principal address was given by A. L. Hydeman, Jr., Executive Deputy Secretary, Department of Community Affairs who spoke on the Department’s dedication to making local government more viable by rendering a wide range of services to both large and small communities in the Commonwealth. An abstract of the address is included in this issue of the NEWS-LETTER. The principal purpose of the Annual Dinner is the presentation of awards for special or distinguished service and for completion of short courses conducted by the Institute with the cooperation of the Public Service Institute of the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Fred H. Miller, Executive Director of the Public Service Institute, and a native of WiIkes-Barre, presented nearly 700 Certificates of Attainment for course completions. President Michelini, assisted by fbilip r. Tuhy, presented fifty Service Awards to 0 icials and employees of communities throughout a multi-county area representing several hundred years ° mer|torious service to their respective local govern­ ments. IRA tQSthC'a' bronze Plaque, awarded annually by the “utstand'31 'nc*‘v'dual in the region who has contributed communit"2 Service t0 ttle cause of local government or Chief^ was given to Thomas Garrity, himself kes50r’ buzerne County, who has distinguished assessment 'locally oca"y and nationally in the field of ^Peci al 'ate DirectreCO§n't'on was given Dr. Hugo V. Mailey, ?,resentatj0°r tbe 'nstltute of Regional Affairs, by 'He lactic ?.Mrs- Mailey of a silver tray inscribed ciassr°orn ,,e i? the community what he taught in the r 80 v-Mail The tray wil1 be P|aced in a sPecial °^ege. Th memorial room to be established by the e Presentation was made by Robert Parker, Public Relations Director, Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commerce, and a member of the Executive Committee of the Professional Public Relations Association in whose name the award was made. Mrs. Mailey was accompanied by her brother and sister-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Michael Barone of Bryn Mawr. The Reverend William W. Reid, Central Methodist Church, Wilkes-Barre, gave the invocation and benediction. oca wants to help The following address was delivered bv A I Hydeman, Jr. Executive Deputy Secretary, Pennsylvania Department of Community Affairs, at the Annual Dinner on May 25 °f Reglonal Affairs of Wilkes College I d like to speak to you today about the activities of the Department of Community Affairs and its desire and availability to help your local governments. It has occurred to me how strange and almost absurd it is to be explaining what the functions and activities of our Department are. And lately, whenever I think of anything that's absurdly silly and yet dreadfully important, I find myself thinking about the Penn Central Railroad. I’m sure that all of us have laughed - perhaps with an unexpressed sense of dread about its importance but we have laughed at the Penn Central. And the most amusement was created by the announcement some time ago that that railroad had been missing over a hundred freight cars for more than a year without noticing it. My reason for remembering this incident was that it occurred to me that the Department of Community Affairs has for too long remained about as unnoticed and unknown as those missing freight cars, and for much the same reason. Penn Central owned so many freight cars and had such a wide field of activities that those cars would easily go unnoticed. And if Penn Central has what we consider to be a wide range of activities, what then should we say about the scope of activities of the federal, state and local governments. It is easy to understand how one governmental agency can go unnoticed while operating in this maze. But I believe that DCA should be of greater interest local communities but also co-ordinating relatively unique way o state and |oca| and instituting the . ns an’d attacks upon the = our activities are �Of course, emergency situations such ac one do not comprise our day-to-day work ?pittSK misconception that seems to exist jn’ and DCA in no way concentrates its attention^, ‘ft’ AFFAIRS - OF REGIONAL institute NEWSLETTER JUNE 16, >971 VOL. XVIII NO. 6 a of and Notes f. This News-letter, "ty a?r.vl“’/JX communin' Wi ikess College. Regional Affairs of Wi Ik^ to Director, Ins it e Addressed inquiries may be ac_. Wilkes College, Wilkes of Regional Affairs Barre, Pennsylvania 18703. Subscription free upon request. the major same time from Old assistance cities of the Commonwealth n°lely, ' period, for instance, we received r'n8 Forge Borough in Lackawannaga in preparing a complex app|j Co< s' under the Federal Highway Safety Act. W problem - it needed a community ambu|anr B°r°Ughcase Our Scranton Office quickly compile th®' In fe that were required by the application, to Dro Stat'stic emergency vehicle would serve highway nee? thatUie as the community. The Borough's app|irjL.as Well accepted, and it received 50 percent of the c °n *'as the ambulance from the Federal government. °st °f the Regardless of the complexity or severit problem, or the size of the local govern™/ departments, but in our structure. ------ t is that our What is unique about our Department carried out services to local governments are being t through five regional offices - the one for this region is located in Scranton. Through the regional office we offer communities an immediately available technical staff expert in the areas of planning, housing, recreation, manpower, manpower training and development, and urban renewal, and we offer them a better channel of communications with other state agencies, thereby cutting down on red tape. Let me give you an example of our regional service at its best. When our Department was only two years old, a week long riot broke out in Pittsburgh's Hill District following the April 4, 1968 assassination of Doctor Martin Luther King. After this riot, the District was not only filled with charred ruins but the people were filled with profound shock as they faced the prospect of rebuilding their homes, their places of work. There was much to be done, but resources were needed. Historically, the Department of Community Affairs had no place in a situation such as this, but our regional director in Pittsburgh, who had been in touch with local officials throughout the emergency felt that the Depart­ ment should do something. He was a man who was acutely aware of the terrible conditions under which the people of the Hill District had lived for decades. The regional director had the idea that funds allocated cou d h? VCLtered reneWal pr°iects in Pittsburgh the other “nS°lldakted and used fot renewal on the HiH hid 1 pr0)ects be,n& refended later. The Department we’re assisting, Community Affairs emphasi Wllicl’ thing: that we exist to improve the delivery of^ °"e mental services to communities. We feel th S°Ve"1important that we in no way take over the responsihi'L'1 of local government - but simply strengthen its I't5 to solve its own problems. aD1|ity Our central offices in Harrisburg also v._, work towards this goal. There we have the same kinds of . technical experts who staff our regional offices, and those experts work on the same myriad of problems. ___ In fact,_each regional office is a microcosm of the Harrisburg offices DCA is divided into five main program bureaus which sometimes directly assist local communities and sox! some times work with the regional offices in their assistance to communities. The Bureau of Local Government Services provides local governments with advice and assistance regarding the many legal and administrative problems they encounter. Through trained consultants, the Bureau of Human Resources deals with the economic educational, social and cultural development of com­ munities through the administration of the anti-poverty program - the Federal Economic Opportunity Act monies and state programs. The fields of housing, redevelop­ ment and recreation are administered by our Bureau of Community Programs. Our Bureau of Research and Program Development offers administrative guidelines to those involved in the work of local governments (including our other bureaus) and provides i^ormal^| means and research to local governments. Fina y, Bureau of Community Planning helps local Sovarn, ,kair and thei' plan how to use all federal and state programs <own resources for their future development. - ..r Depa'1' I must mention one other subdivision of our, Cities. ment - the Office of Model Cities/Partner Ctj fedora' office deals with the complex and wide range . program Model Cities and the State Partner Cities dea! - relations but it helped to oueH State/community aa7pelessnessinE^th:tdiXi: edeSPair one is -t Depanmeni's ri(j ’ inte;nS two programs that require a great < mental and inter-governmental cooperation^and draw up the renewal plans The^niCal exPertise to only establishing a new pJecSen^016Ct ended Up not * “n« - t reveals - and ! might add, ”d rrL°,na"y Ver? P^d «-r its services th« office’s main function is to encourage develop this needed coordination. he|ptl jiii Im certain that everyone here tonight g Wilkes-Barre is a Model City and that h $^1 recreation are the principal components. a« few hear about - the Department o ciIy Affairs provided almost $90,000 to help |oCal/5' Its matching fund, $400,000 as part °’ jeX renewal project, $60,000 for a modular hous tlon Project, and $300,000 for recreation. kind of involvement in the Model Cities But this tm- nOt mean that DCA’s interest is confined does ogrart1 arher than than the kind of smaller communities Pr ccit ies, here tonight represent. In fact, it is itie s’ 'ra of y° u '°hich'i man/ "ianye t0 assist local communities regardless of to ’ objecti; 6 *r °b!e || the problems confronting them. with all, the size W' two main reasons for my coming here of the k to you was to give you an idea of how One . to speak local communities and what they assist assists I The “what” is at once simple and complex, pCA with- •st communities with all of their problems and them ' --aSS'i functions. This scope is reflected in the for we even r-n°r,OCA has channeled approximately $20 million -n alone. So while answering a question faCt that JJs U region pXf'with an answer of “everything” may seem to it is not. bean ex.,'aggeration, —rat. of the picture that I haven't mentioned is Onerfaa|ways responds responds rather rather than than initiates. initiates. That that DC 'n p(_essary for necessary for the the local local community community to to seek seek our almost goes without saying that we want help- And 11 communities as possible. to help as many things full circle, you can see why the So to bring ’ problem of our IDepartment not being well known is as serious as the IPenn Central problems. We can offer a only if we’re asked. So if you here great deal, but tonight spread the word and perhaps even ask for assistance yourself, you II be helping us to help. | mentioned that I had two main reasons for coming here to speak to you today. My second reason was to congratulate all of you upon completion of your courses here at the Institute. Those congratulations are well deserved. In closing I would like to make one specific state­ ment about the kinship of Wilkes College and its Institute of Regional Affairs and our Pennsylvania DCA. Our Department is one of the State's youngest but we are dedicated primarily to assist local governments throughout the Commonwealth so that they can be better equipped to serve as viable units of government in America. This has been and still remains, I am sure, the most important objective of the Institute of Regional Affairs at Wilkes College. The late Hugo Mailey founded the Institute for this specific purpose many years ago and then gave the best of his life to expand and improve the services. We in the DCA are well aware of the work done by Dr. Mailey. I am told that this is the 19th straight year this annual dinner has been held to honor 'cials, employees, and outstanding citizens who have completed special courses of study at the Institute. ere can be no doubt of Dr. Mai ley’s influence on local anjernment in tble entire Commonwealth. Wilkes College suo ltS 'nst'tute have stood at the head of the list of thisP°rtnrS °d 'oca' government since the inception of comm"0 ■ e' Th® future of the Commonwealth and local he|D In,a^airs depend on a greater degree of such ofHiohari|'t ^as 'n tbe Past- Since many institutions Xour i er bearning seem to be moving in other directions, loya| nsntute of Regional Affairs has not only stood into thf r'tS primary cause but it has set its sight far tbe dir! UtUre' We hope that Dr. Mailey’s influence on 'twin rCtl0.n of the Institute will never wane and that '°ca| q°ntinue to be the leader of the cause for better 80Vemment in the State. ftCORD COURSE COMPLETIONS officials and employees wanneftMrOgramme for lo«' °f Attainment were awarded Lon ear". Certlficates dCrawPnefrom record was set in ! 968 when the -mber of ogi^S-af^-^K Init^alf''naif3 haVe al1 grown consistently itially, participants were nearly all from the area immediately ad,acent to Wilkes-Barre. Today they region aTd °f C°UntieS in the Northeastern region, and are beginning to come from areas beyond. In the nineteen years in which the Institute of Regional Affairs and the Public Service Institute of the State Department of Education have cooperated in conducting courses and awarding certificates, 4,429 individuals Ihave -----voluntarily participated■ in local government self-improvement r - ------- 1 courses not otherwise available. Courses for each year are chosen on the basis of demand and need by the IRA and the PSI after discussions with governmental and community leaders involved in the various fields. The Institute of Regional Affairs selects instructors from the College staff or from those individuals outside of the College who are properly qualified. Instructors are compensated mainly by the Public Service Institute, but also in part by the College. IRA most frequently establishes the course outlines, while Certificates of Attainment are awarded by the Public Service Institute provided its standards are met. Course Advanced Assessors Advanced Communications Advanced Secretaries Instructors Thomas Garrity Albert Spunar Walter H. Niehoff Anthony Broody Walter E. Wint Auxiliary Police Basic Communications Albert Spunar Ambulance Attendant Civil Defense Operations Nicholas H. Souchik Collective Bargaining Atty. David Koff Fire Apparatus Maintenance Raymond McGarry Fire Ground Strategy B. J. Gross Light Duty Rescue (Hazleton) Thomas Bast Light Duty Rescue (Wilkes-Barre) Medical Self Help Principles of Urban Renewal and Housing B. J. Gross Anthony Broody Philip R. Tuhy Edward Heiselberg Number Completions 16 9 13 131 36 15 14 20 19 139 25 24 63 35 Robert Betzler 7 Radiological Monitoring John Sulcoski 89 7 Small Arms Township and Borough Auditors E. Cleaver Geist Public Works EquL John W. Lowe 27 �TOP THIS? CAN YOU . lontaneous eruption of a thrill annual dinner of the Institute, it If ever there was a sp< and applause at any a. of Mrs. Ruth Ritter Gordon was of IRA Service Awards. As occurred when the name called during presentation the front, she received the she wended her way to The spring in her walk and the .'.-s to come .... an applause given no other, belied what followed was t by a sudden ,J— smile on her lips b_-co, fa"-' instant of absolute silence, reached "and a the citation City of thunderous ovation when t, service to the total of 49 years of public Bethlehem”. Mrs. Gordon didn’t even It seemed unbelievable! Suggested for all true. look like 49 years! Yet,s iti ra/ was v. H. Gordon Payrow, Jr., the award by Bethlehem s Mayor a "natural" for her jobs. he has proclaimed her ; i her career as city Secretary on Mrs. Gordon u.4., began _... months after James M. Yeakle June 19, 1922, sixserved 7'/i years under the latter’s •. She became mayor. ■■■"r period under Mayor administration, the entire 20 year ■> under Mayor Earl E. Schaffer, Robert Pfeifle, 12 years the tenth year of the Payrow and continues into th; administration. ■City’s Girl Friday”, fitted by her She is called the long experience to fill almost any position when the of City Hall, just about occasion requires. In or out c, .—, everyone knows Ruth and she has kept the peoples pulse. And little wonder - she presents the picture that she likes to work. The variety of her jobs in 49 years, ranging from unofficial librarian collecting and cataloguing news clippings in three-inch scrapbooks to being secretary to four mayors, shows that she knows the government of Bethlehem inside and out. But government is also in her blood. Her paternal grandfather, Reuben Ritter, was a commissioner of Northampton County in 1891-1893, and her maternal grandfather, Wilson Hoffert, served on Bethlehem’s City Council from 1889-98. Her family history dates back to the 1700’s and undoubtedly contains many undisclosed servants like herself. According to Mayor Payrow, “if there is a job to be done, ask Ruth!" According to Mayor Payrow, Mrs City Hall intending to stay a v’ Gordo, v,uraon f. turned out to be 49 years 7 Or or s c 0 St c,. other major positions which she fin/" additi? and oi --‘■e "served a stint” Of 27 dur'ng th to ? □f years, she “served a stint” of 27 yea"8 <'h( Board assistant secretary Board Secretary; Secretary; assistant secretary offyear thfiSs as a* ZOri’’ to j” addVtio7<s NEWS-LETTER Commission, and for a t.me recorder at poliCe\6c<! About eightyears ago, there was a pressingand.he*ri?’ need for a secretary in the city inspection '^i ' naturally. Ruth filled the bill. Ct'°"s <<>« IRA salutes Mrs. Gordon for a lifetime of service to her home town government and for h» Unse|fish example of citizen involvement. r,nsPirin ^5^22 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PENNA. dcA and corporate citizenship IN THE LIBRARY PARKS AND RECREATION - Magazine of the recrpa,. movement published by the National RaJ’1” Association. ea"°" STATE GOVERNMENT NEWS - Published monthly k the Council of State Governments, presenting re« developments and news on the state government level' STATE LEGISLATURE AND PROGRESS REPORTER.. Monthly reporter published by the National Municipal League designed as an aid to citizen’s organization for better government. THOUGHTS FOR TODAY Threatened with loss of his best advertiser unless he retracted a headline reading “Half of Council Crooked”, the editor complied with another which read “Half of Council Honest’’! A taxpayer is a person who doesn’t have to pass a civil service exam in order to work for the government The word “expert” is a combination of twowords“ex”, meaning “has been” and “spurt”, meanings “big drip”. IRA NEWSLETTER Institute of Regional Affairs Wilkes College Wilkes-Barre, Pa. 18703 Non-Profit Organization U. $. POSTAGE Return Postage Guaranteed Wilkes-Barre, P* Permit No. 35 PAID JULY 15, 1971 HoCnsnt7teLfOr C°ntin“ing and expanding these contribu- ,tzen concern for and personal involvement in ° nity affairs is the essence of a democratic society. c0,,inlU perhaps at times of common danger or catastrophe, Excep participation has been largely more a rhetorical Thenge or objective than an actuality. Events of recent Chal if nothing else, reflect a widespread realization year problems once considered essentially personal are 'reality problems of the whole community and require Jhe involvement of all people and the utilization of all rhic r L, nc°uraSes businesses not heretofore active in this field to become actively involved. community resorces. Involved citizenship does not stop with the individual. There is also corporate citizenship. It means that private business and industry which have so much to gain from a healthy and fruitful community climate should bear a direct and active responsibility to contribute their personnel and financial resources to attain and maintain such a climate. Many do so, but good corporate citizen­ ship, like good individual citizenship, lags behind the growth rate of crucial problems in most communities. Administration of the program has been assigned to the Bureau of Human Resources, Department of Community Affairs, to which interested firms may apply for informa­ tion and assistance in establishing specific projects. Regional offices will also participate. Firms in the Northeastern Region should contact Edward Sites, Regional Director, Department of Community Affairs, Room 320, Chamber of Commerce Building, Scranton, Pennsylvania, 18503. Lack of corporate concern and involvement deprives a community of a most potent asset. It leaves a critical gap in the community’s armament for attacking its problems. This gap must be filled. The only question is how to achieve greater corporate involvement as we have individual citizen involvement. The Pennsylvania Department of Community Affairs not only recognizes this gap rhetorically, but it is doing something about it. Its Neighborhood Assistance Program 's designed to stimulate dormant corporate citizenship Y providing substantial financial incentives for involvement and seeks to concentrate corporate effort on the Improvement of conditions in impoverished neighborhoods. vioi°r|ef-t0 encouraSe business and industry not pre­ invok 'nvo'ved t0 do so, and to stimulate increased certapment firms already active, the program allows directlvtaX Credits f°r business firms which participate impov/' T proiects undertaken to improve conditions in c°ntribufShed neigbborhoods. It also allows credits for Organi t°nS made by firms to non-profit Neighborhood »"•- • a lons sponsoring programs designed to alleviate Poverty conditions in such neighborhoods. - to Secretary William H. Wilcox, The ls fully aware that many business firms in -■a been voluntarily contributing money and -,.ity ' prov'de job training, education, and other jP.rev '"Wily entiQn ofrV'Ces and are thereby assisting in the , - "ard - 0 cr'nie, delinquency, and hardship among Q°d Assist bepulation of poverty areas. The Neighborance Act provides them with additional Secretary Wilcox considers the heart of the program he in the concept of "direct involvement” on the part to of busmess and industry in the problem of disadvantaged citizens and their neighborhoods, “calling for active commitments by concerned businesses of financial assistance, of manpower expertise, and, to the greatest extent possible, of their own personal resources”. Enacted in 1967, the Act limited the total tax credits for approved programs throughout the state to $1,750,000, but also provides that this total shall be increased until a maximum of $8,750,000 in any fiscal year is reached. Grants for projects are restricted to “impoverished areas” as certified by the Department according to data derived from Federal census studies and current indices of social and economic conditions. If not already a certified area, the Department may certify a neighborhood to the on the basis of supporting evidence as t;!.. high incidence of poverty conditions submitted with an application. .... firms l ;: — Eligible business are any/ authorized to do Commonwealth and subject to the business in the C~ ---- ---------Corporate Net Income Tax, ;r or a bank, bank and trust company, national bank, savings _ association, mutual savings bank or building and loan associations insurance companies. to e"C0U g impoverished neighborhoods, which will: (I) imProve lmp. • and community (2> siSssu services to individual r jp|jnauency. Education „ (3) scholarincludes any VP« individual who resides I" ship assistance to y . him t0 prepare himself himse.. impoverished area t a Crime Crime prevention prevention includes for better life ‘’PP^/kreduction of crime in such an any activities which wh.ch aid in ' reduction ^duction counselling �akin to those of the Department and w u calling such programs to public attention INSTITUTE OF REGIONAL AFFAIRS institute VOL. XVIII NEWSLETTER JULY 15, 1971 NO. 7 This News-letter, published monthly as a community service, originates in the Institute of Regional Affairs of Wilkes College. Notes and inquiries may be addressed to Director, Institute of Regional Affairs Wilkes College, Wilkes- Barre, Pennsylvania 18703. Subscription free upon request. furnished to any individuals “'^“^^"t^n'that enables xsx ...»»-““i to seek a Skill which makes him employable or able a higher grade of employment. -.a involved in this A business firm desiring to become It may participate program may do so in two ways, directly by furnishing financial assistance, labor, aid in improvement of material, or technical advice to a._ i, or it may “invest" d;.«. services, contributions, or philanthropic gifts to approved Neighborhood Organization involved in Neighborhood improvement. Neighborhood Organizations, within the meaning of the Act, include only those which perform community services in an impoverished area and which also hold from the Internal Revenue Service a ruling that the organization is exempt from income taxation under the Internal Revenue Code. The incentive to corporate participation is the tax credit. Participating firms will receive certain tax credits not to exceed 50 per cent of the total amount invested in approved projects in a given year. Contribu­ tions of personal property are considered appropriate investments under prescribed limitations. Total credit for any given corporation may not exceed $175,000 annually. Taxes for which credit will be granted are the Corporate Net Income Tax, the Mutual Thrift Institutions Tax, Fire or Casualty Insurance Company Tax. Obviously, the most direct and apparent consequence ProgXon PaartlC'Pati0n in ^NeighborhoodAssistance program on a maximum scale will be the u physical improvement of individuals and r ■ and Even more important, perhaps is th! f d C°m™nitlesact of mutual involvement he’ru, th ,fact that the very business firms in a eiven r ' the peoP|e and the eliminate divisiveness 7^°°^ W'H reduce or even whichh frequently results in community inertia. In his address Iress to the Nineteenth Annual IRA Awards dinner in May, A. ... L. Hydeman, Deputy Secretary of the Department of C Community Affairs, likened the public unawareness of .f the Departments many programs of assistance to ccommunities to the fact that the Penn Se"tral Railroad had ^ndreds of railroad .d < been unaware that it has lost nstltute of Regional cars for a long period of time. The I Affairs has objectives very much objecti I renter, Kingston Armory, and the Wilke: cont"°I Headquarters. With the exception of inty . p, Co"11 City p°'freshercourses,the fust session of each The Neighborhood Assistance PrO UX-Lt to community life jn pSrani is •k .tion to community lite in Pennsvl> 3S‘sn>fir ^iol°^Cn start at 7:30 P.M. Information is available “^Northeast aims t®?■?’ a" local directors or the County Civil Defense Northeast in particular, in that it it\" t eSlI of good corporate"^® '$ the'°^oUSe, Wilkes-Barre. full utilization l.::: a" ! to ass'se nlvement in community affairs. The ! Shlp L °aeinative and presents an attainable chalk°8ran' i ' dmaiy ingredients of successful innovation. P WHN ' 8e "tht nffiee’C u Rule for courses for local officials and The 5 ducted annually by IRA and PSI will be The sd ^ployees, co^ forthcoming issue of the Newsletter. e^ -»unced P'°'ced’ ' ann°lince the new cop CIVIL DEFENSE TRAINING SCHEq The Luzerne County Civil Defense Trainin for 1971-72 has been announced by Ferd Scl’edU|e Operations and Training Officer for the Defects ^ndres, Cooperation in this program between the Defens6 r0Uncil 'ncil,' Public Service Institute of the Pennsylvania D "’til, of Education, and the Institute of Regional Aff•Partm f" eii; continue as it has for many years. taif! -:rs Wi|| Announcement of the schedule to the Directors for recruiting purposes was than usual to facilitate the start of a L o... course at Concrete City, owned by Wilkes ......... .. Col|ege, 01 14 July. policemen never really did fit the image of American Kops, but, as older readers remember, the the Keystone tions of the appellation “cop” in bygone days conmlOtted that police officers were not a particularly sug8eSl’ or selective lot. Despite his indispensable gifted ° on. of protecting life and property, the cop of funCt'ryear was frequently considered by much of the y’eSte-he served as too “dumb or lazy” to work, someone had the time or willingness to work "cheap”, or w"° wh0 was inclined to avoid work which required -X0*’ ft. l?" A six-week Small Arms course, available to all graduates of the Auxiliary Police course, will be con. ducted in cooperation with the Wilkes-Barre Police Department and the Institute of Regional Affairs. The Local Director of Hazleton City is introducing an innovation by enrolling volunteers for Shelter Manage­ ment and, upon completion, the enrollees will continue with the Radiological Monitoring course. The course schedule is listed below to assist local directors in recruitment: Course Heavy Duty Rescue Start Weeks Instructor 13 July 71 16 T. Bast Light Duty Rescue 14 July 71 8 B. Gross Auxiliary Police 8 Sept. 71 Shelter Management (Hazleton) 15 Sept. 71 10 Sgt. W. Wint 4 A. Edwards Medical Self Help 24 Sept. 71 8 A. Broody Radiological Monitoring (Hazleton) 14 Oct. 71 8 J. Sul coski Shelter Management 19 Oct. 71 Small Arms Auxiliary Police Radiological Refresher Radiological Refresher Ambulance Attendant Shelter Management (Wilkes-Barre) Radiological Monitoring 4 A. Edwards 6 Capt. J17 Nov. 71 10 Sgt. W. Wint 12 Jan. 72 , Sulcoski 23 Jan.72(AM)2 J . Sulcoski 23 Jan.72(PM)2 J 10 A. Broody I Feb. 72 4 A. Edward 22 Feb. 72 8 J. Sulcoski 16 Mar. 72 Civil Defense Operations 21 Mar. 72 Small Arms 22 Mar. 72 Medical Self Help 24 Mar. 72 Light Duty Rescue 26 Apr. 72 6 N. Souc’"k . Lo"e 6 Caph J- The Hazleton courses in Shelter I i in tl ioil 8 A. BrocGross 8 B. ai"1'' personal effort in education or training. If this ever actually was the general stereotype of the oldtime cop, the new cop of recent times has moved a long way toward a respected and competent public employee. Insulting epithets hurled increasingly at policemen in recent years are little more than symptoms of ignorance of the true character and competence of the modern cop. Even long before the “law and order syndrome” of this decade raised public demands for more and better police service, police officers across the land were improving their qualifications and effec­ tiveness, sometimes with and sometimes without community support. Improvements in quality ofapplicants for police positions, better recruitment, probationary and in-service training, more effective organization, and many other gains in police performance are evident almost everywhere. Civil service legislation has perhaps not worked the miracles once predicted, but it has gone a long way to provide the policeman with a climate in which he can function on a plane comparable to other occupations. A few municipally supported training programs, and the large number of volunteer training programs, in the area reached by this Newsletter testify to this fact. quitePr°b'ern 'S tplat tp|e ’nc'dence of this improvement is whichSPhOtt'/' There are still too many communities in . t e old concept of the cop prevails. There are still but are L °°h|Tlariy commun'ties who want better officers, ,Uaa,.e or unwilling to give tangible support to ^equate 0 "j"6 service. Many townships have no police officer:rs f and re'y solely on the Pennsylvania State |Poli ropCj '°r Protection to the lives and property °f theirr rresidents. . Accordin, ■tg to legislati on currently before the General As:„ ui ■sembly, that •• . we may be about to experience the old adage 'f the App?-; , °cal community won’t, the State will.” larent|y s Potty quality 6f 'eg'slature intends to eliminate the Althoi _ 0 Police work by mandatory requirements. r somewhat, two bills now on the establish minimum police standards for on and training, and, in addition, a «■ system to support this. According to the April, L >971 issue of the C< the Departme Courier, published by '^Community Affai perhaps at l.„6 “irs, Pennsylvania is lon8 last about states which have enacted" th?rty'three other already volunteer programs. enacted such mandatory or The bills are similar in establishing a state com­ mission to set mandatory police standards and training, establishing and in requiring all municipal police departments to municipal police comply, and to reimburse all municipalities having police in training. One bill would place the commission in the Department of Community Affairs, and the other in the Department of Justice. Both bills reflect an intent of the legislature to face the perennial problem arising out of the contention of local officials that if the state mandates a function, the state should pay the bill. House bill 42 would reimburse a municipality up to one hundred percent of the salary paid each policeman in training as well as his necessary tuition and living expenses. Senate bill 128 provides for reimbursement of tuition and living expenses only, thus requiring the municipality to share the load. Funding the program differs significantly in the two bills. The House bill provides for the levy of a surcharge against offenders in the amount of every fine, penalty, and forfeiture imposed and collected by the courts for misdemeanors and felonies, with certain exceptions, and .u. the initial ■ ............... funding would be General .„! Fund appropriation of $200,000 to the Commission, returnable when Commission funds are available. The Senate bill merely calls for a General Fund appropriation to the Commission of $175,000, and makes no provision for future funding. The magnitude and potential effect of the proposals on municipalities and the quality of their police forces is indicated by the duties assigned by both bills to the Municipal Police Officers’ Standards and Training Commission: 1. Approving any municipal police basic training school; establishing, where necessary, municipal police basic training schools in existing facilities. 2. Prescribing the minimum courses of study, minimum qualifications for attendance, and the required equipment and facilities of a training school. 3. Setting the minimum qualifications for instructors. 4. Establishing the requirements of minimum basic training which municipal police officers appointed to probationary terms must satisfactorily complete before being eligible for permanent appointment. 5. Certifying police officers who have satisfactorily completed basic training programs. 6. Inspecting municipal training schools at least once a year. ccccrcn'e that either of the There is, of course, no assurance will be bills, or any reasonable facsimile Ucsimilc thereof, . enacted by the current General Assembly. Similar bills have been considered previously without success. Undoubtedly, Pennsylvania will eventually join the other states, because achievement of a uniform level of ’---t officers throughout the the calibre of law enforcement c— roided much longer. Commonwealth cannot be avcidec WHN �system a local in report, titled criminal “State-Local JUSTICE £ Crin,,enra'byUt^eCeAdSvisZ Commission on Intergovernsummer by the Aavisory need for puttlng sTmT'-sylrn'into^the state-focal criminal justice systems. Stating that a “basic flaw in our criminal justice system is that it lacks system” Robert E. Merriam0 Chicago, ACIR Chairman, stated that local and state justice is a "loose collection of institutions and procedures, operating, autonomously and frequently in isolation. The police, the judges, the prosecutors and the correction officials must recognize their inter­ dependence and work together to build a sound and workable system. And state government must face up to its responsibility to provide effective leadership". While the report deals with the responsibility of each element in the state-local criminal justice system as it now prevails, and suggests appropriate remedial programs for each element, the recommendations especial ly applicable to the Northeast region of Pennsylvania highlight IRA's policy of promoting elimination of the highly fragmented police function in the area. With more than 30,000 autonomous police forces in the country, resulting in overlapping of jurisdictions and gaps with no effective police protection, ACIR called on States, counties and municipalities to assure fulltime protection in all metropolitan and rural areas, even to the extent of consolidating departments in selected instances. Consolidation of smaller police departments is emphasized. The Commission calls for improved training, recruit­ ment and compensation for police and correctional P^onne!, and the use of ranks paraprofessional and voluntee aides to supplement their eer the Commission recommends the abni- • tion of the sheriff’s office in metrODo '°' l0n °r m establishment of county-wide police -■-an < a' ar^°dern. by professionally trained personnel Copies of the recommendations request to the Commission, Washin c,<’s s «Lon, IN THE 0>., APPALACHIA - A journal devoted of regional development. penna. t! URBAN DATA SERVICE - Monthly report. by the International City Management As P.ubl'she^ociatin? provide timely data in chart and S°c'“' ' tabular fOrm 1;; explanatory texts dealing with form current activities. Are Parkinson’s Laws serious or funny? _ “The amount of time required to pW(1 increases in proportion to the timePerform t ; available. "Expenditures rise to meet income." “When funds are limited, the only economy made in thinking.” “All that we Ibuy , with higher taxes is addition. administrative delay.” “Automation has a built in tendency to create 12 own bureaucracy. Once Once you you have have a computer, yt. need one staff to feed it, one to take out the inforr:tion, and one to file it away where nobody wi ever look at it.” Non-Profit Organization U. S. POSTAGE Wilkes-Barre,^ Permit No- 35 AUGUST 15, 197| BANKER’S THOUGHTS ON INVOLVEMENT The first National City Bank, New York, exemplifies ] "corporate citizenship". Its program of active _ to solve -some of the cities ____ „ Vination in helping Partl P..Llomc ic wirtplv ^enTp'roblems is widely acclaimed. Its president, William I. Spencer, in a May speech "The Pathology of Urban Progress” gave the members °f the Commerce and Industry Association some very ° nd advice on how to make their civic contributions THOUGHTS FOR today PAID Return Postage Guaranteed WILKES COLLEGE. WILKES-BARRE, to sPecific Prob|et IRA NEWSLETTER Institute of Regional Affairs "likes College Wilkes-Barre, pa. (8703 NEWS-LETTER LIBRARY COURIER - Monthly publication of the Department of Communi ty Affai ■••-irs, feati review and informative articles of to local government. most productive. worth quoting. task of proceeding with even modest plans and proposals. Overall we are at sixes and sevens. "We must abandon any program that does not measure up as a solid contribution toward the solution of the city's problems regardless of the public relations impact. Credit is due for any solid achievement, but public relations is not a criterion of measurement, and we cannot possible deliver what other people promise.” Parts of his remarks are particularly "If history substantiates the belief that we have squandered and have misdirected our resources, how are we going to set things right? The answer, I believe, lies in this room - if we businessmen will stop talking to ourselves and start thinking for ourselves. "The world out there is a series of overlapping political entities involving people who are looking for direction. This precisely is the burr under the saddle. For any attempt to , . „ reverse the growing deterioration of our cities, our efforts must be wel I organized. Priorities must be set. Responsibilities must be understood, and we must have some measurement of progress. But in todays jargon, there is no game plan and you have to wonder where the players ____ went. Too many essential elements are missing. | want to suggest what we need, "First, effective metropolitan government metropolitan government — not disjointed and unrelated jurisdictions to which all elements of the community can respond. "Secondly, all members of the community must understand their 1roles and operate accordingly. Presently, most tesponsible ■businesses, local community and governmental --I <5 agencies themselves are each engaged in their own little -tie orgies of setting priorities, programs and roles ?*' across the whole spectrum of urban problems. The net result is cduplication, tremendous waste, and accelerating backward -J movement. "Thirdly, there resources with full must be some sensible allocation of can be fully satisfied, appreciation that not all priorities wganizations, ta ed. The consequence is that many task forces and new governmental and private agencies 5 are competing for the same linited 'esources. “Fourthly, there certain that there is must be a massive effort to make °n citywide object!' general participation and agreement self-interest lobbies, ves. What we do have is a number a ' vylng for attention, community groups and individuals making virtually impossible the MODEL CITIES GOES TO COLLEGE The Federal Model Cities Program encompasses pretty much the whole i-.e range of needs and services in selected areas of' approved cities. An unusual, and probably a first, v: venture into a new service has been undertaken by the a Model Cities Governing Board of Wichita, Kansas. In September, a $120,000 college tuition project will be initiated. Only model neighborhood area residents are eligible, except by special decision of a task force of the board in individual cases. Income guidelines set a maximum annual income level of $4,000 for a single student to qualify for a 100 percent grant for undergraduate work. The project also provides fellow­ ships and stipends for aboutone dozen graduate students. Wichita State University has been selected as the delegate agency for the project. WHO'S HIRING MOST? Readers who sometimes bemoan the Federal Govern­ ment’s growing number of employees, undoubtedly will be greatly surprised at the conclusions indicated by the Bureau of Census tract titled "Public Employment in 1970". The tract shows that of all jobs created in the United States work force since I960, 35 percent were government jobs. Most growth in public workers is occurring, not at the Federal level, but at the state and local level Since 1950, the number of state and local employees has more than doubled. Analysis of the following table reveals some interest­ ing trends based on the October, 1970, survey of the Census Bureau. Local government employees represented three-fourths of the total state-local work force, and the state government one-fourth. However, municipal govern­ ment personnel represented only 22 percent, while school districts employed 33 percent. �Unfortunately, the tract does not innw which employment at the state and '°Ca|t|e based upon civil service qualifications INSTITUTE OF REGIONAL no need. affairs HOSPITAL VIA AUTHORit institute VOL. XVIII NEWSLETTER AUGUST 15, 1971 INO. 8 This News-letter, published monthly/ as a of the ln. Institute community' service, originates 7n in the er!’ Regional Affairs of Wilkes College. Notes and inquiries may be addressed to Director, Institute of Regional Affairs Wilkes College, Wilkes- Barre, Pennsylvania 18703. Subscription free upon request. of Government Employment by Type percent Number Type 100.0 10,147,000 Total State and Local 27.2 2,755,000 State 72.8 7,392,000 Local 12.1 1 ,229,000 County Municipal 2,244,000 22.1 Township 330,000 3.3 3,316,000 275,000 32.7 2.7 School District Special District distribution of employment by Tabulation of the function in the cities in 1970 may or may not present the .residence of' Tt the reader. some surprises, depending on t„~ —Id ----Functional Job Distribution AU Functions (%) Common Municipal Functions 100.0 56.6 100.0 5.9 10.4 15.6 27.5 8.8 15.5 2.3 Sanitation other than sewerage : 6.1 Parks and Recreation 4.5 Libraries 4.0 Functions Total Common Municipal Functions Highways Police protection Fire Protection Sewerage Finance Administration General Control Water Supply 2.0 2.7 4.2 4.7 lrANTEED GlJA 10.7 7.9 3.4 4.8 7.5 8.3 This indicates that in Octobi of all city employment was e~~ier, 1970, about three-fifths accounted for by the common municipal functions, with police and iW( „,ul police and fire protection employing 43 percent. Highways and sanitation, other ' > than sewerage, both L ' have have slightly slightly more more than than 10 10 percent of employment for common municipal functi . ' L.._jons. Variable local functions, not considered in the functions, common type, account for about 43,4 percent of all local public employment. Of these 18,7 percent, or about onefifth, are employed in education. Other variable functions employ 24.7 percent, indluding public welfare, hospitals, health, housing and urban renewal airports, water transport and terminals, correction, electric power, gas supply; transit utilities, and the like. whn 11 Y AcT variety of pubHc projects have t con and'operated under the provisions'// °been heen cp nss . of n^^nnsy^ the S(. Municipal Authorities Act of |945> 5but T3 Pennslsy^"q -tnever a p The Pottstown Memorial Medical Cent r a h°Spj^ a 9enter. Moj County, under construction since Febru first hospital in Pennsylvania financed k Wi" O :r) 5 ths revenue bonds under the Authorities Act WkX in 1973, the 281 bed medical center compl(ittt; older community hospitals at a cost of $7o rep| acCfe / [epla , . i , .. , 522 million cycle The idea for a new medical center center emerge/, (oca hospital comm.ttee survey which eva hospital needs of the community in |oz-> —. Uated y. occured about 4 years later when the firs'i maintenance CONTRACTS —especially the larger ones, which are nicipalitieS' means of reducing equipment maintenance /for S^ch'n5houldI investigate the advantages of Guaranteed life Cycle Costing, and Total Cost Purchasc°stS,Lnance. L //enanCf”hthese ideas are not entirely new, their ^' Although J not widespread. Plication is nOt a< pplicat uipment manufacturers are promoting the qny'° equipment Maf1^ f Guaranteed Ma’ntenance’ especially on heavy equipment. By contract with the equipment firm caplta of purchase, it places responsibility of mamtainat d ,inment during a pre-determined active life or life ing,eq of that equipment on the manufacturer or his 01 ice agency. Surveys indicate that the author'*® nufacturer can maintain their equipment for a municipality. .eSs cost tnan The award of a Guaranteed Maintenance contract is of Pottstown was merged with the Pottstow^'u H°Spita' based on the sum of t e origma cost o t e equipment the Pottstown Memorial Medical Center Ref H°Spital ■ us the cost of maintenance for the equipment's prement to construct a new facility to replaceT determined active life. The total of these two costs institutions was indicated by ihe purchase r lW0Jetermines the lowest responsible bid. site in 1967. At the time it was hoped to start 2°'a“' The City of Chicago has experienced considerable tion in May, 1969 and achieve occupancy hv /°nStruc' ,uinrs under its maintenance contracts, and in 1966 1970 Y Dece*'. sas a/arded the Certificate of Merit from the American The big obstacle to the new plan was the un City Magazine for actively pursuing and promoting this city ful effort of the hospital itself to finance he oT”? of purch fas'ng' Under Jcsuch itarnn h / purchasing. type private placement of the debt through a long Z'?' Deparment ° S Sanitation bes.des the cost long-term boni saving on maintenance itself, was able to increase the ■ ti, k . i f j u 8 a lon g-term bon; issue. The hospital found that it was trying Z of service vehicles from 1,400 to 2,300 without trying to to borro, borro,' more money than institutions were Willing to lend attfa leasing its maintenance staff or maintenance facilities, time. °pe to consummate t e project was temporaril; restore y t e creation in 1967 of the Montgomery County Hospital Authority, the first of its kind in Pennsylvania. Its purpose was to help finance hospitals throughout the county by issuance of low-interest, tax-exempt b°ndS- without this contract, the City would have been compelled t0 expend an estimated $3 million for a new service facility and nearly SI mi Ilion for expanded payroll costs, Qf course, savings for smaller municipalities would be proportionate. Alleged advantages of the Guaranteed Maintenance The Authority agreed to finance the new hospital,bu: hopes were again shattered when the bond market bejato “run away”. |n addition, the six percent limitationobonds issued in the state was sti II in effect. Consequently, a bond issue was not feasible because the allowable purchasing contract are; interest rates were not high enough to attract investors. In 1968, the state legislature raised the ceiling to sere percent, but, unfortunately, the market also moved ups that investment bankers could not hope to sell bonds’1 1. Large cost savings in maintenance prices them­ selves. 2. Reduction iin 'budgeting problems 'because the total fixed unit cost over the entire life of the equipment is known. 3. Downtime is reduced because of penalty clauses for slow maintenance. only 7 percent. The real break came in mid-1970 the legislature removed the interest rate restr^L. A Less parts inventory needed inventory obsolescence. entirely for a period of one year. The County Aut/g was then in a position to borrow money at whateve 5. Reduction of fixed overhead because of reduced the bond market demanded. By going the authority route, the hospital wa/exeBp: keep the financing overhead of the 30-year 1 joftW revenue bond issue to less than $1 million 'nSt^reSt rate $3,3 million under private issue, and the mt was slightly lower. confer^ llTH ANNUAL COMMUNITY GROWTH SEPTEMBER 22, 1971 ART5 THEATRE FOR performing MARK YOUR CALENDAR and reduction of manpower requirements. 6. Increased bid competition because of less restrictlve specifications. Benefits of leasing capital equipment plus benefits 0 actual ownership. 8. Equipment will incorporate latest technological advances. 9. Reduces need for expanded physical facilities uced by growing pressures for more services. cJ^ini Ceptwithl|l'ng in>u t*1e Guaranteed Maintenance contract con- m' -ipalirntpurchasing agreements between neighboring ^biljty lability Should bring the former within the practical 0 middle sized cities and at the same time Provide a double-barrelled equipment Purchase and maintenance weapon to attack spiraling costs. WHN OLD BUT STILL GROWING EverXone is familiar with .Federal aid to states and local governments in the C United States, and that such grants are c—constantly growing .» said ln number and funds contributed. ’The r1”' same can be ---- d of virtually every industrialized country. Recent government statistics remind us that the Federal grant-in-aid policy is not an innovation of recent decades, that the changed, and that annual ; g nature of the grants has grants have been increasing at a consistently faster rate. The fact is that the Government of the United States ad±-'tS grant-in’aid t0 states even before Jhe adoption of the Constitution. In 1785, the Congress under the Articles of Confederation enacted a Land Act tor the disposition of public lands in the Northwest area. While some of the land was to be sold for at least one dollar per acre, certain specified acreage was reserved for maintenance of a public school within each township. So, the aid program is approximately 186 years old. The first grants were usually in the form of land and were generally restricted to education, interna! improve­ ments, and agriculture during the nineteenth century. In this century grants changed from land to cash and from “single shot” to annual payments. Categorical, rather than “block” grants were the rule. Federal grants have increased tremendously during this century. In 1910, their total scarcely exceeded S5 million for regular, permanent functions; during the mid-1950’s they were about S3 billion annually. In the late 1960’s, all forms of federal grants, including grants-in-aid, shared revenues, emergency grants, and payments to individuals within states exceeded $15 billion per year. In the last decade they rose rapidly to reach a total $9 billion higher. According to the latest figures, in fiscal 1970 Federal payments to state and local governments totaled $24 billion. Covering almost 100 different programs in the various Federal agencies payments ranged from S3 billion to California down to $51 million to Delaware In addition to California, other states in the oyer SI billion group were New York ($2.4 billion). Pennsy vama ($1.3 billion), and Texas ($1.2 billion). The billion) largest grant-in-aid was for highways ($4.3 Other major payments were for unemp oyment “ ' -■ rw; million), manpower training (S299 compensation ($625 construction ($176 million), waste treatment Plantbi^ion), social and million). Urban Renew g million), public ^eSanM$7^nion) elementaryandse^ �THE ADMINISTRATOR’S qILEMNAS he is taking for work in the morning, If he is late of his position. If he gets t0 to rhe the Office office on 0 time, he's a dictator. If the office is running smoo^ y,oradministrator If the office is a mess, |f be holds weekly staff meetings, he is If no one has ever heard of him he’s a R n°nentj If he requests a larger appropriation economy. If he doesn't ask for more money, he’s stark mad). If he tries to eliminate red tape, he desperate • he a8ai a has timid NEWS-LETTER S°U| no re?ard system. |f he insists on going through channels, he’s S t bUre % If he speaks the language of public adminiZ a cliche, expert. tr If he doesn’t use the jargon, he’s illiterate of time with back- WILKES If he enjoys reading this he’s facetious. Enlightened self-interest If he doesn’t think its funny, he is entitled slapper. r with the boss, he’s ion his way out. If he is never i the gravy train. conventions, he’s on If he goes to < a trip, he’s not important. If he never makes do all the work himself, he doesn’t trust If he tries to anybody. ; as much as possible, he’s lazy. If he delegates as get additional personnel, he’s an empire If he tries to g builder. If he doesn’t want more employees, he’s a slavedriver. If he has lunch in expensive restaurants, he s putting on the dog. If he brings his lunch to the office, he’s a cheapskate. If he takes his briefcase home, he’s trying to impress IN THE LIBRARY Bi-monthly maga2;ne ^ntainij FIRE JOURNAL information on fire prevention standards < records, and other material of Permanent referen^ value. LABOR MARKET NEWSLETTER - A monthly reviews current employment developments and prosn»,,. “ pr°spects. MUNICIPAL FINANCE MAGAZINE - A magazine or debt and finance management published by the Municipal Finance Officers Association of tliU. S. and Canada. the boss. If he leaves the office without any homework, he has a sinecure. If he is friendly with the office personnel, politician. he’s a If he keeps to himself, he’s a snob. If he makes decisions quickly, he’s arbitrary. If he doesn’t have an immediate answer, he can't make up his mind. If he works on a day-to-day basis, he lacks foresight. If he has long-range plans, he’s a daydreamer. If his name appears in the papers, he’s a publicity hound. THOUGHTS FOR TODAY Remember the good old days - when beer foamed and dishwater didn’t? You can say one thing for those icy roads lastwinterthey’re economical. I saw one fellow do 55 miles ani hour in neutral. The Income Tax Return Form for next year will be the simplest yet, having only one question, “how much did you make?” and one instruction, “Send it in!' IRA NEWSLETTER Institute of Regional Affairs Wilkes College Wilkes-Barre, Pa. 18703 Non-Profit Organization U. S. POSTAGE PAID Return Postage Guaranteed greatest growth of corporations in size, market and impact on society has naturally brought with ’^^'commensurate growth in responsibilities; in a if a tic society, power sooner or later begets equivaldem°cc0untabilitv.” In this portion of a statement on ent I policy by the Committee for Economic Developnatl :n its recent report, “Social Responsibilities of JTsiness Corporations”, the private sector is, in effect, hing told that its involvement in community problems is •nevitable. Therefore, business might as well anticipate what is certain and become involved now. „Th Wilkes-Barre, P* Permit No. 35 "Eventually - why not now?” is a rather nebulous motivation, but not without value. Perhaps the same can be said of appeals for community involvement on grounds of moral and ethical principals of the individuals who control business enterprises. The CED acknowledges other similar motivations, but the significant thrust of its policy is that business should become deeply involved in helping solve crucial community problems because it is in the self-interest of business to do so. This is not a new idea. What is rather new is the fact that the time has come when it can be proclaimed openly and unabashedly, without the stigma historically attached to it. Perhaps few people have thought of the relationship between business and the public in terms of a contract out of which flow mutual benefits. Historically, this contract has been economic. Business has performed its responsibility to society by providing goods and services for aa profit. profit. So So long long as both producer and consumer received fair value, the obligation of the two parties ---------- , u,v vuiigauuil vi Mic r-vvv patuiw was fulfilled. The business obligations to society as a was,fulfilled. whole w— - ■ were satisfied if the wealth produced by the business system sustained all the other institutions, including “ government. This economic contract has ro need the most affluent society in history. r.._^esp'te these achievements of the free-enterprise Astern, , we have reached a period in time when the exPectati. ... of American society have now begun to rise ions at a faster Pace than the nation’s economic and social performar mce. Amidst our affluence, we are now beginning t0 focus attention on the deprived sectors of our people are trying t, to raise them to a more equitable level of *el|-being. At long last, human values are receiving Priori. Priority n°t Unh; The quality of individual and community life, with the creed of human values. The ------------- ------------- ----------------- —---------- L______september 15, 1971 Kisd?^ V°Se °f - change now, not a decade m generation wants makers, artists, intel Sals------- ’ Witers’ film’ and citizens’ groups a m : Co™lunications media, '"establishment Uas obstac es to s T qU° and the significant part of this aXh^iS0Clal ,prograss- As a is undergoing sometimes ruthless sTrutin^about"itsTo'le -n modern society. Polls indicate Z a majodty of abmoutICtaheSo?oL|k tha\bUSiness is not aa°ugh conXed about the problems of society, despite a long history of philanthropic contribution to a variety of institutions.7 . !? ma/ °r may not surprise business to hear that twothirds of the public believes that business has a moral obligation to help other major institutions to achieve social progress, even at the expense of profits. The public wants business to efficiently carry out its historic function, but to do so with a more sensitive awareness of changing social values and priorities. But, more importantly, it expects business to assume a broader responsibility for actively improving social environment. The American people are looking toward a renegotiation of the old economic contract to include the additional obligation of business to assume social responsibility. There appears to be an implication that unless business does so voluntarily, public pressure will force it through governmental compulsion. Obviously, it is in the self-interest of private enter­ prise to avoid such compulsion under which business would lose control over the nature and extent of its social activity. This is, however, a negative self-interest, akin to Adam Smith’s philosophy that if only government keeps hands off, the promise of maximum profits will promote economic prosperity, and, therefore, automatically the best interest of society. This kind of self-interest, which was once symbolized by the “public be damned attitude, is not, by its very nature, conducive to business assumption of social problems, many of which would make heavy demands upon corporate profits. The self-interest held out to private enterprise by CED as a pursuasive reason for community participation differs considerably from the laissez-faire m d. , integral part of soci ty p existence of private earned and developed. . .. ------ 1 the goodwill of ,n of its dependence upon will is its reward only if Recognition c. ■— that this good w." society, and C—- �college or or »“IONAL INSTITUTE NEWSLETTER institute AFFAIRS NO. 9 VOL XVIII SEPTEMBER 15. 1971 m.blished monthly as a This News'letter;i JLates in the Institute of community service ongma j V Regional Affairs 0 ^T^nTAffairs of Regional Attairs -------------------------- ■ in the place where his parents |jVe? a3/ answer? Not so, according to th Easy of confusing opinions by attorneys., ® 'ncrea . flow states. Court suits have already been filed Ha' of> Kentucky, Massachusetts and Ohio. 1 A|ab J currently considering a bill which would def?>ss ' the student the right to vote in his col|ege '"'tely gi s The Supreme Courts of Michigan and Of recently ruled that student voters have the alif°% registering in their college communities. New v^n many other states restricts the registration at their school address to those who can in, tuS prove i t is their permanent address. The Attoml'V>Hy d t0 Director, Institute Wilkes College, Wilkes- of New Hampshire ruled that students may reP' ""al in their parents’ home community, and promi/'Ster only violations by registration officials to the Suprun ta^ "jm nf rhe new economic-social Private opinions on where the college stude °U,t' be allowed to vote vary just as much as official11 Shoul<i Some hold that compelling a student to vot “’’"S .""?, 'jn.r.n.. or business will be served by social progress of all classes by enlargement of markets and improvements of its work force by helping deprived i nd I vidua s develop and use their economic potential. It is also enlighte self-interest to help reduce the growing costs of welfare, crime, disease, and waste of human resources, much of which is now borne by business. Actually, the doctrine of self-interest is also based on the proposition that if business does not realize the prospects of gain as described above, failure to assume its fair measure of social responsibility may jeopardize its self-interest by forcing government intervention to make business do what it was reluctant or unable to do voluntarily. “Enlightened self-interest thus has both ’carrot and stick' aspects”, says the CED. There is the positive appeal to business’ greater opportunities to grow and profit in a healthy, prosperous, and viable society, and there is the negative threat of increasingly “onerous compulsion and harassment” if it does not do its part in helping create such a society. Time was when the American public resented and opposed participation of "business" in public, especially urban affairs. Time was when corporate support or Surin °n “ 3 communit7 building, park, or local institutions was suspected to be a sop to salve the wounds of corporate maltreatment. Time has now come Si*: p“ demands it in Z c ‘“*p“md community dominate the goals of our society™3" ™ problems, Wh'ch now WHN student but VOTER invasion? e: he has one; where he intends to remain hof16' >sijdence. u"" ' and without a present intention to depart; ,eS idefinit i aves it he intends to return to it, and after deems himself at home”. when " he 'he 1 his return d es not mean that any student need merely ind- he | Opponents of student option have little Him finding examples of ominous results of student n i'-1'1' power in the local community. Many years ,P°ltical in the local community. Many years a recall, Jstudents of Dartmouth College, Hanover’ Jr he^ay5' ir is ^.SaIS intends rt t0,be, .’ but 11 ls a fact question, “m the determination of wnich the state brushes aside all colorable pretenses and finds reality brushes aside an coiuiau.c behind the guise”. iro were woro the rho deciding dpridino factor far.- in the .u, pas ’ j Hampshire, hifhand local bond issue to build a town hall one mile i - ” attending one yard wide. Three “leftist radicals University of California were elected to the BerkeleyCir, Council on a ; platform of community control of the polk‘ ... and other "unusual ” programs. The 25,000 students at the University of Georgia at Athens outnumber the per­ manent residents, and there appears to be a real r 'feeling ' "t of threat in that city. There has been a rumor thate senior high school class of about 150 eligible voters, enough to hold the balance of power in their small community, are organizing to defeat school board candidates who have been too tight with funds for school athletics and social affairs. |t appears, It appears, then, that college students in the North North-­ eastern region’of Pennsylvania, and the voter registration officials with whom they may have to deal on an individual case basis, should consider eligibility to vote from the viewpoint of the student’s intention supported by tangible fact. Athens, Georgia, may have a problem come November, Unless the Congress or the United States Supreme Court determines otherwise, the Pennsylvania rule, which actually makes the issue an individual one, provides reasonable guarantee that hordes of irresponsible voters will not overrun and dominate the city halls of the region at least not this year, 1 Having dispensed with the threat of a" invas'0" shouMd college voters throughout our region, atten|iei[;|e t<)Vas directed to those students who may he e jSsUe' ln the college community. This side ° War I well remember the term ”40 — ■ . 'I in the experimental stage in private business and industr “ rt^' 4° and 4” is already being introduced in a few Mattered -tsd municipal governments over the country, What is it? It means a work week of forty hours, but firing of6? empl°yee to work four ten-hour days '"stead , WIVat 6 stanciard five eight hour days. As in Privatee ind j work employees are pleased with the fourwork sPend eek.because it allows additional time to o> date |,es or for recreational purposes. Tests tw0 hours HdlCate that the extension of the work t prodPce s does not reduce productivity, nor does tJ eni°ymen°rre/atiSUe arnon8 workers. On the contrary, °'day V/ee, 0 three days off, rather than the traditional utput. en , seems to raise morale and thus improve An P'e of how it works, and .ft., k """-/•nd S hisUten of the special ?« four days, - pay­ ' employees work on new seheduie’eep'enslon'ef'"10'’’1 ad'/an'aSes from the officrtmend’ hhe City itir -<>— in tl» tn Z° °tULkn°^ndse' Minnetonka is the first municipality to adopt the 40 and 4” plan for all employees. Atlanta, Georgia, initiated the schedule for a limited number of divisions in July. Some communities, such as Tigard and Beaverton, Oregon, Huntington Beach and Costa Mesa, California, have adopted the schedule for their police departments. In all cases, the plan was officially adopted only after majority approval of the employees. Feasibility for such a program is also being studied by the Federal Government, and other state and local governments are observing results in both private industry and government. Whether or not the “40 and 4” plan will earn general adoption eventually depends upon its effect on delivery of services, quality of production, employee absenteeism and tardiness, costs, and employee attitudes and morale. WHAT 4 ' refetf>ng to the French rail cars which held / men or eight mules. Industry, labor, and government cour^yiand more hearing about “40 and 4”, which, of ®' has nothing to do with mules. residence”. Since the vast majority of c0. e in the __________ resl e-. na| stab have no real intention of continuing beyond1 4-1 the period their p.ducat education^ college town b : 1 of *uoir . v(|I( already know that they may cast w most of them already know that they may in November only only by by returning returning to - the h°" able1"; allow* ■ ■ballot, ■■ -ifr — ..-h is parents or by absentee such Is al their state. AND t The general principle in Pennsylvania, f'rs*;enljn<L in the Case of Fry in 1872, is that students.^ institution of higher learning do not acquire a there within the meaning of the Const’. proof that they have completely abandoned t 40 anrt^n^ranS 100 years. ™"> ta overtime si'e. ",,f L WHN There is obviously no danger that the students al Wilkes, or any other educational institution in North­ a matter of Pennsylvania law extending back virtu Minnetonk; •here the citv haii i 7 °00daa.m'huUI^0Friday'Shrhe®t business with the ci‘ty’t0' visit^e^'^ PerS°ns would deny the right of a student to vote in his n town unless he established ’’permanent”residence^'5' •—uiere eastern Pennsylvania, will overwhelm the college towns with their political power in November. This has nothin! to do with the relationship between number of votnj! students and number of permanent residents. It is.sl^? municipal Case held that residence, as a legal tf'"fort' c The Fry fa voter, voter, is synonomous with “ "domicile", domicile", 4 nor mnn«-or __ __true lification U° |ace of X,a narcr^n'c person’s *“ permanent ^ich meanS ,„^ina| P o|ace business,- and his family ^rincipal lace of business This d° -jntent” that the college community is his express, 01 home or domicile. If it were merely a matter .perr ‘rnianentsed intent, every college student in our region of ^Zally vote in the college town. The Fry court ffli8ht the conditioning principle that “a man’s legal laid d° including voting, is not necessarily wherever parent’s home community in effect deprives that of the right itself. Apparently most permanent re^'"1 .J principle by the Fry Case, but is still o deddedJ in of rulings at the local level in Pennvariety other states. a|So to 3 ,nd many voting qualifications in this state are .rirnary ' "residence. Age can easily be proved, but another matter, as recipients of is qdlte_ may some day discover to their disdivorces THE FREEZE HAS FROZE The confusion resulting from the sudden proclamation by the President of a wage and price freeze for ninety days, or more, if extended, is reminiscent of the NRA and OPA rulings of the thirties and forties. Strangely, then as now, no one seemed to know what to do or not to do at a given time, but, strangely, too, things didn't work out too badly after all. The regional Office of Emergency Preparedness and the Internal Revenue Service are the two official sources of information to private individuals and local governments as well. IRA has received many requests for advicei from local eovernment officials, but, in the interest accu'4 has referred mostrequests to the above agenc.es. a k r nf rpnuests were quite common, and, following: 1. May increase taxes. 2. May levy new taxes. �jobs comparable with ._z set salaries for new 4. May the higher existing jvuj jobs.. --nvided existing 5. May pay contracted the period contracted raises pro' paid during rate was actually actually being f before August 14, 1971. utility rates. 6. May not increase existing service or 7. May not increase fringe benefits. reduction 8. May not reduce working hours without seniority, or in salary. Mcy not implement step, merit, 9. May educational pay raises. May not allow salary payments after freeze to 10. compensate for work during the freeze. OPEN SPACE IN JAPAN Even in English "open space” in Japan is coming to mean something completely different than here at home. It is common knowledge, of course, that Japan does not have the quantity of open land that we have. In two cities, what she lacks in natural land, she is attempting to provide in "artificial land . The first of two "artificial land” projects is a redevelopment project currently underway in the heart of the city of Sakaide on the Island of Shikoku. The newly developed Japanese technique for creating "artificial land" involves construction of a large sturdy deck several meters above ground level. Under this deck are located railways, roads, parking areas, ware­ houses, and a variety of other municipal facilities. The deck itself will be occupied by parks, business offices, apartments, and private homes. The Sakaide project will cover an area of 12,900 square meters in front of the city’s railway station with the deck extending over about 10,000 square meters at a height of 5.2 meters above ground. The technique is relatively simple. Most of the existing small structures in the area will be demolished. Any large ferroconcrete buildings will be retained. The deck is then constructed around the big buildings, which will be remodeled in such a way as to use the second or third floors for entry IRA NEWSLETTER Institute of Regional Affairs Wilkes College Wilkes-Barre, Pa. 18703 Return Postage Guaranteed Total costs will work out to a little over square meter of artificial land” 521 Thi a low unit cost, but the high cost of s is by' ho f land area makes man-made ground ecor Technical progress is expected to cost as the idea of "artificial” oper) BOTTLE RECLAMATION NEWS-LETTER CENTe c E N Tg The Owens-Illinois plant, off Route 3|c was the scene of a significant dedicatory ’? Pittsto„ August 28, when a glass Reclamation c t; formally opened for use by the general D!,?ter ? Wilkes-Barre-Scranton area. The Center J? of ths be open to receive all kinds of bottles and ■ *il| last Saturday of each month, is being s'ars °n the Scranton-Wilkes-Barre Jaycees and the main/*11 bi and brewers of the same area. |Or bottlers WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PENNA. OCTOBER 15, 1971 WHERE THE ACTION IS! with the regular 1971-72 session of Wilkes College in full swing, the Institute of Regional Affairs is "here the current action is. Because many of our 2 600 The new Center removes one of the obstad which!regular readers may be interested in getting a piece or has faced youth and adult groups in the past *h . wo of the action’ we are devot,ng this entire issue Of been interested in reclamation of bottles for ei tOr ec°logica||the NEWSLETTER to a summary presentation of the reasons. A permanent place for deposit is r co n”; — n°wavai|ab|e courses and seminars which are now or will shortly be The soft drink companies and brewers have donated part of the community service program of the College, funds for a glass crusher at the site and transportation of glass to the Owens-lTlin f'nan« Additional activi ties are planned to start early in 1972 Rridneron. New lersev. Funds cnllorroj k.0.'? plant ir|and will be publicized in time for interested parties to Bridgeton, New Jersey. Funds collected by the |av ‘T™ dates for sale of glass to the reclaimer will be used to sunn ‘ charities of the participating organizations. P iI Information not included in the summaries may be obtained by telephoning the Institute of Regional Affairs, The NEWSLETTER salutes this co.operative venture Wilkes College. (824-4651) between people and business. THOUGHTS FOR TODAY From the Dutch country: REGIONAL APPROACH TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT "The paper wants rain.” devices already available for application in the Coi wealth. immonThe course c--c- content and methodology will be specifically oriented ented to municipal decision-makers, including mayors and ccouncilmen in cities and boroughs, and commissionerss and supervisors in townships. All presentations will deal with specifics, rather than theories or p. ’.. principles, and with practical problem-solving devices applicable " to problems of this particular area of the state. The program is being sponsored by the ...a Institute of Regional Affairs under TiJ.t Title I of the Higher Education Act for Community Service ..... ' —.".ice and Continuing Education Programs, and will be under the direction of Walter H Niehoff, Assistant Professor of Political Science and Associate Director of the Institute of Regional Affairs for Urban Management. There will be eight monthly evening sessions of two hours each at time and place to be announced through public media and direct written invitations to officials. I Plans are being finalized for a program of eight imonthly two-hour evening seminars at Wilkes College on the general subject of "Regional Approach to Local "Comes the little red box and the train is all.” "Amos lives the hill over — where the road gets all."-Government Problems.” Scheduled to get underway in -November, the seminar series is designed to show local "I belled the door but it didn’t make - so I bumped.' government officials in Northeastern Pennsylvania “These seats are so near for me — I sit broad." practicable ways to handle problems now beyond the "Poor Becky — She’s wonderful sick.” capability of a single community by resort to the cooper­ ative regional approach. "Comb yourself — you’re al I stroobly.” A full complement of speakers for the eight-month program has been arranged and will consist of members of the Wilkes and other college faculties, knowledgeable public officials recognized for their competence in the various critical subject fields in the region, and specialists from state agencies or private non-profit organizations associated with the movement to upgrade Northeastern Pennsylvania through more positive inter­ governmental cooperation. The program concept is based upon a double premise that many local governmental problems in the region W unresolved because the many small municipalities .ack sufficient resources individually, and that there (aPPears little hope that extensive consolidation of local Non-Profit 8°vernments in the area will take place in the foreseeable Organization future U. S. POSTAGE LJ-.e as a means of solving these problems. The obvious inclusion is that intermunicipal cooperation provides PAID matt'eaSt an immediate Wilkes-Barre, E3* temporary means of bringing Mters under control, permit No. 35 The general program outline for the eight seminars is: "Throw the cow over the fence some hay." i"’mediat(.Pr°Eram has fthree ------- — --------specific objectives. The kcal local p Psychological objective is to impress upon ProblorT°Vernrnental officials in the region that their pr°blems are essentially similar by identifying and ThP’SinS : implications of these common problems, <andsSetC0°nd objective ‘ is to show that the environment bas|nSi c°me ln regional _ __packages ____ — such as river ^sterns r and ,and watersheds, commuting zones, road Pr°blems 30 the like. Consequently, many of the lPt"°ach Thnnot. be resolved except by a regional c Practi ? ^Itd objective is to identify and explain a implementation of cooperative methods and Session I Session II Session III Session IV Session V Session VI - “Overview of the Most Urgent Unsolved Municipal Problems in the Northeast Region.” - "The Cooperative Approach in Local Government” - “Region Approach in Environmental Functions”. -"Regional Approach in Public Health Functions”. in Planning and - "Cooperation ReStructural Rehabilitation and newal”. -"Cooperative Fire and Police Protec­ tion”. - "Joint Approach to Traffic and Trans­ portation". portation”. 'o Initiate and Administer Inter­ Session VIII - "How to I... municipal or Regional Programs". Session VII (824-4651, ext. 229 or 262) �received invitations through oversjpu. received information Jv .le^rt;°\^'®pd°ne t0 Miss O’Donnell, Regional Social Work Consul^ p3ry MarS institute OF REGIONAL AFFAIRS newsletter OCTOBER IS- IWI Department of Health, Wyoming Pennsylvania. (Phone - 825-751 I) AvenT ennsyiv5 enue. Kir,X are larded The schedule for the five-month program • N0J“ published monthly as a -sin the Institute of This News-letter, • -- originates community service, c; College. Notes aand j.s of Wilkes Institute Regional Affairs cf be addressed to Director, Wilkesinquiries may be Wilkes College, of Regional Affairs Barre, Pennsylvania 18703. free upon request. Subscription be October 27 — ESSC — A. M. Medical a — P-M. Prothetics?? Orthotic/ and November 9 - ESSC - A. M. Activities VOL. XVIII R. < Living °ai|y P-M. Activities of Daily Living December 14 — Wilkes — A. M. Homemakin Adjustments ~ k°0Bl P-M. Recreation Activ ■ March 7 - Wilkes rehabilitation physical nursing personnel methods for -A-M. Psychological Social Needs P.M. Psychological & Social Needs Apri I 4 - ESSC initiate a series of cooperative seminars on Phy Rehabilitation Methods for Nursing Personnel . Th project will consist of five all-day workshops conducted over a five-month period with two sessions each given consortial arrangement by the two college faculties in a with guest lecturers. The program will be financed by institutional matching funds and a federal grant under Title I of the Higher Education Act for Community Service and continuing Education. The joint effort of the two colleges in a single community service project accords with a new policy of the Act to encourage cooperative projects, rather than those of value to a single community area. The primary specific objective of the joint project is to bring the knowledge of modern physical rehabilitation methods to nursing personnel, including aides and attendants who care for the physically disabled in nursing homes, hospitals, extended care facilities, and home agencies. From the viewpoint of the patient, the primary general objective is to increase the ability of the disabled to become self-sustaining, at least in self-care, by the application of appropriate new techniques by properly trained nursing personnel. The five-month program is open only to qualified nursing and other personnel involved in rehabilitation work on an invitation basis. Private and community agencies cooperating in the program include hospitals and nursing homes in a 15 county area, voluntary health pllnC,e|S' the ,Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation, The e::, sr The October. November and April sessions will be held at East Stroudsbui C°!?ge’ and the De«mber and March sessions 'MO A.M. SE» p ’!!! begin at consist Administration of Rehabilitation P.M. Community Resor( fees and General Summary The project director is Professor Olson Arne, Dea of the School of Health and Physical Education', Eas Stroudsburg State College. He is assisted by the folio/ ing Advisory Committee: Mrs. Vincent J. Gesiskie, R.N., Director of Nursin Gesiskie Nursing Home Mary Margaret O’Donnell, ACSW, Regional Wo-! Consultant, Pennsylvania Department of Health Dr. Yasushi Sugiyama, Acting Chairman, Politic Science Department, Wilkes College Mrs. Charles Swanski, R.N., Administrator Swanski Nursing Home Professor Philip R. Tuhy, Associate Director,InstiK of Regional Affairs, Wilkes College The Workshop Program Director is Professor Bru. E. Hayne, East Stroudsburg Teachers College The Workshop Faculty includes: Professor Bruce E. Hayne, Department of Physic- Therapy, East Stroudsburg State Col lege Miss Helen Moffat, ACSW, Executive yn? Monroe County General Hospital Michael Noonan, ACSW, Director of Social Soci g^ p. Veterans Administration Hospital, c<?||ege Dr. Frank D. Sills, East Stroudsburg State Miss Lois E. Wagner, Physical Therapi available for each Invitations have Personnel indicating the SeSSi°ns will held. Ink­ —-J nurses who have not D. Reading Excellence Achievement Development The which proved so successful last academic year, program. pros'"' reneated this year under joint sponsorship of the will b of Regional Affairs and the Wilkes College '"lament of Education. R g. A. D. program for this academic year will Qctober and continue to May, with meetings beg'n Saturday from 9:00 A. M. to 12:00 Noon, except eaC" the usual public and private school holiday durir,L A Summer program covering five weeks with Perl°n(,' meetings Monday through Friday during June and July will also be repeated. Dep ilored to the special needs of each child. Each specific t3' ram is designed to correct known deficiencies and/or generally strengthen the child’s ability to read. Instruc­ tion extends from basic auditory and visual discrimination to sophisticated levels of analysis, critical application, and advanced study skills. All activities are developed and applied by staff instructors under supervision of the Education Depart­ ment Faculty. Each instructor is assigned only one to three children during the academic year, and limited to two children during the Summer session. A program of instruction is pursued for each child only after the child has been thoroughly tested for capacity, personal adjustment, and reading achievement level. The emphasis on individual attention is supported by an abundant array of traditional and recently developed instructional materials and equipment applied according to the needs of each child. During the academic year, three reports will be submitted to the parents of participating children. The ust will give the child’s level at the beginning of the program. The second and third reports will discuss the c ild s progress during the course. During the summer, two reports will be provided each parent. 5s? during the 1971-72 academic vertW°Unique sessions Wl" run from September 18 t0 la The f'rst sess'on second from February I t0 , lnp °Jacnuary 3I- and the ll|erbuTdSio0n thebOprogLm co”8? per session stud^Xerienle T'™ Wi" be °n niching the involvement of s uden s alJT tje Processes East Stroudsburg State College ,rfonaance Dr. Herbert Weber, Director Human Pe^ Co"e^iH^ Laboratory, East Stroudsburg Sta • rhe P' Nominations for participation in accepted by the WEH Consortium. ’ |van|a' Department of Health, Kingston, Penn age, background and interests of students Some meetings will be held out of doors in fields rock phes P ayTot^• fS SUggestin« that students wear play clothes for each meeting. academic year program will consist of two The sessions totaling twenty meetings which will be held on the first, third, and fifth Saturdays of each month rom 9.30 A.M, to noon. There will be no meeting during the usual holiday recesses when public and private schools are closed. Each week members of the staff will direct and coordinate activities related to at least two areas of science; i.e., light, electricity, etc. Each student will be allowed to participate in the area which interests him most, with the privilege of switching areas if desired. The program staff consists of: Dr. Prof. George J. Siles, Director, Assistant Professor of Elementary Education, Wilkes College. Mr. Richard Daniels, Supervisor, Science Teacher, children. a Psychologist, Wilkes College '• Lynn Johnson, Supervisor, enrolling their children in Parents interested in both sessions should contact either either one or Professor Si les at the Education Professor Caldwell or . "■, ext. 348 or335) Department of Wilkes College. (824-4651 ructor in Non-Graded Elementary School The>'Oni'nS Va"ey West School District ter F10StrUCt'°na' sta^ 's composed of experienced Certify, ementary School teachers who hold Pennsylvania techniqUel°n and are tra'netd specifically in clinical u,and aPPlications in the Harrie E. Caldwell, Director, Assistant Professor of Science Education, Wilkes College. Tunkhannock Middle School. ementary Education, Wilkes College l/ssor Joseph H. Kanner, Prograrn fun’ active * SW,,S ..,3 in i.e., observing. used • by instructional staff is composed of experienced The teachers who have received special training in the teaching of process; science to elementary school Professor J. George Si les, Director, Director, Fan" Services of Lackawanna County Dr. Ramon Molina, Director, Cardiov A. The program is directed by the following staff: Professor Joseph H. Kanner, Department o Psychology, Wilkes College E. The basic rationale of the reading program is the improvement of c reading skills and related and supportive ; and study skills of elementary and second'"/school children. Each aspect of the total program is -A.M. Organization and Institute of Regional will be given to geographic representation ;ideration of settings. More than one nomination from <' variety home may be submitted. All candidates aa“ - nursing each session and certificates will a^ectedio3ittend ' There is no workshop fee. Masters Degree SEMINAR ON RETARDATION Dr. Robert Mart'neZ’ ^“‘he^pXl'ress’ion'of°the «s^b^ 3t tbe Depa\ parents should contact either staff member (82q ment °f Education, Wilkes College. ' 65’’ ext- 335 or 245) �February The address devoted introduced a new series of en to the training of parart., with volunteers who work v„... March of retardates and y mentally handicapped April individuals. is the second phase of This year’s training Pro«ra |ving Wilkes and a. three-year cooP-XfRenns^vanFa Department of Marywood Colleges an Community Service and Education acting as agent for c"7it|e , of the -"Role of the School > Handicapped the -Causes of Mental Retardation monthly’’seminars and Their tht - "Sexual Developme,mt". Pa%>, - "Recreation". May - "Sheltered Workshops- June - "Careers in Field of t.on . ■letter enta| r^ Academic departments of both college engaged in the training program, which ha.S enCdtive|> ls 'ML ment of many regional organizations Luzerne and the Lackawanna Associations » °ns for n 8 the Children. Speakers scheduled include members Ret:ta(rde<i 'ncludin?rte' faculties and subject field. Lackawanna County Youth Volunteers Ths year t Wilkes program will involve the volunteers (PARC) or Luzerne County, while Marywood will shift to parent training. The third phase, scheduled for 1972-73, will be an extension via television to the entire Northeastern Pennsylvania region. Parents or youth volunteers who were unable to participate in the program in their county of residence last year are invited to take part in either college program this year. Nurses, teachers, social workers, school counselors, and others interested in assisting retardates are again invited to participate. The second of the ten seminars will be held in Stark Hall, Wilkes College, from 8:00- 10:00 P.M., Wednesday, October 13. Joseph Kanner, Assistant Professor of Psychology will speak on "Diagnosis of Mental Retarda­ tion”. The remaining eight sessions will be held at the same hours and place on the second Wednesday of each month. The ten-session program schedule at Wilkes College follows: September October November December January “Causes of Mental Handicap”. "Diagnosis and Assessment”. "Drug Experimentation". "Environmentally Caused Retarda­ tion vs. Environmental Effects Upon Actual Retardates”, - "Institutional Care for Severely Retarded”. - recognized outside author;.-”' -horitie Itle;s At Wilkes College, the program is being dAssistant Professor Joseph Kanner and '?cted by Professor Philip R. Tuhy, as a part of the c istarn Service Program of the Institute of Region , ,nui’ity (824-4651, ext. LUZERNE COUNTY BOROUGHS MEETING The regular bi-monthly meeting of the Luzerne County Boroughs Association will be held i,, ,ln the dining room of the New Men’s Dormitory, Wilkes' College, Wednesday, November 10 at 6:30 P.M.. according t" announcement by Association President o ■ -3 an J. s'J. Jarzenbovicz. The principal speaker will be j'ohn Hayes, Esq. of Allentown on the subject "MuniHn,,' Collective Bargaining and Arbitration". P Special announcements are being mailed to members and reservations should be returned to the Institute of Regional Affairs not later than Monday, November 8. THOUGHTS FOR TODAY It s a nice feeling when you’re able to park on what's left of the other fellow’s nickel. The best way to get a job done is to give it to a busy man. He’ll have his secretary do it. One of the things that worry businessmen is the number of unemployed on their payroll. IRA NEWSLETTER Institute of Regional Affairs Wilkes College Wilkes-Barre, Pa. 18703 Return Postage Guaranteed EUGENE SHEDDEN FARLE'i LIBRARY OCT 2 11971 VOL- WILKES C0LllGE7wrLKES^BARRF~ XVIII, NO. I I ■ —5 and best wishes are in order for the Congratulations -.ty Police Communications Network which first year of operation on November 9. complete Network is operated by the Luzerne County Control Center located in the Court House. . service is available to all Luzerne County Although the s including police, 20 communities, emergency forces, I i estimated 275,000 residents, are tied in covering an radio. However, assistance, information and directly via coordinationi is provided all police departments. The SW1I ..... includes five full time operators and a staff now communications officer manning the station on a twentyfour hour basis. The Center provides a one-stop location for information and assistance for residents, police, and other emergency agencies. Residents are learning to contact their local police in an emergency through the center if the police cannot be reached directly. Police officers throughout the county are using the service increasingly. As one officer explained, “It's a comfortable feeling to know that someone is available at the other end of the line, especially when on lonely night patrol”. Present plans emphasize adding every possible community to the direct radio tie-in, expansion of the police net, and initiating an ambulance net with direct communication with county hospitals. The Communications center was established through toe cooperative efforts of the Board of County ommissioners, the Institute of Regional Affairs, the teater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commerce, and many ot er civic organizations and individuals, all of whom Non-Profit Organization U. S. POSTAGE county16 t0 Support 'ts further extension throughout the PAID Ooerar’ Communications Officer; and Ferd C. Endres, lons and Training Officer. Wilkes-Barre, Pa. Permit No. 355 penna. NOVEMBER 15, 1971 HAPPY anniversary Tiss'<"'10'aS WILKES COLLEGE S°uchik is Executive Director; Robert A. 'T’S THAT TIME AGAIN but is^^i What is 't that should be done all year long, ans a y Put Ye auth<lorit'igj1 t0 tbie 'ast m'nute’ • Planning and preparing a muimicipal budget! aga'n S( ■■b’ .. , In practice, despite statutory deadlines for adoption, the amount of time devoted to budget preparation and the dates on which they are ultimately adopted, sometimes approach the ludicrous. Truthfully, one fair-sized borough has traditionally held its one budget preparation workshop session on the first Monday of November from 7:00- 10:00 p. M. In another instance, in the thirties, a township delivered its budget for the expiring fiscal year to the old Department of Internal Affairs only two or three days before the beginning of the next fiscal year. These are, of course, exceptions, but serve to illustrate that budget-making is not a matter of filling in numbers to meet a legal deadline, but the most significant and important act required of any legislative body. A budget, to say the least, is a comprehensive plan expressed in financial terms by which an operating program is effective for a given period of time. It includes estimates of the services, activities, and projects comprising the program, resultant expenditure require­ ments, and the financial resources used for their suppo At the very heart of budgeting is the need for careful planning. And since the legislative body of a ™n,c'Pal y is ultimately ultimately responsible responsible for for the final product, its ;hould be concerned with certain basic questions, members sh-------------1. Does the budget meet the needs of the community? which should be reduced Are there some services or eliminated to provide funds for more important or tax reductions? new programs, expansions, 2. Does the time of the y" year when local ' tart mUSt by law in Pennsylvani; .. .. ........... z____ ia get down to and come c up with a proposed budget to be fM|y 'an 11not later than December 31. If budgeting f«' thePPrf°a^d as a well-concieved plan of operations fiscal Scal year, rather than a hastily assembled S ESUftS arrived adjusting «— —, vnti process "" on *. »>».»; on the information, current year. Records, L„ f°_atlOn' and experience exPeriences document could be b s d „Whichuthe next year’a ,----- _,,t could be based throughout the year Unf/r v i haVe been assembled quite rare espec al^v Unfortunately, SUCh such an apProach * municipaHt’ies PI s' m°ng middle Size 7 among size and and” sma" — “ sometimes administrators a;r b|Se.eVen Pr°feSSi°nal are responsible. At the latest, a z 'budget J _ preparation calendar should have been followed since’june” o“r' Jufy wTth a listing of R°tentla' SerV'Cue and °Perational items for consideration. By mid-November, when this NEWSLETTER is in the mails, the budget process should have reached the stage of submission to the legislative body for unhurried adoption by the first week in December. 3- Aofe7u£ ewW service and administration maintained. �which is predominately, though n The rest of the world, including ^iw, speaking countr.es, is making the m a" °th?'\ institute institute nF REGIONAL of Rt AFFAIRS Schools will be counted on to ch C ChaWnflit of the switch, probably with some f-°U'der the N,' F d , the Federal government. After = nan<=ia| s.^ior| ' NEWSLETTER VOL. xvill -| NOVEMBER 15, 1971 NO. H monthly as a This NeWS-|e“eor;iginJes in the Institute of Notes and “mmUnKrs of Wi^es College. Co' Institute Reg'°>s Jay be addressed to Director, Wilkesinquiries may Wilkes College, of Regional Affa rs Barre, Pennsylva,n a18703. request. Subscription Tree -r are « they give the illusion 5 oN E of a truly balanced budget. Have all expenditures and foreseeable contingencies been included, or are they simply ignored in the hope that the problems will go study, the Department of Commerc Congress that almost all of those wh study stressed the importance of edu°~ :ati°n in at6llH iv! to the metric. Citizens must be 'n an? change will mean in their jobs a °Imed of J'S Above all, the metric system of’mea. eVeWSi taught more vigorously in °ur schom?re>t LS Department warned that since childrJ ’ Therefor. b this fall will be 35 years old at the 0 Starting .'A to fail to train them adequately jn the n^ °f the ter. to fail to equip them properly for rh»* Systeri’Wift inherit. w°r|d ^'Ij One of the Department’s major recom that early priority be given to educate > endat'ons „ school child and the public at large to th^ An,eri& terms. A nationwide study to determi Americans know about the metric system"16 * "a program of public education would be esseJ^fti; success of a national conversion program" away? 6. Are appropriate funds set aside to provide for unforeseen emergencies? 7. Is the budget consistent with the ability and willingness of the citizens to support it? 8. Is the budget economical in all respects, thinking of economy not as indiscriminate slashing of expenditures but an attempt to attain greatest value per dollar expended? 9. Does the budget discharge the municipality’s responsibility to the future? Is it consistent with the municipal plan and with other long-term policies for community development? 10. Is the budget based upon realistic priorities that in the event of changing economic conditions, or unforeseen developments, it can be quickly adjusted without serious consequences to the municipality's performance during the remainder of the fiscal year? Local budget-makers should do their shopping early" if they want to have a Merry Christmas all next year. °tla cost REFORM another case of -actically unanimous that Pennsylvania , iS Pr^ noin'°n raT structures are a hodge-podge of local u and sometimes, not too productive levies and, s‘a‘ sSive an ’ considerable talk about tax reforms, but ,eg'e has been beThe comprehensive and integrated reform The Tt|e r'°re, ' visioned would include elimination of a "Leral’X Usance” or other regressive and inequitable 8Ser °f Opting equitable broad-based levies which % and -signed to the state or local governments, S|d Sly- Simplicity and equity are the goals. respeCtlVe There ’ undoubtedly many reasons why such ax reform is Quite unlikely in the forseeable ex'enS'Vn moded and interest-centered constitutional futurejnc|uding the “uniformity” clause and the restrictions, jd fue|s taxes exclusively for highways. ieservation formidable obstacles. Apparently well- are, r’ate limitations on the local earned income entrenchw easibility of reducing the growing pressures tax block tn taxes The tendency to resort to “painless” on pr°Pertych as lotteries and taxes on track and offlevies, su promote the illusion that the real problem track bet'xjst. Constitutional and legislative processes d°eS nOt ate these obstacles do exist. Why, then, the “ntinX procrastination on true tax reform? adding one tax without relief ■ Also' if our __lv( on others. observer is increasee the allowable correct, the - to rates taxes, p. on the local Purportedly earned income receive a similar P0PrutrCreX^ property ftax cb-dens: . may occurs, it win' rebuke. |f Be quite widespread, since a reaction the tax is a total of 2,264 g--- ■is source of . revenue is used 1971. There are 51 governmental units m the state in cities' j -■•■-s in P PI i I ad el phi a and Jen?y Vania' including Pittsburgh, , anld d of "f these only one Oil City, did not , Jevy levy the earned e—--j income ; In addition, the tax this year, boroughs. 1,029 unships, and by 459 ------ *1 districts. have incre2as^OthteOnfeeedO"o?nireCirCUmStanCeS obviousl7 A?aomic circumstances locj levels, the geJe^ XiX^* a"d revenues at the Th" FT.S*. ?TcaiL!evilefb’/726l S Seem t0 '£nore the «.. „ bodies convince when they add”, almost £ any Proposals for "tax reform” will be stymied by a variety or public resistance. WHN CITY-COUNTY MERGER GROWING In general, industry and trade are expected, costs of the decade of change to metric. Changin books and classroom equipment is expected to'6*'' One oldtime observer of the state and local governnt scene in Pennsylvania recently offered an explanaJion which has at least some merit. In his opinion, the $1 billion over a period of 3 to 5 years. The Commere Department anticipates that “most of the SI billion toolbe completely absorbed and would not appear as an ex« item in school budgets”. failures of state and local legislative bodies to take appropriate action on tax reform are apparent, but the true obstacle to reform is a deep psychological mistrust of the governmental process by the people themselves. "People”, he says, “have not supported tax reforms over the years because they suspect that the adoption of new taxes will not be accompanied by the elimination of other taxes which are the sorce of our current problem." “In the last decade, city-county consolidation has been receiving widespread national interest. The history of the city-county consolidation movement can be divided into 2 periods which conform roughly to the 19th and 20th centuries. During the 19th century consolidation was the result of direct action by the state legislatures with little effort to gain the advice and consent of the electorate. Six consolidations of this type occurred in the 19th and early 20th centuries: Year New Orleans - Orleans County, Louisiana............. 1805 Boston - Suffolk County, Massachusetts ...................1821 Philadelphia - Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania . 1854 New York - New York County, New York................ 1874 The Department, nevertheless, recommended specie Federal aid to affect the conversion in the schools, eveshould a national program not be adopted. Specifically. Congress was advised that “timely government assistant, may be needed to develop teacher training plans ani materials”, and also that “the metric system shouldte brought into all vocational and on-the-job trainit; programs. This, alone, would justify governmentsuppon. Since it is not known at the present time when metric measurement will become the accepted standar ® specific functions in government or the private s^tord might be wise to start studying for the switch or the hills”. WHN URRAN PER 0.836 1 SQ. MR. J, Ten;century' Ameri«n ,te >»«• nliu",’ ‘"d’ '* TAX A few of his historical examples tend to support the view. In the mid-thirties, rural, business and industrial groups joined forces to amend a legislative proposal for a graduated income tax amendment to require that if such a tax were levied, proportionate reductions would automatically follow in property taxes. While the legislature gave informal assurances that this would be done, the proposed amendment was submitted to the electorate without the proviso. Subsequently, these same groups succeeded in convincing the voters that the mere ’'ord of our legislature could not be trusted, and the tax mendment was soundly defeated. New York and Brooklyn Queens and Richmond Counties, N. Y.................... 1898 Honolulu - Honolulu County, Hawaii...........................1907 At the turn of the century, however, municipal re­ formers won the power for the local electorate to make these basic decisions about the structure of their local governments. Since 1947, II city-county mergers have waJgain' in the mid-forties, the “Tax Anything” law Before the close C '°«l governing bodies : Wl" be advertising for construction or resurfacing’ in” tor street instead of the square yard!. Qu terms ™S ° SqUare meters off S'" P|a"5 to shift to the metric C0Untry is now making r country •'““(I ON The National Association c." 2 of Counties recently reported the following information ---.i on city-county consolidation: WHN STREET V|EW b:T now as fearsome as it hera- Thosewho are l eJSecure because we won’t be c°ndltl°ned over a a ten-year p|an GROWTH TO CONTINUE f°tloMSe^ by the legislature, hailed as an opportunity owner a-J‘overnments to relieve the burden on the property Assuming continuation of present growthb trend5- -- ‘ivi United States population at the would increase by 75 million. Sixty million, Will De in metropolitan areas which ill now Since l9?0-'h6L^ percent of the total population, —while m population has grown 2.7 times suburbs havestatejnj 3 i state. , areas have quadrupled and the s6Oaoi sixfold. Of great significance to loca!, '°c 'n51iS^.t Of great significance between federal government is the fact that jn popu,a , government is 1970 the suburbs passed the central citi neW citi^J, two new tfief It would be necessary to establish tw now and 75,000 persons every month between eaSin£ P 2,000 to take significant pressure o 1 tion off existing metropolitan areas. revenu fS 'ntent 's evidenced by the provision that, if raised J r.Orn the earned income tax in the first year outage °tL l0Cal revenues by more than a stated perOondingiy1 e,rate on Pr°Perty would have to be corresO’aded Th UCed' This provision was quite commonly and rates 6 Steady rise in property tax assessments earne<j jn ln Subsequent years, and continuation of the taken place: »c - East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana 947 Baton Rouge Elizabeth City County, Virginia............. Hampton, -- F Dade County, Florida (partial) ................... ’ Juneau - appears to have , to mistrust odies — especially in the field of taxation. fer,nit a gradSerVer 's correct, the current proposal to ? accepted Uated income tax in Pennsylvania may not t6d °n ahaS tax reform” when the amendment is °ut two years hence, but, perhaps, just . . I .ozo . 1967 . . 1969 . . 1969 . 1969 1970 South Norfolk Jacksonville - ' 5^ sedc°Xee ? x at,the same time, e®'slative peoP'e’s ”natural” tendency If . — Ison county, i ■ • ;e 2 except for In 1969 the s the Indiana General (Cont’d on back page) �MAY (Cont’d. from city and county thus effect returning century pattern. in [he nation "n areas jternative to the are now their 19 th conlocal . .. ............. sidering governments. REVENUE SHARING adopts revenue „ .ne is commonly associated rh the Federal of government. pubKnd wjh^ Vernphas's on national lational mind with th __»haci. revenue wew, is, no doubt a _res affairs by the medi .r_norp„ sharing legislation t, between the Nixon an M II ance that ,hor revenue sharing is X“• .“S” ™ sharing in |irnited proposition. Many states have> functional areas. P Mule X J. for instance, returns to [axes as well as I-.-*— s..und •> • si""-'"”1 Michigan, according to the Municipal Finance Office Association of the United States and Canada, hasno entered the field. This state has recently enacted S226.2 million local revenue sharing bill. The state has, in the past, earmarked state taxes, such as the sales tax, for local government. But for the first time, part o the money to be shared with its local governments will be returned on the basis of local tax effort and $23.4 million will be paid to local governments from the state general fund. Of the total to be shared, S52.5 million will be distributed on the basis of local effort with the remainder paid on a population basis. The bill provides that all cities will receive at least S 16.50 per resident regardless of tax effort. l. There is, at the moment, no information as to the state’s source of funds to be distributed to local govern­ ments. Because of the possibilities of such legislation eventually in Pennsylvania, it will be interesting to see whether Michigan raises its taxes to secure the needed funds, and also whether local taxes will be adjusted when state funds are forthcoming. BE TRUE BUT F(1 n°t One of thedilemmas, of — Demo< '"voracv llv get quality people in |Oca| J? at the , is to g desirability of lay control o f ' Ce a n d S ltl and the desirability of lay good officials quit after a aff^ so many f been probed in many studies, by the American School Board jdrVV “Six years is long enough for “Why serve support?” when the anyone." public withho|ds __ WILKES COTL^GQiLKES^BARRE: financi.. “Too damn much politics.” “Who wants criticism? to put up with stupid and viS “I’m sick of state and local bureaucctacies.” “The public doesn’t show any a— confiden( --.ice in us." “I’m a professional man who must earn his livii my small community.” '"fir “I’ve had it with bargaining with teachets about children about as much as movers t!about furniture.” These reasons may be true and amusing. they REALLY funny? Buii THOUGHTS FOR TODAY The human brain is a wonderful thing - jt sp.­ working the moment you are born and never stops unt" you stand up to speak in public. The boss is the fellow who is late when you're early, and early when you’re late. With his horse three lengths ahead he mutterei ‘‘Dear God, please, a bigger lead"! Four lengths! Fite lengths! ‘‘Dear God, I’ll take it from here”! You can always spot a well-informed man — hisvie*' are usually the same as yours. The modern woman spends the first third of her ILlooking for a husband and the second two-thirds won e ing where he is. Return Postage Guaranteed VOL' BEST WISHES FROM US TO YOU tute of Regional Affairs extends to all its Insti tute The reason’s greetings and best wishes for the the st — friends Year. This is more than traditional formality — joining’'New ' pronouncement from an impersonal organization, '^sincere reflection of the personal devotion of or a terSessional, secretarial, and student staff to !he people they serve rather than to duties performed. of us involved in the monthly publication of Those NEWSLETTER add our gratitude to its readers for the ■ .e encouraging reception of its contents. Now about to ; nineteenth year, the number of NEWSLETTER begin its recipientss increased from 2,300 to nearly 2,700 during ■ Since receipt of the publication is by request this year. steady growth of each issue is the staff's only, the reward. The NEWSLETTER is the Institute’s regularized contact with public officials, civic groups and organiza­ tions, other similar collegiate institutes, and interested citizens. The Institute, however, is only one of the many ways in which Wilkes College seeks to serve its community. Therefore, to the 2,700 subscribers and the countless numbers besides who read its columns, the staff of the NEWSLETTER includes in its greetings and best wishes those of the entire College community. Our season’s gift to you is our reaffirmation to serve. SCARED OF CIVIL SERVICE TESTS? IRA NEWSLETTER Institute of Regional Affairs Wilkes College Wilkes-Barre, Pa. 18703 NEWS-LETTER boardsmen give up provides rnanv applicable to other local offices, w ahns^>! few of a very long list for the 6 have reader.s "God! It’s been twelve years ofhelly USe'i>tr(' Non-Prof'1 Organiiah0" u. s. postage PAID ■ Wilkes-Ba,re' Permit No- Many civil service jobs in Pennsylvania state government are available to those who can pass the quired written tests. Quite a number are vacant either tesu;USe prosPect;ive applicants are scared to take the pass are t0° un^arn*liar with the someth'6™' "Pne State Civil Service effort 'ng.adout both situations as to improve the validity of testing procedure to Commission is doing a part of its overall its testing program. PENNA. DECEMBER 15, 1971 BY JOINING HANDS Every municipality, no matter how laree or small, of °the whmrity iS ^'^ZlZl'Tn^ of the whole area continues because the neighborine community has done nothing. Better that the two communities merge. But, at the merge. But, at the current stage of thinking, “consolidation” is a dirty word. Consequently the only way open to feasible solutions is that municipalities in a given area must join hands and financial resources to “do together what they cannot do separately. This type of cooperation is called regionalism, whether it concerns two or more municipalities or two or more counties. It is generally conceded that the economic rehabilita­ tion and diversified expansion of the Northeast Penn­ sylvania region during the past decade has not been accompanied by equivalent progress in improving community life through local government action. Although this region is not unique in the delivery of low-quality municipal services, its poor record of municipal output has been characterized in many studies as perhaps its major remaining drawback. Problem areas in this region which are in urgent need of productive positive action include air and water pollu­ tion health and sanitation, police and fire protection, street, road, and bridge construction and maintenance, tax collection, traffic control and mass transportation, physical rehabilitation of buildings and general environment and efficient use of land. Past experience mdicates continued deterioration in these problem areas so long ^fragmented governments are either unwilling or unable to take positive action. T, .hnire seems to be either to “unfragment , The choice seems t or )Oin which doesn’t appear probable in „do hands under the Municipal Cooperat. '\Regional- title About Civil Service Tests?” That’s the s?LaniaarneW’ '^■Pa£e brochure put out by the Pennwho a IV|' Service K-UIIIIII Commission to help job applicants | bb | UH LU IICip JUU --------1 unfamiliar with such written examinations. 011 about a sixth grade level and designed to state s tests fairer, the brochure explains why ? state glVes tests, how hard the tests are, how to ~ • an answt /er sheet, and how to prepare to take a test. W Pn Uptight’’ are available from: Director of and Special Projects, State Civil Service ' P- 0. Box 569, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania many common P have and reluctant to give up hesitant municipal autonomy. fruitless, that they they are traditional, but WHN �v'” citizenship, no one else will, development must Ibe initiated ____ years of an individual’s life. INSTITUTE OF regional AFFAIRS INSTITUTE NEWSLETTER VOL. XVIII community s NO. 12 DECEMBER 15-1,71 f monthly as a > of in the Notes and s CollegeDirector, Institute to College, WilkesWilkes of Regional Affairs Barre, Pennsylvania 18703. request. Subscription free upon especj during ally since L TOWNS the , th® foareas were bursting at the seams. |n fact injpolita" ahe cities was deepening to the point of plight or edera, reSponse was a jungle of financial th.taStr°P e ^"ph®he\ ■ which have been growing in number and d PrOgr^;re is general agreement that the problems of ’’“nno. Th®' sq vast that even the powerful city lobby fundi^'es are ’tit'65 aLh|e to jar loose nearly enough federal aid the been unable enmakeasu a substantial dent. <b®ew to tfaKe j more and more attention ftin ,he cities cities drew — from ...... j the • • -* -•■ As th cies there developed a cfeeling that somehow federal' a ^er 7iFrowns and rural areas, who also had problems, ia" neg|ected. At first ignored, the claim of The area of most neglect in Gaining r is that of ot local government and p0|it 8 f°r citi are the Pennsylvania junior and sen?'’ Fe\ i>( which even touch this area at all. Anr|l0,r high '"S that the local community is the arena in J,esP'te Ah c5\rog^ functions most intimately, high School h'he < > --= i_ ignorant of local politics and iss. gradtiate % more .ot-innal in in scone. Ues than nfS a,t international scope. %s There are already signs that v ' ' With the , now assured to teenagers I8-2|' the P^t instruction in the operation of local come from the teenagers themselves Th action of the Allentown Congress of "e in favor of the cities is gaining both SshS■hanged and official support. The question whether nearby indication of the attitude of the new teeners want to learn «« c.„„ » “(X — *•> *>«•■ Sri fc nib"”“”»l&.meSd Though the remark was made in jest, it may have contai ned some implicit truth. The question arises whether that facetious evaluation of Woman Suffrage might be applied to the recent addition of millions of teenagers to the voting roles by the Twenty-Sixth Amendment. Not that we doubt the competence of women to vote as compared to men; nor do we suggest that teenagers are not competent to vote simply because they are teenagers. Much of the criticism leveled against male and female voters in the past and now, as well as similar criticism to which the teenager will undoubtedly be subjected in the future, results from factors beyond control of the individual’s sincerity and inherent competence. Most of the average citizen’s knowledge of political processes and issues are learned at home, in casual reading, or .conversation with acquaintances. Political p rties are supposed to be viable agents of education in good government, but in this function ar »«• leave much to be desired r/L least’ partles American concept that “Fdur r traditional Democracy” and >„„„ Edu«ti°n >s the bulwark of Sbip” - o-^^ riX^S^^ "CitiZe"seems fair to conclude that of education, it and political processes shouhd 5“'°" governmental bHity of our schools be pr,mari|y the responsibas been cons^d/able^concer/T Reades that the elemental and d "8 the last five in"?5/'?"13 haVe failed mee^ thiseC°ndary SChools of which and productive waj ThpaqreSP°nSibility "hlch don’t include discipline/ • Z', The Social Studies /eral PabliC general i'"grarns are city-oriented with resulting shortfedersal Pfr°^all towns and rural areas requires an answer , of small c^^Vderal efforts would be self-defeating if either federal « since TLunity decayed at the expense of the other. Some conimL.. balance is essential. reasonat.'1 on the question can lead to a positive congesearch but, for the most part, that conclusion will be one sets out to prove. The ,,| also be conditioned by the source of is quite obvious that “facts” set forth by ^Ve'ague'of Cities would disclaim favoritism to cities voters.0"^ That Allentown teenagers, now eligibi unhappy that high schools do not provided t0 Vote vote,- are the manner in which local governments incl d-rUctionm districts and the county, operate, was Z'08 several weeks ago. The Congress of Youth made up of young people from a wide variety/ within the city, and therefore, is well-repr/° 8r°Uils teenagers throughout the community. entativeof The young people conceded that some schools or u information about the federal and state government"' the politics involved. But they contend that aside/an occasional “Youth Government Day”, the oT /ile “facts” from the National The Institude of Regional Affairs has been trying to encourage introduction of local government in schools throughout the Northeast Region for many years. Whilea few schools have developed outstanding programs, most have neglected the need entirely. It is strange, too, at a state which mandates minimum salaries for pobc*™e"j standards of waste treatment, and other stan ar municipal operations designed to create a better idated that its in which people may live, has not yet mane , in operating people be given appropriate school training ’to create we the very governments which are supposed WHN The third session of the IRA Seminar on Approach to Local Governmental Problem °n Wednesday, January 19 at 6:30 P. • Ur,der’ so nnn03''1'65’ or 93 percent of the total were Projects ;U00’ There were I -077 or 52 Percent of the ln these communities. ^ooni th Water £~ and sewer Facilities- From the beginning of heer p^ram to June 30, 1971, 1,557 projects, or 84 Pt the total of 1,859, were approved in "^niti srants $5/0 under 50,000. Of the $815 million in Places', million, or 72 percent, went to these Parrish Hall. Subject will be “The ^■e®l0?.:[| deal Local Environmental Problems’’, and r,0||ution’ , joint efforts to eliminate air and waterP cdr 1. Is r’SX'l" imitations attributes of g00d of local action or state pr°8 egislative authority, and financingcooper AI1 interested are invited. No charge. ent ° aCti''l‘l 5442 ^grantVhad beTn apDro °f fis«' 1971, W|th those under 50 000 n ^i 10 communities’ approvals, or 48 percent Pulatlon receiving 1,662 treatment. Sma"er communities received reasonable differentntended^atT26"'5 an entirel7 non-metropolitan population at 34 Standards Pacing total, such areas gets ghtlv^Perhentofthenationa^ share of income supoort n a" a pr°Portionate must be measured agains t(37%) thouSh this poor are rural. 8 ‘ faCt that half the nation’s programs, failure of states to deliver available offerings ehL°f reqU'red matchin8 funds- low personal income' luctance to accept help, and geographic isolation. Items included: presented by HEW to support its position Hill-Burton Program: This was amended in 1964 to give “special consideration to facilities located in the more densely populated areas where the greatest need is thought to exist," resulting in a cut­ back in non-metropolitan areas. Community Health Centers: Despite the fact that incidence of mental health problems is higher in rural areas for a variety of reasons, support for community health centers is limited to those serving minimum populations of 75,000. “Meeting even this minimum eligibility requirement has restricted the program so that slightly less than 25 percent of all mental health center staffing grants go to nonmetropolitan areas.” HEW’s evidence mounts by including alleged short hpalth service research, grants projects, regional -^-[^favo/ does admit that som p g areas, including surplus pr p impact aid, migrant heal .■ c^ , it a| federal school some specja| • for whatever America. ."icial federal agencies ■■■ ■ --jstimony by offi whether or not federa This conflicting tei that the answer as to C. the disadvantage of small suggests are city-oriented to programs (Coat'd on A .. Manpower Development: Manpower Development and Training Act Grants require no local matching, and thus should particularly benefit non-metropolitan areas short of local funds. However, only 10 to 15 percent of trainees are rural, since grants “focus primarily on the visible urban unemployed . these 7rqqeCtS 'n 974 localities in this program. Of approa^. ,5| nUmber’ 38, or W^erce/t tions Committee, provided impressive fi gures that disprove e general impression that such programs are only Clty-oriented. 2,090ban Renewal: At the end of l970’ there Were li APPROACH SEMINAR Jfl^ J^e 30, ,971 were under 50®’ °f University Services To Communities: The federal program of grants to states for this purpose contains legislative mandate to concentrate on urban and suburban areas. Thus, there is a built-in shortchang­ ing of metropolitan areas. 1970°/ Aent Public Housing: As of December 31, 4 ini localities with public housing projects, p’ . immunities, 93 percent were under 50,000 under/5Q0 °f th'S group’ 2’151’ or 49 percent were ■ ■ teenage75'10 Adults are supposed to give advice to this case teenagers are giving it to adults. Model Gtie?'^ Our purpose in exploring this question was to attempt a reasonably valid and positive answer, one way or the other. Most of the evidence showed that, indeed, the smaller towns and rural areas have been, and continue to be shortchanged. However, the discovery that official testimony by two major federal agencies supported opposite conclusions further beclouded the whole issue and deepened the controversy. A survey prepared by HEW for the Senate Operations Committee concluded that non-metropolitan areas are getting shortchanged by a wide range of government social programs, including some potentially of greatest benefit to residents of Precisely those areas. On the other hand, HUD Secretary Romney, testifying before the House Government Opera­ Secretary Romney’s statistics showed: better climate. regional Grange would decry abject neglect to the smaller towns and villages which need financial help as well. information they receive concerning local government!! in the home. They also pointed out that when they graduate from high school many are or will be 18 and of voting age. Consequently, they feel they are entitled to an educational program dealing with local government since it effects the I i ves of al I members of the community, very directly. This group is apparently not merely “spouting-off”, since it has made plans to take its cause to the school authorities. States’ there shortchanged? Stfl X rties and fifties, American cities and their back page) �LUZERNE —ceding PaEe> (Cont'd. from prece .« famous be found in the once Only her she? doesn t ■ „ and the time This i has come The reason h d'nne’ ' he NewS The feature of the program will be •’Home Rule”, including general discussion V^ress pending bills on the subject. The impor°.fath®vari ’’ fo? growth. This dim, n shed* potential for ~ as larger non-metropohu s|qw| ,^’with nearness to metropolitan ation of growth potentareas has deClineddoubt as to favoritism or If there is even a modic w dties and srnal ler lack of it in al oting federa wou|d perhaps the new towns and rural areas the n favor th suggest that the BOROUGHS Ralph Brown, President of Boroughs Association, announces for the Association’s bi-monthly meetinn ’ Wednesday, January 12, 1972. The pr® swith a dinner in the Dining Room of ?h Dormitory, Wilkes College at 6:30 P.M. he New ene i prevailed and will meeting is indicated by the fact that the s. nce of t and Representatives from Luzerne County ! Se< invited to attend. For the same reason ailaVe bee County Boroughs are urged to be representedI LLu^n not they are members of the Association heth®r o, announcements are being forwarded to ea h Specia| borough. c membet President Brown urges that all accent transmitted to the Institute of Regional Affair o'* lbe' Hall, Wilkes College not later than January 7 ’ Parrish them off. WHN WANTED ADMINISTRATION CONSULTANT POLICE 7.T—s Administration Consultants (fullMunicipal Police Pennsylvania Department of Community Affairs, time). F Consulting Division. New regionalized field Municipal assist— and advise municipal police agencies. service to-------Program funded under Safe Streets Act Discretionary Grant. Three positions in Harrisburg: Consultant III (SI2.675-SI6.I70) and two Consultant I’s ($9,923$12,675). Also four Consultant II positions ($11,501514,657), located in Scranton, Erie, Pittsburgh and Harrisburg respectively. Requires college and graduate work and/or experience in Municipal Police Administra­ tion totaling 8 years (III), 7 years (II) and 6 years (I). Send resume to Carl 0. Helstrom, Jr., Chief, Municipal Consulting Services, Pennsylvania Department of Community Affairs, P. 0. Box 155, Harrisburg, Pa. 17120 (Telephone (717) 787-7148). THOUGHTS FOR TODAY If you get one of those new political dolls for Christmas, just pull its string and it will talk out of both sides of its mouth. The best gift for a man with everything is a burgular alarm. This year the shopper found that money doesn't talk anymore — it just goes without saying. What America really needs at this season is more people who will carry to their jobs the same enthusiasm for getting ahead that they display at the gift counter, Never trust your wife’s judgment when buying presents — look who she married! happiness will be getting getting a bill y°uve In In January January happiness will be already paid so you can write a nasty letter. IRA NEWSLETTER Institute of Regional Affairs Wilkes College Wilkes-Barre, Pa. 18703 Return Postage Guaranteed Non-Prof'1 Organ ization U. s. POSTAGE PA|DP> Wilkes-Barre, permit No- IRA NEWS-LETTER VOL. XIX, 1972 �NEWS-LETTER WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PENNA. » JANUARY IS, 1972 His reputation in the field of local government is especially well-known in all the counties of the North­ east Region. In addition to conducting studies of an administrative or financial nature for many communities, he has served as official consultant and advisor to municipalities like Allentown, Easton, Bethlehem, and Williamsport, which have or are currently making the transition from the old Commission form of government to the Strong-Mayor form. NEW IRA DIRECTOR Dr. Francis J. Michelini, President, Wilkes College, has announced the appointment of Andrew Shaw, Jr. as Director of the Institute of Regional Affairs, succeeding the late Dr. Hugo V. Mai ley. He officially assumed his duties on January I Oth. A native of the Wilkes-Barre area, Shaw graduated from Wilkes College in 1958, and as a Fels Scholar, received the degree of Master of Government Administra­ tion from the Graduate Division of the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. He later completed special course work in Statistics at Temple University. Since completion of his formal education in 1958, Shaw has had a continuous and varied career in the research and consulting area of local government, rom a position of Administrative Analyst and research ssistant for Urban Traffic and Transportation for the 'ty of Philadelphia, he moved to the Pennsylvania tconomy League as Research Analyst with the Lehigh a ey Branch serving Lehigh and Northampton Counties, bra Kter Was Promoted to Executive Director of the fu nc office. In 1967, he assumed the additional DiJ11-00 County Affairs Coordinator for the Central of thl0n th6 League being responsible for supervision area 6 var’ous county branches in a thirty-four county he was designated as Research Director of the r in Wi|tntra' Lfivision of the Economy League with offices apDnin, Barre. and continued in that capacity until his ment as Institute Director. of local govern­ exPerience runs the gamut ance services in 34 eastern counties, — ■” .uiLi.ig work has been done jn °hT hls research and consulting the larger and medium sized municipalities. ment f. Having been associated with the Institute as a student of the College, and later through the IRA’s close contact with the Economy League, Mr. Shaw is thoroughly imbued with the traditional service orientation of the Institute, and is by his experience dedicated to the projected plans for expanding and improving IRA service to municipalities in its regional context. He brings to the Institute the added value of his close relationship with public officials and professional administrators throughout the entire state. Among the professional organizations of which he o -------r- - _ is currently a member are the Tax Foundation, GovernResearch Association of the United States and mental I Canada,, American Society for Public Administration, Academy and the American I _____ , of- -Political ■ ■ and -j Social Science. local problems seminar The third session of a series of eight monthly seminars on the subject "The Regional Approach to Local Government Problems” was held in Parrish Hall, Wilkes College on Wednesday, January 19. The two-hour discussions have been scheduled for the third Wednesday of each month from November through June. The November session, an "Overview of the Most Urgent Unsolved Municipal Problems" was designed to inventory the kinds and nature of local government problems in the Northeast Region and to stimulate consideration by local officials of those local functions which might best lend themselves to intermunicipal operation. The speaker and discussion leader was Andrew Shaw, Jr., then Director of Research, Central Division, Pennsylvania Economy League, and since appointed Director of the Institute of Regional Affairs which sponsors the seminar series under a state grant. -o in local Based upon his long and wide experience government research and consultation in *the u region, ; common to Shaw outlined the functions and problems most municipalities, and offered his evaluationn of the the financial quality or absence of such services. Citing t- (Cont’d. on next page) �INSTITUTE OF REGIONAL affairs NEWSLETTER VOL. XIX NO. I JANUARY 15, 1972 This News-letter, published monthly as a community service, originates in the Institute of Regional Affairs of Wilkes College. Notes and inquiries may be addressed to Director, Institute of Regional Affairs Wilkes College, Wilkes- Barre, Pennsylvania 18703. Subscription free upon request. and police protection, and the joint , and transportation problems. The fin?,' aPPro? ■ Ch 'o v will sum up the series by outlining -'on j>it in initiating and administering inter, '-rmunicipa| programs. s'on,! Special invitations to p — participate in series were extended by letter' to jurisdiction in the counties of Carbi Luzerne, and Schuylkill and professi, ional group. ar">S( region. The open invitation to inter, met with good response and seems toested Indi movement toward cooperative operation 'Cate 'hat is rmight r ’ its impetus from lay citizens rather than governin; Copies of the forthcoming programs are availab|, request. le0R ■ CitO WHN LOCAL PROBLEMS (Cont d.) djng quality for mutual various functions fields or intermunicipal approach much problem-solving. tbis overvjew, the Following through on t e ooperative Approach December session examm d the ^L P.^ Q Helstrom. " LOrtTVMunicipai Consulting Service Division Pennsylvania Department;of under Pennsylvania statutes^H a number of c°uXamtermunicipal programs under P^^ted communities. Against the background provided by the first two sessions, the January seminar initiated a series of five sessions, each to be devoted to a specific “kmttygritty” function of local government which is currently most in need of cooperative action. The topic was The Regional Approach in Environmental Functions” with emphasis on air and water pollution. The speakers were R. Emmet Doherty, Executive Director of the Lehigh Valley Air Pollution Control, and James Chester, Regional Air Pollution Control Engineer, Environmental Resources Department of Pennsylvania, Kingston. They described the intermunicipal character of pollution and the limitations on individual community effort to meet the problems, as well as the inadequacy of local dependence on state programs alone. The new federal and state standards were outlined, and the responsibilities of local governments delineated. Highlighted as an example of the potentials of cooperation in reducing or eliminating pollution, was Doherty’s illustrated descrip­ tion of the experience of the Lehigh Valley Air Control covering Lehigh and Northampton counties, and Chester’s discussion of our own regional conditions BUDGETS AND pollution Under the state-mandated uniform uuo„et budget all local and county government budgets in the i?1"1111'. Region have now been finally adopted gtlleast possible amendments in January by governing b? f°' which political control has shifted, these budgets show the operational program of each jurisdiction f " current fiscal year. In at least one significant re regional local budgets examined thus far areT? different from preceding ones. In most jurisdictions' practically all revenue resources are committed to the traditional functions such as street care, snow and ice control, fire and police protection, and the like. Media reports again indicate that financial stresses are forcing retrenchments even in these common public services. The serious question arises that if municipalities are not successful in maintaining common services at what­ ever previous quality levels, or in many cases in trying to catch up in neglected areas, what are the prospects for municipal programs in the highly publicized new services which modern society is demanding. Take pollution as an example. Society has become increasingly sensitive to the importance of preserving and protecting the environment. As a consequence, more and more resources must e committed to the fight against all forms of pollution. According to the Business Review, total outlays w pollution control reached $9.3 billion in 1970. Loca county budgets in the Northeast region sugga? as either officials are not as sensitive to the pro are lay citizens, or they have been unable to re*' dj (0I functional priorities to allocate reasonable environmental controls. At a time when 1d° g m out is done in pollution control through local fun ' u|ation region, ever-increasing industrialization an be need growth in and out of urban areas are increaSinfecjeralan(l for funds to meet mandatory standards of t e a| pro­ state governments. By 1975, the Environ mjluT,ent tection Agency estimates that our nationa er yeart0 pollution control will exceed $18 bi 1 t double Thus, the cost of pollution control will at by 1975. ,ve |nthe All forms of pollution control are eXPenSe area X Plannmg and structural rehabilitation and renewalI, fi^ next four years, expenditures for clean air, |y $4. neglected by local governments, will rea^ ,erpol|utl billion in the nation. The expected bill f°r (Cont’d. on next page) POULUT.ON (Cont’d.) Xs, t to to at least $5.8 billion. But, control 10 soiid waste materials, which is already ^nst local governments, will cost the most JCollLngnioSt, ;;>jntged $7.8 billion.. optimal- tbe cost of cleaning up the environment ,3« the cost < a0 eeS Whoo Pa a/7s it ■t c clean, |ean, depends, of course, to a large epingrhe' type of pollution. Private industry and . k:eeeP' andtent- °-n *will shoulder more than 60 per cent of the --e expenditures, with the smaller share '"di, solid waste Public sector. Almost two-thirds of limiting totaI hy I tbe pub is expected to be paid by the public tome1 pollution '\lmost all of the costs of air pollution control #ater but secWr- private responsibility. willbe t: a f matter who pays directly, the individual ■But, ’“‘’."pays the bill. If the federal, state, or local ultimately P fight pollution, the individual foots the bill X'^her taxes. If private interests control pollution, i"oUg. Is again must bear the cost - either through ""liVI rices, foregone products, or lower dividends. higher P=ntly' pollution control will cost the average Conseq.l'n at least $80 in 1975, nearly twice the current Ame,'of course, it is obviously also the individual who tenefits from fresher water and cleaner air. Three hard facts seem to flow from these expenditure siimates. Assuming that pollution in all its forms is Recognized as a real threat to human survival, necessary expenditures for control will more than double in a very few years, the individual must ultimately pay the bill, and since the individual’s capacity to pay the bill for the common traditional governmental functions has already been over-taxed, some alternative must be found to prevent strangulation of the individual by pollution or by taxation. Many alternatives have been proposed, but all have been found wanting. Further increases in existing forms of taxation to maintain adequate levels of common functions and meet the financial needs of pollution control are not a real istic option simply because existing taxes are regressive and are at or above acceptable limits. Newer broad-based taxes, such as sales or graduated income taxes, are not the answer either, for "here they have been added to existing taxes the revenues have been nearly totally absorbed to shore-up ° er services. And, with federal, state, and local governments already expending more than one-third of -ludtOta* °f 'nd'v'dual incomes, it seems valid to conS.U e i^? tbe tax barrel is nearly dry. Substituting -jiosRa , ees ^or local services does place the costs on addjn W ° USe tben?’ but retaining current tax levels and 'hroupV?'”'3' Pees s'mPiy alters the method of wearing iinpopm? e pockets of the taxpayer. And, though it is higher f t0 Say S0’ lifting program responsibilities to sharin/ eVel °f §overnment or through grants or revenue- !getsaf« nLthe bi" to some one else is really the Ptlve'. because whoever mails out the checks co'rering funds from the individual. it is Rlany People, the situation appears; hopeless. .... ^fniiienr 0 ^hopeless. r °pe'ess- 'In n ^fact, act’ although “ although too too many many local ?°verni ^^uals ° , T I'viduaJs 'J|i"cials are are not not yet yet aware aware of it, they are as dOm already applying the ultimate solution to Cu,fent e st|c financial problems resulting from the "^equate?°mic sPueeze. The individual’s approach to tail'>rhiJ?C°me’ unless he is a fool, is to tailor and tailor his 'fe style to the dimensions of his resources. i" ^i'nVS ** same The „ifi 'ties of the community. approach Snored, therefore,’"Tan hontst^5 'Ong been government services and n? aPPraisal of local “st, and balance of COst aLTn VV?"15 °f need' which really isn’t maeic at all ■ n't- The maglc word. magic word, Pluralistic society . ' 'S PRI0RITY- Ours Ours is is a individual and group interest? of a g’?" Variet> °f Consequently, the great expected spot,tar, to on which services should he given priority to make room for others. The full responsibility for establishing and adhering to priorities rest squarely upon the public official. It is not an easy responsibility, but unless it is exercised, local government as we have known it will collapse under the weight of the simple traditional service needs and the failure to adjust services to the ..... new life style which technological development has thrust upon us. The local governments and counties in the Northeast region have recently had elections. All local governing bodies were reorganized in the first week of January. Environmental pollution is undoubtedly a high priority problem here. Local government activity in pollution control in all its forms has, in practical tangible terms, been almost universally neglected. It has been treated as a low priority item, except when responsibility can be shifted to the federal or state governments. The importance of the recent elections and reorganization of governing bodies is not that political control of governing bodies did or did not change hands, but whether or not our newly chosen governors shall continue the policy of evasion and drift or whether or not they will show a desire and courage to set priorities which will at least make way for fresh air to breathe, clean water to drink, and a pleasing environment in which to live. WHN growth conference looks at region Participants in the Eleventh Annual Community Growth Conference held at Wilkes College December 15 under the sponsorship of the Institute of Regional Affairs and the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commerce took a hard look at the economic and environmental assets and liabilities of the Northeast Pennsylvania Region and explored its future potential under the conference topic “Area-Wide Investment in Northeastern Penn- sylvani a”. The all-day conference, opened by a welcoming address by Dr. Francis J. Michelini, President of the College, consisted of four topical sessions and a summary session addressed by John A. Hibbard, President, Economic Development Council of Northeastern Penn­ sylvania. Session chairmen were Andrew J. Sordoni, III, President, Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commerce; John P. Whitby, Chairman, Wilkes-Barre City Planning Commission; Howard Grossman, Executive Director, Economic Development Council of Northeastern Penn­ sylvania. Mitre Corporation for the prepared by the A report K.-rformed the. basis for the United States Bureau of Mines economic and -rt covered the of conference. The report, left in the region as a legacy environmental problems (Cont’d on back page) �c recovery of (Confd. from a century of coal the last twenty years of ""^nity efforts. of the Co(lference The opening and prmcip P staff mernber of the was Richard J. Buck, tech,^ ts of the Mitre Corporation, ^rtinhiSd;?700 nf "Area-Wide Considerations . page X Report specif, cay The six-month 800 g transportation, public covered mine fires, subslden.nd'use capital, State and utilities, labor and industry I ’vernment problems. Federal support programs, and loc Against the background in*"lowing Mr. Buck liabilities of the Region, sessl perspectives, SX^e^KvX/prioritiesJmplementa- tio of "e Recimmlndations: The Investment Future and Programs; and, the Comprehensive Investment, including Planning and Support. Reviewing the Report, Mr. Buck indicated the major assets of the anthracite area consist of (!) its strategi location with respect to metropolitan New York and the Northeast Corridor; (2) the nearly complete interstate highway system that provides ready access to several market areas; (3) the relatively peaceful urban life in which major social problems found elsewhere in the nation are not present; (4) an urban population of manageable size; and, (5) an attractive green belt extending for many miles around the former and current mining areas. Retention of these assets, according to Mr. Buck, requires major emphasis and effort by the public and private sectors on developing a strategy for financing environmental rehabilitation, coordinated land use and population distribution policies, necessary implementing legislation, new organization forms to implement these policies, and a public education program to gain support for the overall program. Said Mr. Buck, “Northeastern Pennsylvania can be the first area to implement an increasingly urgent and probably inevitable policy of deliberately managing the population growth of large urban areas on a regional basis’’. The Mitre Report suggests three strategies to develop the area: (I) A defensive strategy to preserve the existing Wilkes-Barre/Scranton area by creating green belt zones around the urban c land for recreation and encouragecenter • - de\ cleaned-up urban centers; (2) a new 1 create whole new towns to Li. and, (3) an aggressive private have less government interventi that the former anthracite c —community h= desire for >r rapid achievement of e as a of depression” C°no,nic | after two generations f diw" iS ’S'' "■ *aS I c -“X8? The principal speaker indicated ul influencing the future economic devel' the th: °prnent Of thSr is “the force of expansion from the Northea generally, and from New York and, PhiladeS^ particular”. He concluded that by! Pacing th Ph'a i. and liabilities of the development area in th* of national life, “unique opportunities be^S b 6 P' to Northeastern Pennsylvania ec°me an,= ”, ome availab|{ In addition to Mr. Buck, panel sneak Mrs. Rosamond Peck, H.E.L.P.; Dr.speakers Ral^k incS Ralph Chairman, Graduate and Research Dena,, P" Roze|le College; Edward Simon, Executive DirB6nt’ Wilk« Planning Board; William Wilcox, Secretary peCtOr’ St3lt Department of Community Affairs; Edward t"1571’'3"11 Director, Luzerne County Planning Commissin Marjorie Bart, Wilkes-Barre City Counci lwoman\ M'S' charge of registration. BE 'as 11 OUR GUEST We again invite you as one of our regular readers to attend the next session of the seminar series on the Regional Approach to Local Government Problems. Subject: “ Regional Approach in Public Health Functions”. Date: Third Wednesday in February. Place: Room 53 Parrish Hall, Wilkes College. Time: 7:30 - 9:30 P.M. THOUGHTS FOR TODAY Bees aren't really as busy as they seem to be — they just can’t slow down their wings. College presidents never die, they just lose their faculties. A parking space is the area that disappears while you are making a U-turn. IRA NEWSLETTER Institute of Regional Affairs Wilkes College Wilkes-Barre, pa. 18793 Non-Profit Organization U. S. POSTAGE PA,D Return Postage Guaranteed w id Wilkes-Barre* Permit No* 3 news-letter NO. 2 VOL XIX, I. WILKES C0LLEGETwiLKES^BARR|r PENNA. FEBRUARY 15, 1972 R. A.'S NEW HOME Institute of Regional Affairs has moved into The ■ . ore modern quarters in Franklin Hall, 165 South new - Street. Quartered, since its organization, on franklin f|oor of Parrish Hall, South River Street, the the L1 an(j its extensive community service programs Institute 'the direction of the late Dr. Hugo V. Mailey have under t',.the former physical facilities shared with the outgrown of Political Science. The move to Franklin nepartmen t ■■ ' 1 across from the College administraHa||, located directly __ ; iin n Weckesser Hall, fills the needs of the tlve offices Week office space in Parrish Hall for other Institute and a.- frees •• fademic departments. The new quarters occupy the entire basement of Franklin Hall which was completely renovated and decorated with an eye to privacy, easy access, and efficiency in operations. The facility consists of a large reception and secretarial room, two panelled private offices for the director and professional staff, supply, equipment, and student staff work rooms, and a large, well-lighted library stack room containing several thousand research documents and information materials. I.R.A's telephone number 824-4 6 51, extension 229. remains unchanged at I. R. A. SUFFERS LOSS The Institute of Regional Affairs suffers a great loss m the sudden death of Francis G. Ecker, Wilkes-Barre 'L Fire Chief. Chief Ecker was for many years ssociated with the Institute in a continuing in-service but"flnS f°F f'remen not only for the City of Wilkes-Barre or tbe wide regional area served by the I.R.A. A .nnat^e of Wilkes-Barre, he entered its fire depart"rent in 19377 and served as its Fire Chief since 1964. Mong the many activities which demonstrate his . ed'cation to his chosen occupation were his deep ^Nvement as member and leader in the Fire Chiefs ^sociat^H ° off Luzerne County, the International Bremen’ °a ^'re Fighters, tne the renusyi Pennsylvania State ----Crime Chn' S°C'ati°n’ an£) the Greater Wyoming Valley Eckl Sta^ the Institute of Regional Affairs, a reCord er Was more than a well-qualified official with record '"Spiran. 0 01Jtstanding performance. He was an l. :pira hu a tion t0 the staff because he exemplified the h,ghest °f good citizenship expressed by complete ■ -hose aspects of community life for which L fitted. Literally hundreds of firemen and mun'cipalities of the Northeast Region owe "S’- s faiJfm Greater Wilkr-Bar- area has lost a good and faithfu servant, and the Institute has lost a loved co-worker and friend. EDUCATION PROJECTS EXPANDING The Education component of the Institute of Regional Affairs has been engaged in four major projects during the past school year. These include R. E. A. D., Science Enrichment, College Consulting Team, and the Model Elementary School, each of which is being expanded, according to J. George Siles of the Education Department. The Reading Program, held each Saturday morning from 9- 12, is meeting with growing community acceptance, as indicated by the growth in enrollment from an initial ten pupils to forty this year. The program, designed specifically to eliminate the reading difficulties of children in the elementary, junior high, and senior high schools, has now attracted young people and adults who desire to improve specific reading skills or simply to increase the enjoyment of reading. The Science Enrichment Program for children is in its second semester and has already received nationwide accolades. Restricted to elementary school children, this project teaches scientific principles and methods on campus through activities based on the concept that science can be enjoyed. The program focuses on measuring, graphing, classifying, space. and.ume relationships, and predicting. ece activity experienced the joys of success.a ^-pac^. ty campus waOsereetnur;°ed with a Christmas card from a finder in New Jersey. Wilkes College Consulting■ has been The with administrators and J working District since last FaI D.st « P Area School organized 'Nation The team is also have been • in the district. developmentt and reorganiza conducting special The Wilkes Colleg tion in Wyoming Valley West Project, which Xn Area1 School districts, is Wyoming Area, and the P Area and Nanticoke X. expanded to include Dall as school being expo than y.uuu ei Area durin8n be involved in the program by next children (continued on next next page) page) �Director, Redevelopment Authority of the INSTITUTE OF REGIONAL VOL. XIX affairs NEWSLETTER FEBRUARY 15, 1972 NO. 2 This News-letter, published monthly as a community service, originates in the Institute of Regional Affairs of Wilkes College. Notes and inquiries may be addressed to Director, Institute of Regional Affairs Wilkes College, WilkesBarre, Pennsylvania 18703. Subscription free upon request. EDUCATION PROJECTS (cont’d.) The Model School Program has attracted widespread interest. Groups from many regional school districts as well as schools from Boston and Jackson Township, New Jersey, have observed the program’s operation. The television documentary, "The 3 R’s Will Never Be the Same Again", produced by James Gray, TV Channel 28. which was based entirely on the Wilkes Model Program, received popular approval in the Northeast Region reached by the station. The documen­ tary film placed among the top ten entries in the Annual Alfred E. DuPont Columbia University Awards. The competition included nearly 500 films, including entries from the major networks and such cities as Boston and Philadelphia. Readers having interest in any of these current programs should contact Professor Siles, Education Department, Wilkes College, or the Institute of Regional regional approach SEMINARS CONTINUE The success of intermunicipal cooperation in public health services was demonstrated by Dr. George Smith, Easton, at the fourth in an eight month seminar series on the “Regional Approach to Local Government Problems.” Dr. Smith is the Director C of the Bi-City Health Bureau which administers the whole -ia spectrum of health services for the cities of Allentown and Bethlehem. His explanation of the initial organization of the Bureau and its growing record of accomplishments gave tangible support to the Seminar thesis that many neglected or poorly conducted local government programs become surprisingly productive when two or more municipalities pool their personnel and financial resources in a cooperative program. The January session explored the potential of cooperative programs in the environmental area, including water and sewerage. The fifth of the series will be devoted to the topic Cooperation in Planning and Structural Rehabilitation and Renewal, and will be held in Room 53. Parrish Hall, Wilkes College, Wednesday, March 15, 7-30-9-30 P M The speakers will be Dallas Dollase, Director, Bureau of Community Planning, Pennsylvania Department of Community Affairs, and Leon E. Case, Jr." Executive r6 THINGS (cont’d) Barre. ^s. The public is invited to all sessions on the third Wednesday of each month Which through tff>AH »ns in a *Pecific state t0 ^e new black Hite citLZor nearly fifty years state laws violating the " tens- F°of citizens under the Federal Bill of Rights I dicial veto because the protections of the btnoed I- hrs were considered to restrict only the | Bili °f o'vernment and not the states. Not until 1925, POVERTY GROWING IN SUBUr York, did the United States Supreme federal 2°v. New ” BS Figures recently released by ■ • _ / the inG,tleVen hint that “Equal Protection” bound the Bureau of the Census on the prevalence United. Sta>es the civil and political rights of and' |0Cf. Ort t0 observe poverty may have an increasingly adver ,„ as it did the Federal government, T10"0' s<an citizens ( local government and their services e--';e eff ’fe« on merely stated that it “assumed” that A^'court then r.outside central city areas. Despite constant refe were protected against state infringement , of the “affluent society", poverty is not only sti||re ' once but then proceeded to uphold the ' t0 oUr with is growing. law on other grounds. ' us. bui state ’ I |93l, did the Court finally “nationalize” The bureau reports that the nation’s r-Not unti! million in 1970, which constitutes an i "f Rights when, in Near v. Minnesota, it million over 1969. This is the first year-toXe^ °f mo Bin c a state law on the grounds that it infringed invalidated speech and press as guaranteed by the Bill since 1959. Metropolitan areas accounted fn lncrease accounted for ; in the free mately 90 percent of the 1.2 million increa^0*'’ It took a long time to change interpretation 1 increat poverty population of the central cities pfau, kSe' The of Risht’■,‘sEqual ’ Protection” clause to make the states 400,000 to a total' ofr 8.2 Thus, abou'uo’ ** million. about of the w ' observe only that one basic civil right. But, Percent of the nation’s poor live in the central cities bound , t had been broken, and with an increasing tempo, the ice Court has in recent years added one civil The fotal poverty population now totals 12 6 the Supreme ( of the population, compared with 12.2 percent iTS right after another to the list protected and political infringement - all on the basis that the and 22.4 percent in 1959. While poverty increased 5l against state Federal Bill vi of Rights in conpercent between 1969 and 1970, the number of n0 state laws violated violatea the tne reueior since 1959 has decreased 35 percent. Of the 25°5 travention of the "Equal Protection” clause. a> million in poverty, 30 percent are blacks, about 9 percent are persons of Spanish speaking backgrounds, and about 60 percent are other whites. Not all of the federal rights have been thus dealt with by the Federal courts, but still the country has not ’et become accustomed to the changes that have occurred. The Bureau’s report highlights one specific figure which dispels the commonly held belief that the poor remain in cities while those with higher incomes move from the city to the suburbs, making the latter somewhat of a paradise, relatively free from the pangs of poverty. Of the 1.2 million increase in poverty in the metropolitan areas from 1969 to 1970, the increase in the poverty of suburbs exceeded in number the increase in the central cities by 250,000. Suburban poverty reached 650,000, or While still off balance, the country was shaken up recently when the California Supreme Court struck out in a “terrifying new direction” by ruling that the state’s system for financing its public schools, largely through the property tax, is unconstitutional under the “Equal Protection” clause, because it discriminates against children living in poor districts with a low tax base. Similar cases are pending in other states, such as Michigan, New Jersey, Texas, and Wisconsin. Should the California court decision be upheld in the pending appeal to the United States Supreme Court, the new extension of the "Equal Protection” clause to property Iax supported schools will shake the foundations of ■•W educational system, except perhaps Alaska and awaii. Six months ago, no one even dreamed of such a "evelopment. an increase of 21 percent. Areas adjacent to cities which have been able to meet service needs with the taxable wealth of its residents emigrating from the central city, will e hard-pressed to face this new fact of life in the 70 s. STRANGE THINGS HAPPENING! chang______ with ___ ___________ The trouble change is that it is always that change ing. In the "good old days”, it is said ■nough for wasn’t so bad because change was slow er But, H people to adjust to without too much difficu ty. that is apparent that to-day changes occur so rap _ that they seem to sneak up on us so unobstrusive like a ton o' are not aware of them until they fall on us bricks’_________________________________________ e clearly Nothing illustrates this observation J110. terpret3’ than the changes which have occured in t ® nt to the tion and application of the Fourteenth Amena teCtion Federal Constitution, particularly the “Equal ision of Law” clause. When adopted in 1868, protect'® that no state shall deny any citizen the equ -on of *'[ of the law was interpreted simply as an ex rights protections against state infringement o (continued on next page) "frighte aIr®,ady there are indications of even more tostitute^'v!/8 extens'ons- Peter G. Brown of the Urban case in ’ astllngton, D.C., commenting on the California for the i t ash'n£ton Post article, finds strong support c°nstrued erPretat'°n ttlat edual protection might even be iUrisdicti t0 Lnc'ude eQual public service within a given 't is not°tn' faints be preserved! Brown suggests that tettion” °i° mucH °f a step to apply the “Equal ProSlJburbs | C ause to the conflicts between cities and "'intent °cated within the same states. Often, radically patent D °f public services are found even in ,'re ProtArLtlCal iurisdictions . Schools, trash collection, .''I'ties P°lice services, sewer and water ik '°cal zn Ot^er goods and services normally supplied or ^°undarVernment' may be excellent on one side of t-^t of and extremely bad on the other. The fiscal J1"1® rate<. ny central cities is compounded by higher Cfate cas and ^Pically higher loads of health and es- Next door, other jurisdictions with a minimum of social p- '' low tax rates relative ,P-?baeto *1 £reater taX aSSets enW t0 the ^Penor services they receive. Brown seriously sees a trend of the courts to take an increasingly harder look at public service inequalities, indicating that the challenge is “to balance the values of freedom and of equality before the law in a society dedicated to both". It may seem rather far-fetched at the moment, but Brown may be correct, for poorer sections of cities have been successfully demanding equality of services with the richer sections of the same cities. It doesn’t take much imagination to expect that, especially in populous metropolitan areas, people in a poor juris­ diction may claim an equality in services with an adjacent jurisdiction. Perhaps the "Equal Protection" clause will be the door opener. Indeed, strange things are happening! WHN RESPONSIBILITY for CITY SURVIVAL The cities of America are in deep trouble. Once the unquestioned centers of progress in the country, many cities may have been overwhelmed to the point of decay by the ever-mounting accumulation of social, economic, and political problems. Incapable of halting decline with their own shrinking resources, city governments, and private enterprise as well, are desperately searching for outside help to bail them out. The variety of appeals and demands to federal and state governments for financial aid or assumption of local functions gives the impression of panic. Some authorities consider the plight of the cities so hopeless that their very survival is in doubt. Worse still is a growing attitude that perhaps, after all, cities are not worth saving. Desparation sometimes paralyzes the will to attack the problem and exhausts energies in a futile controversy as to who is to blame for the difficulty. Volumes have been written to prove that the urban crisis stems from modern technological developments which have increased the mobility of our population and stimulated a desire for a better life style, and therefore, drained off to the suburbs the financial and leadership resources. This, it is contended, has left the core cities with the need to maintain essential services with diminishing capability to pay the bills. There is a growing tendency of non-city residents to contend that the flight to the suburbs >s not the cause of urban stagnation and decay, but the effect of the city’s past failures to recognize its problems early enough and to take responsible action to preserv the city as an attractive place to work and live. In either event, placing blame may be satisfying as an emot.onal release but it does not solve problems. Whatever the causes^citydiiemmas. America must face the fact that the modern wor d wit ou not mean the at' a* current problem o mee attributed to.thes fact Obviously, this does of th responsibilities can be proposed solutions are ePthe city as we have conditioned by the observation of the city depends known it. The UltwacoenceepSteoVfawhat the city should be a newdoFor example, the traditional city UP°n undint8shall it shall do. and what i on back page) (continued �responsibility for as an enclave v------within equally is no longer tolerable prob|ems. areas, i monthly seminars . regional approach to The which is sponsored by the I R A Nationa| League of Cities, spons w.increasingly explored by ^rnnient was a major topic Most recently, regio g convention in Hawaii, discussed at the Leag i(Jent Agnew reflected the In a key address, VP c(jrrent administration by support of regionalisnii by prob|ems -X.«’sth:Hie^: bas »bec:unr spirit of “^s^etg^ators, federal' officials, ?othjn sc, and above all, the Executive Branch and in Congress, and outside of the on the part of the general public^ mt..... reahzation'that the city's problems city There must be a r^a.:z2t.'?n vr. or c.” even ?*'“n in the state cannot be solved in Washington, cooperation of both is capital, although the total c. essential”. Any change. in the ccr.ccpt concept of the city must be change in the thinking and proceeded by a revolutionary r—---------- , . attitudes of officials and citizens alike. The Vice President made this quite clear when he said that “There must be adopted in America a truly metropolitan approach to the city's problems. And this is going to require great changes in attitude by mayors and city councilmen, as well as by county and state officials. These governmental units can no longer view themselves as isolated enclaves, independent of each others problems. A new spirit of cooperation is essential if we are to solve this nation's domestic problems. While the city’s problems may be isolated in a geographical sense, their effect permeates the entire metropolitan area, and the entire metropolitan area should assist in eliminat­ ing them”. The Vice President’s support support of of metropolitan metropolitan or regional approach to city problems, of course, only added the prestige of his office to a movement which is rapidly gaming momentum throughout the nation. However, support for regional government comes mainly from the cities themselves who need the resoUrc jurisdictions. Resistance to regional aDn °f SUrro„ in the jurisdictions adjacent to the citi °ach is ndir>8 desire to assume any of the citys’ h h° 0n8 forseeable advantage to themselves i„rdens cities like Wilkes-Barre and Scranton are°7 °wn S | ,/2 and without them the whole Northeast re£in facts of,I But regionalism has little more than rh J1 W°u|<i s ur^ I NEWS-LETTER here. Residents of neighboring communities r'Cal suDn r’ I to forego their current geographic and polir Un*illi w become a formal part of a regional or al auto,J8 I government, called Greater Wilkes-Barre "'^“lita Scranton, in which the city proper would be’r,°r Gre4" ing factor. Says the suburbanite, "Name one^ ^'nai' one we should tie to or support the city". reas°n wk The psychology of resistance to the reei in our area is understandable. As in °ther°^P> PLEASE country it is a product of our history. The tim h lhe however, when residents can no longer ,e has c°me, examination and re-evaluation of their prj V°'d a re-’ only choice is to rest content with our now °ritles' ThE talk to £2LLEcir~ioESBABF THIS IS YOUR NEWSLETTER! PLEASE HELP US WRITE IT! metropolitan tax pool , - .. Commercial-industrial development in the HazletonI Scranton.WiIkes-Barre a -----metropolitan areas has not been Ptocess of unmixed blessings. True, jobs have been ^eated and the growth in buying power has revived a proCe business community. Only a fool would (Urtk°Se,a cease-fire on continued efforts to promote to i/r eve'°Pment- But, it is also foolish to continue •his d°re i^e e^ects the pressures and strains which suburb676 opment has imposed upon some of the urban, A an’ ar|d rural municipalities. I I IRA NEWSLETTER Institute of Regional Affairs Wilkes College Wilkes-Barre, pa. 18703 Non-Prof'1 Organization U. s. postage paid Return Postage Guaranteed Wilkes-Barre, a' Permit No. 3 variousSeri°US Pr°hlem has been developing among I develonCOrntnun'ties because the distribution of economic ^acilitjeTe|?r as b>een uneven. Commercial and industrial I ’ions w haVe ^een 'ocated in a few municipal jurisdic| tax bas 1 tidin'' I ' 3 concentration of the high-value property leavi"g most others with the problem of indUstW,th PENNA. MARCH 15, 1972 us por two decades the Institute of Regional been talking through this NEWSAffairs has LETTER , to an increasing number of readers Up to now, We now passing the 2,600 mark. decided what subjects should be included, —t that We alone judged what would which meant interest or help our readers. The staff would like its i- readers to let it know what type of ' s and what subjects would help to make articles ; the NEWSLETTER a true conversation between the many friends of the College and the Institute. The Institute's aim is to serve the people and local governments in the region. We conclude that it is time to ask how best this can be done. Naturally, we are not asking for "nasty" comments, although we really profit by them. By telling us what you want, we can eliminate the need for criticism of what we may have been doing wrong. local prides and prejudices and endure the inerg °nablE devastating pains of costly and ineffective t ’• fragmented municipalities or reverse the priority in order regional units which can pool personal and:r t0 create financial resources capable of supporting a modern life style. Although Vice President Agnew did not indicate how the obstacles to regionalism might be overcome he was quite emphatic that they must be overcome, and derided the common attitude that the citys’ problems are their own fault and their own responsibility. Who is responsible for the survival of the cities’ The people in the cities, of course. But they are not alone. "No”, said the Vice President, "the basic solution to the city’s problems must begin with the acceptance of responsibility by those who live off the city, who benefit from its commerce, who enjoy its conveniences and unique facil i ti es. I don’tmean just the city residents; I mean those who live around it, who work in it by day and leave it by night; all of those who visit it to shop, who ride its transit vehi cles, enjoy its theaters, museums, restaurants, zoos, clubs and sports arenas, and expect to walk or ride through its streets in safety. They will have to pay for, as well as enjoy, the city’s benefits . WHN WILKES NO. 3 VOL XIX, on a low-value base. Some comremaining land have zoned in favor tax and commercial purposes in order to raise h°Using anVthus excluding low and medium income J’educatB , fo,rcing into other communities more children ’’bout a r ltb°Pt an adequate increase in the tax base. air share of growth in commercial-industria IS consolidation. However, here as elsewhere municipal merger is still too controversial to expect in the near future. So, too, is the attempt to urge local governments to join hands in an intermunicipal or regional arrangement to provide services within an equitable and feasible financial agreement. The Twin City Metropolitan area of MinneapolisSt. Paul has suffered from this same imbalance of industrial-commercial development distribution and the same resulting problems arising from the concentration of high value tax bases in a few communities to the detriment of most others. With the support of the State Legislature, the area has struck upon a unique “insurance policy” for all its communities which holds some promise of at least alleviating some of the fiscal ailments of the development imbalance. The new plan is essentially one of guaranteeing to each municipality in the metropolitan area of part of the growth in tax valuations which may occur in any other part. The recently enacted law guarantees to to __ ' the ' Twin ‘ i Cities areaevery unit of local government in village, township, whether a city,--------------------------r- school district, county, or special district share of 40 r percent of special district — aa $■.««» --the region’s future growth in commercial-industrial tax >uu„, of where in the 3,000 square-mile "bJildings Cheated. the new commercial-industrial buildings are located. of the valuation of a new shopping For example, some in or center ... township will be made ^part ■ j entire metropolitan area. Each communities in the e...... share of the 40 SnmbeX’tSermined mamly 5 percent to be dtstr. u e ;„n is below the metropolitan Pr°pPe:rcapitaIUit will 'receive0' larger share, and will receive a larger s----average per capita, it smaller share. if above average, a s winners and losers, Obviously, there will still be are expected to be not as great but the differences ___ area will the rule ----- r for the Twin Cities because no longer be that of “the winner development game t- -■ of the urban c----take all’’. tax-base sharing is a ■■ -*3 end result of The immediate the plan’s Prirna’T of tax revenues, But, f redistribution c. - the early years, is expected to least benefit, at lc —- in t..- - Mtal (continued on next page) �affairs INSTITUTE OF REGIONAL newsletter NO. 3 MARCH 15, 1972 VOL. XIX Lis News-letter, publ^hed-nthlytua^ This commi1Uni —|tyAffariVrsCofWi'lkes College. Notes and Regional A L addressed to Director, Institute inquiries may bejddressed^ Wj|kes. of Regional Pennsylvania 18703. Barre, Subscription free upon request. they really are what they think they are Thwhat the Federal Commission on Cities in the‘c did as described in its report late last ye2 Se^enti1' many cities and conducting scores of LM* heari tgs 8 citizens and officials throughout the c ®ar'ngs c°untrygS Commission concluded that the true image of trA th at all levels would crack the mirror/ - gOvp"’excerpt from the Commission’s Reportis quite spb('ering8 "This message we received loud and clear v• -Wherever we went: To an increasing extent Americ; r :a" institm public public and private, are losing the c;co"f'dence Jt,ons American people. Scarcely anything d or • of th: influence escapes from this pervasive d'SUi;_s corporations or courts or legislatures or mayors or bankers or doctorsSC^°ls’ policemen or mayors or bankers or doctors." T not reasons ffor this distrust, as we hear, is that those ---------'3 are unable or u,lwlll institutions and' people respond to the needs and desires of those whose de' are in their hands. Doubtless a I—;: SS*? J 6 chie’ its impact on urban development decis.ons. It shou d reduce the deliberate use of municipal police powerJO restrict certain kinds of development and encourage others in order to fatten the local tax base, because each community will benefit from new shopping centers and industrial plants outside its borders. It should also help to tear down the barrier to more even distribution of low and medium income housing, because the more people allowed to move into any community will mean a larger share of the 40 percent regional growth based on population. Less direct, but nevertheless significant, benefits include added environmental protection and an aid to planning and decision-making on metropolitan facilities. No longer will it be necessary to allow development on marginal land, such as floodplains, simply to create an adequate tax base within a community, because each can adopt a rational open-space protection plan without fear of eroding the tax base. New airports, transit lines, freeways, sewer lines, metropolitan parks, and similar projects can be constructed because there will be a reduced need to be concerned about the impact on the tax base of one community over another. One aspect of the plan, which should commend it for consideration in the highly fragmented Hazleton to Scranton area, is that the law works entirely within the present framework of local government. No metropolitan taxing agency is created. No additional taxes are imposed. All localities continue to make their own la°wCalSoCiSi0nS On 'levying feVyin£ Pr °perty taxes‘ And the property law also maintains fiscal responsibility because no jurisdiction .. is permitted r’......... J t0 tax its share of the region's growth without imposing the same rate against its own resident voters. 7-77, Hk, who feel that way are resigned, whether t. not, to things being like that. The breadth -1 and depth of the cynicism we found in the country was distressing. However, we also found everywhere a few c°urageous and optimistic people working hard to recapture — a control of their destinies, to reform or rebuild the s;! s°cial and economic and political structures of America so that once again the people have a significant and continuing voice in the matters that concern them.” "As a nation, Americans are going to have to make some hard decisions about the quality of national life And if people in the city want factories, parks, and pollution-free air to exist at the same time in the same place, for example, government must be the mechanism by which the fairest choice is made. The failure of government to be that mechanism had led to the cynicism about government which we found. We look toward the day when the same kind of energy and determination we found in the cities is directed toward making government better.” ASSESSORS COURSE IN APRIL An intensive week-long course for professional assessors will be held at Wilkes College during the week of April 17 through April 21, with daily sessions from 9:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. All sessions will bene in the Chase Theater. of Region.31 Sponsored and arranged by the Institute ’s the assessor assessor's Affairs, the course will adhere to the ■ ‘•'‘fl Association curriculum established by the International -- 1 1 jii& M/ UIIKIII vs-... ----------/— "C ’’lCharles c ofz Assessors. * The program . instructor ______ will " ube nr. ■■ with that Barr, Chicago, Illinois, who is associated Association. wide Early registrations have been received frorn The area extending beyond the Northeast count's^. for College will make available dormitory r0 registrants from the more distant communities. ma/ ma/ b* Information on course fees, rooms, et^;’ ThofaS obtained by contacting the Project Project Direcwu Director, ■ ••• ^olisB' intacting the Garrity, Luzerne erne County Assessor, Gou |nStjtUte Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, f ____ z,_____ . or the office 0 y/j|kes' iffairc I4C of Regional Affairs, 165 Cnnth South Pranklin Franklin ^^2^9) Barre, Pennsylvania. (717-824-4651, ext. w WHN MIRROR on THE WALL had illusions ofer 'bla^ty InT to admire her reflected irL! WOrnan who ’ ? Z'ng lnt0 the mirror »is'2.;sv.7“d, Public officia|s =“lves to see if ULTIMATUM TO SCRANTON apparently has run out on the City of Scranton’s rus as the only city of the Second Class A in healthTechnically, the City should have to Third Class Status after the I960 census reverted popu|ation had fallen below the statutory : hecalj5e Given a respite by a revision in the code for mini'"1'"1; the City had nearly ten years in which to take its clas ’ steps to revert to the lower classification I aPPropr'he same time, al low the peopl e of the municipality I alld’3 mine the form, organization, and powers of a t0 deri ss City under the Optional Charter Law. Third Class 1Ci<awanna County Court a few weeks ago upheld A La>' ” tention of a citizen s suit that the City of the c°nI had again fallen below the minimum population Scrantonclass and should be re-classified as a City of for its c Class. Third The Court mandated that the City the • revert to the lower status by January I, 1973 or must1 authority to act as a municipality. Surprisingly, lose its :fs decree appears to have shocked the officials the Court itizens of the community although the prospects ®ere well known for more than a decade. Ti"1 The Constitution of Pennsylvania provides that for oses of “general legislation” the political subr^sions of the state may be classified by the General Assembly into cities, boroughs, and townships on the I ,asis of population. Cities were originally classified into three classes, but the City of Scranton was designated as a City of Class 2A, making a fourth class to include a population range from 135,000 to 500,000. A special City Code was prescribed, establishing the present form and organization, as well as some special powers. In most respects, it operates under the same powers as Pittsburgh, a City of the Second Class, although its organization differs considerably. For example, in Scranton the annual budget is prepared by the City Council, while in Pittsburgh, it is prepared under supervision of the mayor, subject to councilmanic approval. The respective municipal codes specify not only the population range of each municipal class, but also the procedure whereby each may rise or fall in classificadon. For example, a borough or township _______ r reaching 10,000 population may become a City of the Third Class by a popular referendum, but will remain a borough or W i 'ownship, if no action is taken. However, a City of the | hd Class which a decennial census shows to have ? en below the 10,000 minimum automatically retains | ^at status unless the people vote to revert to a borough. I H,e SLanie Procedures hold true for the two classes of I “wnships. i difJhe Position of -• a - City of the Second Class A is , °ltferent. U UP to the early 1960’s, the Second Class A 2 Provided that a City of the Third ..... Class . may by 135oonPtl°n nse t0 Class 2A status upon reaching the Provided rn'n'rnum population. On the other hand, it Wea|th tbat whenever the Governor of the Commoni census Certified that upon the basis of one decennial I ’'tscriho^ C't7 this class had dropped below the icrihea tnis c,ass naa uroppeu H'inimum, it would automatically revert to the lower ea minimum, eom??; §iven t0 the next municipal election the Squired '"-d to effect the necessary charge. , While tbe census was in progress in I960, the e? nt°n C ■ t drop el°* the, 'ty government anticipated a population by 35,000, and, upon their request a, study t—- and pSeas'shouC?dn°the drop^ °Ut'ined the °Pdons the census showed the cirv'c ?p materialize. ± “be When the and was successful ir1 pressingthV/V*^0" of time changing the condition of reverb This gave the City at least ten Ratification. “S? X ■„ sSda°“= a'cL»„ST.,V. n.p.i.7 ..d7."7L,sh““ 1 lu”hr » -for- Aw "mi7 whatever re s”s’:ss indicate that . a way out is being sought. One proposal has been to once again request the General Assembly to extend the two-census rule, or enact other respite leoiclntegislation. Another is to request the Court to extend the time limit to allow the City to take advantage of new home rule legislation which will be effective by April 23, 1972. The given reason for requesting delay is that under the Court decision the reversion to Third Class status would require Scranton to change to the outmoded and ineffective Commission form of government which was standard for the class prior to the Optional Charter Law. By coincidence, the City of Allentown has surpassed the 135,000 population figure, and together with Erie, is eligible to become a City of the Second Class A if it desires. Allentown a few years ago changed from the Commission to the Strong-Mayor form under the Optional Charter provisions of the Third Class law, and has made great strides in municipal administration. Recently, the officials of the City visited Scranton to evaluate the Second Class A form, and publicly reported that it would be a step backward to advance in classification since the Scranton form had nothing to offer. This brief resume of the Scranton problem is in no way intended as a criticism of the City or any of its --- ui -- present. —■—* Undoubtedly, the dilemma UHICiaiO, paou or wiiwv /» officials, past which Scranton faces between now and January is ot the City’s own making. But it is understandable why any be reluctant reluctant to sny city city would would be to forego its distinction as '.szs or the only city of a given c class - to face the necessity ot city’s traditional organization and reorganizing the c_, ’ operations. What is intended is to call attention to the observe- pOp„iL™ h.s Historically, it was ena |eg.s|ation„ under the deception to pe mit P |ass> The argument cloak of “general leg.spopulatlOns require that munic'pallt'e^anizat^ns, powers, and procedures different forms, org 7 have had some m may quite plain to anyone is < aspects of local governm abouc home rule? agricu|tural era, but it observe that all should be determined solely resources of its WHN �COOPERATIVE PUBLIC WORKS SEMINAR directors of most outstanding, One of Pennsylvania’s at a seminar featured speaker i Public Safety will be the Protection" to be v;:c3 Pre"' on “Cooperative Fire and Police of Regional Affairs m conducted by the Institute 01 _ Wednesday, Room #53 Parrish Hall, Wilkes College, April 19, from 7:30 P.M. to 9:30 P.M. Ci;/ in the City Herbert C. Yost, Director of Public City not only for his of Lancaster has been cited frequently r.. that City, but organizational and operational success in as a consistent supporter of intermunicipal agreements to improve local government services. 3UJ, topics as the inadequacy The session wi II explore such -al ^protection organization and and luxury of small local for rimproved protection through services; the potentials f~. ... i neighboring communities, cooperative programs betweento intermunicipal fire and state legislation pertaining to and, examples of effective police protection agreements; a., cooperative arrangements currently in effect in the Commonwealth. This will be the sixth in a series of eight monthly seminars conducted by the Institute on the general subject of the "Intermunicipal or Regional Approach to Local Government Problems”. The series, open to public officials and interested citizens in the counties of Carbon, Lackawanna, Luzerne, and Schuylkill, is conducted under a grant from the Pennsylvania Depart­ ment of Education, agent for the Higher Education Act for Community Service and Continuing Education Pro­ grams. All public officials in the four-county area were recipients of special invitations to the sessions, but the general public is encouraged to attend sessions of special interest. CONFERENCE ON - DEATH & °V1N “VlNa — death ' A one-day conference on and sponsored by the Institute of Regional AffadyinS. 5* Luzerne-Wyoming County Mental Health Cem an w td * held at the Center for Performing Arts On w’ W'H April 12 from 10:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. We<Jnes ' esday The purpose of the conference is i to help ‘hoSe persons who are in a position to counsel approaching death, , and their families, j -. to ’ deal eventuality. The ‘featured 1 speakers will be Dr h ,ho Melchiode and Dr. Perooz Sholevar, both at Hahnemann Medical College and i known authorities in this little r 4 VOL- XIXJ^ TRAFFIC ‘AND -St* counseling. The conference will be focused on the Pk\yc.ll°lo8ica| dimensions of terminal illness, death, and berea".ave’ment. Physicians, nurses, members of the ministry • • and academic gerontologists who encounter death in their professional lives, are encouraged to paregular|y Participate and communicate with each other on effective helping people cope with approaching death, ■; c ways of ■ dying, and ... bereavement in a professional setting at the College Inherent difficulties in the dying process will be dealt with openly during the conference. Registration will be opened at 9:30 P.M. at the Center for Performing Arts. The Conference fee ? $5.00 per person, including luncheon at the Center Arrangements are in charge of Professor Andrew Shaw, Jr., Director of the Institute of Regional Affairs. THOUGHTS FOR TODAY EVENT OF YEAR COMING UP | | ' ' | I MARK YOUR DATE BOOK . , I | your shoulder and it will Sometimes a woman doesn’t care for a man's company unless he owns it. Show me a man who doesn’t turn around to look ata walking wit with pretty girl, and I'll show you a man out walking his wife. IRA NEWSLETTER Institute of Regional Affairs Wilkes College Wilkes-Barre, Pa. 18703 Non-Profit Organization U. S. POSTAGE Return Postage Guaranteed Wilkes-Barre. P3' permit No. 35 transit seminar Many aspects of the traffic and transportation problems experienced by all communities in the Northeast region, a..-' and u™!!/ usually ""c attacked 1-" by k " “ each ~-k municipality individually, i.idividuz'.ly. will '"ill be he explored. exolored. Among the problems which lend themselves to regional or intermunicipal solutions which will be probed are the consequences of purely local responsibility for street construction and maintenance, traffic control, snow and ice control, and mass transit. Emphasis will be given to joint planning of these activities, joint purchasing arrangements, mutual equipment utilization, and inter-municipal contractual services. Enough is what satisfies us if the neighbors don't have more. on mass The featured speakers and discussion leaders at the May sessions will be Thomas Bigler, News Director, 7", Wilkes-Barre, and George Kandra, Director WBRE-TV, o'fPublic Works in Allentown. Most people spend money they don’t have to buy things they don’t want to impress people they don't like. Take responsibility leave no room for chips. WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE? 3 College Seminar series on "The Regional The Wilkes Local Government Problems" will hold its Approach to L H -h session on May 17th in Parrish Hall, South seventh Street, on the subject of "Regional and InterSnicipal Approach to the Problems of Traffic and Mass muni of the eight seminars are held T^nsit”. All sessions sessi J Room 53 from 7:30J to 9:30 P.M. on the third Wednesday of eachi month concluding in June. Statistics can be used to support anything — especially statisticians. The biggest and most enjoyable event in the Institute’s 1972 program is now in the final planning stage - the Twentieth Annual Awards Dinner to be held in late May. Final arrangements and the detailed program will appear in the May issue of the NEWSLETTER. NEWS-LETTER -AN . I ■ PAID This session is directed especially to the problems of municipalities in the counties of Carbon, Lackawanna, Luzerne, and Schuylkill. Therefore, members of local governing bodies and their appropriate public work supervisors, officers and directors of community organiza­ tions, and interested lay citizens are invited and urged 'o attend. ' Inst?6 e'8^t'sess'on series is being conducted by Penns'? ^e8'onal Affairs under a grant from High?y V?n'a department of Education, agent for Cent/ • ducation Act for Community Service the the the and lnu|ng Education Programs. ^ere's no fee or admission charge. CONFERENCE ON death AND DYING HELD | ?e|d on Aor'M o cor|ference on Death and Bereavement "'Ikes Col'l 'n t*1e <--enter f°r tl,e Performing Arts, *Uccesses 6pe’ was one of the year's outstanding th 'rs and 5'°'spons°red by the Institute of Regional d ?thee Luzerne-Wyoming Mental Health Center, lne. .':?nsnoan Vati °vativee pr°8ram attracted nearly 200 physicians, lri■ 'lnn sters ?OriCe rned wnurses nU?SeS and other professionals who are icerngj ____ r ._L_-T s m?-... "’any .laW''th t'1 the nrnhiom Pr°blem n off Avino dying and and death, as well ' residents of the region. PENNA. APrTmeClT! The general session lectures and a series of small a series ofdimen small­ group discussions focused on the psycho-social sions of terminal illness, death, < ' ’ __ ........ —, and bereavements. The conference objective was to help those who are in a position better tc “ to counsel the ill and their families on how to deal with « th approaching death and its aftermaths, According to a recent recent iissue of Life Magazine, this area of counseling is justt now beginning to receive the attention it warrants. The feature of the conference were lectures by Dr. lectures by Dr. Gerald Melchiode on "The Individual and Death", and by Dr. Pirooz Sholevar ,„r on “The Dynamics of Death and the Family". Dr. Melchiode, arnative of Philadelphia, completed his medical training and residency in adult'Psychiatry at Hahnemann Medical College and Hospital. He has had extensive training in psychoanalysis and is presently Senior Clinical Instructor in the Department of Mental Sciences at Hahnemann and Assistant Professor of Adult Psychiatry at the Medical College. He now serves as a psychiatric consultant to all federal government agencies in the Philadelphia area, and has published extensively in noted medical and psychiatric journals. Dr. Sholevar, a native of Iran, completed his medical training at Tehran Medical College, and his residency in psychiatry at the Philadelphia General Hospital. He has had additional training in Group Psychotherapy, Family Therapy, Behavior Therapy, and Psychoanalysis. He served as Clinical Director of the Southern Home for Children, Director of Clinical Services at the Albert Einstein Community Mental Health Center, and Director of Family Therapy at the Einstein Medical Center. Currently, he is Director of Extended Treatment Programs for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Hahnemann Medical College. The seminar was arranged and directed by Mr. Robert Santos Director of Consultation and Educanon of the I uzerne-Wyoming County Mental Health Center, District | “Td Professor Andrew Shaw. Jr., Director of the Institute of Regional Affairs. Let's Get Together Again TWENTIETH ANNUAL AWARDS DINNER Tuesday, May 23 - 6:30 PM New Men’s Dormitory $2.50 Per Person RESERVATION DEADLINE MAY 19 �affairs institute of regional The basic idea is to apply the resources newsletter VOL. XIX x:— NEW TOWNS NO. 4 APRIL IM”2 community service, orig 0||ege. Notes and ««’“••• VERSUS object to the hoplessness that nothing J» Can k It wisely proposes a "dual strategy” des designed t d°ne. such expansion rather than allow it to grow uncJ and then to provide as much of an alternative th°lled development of "growth centers". GROWTH CENTERS In Pennsylvania, as well as other populous states, the European idea of constructing entirely new towns to ease ^pressures on urban, suburban, and metropolitan areas, is in its infancy. Although our limited experience in this country indicates some promise of benefits, even the most optomistic expectations leave much to be desired. For one thing, should too much attention be paid to the development of completely new towns where none existed before, will funding limitations continue to cause the country to ignore existing communities which appear to be stagnant but which have some reasonable promise of potential development and growth if attended to? A car or plane trip anywhere in the east never fails to impress one with the tremendous problems of over­ population, congestion, air pollution, and the like, in highly urbanized metropolitan areas. With industry and business continuing to stick as close as possible to profitable populous areas, urban sprawl continues to expand and enlarge already overwhelming social and governmental problems. and private sources to encourage growth urban centers in economically depressed r as Northeast Pennsylvania, in order to enh ' nificantly the opportunities for residents in thes^' Cultivation of growth of such communities potential in the hinterland might well decongestion in populous urban areas. Center Strategy” r~ ir„e„C.omrnended fOr areas with development potential — ranging in tion from about 25,000 to 350,000 and capable of'.Popula. sion to 50,000 to 500,000 - "to create new jobs exPan. 5 nearer to or within the declining rural areas”. A "Growth is It is generally conceded that programs of Economic Development Administration, the Appa|acXthe ■ian Regional Commission and the Title V regional ' commis. sions have produced only limited success. The Commission urges that some communities will grow without outside intervention. For other communities "no reasonable amount of future investment could forestall the necessity for population decline as an adjustment to the decline in job opportunities". The Commission would not simply write off those communities in chronically depressed areas which have outlived their economic function. Rather than attempt to stem such decline, it would seek ways of easing the decline process, assisting, though not encouraging, out­ migration of those who may want to leave and maintain­ ing the basic services for those choosing to remain. This new approach to alleviating the problems of metropolitan areas by helping existing growth centers might be symbolized by the famous statement of Edward Bok, onetime citizen of Scandanavian birth, who, when criticized for having words of praise for his native land replied, "When I take a wife, must I throw away my mother”? In other words, is it wise to create new towns and commit the old ones to inevitable decline an The Commission on Population Growth and the American Future has officially recognized neglect of existing communities which are standing still or moving very slowly because more spectacular programs such as the "New Town” concept have received most official attention. What this Commission has now done, in effect, is to focus attention on a question that most who live in such "ignored” communities have long asked Why don’t we do something to take the pressure off excessive expansion of the nation’s metropolitan regions by helpmg smaller cities with some growth potential? In other words, why don’t we do something about my town? 6 ----» successful The Russian moon shots are much IIIVI more found 20 percent than the American shots since they f„. fewer cavities. If an object It’s easy to understand modern art. can walk bangs on the wall, it's a painting; if y°u ‘ In its final report just issued, the Commission called for removal of barriers to population stabilization coupled with a crackdown of migrants and restriction of around it, it’s sculpture. finished Did you ever stop to think, if Puccini had W0Uld Madame Butterfly two weeks earlier, his opera review'mm'|Vaa|Osn CUrrent.Ievels- subject to periodic jew. It also suggested overhaul of suggested top-to-bottom t----- ' Policy-making machinery to give the enuntrv r to give the c—■ on public and private actions influencing or infl a influencing by population distribution. g ° influenced have been called Madame Caterpillar. growth' inXtSeOxpaX8nif COntinued urban formerly rural fringe areas, isTneviublT B« MoS demise? WHN THOUGHTS FOR TODAY money to I found c_: ’ out that the government sends getti ng a I should be underdeveloped areas, I figure I -Lsizable check shortly. -r who Lady Godiva was the greatest woman horseever lived. She put everything she had oni one ° is the' The only quarrel with an inferiority compleX people who need one never have it. URBANKS?? ■ al officia's struggling their best to become I MuH'O11?^ the strange names of new federal programs , „j|iar aSSist local government financially are f :^edbe chaflenged by another. URBANKS! 1^aboutt0 oontrols the P|oSss' ofiS T t0° far-fetched to < the ultimate to envisage ,b”!h such a potential ly dangeroi The federal J " urbank” plan which is Othethat f°r neW bills in the Congress propose the A sP f various federal banks designed to assist creati°n ° nrnents in financing capital requirements loCal 8° g are not enough already. The idea behind all 3s ifther that in a time of troubled market conditions ofthemJhe better to sell state and local obligations to itw°u'd | government than through the traditional the It channels. I pf'Va proposed federal banks - "urban banks”, TheSe ks”. or- “Urbanks” for short, have a common I .‘rural ban Tha new federal "bank” would sell its own aPProach’b|igations in the general market and use the taxable °w pUrchase municipal offerings at lower "tax proceeds relying on the Congress to make annual '^adons to make up the difference. The appropria1 appr°Prl c|aimed, would leave the municipal borrowers i tionS’ 'nd would cost the federal government nothing. intaCt mention is that the Treasury would take back the The,C? „ by taxing the interest paid out on the “banks” 'u° Jions whereas no tax could be levied if the °b 'tinals were sold directly to the public. This claim mUn't|y based on Treasury testimony in 1968 that it I |S P ' in income ravpc: taxes, aa full full 42 42 nerr.ent percent nf of thp the I could recover, interest paid if municipals should become taxable than municipalities could lose by selling i which is more , taxable obligations. Thus the "Urbank” solution boils down to letting 1 municipalities sell taxable bonds indirectly through the federal “Urbank” with every level of government the gainer. These proposals may, of course, have some merit. One observation seems valid, however. Municipalities and their responsible officials should by now have i sufficient experience with so-called "give-away federal programs to realize that any plan which costs nothing to realize that any plan which costs nothing to anyone and 1benefits all at the same time should ■ --------------. At be suspect. At least they should be carefully probed. Some objections already seem obvious even before any of the proposals have been adopted. For example, a federal “urbank” free, but not com­ pelled, to lend could exert enormous influence over state and local government policies wholly outside of the proper federal sphere as has occurred under other existing programs. It takes no stretch of the imagination ,? “ee that in reviewing municipal applications, t e urbank" administrator may be influenced, even if only ““consciously, by a myriad of political considerations "poht’^ dest and t'le meanesc sense °f th6 wor Ri?°?er Possibility may be that the “urbank” concept gives 7 7 ■ | w dwarf and Perhap^e/et'. era• l government the potential “ltimately°dry "up'^the"interest of privateunder- I rtersS°:flf rmunicipal the Environmental'' WHN FEDERAL revenue FAVORS CITIES bill hivhlvdnnhrReVTe SLharing leSislati°n. which has been for LPn 6 rasJhe best hope for financial salvation for urban areas of the country, appears to be stalled in the legislative mill. So far, the most productive action promises to be the scheduled action on April II by the House Ways and Means Committee on a proposal to share S5.3 billion in federal revenues annually with $1.8 billion reserved for the states and $3.5 billion for cities and counties. Under the House Committee proposal, all incorporated municipalities would be eligible for aid, including governmental entities short-changed on federal programs for lack of required matching capability, ineligible for lack of planning, or lacking staff skilled in grantsmanship. The proposed formula for alloting shares of the total grant fund includes need, as reflected by low income, and tax effort as shown by the level of spending in relation to tax base. Should this proposed measure be adopted ultimately, the smaller urban and rural areas will again be short­ changed. On the assumption that the degree of urbaniza­ tion inflates public costs, not to say urban voting strength, there is a built-in factor favoring cities of 50,000 population or more, at least during the initial operation of the program. As interpreted by Committee sources, there is a strong urban bias, in fact, in formulas for allocation of funds among states, county areas within states, county and municipal governments within counties, and between municipalities of varying sizes. States would be given latitude, however, in allocating funds among counties5 a,J ' jndivMu^Hawors. city lobby, and the n recently organized lobby_for sm it would be naive not to expect favor the metropolises. In an(j fura| areas, weighing w : of the everi to problems The . . growing emphasis < or areawide for spending on a multicounty by providing f— taking hold. states where regionalisnn iss^ counties basis in Specifically, where two, or_ more certain have been designate £ offerings. Should “urbanks ever 1 f me the -a major or, perhaps, the only available source I 'Or ^ [p.. n.'5'Pal ■ borrowing, it increases the threat of •tation and control. At best we could be new spreading federal bureaucracy with al a.nd costliness of unravelling its red P^who of the implications of the old adage about v... farthest along Financing Authority, other _ grant-in-aid to finance the a Still others ere more general as urban development, of revenue sharing un s — couMbespent from state resources. (continued on next page) �' " * * ‘ *»IU| |W'»Mh ‘ »’ N <’ Hl m || ' ' «o the A : < ess. .s s ' a final .. me final enactment in recent z~ me ren-s>.' .ania Hare Ru e Act, which permits ties to cete—ne their own tax rates, may have a .e effect on the argument for extensive federal re s~arln= funds. Already heard, even before S-acc signed the Home Rule Act, was the nt- mat * =e--s-i,a-ia v_-:cipalities may set —=■ ~ “. me strongest argument for federal -set 3 go. err—ents strapped by stateoses s:-e «f ts conviction. This era revenue sharing s without zzzzz~ tea officia is mat the ~ tax . - Stations makes it more difficult bcc’es to : ead me need for federal help ie willing, they are not legally ur.ds locally because of state 33s WHN v ■ \ . ■..................... >.............! ■ Nursing Home in Drums; and, Assistant Professor Philip R. Tuhy, Associate Director of the Institute of Regional Affairs at Wilkes CoIIao® Wilkes College. IRA NEWSLETTER uoiiege *ilkeS-Barre, pa. lg703 Non-Profit Organization U. S. POSTAGE RetUfn Posta?e Guaranteed NEWS-LETTER ., Si.ne College l|ndei a n'' '"'il I'h‘ ■ - .: i.-.'.e.H of ■ Education, ' ducat... fro!) ? {her Education Act, 1 itla I. n«p'H f01 the the The purpose of the workshop was v5CXlX. NOJ — kES C 7/llKT' rr°LLEG6 ' atest knowledge and techniques of the ehab.station to practicing nurses, "lode,,, jE resurrection of king ^Pecimi \ lc»l we x 'g directly with physically disabled COAL -,-s-g homes and extended care facilities, lb|ed Dnf L th °se part offorNortheast Pennsylvania Patients A desperately many years to erase its has beer, home health agencies, both public and privai' hospits; in ! tals, W'n,?Coa| Region”. It was a proud appe te. image as The five-session workshop covered the appellation L' reign of King Coal which produced -1 during Mecical aspects (Prothetics and C ...^ Orthotica)' acr'CS as the .... , , *r---------J an an enviable of daily living, home-making-room adjustm, prosperity, in the area. area. V' in the With” the decline of anthracite rave tion activities, psychological and social economically and socially acceptable ^dusuial and domestic fuel, the i acceptable source of munity resources, and the organization and JXd from the major assetnow-scarred coal fields tion of rehabilitation. t to the most apparent the - ■ ce-a-c. liability- The cry to the outside world is that "King The project director was C. , ------was Dr. Arne Olson, Dean of the Nuclear energy School of Health and Sciences and Physical Education Coal is dead! >And, despite the fact that coal produc­ and Sciences requirements as was don remains a significant economic fact of |ife jn tile East Stroudsburg State College. Bruce E. Hayne' 'dgnificanr PCAnnmiSome time in the 5’?' Assistant Professor and Physical Therapist at the same area, there are many who wish he would stay dead. remam low and its j -_--e institution was director of the program. Miss Mary There are valid indications technological developments, a* ' e that the anticipated Margaret O’Donnell of ACSW handled the nomination of "Last Rites” may be somewhat participants for the Pennsylvania Department of Health. differences of degree in the f premature. There are projections, but all prognosticators agree that the demand f Members of the Advisory Committee were: Mrs. i for energy is inVincent J. Gesiskie, R.N., Director of Nursing Services creasing rapidly in the United States ---s and that it will continue to increase significantly__through at the Gesiskie Nursing Home in Waymart; Miss Mary part of this century. With other natural Ji the latter Margaret O’Donnell, ACSW, Regional Social Work facing diminishing reserves, and nuclear energy sources Consultant, Pennsylvania Departmentof Health, Kingston; energy still in the developmental stage, the several centurys ’ reserves Dr. Yasushi Sugiyama, Acting Chairman of the Political capacity to produce low-sulfur S of coal should once again become a major source of Science Department, Wilkes College; Mrs. Charles energy. minimizes air pollution and - ts coal ’a- a r - " Swankoski, R.N., Administrator at the Swankoski PAID Wilkes-Barre, Pa* Permit No. 355 Petroleum, gas, coal, nuclear energy, and hydro­ electric power are currently the primary energy sources. The percent of total energy consumed in the United States in 1970 from each of the above sources, in the " ... «.uc, are 43.0%; 32.8%; 20.0%; .3%; and, 3.8%. are Nationally recognized authorities have estimated the recognized tate of annual increase in energy requirements between aow and 1980 from a low of 3 to a high of 4 percent per j?ar' The Bureau of Mines recently predicted that by e year 2,000 the annual rate of increase in energy consumption will average 3,5 percent. The significant estion which will be of interest to the Northeast nnsylvania area concerns the amount of the annual ncrease shared by coal. suDnloU k')er factors affecting other sources of energy petrole Shoulb give an advantage to coal. In the case of disCovUm’ tbere has been a decline in the amount of oil States'n drilling and exploration of new United ’ta nati'e l Anting the past several years. Since 1967, by l97O°n-,s consumed all the oil it has produced, and Was im ’ a Percent of the oil consumed in this country the Dri orte(T Because of the shortage of domestic oil. Price Cc°nomi Cre,Wil1 Probably increase, making it a less °<nica|3 Source of energy in competition with ot er S°Urces The . 8a 8ass.' Be, 2causeSrhneral situation holds true for natural Se there has been increased use of gas in with other fuels. Other environments" as acid mine drainage and the ravages of str7- also affect coal’s future. A developing shortage arc mald'stnbut.on of railroad hopper cars have interfered with deliveries on long-term utility contracts. The industry has also been plagued by wildcat strikes and other labor problems, and it has been difficu t to recruit young men to take up mining as a life's work. Coal production will probably also be slowed by actions necessary to meet requirements of stiffer federal and state mine health and safety laws. Despite these disadvantages of coal, most experts agree that it has a strong competitive position as a resource for energy production. Coal’s share of total energy consumed in the United States by 19S0 may even shrink from the 1970 level of 20.0 percent to only 16.7 percent in relation to other sources. But, in terms of tonnage, the demand for coal production will steadily increase because there is expected to be such a large over-all increase in energy requirements. In 1970, for example, coal consumption equaled 526 65 million tons. Consequently, if coal produces 16.7 percent of the nation's energy in 1985, the total coal production in that year would be up to 850 million tons, according to the Bureau of mines. Should the coal industry succeed in its current experiments to make this energy source socially clean by conversion into other fuels, the future ot coal ts (continued on next page) �wH0 NEEDS SCHOOLS? may be paid at registration up to the fjrst or special arrangements for installment parranged through Professor Si les. The ~ fee has held to a minimum to help defray the exPensi testing, staffing, and supplies. °f^Ss INSTITUTE OF REGIONAL affairs NEWSLETTER VOL. XIX NO. 5 MAY 15, 1972 This News-letter, published monthly as a community service, originates in the Institute of Regional Affairs of Wilkes College. Notes and inquiries may be addressed to Director, Institute of Regional Affairs Wilkes College, WilkesBarre, Pennsylvania 18703. Subscription free upon request. even more enhanced. Pilot plants to convert coal (except for ash) into synthetic pipeline gas which is a complete substitute for natural gas are already operating in Chicago and Homer City, Pennsylvania. A plant to convert coal into synthetic liquid fuels, like petroleum, has been in operation in West Virginia for several months. Conversion into ash-free fuel, now in the pilot stage, yields a fuel free of ash and sulfur that can be handled either as a solid or liquid. If the predictions materialize, coal may once again be a prime economic resource in Northeast Pennsylvania. There are those who would eliminate mining entirely, especially strip mining. Such opposition would probably disappear with assurance that a resurrected “King Coal” would not ravish the countryside as he did in the past. There is some such assurance in the fact that Penn­ sylvania now leads the nation in stringency and enforce­ ment of mining regulations. Although the effort is somewhat diluted because the overwhelming problem of remedying past transgressions diverts resources from preventive measures, the experiences gained under current law may produce techniques and policies which will assure that a resurrected King Coal will be a benevolent monarch. WHN THIRD SUMMER R.E.A.D. PROGRAM Plans for the Third Annual Summer R.E.A.D. Program were announced this week by Professor George Sites, Associate Director for Educational Planning in the Institute of Regional Affairs. The Reading Excellence Attainment Development Program of Wilkes College for this year will start on July 21. Sessions will be held Monday through Friday from 9:00 to 12:00 Noon in Kirby Hall and the dormitory at 76 West South Street. The summer session will provide specially designed reading programs for all age groups, including children at the Elementary and Junior-Senior P' ' High School levels as well as pre-college students and "d any adults who desire to improve reading skills. Registration for the program is now being accepted by mail, phone, or in person at the Institute of Regional Affairs, 165 South Franklin Street, Wilkes-Barre, Pa. A tuition fee of SI25.00 is requested from new students, and $100.00 for students previously enrolled. Tuition ,es of The basic approach to the Readir individual attention made possible by"s. ’>• teacher ratio. Each instructor, qualified a instructor with a master s degree in this is responsible for only two students during/^ summer session. --entire I. ‘K-j All students receive a battery of tests imn?diately following admission to the instructional center and parents are kept informed of progress Students initial and final written reports. Interim reports through are also given when required and extensive counsel' ’ provided both students and parents. Ingd is Three types of instructional areas are util' Room "A” consists of a wide range of mechanical electronic devices which are not only highly sophistic instructional tools, but which have a fascination whi'h neither children nor grown-ups can resist. Room “B" contains programmed materials • for independent stud and self-directed instruction. In both rooms, trained aides supervise and assist each student under direction of his particular teacher. Aides are skilled under­ graduate students who have completed a professional semester which includes reading instruction. Room “C” is used exclusively for directed reading instruction, and the emphasis is on f ’ ____ Mi a relaxed tutorial atmosphere between student and teacher. Each student spends a portion of each session in each of the in­ structional areas. In addition, there are frequent field trips, including the Eugene S. Farley Library and the local public library, to give each student an opportunity to make a personal selection of books which he may enjoy throughout the week. Last year more than fifty enrollees, representing about 25 regional public and private schools, completed the course. Such excellent public acceptance indicates an increased demand for registration this year. Since enrollment must be contro lied to maintain the low pupil­ teacher ratio, early registration is encouraged. Since the R.E.A.D. Program has received such widespread interest, this year the general oublic public is invited to drop in and visit either class building throughout the Summer Session to observe at any time. BOOTLEG PRICES FOR SLUM HOUSING needs schools? would be a ridiculous question Wh° needs ■the man on the street. But it doesn’t sound /stupid when posed by the head of an army of ■achers and I,125,000 students. Participants •) tei Seminar held by the Public Affairs Depart Urban Fjrst National City Bank of New York got at a" of the men1 Tnt when made by Dr. Harvey B. Scribner, Chancellor the P01 New York City school system. Here are some of the remarks. of his “Public education in this country is on its knees.’ “School doesn't have to mean a brick building AU we need is a center where people can gathen don-t need a $30 million school building to accomodate students. All we need is space that's notin use, any kind of space.” “We’ve been thinking little departments, called math, science, English, etc. Not for students. There’s nothing that says this helps or is a better way of organizing a high school. Why is it done? To help us administrators. It satisfies our purposes and gives us an opportunity to elevate some people.” “What’s so special about September and June that we should start the school year and end it in Couldn’t we create educational these months? where young people could come 180 days out of a ------year,, on the days that are best for them?” “If you want to have art all morning instead of a 40-minute period, why not? Who says learning goes better in 40-minute periods?” “Would you be surprised to be told that classifying people in terms of first, second, and third grade is as realistic as classifying them in terms of 100 pounders, 110 pounders or 120 pounders? They would probably have more in common if you did it on a weight basis.” “We need some other way to define education besides paper certificates. If you trundled off to a university next fall, and left all your credentials home, where do you think you would wind up? — 95 percent of you would be freshmen again.” When asked if he had support for what he said, Scribner responded without hesitation: “'It must be obvious I don't have support from overwhelming numbers, ut I d rather be around a short time and say what I ave said than play that old game of patting everyone on tbe back and be around a long time.” Get the Point? Only local governments can deflate the bootleg of sum housing by strict code enforcement an taxation. A block-by-block survey survey shows tha A block-by-block Philadelphia, vigorous code enforcement has so e central-city housing prices that a large percentag or the 14,400 row houses now vacant can be bou > $ put, in decent move-in condition for $4,000 cas or This compares with an average cost of $20' new public housing, and $12,300 now budgeted Housing Authority to buy blighted units and over completely, no matter how much fixing really need. |f FHA or other special f'.r.s made available, this $4,000 would make it PoS’ oven relief clients, black or white, to buy decent used homes. f the L the"1 the/ whose Rights lrSS'°n |; . lease nose CAN 1 PUNCH? there0-^311^ Realistically, . . a a tax tax is is a a tax tax is is a a tax! tax! are taxes and there are taxes! Inevitable as death, taxes ’ may be an equally acceptable entree to a fuller life, ( now °r an unwe'come and painful ordeal without grace. How ■ Al"ericLdLe !S lar8e|y beyond our control, but, as every prem.,^1 Sch°°' Pupil knows, how we are taxed is the elected IVe °f the living taxpayer exercised through be nn a?er>ts. The only choice denied is that there tax«atall. choose their is bestseller list. “Tax aga'n number one on the everyone’s “0Ur song ” R I?™ f°r You and Me” is observation 'thlunste^of insFst°US t0 dramatize the inis year at the federal level the pain of the income tax was eased very slightly by an increase in the personal dependent exemption. This was heralded as tinnc ' Wh'le hundreds of Profit-making corporans paid no tax at all. Pennsylvania’s “uniform” income tax, enacted in spite of explicit and implicit protest among legislators, (“We think thou protesteth too much ) is in practice anything but uniform This too, was hailed as “tax reform.” So, too, was the pitiful relief from local property taxes levied against the aged. And what is the picture at the local government level? “Tax reform" under the Home Rule Act consists of continuation of the state restrictions on the kinds of local taxes, but elimination of the limits on tax rates, the naive expectation being that at last local govern­ ments will levy enough taxes to carry a fair share of the local service burden. At the same time, municipal lobbyists press heavily for state permission to raise the local earned income tax rate. Once we become aware that true tax reform must be equitable and comprehensive, we can recognize the deceptive fragmented “tax reforms” for what they really are - nitpicking. Ultimately, we suppose, equitable comprehensive reform will come at all levels of govern­ ment when the individual taxpayer refuses to be satisfied with an occassional tranquilizer and faces up to his obligation to insist on equity and fight for it, using all the built-in controls available in our democratic system. The starting point, perhaps, is to stop the evergrowing tendency of citizens to accept and applaud the efforts of their local, county, and state officials to evade financial responsibilities at their respective levels by running to the higher levels for funding local programs. We wonder, though, if the relief-seeking taxpayer may be falling into the historic trap of remote control taxation Perhaps we need relearn the age-old lesson chance of securing h — a right does not in itself ensure it. 'leal of pe nothing until exercised. And there is a goo bsve hepVldence tblat in this respect the American people n’ and may continue to be, in default. T is |_oca| government Washington? x-yrnon 76-1353JU WHN or �regional REGIONAL approach seminar ENDS JUNE 21st The Eighth and final session of the Wilkes College Seminar on the "Regional Approach to Loca Govern ment Problems” will be held on Wednesday, June 21st, in Room 53, Parrish Hall, South River Street, WilkesBarre, Penna, from 7:30 to 9:30 P.M. Each of the previous seven sessions was devoted to descriptions of cooperative municipal projects in specific services or functions which have already proved successful in Pennsylvania. These included intermunicipal agreements, councils of governments, joint purchasing, and other cooperative techniques which enable communities lacking the resources to perform services alone to do so by joining with adjacent or nearby municipalities. Joint problems or services discussed covered environmental functions, public health, planning and structural rehabilitation and renewal, and police and fire protection. The May session featured George Kandra, Public Works Director, City of Allentown, and Michael Kaiser, Executive Director, Joint Planning Commission of Lehigh-Northampton counties. The subject was “The Joint Approach to Problems effecting Traffic and Transportation.” Considerable discussion involved the recent discontinuance of private bus transit in the Lehigh Valley area and the prompt creation of a Joint County Transit Authority which will supervise continued bus service through temporary contract with the private owners. Plans call for eventual purchase of rights and equipment and direct operation by the Joint Authority. Also covered by the two speakers were the con­ sequences of individual community responsibility for street construction and maintenance, control of traffic, snow and ice control, mass transportation in the Luzerne-Lackawanna areas, joint planning and purchas­ ing, mutual equipment utilization, and contracting with private firms to provide needed municipal services. The June “wrap-up” session will examine “How to SamsT Ster lntermuniciPal <” Regional > T° atta,n this obiective, the speakers including William H. Hansell, Jr., Business Administrator City of Allentown - will utilize selected SUp experience in Pennsylvania e.... communities, such aspects as legal requirements, f f!nancingS.sing projects, education of the public, steps in coop®' .'nt organization process, controls, local n representat 'Ve periodic review and evaluation of Projects, anatl°n, excessive price of continued isolatiiOtl Which can'!!6 reduced by joint effort. an be The session is open without charge and withOut prior registration to any official or member of the general public. WHAT DO WE REALLY WANT? The most urgent question facing urban America tod is "What kind of City do we want?” Everybody talking about it, writing about it, and- making soeerk nes about it. But the more they talk and write LsPeeche. ; the greater the confusion seems to grow. Much of the talk comes from people who don’t like cities and just want to Ret away from them; and much of the talk com; .comes from peOp|e who think the local needs and problems -■••s of our cities can only be solved from Washington. What’s wrong with today’s cities could be cured a lot faster if people could be given a better understanding and a clearer vision of what kind of city to demand and insist on getting. THOUGHTS FOR TODAY Democracy is the art of disciplining oneself so that one need not be disciplined by others. Criticism can be avoided by saying nothing, doing nothing, and being nothing. Of all the labor-saving devices for women, a husband is still the handiest. If your wife laughs at your it’s because your jokes jokes it's because >a a I somebody told her she has beautiful teeth. A man who’s putty in his wife’s hands is apt to be in pretty bad shape. While attending an office party it is wise to remain seated while the room is in motion. People, like boats, toot loudest when they are in a fog. IRA NEWSLETTER Institute of Regional Affairs Wilkes College Wilkes-Barre, Pa. 18703 Non-Profit Organization U. S. POSTAGE Return Postage Guaranteed Wilkes-Barre, Pa. Permit No. 355 PAID �N- FLO^>s tm*?ARY O APR 14 1976 ' . BINDERS gOPSBUR^X �. ■ .• • ■ ,:Y; .■- ■ I .■.’- <:• ■ WILKES UNIVERSITY LIBRARY I: a.':: ■' IO' '■ ■.■■■ iff ■ ■ .•.............................................................. ••■••■• IIHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII 1 :0CES52fl7 • sy; •■-■'■■? ' at •r •;■ ’ -1 ; v‘ <7 07 ■■ -7 .a7 J1 L-* -:' -C ■ | \ ... |f | s y..' ' J-' __ -•-'s?sv5s®?iji<“ S<< hs® j < ■ ■ '-■'■■/y' ' ■ 7- <■ ■ ■ .... . |®S& ■. .|M -; ■ ■■ '■'■ ' Wl Oil ■ ■7 ■ r . ■ . i — *•: •' . - . ■ • ,,®.. "; � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Luzerne County Newsletters and Institute for Regional Affair Newsletters, 1952-1975 Subject The topic of the resource Political Science; Luzerne County; Institute for Regional Affairs; Wyoming Valley Description An account of the resource A collection of newsletters created by the Political Science Department at Wilkes College from 1952-1975 for Luzerne County and later the Institute for Regional Affairs. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Political Science Department (Hugo Mailey) Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1952-1975 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Type The nature or genre of the resource Newsletters Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Luzerne County Newsletter, 1971-1972 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Political Science Department Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1971-1972 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Type The nature or genre of the resource Newsletter https://omeka.wilkes.edu/omeka/files/original/2ac33e0d6c2ddd5cb7d003514450dc44.pdf 0952ef58496060c4b45010a7b6a4410f PDF Text Text �k ) EUGENE SHEDDEN FARLEY LIBRARY 1933 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA. �ARCHIVES ’ ‘ ffiEAdURE ROOM NEWS-L 35^1 ?uc; VJ?, IW ^l^OLLKeJLK&BW^Pa VOj- xyiiL NOj. A PPRAISAL TECHNIQUES I ,'.r Appraisal Techniques I to arranged ___ for College campus by the InterThe IRA has the Wilkes C. of Assessing Officers. This course l offered on t.. those persons who have not attended national Association is designed for ; and for those persons who have z ___ previous schoolsthe assessment/appraisal field. The recentlyoffers entered t instruction in the basic appraisal principles, course c— and methods. techniques, will be conducted from Monday, The course ..</ 19, 1970 to Friday, January 23, 1970. Registralanuary 19, 1970 to rno«z, u------- , don will be held in fRoom 50, "Parrish ' ' Hall, uz:n Wilkes xoe College. Tuition, an A and AP textbook, and a syllabus Tuition, an /. are included for $61.00. Arrangements can be made included for $61.00. locally for hotel or rmotel ___ i .accommodations. An examination wi 11 be given at the end of the course. Although the examination is not mandatory, a certificate will be awarded those who successfully complete the examination. Successful completion of this course meets the entrance requirement for CAE candidacy. TAX EXEMPTION In the last issue the article on tax exemptions for colleges and universities dealt with the constitutional and legal basis for exemption. This second and final part deals with the economic and cultural impact of a college on the community. The economic impact of a college — often not ful y appreciated - is the result of the dollars spent on p y ro"s, construction, and purchase of supplies an materials locally, and the economic power of its facu ty, "on-professional staff, and student body. While it may appear difficult to estimate the total economic impact, 11's a fact that colleges tend to be steady employers i„dusare re'atively recession-proof in comparison with banner lnstudies confirm these conclusions. Ernest R. ■' "The Economic f L°cal Cor Impact of a University on its "’’"'unity,•” (AlP Journal, September, 1969) stated: "Each derates’ dollar directly expended by the university 10 direct ' a host iof indirect transactions ... In addition and i iMhe Univa' indirect effects, the total economic impact :rsity , be assessed without considering Std afe?s cannot as well. The total impact will be '^eff.' the r 'acts.’•sum total of the direct, indirect, and The study est the university ii sales (in the Bou Another stud) impact of Husson a small college i income and emp surrounding area source of expenc above the colleg tures may not all Some students co from it. Student or scholarships v, within the area w was found that f 66 % of the total The income student spending The author < new jobs. In a employees and ; jobs. As a res the impact of found to be mu< the number of i that of a manu The author r to a hypothetic amount of expor concluded that a college than multiplier for tf Assuming that had the same hypothetical sh employment has In other wo three new jobs created indirec college creates Mt- Vizard multiplier dep, spending. Tht resources local Purchases large •t goes without �eugenb shedde library news-letter VOL. XVIII, NO. I WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PENNA APPRAISAL TECHNIQUES I The |RA has arranged for Appraisal Techniques I to offered on the Wilkes College campus by the Inter­ national Association of Assessing Officers. This course is designed for those persons who have not attended previous schools and for those persons who have recently entered the assessment/appraisal field. The course offers instruction in the basic appraisal principles, techniques, and methods. The course will be conducted from Monday, January 19, 1970 to Friday, January 23, 1970. Registra­ tion will be held in Room 50, Parrish Hall, Wilkes College. Tuition, an A and AP textbook, and a syllabus are included for $61.00. Arrangements can be made locally for hotel or motel accommodations. An examination wi 11 be given at the end of the course. Although the examination is not mandatory, a certificate will be awarded those who successfully complete the examination. Successful completion of this course meets the entrance requirement for CAE candidacy. Another study by Richard Vizard on the economic impact of Husson College in Bangor, Maine, shows that a small college may have a significant impact on both income and employment in the community and in the surrounding area. The author found that the largest source of expenditures was student spending over and above the college fees. These supplementary expendi­ tures may not all represent a net addition to the economy. Some students come from the area and derive their funds from it. Students may receive income from jobs, loans or scholarships within the area. When the funds generated within the area were deducted from the total spending, it was found that funds from outside the area amounted to 66% of the total spent. The author stated that the multiplier also creates new jobs. In a growing college the demands of more employees and a larger student body create more local jobs. As a result of student supplementary spending, the impact of the college on local employment was found to be much greater than would be expected from the number of its employees. It is actually equal to that of a manufacturer employing many more workers. In the last issue the article on tax exemptions for colleges and universities dealt with the constitutional and legal basis for exemption. This second and final part deals with the economic and cultural impact of a college on the community. The author made his point by comparing the college to a hypothetical shoe company which brought the same amount of export income as the college to the area. He concluded that the employment multiplier is higher for a college than for the shoe factory. The employment multiplier for the shoe company was estimated at 1.33. Assuming that export income generated by the college had the same indirect impact on employment as the hypothetical shoe factory, the college's impact on local employment has a multiplier effect of 2.33. The economic impact of a college — often not fully appreciated - is the result of the dollars spent on payro"-• s, construction, construction, and and purchase purchase of of supplies supplies and and niaterials locally, and the economic power of its faculty, Dnn.^»_r ^'Professional staff, and and student student body. body. While it may ------ ' staff, appear difficult to estimate the total economic impact, it is a fact that colleges tend to be steady employers and indust^ relatively recess'on-proof in comparison with try. iMaimy studies confirm these conclusions. Ernest R. Bom Lo/Tr'H Th® Economic Impact of a University on its , Community," (Al P J ournal, September, 1969) stated: by the university, to dire^ 3 h°st indirect transactions ... In addition oftheeCt.and indirect effects, the total economic impact , inducean'VerS*ty cannot be assessed without considering ’ defied e^ects as well. The total impact will be ■JUced ff the SUm tOtal °f the direct’ indirect, and indi The study estimated that the expenditure of $1 00 by the university invokes $1.37 worth of production of sales (in the Boulder, Colorado, area). The income multiplier for higher education and for student spending was estimated at 2.9. TAX EXEMPTION generEaCh dollar directly expended JANUARY 15, 1970 In other words, the author concluded that for every three new jobs in the shoe factory, one new job was z.z"‘/ three new jobs at the created indirectly, but, every additional jobs in the community. college creates four Vizard further stated, "The size of the income Mr on the average amount of local multiplier depends < Thus, an industry which acquires all of its spending. •• — • —■ iueall, :.„s a higher multiplier than one which resources locally has __ large quantities of materials outside the area, purchases I without saying that because a college requires It goes \»>...— - . (continued) 12^687 �aS d^el°Plnd 3 -dit:Xigi;ae PedneXp' e‘r - v INSTITUTE of OF 'N Dr. Hugo V. V. Rtwvn- AFFAIRS REGIONAL Mailey. Director Mailey, a newsletter vol. XVIII NO. I JANUARY 15, 1970 This News:letteor’igjnaushin th™ Institute of community service, g Notes and ^-a'Affa^fXs Jd mDr. Hugo V. inquiries may be addres Affairs> EcX^£^'Pe'insyl7nia 18703 Subscription free upon request. fewer purchases outside, the economic impact is equal to that of a factory with a much larger number of employees. The direct economic impact that Wilkes College has had on the community can easily be ascertained when the following data is considered: - Wilkes students spend in the area ($2,300,800) - Wilkes payroll spent mostly in the area ($2,561,281) -Wilkes College operating expenses, excluding The balance sheet shows conclusively that the loss of revenues to a community because of tax exemption of college property is returned manyfold because the College HVM -Wilkes construction, all done by local contractors, was ($1,118,300 average annually) The operating costs, largely spent locally, now approximate $6,000,000 per year, increasing at a rate of $1/2 million per year since I960. Planned expansion costs in the future will average $1/2 million per year. Colleges and universities are industries in the full economic sense. What is frequently overlooked, however, is that all the other community benefits derived from tax exemption of such institutions, are of the indirect, or “spill-over”, variety which cannot be measured with the same yard­ stick. How do you calculate in dollars the value of a college to a community in its efforts to attract new industry? How do you calculate the worth of cultural assets of a university or college? For instance, last year Wilkes College sponsored: - 9 art exhibits. - 6 dramatic productions at the College Theater. -72 athletic events (football, basketball, soccer, golf, baseball, lacrosse, swimming, etc.). - 15 special films, including such classics as Anna Karenina, Woman in the Dunes, The Bridge The Critic, and Juliette of the Spirits. -21 concerts featuring such gri groups as the Wilkes College Band, Chorus, Opera, -» and the Town and Gown Concert Series. - 19 recitals by the students and faculty of the Music Department. 3 major lectures c on the subjects world population, and poetry. Further, how do you raln.j,. community service of a college o “rt of freedom, > W°rth of the COUNCIL i1 MANAGER At a time when the council-manager form of municipal government has become dominant in the United States, it may come as a surprise to be told that managers are now performing much the same functions within our political and governmental system, as they were more than two generations ago. If managers have not changed their functions in response to the new demands of a rapidly urbanizing society, it seems logical to conclude that the profession must be entering a period of infirmity ; ^antesi‘ ve I vt-eSp«nS J^ott Much less apparent, however, benefits. Colleges and universities '"crease prestige of a city or region, improve its ( pos'tion in e competition for industrial activities, offer c nm he P °8ratts which serve many residents not directly< a a part of the institution, and provide economic stability within an area. These are all important considerate _p"s in the marketability of a city and its environs, Cr|t'cisrn of tax exempt institutions overlooks the very signjf•■■leant fact that the major community benefits of universjf and colleges are not measurable in the same terms"ies are the benefits of tax revenues. The public read'as readily recognizes, and welcomes, the direct contribution" -La to the community through increased employment. But, th" future status of tax exemption for institutions of higher learning in Pennsylvania will be determined ultimately by the significance and relative weight which a Mm. munity and its officials place upon such intangible, but productive, benefits. is there. faculty salaries, were ($3,1 18,000) - the Certificates of Attainment from Arson p Street Maintenance?) Tax Clinic? conf' public school officials? Direct 61 ^stance t government officials? Upward Bound? And njse th t more tedUCvth beCal goverPe becaUSer is the. the Cound of the of of the of inientrhe turn at the Part of ts 3 m'all erlt P^'J alr of the ’ed i by d°ml . n ular It waSln muni<ed frorne*uppos -sed r< century-Packagem’ .reSent ; Ci goven ;ader • iunity le' is that ; myth 'anagerrringa"d eV0lV'"8 expert > recurhr' e8n considered <as an modern e^aS,S’,total °fth'S his htical even >n The 7 has us«iually The myth -f ha$ apohtica der- . >heTnn nation, but, """"Xy confined to a purely in *1 capacity as a capac|ty ci ties are • l-f Of & S "- ^iCa that that he he is a P1 . has be i and advisory role. and advisory iechn'CiL demographic. . than the s„ .he authors, that the truthhof »“ T'the hematter ”lX • major political actor is and has always ■“TTS distrlbX of political .««i! ’T determined t »»litical act'°?h! ” «p. «< of consensus among political y XX personality of individual managers well as the political values of the community. as COUNTY He has The Luzerne System will s°o1 was recently av missioners for th considerably low should begin witl The County bids for the radi future. The c< always had a leadership role in urban government, he identifies problems and suggests solutions on which the council can decide. The authors contend that there really was no such evolution of the legitimate and productive functions of the manager, despite the fact that the successive revisions of the IMCA Code of Ethics did reflect ar ' ' a recognition of' what they term “myths”. They recognize that the functions service agreemt and the Muni ci p< The Pennsyl the funding of tl of the county ba ZntoSXSCti0nS °f the manaSer VaHed in of the structure rUCtU? and public s°Phisticadon 'in their at it de/ municipal gc Bollens and John C. Ries, both of the They do J„,„. , —0 not avoid the obvious University . T”lous th« the University of of California, California, reach reach an opposite conclusion unctions of a „ in a monograph titled "The City Manager Profession- "tunity in which a politically f Myths and Realities.” The relatively brief book is pan '8 ly rt; apathy was the But the of the City Manager Profession Series which is being ^munitie;, — general atmosphere jn prpgreSsive enough to published by Public Administration Service. This litte ^nager p|ar a °Pt the counci |SUch thatfro mi book focuses major attention on the nature o e ^Ve always 1 the whole pa“m;:;ing, managers environment in which the manager finds himself. modln'Strat've. lershiP Unctions The authors agree with everyone else on the rapM mana| clerical, me r ‘*er Profession. UnCtlons attributed changing environment in our cities, but maintain ■ -d to the fro4ared by^'the/1 7°Urce the maintenance of the stable functions of manager5^ s °f tha manager th the face of such environmental change adds up^^ ■ politicai 37beginni tors 'n the /’ hat 's professional maturity, not old age and decline. - r^°fessiona| point of departure is that the functions and justi a, . form has of the manager profession at various stages u|g development were only myths created by Partl^ ta techn; Ce by, " Ure only has response to cultural values and social cond'tl°fl)nctio|' as'"1ic!‘l lev ,Sett'ng anaXiniit his eff °f. a mana ma technj *e*• The m local ‘ ger, given time, whereas, in reality, their constant eve[ n^rialc.a ones *ore loca| -JUes and has been their application of expertise in w , PoThus''^rsh a iss '" ’ ship. He “es t0 direction it may lead. a the iion! J^rhy^ilo ved What are the myths of the evolving manager pr° and decline. John C. . the rnent* to b® tinue -i th! con1been It has ent P .agemj the wh'chi has meet myths’ tial to essent the in It is pol i to Pe 3rtiS.e ctorexP litical a pol—i ti ng ,resen In P1 rnana2er coun cil-r" its ,tance> accep requ be should ncerned vitally co social technoloSlcT a aomonds more 'e.tosb’P ^Tmation which exercise. isinS ad"1 <ana re;desTlocal ‘ a."™ \o < GQ\ tt1 ■”«XT'h“”sh“" ”Tphere """‘■■•managerr"1^^ A Vermont Springfield) ha< in P-nSyita^ Sewer diSposa| governmental f statutei a Polic water rP°I luti on out this° POli Qy Since this is a to 2°ning. The Ts a" PeX?f Pn the (continued) ager <al -ins for Plan has t■Ch°ncePts gainer hat the •• in1 S'ven Ptes enCe In r ■ short, hap‘Ppened, •n a city/ is h a su is som etim, c,ty. a ’g. Co, SubiUrfc �Certificates AFFAIRS ONAL -y. Director Of Attai Street Maintenance?) public school TER Much benefits, 15, 1970 NO. I ed to Dr. Hugo V. of Regional Affairs, , Pennsylvania 18703 ton request. tonomic impact is equal ger number of employees, that Wilkes College has ly be ascertained when le area (22,300,800) in the area ($2,56 1,28 I) excluding expenses, 18,000) 7. D'tect a Bound?SSZtrfn'ce ' leSCol.PParent’ . “nd orany how' r -i!6 The balance sheet shows conclusively that th. i of revenues to a community because of tax expm , °SS college property is returned manyfold because the Colle°’ locally, At a time when the council-manager form of municipal government has become dominant in the United States, it may come as a surprise to be told that managers are j, however, is that all ved from tax exemption direct, or "spill-over”, :d with the same yarddollars the value of a efforts to attract new * the worth of cultural For instance, last e? he College Theater. II, basketball, soccer, imming, etc.). ng such classics as he Dunes, The Bridge, he Spirits. groups as the Wilkes jra, and the Town and ts and faculty subjects late the of the of freedom, worth of the r university? Guidance •airs (over 500 received f°Vetral non-political administration" to the present "nUhasis on the manager as a “community leader”. The sum total of this recurring and evolving myth is that T manager has usually been considered as an expert • 6administration, but apolitical even in his modern '"ythical capacity as a "community leader". The myth has been that he is a professional confined to a purely technical and advisory role. Moreover, today cities are undergoing demographic, technological, and social transformation which demands more leadership than the city manager can exercise. tion cion in tbeir their attitudes toward municipal government. They do not attempt to avoid the obvious that the functions of a manager in a politically unstable com- MANAGER Planned expansion $1/2 million per year. "'’movement against corrupt government at the turn reforrn century. It was initially a small part of the of | reform package. In municipalities dominated by ^"^iddle class, city management moved from "popular *l’e ml|T1ent” to "good government," which presupposed and decline. , , John C. now s industries in the full den’°cra difficulties of the times. Council-manager of the nt was tauted as a significant part of the 8°vern,I,rlt of popular government, a segment of the now performing much the same functions within our political and governmental system, as they were more than two generations ago. If managers have not changed their functions in response to the new demands of a rapidly urbanizing society, it seems logical to conclude that the profession must be entering a period of infirmity HVM COUNCIL increasing at a rate of 0. the city manager plan was developed to Orig'na putral efficiency, reduced expenditures, and a P'°vidi7budget. That is the myth because the original balance plan wanted to make government more advocate^ and more responsive to the people because The truth of the matter is, say the authors, that the manager is and has always been a major political actor in the community, The scope of his political action is determined by the distribution of political power within a community, the degree of consensus among political leaders, and the personality of individual managers, as well as the political values of the community. He has always had a leadership role in urban government; he identifies problems and suggests solutions on which the council can decide. The authors contend that there really was no such evolution of the legitimate and productive functions of the manager, despite the fact that the successive revisions of the IMCA Code of Ethics did ; reflect a recognition of what they term "myths ”. They recognize that the functions of the manager varied in relation t0 the political structure and public sophistica- nual ly) spent s f,for lQ'3| t; 'ever ’ are a Colleges and nr>the intan 6fs’ a city or region, Universities incre; Sibk competition 'mprove its tor industrial which serve raany ,.sile“„'ts ““''m'3' PositiOn • 'he many residents offer institution, and provide »“n»mic'TiCtly a Part of"s area. These are all ; economi stability’ 6 a" mportant the marketability ofF mportant consid f/"'‘y •"« Its env,,^'- , an tax exempt institutions the -S overlooks the 7 fact that the major — <— community benefits 7, and colleges are not measurable ■ ' t measurable in th» f Uni^rsiJ are the benefits of of tax tax revenues'" revenues Th Same t: terms as recognizes, and welcomes, the direct dirP" rPUblic reOn adi|y the community through increased emX — J? n-:_ - Ct c°ntributi ' uture status of tax exemption for ZtuT’ 'Hth* learning in Pennsylvania will be institutiontutlons: °f higher determined by the significance and relative ultimately weight which cb a community and its officials place upon such intangible" productive, benefits. -■ but ie by local contractors, ly D Confe‘Sj toi prestige of ished monthly as a es in the Institute of Col lege. Notes and > "T fr °m Ar. CUniC7 son officials?,Tax government officials? . ,, o ens an r Pies both of the Ries,iteboth n’nnD0S conclusion .. J University ofCah forma reac a. opp profession in a monograph titled ’ The City I lan g ook js parl Myths and Realities.” The relative y , jch js being of the City Manager Profession This little published by Public Administration Service, rhe nature of tbe book focuses major attention on , himself on the rapidly environment in which the manager fmdS i... rapidly the ------- everyone eihet c.n maintain tbal The authors agree with into1'1 t maintain ■---- --T cities, but ianagers ■changing environment in our chon/e' > stable functions < the maintenance of the the face of such en\vironmental professional maturity, not old age of i‘s that the functions point of departure is t various stages >SanSat3 profession at of the manager were only myths u. development cultural values and soc a mstant , response to wha'e' of expertise in n! has been their application c. - • ,rofessi° direction it may lead. „managerP' What are the myths of the evelvins man b —“d 7enS dme. X (continued; ‘MI " munity in which public apathy was the norm would be highly restricted. But the general atmosphere in communities progressive enough to adopt the councilmanager plan was such that from the beginning managers ave always exercised the whole gamut of clerical, a "’'H'strative, and leadership functions attributed to the m°dern manager profession. Tbe real political resource of the manager, that is isavuiLC VI UIV uiviivfe'-'l --------- ■- . . bX other political actors in the community fr Shared bee"1 h- Vei^ be8lnning of the council-manager form has alw" ”'S pro^ess'ona' expertise. Although he has a^s Performed all the modern attributes of a manager, i^" 'n tbe future on|y maximize his effectiveness and 'echn11^ by gettinS al1 local issues reduced to a as t'Ca JeveL The more local issues are perceived Mao'' n',Ca' °nes, the greater the opportunity for "ager'al leadership. PoPularh Wb''e the council-manager plan has gained Periods f,°n tlle bas'is of mythical concepts in given 0 history, the reality remains that the "presence (read po it cat i? vou w and exe c s“H u ° rv ' ParticiPating in the policy ’ Pr°CeSSes °f City government ment of loca r ^O'^ rnanagecontinue to be th 6 agencies' was‘ is‘ and will nue to be the unique contribution of the profession the mana?men?hiSrStabilitZ tbe funCtional reality °f myths, which hasPa°tteainednf t0 a" the hiStOrical essential L u ! f°r the Professi°n the maturity essential to meet the challenges of urbanized America' exnerXthe sense of applying their technological ‘ h“ ■ In presenting an ;analysis ' ' of the major aspects of the council-manager plan, i'ts historical" -1 development, its acceptance, its growth and future, this monograph should be required reading for ever, every alert citizen vitally concerned with the professionalism ...^.,,^.>1 of managers. PRT and WHN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM The Luzerne County Emergency Communications System will soon be a reality. The Motorola Company was recently awarded missioners for the base considerably lower than should begin within the a contract by the County Com­ station at the low bid of $28,802, originally estimated. Installation next 90 days. The County Commissioners are expected to invite bids for the radio units in the municipalities in the near future. The county solicitor is presently drafting a service agreement that will be signed by the County and the Municipalities. The Pennsylvania Crime Commission will assist in the funding of the mobile units as it has in the funding of the county base station. SEWAGE DISPOSAL GOVERNMENT FUNCTION A Vermont zoning decision (Kedoff vs. Town of Springfield) has interesting implications and relevance in Pennsylvania and particularly in Wyoming Valley. A sewer disposal plant, constructed by the town, is a governmental function. The State has declared by statute a policy of water conservation and control of water pollution. The sewer disposal plant will carry out this policy for the benefit of the people of the state. Since this is a governmental function, it is not subject to zoning. The residence zoning does not apply. NOW YOU KNOW In short, an urban problem is anything that has happened, is happening, could happen, or should happen, in a city, a suburb, or a metropolitan area. In addition, it is sometimes something that hasn t happened, isn happening, couldn’t happen, and shouldn t happen in a c*ty, a suburb, a metropolitan area, or anywhere else. James A. Kalish Washington Monthly, 1969 �GLASS STREETS A Toledo, Ohio, street has been paved with glass in a test program to determine whether discarded glass containers can be substituted for the sand, gravel, and stone now mixed with asphalt for standard paving. The was finely ground to prevent cuts in tires and then glass ixed with asphalt and spread to harden. of glass, paper, and mi— Owens-Illinois, a manufacturer ___r_ _ with the University plastic packaging, is cooperating the U. S. Public Health Service of Missouri-Rolla and ~ " Its purpose is to develop practical means in the test. I._ of solid wastes like glass and plastics of disposing c.‘ . which make disposal simple and through systems inexpensive. NEW BOULEVARD Wilkes-Barre City Council has approved the corridor route for the extension off Pennsylvania " Boulevard, '------- ' for the State Department of thereby paving the way f«. Highways to begin drawing plans and specifications for the new four-lane limited access highway through the center of the city. The corridor for the “downtown distributor" was previously approved by the city Planning Commission and Redevelopment Authority and also was endorsed by the Wyoming Valley Motor Club. The highway, which has a No. I priority rating in the County, will run through the present railroad yard area in what is known as the city's Industrial Park Urban Renewal Project. The state Highway Department informed local planners that about three years from the date of council's approval would be needed to complete the plans and specifications. This would take the project into the late 1970’s or early 1973. The Industrial Park Project is now centered on acquiring the holdings of five major railroads which run their tracks through the center of the City to one end from the other. Acquisitions of these properties is paramount to success of the renewal project. The railroad land is needed for the right-of-way for the new highway. Negotiations with the railroads have progressed to a point where the city Redevelopment Au will be able to offer each a lump sum. Duri r'ty $o several months, the main problem has b ttle p>°’ relocation - where the railroads will t een 7 °nePast operations now carried on in the central cSfer % yards The magnitude of the negotiations with th has never been equaled in this country. Alth 6 through urban renewal have acquired acquired railroad railroad °U8h Uties these acquisitions mostly dealt with c- Pr°Penr«es , —1 one rL.'.' ,rai lroad' sometimes two. But no city has ever tried t0 deal -1 With five railroads at the same time. The Industrial Park Urban Renewal Pr°ject is . largest such undertaking in the region, tag of more than $15 million. It has been"" without the Industrial Park Project, nothing Said that has done or can do will make sense - alTh'^ C'ty has done or can do will make sense - a|| ( this project. For example, the city cannot rol;^ °n £ET Snews■------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- " ■ >4 traffic congestion until the boulevard is buiIt and rJned, WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, • ,,.7 EMERGE^ THE JOINT COMMUNICATIONS cations SYSTEM . —has been A Joint Emergency Communications System Commissioners^ , Commun _j with the Board of the County system., Funds are Board is in favor ' — ^ssedWd i n favor of such a II Council of the /ailable from the The County Com­ * ”a' J Crime Commission. award for the base a Crime ^'have already made the --of County have already The the Court TsJordy advertise for the base the advertise ^eBi ithe Reg,ona THOUGHTS FOR TODAY People who get down to brass tacks usually rise rapidly. Commissioners wH J |jty> that eventually s0 municipality, SXbce'departments will be tied to the network. Brevity is the next best thing to silence. |n the meantime thought must be given to br,nS'"* fire companies, ambulance associations, and hospitals IN THE LIBRARY THE CHALLENGE — Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare — A bi-monthly publication dealing with mental retardation, child welfare, and public assistance. inI0 the network. Funds for these organizations are available under the Federal Highway Safety Act of 1956. A meeting of municipal officials, fire companies, ambulance associations, and hospital representatives has been scheduled for Tuesday, February 17, 1970, Police Department31 WO P.M. in the dining room of the New Men’s CHICAGO POLICE STAR-— Chicago _____ o__________ r. . The official publication with articles on current "Dormitoryf at Wilkes College. Mr. Robert L. Bartlett, 5“tive'^way Safety Group of the Department developments in the field of law enforcement. ’ TheselTn”' explain the guidelines under this act. CHROSTWAITE’S PENNSYLVANIA MUNICIPAL LAS answer p*Hod, REPORTER — Local Government Service - A’ wi" spin oLt'ndeta.|ng r monthly publication municipal law cases. (except Federal Highway Safety August) reporting o« *a that can be'fL^ can be financed "MWcosts nanCed °n a reimbursement of up Make ■ iase every effort . meeting. IRA NEWSLETTER Institute of Regional Affairs Wilkes College Wilkes-Barre, Pa. 18703 Non-Profit Organization U. S. POSTAGE PAID Return Postage Guaranteed Wilkes-Barre, P3Permit No. 35 FE penn/l to attend this very important mULAUCE f ' \ An importantmeeting of allASS th 0 Cl ATI QMS \ ™ Luteme County will be 1e ambulance.-— I with Mr. Robert L. Bartl ass0 ’ *e ciatiOns the OM'tce. Comprehensive I the general ptNisy\\iama Department of Health, U • Mr' John J ^"'tty, of the Ambulance TaskHealth Force Cplanning roTthe ’ ^bulan, "Ume County Medical Society, will and„ r.'. Dr.• Michael q ^'wentatives of the ambulance associate Committee " of the w'th the —i ons. Repre°n should 1 make Second meeti ng. >rt°f°tof -aff 9"16111 associateI the Imh ambulance effortt" . mbul very' important attend this AGREe meet MENTs lick ^aSe c Station a„ -Ju<=hik preernents ’ txecutjVe -- Orga .' : Civil Defense Tdand returner Director of the Di rec duly execute the basis for County, be a--. reements are CountyThe These Stations in the Base - the specifications that wi writing Commissioners in ad verti s County - stage in implementing th second lunications System. Commu. COUNCJLME borough Regional Affair The Institute of cooperation with the Public Se in again offer a course in local governt tion for borough councilmen. This c give newly elected borough officials ance with administrative them in their work. practices Topics that w the course are as follows: Structure Local Government; The Making of O Finances: Police, Traffic and Parking Fire and Building Codes; Waste D Health; and Zoning and Planning. fire COURS The Institute of TRegional Affai in cooperation with the^ - Public S offer a Fundamentals Firefightin, Fire Prevention and Inspect! on c officers in command The first course is positions, an designed to gi standing of such topics as Ladders Fires, Use and Care The second course wi IIof Masks, Re I present topic of Prevention Fire Hazards and Inspection, Fir Systems, In si and Causes,, Fire Pr< pection Procedures, I Procedure Records and Reports, Fire Safe Public Relati ■ F ire ons. Classes for Thursday at ~ the F -refMhting Co in Room 53,7:00 P.M. Laflin. Cla.,’ Parrish ’.^S'nning . Hall Course will sses for the a* Wi| Fire prev« on Febrv* meet every Wi uarY II, 1970 edne ^'Ikes Coll at ■'ege. in Room The courses are cate M- �STREETS has been paved with g'. glass in nine whether discarded -J glass uted for the sand, gravel, and halt for standard paving. The prevent cuts in tires and then ead to harden. ifacturer of glass, paper, and rperating with the University U. S. Public Health Service s to develop practical means stes like make and plastics glass simple disposal and ULEVARD ci I has approved the corridor of Pennsylvania ’or the State Boulevard, to a point where the i . will be able to offer c'ty Rede•velopment Authority each a lump sum. During the several r months, the mai n relocati on problem has been or\a — where the ra'lroads operations now carried w\\\ transfer on in the The magnitude of the central city negotiati has r* ■ been ' never equaled in this ons with the rail1(>44 country.. Although through ' urban renewal have acquired ra' lroad p these acquisitions mostly dealt property, with sometimes two. But one no city has ever rarhoei. five railroads at the tried to same time. heal The Industrial Park IRenewal Project is . _... Urban -.can largest such undertaking undertaking in the the renewal region. It has a in region. tag of more than $15 million. It has been said ' ,.j million. It has without the Industrial Park Project, nothing the Qu has done or can do will make sense - all hinges this project. For example, the city cannot relieveiu traffic congestion until the boulevard is built and open.j °Pene(j Department of plans and specifications for access corridor highway through the for approved by the city Planning ment Authority and also was Motor Valley □. I priority THOUGHTS FOR TODAY the “downtown Club. rating The in People who get down to brass tacks usually rise rapidly. Brevity is the next best thing to silence. the e present railroad yard area zity’s Industrial Park Urban state Highway Department t about three years from the vould be needed to complete This would take the project 1973. roject is now centered on re major railroads which run iter of the City to one end IN THE official LIBRARY publication with articles on current developments in the field of law enforcement. ons of these properties is the renewal project. The MUNICIPAL LA» Service - ; REPORTER - Local Government August) reporting »■ monthly publication (except the right-of-way for the new he railroads have progressed municipal law cases. CHROSTWAITE’S 10 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PENNA. XVIII NO. 2 THE JOINT EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM A Joint Emergency Communications System has been discussed with the Board of the County Commissioners, and the Board is in favor of such a system. Funds are w available from the Regional II Council of the Pennsylvania Crime Commission. The County Com­ missioners have already made the award for the base station at the Court House. The Board of County Commissioners will shortly advertise for the base control units in the municipality, so that eventually 20 to 25 police departments will be tied to the network. In the meantime thought must be given to bringing fire companies, ambulance associations, and hospitals into the network. Funds for these organizations are available under the Federal Highway Safety Act of 1956. THE CHALLENGE — Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare — A bi-monthly publication dealing with mental retardation, child welfare, and public assistance. CHICAGO POLICE STAR — Chicago Police Department- The NEWS-LETTER PENNSYLVANIA A meeting of municipal officials, fire companies, ___ ____ „ ambulance associations, and hospital representatives has been scheduled for Tuesday, February 17, 1970, at 6:30 P P.M. -M- in the dining room of the New Men's Men’s Dormitory at Wilkes College. Mr. Robert L. Bartlett, Representative, Highway Safety Group of the Department of Highways will explain the guidelines under this act. The session, including a question and answer period, will spell out details of the Federal Highway Safety project that can be financed on a reimbursement of up to 50% of costs. Make meeting. Non-Profit Organization U. S. POSTAGE PAID Wilkes-Barre^ pa. 355 permit N®* •* every effort to attend this very important AMBULANCE ASSOCIATIONS An important meeting of al I the ambu lance associ ations ln Luzerne County will be held following the general session with Mr. Robert L. Bartlett. Mr. John J. Farrell, p 1 e Office Comprehensive Health Planning of the ^ennsy|vanja Department of Health, and Dr. Michael G. LuriSty' the Ambulance Task Force Committee of the reUZerne County Medical Society, will meet with the senteSentatives everytl'feS the ambulance associations. Repreambulance association should make e fort to attend this very important second meeting. Director of the Civil Defense Organization of Luzerne County, be duly executed and returned to him immediately. These agreements are the basis for the location of the Base Stations in the County. They are the basis for writing the specifications that will be used by the County Commissioners in advertising for bids - the second stage in implementing the Joint Emergency Communications System. BOROUGH COUNCILMEN COURSE The Institute of Regional Affairs at Wilkes College in cooperation with the Public Service Institute will again offer a course in local government and administra­ tion for borough councilmen. This course is intended to give newly elected borough officials an intimate acquaint­ ance with administrative practices in order to assist them in their work. Topics that will be considered in the course are as follows: Structure and Organization of Local Government; The Making of Ordinances; Municipal Finances; Police, Traffic and Parking; StreetMaintenance; Fire and Building Codes; Waste Disposal; Recreation; Health; and Zoning and Planning. FIRE COURSES The Institute of Regional Affairs at Wilkes College in cooperation with the Public Service Institute will offer a Fundamentals of Firefighting course and a Basic Fire Prevention and Inspection course for firechiefs, officers in command positions, and volunteer firemen. The first course is designed to give firemen an under­ standing of such topics as Ladders, Pumps, L. P. Gas Fires, Use and Care of Masks, Rescue, and Oil Fires. The second course will present topics such as: Principles of Prevention and Inspection, Fire Prevention Codes, Fire Hazards and Causes,, Fire Protection Devices and Systems, Inspection Procedures, Inspection Practices, Records and Reports, Fire Safety in Schools, and Public Relations. Classes for the Firefighting Course will meet every 12, 1970 Thursday at 7:00 P.M., beginning on fFebruary _. in Room 53, Parrish Hall at Wilkes (College and in Laflin. Classes for the Fire Preventioni and Inspection Course will meet every Wednesday at 7:00 P.M., beginning on February II, 1970 in Room 53. Parrish Hall at WiIkes College. AGREEMENTS which w 'mperat've that the Base Station agreements ere distributed by Nicholas H. Souchik, Executive FEBRUARY 15, 1970 iffered without charge to enrollees, The courses are of will be awarded at the annual Certificates of Attainment those who meet course requirements. May dinner to �MIDDLE MANAGEMENT SEm1n institute OF Dr. Hugo V. A ten-session Middle Management q possible under a Title I grant of the H- l1”' Act of 1965, will be offered to local i!7r Institute of Regional Affairs. The Econ dUStry by7 regional affairs Mai ley, Director newsletter VOL. XVIII ment Council of Northeast Pennsylvania wOh'C DeW| 6 NO. 2 FEBRUARY IS, I970 This News-letter P“b’,sh®d community service or gmates Institute of Notes and inquiries may be Affairs, EcSSiSX. Pennsylvania,^ Subscription free upon request. SERVICE AWARDS The Institute of Regional Affairs will again offer Service Awards at the Annual Graduation Dinner in May to those local officials who have contributed untiringly over a long number of years in the service of their governments. Kindly send the name of the employee or official who is deserving of this Service Award to the IRA. Included in those eligible for the Award are; school board members and secretaries, police, firemen, councilmen, mayors, solicitors, engineers, planning and zoning commissioners, and township supervisors. If there are any doubts as to whether a governmental official or employee is eligible, do not hesitate to get in touch with the Institute. This Award is given as an expression of appreciation for ability, wide experience and untiring efforts as an outstanding public servant over many years. A person who has merely minimal service should not be nominated. Nor should any person who has already received such an Award be nominated. ZONING LAW COURSE The Institute of Regional Affairs at Wilkes College will offer a course in Zoning Law and Administration for members of planning commissions and for members of zoning boards of adjustment. This 6-week course will review the legal basis of zoning, including the major decls'°ns that have upheld the use of this Major planning found 6 ma'°r definitions of this tool as frequently sh“ld ”•! consistently come into contact wi’thThVzoning (iT -,.,5lasLses for the course will February^' 7 30 P-M- beginning on F ' Parrish Hall at Wilkes Colleg. -"-,e ' the Seminar with the Institute. The SP • sPonJ conducted by John R. Boehringer of'"^ ^'H Associates. ^°ebrinje'r The purpose, approach, and method of the Seminar is fully described in a sPeciPa|e|y^tatl’» brochure available on request. The areas sei. Pr'"te< analysis and discussion at the sessions are: overview of middle-management I ....... ^'na, functicmanagement, personnel management, ; ..I-10", 0ffice accounts "*'n8 and budget control, procurement, production l. control, , ^lity control, inventory control, advertising and ■•J sales tion, and continuing self-improvement program".Pr°'’0' Program. In view of the fact that the Seminar will have only j limited enrollment, an early registration will assure hreservation of a place in the Seminar. « 'S'- AMERICA’S TRANSPORTATION TRAUMA highway facilities with mass transit. ple'nentin8v user funds are earmarked on the theory that pie*1 Highs should be reserved for facilities that benefit these taxes ta*e the levies. This rationale ignores the ay of modes of transportation. By relieving those who * P Knce interdepen transjt beneflts motorists as well as ,rdeP< congesiti tl0on d,’rs _ wh0 at other times are motorists too. riders transit ^jSSjon urges that all States give clear recogniTheC°mthe interdependence of alternative modes of tion t0 n ancj broaden the purposes for which traflSP°r-user funds may be allocated to include, parhighWa,yJ transportation planning and mass transit in tjcularl'’ urban areas. COORDINATION GAP Regional Director for environmental protection The Philadelphia area believes the Pennsylvania the in Department ought to stop harassing stubborn Health polluters with repeated visits from water pollution engineers, air pollution inspectors, sanitarians, and industrial hygienists. Rather than sending an air pollution man one month, a water pollution man the next, and a sanitarian the month after that, it is his opinion that the Department should strike the polluter all at once. Not only does this let the offender know where he stands, The Rev. Leonard M. Jones argues; but it also sets him up for a “quick, clean legal knockout punch” if he remains stubborn. A recent Report (No. 57) by the ITT Research Institute of Chicago under contract with the National Cooperative Highway Research Board, stated that highway congestion works against the car as a commuting vehicle. The Report went on to say that those who “For years and years, unfortunately, the different switch from auto to public transportation frequently public health disciplines have gone their merry way name the effort and strain of driving and highway con­ without any sense of togetherness. Take the example of gestion as the reasons for the switch. Moreover, the a solid waste disposal site of questionable character. older an individual is, the more apt he is to prefer some Pollutants leach from this site into the ground, and form of mass transit to the private car. If the commuter eventually into waters of the Commonwealth. From time is a man, elapsed time of the commuting is a decisive to time there are open fires on the dump, polluting the factor. If a woman, comfort becomes more important. airAnd it also serves as a haven for vectors of To meet the changing transportation needs of America, disease — mosquitoes, flies and rodents.” the Advisory Commission, in its latest publication As the governmental structure now exists, the anitary Water Board might issue an order to stop the entitled, "State Aid to Local Government, ma' several recommendations, among them that 0 c an^,, weter pollution; the Air Pollution Commission might . m- V a halt t0 the burning; and, the Regional Sanitarian so called "anti-diversion” policies to permit meet ^ig t cite the dump for harboring rats. Nowhere does highway-user revenues to be applied to r— m ePartment as a whole step back and take a look at transportation needs; Twenty-eight States, If the "anti-diversion" provisions in their ^°7|USiveiy qua|.Ump aS a s'n®'e Public health problem. ne y of the environment is to be improved, the requiringthat highway-user taxes be earmarke e < Sta«s essary ingredient is COORDINATION. for highway purposes. Most of the remain , W require similar earmarking by the statute. another mission views the "anti-diversion P° icy e highway total cost bidding reflection of the rural and intercity bias> in j. at at* or years municipal officials have encountered a programs. Earmarking provisions were ad°Phighway-,jse' "tajor ull 'lemma in trying to buy the best equipment when some States were channelling non-high", aKailable The problem centers revenues into welfare, education and ot er$ ncontribut aoutthe to meet their needs. competitive bidding process and the preparation programs. Without doubt these provision, - , rate h* °f bid specifications for such specialized motor equipto the development of the nation s _eavy-duty trucks, front-end loaders, back-hoes, chan«ed- ! ders. and system. ‘Wn d street sweepers. Specifications which are ' "^th' Today, however, transportation ®oa'S cboke :< may restrict competition or disqualify is Certain °° tightly” may City streets and even urban expressways vjron*. 1 11" feel "rti H"’^facturer ,,’s products; yet, some officials flow of goods and people. And the ur an^ urge^ $uP' that it wli Spec'f'cati°ns are needed to assure the city befouled with noise and fumes. The n t|Op bf 1 receive proposals for equipment that will the metropolitan areas to relieve con needs and specifications, even if competition < Stasb- Th-day at 970 ln Room 53, The -urse ___ _ is offered without charge to £Certificates of Auainr--' enrollees. • -.... ~r t0 those who -••e annual the course requirements. (continued) may be restricted and higher prices may result. At the other extreme, <--- "■ specifications that are drawn too loosely” may resu|t jn thg r.„. . ' ow birj” that represents m. e municipality receiving a but maximum operating cost r- ........ " -■'-I purchase cost resulting from excessive "sp:;;s;alaube°ve-average ^.tune,^-> -..J below-average for RTgrhdt”Sor°”|o7 .mUn'C‘Pal °fficial's Preference certain u e specifications, one thing is . ■ ■ e^h aPProach involves financial risks for the municipality and possible fail,,™ , KS t0 benefit from capital invested in equipment H'3’""’11'’' To help minimize financial risk and maximize return ln:eSt7 m equ,pment’ the concept of total cost bidding has been developed. Simply stated, total cost bidding is a procedure designed to take into account all major cost factors incurred in the initial purchase, maintenance, and disposal of a piece of equipment. Under total cost bidding procedures, the bidder is required to furnish: (I) his bid price for outright purchase of the equipment, (2) a guaranteed maximum maintenance cost for the expected useful life of the equipment, and (3) a guaranteed repurchase price for the equipment at various intervals within the useful life of the equipment. From the municipalities standpoint, the initial purchase price plus the total guaranteed maintenance charges during the life of the equipment less trade-in or repurchase price is the municipalities total net cost for the acquisi­ tion, maintenance, and disposal of the price of equipment. A number of advantages to this approach become readily apparent. First, the municipality receives guarantees that it can receive a stated amount as resale value for the equipment at some future date, and total repair costs for the equipment will not exceed a stated amount guaranteed by the bidder. In addition to these advantages, total cost bidding allows all bidders to meet specifications and include several possible alternates to produce the lowest net cost to the munic­ ipality. Finally, total cost bidding allows the municipal official to consider all of the cost of equipment owner­ ship, maintenance, and disposal at the time of purchase. SOUTHERN COACH GETS AID Southern Coach Lines, Inc., has reached an agreement with officials of five towns in Tennessee on subsidies that would enable the Company to continue service to these areas under reduced schedules. The city of Chattanooga has agreed on a subsidy of $63 000 to enable the company to continue service through next June 30. In addition, agreement has been reached on subsidies from other municipalities served by the local transit system with Signal Mountain to pay $2 000; Red Bank, $2,500; East Ridge, $3,250; Ridgeside, $25 , and Fort Oglethorpe. $1,650. golf course owner may petition for a In Hawaii a golf course i i the land's actual value. special assessment based on -» the land to golf The owner, however, must dedicate and there must be a course use for a ten year minimum <... covenant not to discriminate. �homes for agED HU „„rlv held that a The Delaware Supreme Coursebuilding non-profit“Themed ^handicapped is» exe-npt as though the corpotat.onschatjeto w break even that such rentals P exempt persona Beginning January 19 °. O J, property of non-profit property and thaLP°ndOenxcO|fusivelyPusPed in the operation corporation with leas A^P f corporation actual y of home for elderly persons a hold interest in a b°rn and if the lease provides obligated to pay property tax • The leasee for the title to vest eventually n to exemption 1974-75. L STJX. - “ must come from Pa^e" ’. no individuals; and on dissolution the «sets ar distributed to the exempt corporation. Assessors in determining the true cash value of the property of homes for the elderly persons, must consider exchange va u of the property; gross income that could reasonably be expected in renting to the public generally, less operating expenses and reserves for replacement and depreciation; location; and relative supply and demand for similar property. INVENTORIES Connecticut will begin exempting inventories of mercantile establishment under the following schedule: 1/12 in 1970; an additional 1/12 more each year until 100% for 1982 and later. Oregon will also begin to phase out inventories. Beginning August, 1969, there will be a reduction of 5%, with 10% in 1970 and 15% in 1971. In 1972 the reduc­ tion is to be 20% and thereafter it will be 10% per year until August, 1980, when all inventory is exempt. as" in (2) The resultant hourglass shape population profile with large numbers of and a relatively small number in the °f tlle Us y°Un« < ages b^ee„ (3) The continuing rise of the service as employers. lndustries _ (4) The shift, even within manufacturing itself, from blue-collar to white-collar jobs. (5) The increase in years of education and leisure and the decrease in years of employment per worker. THOUGHTS FOR TODAY Conventions are meant to guide, not bind us. Whatever your lot in life, build something on it! IN THE LIBRARY CITY MANAGERS’ NEWSLETTER - The International City Managers’ Association — A semi-monthly publication for members of the International City Management Association. CIVIL SERVICE JOURNAL - United States Civil Service Commission — A quarterly publication of the U.S. Civil Service Commission noting recent trends in public personnel administration. CLEAN AIR — Pennsylvania Department of Health -A monthly magazine designed for the purpose of promoting better health and community development through the treatment of air pollution. IRA NEWSLETTER Institute of Regional Affairs Wilkes College Wilkes-Barre, Pa. 18703 Return Postage Guaranteed news-letter (I) The huge postwar upsurge in births which duced the biggest ten-year population increa< Pr0. nation’s history. the t of the net earnings 1"' BMBSHEDDEN FARLEY LIBRARY Demographers are looking at five r-. .?'.°r forces will shape the next decade as they have ' ShaPed the that one. Those forces are: >aSt Non-Profit Organization U. S. POSTAGE paid Wilkes-Barre^ PaNo- 355 J permit WILKES VOL-TxvTiLNOlI SERVICE AWARDS The Institute of Regional Affairs will again offer _____ s at the Annual Graduation Dinner in May Service Awards local officials who have contributed untiringly w those long number of years in the service of their over a governments. Kindly send the name of the employee or official who ' Service Award to the IRA. Included is deserving of' this " school board in those eligible for the Award are: members and secretaries, police, firemen, councilmen, mayors, solicitors, engineers, planning and zoning commissioners, and township supervisors. If there are any doubts as to whether a governmental official or employee is eligible, do not hesitate to get in touch with the Institute. This Award is given as an expression of appreciation for ability, wide experience and untiring efforts as an outstanding public servant over many years. A person who has merely minimal service should not be nominated. Nor should any person who has already received such an Award be nominated. TAX EXEMPTION Two previous short articles in this Newsletter dealt with tax exempt property, particularly that of colleges and universities. The General Assembly has presently “"^consideration two bills (HB 1348 and I34A) which would place -- taxes on land of institutions of higher "ducation. The whole subject of tax-exempt property comes at a time when municipalities are finding it difficult i to match revenues and expenditures. The taxpayers’ revolt against new taxes and new bond issues seems directed against churches and colleges as the ScaPegoats. Amidst all the mis-statements and myths f subject, there are some clear facts. total" i^! f'rSt place- between 25% and 40% of the can be"11 area 'n a t>'P'ca' city 's tax-exempt. This time M6aSl^ ca'culated if anyone would just take the usually °St °f t^1's 'and area is in streets and highways, depend, amountin8 to about 20% of the total land area, temaind^ °n t'1e numher and size of streets. The ^XoofX °f th6 tax-exempt property (between 5% and t-hurche 6 tOta' 'ar|d area) is owned by schools, colleges, Cemeter^’ Par^s' railroads, utilities, private clubs, state, andSp hospitals, and governments (local, county, In tbe typi ,econd Place, most of the tax-exempt property j t^Ca city is owned by governments. The property schools, parks, state capitols, post offices etc men Thus taX'eXe,"Ptions were removed, one unit of’govern! collected.anO " W°Uld Pay 75% °f eVer/ tax dollar In the third place, there is no clear picture of what the assessed or market value of property is worth. A property is worth. retired English literature professor, Martin A. Larson estimated it to be $569 billion or one-third of all real estate in the Nation (The Churches: Their Riches, Revenues, and Immunities). A special study (Taxable Property Values) by the U.S. Department of Commerce in 1966 estimated it to be about $115 billion. The Professor based his figure on an extrapolation of figures of 12 cities and 2 counties. The Department of Commerce figure is based on a census of all governments. Who is correct? Perhaps the Professor should have confined himself to his literature, and leave “extrapolating” to the statisticians. In reality, most levels of governments that are responsible for placing market and assessed values on property don’t perform the function, knowing full well that such property is tax-exempt. Moreover, it is difficult to agree on assessment value when 2 separate boards assess tax-exempt property for 2 different levels of government. In a 1969 Real Property Inventory for Wilkes College, the IRA found the same property assessed at $61,940 by the County and $66,710 by the City. The County assessed still another Wilkes property at $13,280 whereas the City assessed it at $24,518. Still a third Wilkes property was assessed at $62,820 by the County, and at $192,850 by the City. The same 48 parcels of tax-exempt Wilkes property were assessed at $ 1,415,170 by the County and $ 1,713,469 by the City. This is a rather wide disparity of over $300,000 in assessed valuations. Multiply this disparity in assessment valuations by all the tax-exempt property in the City. In the fourth place, it is ridiculously erroneous to expect that if the tax-exempt privilege were to be completely removed (and anything less than that wou d be a gross injustice), local governments could expect to. cut their taxes by 25% to 40%, since 25% to 40% of the total land area is tax-exempt. In other -r ^ the myth runs rampant that if exemption is removed from th 40. of real property now exempted in a city the general property tax rate could be cut by 40%. The truth of the matte is that if all tax-exemptions were eliminated in "a“ . | fitv in the U.S. (and not just colleges and the T'c'l out of every dollar additionally paid in taxes, S'dty would pay about 20 cents more, the schools �institute of regional affairs Dr. Hugo V. Mailey, Director NEWSLETTER MARCH 15, 1970 VOL. XVIII — 'tnhscriotion Subscription free upon request. would pay about 15 . on cents the hospitals would pay _■ on. The cents^the sfatTabbut 10 cents , aridj sb .... churches another 5 to 10 cents and colleges would probably pay 2'7 occur by removing each. If this is what would typically gained except creating more all tax-exemptions, what is g jobs for bureaucrats? City revenue may not- be increased by the expected 25% to 40%. In the fifth place, local governments do not bear the burden of tax-exempt property. R.ather schools do. It just so happens that in the typical city, the city itself owns as much as 75% of all tax-exempt property as was mentioned earlier. If the city paid taxes to the other levels of government, including schools, and collected taxes from all tax-exempt property, the city would suffer a net loss (to expect other levels of government to exempt city property while the city taxes the property of the other levels would be a gross injustice). If the Wilkes-Barre, School District should tax WilkesBarre City property and vice versa, who would be doing the subsidizing? The consequences might be more farreaching than any of the City fathers can imagine. In the sixth place, it is part of the mythology of tax­ exemption that any and all tax-exempt property can absorb the tax with little or no consequences. Suppose a non-tax supported college is about to raise $3,000,000 in a capital fund campaign for a new building. Let us remove the tax-exemption privilege granted by all levels of government (including schools). The annual taxes could run from $250,000 to $500,000 on the new building, an annual levy the college may well decide it cannot afford. The trustees thus decide not to build the new addition. Presume further that tuition has already been ra'sed to meet the current tax bill. The trustees then decide .they have several courses of action open to them - make lt a publicly supported institution, restrict enroll­ ment, permit its buildings to deteriorate, or close its theTcannot abSsorbOaSetaxaZ^uST" if all tax-exempt pr perti (ex ludi ' * of government and churches X VALUATION cont’d.) ;$SED v‘ (ASSESS estate increased from $357,990,380 in 1969 to ' ~ at what "s161 8ID- The increase in valuation over 1969 !e?e’ents.. additional revenue income of $60,000 for the ’■The increase amounts to .2 mill since a full Count/of taxes yields about $341,000. price? INO. 3 ■ 'v as a oublished monthly m the Institute of This News-letter, P' originates i.. community service, C-T’ ■ . Notes and ’» College, Regional Affatrs of Wilkes Dr. Hugo v. addressed to to” L inquiries may be <• Regional mane/, „------- . Institute of R<_ 6____ Affairs. Mailey Wilkes .Director,. College, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania 18703 \l I IIVWW these tax-exempt institutions closed their do, beCa, the tax cannot be absorbed? Suppose a JOrs | closed its doors in order to sell the property 7" taxes. Would there be a buyer for the church o7 ' a kind of property that has a limited use? °PeH Where does the city find a willing buyer for a hospital C°nSequence t “T the typical American city? Who would t0 were compelled to operate a collet d 8a'n 'f the city In the seventh place, removal of all tax-e ignores the difference between land and imp?e'''Ptions ro it. Land is hardly ever assessed at more t°hVem6nts of actual market value, whereas buildings are aan l5,i from 20% to 200% of actual market value. ThSSesse<l value of tax-exempt property is readily distort^'the tax-exempt institutions have most of their as^’^ assets buildings, whereas government (especially loc ^.tS in most of its assets in land (parks, golf courses e In the eighth place, the public furor over tax-exem'ot^ ’ for colleges and churches has diverted attention f the rise in public construction, assets of.private pe/01" funds, the lack of a uniform policy on unrelated busines?" owned by tax-exempt organizations, the replacement^ the property tax as a major source of local government revenue, the shift of the more enlightened local gOvern. ments to “user fees”, and President Nixon’s innovative proposal of bloc grants. The Presidents’ proposal of $5 billion in bloc grants by 1975 is twice what could be realized by taxing all tax-exempt property in the whole country. Just think of it! veral Luzerne County communities experienced increases in assessed valuation during 1969 while la^e 'remained stable and some decreased. The certified i lion figures show Plains Township with a tremendous V ase in valuation, partly due to the mammoth reassess'nCre of the industrial corridor along Route 315. The "ien‘ hip gained $1,648,255 over the 1969 total despite a in coal valuation of $440,780. Edwardsville Borough, site of major shopping center construction over the last few years, had an overall valuation increase of $731,770 in the last year from a total valuation in 1969 of $5,723,840 to the 1970 figure of $6,455,610. Hanover Township experienced a gain in valuation of $322,000, almost all in buildings and improvements. Wilkes-Barre Township, which had a valuation gain of $270,230 in the last year, may show an even greater increase in the 1971 certified valuations due to construction of the large Wyoming Valley Mall, most of which will be in the Township. HVM Meanwhile, the Wilkes-Barre City figures compiled by the County showed a loss in valuation of $167,740, found in all categories: land, coal, and improvements. HISTORICAL TRUST Pittston City’s valuation also decreased $20,606 due to a drop in the valuation of improvements. In Nanticoke, The Historic Preservation Trust of Berks County is the building and improvement valuation decreased seeking to have five buildings in Reading officially 583,050 while land increased by $6,460. declared historical by City Council. The buildings all date to the 18th century with the exception of one which dates to 1846. The bui Idings have twice within recent WHY PUT POLICIES IN WRITING? years been threatened with demolition. There are no ceil uiiccucii&m tviuii -------------------Results of ' • 1968 opinion survey taken of plans for demolition of the buildings, ut t e _ fan 'informal current [.... • ■ - waiting until state school board associations and state education Historic Preservation Trust is wisely not department official -- 1 suggests that upwards of 60% of the the next move comes along. of buildings nation’s local school boards (more than. 12,000) do not There, have been numerous examples Maintain a v but well-developed system for keeping written across the country being s be P°licies tip to date.. Lack of staff, time, or know-how main reasons for the confusion and doesn’t loom, but it is certainly safe. Many ti has been considerable regret about previous £en failure to preserve some part of our nation P result often has been expensive reconstruction. 1 the schools are under attack . * •««». teacher XL’*"groups, by rebellious students, oiri"1^' Coinm^' in the .a|| for Doesn’t Wilkes-Barre have deep roots ca- H to wealth’s history? Isn’t it inconsistent it tfl" that a s'111 renovating part of the downtown area so allow reflect proud heritage of the city and then existing part of that heritage to vanish? ASSESSED VALUATION * few. Iibrari«. a cemetery or tw0 ' ^'.^Pitals, fences, and all the veterans buiIdin , n°C'al Service The total property valuation increased nearly $13,892,062 for ....... .. valuation, from 5378,892,992. b' I estate Rea ,0« in 044,252 in 1970, for an increase of $14,053,872 ■u.’’’ d a slight decrease in 1970 with a total ?alue 53 I showed a s stl° - .q compared with $7,010,550 in 1969 for a $365,000,930 to by by norities, when taxpayer groups vent their anger ej, °n Svc- ool bond issues, and when federal funds for Ration 1 are being cut, the National School Board oSS°Ciati°n calls for school boards to put their policy h°use in ( ^ociati,,or er and commit their policies to writing. The states that’ 'n 'tS October- 1969 issue of The J°urnald6veloi’Ping many boards ______ system ----boards have no workable for and determining policy statements, or their fritter. anSfy mi !n Polic?es P°licie. ,c< Luzern*^ in over 1 1970 valu3Itio" ' a new (cont’d- on n' are woefully out of date, or their contradictory, or their policy statements are some unknown spot within the central office The Ncn. — Puttin,? l Pers tbe following reasons for school g their policies in writing: ?unninzaebnusiPnOliCi1eu eVeryone that the board behaZ SS"ke°PeratiOn- Reflect responsible ' ' , 'nfOrm everyone about the board’s intent, goals nd aspirations. Ambiguity, confusion, and trouble are more likely to result when policies are not written out. ■ ■ ■ They give credence to board actions. People pretty much live by the letter, even though they may not agree with every jot and title in the board’s policy manual. . . . They establish a legal record. This is especially important for those local policies that carry the force of law. . . . They are impersonal, administration difficult. make whimsical They . . . They foster stability and continuity. Board and staff members come and go but the policy manual (kept updated, of course) endures and helps assure smooth transitions when organizational -or staff changes occur. . . . They contribute to the board’s efficiency. Many routine decisions can be incorporated into written policies, thereby freeing up board meeting time for more important matters. . . . They give the public a means to evaluate board performance. Publicly pronounced policy statements prove that the board is willing to be held accountable to the public for its decisions. . They clarify board-superintendant functions. When the board establishes policy guidelines, the superintendant can get on with his daily work. They help disarm crackpot critics. The accusations ol local cranks seldom prevail in districts that have clearcut and timely written policies that reflect thorough research, sound judgement, and careful planning. Isn’t the above good advice for all local government officials? LET ME OUT! This might be the cry of city officials these days: me out of the enigmatic maze of legislative For example, the legislature enacts an dictates.” almost unworkable mandatory arbitration law. Arbitrators come down with decisions necessitating drastic financial arrangements by local officials. What to do? Raise taxes, of course. Wrong! The legislature says, "No, we will not give you the power to raise local taxes”, (as evidenced by the defeat in the House of 5. 106, the "Let occupational priveleges tax raise). Can’t raise taxes, so we’ll have to cut costs. Right? No, wrong. A recent bill (House 434) would amend the Arbitration Law to prohibit the reduction of the size of police or fire forces after a determination by a board of arbitration. There is only one answer left. Local governments are going to have to start printing their own money. Legislative Bulletin February 6, 1970 Pennsylvania League of Cities �ACTIONS SPEAK TOO as much as your words, . . . Your actions communicate supervisor don’t shut employees out of so if you are a ;y you do things conveys to the your actions. The way you of them and in turn helps mold staff your impression c. — their response to you. REAPPORTIONMENT The suburbs - not the cities or rural areas _ to be the big winners when state legislatures app|y IS? I census returns in the second wave of reapporti' under the "one man, one vote” mandate. 01,r"T>ent PREVENTIVE Remember: attend a conference or staff 1. No one should meeting without being told to pass the word. Nothing creates rumors like a communications vaccuum. 2. story. A new policy is more 2. Tell Tell the the whole whole story. easily accepted when the “why” is expressed. 3. Clarify your organizational relationships so that the channels of communication are short and everyone understands how to use them. 4. Eliminate communications blocks. 5. Employee participation in policy making ensures correct interpretation and helps gain acceptance. 6. A well-planned training program for each area of organizational activity helps promote two-way communication within the organization. 7. Don’t keep people in the dark — it just creates rumors. 8. Anticipate what will stir up controversy and get your word out before the rumors begin. Modern Hospital NEWS-LETTER Concord (Calif.) Transcript GEOLOGY Calling for “a more meaningful and practical dialogu among geologists, engineers, and city planners', Hollis M. Doyle, Assistant Secretary of the Interior fOr Mineral Resources, stated at a San Francisco meetin recently, ‘Mt’s high time we applied some preventive geology. To solve its deepening environmental problems resulting from urban growth, the nation must make better use of its earth sciences. Too often, a housing develop, ment is planned, a complex industry facility is laid out a bridge built, a road constructed, without knowledge of the terrain conditions or hazards that might have been avoided.” THOUGHTS An income tax withhold nothing. FOR cocktail is TODAY two drinks and you The girls with the least principle draw the most interest. LOCAL “, . . The Governor shall issue, annually, his proclamation designating and setting apart April 15 as Local Government Day and calling upon the citizens of the Commonwealth to recognize the vital role of local government, including municipalities and school districts, in the preservation of our heritage of freedom, justice, equality and self-government, and to remind the people that unless every individual citizen takes an active interest and assumes responsibility in his local government, there can be real danger he will be losing control to the State and Federal government over problems which he knows best, such as public education, health, and safety ...” ANNUAL CLEAN STREAMS - A quarterly newsletter concernin; The next reapportionment likely will bring the first urban-dominated General Assembly in the state’s history into office. Commercial Appeal, Memphis recent trends in the treatment of stream pollution. COMMUNITY concerning — A magazine problems in providing community informatio' administration. COMMUNITY SERVICES OF PENNSYLVANIA - This monthly publication presents information of federa and state welfare legislative activities. IRA NEWSLETTER Institute of Regional Affairs Wilkes College Wilkes-Barre, Pa. 18703 Non-Profit Organization U. S. POSTAGE PAID Return Postage Guaranteed DAY -e of the Act No. 22 of 1965 creating The language this observance states as follows: May, 1968 REAPPORTIONMENT GOVERNMENT LIBRARY . . . THE IN penna. Wilkes-Barre, Pa« Permit No. 355 DINNER The eighteenth Annual Dinner for Award and Certificate winners will be held in the dining room o the New Men’s Dormitory at Wilkes College on Tues ay, May 26, 1970 at 6:30 P.M. This is a gala occasion tor local officials, local government employees, and ot ers in Northeastern Pennsylvania, particularly in Luzerne County. This Annual Dinner brings to a climax a o the year year’’ss activities conducted by the Institute o Regional Affairs. The main speaker of the evening will be the Honorable William T. Schmidt, new secretary of the Department o Commerce in the Commonwealth. This department has assisted this area with large grants-in-aid in or er Emulate its renaissance and redevelopment, It is expected that Sei Schmidt will have a very timely and informative tcretary r message for all of us interested in the economic health and prosperity of Northeastern ennsylvania. Hfl2LET0N SetTohfe POLICE CIVIL SERVICE tute of Regional Affairs Civil /ules ;and regulations for the the rServi ce Commissioi'O so that the C°unci| can employ police ? der'ng^tes of the t0 Civil ’|g ls type of has prepared a Hazleton Police Commission and under the Civil State.' The Institute has been professional non-profit service erv'ce Boards and Agencies for the past 18 APRIL 15, 1970 years. Benefits of this type of testing service are: the selection of qualified candidates, the measure of employees' skills, the administration of promotion fairly, and the improvement of personnel morale. Thus, the Hazleton Council and the Civil Service Commission join the growing list of municipalities in Wyoming Valley who avail themselves of these testing services. WAGE DATA The IRA is preparing the 1970 survey of salaries, survey of salaries, wages and fringe benefits in Luzerne County municipal­ ities. The Survey has been a continuing project of the IRA over the past six years. Secretaries and clerks have been forwarded the 1969 Survey for reference in providing the 1970 data. The footnotes in the 1969 Survey should be carefully checked for any changes. The 1970 budget data on salaries, wages, and fringe benefits should be returned to-the IRA so that the Annual Survey can be completed by May I. If the information is not made available in reasonable time, the data assembled from the cooperating municipalities will be published. DIRECTORY The Institute of Regional Affairs maintains a complete directory of all local officials and organiza­ tions in Luzerne County, not only for the mailing list for the IRA Newsletter, but also for communications from the Institute of Regional Affairs. Fire companies and departments have been mailed forms to be completed and returned to the IRA so that a 1970 directory can be compiled. These forms should be returned immediately to maintain an accurate directory. WARRANTS A 62% increase in the service of outstanding tov m warrants has been noted by, the Los Angeles Police of the "automated want/warrant" Department through use c This permits the return of criminal want/warrant system......... - . — outerized file within seconds and information from a compi . .... toward a centralized, country-wide, is the first step U..ipid retrieval want/warrant information system. ra| �r and a short drive from any center city even now revea|s that its vestiges are still prevalent. INSTITUTE OF REGIONAL AFFAIRS Even in sophisticated “cities" like colonial g0 Dr. Hugo V. Mailey, Director and Philadelphia, the property owner owner ’s rain barrel °n ' ii ____ — U; firo __ t businl1 °r private well was his only fire nrrifpctinn protection. Tl The man lived in his establishment, providing his „ ’ . personal protection against invasions of person Person property by acting as his own watchman or wardino wardi"g the intruder with his trusty breechloader. Even SUc|) mundane facilities as streets once fronted cr.! °n|y the properties of individuals willing and able to do the Work themselves. Water was carried from a stream or well, | and its purity depended mainly on the good sense oj the owner to locate the source higher than his outhouse NEWSLETTER VOL. XVII APRIL 15, 1970 NO. 4 This News-letter, published monthly« a community service, originates in the Institute of Regional Affairs of Wilkes College Notes and inquiries may be addressed to Dr. • Mailey, Director, Institute of Regional Affairs, Wilkes College, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania 18703 Subscription free upon request. TRANSPORTATION REGIONS A major transportation issue in Congress this session will be Senator Warren Magnuson’s proposal to establish regional commissions to coordinate all transportation policies within a given area. The bill (S. 2425) is pending before the Commerce Committee (of which Magnuson is chairman). Under the provisions of this proposed legislation, the Secretary of Transportation would be authorized and directed to designate, with concurrence of the governor of a state, appropriate “major transportation regions.” Existing regional commissions could qualify under the terms of the bill. Each regional commission would develop plans, research and development programs and demonstration projects for balanced and coordinated regional trans­ portation development. Each region would be required to formulate a long-range overall transportation plan designating the priority of transportation needs and identifying the transportation resources of the region. The commissions would also develop specific plans for the development of an improved transportation system within the region. Furthermore, each regional commission would initiate research and development programs to improve intercity passenger transportation and any other transportation service essential to the region. Actual demonstration projects would be authorized. Federal assistance would be disbursed pursuant to a formula based upon area of the region, population and number of municipalities, and would be limited to a maximum of 90%. Is Northeastern making preparation for commission just in case S. 2425 should pass? SELF-SERVICE MUNICIPAL OR such a COLLECTIVE RESPONSIBILITY? J--« — How did self-service give way to collective municipal responsibility? Not, as most people believe, because an omnipotent colonial municipal government or legislature, or even later, the state, recognized collective responsibility for the public health, welfare, and morals of its people by establishing standards of service and mandating public performance. Individual self-service merely led to voluntary private cooperative arrangements among persons and groups who faced squarely the inadequacies of personal responsibility as population and structural density increased. Primitive, but still largely private, collective responsibility, not state mandate, gradually replaced individual self-service with occasional group self-service. Municipal respon­ sibility was slow in developing, although quite early the “cities” eased into the picture of “municipal" service by various routes. Boston was rather reluctant, choosing to merely encourage private street construc­ tion by remitting a portion of taxes to those who built a street on their own initiative. Philadelphia, quite early, took a bolder step by exacting a certain amount of personal labor on its streets annually. Public assumption of responsibility for fire pro­ tection, today commonly acknowledged as a most necessary and basic municipal service, was especially late and hard aborning. The private rain barrel or well proved insufficient as buildings grew closer together. Private fire companies were the first response to the need for some form of collective and more certain security. Operating on the basis of fixed fees, they confined their service to those residences and other structures which displayed their distinctive identifiestion plaque, now the object of intensive search by lovers of antiques, which indicated that the fire victim was a member of the arrangement in good standingWise old Ben Franklin demonstrated a high civic sense and concern for those who could not or would not subscribe to private services by organizing the firSt volunteer fire company in America. The continuing predominance of this form of protection in our time obviously reflects no change in the traditional recogni­ itia1 tion of collective responsibility for this essentia' RESPONSIBILITY (Cont’d.) HCIPAL -rjns statement must seem incredible to the This of fire‘ who are under the false impression that every who citizellS,iity is required by the laws of the Commonwealth >ClPIIvania to provide this service. The authority of Penn ' the general or specific corporate p;-,-.-; powers is arn°P8the respective codes for the various kinds ......^ of l'st ■ lities. Only in this sense has the state: moved nwnicipa origjna| position of “self-service” toward Elective responsibility.” class cities are authorized “to organize a Third bureau, with °r without Pay” and “to appropriate fire ° for 'maintenance of fire protection facilities, funds ■ ment, and quarters.’’ Cities may “appropriate eqi insurance for volunteer firemen injured or killed in for . i of duty.” Boroughs “may make appropriations for line ""linteer” fire companies. First class townships V°U take all needful means for securing the safety of "may ersons and property,” “may appropriate funds for equipment, etc. . -” and “are empowered to take measures for fire protection, and have sole discretion !0 determine what money shall be thus applied.” Townships of the second class may “make appropria­ tions for purchase of fire equipment and to maintain fire companies and establish regulations for their governance.” Generally speaking, municipal authorities have exercised these corporate powers in varying degrees, ranging from well-organized paid or volunteer protection to little or no active support for this service at all. To contend, however, that all municipalities are bound by law to provide this service is a misconception. Essential as the service is, even in the remotest and most isolated community, the State to this day does not "mandate” municipal fire protection; it merely "authorized” and leaves the decision “to have or not to have” to the discretion of municipal governing bodies, Pennsylvania courts have consistently made it clear that municipalities cannot be compelled to provide fire protection. In 1945, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court affirmed a “erks County decision that the City of Reading “need not maintain a fire department, though it may organize tim're bureau” (Steffy v. Reading). About the same B°e, the Lackawanna County court held that the ^r°ugh of Taylor “may make appropriations for C0l|Unt?er fire companies, but no duty is imposed on BoroCL t0 do so’’ (Taylor Hose and Engine Co. v. Town h- °f Taylor)ln Luzerne County, Hanover first S|'P WaS told in 1947 that “Commissioners of for fjC ass townships are empowered to take measures determ^6 protectiorL and have the sole discretion to V- Han'06 W^at money shall be thus applied” (Uzdilla *»as i °,Ver Township). |n 1959, the Union Fire Company against the c----common hazard of fire. Little wonder that the timidity and I reluctant s-----SUpport of fire protection services by some i municipalities r— more and more frequently elicits from citizens ihe’ theco „ tne haunting n’’"3 question of what these municipalities municipalities would would du if . 1 granted the generous easure of “home rule" they 0claim —.,.1 as an inherent right! WHN ARBITRATION Pen'nVvan^heTo^ a recent decision by The < °f that an m requiring that the City pay premiums onTos^italS’ on insurance for the employes’ families, hatI exceeded ts power, because, under the Third Class City Code a s lp'“”!» oaneFs J m 6XCept the emP|oyees. and the panel s powers could not exceed those of the city Although the policemen of Washington, Pennsylvania would be more concerned about the loss of benefits for their families, students of local government in general, and of arbitration in particular, are more concerned about the substance of and the binding character of compulsory arbitration. The Court stated that an arbitration panel is neither a court nor an administrative agency. The inherent differences between an arbitration panel on the one hand, and courts and administrative agencies on the other, explains the logic behind the distinction. An arbitration panel is a temporary “one shot" institution, convened to respond to a specific conflict. Once it reaches a decision it is disbanded and its members disperse. The mandate of its decision must not be delayed indifinitely through protracted litigation. The Court quoted the Arbitration Act pf 1968 in its reasoning — “The determination of the majority of the board or arbitration thus established shall be final on the issue or issues in dispute and shall be binding upon the public employer and the policemen or firemen involved... No appeal therefrom shall be allowed to any court.” The law clearly limits the power of the courts in accepting appeals. Under the Law, a city does not have the right to appeal a decision of an arbitration panel. This means that the only course of action open to a city is that of refusal to comply. After such a refusal to comply with the award of a panel, the police would then seek a mandamus order to compel compliance. As any local government solicitor well knows, there is some risk in a municipality becoming a party in a mandamus proceedings. service. aPpropri°rtned by a Berks County court that “making ^iscreti atl°nS f°r maintenance of a fire company is Even if a political subdivision cannot appeal the decision of an arbitration panel, the door is opened in the nature of a narrow certiorari. The Supreme Court will review only: (I) the question of jurisdiction. (2) the regularity of the proceedings before the panel 3 questions of excess in the exercise of powers; and 4 constitutional questions. If this is the case the opening for the governing body of a mumc.pahty ,s On the other hand neither does it indicate muc*1 neither does it indicate change m the nature of the collective responsibility (In re unPary w'th the Board of Township Supervisors Un|on Fire Co.) small indeed. 0 t e state and local governments in general 0 protection of person DTonprtv naainct person and and property against the the haza h— rd5 C°"ectivptran^e tblat tble State has accepted the idea of ,t’andatreSponsib''ity f°r protection of public health tne rule even m later colonial America, (cont'd. on next page) n°t yet r 'n8 municipal treatment of sewage, but has eRtiired municipal responsibility for protection word of advice for The Court had a very strong Although the field of private labor­ arbitration panels, relations, hours, wages, and conditions of management (cont'd. on next page) �ARBITRATION (Cont’d) so in that such payment indirectly affected the But what would the Court say to such sub- POIl'A, % jobs affected by abolishment, job descriptions’ classifications, transfers, promotions, chens' iobfsuspensions, and a host of others. What a f,s. mandatory bargaining subjects between the p0|jc O % or settlement of grievances must be m with the law, which, according to the accordance v. a Court, means only those powers expressly given municipality by the Legislature. The essence of the arbitration award may only Court’s decision is that an £.■«>* require a public employer to do that which it could adjustment do voluntarily. The Court has taken the view that in spite of the fact that neither the relevant constitutional provision nor the enabling legislation clearly delineates the power of the arbitration panels, the salute cannot be inter­ preted to impliedly grant public employers the power to do whatever a set of arbitrators decree. It can only be hoped that the reasoning of the Court does not constrain local governments and their employees to innovate new programs and policies through arbitration. The enabling legislation which created the arbitra­ tion system in Pennsylvania provides that policemen and firemen “have the right to bargain collectively with their public employers concerning the terms and conditions of their employment, including compensation, hours, working conditions, retirement, pensions and other benefits, and shall have the right to an adjustment or settlement of their grievances or disputes in accordance with the terms of this act." The Court refined this to mean that “the scope of the submission to the arbitrators be limited to conflicts over legitimate terms and conditions of employment.” In the Washington decision, paying hospitalization insurance premiums of the members of policemen’s families may not have been legitimate terms or conditions of employment” because such payment was not “in accordance with the law.” In future cases, "legitimate terms or conditions of employment” may not be so easy to define. The Court rejected the policemen’s argument that such premiums were in the nature of REAL wages, and perhaps rightly certain confines. To recapitulate, no such exist in the field of private labor-management relatio'5 The Washington decision should teach <arbitrators a very simple lesson — DON’T SHIFT FROM PRIVATE ARBITRATION TO PUBLIC ARBITRATION WITHOuy FIRST BECOMING A STUDENT OF LOCAL __ GOVERN, MENT. Having arbitrated in both, I can attest t -“t to the fact that there are similarities and dissimilariti. -•des in both types of arbitration. HVM IN THE LIBRARY CONTROL CENTER COMMENTS - Luzerne County Civil Defense - This one page newsletter gjves information on the recent developments in civil defense in Luzerne County. COURIER - Department of Community Affairs - A bulletin reporting bills affecting local government which have been introduced in the State legislature and other news of interest to local officials. DELAWARE RIVER BULLETIN - Delaware River Basin Association — A newsletter noting trends in improving the scenic beauty and usefulness of the basin area. Tact is the ability someone else does. to shut your mouth before annual dinner eighteenth Annual Dinner for Award and The rtificate winners will be held in the dining room of ' New Men’s Dormitory at Wilkes College on Tuesday, Nay 26, 1970 at 6:30 P’M’ This 'S a gala occasi°n for local officials, local government employees, and others In Northeastern Pennsylvania, particularly in Luzerne County. This Annual Dinner brings to a climax all of the year’s activities conducted by the Institute of Regional Affairs. The main speaker of the evening will be the Honorable William T. Schmidt, new secretary of the Department of Commerce in the Commonwealth. This department has assisted this area with large grants-in-aid in order to stimulate its renaissance and redevelopment. It is expected that Secretary Schmidt will have a very timely and informative message for all of us interested in the economic health and prosperity of Northeastern Pennsylvania. WHERE ARE WE? According to the the February February issue issue of of the the Pennsylvania Pennsylvania Business Survey published by the College of Business Administration at Penn State University, the sixties ended with the best employment level in Luzerne County since 1953. l7r>o. According to the Pennsylvania State anning Board, the population loss of the fifties, when e county lost 11.5% of its population, turned into .a ght ^crease of 0.6% by 1968. Non-Profit Organization U. S. POSTAGE PAID Return Postage Guaranteed __________ WILKES COLLEGE WILKES-BARRE, THOUGHTS FOR TODAY Success in only a matter of luck — ask any man who fails. IRA NEWSLETTER Institute of Regional Affairs Wilkes College Wilkes-Barre, Pa. 18703 N EWS^TTER city? If these could be delineated beyond the gener in the enabling statute, arbitration panels (p'1'65. customed to imitations under laws) might stay°tac'l Wilkes-Barre, Pa. Permit No. 355 in A|'cornPanying the employment gains was a growth of p ar va'ue of retail sales that closely matched that Ttle v°lume in Luzerne County than nil10 $470.89l,000 in 1967, an increase of more nearly 260<7^rOni "Th® increase for the State was Hovvev— ^ver, improvement in the County's per capita !ncorne has h3 nOt been as 8°od as tbat in employment, in 11959 ~~ C°Unty Per caPlta income amounted to 81 % of the n 83 % fQrnational a*l0.nal average. Recently it was estimated at an increase i of only I %. The county per capita 'ncottig Wass calculated at $2,595, as compared with S3.l 59 or the Nation, ing and $3,176 for Pennsylvania, The article further states that it was the manufacturindi stries of the County that sparked job growth the sixties. They proved to be extremely stable ,.'960-61 recession. They expanded especially 1961 -62 and again in 1966. By the end of 1969, PENNA. MAY IS, 1970 these industries showed an average monthly employment or the year of 53,700, whereas in 1959 manufactures whC|U eSS than 35% °f the total employment while in 1969 they represented 40% of the total. Employment in nonmanufacturing industries of Luzerne County did not begin to expand until the second half of the sixties. Following the decline of the 1960-61 recession, they held steady until 1965, In most of the years following 1965 they expanded well and steadily. By the end of 1969, this sector reached the best job level since the onset of the 1957-58 recession. Monthly employment in these noncommodity industries is 67,600, amounting to a little over half of total employment. Meanwhile, unemployment dropped to less than 4% of a labor force that is the largest in more than 10 years. There has been little change in unemployment since 1966, although a slight increase appeared toward the end of 1969. The article shows some skepticism about the stability of employment in another recession, contending that there are elements of instability in Luzerne County’s economy. Some kinds of manufacture, especially the manufacture of durable goods, like machinery and metal products, are sensitive to change in market conditions, such as the production of women’s dresses, a major product of the County. Today the apparel industry is increasingly at the mercy of style changes. The article concludes that all the industries of Luzerne County show a high degree of sensitivity to seasonal change in their employment, perhaps as much as a 4.4% shift over the period of a year, merely because of seasonal changes in product demand. For Pennsylvania as a whole, the shift amounts to 4.0 points The seasonal fluctuation in manufacturing of points is much higher than the 1.8 fluctuation m the State as a whole. certification ---- , on a proposed bill Governor Oglivie’s signature -■-» makes it possible for before the Illinois Legislature r deputy assessor who has any Illinois assessor or c_r . purses of study and training completed the necessary courses Certified Illinois Assessing and has been presented a C-...... ■ > Illinois Property Officers Certificate (CIAO) by the 'receive from state funds Assessment Institute to r------of $250 per annum. additional compensation �will be administered by the staff of the |ns ■ Regional Affairs for “housekeeping" purpos^'11tut* Of INSTITUTE OF REGIONAL AFFAIRS Dr. Hugo V. Mailey, Director NEWSLETTER VOL. XVII NO. 5 MAY 15, 1970 This News-letter, published monthly as a. community service, originates in the Institute of Regional Affairs of Wilkes College. Notes and inquiries may be addressed to Dr. Hugo V. Mailey, Director, Institute of Regional Affairs, Wilkes College, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania 18703 Subscription free upon request. HUMAN RESOURCES CENTER Plans have been announced by the Commonwealth to relocate State agencies providing human services in a new Human Resources Center in central Scranton. The Center will provide offices for 21 State, Lackawanna County and community human service agencies scattered through the City. It will be the first unit in a governmental and civic complex proposed by the Scranton-Lackawanna Development Corporation. The cost of the project, approximately 53,500,000, will be financed through a bond issue sold by Scranton-Lackawanna Health and Welfare Authority. The Center idea is a new approach to bringing services to people in one complex. Secondarily, it will help in the revitalization of downtown, a joint effort of local leaders and state and local governments. SUMMER INTERNS A Public Service Summer Internship program has been made an integral part of the Wilkes College Social Science curriculum in Urban Affairs. Selected students enrolled iin the Social Science curriculum in Urban Affairs will be given an c~; ** ' , to elect '. opportunity to participate in the practical work of public service ..-u zactivities under the personal direction and guidance of responsible administrators in municipalities willing to meet the degree standards of the College. The program is designed to s_rh supplement and heighten students' academic interest in his field of interest in the SSocial Sciences through e— .. , exposure to practical situations; to provide a "trial” experience for the student who is not already committed t: J to a definite career plan; to enable a student committed _d to a public service career to evaluate his i committment against reality as early as possible; to < encourage entry into a public service career. Students who meet the academic and personal qualifications required would serve as interns for a period of 8 to 10 weeks during the summer at compensation to be <agreed „ . upon by the student, the program director, and’ the ' i participating agency. Three academic credits will be granted for satisfactory performance in the summer internship program. The Internship Program the-job supervision of the student will be th' h" SO|6 i responsibility of the agency administrator, Student | evaluation by the director of the program and by the agency administrator will be continuous du ’ the I internship period. At the conclusion of each internship, both interns and agencies will be r-U'I'n’’ier requireii to submit program and student performance evaluat^" -uns. ( VIOLENT CRIME THE CHALLENGE TO OUR CITIES This recently published book, “Violent Crime The Challenge to Our Cities,” brings together the Report of the National Commission on the Causes and Prevention of Violence, and an introductory article by Daniel P. Moynihan, Counsellor to the President, entitled "Toward a National Urban Policy.” Both of these are concerned with the rising growth of violence in our metropolitan areas, more particularly, the core cities. The Report of the Commission delves into the problem of violent crime in detail, such as a profile of violent crime, the causes and rise of violent crime, and the prevention of violent crime. The conclusions reached by the Commission were: • of th® United States, the report does hold cities•ficance for Northeastern Pennsylvania, sig”' number of questions that will have to be 5^e are. a , adequate is our police protection, How ■riorating neighborhoods? How adequate , in deter eP^a"yr relations? Are the police adequately ’ our C°immunity they adequately funded? How long can Are twined? .lacent and think that it can’t happen here? comp I commonly accepted idea of “not getting we he '-[about the Wha r ied" which is prevalent in our society? inVC. Ttie Commission also emphasized the point that cities requires nothing less than progress safer/ ilS n tructing our urban life when it stated, in recon: i.e Federal Government must provide more and "The information concerning urban affairs, and should better i... extensive and sustained research into urban sponsor < and should sponsor extensive and sustained affairs, a.------... research into urban problems, and "The Federal Government, by its own example, and by incentives, should seek the development of a far-heightened sense of the finite resources of the natural environment, and the fundamental importance of aesthetics in successful urban growth." Again, although these problems are approached from a Federal point of view, it does raise a number of considerations of those urban areas in the North­ eastern section of Pennsylvania. What is your municipality doing about it? “Violent crimes are chiefly a problem of the cities of the nation, and there violent crimes are committed mainly by the young, poor, male inhabitants of the ghetto slum. “In the slums, increasingly powerful social forces are generating rising levels of violent crime which, unless checked, threaten to turn our cities into defensive, fearful societies. "An improved criminal-justice system is required to contain the growth of violent crime, but only progress toward urban reconstruction can reduce the strength of the crime-causing forces in the inner city and thus reverse the direction of present crime trends.” The Commission agrees with the Commission on Law Enforcement and Administration of Justice wherein their report they stated: “Warring on poverty, inadequate housing, and unemployment, is warring on crime. A civil rights law is a law against crime. Money for schools is money against crime. Medical, psychiatric, and family* counseling services are services against crime. More broadly, and more importantly every effort to improve life in America’s “inner cities" is an effort against crime.” Dr. Moynihan has outlined a ten-point program concerning the role of the Federal and State governments in the approach to violent crime, and the Commissio" agrees. The Commission emphasizes the point that the national investment in the criminal justice process be oubled, central offices of criminal justice be create at the metropolitan level, and that complimentary private citizen groups be formed. Although the Commission was concerned with the (cont’d. on next page) PRT COMMUNITY IMAGE Two short readings relating to community image are worth perusing for those who are concerned that North­ eastern Pennsylvania raise its stature. Elizabeth P. Dueterman writing in the February, 1970 issue of the Business Review of the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia inquired into the reasons behind Philadelphia’s decline as a corporate headquarters by going behind the apparent economic data and talking directly to executives of Philadelphia’s major head­ quarters who make location decisions. Undoubtedly, many reasons fdZT’Kilad'elpTna's loss u eadquarters are primarily internal to the corporation. r e community may have little influence over these inaS?ns' 'n numerous cases, however, there are factors c te ree'ona' environment that strongly influence exeP°rate ^cation decisions. Civic leadership can is C'Se.S0Rle control over many of these factors. There transportation, local political environment, f- ■ corporate legal structure, and availability• -f of scientific and technical personnel. The rank order of the first ton judged inadequate by the 25 in J COmmunitX attributes image, hotels, loca[ po i ic ~"'ty of scientific and technics „ Onment’ availability environment (SMS A) di * Personnel’ regional political rssSSys the reputation a region has for being a favorable or unfavorable place in which to live and do business. The reputation may be based on facts or folklore It may be created by experiences visitors encounter today or by experiences encountered years ago. The reputation’ however, may linger long after facts change. But’ regardless of how the reputation is created, people are the chief creators. y\s is true in any study of attitudes, we know that people’s views of the facts frequently do not coincide with the facts. Attitudes of executives are no exception. Nevertheless, the subjective attitudes often count more than objective facts when decisions are made. How presidents and board chairmen of Phila­ delphia’s corporations feel about the region as a desirable location on which to maintain their home offices can play a major role in whether they remain in, or leave, the area. According to the writer, in each case, those attributes rated less than competitive with other regions relate to factors of human quality. She felt that these factors cannot be underemphasized. Corporate decision makers clearly consider the human quality for a community to play a much stronger role in the location of headquarters than in the location of production and distribution facilities. Furthermore, psychological costs appear to have greater weight in locating headquarters than in site selection for other corporate facilities. That the problem is human in nature is more obvious in some instances than in others. An obvious human problem is the unfavorable grade Philadelphia received as a source of top-quality and professional personnel according to the corporate leaders. Availability of these types of workers in a region is not one of the highest ranking factors evaluated in headquarters decision making. But still it is con­ sidered of above-average importance in the ranking envir aS'C need ?or better understanding of what these envir°nmental factors are. game. Local political leadership, in contrast to that at the state level has a stronger impact on negative attitudes corp0'1ratifaCt0rS ,isted in order of relative importance by state □ pypcutives toward ^^^rters tLoir inration tneir location. A community executives that influence the location of are the following: housing for management - --•< burden, major personnel, corporate tax ' — ■’,,'r P r °rate banking transportation for services, air Pr ?el’ '°«l availability of management and re ■ Ss'°na| r-----■ 7 enforcement, Personnel, community law ■ --'ivvis, space costs costs,, community. image, universities, cultural environment, regional of o2renVironment (SMSA), legal services, availability r0DProfe^ional Personnel (supporting office staff). oca home-office location. ----Philadelphia’s large If the resident executives of alucta human qualities of the environheadquarters evaluate and bread for visitors, such as hotels, ment, plusless bed than adequate, the author concludes that somewhat be real substance behind the region’s poor there may (cont’d. on next page) �reputation. If not, then opinions held by local execu­ tives, if voiced, tend to perpetuate a poor image anyway. A second piece of resistance is a recent publication titled “Prospects for Growth - Needs for Action distributed by the Economic Development Council of Northeastern Pennsylvania, an organization interested in the climate for growth in manufacturing and employment for a seven-county area - Carbon, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, Pike, Schuykill, and Wayne. This is the group’s second attempt to examine that climate. It does not analyze data from secondary sources, but pursues the same methodology by allowing manufacturers to have their say about what is good or bad about the northeast region from an industrial viewpoint. This project and its special approach offered EDCNP an opportunity to obtain other information from manufacturers in order to update and expand information obtained in a 1966 survey on plant location factors, growth potential, and related data. One objective of an earlier EDCNP survey was continued: Determination of the assets and liabilities of the region considered most important by industry and, specifically, how these relate to their business operations. The study underscores the importance of the generally favorable labor situation, the nearness to major markets and the excellent highway network reaching to those markets. It catalogues manufacturers' ideas of needed improvements in education, housing, political institu­ tions, and several other areas. When responding to, "What is our greatest liability? Specifically, how does it affect your plant?’’ about onehalf indicated labor. Although naming labor as a liability seems to contradict its being named as an asset, close examination of respondent's answers indicates that the problem was often one of finding a sufficient number of employees in certain skills. This was characteristic not only of Northeastern Pennsylvania at the time of the survey but of the State and Nation, as a generally tight labor market existed. The most common statements on the quality of labor referred to a need for better high school education locally and more opportunity for post-high school "nd vocational/technical training. Plant man and, considered that educational attainment of their « ei1' inadequate in high school science and mathematic^’ well as technical training at both the high ■sch0^d ! ’ Although the region is noted for its state parks Parks large private recreation development, recreation fac i-a,1(l criticized as maoequate inadequate at the local |, les > were usually criticizeo 5ve|, Thus, it appears from the comments that there is a eVi for neighborhood parks and a greater variety of ente- need1 Certain. I ment and amusements within walking or short dr""-"1' distances from highly-populated areas. Vln8 It is obvious that both these reports are hi hi highly relevant to our area. Not only must positive thinki be employed by the citizenry, but also the facing factors indicated must be corrected if the area is to grow and I prosper as a “good place to live and work.” HVM > IN THE LIBRARY REGIONAL REPORTS - Metropolitan Washington1 Council of Governments — A four-page Newsletter published to assist local communities in rresolving mutual area-wide problems in the nationalil capital region. CUES NEWS — Center for Urban Environmental Studies at Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn — A Newsletter dealing with environmental problems in the Ne« York City area. DISTRICT FOCUS - Economic Development Council of Northeastern Pennsylvania — A bulletin devoted tt presenting community happenings of Northeaster! Pennsylvania. THOUGHTS FOR TODAY It’s true that gentlemen reverse is even more true. prefer blondes, but the When we kill time, we kill what life is made of. Non-Profit Organization U. S. POSTAGE PAID Return Postage Guaranteed 5S voTxvn NO. 6 ANNUAL ; WlLKE9COLL£SFWlLKES-BARRE, -------------------- # DINNER The Eighteenth Annual Dinner of the Institute of Regional Affairs held on May 26 at Wilkes College not only broke attendance records of all previous IRA meetings, but established the affair as the largest of its kind in the State. More than five hundred local govern­ ment officials from the Northeast Pennsylvania region, and their guests, jammed the spacious crescent dining hall of the New Men’s Dormitory at the College to mark the completion of another successful year’s program of in-service training for local officials and employees at the Institute and to pay special honor to two recipients of Service Awards for meritorious service to local government throughout a multi-county area. Arranged by the staff of the IRA, and “emceed” for the 18th year by Joseph F. Gallagher, Esq., Solicitor of Newport Township and Wyoming Borough, the program featured an address on “The New Northeast” by Donald Moyer, Executive Director of the Economic Council of NEPA and one on “Community Service” by Dr. Eugene S. Farley, retiring President of Wilkes College. Fred H. Miller, Executive Director of the Commonwealth’s Public Service Institute of the Department of Education, who has cooperated with the College’s in-service training program for local officials and employees since its lncePtion eighteen years ago, spoke on the need for continuing education and initiated the presentation of Certificates of Attainment. A total of 469 individuals received Certificates of IRA NEWSLETTER Institute of Regional Affairs Wilkes College Wilkes-Barre, Pa. 18703 NjaJS-LETTER post-high school levels. Wilkes-Barre, Pa- | Permit No. 355 Jtainment from the Public Service Institute in recognition successful completion of 19 in-service training courses i-_er.e<^ by the IRA. Service Awards were given to 60 local government officials by the IRA, nominated by their dedi C0lleaSues- in recognition of exceptional and cated public service to their communities. IRA t spec'al bronze plaque, awarded annually by the °utsta°rtt^at 'nd'vidual in the region who has contributed comm 11 ln£ serv'ce to the cause of government or citize membe ' Boroupu afTairs, was awarded to two distinguished The H°norable Frank O’Connell, Kingston, a tbe “f the Pennsylvania General Assembly and to atl(j otincil member, was honored for his devotion governmaCCornp'ishments in the promotion of better local Parley ent 'n bis community and State. Dr. Eugene S. the Aw ret'r'ng President of Wilkes College, received ^mun"d f°r b's dedicated service to the regional therefo,. because of his support to the IRA and e for his support in the cause of good government. penna. JUNE 15, 1970 Dr Maithe Service P|adue to Dr. Farley, Dr. Ma, ley made the following remarks: you’l^fHJ iS/° t0 repeat the storX of the IRA- x “”, “*-■ x the annual ,ep„ of It has only been because of his understanding of what the Institute of Municipal Government and its successor - the Institute of Regional Affairs - was trying to accomplish on the campus and off that I stayed at Wilkes. '‘The Farley Era of eighteen years was a most productive one, and local governments are all the better for it. “■In grateful recognition of his accomplishments toward community betterment for a third of a century, his dedication to education at every level, his supportive service to the cause of good government, his optimism and imagination in creating the “tomorrows” from the work of the “todays” and in recognition understanding, and support to the Institute of Municipal Government and the Institute of Regional Affairs since 1951, I present this 1969 plaque to E. S. Farley.” Dr. Mailey remarked on both Mr. O’Connell's service to Kingston Borough and in the General Assembly. He stated, “The recipient of the distinguished Service Award is certainly no stranger to the people of the West Side. Upon two different occasions he received both political party nominations to the Kingston Borough Council. He has served in this capacity for a period of ten years, four of which were spent as chairman of the Council. As chairman many changes took place. A swimming pool and park complex became a reality. A new municipal building was erected, the library was enlarged, and the Borough became active in two major authorities, the West Side Land Fill Authority and the Wyoming Valley Sanitary Water Authority. Additional land was acquired for the expansion of industries, parking lots were developed and streets improved. On the state level he has been quite active in the General Assembly, serving on a number of important committees, such as mine and mineral industries, transportation, conservation, and water and air pollution. He has also been an active member of the Joint State Government Commission for the study of the Susquehanna River Watershed Development Program.” (cont’d. on next page) �THE INSTITUTE OF REGIONAL AFFAIRS Dr. Hugo V. Hailey, Director NEWSLETTER VOL. XVII JUNE 15, 1970 NO. 6 This News-letter, published monthly as a community service, originates in the Institute of Regional Affairs of Wilkes College. Notes and inquiries may be addressed to Dr. Hugo V. Hailey, Director, Institute of Regional Affairs, Wilkes College, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania 18703 Subscription free upon request. Both speakers at the Annual Awards Dinner left little doubt that the main ingredients of the great revival in the Northeast region of Pennsylvania have been energetic people dedicated to the redevelopment of the community by organized effort and to the concept that fragmented local effort must be combined under a cooperative regional attack on economic and governmental problems which have plagued the region since the demise of the coal industry. Donald Moyer, Executive Director of the Economic Development Council of Northeast Pennsylvania drew a thrilling picture of the ‘‘New Northeast” which, he said, has in the last five years received national recognition for its superior attainments in economic development. Citing a long list of accomplishments which have raised the region to its present status, he pressed home the contrast of the image of what was once a one-industry economy with the current soundly diversified industrial and commercial complex. Emphasizing that the national image of the region as the "coal region” has now all but disappeared because of the long effort of regional leaders and the people, he predicted a promising future for the Northeast as the center of a population of more than forty million along the east coast, provided that remaining localism is replaced by a spirit of regional cooperation in all areas of community life. Dr. Eugene S. Farley, President of Wilkes College, and one of the original prime movers in the renaissance of the area, spoke proudly of specific individuals, who at the low mark of e —J " economic decline, initiated the programs wfaich have culminated in current progress, _I i.i our Tracing the slow but su; sure growth in the number and dedication of individuals o'.s who worked unselfishly for general area progress, Dr. Farley emphasized task of revival and development is not __ d that the finished, and still requires “people to do the job”. I Noting that the dinner guests were all associated with local —I governments in the region, he emphasized the fact that fragmented local governments are one of the greatest remaining obstacles to a full realization of the region’s potential. Referring to historical experience of our country's growth once the narrow localism under the Articles of Confederation had been supplanted by the cooperative national interest, he called for earnest efforts of local officials to create larger units of local government which ould be capable of handling problems which now cross narrow municipal boundaries WHN ,„st1stablishment tute OF inregional aFFM>!i, 1947 Wilkes College Since its estalbl nity effort towards econ ^Tthe^^ leaders believedI 1 inextricably linked to development J1®*®^un-ity and the region. fortunes of tne M,,nicipal Government, formed The Institute °\ , . . _..d gown to In 1951 out of a mutual desire of town and with one another for the advantage of both — hadd as iia i , . 1 fundamental purpose to guarantee the semi-; ■autonomous I structure of American local government, so long as n would retain the capacity to solve its own problems, l Many innovations in local government in the North. , eastern Pennsylvania . reeion had their S • • beginnings^' Institute. workshops and conferences sponsored by the The commitment by the College in community affairs i was duly recognized in I960 when the Ford Foundation funded the Institute of Municipal Government, the Area Research Center, and the Labor Management Citizens Office. j In 1966, the Institute of Regional Affairs replaced the Institute of Municipal Government as a multi-purpose I College organization which views regional problems as belonging to no simple academic discipline, but rather i as a contemporary phenomenon spilling into many disciplines. The very creation of the Institute is proof positive that a full across-the-board commitment has been made by Wilkes College. Its resources include not only the College faculty in the Social Sciences but also experts in the region who can lend their assistance. The Institute of Regional Affairs, in bridging the gap between the scholar and the community, has three basic interrelated goals: — to help the College relate effectively to a constantly changing urban society. — to help the component communities of this region to develop a greater capacity for dealing with urban problems and for guiding urban development; and, — to help contribute generally to the development of knowledge of urban society and processes or change, and to methods of applying this knowledge- Wilkes College does not have a general extension division as state universities and land grant college5 have. The Institute of Regional Affairs has served as* point of first contact for community requests to deliver extension activities and operate a variety of continuing activities in the community. The Institute of Regi°na Affairs has been the buffer in handling these servic* activities. Instead of separating the “extension” the “academic” personnel, the College through th' Institute of Regional Affairs, has been able to h" people who have been able to coordinate functions fro scholarship to community service under a single canoPf' By utilizing this approach, the Institute of Regi0^ Affairs has operated as a catalyst in stimulating anil m ucing positive community responses to needs anil opportunities. The result of this approach is an l>--Institu1' (cont’d. on next page) . Affairs which devotes most of its technical ft"-- al nDii=J research on a local basis, deals with °fforts t0,ah0|ts” operating problems of the communities f.^ts a,ld.on and seeks to infuse some new understanding »fthhaRnep^°mena’ written to granted. The improvements = j community desiVe jP,nent'nvolves an 845' permits ofpr its very beginnings has Wilkes College ever from as the ideal American institution of higher viewed'^located in a peaceful, small, relatively where where its community of scholars could be iso ;0|ated |ated from the noise and confusion of the world and the r._ shut off ,r0™ order to devote their time to intellectual region in °rder t0 the regi°nJ"e transition from a relatively simple set of .its The t • __ pursllits' in jursuit Northeastern Pennsylvania to the highly C<,l, hnica| “"':"■■■■ of 7 the 1960’s and the :ondltl °?Sand S,nd complex complex C conditions has called —led for for vigorous and alert response from -s be they governmental, educational, institutions local or social. Not only has the College been a e<■conomic,in this transition, it has made an investment partner the work of the Institute of Regional Affairs through techniques, and insights that a rhat has yielded ideas, 1 s college may profitably examine as it small liberal arts into complex community and ventures more deeply d area problems. PRT PUD According to Research Report #6 prepared for the National Commission on Urban Problems entitled “Local Land and Building Regulations” by Allen D. Manvel, with 3,664 governmental units responding to a questionnaire, his study reveals that four out of five major cities, two out of three smaller cities, and nearly half of all cities reporting zoning ordinances have now adopted a PUD ordinance. This is a far cry from the bare 80 cities reporting Planned Unit Development ordinances nearly a decade ago when Urban Land Institute published its first major work on the subject. The actual statistics show that of the 3,664 total, 45% (1,648) have PUD provisions; among cities with 50,000 or more population, 63% have PUD’s; and, America’s largest cities with 250,000 or more P pulatlon. 83% (43 out of 52) have PUD’s. lon^^ concept of Planned Unit Development is no Planni 3 n6W 'dea from t'1e standpoint °f t^le physical Penns'1? 'and use and development. Recently, the passed ban'a SUPreme C°urt sustained the PUD ordinance Enablin BoroLI2h of New Hope under the Standard density'^H Ct' "Pde 'and was originally zoned for low the de’ | tached, single family use. At the request of Passed e°Per’ a PUD ordinance was introduced and of the |Un er th6 Standard Enabling Act with the approval 'nthisj°Ca' planninS commission. The PUD ordinance Uses andtanCe speBed out density standards, permissible ^tween1 k^e percentage of open land and distances ^cation buildingsIt left for free distinction the loc?'req? anb d'd awa7 with rigid front, side and rear yard natulr?mentS‘ tb|us allowing the planner to preserve the distincti contours of the land. The interesting summer theater town^at Ho^' -"i'ch is * A ^oup of Protestors anartCOlony‘ tPhemitr'dbUttheSupremeCoXaf P^ |iSSUanCe °f the the vahdity of the permits aDDrns{lvania sustained he Supreme Court held that th tbe PUB concept. ordinance with genera of passio? an loci administrative officer or build’ h “ a. than the zoninS filling up the detaUs wa '7 ,n,Spector) ‘he task of Standard Enabling Act The PUD w-0”" the that, after the passage of the nT Ordlnance provides made to the planning ° ordlna"ce, application is well TsoLnp"6^ aT°aCh t0 Z°ning fairs reasonably bas s nddevelopment takes place on a lot-by-lot basis, and so long as no one cares that the overall ppearance of the municipality resembles the design achieved by using a cookie cutter on a sheet of dough However, with the increasing popularity of large scale residential developments, particularly in suburban areas, it has become apparent to many local municipalities that land can be more efficiently used, and developments more aesthetically pleasing, if zoning regulations focus on density requirements rather than on specific rules for each individual lot. Under Density Zoning, the legislature determines what percentage of a particular district must be devoted to open space, for example, what percentage used for dwelling units. The task of filling in the particular district with real houses and real open spaces then falls upon the planning commission usually working in conjunction with the individual large scale developer. The ultimate goal of this so-called density or cluster concept of zoning is achieved when an entire selfcontained little community is permitted to be built within zoning district, with the rules of density controlling not only the relation of private dwellings to open space, but also the relation of homes to commercial establish­ ments such as theaters, hotels, restaurants, and quasi­ commercial uses such as schools and churches. The present controversy before this Court involves a frontal attack upon one of these zoning districts, known in the trade as a Planned Unit Development (hereinafter PUD). “We must examine the statutory power of the borough planning commission to determine whether such an administrative body may regulate the internal development of a PUD district. The Act of February I 1966, P.L. (1965) - requires that all plans for land laid out in building lots’ be approved by the planning commission before they may be recorded. Thus, the traditional job 'be Bpro°n /*as that, within the general frame of reference, t0 aPPrpvS P'anning Commission was then designated of the commission has been to examine tract plans to determine whether they conform to the applicable borough ordinances. The ordinances most frequently interpreted and applied by the planning commission are those bpildipgs 6 tbe details such as the placement of the Systems ’ the open sPace. recreation facilities, road (cont’d. on next page) ' and so on. A subdivision-type agreement was �USER FEES ^e'Hthrso-caUe^'pubHc'i'mp'rovements^HoweyeG the si— to ordinances dealing with perm.ssible building use as well Thus, the borough planning commissi remains the only other body both qualified and statutorily permitted to approve PUD. Of course, we realize that a planning commission is not authorized to engage in actual rezoning of land.” The Court noted that the Zoning Board of Adjustment was a statutorily created body for the purpose of hearing and deciding appeals on a case by case or lot by lot basis, strictly within the traditional zoning framework. Such a board cannot deal with large developments. The basic idea of a PUD development is to allow flexibility for both the municipality and for the developer. The developer must attempt to include certain features into a PUD that will give the potential buyer the assurance that the property value will be protected. Since the future tax base of the community is a vital factor too, the developers must build in those features which will help support the economic base of the community. He must respond flexibly and quickly to the market demands. Undue restrictions would be very self-defeating for the municipality. The effect of this upon the economics of development is difficult to foresee. It will, however, permit large corporations to develop vast acreage of land on a programmed basis. Large amounts of capital will be needed for this type of development, many times not found locally. Small size individual operations in the building industry may be shaded into the background. This kind of imaginative planning will make it possible to develop large tracks of land and at the same time meet the aesthetic needs of the people. It may ofTanCd°T /hat KaS been the haphazard development of land, tending to create the standard appearing sub- with small pieces °f °Pen land whichman? timeshas b^ times nas become 1 «3come an an eyesore. eyesore. If the NEWTOWN concept is not implementable PUD creations may be the next best thing. ’ U HVM “Many Local Officials Increase ‘User Fe Fiscal Pinch” headlines a lead article in the Wai? Journal. These "user charges” amounted to S22 PiN? for fiscal year 1968, or 19% of all city revenues blIli<*i. The Urban Data Service of the lnternatiOn Management Association has stated that us3 nearly tripled between 1955 and 1965. State and fees sales, income, and property taxes more than doubl W the same period. The UDS predicts that in the dtUI ending 1975, “user fees” will increase by compared to forecasts of only a 75% increase in tax jULliW NEWS-LETTER >1 Major cities where user fees sewer service charges, golf course fees, auditorium ..„„ls and see i.eois as S, a page copies THE VOL. LIBRARY FBI LAW ENFORCEMENT BULLETIN - Federal BureJ of Investigation - A monthly magazine noting recent trends in the field of law enforcement. FIRE JOURNAL — National Fire Protection Association- A bi-monthly magazine containing information on fire prevention standards, fire records, and other material of permanent reference value. FIREMEN — National Fire Protection Association - A | -r and2 employees in September. The record of «»., 500 CertificatesJinn.^ of Attainment awarded at the — r attests to the growing lT.S.Jn= .bls Fall sh.old reach awareness of the value of the IRA program, and indicates ui__.............. high. The courses will again be conducted by members of the Institute staff and selected professionals in each field, and will as usual enjoy the full cooperation of the Public Service Institute of the Pennsylvania Department of Education. There is no charge for any course. Civil Defense Training courses which have been firmed up for the Fall Semester are as follows: Course monthly magazine dealing with fire-fighting technique THOUGHTS FOR TODAY No real gentleman has ever heard the other fellows joke. Sept. Sept. Sept. Sept. Sept. Sept. Oct. Return P0Stage Guaranteed CIVIL SERVICE RULES Larksville Borough recently took another forward step in municipal administration by adopting in May its first tailored formal civil service rules and regulations for the Police Department. The rules and regulations were formulated by the IRA staff at the request of the Civil Service Commission. The regulations cover the organization and functions of the Commission, qualifica­ tions of police applicants, application and examination procedures, and certification and appointment of officers, as well as rules for suspensions, removals, and reduction in rank, and record system. The report of "Salaries, Wages, and Fringe Benefits in Luzerne County Municipalities" for the fiscal year 1970 has been completed by the IRA and is available at no cost on request by mailing a post card to the IRA in Parrish Hall at Wilkes College. Published annually, this survey is primarily intended to provide local officials with salary, wage and fringe benefit data for elected and appointed officials and employees in each municipality in the County. Officials have found it to be a realistic and valuable tool in the preparation of the 15 16 16 18 21 24 I Courses in other areas will be listed in the August Newsletter. ‘RA NEWSLETTER Institute of Regional Affairs Wilkes College Wilkes-Barre, pa. |8703 JULY 15, 1970 SALARY AND WAGE SURVEY Starting Date Basic Communications Light Duty Rescue Auxiliary Police Medical Self-help Civil Defense Operation Radiological Refresher Radiological Monitoring PENNA. ~ proposal for merging the police departments of Dallas Borough, and Dallas and Kingston Townships which is being considered for adoption in the near future. . critute of Regional Affairs is now Fpolishing ” ’ :..o The "r ,rse School bell w call inw session >ts ins.i.k. gaining el.s^s Io, local Short ia,s j.,.2 rescue techniques, and prevention programs. It’s hard to tbelieve " that the whole American Revolution started over just one tax? WILNO^------------------- WILKES gLKKCgLLEGE SHORT COURSES TO BEGIN IN SEPTEMBER have substamtaxei s ' outraced general tax increases include Atlanta, Buff | i Cincinnati, Denver, Kansas City, Philadelphia, Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco and Oakland, i? Oakland. " 1962, user charges negligible” In in O. ______________ ... "were negligibleklan'd. ,5 in O7fl ------- -- ' ' in I1970 about 13% (about $8 million) will come fro- IN 1 UBWW annual budget. POLICE STUDY Non-Profit Organization U. s. POSTAGE PAID Wilkes-Barre, P^1 j Permit No. 35Sj COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS Fairview have i ■ :w ar,d Wright Townships in Luzerne County joined *the . a Nuit u‘ ranks of progressive municipalities eterminedi to communit" uP8rade police services in response to ty growth Sr°wth attendant to economic development. The Institute of Regional Affairs and the Public Services Committee of the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commerce have been working on a County Emergency System for the past five years. This system is intended to embrace all aspects of personal and property protective services, including police, fire, ambulance, and civil survey andSt'tUte °f ReS'onal Affairs has completed a two townsh’ report recIuested by the supervisors of the ar>d Wright -r-PS tit;'ed “Joint Police Service for Fairview Survey of °wnships.” The Report, based on a thorough SUl”uiari2e the c'laracteristics of this growing area, SeP3rate S aspects °f police operations current in the ■ yuiicc opeiduuiid t_uii^nv ... ^risdictions, describes the various options f°r c°oper«r Jt ' *Ve police activities available under existing Proposes a specific cooperation agreement conditions prevailing in the two townships, Whi lnhE• the -.a way for a more sophisticated arrangeother neighboring communities might join in ‘>C.eh Th' '-Wright Report was preceded by an I.R.A. ------- defense. There are three basic steps involved in developing such an emergency system. The first, that of purchasing equipment to serve as the base station of the entire system, has already been completed when Motorola Company was awarded a $28,802 contract for this portion of the network. The second step, that of purchasing 20 fixed-base control be located in designated control units units to to be L— consummated with the communities, has also been the County Comexecution of agreements between missioners and the municipalities. (coat’d. on next page) �INSTITUTE OF REGIONAL AFFAIRS Dr. Hugo V. Mailey, Director THE ECONOMICS OF HlGHWflv EMERGENCY AMBULANCE SERV|ce$ NEWSLETTER VOL. XVII JULY 15, 1970 NO. 7 This News-letter, published monthly as a community service, originates in the Institute of Regional Affairs of Wilkes College. Notes and inquiries may be addressed to Dr. Hugo V. Mailey, Director, Institute of Regional Affairs, Wilkes College, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania 18703 Subscription free upon request. The next step will involve the awarding of contracts for the units in the police vehicles. The IRA is presently working on this phase of the whole plan, which involves securing certain data and information from all police departments in the County. Finally, numerous mobile radio units governmental, university, and private sources, an integrated clearinghouse for informative -Jn On aspects of urban affairs. mounted in emergency vehicles will be joined to the system to form a comprehensive communications net providing 24-hour protection of lives and property to most of the County’s 350,000 people. It is expected that the first two phases will be consummated by the end of September and the third phase by December, 1970. THE IRA LIBRARY One of the unique features of the Institute of Regional Affairs is a library which includes a selected, com­ prehensive collection of about 4,000 contemporary materials dealing with various aspects of urban studies, government, land use, transportation, management, social welfare, education, recreation, and public finance. In addition, the IRA library houses 190 periodicals covering virtually every aspect of urban affairs. These include such magazines as the American Institute of Planners Newsletter, The American City Magazine, American County Government, American School Board Journal, Chicago Police Star, Community Services of Pennsylvania, Council of Governments Regional Reports, County Government, Firemen, Fire News, FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin, Governmental Research Associa­ tion Reporter, Horizons, (of which the Institute is a contributor), International City Management Newsletter, Municipal Finance, Nation's Cities, Parks and Recrea­ tion, Pennsylvanian, Pennsylvania’s Health, Penn­ It is becoming increasingly risky to be injur auto crash or other accident requiring emergency amh 11 service, at least according to a report with th Ulants title by the U. S. Department of Transportation 6 ab°v* sportation. The Report indicates that governmental units5 “lien provide only the most rudimentary r management < total emergency system, resulting in of tilt 1 fragment ltat,on am an uneven blending of private enterprise and responsibility. Ambulance service r~ by funeral official homes predominates in the southern ern states and commercial ambulance firms in the west, Volunteer groups are most prevalent in the middle states and municipal services in New England. The e economics of of such such., service is described as "precarious” as precarious as to profitability profitability for private operators, quality and continuity of servicea; community receives, and from accident victim’s survival. the standpoint of the ' standpoint of Depending where your accident occurs, your chances' of obtaining quality emergency service may be affected. by many common inadequacies. Fast communications are often unavailable. Hospital routes are poorly marked, i and ambulances must travel streets clogged with traffic. ( Emergency units in clinic and hospitals are understaffed, and ambulance crews either lack even elementary elementary' training or are incapable of dealing with common condi­ mnn tions such as respiratory blockage and hemorrhaging. Scores of counties are without e----- " emergency treatment facilities and paramedical personnel of „f any kind, or even doctors. i On the basis of the surveys conducted for this Report, a number of specific ..industry concerns and | trends were noted. These include: 1. Finances. Bill collections, particularly for traffic accidents, a — are major problems for commercial firms and funeral ---- 1 homes. irnes. 2. Personnel. Commercial have pivuiviii-' problems ■in” ____ _ firms nave personnel recruitment, training and retention, primarily because of low wage rates, especially since the Fair Labor Standards Act raised the minimum wage to SI-60 per hour. Volunteer groups daytime personnel. 3. Abuses. ""n'orance °iqUes, and a passive attitude on the part of saving'^" officials and professionals, including the n,any *e 1 ofession. Therefore, the problem of public of paramount importance, along with the educat'on of leaders to face squarely the growing crisis, wil|i^neSantial proportion of the estimated 20,000 who if a subStaerish because of substandard quality and annl)allyofPemergency services are to survive. qUallt'ty estimated that about one-third of the funeral n |S bu|ances will be discontinued because of the home am facts of life. Services by volunteers are economic ° continue_ but services will be effected by eXpeCtjng costs of personnel and equipment, aggravated the r'he apparent reluctance of government and the sylvania Magistrates Reporter, The Police Chief, Public Administration News, Public Management, Public Works, State Legislature and Progress Reporter, Traffic Digest, Transaction, Urban Data Service, Urban Land, Western City, and a number of periodicals from individual states which serve as a basis of comparison for the municipalities of Northeastern Pennsylvania. purveyors feel that the public abuses their emergency service for — —r non-emergencies. 4. Competition, Commercial firms complain 0 competition from other the need for exclusive purveyors in their areas and fee contracts to assure a more sta level of demand. Although the preceding listing is but a sample of the periodicals that are available to governmental officials and students, it does indicate the width and breadth of information that is available to the public about municipal affairs. A close liaison is maintained with similar Nationally, commercial amhn?Iage Char*es per ambulance call for 3 t range betwee" $25 and $35. c arge $15 or |ess per ca||f and government services generally fa|| in a range of $|0 to 515. Usually | plagued by high1 cn^°r^ typically funeral homes) are c°sts, low utilization, and low charges (cont’d. on next Pa?e’ The City then decided to retain a professional insurance consultant. The City’s insurance committee, in reviewing problems encountered in obtaining liability insurance, recommended that the Cifv u- — .... o ..uvimy be self-insured on its public liability insurance up City to SIOO.OOO and j tbat it secure excess coverage only over the SIOO.OOO _amount. the SIOO.OOO Informal proposals were then obtained The insurance consultant suggested on this basis, changes in the insurance s several other finally accepted providedspecifications. The proposal d the desired comprehensive coverage for 55,000,000 coverage over SIOO.OOO of self-insurance under aexcess [ policy with one company plus an additional 51,000,000 ) excess coverage over the 55,000,000 to be ffurnished by a second company, or a total of 56,000,000 e ?3 excess public liability insurance. When the City was willing to accept _rt a policy with the self-insurance proviso, the three-year cost came to 535,825 or 511,941 annually. general public to respond to growing financial needs. The question of who should pay for emergency services is a fundamental one. Should more of the burden be put upon the specific users themselves, that is the traffic victim, or should society as a whole bear more of the cost because of the broad extent to which services are utilized? More and more local governments are aiding services by franchising and zoning service areas, rotating emergency calls among purveyors, providing direct subsidies, and guaranteeing payment for dry runs and noncollectable emergency calls. Among commercial purveyors, 30.6% receive some type of financial support from their community. In rural areas, there is increased numbers of centralized communication and control centers. Areawide planning = and - r cooperation between municipal, volunteer, and commercial ... services offers a partial but incomplete solution. Any viable system will cut across boundaries. municipal, county possibly and and Only by careful planning and medical, "lc0'cai, police, police, rmanufacturer, and and municipal authorities, can a real --d operations be avoided. state coordination among r , purveyor agencies, crisis in ambulance WHN SELF insurance complain of a lack o , Both volunteer groups and governmental Most funeral home, which the community has become accustomed. arative disarray of the nation’s emergency per^ t0 coniPceS is due in no small part to public apathy, The SerVf' the development and application of life- it attg11^3'6’ Ca''f°rn'a encountered some problems when thetempted rbPted to renew its liability insurance. In 1965, . 5 C y secured a comprehensive public liability 'nsurai Aprifeio°Verage Policy for the period April 12, 1965 to Ls w ’ for a premium of $51,969. Policy Nrnits jV $50°.000/$l,000,000 for bodily injury and I'oo.ooo or property damage. For the first time in the C|ty’s ^lude ■story, liability coverage was extended to detletS' S'devvalks, and vacant property and was °r C0(nplete pt“ comprehensive liability insurance. f°rtns an(j1>-rUary' l968> the city> sent out bid proposal '"trance Pecificati°"s to obtain renewal of its liability ?as recni Prov'd'ng the same coverage. Only one bid ?'383 er Which called for a total t premium cost of nd Mer or $369. 149 forr a three-year period, b'8 Was ■ d|d not n°t meet meet the rhe City's ri • specifications. The S Elected. --------- NATIONAL LAND USE POLICY A national anarchy” is the way Senator Henry W. Jackson (D-Wash.) describes present land planning and adds that ”60,000 governmental entities now have local zoning authority, and none wanting to give up any power.” On March 24, as Chairman of the Senate Interior Com­ mittee, Senator Jackson opened hearings to develop a bill that would establish an almost compulsory land use policy and would virtually compel states to zone all their lands. A 1969 Advisory Commission on Inter­ governmental Relations report, “Urban and Rural America, Policies for Further Growth,” recommended similar statutes. His bill will “force" states to exercise their states’ rights by allocating land for future industry, recreation, homes and natural preservation. His proposed bill would offer states grants-in-aid to establish state or regional planning bodies under the governors, penalize states that do not participate by withholding federal highway funds, give the newly-created state bodies three years to inventory all lands and then a fourth year to complete compre­ hensive planning, and create a federal Land and Water Resources Planning Council headed by the Secretary of the Interior. If Senator Jackson’s bill becomes law, it is doubtful that Pennsylvania’s zoning ------ ’ laws, which presently permit local ordinances to take precedence over county rdiuarices, can remain intact and unaffected. zoning ordinonces, can ,s of Federal Highway funds will be too great for The loss r like Pennsylvania to make up from state revenues, a state I..— ■ ------approach used by the Federal The "carrot and stick" effective method of attaining government is such an centralization!! I BUILDING permit forms ■_ j a new buiIding The U.S. Census Bureau has designed could help standardize permit application form which c„_._ throughout information collected by local governments the nation. and city offices now issue Some 13,000 county , ; widely in form and content. building permits that vary to compile comparative This makes it extremely difficult (cont’d. on next page) �information on new construction. The recommended building permit form was developed by the Census Bureau, an agency of the Department of Commerce, in consultation with the Bureau of the Budget, other government agencies, building permit officials, trade associations, and other organizations. The applicant provides approximately 20 relatively simple items of information in four major areas; location of the building, type, cost and purpose, selected characteristics, such as dimensions, type of frame, heating fuel, water supply, sewage disposal, air con­ ditioning and parking space; and identification of owner, mediation and fact-finding to be handled by th Arbitration Association. Not only are stri k 6 hibited but the use of any form of legal restr not P? ' is strictly limited. While granting the State"'ng Education more power, the Connecticut rev^ • B°ar(l w provide that the legislative body responsib|eSf°ns ’Is | priations (usually the town council) has 3n°f appt^ ‘ reject the negotiated agreement. Act had been exhausted. contractor and architect. An early version of the form is in use by 30 permit­ issuing offices in the metropolitan areas of Cincinnati and Columbus, Ohio. In each area a central organization compiles and publishes data on new construction. BARGAINING Eight states have enacted initial teachers bargaining legislation or revised existing statutes during recently concluded legislative session, bringing to a total of 22 the number of states with such legislation now in force. States placing statutes on the books for the first time include Maine, Nevada, North Dakota, and Vermont. Revisions or supplementary acts were passed in Connecticut, Nebraska, and Oregon. Binding arbitration except in personal welfare considerations is a noteworthy feature of the Maine act. Nevada confines bargaining to wages, hours, and conditions of employment and stipulates strict anti­ strike provisions. Legislation in North Dakota recognizes bargaining agents and establishes a three-member factfinding commission. The commission is empowered to adopt rules and regulations, including those governing representative elections, as well as acting as a factfinding body in impasse. South Dakota’s statute gives public employees the right to be represented in matters concerning grievances or conditions of employment. Strikes are prohibited. es P|| HVM IN THE LIBRARY... FIRE NEWS - National Fire Protection Association I Publication Department — A technical and educa. tional publication designed to inform .... members Of' meetings and current events of fire protectioi ■ on interest. / GOOD GOVERNMENT RESEARCH BULLETIN National Civil Service League - A quarterly publica-1 tion with evaluations and analysis of government' proposals, and articles dealing with needed reforms. GOVERNMENT RESEARCH BULLETIN - Political' Research Institute of Florida State University-) Published five times during the year, the Bulletin focuses on both political and governmental problems and interests. THOUGHTS FOR TODAY Give it another several years and the wild younger generation will wonder what became of the wild younger' generation. A paradox is a man walking a mile but moving only two feet. AUGUST 15, 1970 RETARDATION SEMINAR the mentally retarded have generally been Until neglected now, because society has taken a hopeless socially j them. In the past, institutionalization of attitude toward was the accepted pattern. Custodial care the retardate v. the only type of assistance given by most states. was t , the retardation stems from social conditions, in Often of the child in isolation is futile, which case treatment Studies of the impact of the social environment on the _ I that will be ineffective unless retardate reveal t..— treatment contributing sources to the it involves all C. possible r condition. New concepts in the treatment of the mental ly retarded are constantly being formulated. Today the focus is on a continuum of care provided in the community so that the handicapped individual may remain at home. To realize the goal of keeping the retardate in the community and trying to train him to be a contributing citizen, a greater burden is placed on volunteer social agencies, and medical personnel and especially nurses, and more importantly on the parents of the retardate. The problem, then, is one of training parents, nurses, and even doctors, together with all those who will be working with the retardate, so that they are capable of accepting new concepts of treatment. There is a need to help the retardate to learn to IRA newsletter Return Postage Guaranteed WILKES COLLEGE WILKES-BARReTpENNA? VOL- ^MENTAL The Vermont law provides for negotiation rights, with Institute of Regional Affairs Wilkes College Wilkes-Barre, Pa. 18703 NEWS-LETTER Otherwise ^Isl abide by it. The Nebraska revision extends the ■1 tion of the Court of Industrial Relations to r '^'bit­ disputes in public employment which would only^ 'a|>Cl school employees if all provisions of the stJlp,pll'ti Non-Profit Organization U. S. POSTAGE onction semi-autonomously by way of gradual contacts ind' the larger social system. Hopefully, the retarded 'earns to live within the social system of the chilZ ^mp'lasis on treatment of either the family or the costl t0/ exclus'°n of the other has already proved and X (approx'mately three billion dollars annually), ’ ore importantly, futile. PAID talent 'f ')ecause Parents of retardates are a reservoir of Wilkes-Barre, PaPermit No. 355 Affairs °h Ctlese handicapped that the Institute of Regional member undertaken to offer a program for the family of the retardate. Higher Fd'65 sem'nars funded under Title I of the who Ucation Act of| |1965 will be directed to parents ■■ • yu J Will O'. — -- . w. are most directly concerned with the retardate and -J co feel ^e need for basic training. The programi will e Sist of a of■ ten ............ evening sessions. Free e><change f . series ------- “ .. -f’eld will l° i^eas with well known authorities in the The" be encouraged. vii ®nd in Mav^T"1 'S scheduled to begin in September and nstitute nformation may be obtained by calling the Regional Affairs. CIVIL SERVICE The Institute of Regional Affairs will conduct examinations for applicants for the position of police officer for the Larksville Civil Service Commission on August 29. This adds another regional municipality to the long list who have turned to the Institute of Regional Affairs for assistance in drafting rules and regulations, developing application forms, and testing police applicants. GROWTH CONFERENCE • I*16™.1'0 'S aga'n invited t0 attend and participate FERFNcJ THk A.NNUAL C0MMUNITY GROWTH CON­ FERENCE 30, to be held at Wilkes College on Wednesday September 1970 z’ The general purpose of the Conference is to provide local officials and the general public with the informa­ tion necessary to deal with emerging issues that arise in the redevelopment of Northeastern Pennsylvania. The Conferences of the past have been successful in bringing together local government and civic organizations leadership with nationally known authorities in their fields. The theme of this year's Conference is "Goals for Human Needs.” The two panels set up for the Conference will discuss "Comprehensive Health Planning at the regional, county, and local levels” and "New Concepts in Housing at the regional, county, and local levels.” Among the speakers who have accepted invitations to speak at the Conference are: Henry Walkowiak, Director, Comprehensive Health Planning, Pennsylvania Depart­ ment of Health; Robert MacGregor, Executive Director, Health and Hospital Planning Council of. Northeastern Pennsylvania; Harold Sherman, Executive Director, Welfare Planning Commission; James E. Reynolds, Peat, Marwick, Mitchell and Company; Francis E. Moravitz, Director, Housing and Community Development; Jack Croes, President, Capital Industries, Inc.; Raymond Condo Executive Director, Ecumenical Enterprises, Inc., H. Gordon Council, Director, Breakthrough Operation, Department of Community affairs. of the speakers and the timeBecause of the caliber it is important that all community liness of their topics, L ia take advantage of leaders in Northeastern Pennsylvani rx ..... DATE ON YOUR CALthe Conference. MARK THIS L. ~ SEPTEMBER 30, 1970! ENDAR. DON’T MISS S_. �ACADEMIES” IN NEW JERSEY The “red ash” may even prove to be SUD INSTITUTE OF REGIONAL AFFAIRS Fr°m a con Dr. Hugo V. Hailey, Director tion standpoint, the substitution of red NEWSLETTER VOL. XVII AUGUST 15, 1970 material now being generally used in10 ne respee'cT|’U». a more abrasive quality that should mean better A' for automobiles when the road is wet. stone would save that resource, and it NO. 8 This News-letter, published monthly as a community service, originates in the Institute of Regional Affairs of Wilkes College. Notes and inquiries may be addressed to Dr. Hugo V. Hailey, Director, Institute of Regional Affairs, Wilkes College, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania 18703 Subscription free upon request. LEEP Under the provisions of the Safe Streets Act of 1968, awards have been made to colleges and universities to provide a program of student loans and/or grants to state and local public enforcement personnel and to persons who promise to enter the law enforcement field. Wilkes College has been given an initial award under the Law Enforcement Education Program for grant purposes. The goal of the Law Enforcement Student Grant Program is to encourage in-service law enforcement officers to upgrade their educational levels and to enhance their skills and capabilities for effective law enforcement service. Grants are, therefore, available to currently employed law enforcement personnel up to $300 per semester or $600 per year, not to exceed the cost of tuition and fees. Eligible law enforcement officers may enroll for part-time or full-time study in directly or indirectly related to law' enforcement in such fields as Business Administration, Accounting, Psychology, Economics, English Com­ position, Computer Science, and Public Administration. Grant funds can be advanced only to applicants who agree to remain in the service of their employing agency for two years. If there are any law enforcement officers in North­ eastern Pennsylvania who wish to seek profession growth and development, they should immediately contact any member of the Institute of Regional Affairs and arrange for a conference so that a schedule can be developed for him. RED ASH TEST The State Department of Mines'is conducting an experimental project with burned ----out anthracite mine refuse material, could solve ’ that ' a two problems - recovery of the extinguishment on the burning culm bank projects and clearance costs of the land now occupied by the material for other uses. The so-called "red ash" is being used as a paving aggregate in several pilot road building projects, in n the rho area. If the material proves acceptable, and indications are that it will, it is reasonable to expect that eextinguished anthracite refuse would be included in futi .ture Highways Department paving aggregate specifications. return to normal use, hundreds of aSh for J'"' i could gr occupied by burning and burned out banks HOSPITAL DISPOSABLES The “disposables” - bedding, gowns, dishes other items of paper and plastics - so popular in hosn and nursing homes today are not an unmixed ble^’ according to Dr. William H. L. Dornette of the Cincin' ’ (Ohio) Veterans Administration Hospital, While -nan i ’ thJ lessen the dangers of cross-infection and save on lah» I costs, they are increasingly a trash problem -a and ;3 fite | I------------------ 1 hazard. "STREET torefront “street academies" have been of s’ the New Jersey Department of A number :ently by small, informal schools offer a started recc Affairs. The limited number of school Community / “'chool diPloma, 1for a high school being funded by a special sc The schools; are dropouts. The -opropriation. $480,000 api a,,v—•- and overal1 administration are fund allocation While f„ Department of Community Affairs, the city the L>cp“..... handled by , agencies jgencies work out many of the specifics in toverty anti-pc.^™ ' their local street academies. ind administering setting up;ai •ed academy system in New Jersey is idministeri The state-ai successful city-based system. The after a s. modeled v IUrban League pioneered storefront New York sometime ago. New York now has many Greater in Harlem s_. schools in various sections of the City. of this type i academies ; for the New Jersey academies ? students prospectiVe are recruited by special “ ' street workers” who dress and With the present concern over air PoHution,, the bi, question is how to dispose of the disposables . without/ incineration, Dr. Dornette pointed out out at at the the 7-ttn 74th Annua' Annu; Meeting of the National Fire Protection Association.1 ---------- . —MLiaugt Thaw ---- *-L 1 before r They rmnetiti'fa constitute a fire hazard Iboth and after use 1 because of their combustible nature. He continued tha: the young people in inner city areas and mingle talk like t in popular recreation centers and other gatherwith them The street workers concentrate on developing ing places. personal rapport with these young people while encourag­ ing them to try the street academies. To help provide while they may be slow-burning, they still burn and will 1.. . I • • produce large quantities of toxic combustion products, when burning under conditions of inadequate air supply. workers spend much of their time at the storefront schools, where they can help students with difficulties The fire problems associated with combustible disposables are particularly acute in nursing homes, Or. Dornette said, where most of the patients are bedridden or incapable of acting on their own, and staffs are not large enough to give help to those who need it in ai emergen cy. SHORT COURSES The following courses co-sponsored by the Institute of Regional Affairs and the Public Service Institute of the Pennsylvania T Department of Education completes th offerings of short < courses for the 1970-71 year: STARTING DATE COURSE Small Arms Advanced Assessors Course October 5 October 9 October 5 Octobers ' October 6 October 7 September H Collective Bargaining Public Works Equip. Mgt. Township Auditors Fire Apparatus Maintenance Ambulance Attendant Informational notices will uc be maneu mailed to — munic'P,s employees and officials within the next several «e CERTIFICATION necessary continuity for students who do enroll, street in the readjustment to studying. Primary function of the street academies is to train students in basic study methods which can be used later in more formal schooling. Emphasis is placed on increas­ ing reading ability to the eighth grade level, along with remedial work in mathematics and English.The curriculum is flexible and informal; each student begins at his own level and proceeds at his own pace. The storefront buildings also are used after school hours as study tenters and headquarters for tutoring programs and related activities. Transitional schools" are being planned for students 0 have reached the eighth grade reading level in the torefront schools. The transitional schools will be more sch^r^’ W'^ a course r°£ram °n ^e early high course P program proc° 6Ve' nra^5, preP school. f’na ..ul| stage stage in i the - remedial education completion of high school in a special NEW TOWNS Evi'ery year in the U. S., a million acres are converted from r tetal to urban use. Most of this development is “"controlled" -•’ unplanned “UIUUII urban sprawl.” The question Of riP\A7 «. '------ ■•••'-« feasible towns to"! CenterS and centers on whether it is desirable c--------Preplan6 t0 channel at least some of this growth into best n6d communities communities which which would would incorporate incorporate our Governor Oglivie’s signature on a propose ..|l|||in° bef°’fs the Illinois Legislature makes it possible for a ^te(j the 'ba|anJ1'~I,Pts °f amenities and aesthetics, and would be assessor or deputy assessor who has comp e(1tei courses of study and training and has been F’ rtjfjcote a Certified Illinois Assessing Officers .|tute ” (CIAO) by the Illinois Property Assessment n (.On 0 the l93n^e: exce Ptions of of the the three three Greenbelt Greenbelt Towns Towns of exceptions "frlitary S and a few Federal towns built around remote c°untry h''nSta nStalla ti°ns, development in t is ry h ''a*■' ons’ new town ---------. receive from state funds $250 per annum. and best aS as Jbeen deen left entirely to private resources, resources. ven lhe E'■a. and most successful examples of this decade in ' Columbia, Md., and Reston, Va., have ha additional compen e economically, ethnically, and socially. serious difficulties. Each has required more than $50,000,000 and while each 1 | an investment of the hump” financially, neither one has probably is "over ’ yet, five to seven years, shown any substantial return to after its backers. Skyrocketing interest rates and construction costs, combined with increasing difficulty of land assembly (Columbia is 15,600 acres; Reston, 6,750 acres) can be expected to developers. discourage Pennsylvania has other seen no true "new balanced town" new town ten^edTT Communities before that ended to be one-industry towns, good (Hershey) and bad (coal towns). Levittown is a planned new community, but. is not considered a "new town” because it is frankly a large residential suburb without its own economic base. Because new towns seem to offer a good alternative to what otherwise will be chaotic urban expansion, many influential planners, architects, social scientists, and government leaders recently have urged various kinds of governmental assistance to promote new town develop­ ment. This trend is reflected in Title IV of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968, which would permit Federal loans of up to $50,000,000 for new community development. In Pennsylvania, the question of State involvement was precipitated last year with the start of construction of a new assembly plant by Chrysler Corporation near the unincorporated community of New Stanton, 32 miles east of Pittsburgh on the Turnpike. State assistance to new town development has been suggested in the forms of (I) use of eminent domain powers to make possible the assembly of land; (2) financial relief in such forms as grants; low-interest long-term loans; and tax relief; (3) financing of such public facilities as streets, utilities, schools, recreation, public safety equipment, and transportation on the basts „r anticipated, ,nririnated. rather rather than of than demonstrated, need, and ( ) planning, zoning, building some degree of control over codes and concepts to permit innovative technology and variable land needed for economical construction uses for planned unit development. towns, here and abroad, suggests Experience with new tv that they are economically feasible, but only over a long -----period of time. Planned,, balanced new communities offer the prospect :ct of a more satisfying style of life for many persons, increased increased efficiency, efficiency, and and a a ddiversion from otherwise uncoordinated uncoordinated sprawl. sprawl. U. U. S. S. experience experience also indicates, L — new towns s, however, ‘that towns may may mean super­ for the upper-middle class only, and as such will ----- 1 needs r.—J of suburbs fv.a diversion of funds from the urgent relief from city represent < without offering any real relief the cities problems. UNDERGROUND WIRING ruled that all new of Pennsylvania has i IIVC v.' more homes must The PUC M,.— developments ’ 's of five or residential State’s electric companies underground wiring. The S have tthirty days to adopt the new rule. It requires that inches below the have i lines must be at least thirty the esthetic power , and should immeasurably improve o value of new housing developments. Unsightly wires and ground, utility poles will be passe in Pennsylvania. �SCHOOL ONE MAN, ONE VOTE In a 5-3 decision February 25, the Supreme Court held that the one-man, one-vote principle must be followed in the election of school boards. The court ruling came in a case disputing the election of trustees of the junior colleges in the Kansas City, Missouri, area. Linder a formula prescribed by Missouri Law, Kansas City had about 59 percent of the school-age population, but elected only three of six trustees. A group of taxpayers attacked the arrangement in court. The Missouri .'7 ! Supreme ------ Court had held that the one-man, one-vote rule did not apply to the election of school officials. The U. S. Supreme Court, however, held that when members of an elected body are chosen from separate -”"t be established on a basis districts, each district must as practicable, that equal which will insure, as far f vote for a proportionally equal numbers of voters can numbers of officials. POLICE BLOTTER Generally speaking, a police blotter may be charac­ terized as a book or an index which contains a permanent, chronological record of every official act that comes before the police officer in charge of the desk. Such an index is a skeleton report of a police station’s activities for a given period of time. Only the most basic facts are recorded in the blotter. It is not meant to be a detailed report of the particular incident in question. From this report it becomes possible at a later time to cross-index with other police records to obtain a complete report of the incident. The entry in a blotter is generally the first police notation that is made of an incident. Depending on its final disposition, other report forms may be required, such as general complaint forms, investigation forms, missing/wanted persons, and monthly incident and arrest reports. Therefore, the blotter serves as a reference index for members of the force and becomes an integral part of the police files. Does your police have a police blotter? J' BUS Tv Teachers in Cayuga County, N.Y., are to start kids learning oq the way to students spend an hour on the school NEWS-LETTER coming and going, Dr. Ernest J. Rookey, Finger Lakes Region Educational Developu,rectot decided to equip the bus with Ampex vid, ’'Parent r, leotaPe and TV set and transmit educational p —Programs. | '% % to showing lessons en route to school' th ” he bM, system is used in connection with field t' WILKES COLLEGE WILKES-BARRE, PENNA. from visits to science museums, students TV what they’ve just seen, thereby , growth conference learning process. “The idea,” Dr. Rookey says, ”is blic is again invited to attend and participate COMMUNITY GROWTH CONtenth annual Wilkes College on Wednesday, pERENCE to be held at Member 30,1970. The general purpose of the Conference is to provide t0 taka so,.' . J? educational and constructive advantage of tra«l time. ‘ al officials and the general public with the information necessary to deal with emerging issues that arise in the redevelopment of Northeastern Pennsylvania. The Con­ THOUGHTS FOR TODAY A man may be a ham, but his sugar will soon cure hi- ; People over forty can seldom be permanently vinced of anything. At eighteen our cconvictions are hills’ ferences of the past have been successful in bringing together local government and civic organizations leader­ ship with nationally known authorities in their fields. from which we look; at 45 they are- caves in which i/ I.. hide. The theme of this year’s Conference is “Goals for Human Needs.” The two panels set up for the Con­ ference will discuss “Comprehensive Health Planning at I the regional, county, and local levels” and “New Concepts in Housing at the regional, county, and local levels." GRA REPORTER — Govermental Research Association. Inc. - A quarterly publication of the Govermentf Research Association reporting on agency projects. Among the speakers who have accepted invitations to speak at the Conference are: Henry Walkowiak, Director, Comprehensive Health Planning, Pennsylvania Department of Health; Robert MacGregor, Executive Director, Health and Hospital Planning Council of Northeastern Pennsyl­ vania; Harold Sherman, Executive Director, Welfare Planning Commission; James E. Reynolds, Peat, Marwick, IN THE LIBRARY GREEN MOUNTAIN GOVERNMENT - Vermont Leagu; of Cities and Towns and the University of Vermont-] A publication of the Vermont League of Cities an: Towns presenting material on local governing poli cy. Mitchell and Company; Francis E. Moravitz, Director, pOusing and Community Development; Jack Croes, tesident, Capital Industries, Inc.; Raymond Condo, ^xecutive Director, Ecumenical Enterprises, Inc.; H. GRI BULLETIN — Governmental Research Institute-r monthly newsletter concerning recent development-^ in the federal, state, and local governments. Non-Profit Organization U. S. POSTAGE Return Postage Guaranteed Wilkes-Barre, P3' Permit No. 3$ Director, Breakthrough Operation, Partment of Community Affairs. lines61"31136 ca''ber °f the speakers and the timeleade^ tde'r top'cs’ ’t 's important that all community the r~S f1 ^ortbleastern Pennsylvania take advantage of ENDApnfn^nce’ MARK THIS DATE ON YOUR CAL- IRA NEWSLETTER Institute of Regional Affairs Wilkes College Wilkes-Barre, Pa, 18703 Council, °r on K’ DON’T MISS SEPTEMBER 30, 1970! PAID SEPTEMBER 15, 1970 concepts of treatment. MeNTAL RETARDATION SEMINAR are cop C°ncepts ln the treatment of the mentally retarded There is a need to help the retardate to learn to function semi-autonomously by way of gradual contacts with the larger social system. Hopefully, the retarded individual learns to live within the social system of the family. Emphasis on treatment of either the family or the child to the exclusion of the other has already proved costly (approximately three billion dollars annually), and, more importantly, futile. It is because parents of retardates are a reservoir of talent for these handicapped that the Institute of Regional Affairs has undertaken to offer a program for the family members of the retardate. A series of seminars funded under Title I of the Higher Education Act of 1965 will be directed to parents who are most directly concerned with the retardate and who feel the need need for for basic basic training. training. The program will The program consist of a series of ten evening t.c sessions. Every will be provided with easy-to-read materials participant \... so that he will have the feeling that he is and pamphlets education program. Films will be used attending an assist the parents of the retardates. The extensively to will be published in a formal remarks of the speakers ; in me cm,,, ----of 1971. Certificates of Proceedings..... in the early summer to those participants who had Attainment will be awarded number of sessions. Participants attended the required r.—all sessions to assure a comattend will be invited view to of att the— retardate and his problem. prehensive \ Seminar for Parents of Retardates is scheduled •o.. -n September 23, 1979 at 8:15 P.M., Stark Hall The S— i ic, Wilkes to begin on College, when the speaker will be Dr. Kurt Hirschhorn, Professor of Pediatrics, Mount Sinai School I 16, of Medicine, New York, His subject for the first session of the Seminar will be “Causes of Mental Handicap." Dr. Hirschhorn will speak following the welcome remarks 7 Di. Francis J. Michelini, President, Wilkes College; ind Clifford Bigelow, President, Luzerne County Associaby Dr. for Retarded ChiIdren. The moderator who will introar—: the speaker on September 23 will be Dr. Benjamin tion ‘ Superintendent, White Haven State School and duce Clark, Hospital. ContinuntanC'y being formulated. Today the focus is on a handic care Provided in the community so that the the goa^V individual may remain at home. To realize ‘tying t0 °f keePing the retardate in the community and hurden ' 1 .tra,n him to be a contributing citizen, a greater ,l'ed'n:a| S Maced on volunteer social agencies, an i,nPortanHPerSonnel and especially nurses, and more tben, is °n ttle parents °f the retardate. The problem, doctors, tOgether training parents, nurses, and even with the ’etardate al1 those who wil1 be working accepting neW s° that they are capable of accz; clearing SNOW Law has been clear snow, but Section 522 . in cities, and amended to lfc r ‘ » tr0 f highway5 to enter into not carry it away, snow from highways authorizing the the Departme^ L. snow. agreements With C,t cit es for clearing •imbursing cities and from rei I �should have the opportunity to ?shift in population from the a assess the objectives of , config,1 communities. In the final its regional council and develop suburban <--■■■■ a system which meets these goals. Unfortunately this ?option is becomii -----one-vote system *- of the one-man Wall»p: iS <ch dties ing more Section 702. Public employers shall not be and more restricted. , t-the central city’s role in 'X 11 weakening prop1 bargain over matters of inherent rnanagerja.rec'uire1j i are _rre •engthening nothenmg it. nntRh8'Onal C°UnCllS mUSt stren&then local government, to If not sue- « shall include but shall not be limited 1 Ni^ Poli( which ,nal f°runl! by protecting the status quo, j>ut by helping the 1 of discretion or policy as the functions t0° ’ •_-s raised by the early OEO , basic questions areas < status quo respond to new government public needs at and the \ American federal system. If of the public employer, standards of servj( . Pr. of the grams i the local level. Regional councils must be bold in -esently structured, is unable to Soi”6 1 budget, utilization of technology, the or« ‘ overall f recognizing local government deficiencies and take eX SStill ' h the minority and the majority, and selection and direction of Per$ nUi •*a. )7 ernment ’ tional structure ieeds of both steps to correct them. make adjustments in our basic Public employers, however, shall be required to me«ine|t to the ntmust r..~ In the end, the question of citizen voting and repre­ discuss on policy matters affecting wages, hours • and :rhaPs we sentation is a manifestation of the increasing domestic terms and conditions of employment as well as tl._ rk ■, icess, • -t an academic question for needs we have been struggling with for the last few than just theron upon request by public employee representative. y federal agencies, that are ; more ■«S. Many f years. Regional councils must form a bridge between This is Section 703. The parties to the collective bargain-' s through regional councils, are councilsexisting local governments and new regional delivery regi»"a' t their funds f’Correct process shall not effect or implement a provision inJ this representation deficiency systems to better meet the basic needs of all people. channel' ng incilsto cor.-iriencies in their areas. A case collective bargaining agreement if the implementation I COUI Richard C. Hartman, Director (equi'ing resource Trtment of Housing and Urban Developthat provision would be in violation of, or inconsistent as we11 as ’ Regional Review, July 1970 . is the Depa. with, or in conflict with any statute or statutes enacteJ H sewer requirement encouraging National Service to Regional Councils in point "Tcitizt-minority group interests, which by the General Assemply of the Commonwealth of recent tnent’s .. . ,h'“,£h ,he Pennsylvania or the provisions of municipal home rU|e mlvement the inw TO BE HUMAN believe iic*'' ar elective process. charters. they t”hiC" m’k' Section 704. Public employers shall not be required present '" I- “'.‘Ze Forbes, the distinguished editor, who was B. C. g pressing to bargain with units of first level supervisors or their ' ’i most of the business leaders These intimately acquainted■ with difficult task for representatives but shall be required to meet and discuss said that the single regret most retired council r of his time, s-.- — It now becomes _ and ascertain their executives have is that they somehow got so wrapped up with first level supervisors or their representatives, on question, to review these pressures in their personal careers that they lost sight of the fact matters deemed to be bargainable for other public ■____ | region. In making this councils if any, for their own r_, councils should consider several that the men working for them were human beings, I implications, employees covered by this act. regional <— — Section 706. Nothing contained in this act shall impair | evaluation, machines ... basic questions. At the time of his retirement the head^ or mission of the Council? Is the employer’s right to hire employees or to discharge America’s greatest corporations wa^^.k^d^ again, o What is the purpose protective device for existing employees for just cause consistent with existing i llssimply „„p.y a coordinating or t a device to meet federal 1 it legislation. would do differently if e c°u b d b thinking units of local government? Is i^t "I wish," he answered, \hat' Xs Suppose or a means for logical planning grant-in-aid requirements cr - • about the answer to that ques I 7 question. REPRESENTATION: A BASIC QUESTION and action? of regional1 „ Based on a definition of purpose, how’ *the The representation and voting structures t Maybe now would be a g ; of growing I counc j| assure adequate geographic representa i council governing bodies has become an issue .. „ your answer. Ljnle Gazette -r °f tbe region? Should the system e a -n importance in the regional business. A number of recent, parts ind it it is is ta chief elected elected executive executive from from each each unit unit or of 8 gov ,. cy June, 1969. developments have highlighted the issue, and chief 0V®''' i: the area? Or should a unit receive seats on question most every council will be reviewing this year. ' ' ■ i of the region s popul There are several reasons why the representation- body in proportion to its share i i i‘ ocv'.i ui i caovno vviij viiv, ■ — r • Or i r*is it I— imperative that an nr arbitrary, negotiated y CENSUS •—L thg fir ——. ~ voting issue is of such vital concern. To begin with, t e -d to assure adequate representation. growing emphasis on regional coordination ooff local l°ca I be utilized If anyone doubts that or farmers, last » Can local officials really represent the government activities has transformed regional counci . j have represent^ into influential agencies with a great impact on the iv °f all citizens? Should you or can you week’s Preliminary tion of both majority and minority interests. I ,d of citizens in their jurisdiction. In light of this whethe' regional council believes that elected off!c'a * ;t-,nnal make importance, regional councils must reevaluate everywhere ;entatio» I °rm the major component of the council, wit a or not they have the proper voting and represi representation from other interests in the region, systems to handle increasing responsibilities. ' t to ’ esic question becomes one of how these reprasenmeans The voting and representation issue was brought be selected. Councils may devise other means, head in Cleveland last March, when the mayor filed T-’ su't ,i Surprising the Census , Jer-thLnXSed number “^'llf^the I nee^ ^an 8°verning body representation, to m against the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordina m iber of coi U.S. 3,000 .ger.than-exPected numbof the almost Agency (NO AC A) to require reapportionment T now 8 It (t no w appears that a'iiweearl.ierbad estimated bashJ™1!’real <es. WP< »' "’'T."".'"" "We council s governing body on a one-man, one-vote^ tion. are S(somewhat will chow show a decline. decl lose and we ; metropolitan counties . wi |d lose that The plaintiffs in the Cleveland suit assert t.. — the about a third woU would of m developed is performance in meeting that only about h of migration Director| . . , votins a PeoP'e in the area If regional council members^ 0I migration of is allotted approximately six per cent of the sed by the degree approximately 75 power on NOACA’s board, but has ap; achie^Sentation'vot'n8 system which wl j5 reach r—«'■ sections of the new law that carry the greatest OF REGIONAL AFFAIRS INSTITUTE Dr. Hugo V. Mai ley, Director newsletter VOL.xyl| SEPTEMBER 15. 1970 NO. 9 This News-letter, P®^^ t™|nstHute of community service, °r|S' inquiries ||ege Notes and may be ^resse Ec2Sii« ’pennsy,vania18703 Subtaiption free upon request. the educational park The Educational Park: A Guide to its Implementation, a pamphlet published by the Center for Urban Education is based on an illustrated book prepared under the direction of Dr. Max Wolff by experts in the fields of internal space environment, architectural design, educa­ tional economics, school administration, city planning, and transportation. Mini schools have small enrollments and are dotted around the community. In many situations, they may be the best answer. The Center for Urban Education has worked to develop an alternate method, however, to fit other situations. This method is the Educational Park that incorporates mini schools into a larger framework where different sizes can share their advantages. Since the Educational Park concept was first proposed about five years age interest in it has grown. The pamphlet just published by the Center for Urban Educa­ tion states that “today more than 100 communities are actively studying, planning, even building Educational Parks." What is an educational park? It clusters educational facilities, that can be broken up into small units, in a campus-like setting and utilizes centrally organized common facilities. It brings together the school population of many small neighborhoods, serving the children and all the citizens of a larger urban community. Its proponents marshall arguments showing its advantages for education in general, for the individual student, for the teacher, for the administrator, and for the community. Educational parks can become the cultural center of the community serving as the central place for meetings, recreation, adult education and training, museums, art centers, and health facilities. Desegregation also is a result of the reorganization of the school systems into educational parks, and some educators believe that integration can be facilitated by this kind of school reorganization PENNSYLVANIA BARGAINING COLLECTIVE LEGISLATION From time to time, the Newsletter will carry the lollV't 7 *'sn,f,cant Prions of the newly enacted and oUb|-r S,a'ning 'egislation for Public employees and public employers. Reproduced below are four of the i they m -the 7 cent of the area’s total population. As a result, they the citizens of Cleveland are not being repre$e equally with the citizens of other local government the area. The 1970 Census, and consequent reapportion^ based on the new data, will reinforce discussions ot , r-ys" a de . nf> these objectives ... a council w i ^S|on and implement it. Mil rpW°u'ci hope the representation and voting issue Congress, federa,a,n a question with flexible answers. should not attempt a8encies and other national groups . iry evB,?° davelop a rigid pattern wl----- T““5.1.„ areaS’ of the Census, who dir ( d developers an Bureau of residential land typica| interesting in Most inter® 5 1 8 (to b)e drop 1" 3.17 P®r5on! iS thehon|Od ^om -from 3.3 3.33 pet' SerSn' household the change �three significant factors; I) A declining birth rate (1968 had the lowest in American history!) 2) Large increase in single-person households and 3) Strong rise in the number of young people who move out of their parent s home at an earlier age. Comments Taeuber, "Widowed grandmothers don’t move in with the kids as much any­ more, they get an apartment.” CLEAR THE AIR Shippensburg State College has a new twist to the ombudsman concept. He’s called an "environmental ombudsman.” The duties of the environmental ombuds­ man will be assumed by the college’s newly appointed director of safety and security. The ombudsman will be a receiver of suggestions and complaints concerning real or potential pollution problems on campus.” Clean air will make for clear minds!!! Or is it the other way around? COLLECTING PARKING FINES Fort Lauderdale, Florida, has more than doubled city revenues from parking fines since the city installed a computer system in October, 1969. Before the computer, the average monthly collection on fines was between S1,400 and $1,500. But during the first month of computer processing, revenue collected on fines totaled 53,700. In this new system, a meter maid issues a citation with one copy for the car owner, another for the court, and a third for the data processing office in city hall. The citation is a pre-numbered IBM card with appropriate spaces for pertinent information. The violator is requested to send his card to the data processing office with the fine. There the card is cancelled as paid, and informa­ tion on the violator transfered from an active tape to a memory unit for possible future reference. If the fine is not paid within 72 hours, the computer rejects its copy of the citation and types a warning letter to the person to whom the car is r--; re£istered same time, increases the fine. Should the r n"N the fi’naend nt I be paid after additional five days, the Cotn 'ne s«lli mPut0| Pr'nts warrant for the arrest of the car ownerc°and at his house to pick him up. He is then fjn Police J booked, and must post bond before his release news-letter The town fathers claim parking violation f not be considered a revenue source. Tax-pa?®5 s|,t* not support the prosecution of parking viola?5 Sh°uk violators should pay for it themselves, and th'0"5' Tf|t should be self-sustaining. e Pro8raj WILKES COLLEGE IN THE LIBRARY PENNSYLVANIA COLLECTIVE BARGAINING LEGISLATION HUMAN RESOURCES - Journal of Human Resources.., —... — u. emphasis^e quarterly publication which gives primary the role of education and training in 1 enhanciik productive skills, employment opportunities, anJ trends in incomes. INTERNATIONAL NEWSLETTER Chiefs — This information and prevention, fire e the Pennsylvania Collective Bargaining Act ssumed tremendous significance at this time of the h’S asince it is budget time for many municipalities, the r.'irute of Regional Affairs presents another very ASSOCIATION OF FIRE CHIEFS - International Association of Fire newsletter is a source s-------- of valuable educational material ’ .1-1 rrelating to fire protection, and fire fighting. important article of the Act — Article VIII. tion a dispute or impasse exists between the representa­ tives of the public employer and the public employees, the parties may voluntarily submit to mediation, but if no agreement is reached between the parties within twenty-one days after negotiations have commenced, but in no event later than one hundred fifty days prior to the IUPA LOCAL GOVERNMENT NEWSLETTER - Institute for Urban Policy and Administration, Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, University of Pittsburgh — Published at the University i H.UUUIJH -ruuiisueu aiuie urn versi ty of or Pittsburgh, r i ttSDurgh, ; this bulletin gives recent trends in local government. | "budget submission date,” and mediation has not been utilized by the parties, both parties shall immediately, in writing, call in the service of the Pennsylvania Bureau THOUGHTS FOR TODAY Whiskey kills more bullets don’t drink. people than of Mediation. Section 802. Once mediation has commenced, it shall continue for so long as the parties have not reached an agreement. If, however, an agreement has not been reached within twenty days after mediation has commenced bullets because ' If marriage is an institution, and marriage is love, , and love is blind; therefore, marriage is an institution for the blind. °r in no event later than one hundred thirty days prior to ' e budget submission date," the Bureau of Mediation 5 a' notify the board of this fact. Upon receiving such find'' board may ln Its discretion appoint a fact- threp1^ pane' which panel may consist of either one or stall Te?\bers’ a Panel is so designated or selected it an(j sl° hearings and take oral or written testimony Parties'h "3Ve subpoena power. If during this time the make finHaVe nOt reached an agreement, the panel shall IRA NEWSLETTER Return Postage Guaranteed OCTOBER 15, 1970 ^ct-fincHng pan^’the Sha" pay one'half the cost f sha" be divided equally blmainin£ of the cos shall establish rules and regulations' The board shall operate, including, but not iJ? a Which panels for panel members. m ted t0- compensation Vie Public c™pioyees'eandP[rheebUbr',eS 8,ther or both Section 801. If after a reasonable period of negotia­ I I Institute of Regional Affairs Wilkes College Wilkes-Barre, Pa. 18703 WILKES-BARRE, PENNA. Non-Profit Organization U. S. POSTAGE i ) PAID- | lngs of fact and recommendations: Sent by re !' nd'nSs of °f fact fact and and recommendations recommendations shall be findings 1,01 "’ore th'516?6^1 mail mai' to t0 the tbe hoard and to t0 L-" both Parties board and bas lotifieH0 J°rty days after the Bureau of Mediation ParaEraph. ;--^in? the preceding notified the the board as provided in tl- Wilkes-Barre, P3' Permit No. 355 0) ^mendati?^ than ten days after the findings and recorrn I ' I ’ sent, the parties shall a°tlfy the h ns, shal1 have been .... r wneuie. of not they ifCcePt the rp°ard ar|d each other whether or fact-finding panel ana do not°Tndations of the <....... " panel publicizes its findings of fact and° rec r- ommena • (3) N naatlons- ?6r the Notpu'be.SS tban five days nor more than ten days talons .!'cation °f the findings of fact and recomtion °tber wheX part'es shall again inform the board and s °f the , or not they will accept the recommendaIact-fmding panel. orders as provided for in Article XIII. Section 804. Nothing in this article shall prevent the P rties from submitting impasses to voluntary binding arb'trat'on w'th the proviso the decisions of the arbitrator, which would require legislative enactment to be effective shall be considered advisory only. Section 805. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this act where representatives of units of guards at prisons or mental hospitals or units of employees directly involved with and necessary to the functioning of the courts of this Commonwealth have reached an impasse in collective bargaining and mediation as required in section 801 of this article has not resolved the dispute, the impasse shall be submitted to a panel of arbitrators whose decision shall be final and binding upon both parties with the proviso that the decisions of the arbitra­ tors which would require legislative enactment to be effective shall be considered advisory only. Section 806. Panels of arbitrators for bargaining units referred to in section805of this article shall be selected in the (1) following Each party manner: shall select one member of the panel, the two so selected shall shoose the third member. (2) If the members so selected are unable to agree upon the third member within ten days from the date of their selection, the board shall submit the names of seven persons, each party shall alternately strike= one name until one shall remain. The public employer sha II strike the first name. The person so remaining shall be the The costs of the arbitrators selected thirdc memberR07 and chairman. ; 3 arbitrators of the 806 shall ■ _'-s of section I regulations Commonwealth under under rules rules and £•■■by the board. �INSTITUTE OF REGIONAL AFFAIRS By a five-to-three vote, thp the U.S. "c Su ~ prern voi ded property qu ali fi cati ons for muni ci pa| b0 * C°u't h> The decision was made in the case of Kolod elect> Dr. Hugo V. Mailey, Director NEWSLETTER VOL. XVII OCTOBER 15, 1970 NO. 8 This News-letter, published monthly as a community service, originates in the Institute of Regional Affairs of Wilkes College. Notes and inquiries may be addressed to Dr. Hugo V. Mailey, Director, Institute of Regional Affairs, Wilkes College, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania 18703 Subscription free upon request. LESISLATION ON REGIONALISM The Maine Legislature has passed two monumental environmental bills, one of which can be interpreted as a statewide zoning action. This site selection legislation gives the Environmental Improvement Commission veto power over commercial and industrial development any­ where in the state. The State of of Vermont Vermont has passed comprehensive ,ne state environmental control legislation, which provides for the establishment of environmental control boards in each of the state’s environmental regions. These control boards will review all intended improvements to be made on property that is ten acres or larger to ensure that the improvements comply with state environmental legislation. In counties and municipalities that do not have sub­ division regulations and zoning laws, the boards must review all property improvements that involve one acre or more. The governor of Maryland has approved legislation which provides for the creation of a State Environmental Service and service regions for water purification and solid waste disposal projects. Upon adoption by the Environmental Service of a five-year plan for each region, service districts will be established and proceed with the acquisition, extension, and construction of facilities set forth in the plan, and will assume jurisdic­ tion over and provide maintenance for their operation. All state agencies in Nebraska have complied with the governor’s directive to bring their administrative or planning districts into conformity with the 26 standard sub-state districts previously delineated within the state. The state was divided into approximate socio­ economic areas (adjusted to county lines) as they are projected to exist twenty;years from now. A significant feature of the Nebraska program is its “building blocks” orientation. This concept permits the combination of contiguous regions for different planning purposes. The governor's office continues to promote the formation of regional planning bodies within these districts, and hopes such “umbrella” agencies will cover all portions districts, of the state by July I, 1971. The C--------- • r— Division of the Nebraska Departmi rcover all pviuons ientofFrni'nUnity Affairs ment, in cooperation with the :°nomic Deveh Programming, recently drafted ,'f plannin lannin,S and a model in, agreement and related bylaws 1 1for this L intergovi "n!?.0Vernme”tal Purpose. INVALID PROPERTY E‘-E,CTlLo'BFsIC«l|0hl IN BOND I the City of Phoenix, Arizona, involving the some $60 million in various purpose generaM?^ bonds in an election that excluded non-propert0%titJustices Stewart, Harlan, and Burger disse Justice Blackmun abstained. The majority I written by Justice White. 'ni°n vqs | The Court noted that the .... argument justif • argument j property qualification for bond elections proceed"1 ?’ "First, it is sa^h^X;^ elections two fronts: ‘‘First, it is said that the Arizona stat ' the Arizoi require thatt property taxes be levied iX in ” an arn sufficient to service the general obligation the general obligation bonds*' law thus expressly placing a special burden on prop'S a special burden on cowners for the benefit of the entire Seco"? encire community. community.^ and more generally, whereas revenue bonds are secure revenue bonds are <•by the revenues from the operations of particular facilities and these revenues may be earned from both propert, Pfr2iC?Xfad|X': owners, general obligation bonds are secured Properly by th general taxing power of the issuing municipalities." However, the Court found that ‘‘the differences betweethe interests of property owners and the interests of nos- property owners are not sufficiently substantial to justify1 excluding the latter from the franchise .” The Court observed that although property taxes majj be paid initially by property owners, a significant party J the ultimate burden of .. each ___ year’s tax on rather rental than property ‘‘will ill v-, very likely 'be borne by the tenant th; landlord . . . Moreover, [ “ property taxes on commercia property, much of which is owned by corporations having I no vote, will be treated as as a cost of doing business at:; will normally be reflected ted in the prices of goods aid and services purchased L, by non-property owners and property > owners alike. We thus c: ______ us conclude that, although V»» ownerso . 11 real property have interests somewhatUlLIIVUgH different from tha I interests of non-property owners in the issuance o t general obligation bonds, there is no basis for con eluding that non-property owners are substantially lesS interested in the issuance of these secruities than a'1, I property owners.” In addition to Arizona, thirteen states restricted voti’i on bonds to property owners: Alaska, Colorado, Flo” J Idaho, Louisiana, Michigan, Montana, New Mexico, M York, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Texas, and Utah. P611 sylvania , .....a v/s; was not one of the states restricting voting , bond issues. ----- | THE GOLF BUDGET! Americans will invest nearly $2.8 billion in g°|f?ji year, according " ---. ,z 4>z..o umion in s“" . .[ ■ _ by the National G^i ha„ Foundation, a 'g to an festimate non-profit organization. That is mor , 10 times as '0 a; much as last year j, transportati0i /ear’’s s federal federal budget budget for for m and is r nearly equal to the annualimiH na. ‘ofl! of israel; _...... ..... here are approximately I I fers in the —U. S There — <of eve”'1 A««, s^nt spending about 49<tt out on athletic equipment. What |0ca| governments couldn't do with the g°|f ■ budget!!i ANSWERS QUESTIONS "l . AUTHORITIES S°essions° wUhtuU^ an authority me. then only with v|vania Municipal Authorities Association fhe Pen pblished a ready-reference manual which s recently ndable answers to many of the recurring Ovides defP®ed by local water, sewage, and other <lueSll^a1 authorities. ■ublication, i"1"" P ublication, consisting of reprints of articles The ne//Williami (Bill) Markus, Esq., legal counsel author^ byAA since 3 its inception, uses the ring-tvoe ring-type tfaf finder ' r to facilitate addition of future reprints Authority articles appearing in the PENNor original, van i an. SYL' ' Although .I...;--/ interest to members of local of K primary and their solicitors, the manual makes Authority boards „ .... first time a ready reference also useful available for^the -rs of municipal governing bodies involved in the to members < relationship between themselves and authority complex This is not a catalogue of terse questions with boards. and no answers, but a series of interesting and yes articles based upon court decisions, which leave^fttle doubt on what authorities or their appointing little doubt on municipal governing bodies, as well as private citizens, P°Wer t0 rem0Ve" « TraPP°'nt 'S prov ded in the Constitution of Pennsylvania. The PMAA legal counsel’s article, citing three major court decisions erases all doubts that the court alone can exercise this power. Out of these complex decisions, he draws the logical conclusion that if the legislature creates an agency, it may provide whatever procedure for appoint­ ment and removal it chooses. Having designated a single method in the Authorities Act, no other is permissible. This example is not an indication that the collection of reprints propogandizes the side of the authorities against their governing bodies. Far from it, for the article on the Authorities Code of Ethics clearly fixes authority responsibility to the municipality and its citizens. There is sufficient merit alone in the selection of topics covered in the manual to recommend it. Its over­ riding merit, however, is that they are written to be understood by laymen serving their communities as members of governing bodies or authorities, and that when Bill Markus says it, so it is. WHN may or may not do. Every article in the initial publication deals with a fundamental question, most of which have been or are the source of misunderstanding or friction involving local officials and private citizens. Must an authority provide water or sewage extensions on request? Is an authority, or a municipality operating a sewage system liable for damages caused by sewage back-up? May water be shut off for non-payment of sewage bills? May a governing body remove an authority member? May authority opera­ tions be taxed? How does a lease-back effect responsi­ bilities and liabilities in water and sewage, or other local authority-type projects? Under what conditions may patented ’ articles be purchased without advertised bidding, and may an unsigned bid be accepted? Are authorities subject to zoning ordinances, and can an authority condemn property beyond the boundaries of the ,ncorPorating municipality? Can sewer lines be installed f"ou"d°Pede^ streets? Who decides if water is to be uthority boards and governing bodies, of course, should ■ always rely on their solicitors for legal counsel on sse and other questions. The manual does not intend to , Sp ace solicitors. But Attorney Markus’s legal Mutation' In °n matters of authority and municipal law, and esPecia||y' ’ his down-to-earth writing style, makes the ,p,ub|icatio? a primer for officials enabling them to aim eir questions' to the heart of the problem. „ ?at ^e should prove beneficial to _____ ;-t vividly body members is most the “by reference to several articles dealing with * to several articles < bod|es °?chy” relationship between them. Governing publication ■Jjty and _governing . ...... 6 fact that ,h“ently forget’ or find it hard to accept, t e 6llds with 7 control over authority members begins an "Mani," the P°wer to appoint. The ultimate control ,a"ism is Sovernin ,'S tbe power to remove, and quite frequent y asathrJL, ies use, or consider the use, of this power athr. t0 restrain the freedom of action of an authority. Markus Points P0|nts oUt that despite legislative location of the CENTRALIZED PURCHASING Wyoming Valley Hospital Council, comprising five local hospitals, is studying a joint proposal of two regional health planning councils to set up an agency for centralized institutional purchasing of hospital supplies and equipment. Robert C. MacGregor, executive director of Health and Hospital Planning Council of Northeastern Penn­ sylvania, and Richard H. Landis, executive director of New York-Penn Health Planning Council, have said the proposal of the two Councils was initiated through a series of discussion meetings co-sponsored by the two planning organizations. The Northeastern Council, which represents Luzerne, Lackawanna, Pike, Sullivan, Wayne and Wyoming Counties, was chartered as private and non-profit, organized in April to work with residents and institutions of the region to identify and meet local health needs. The New York-Penn Health Planning Council represents Bradford .and Susquehanna Counties in addition to the Southern New York State. stated consultations The health planning directors with hospital administrators in both council regions growing interest in indicate area institutions have a ( said area hospital in group purchasing. Mr. MacGregor alternative approaches administrators had considered three ' „ihi.itv t0 group purchasing and now are studying the Poss.bdrty "He said the proposed of a central services corporation, corporation plan could result i.n '■ area hospitals. Mr. MacGregor step taken by the proposed cc , purchasing of supplies an. -. the region's hospitals. �QUALITIES OF A SUCCESSFUL MANAGER KEYS to 1. He must make people want to do things. 2. He rust know what makes each subordinate tick. 3. He must be a good listener. I A He must criticize or reprove constructively in private. 5. He -ust be able to praise subordinates publicly. 6. He rust be considerate —give credit where it is due. 7. He rust be able to delegate responsibility for details to subordinates. 8. He should let his wishes be known through sugges­ tions or requests rather than through commands. 9' D^ra™ d keeP subordinates Informed of plans and SUCOESS Most people use only c~- for work and original thought to'ai and you will be amazed at the'.■ harness Xour results If you persevere, and push fu" Pol'"' ’ ar>d hai you will wear down the opposition '"g on Decide what your real dream. Th./.r.cl.s„,h, Tou seldom accomplish very u ls for ' by Xourseif 12. r ■ H^hoyid be big en h t0 seek h it and to adm.t it when he makes mistakes or is in error. 11 Xxi: ss," •""•*. carry out their '5. He must give subordinates a f „feelin,g.of Importance m their work, give them goals, and let them "here they stand. -•'-■■I know PLASTjC /he Mount Joy pa anUAL Achieving success demand. ’ distractions. mands total , effort. Conduct your affairs as j f you last day alive. expect tOdayt°bey0l, ROOF Management Di gest June 7, 1967 IN THE LIBRARY IPS ILOCAL —■ GOVERNMEf”Public -' a Juki:- SeTvke o • ■■ec-rroL.t I ERR i newsletter Publication of the? t._ nStituIe“i Gonnectic"*" °f the University?" —icut, dealing' with .......... 1 current develoi I oca I g~ ■ • - c.'opments in government. JOURNAL 0F THE /■AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF PLANNERS - American Institute of PiannerL0! monthly review of current employment developments and prospects. . ■ M n i,s -U.U SECRETARIES The Municipal Secretary’s Manual, prepared for the mation Services Division, Pennsylvania Department , community Affairs, by the Institute of Regional Affairs of Wilkes College should now be in the hands of all secretaries of record. The prime author of the Manual is Walter H. Niehoff, associate director of the IRA staff, who has had extensive experience in the field of local government both as a borough manager and as the Director of Research, for Pennsylvania Economy League. Publication by the Department of Community Affairs under direction of R ichard L. Karshner, Chief, Information Services Division, was financed in part by a HUD grant under Title IX of the Demonstration Cities and Metropolitan Development Act of 1966. In accordance with the Department of Community Affairs’ policy of aiding municipalities, partly by revising and updating, or publishing anew, various materials, the IRA contracted If you c— cross a sheep with a kangaroo, you’ll get I w°°Uy jumpers? M»m,.i r°nS‘ ...p t0 now- the Borough Secretary’s the onl/'official's^i m 1956 and revised in 1962, was I serve rhn 7 State guide available, and it did not •^ships o ethA ClerkS’ and Secretaries in «me, all <=Pr h f|rst and second classes. For the first <,,, se hin.6 ar'eS 'n Pennsy|vania cities, boroughs, I townshii which should .are p™v'ded with a “how to do it” manual °f their their dutip.°ntrJ Ute mater'aNy to a clearer definition ' more effective ” an resPon si bill ties and suggestions for Per ormance. The task was-not a simple w i e the duties and responsibilities of diffSeCretaries may be similar in some respects, they :'pre?atdely because inter'*-ms ~ °f municipal codes, judicial Hieiatioi i Manual ’ i°cal policies, and tradition. The -1 accommod. infoi 'Stationi whi hateS tbe pr°blern by including areas of Sivir „'C. are common to all secretaries, while ln« due arr t tten tion to specific differences. While >‘eriesthe PthmaPy purpose °f the Manual is to aid in Sbt that the mu'r' W°rk’ tbe h'nal product leaves no t°Wnsh niCIPal secretarX from the “smallest °r the . -U 'nodis.Pansibi'le 'P,t0 tble largest third class city, is and ee' tbat g'ves motion, direction, ?^iy thlnuity 1to local government, and that he is ^tarc^/ore r key figure in the local government The c; cow’s reaction to [— ' mind them was that she didn'i taking her milk, People it’s ’the down. - -.a jerks that get her ,RA newsletter | '■ ' I Affairs ^'Ikes-Barre, pa 18703 because. Non-Profit Organization Guaranteed MUNICIPAL e7„re„Pare a ranUal using the question and answer h n°Uld Serve secrataries of all municipal for today Postage NOVEMBER!5, |970 for > i THOUGHTS Return ------------ •------- —WILKES CoTLEGEjlLKESj^RE^j^ VOL. Yoy Be^tf M. He i own NEWS-LETTER l°n8 % then reacl> Serve the public Finn needs. The more people whoT^ that :flat f|H th you, too. P P e Who benefit, , the better jtP^C mUSt get the assistance of others pi ugrams. io. He must be consistent in his policies EUGENE SHEDDEN ca U. S. POSTAGE PAID Wilkes-Barre, Pa« Permit No. 355 1 model to The lnstitute of research Undertak, Regional Affairs has been requested e a $40,000 ■--0 research project for the Model CITIES 'nstJi^^X^^ities because it can supply an eval dertaklng the research without being undu?y ,0^0000^^0" °ftheSe SerVi“S relationships, and also because it has'V h7 carry out such , „ • e 1 has the ability to organization. “ aS a" °Veral1 community Model rT ?Ur'ng the firSt year of Pining on Model Cities, much research was conducted; however many problems revolving about integration, coordination: and duplication of services still exist. The purpose, therefore, of this project is to take what has already been developed during the initial planning year and carry it one step further by specifically identifying just where the problems occur with each agency. A more important part of the research is to recommend a course of action, which hopefully will lead to both better coordination and integration of services. It is anticipated that residents will be employed in this undertaking. Residents will become deeply involved in reviewing the results of the project. They will help provide an in-put into what they feel needs to be accomplished in making available services more responsive to the needs of the residents. Dr. Hugo V. Mai ley, Director of the Institute of Regional Affairs, will coordinate the various Institute resources in the form of faculty personnel who will participate in the project. Dr. Jaroslav G. Moravec, Chairman of the Sociology Department and Dr. Raymond M. Weinstein, Assistant Professor of Sociology, will prepare a service profile of all agencies and institutions providing social services, analyze and classify these services in terms of the problems they seek to solve and write up a complete description and ana ysis <of the present relationships between services Mr Valter H Niehoff, Associate Director of the Institute of Regional Affairs will develop a complete soc.al service Sd keeping system which can provie a current^ of existing conditions - physical soc I Mr. Philip R. Tuhy Associate D,,:eand recommend the of Regional Affair , needed for coordinated social services. • J work on a subMarwick. Mitchell & Affairs to identify contract from the Institute o g iveness of these the degree of adequacy and effect services in meeting commu X services provided to tn type of Neighborhood, �completed the Department of Health AmbU|a Program. ar’ce At^ Time being a critical factor in seri0 frightening to note that only 22% of the statJ Cases 0F REGIONAL AFFAIRS institute V. Hailey. Director Or. Hugo NEWSLETTER iVEMBER 15, 1970 VOL. XVII NO’ Thi! NO. H ■ ■r as a in the Institute of News-letter, f»K C»ll«<. Affairs of Wilkes College Notes, an may be addressed Mailey? iSilkeX'e. Pennsylvania 18703 18703 College,Wilkes-Barre,. - It is hard to understand why 34% ambulances have below minimum equiPment?e a*ai|a|)| treatment enroute, since, with the possible Ferrier8enc' oxygen equipment, the list of the Colley « comprises little more than simple first aiHUX costing very little. matetials As suggested, Luzerne County compares compare; favorably in the number of services, pieces ofn°re **1 of vehii equipment, ambulances with at least minimum and the training of attendents. There are 45eeqidpm 9uipme.. '«t, C5 services in the county serving a D00llarnb , .ulan ,an'e approximately and analyze and evaluate tha ^“'^^Mrs. Margaret services ,n u^^^Reso^rces communieJ 's 'Catlan bejS have direct two-way radio vehicles and a hospital. Coordinator in Model 350,000 residing equipment standards, and 41 Institute of Regional Affairs. FOR WANT OF A NAIL A well-manned, well-equipped ambulance is a handy thing to have available when illness or accident strikes! There is always room for improvement, but the people of Luzerne County have reason to feel comparatively secure in relation to other Pennsylvania counties, at least in the number of ambulance services and pieces of equipment ready to serve them. This conclusion is supported by the results of a Survey of Ambulance Services in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, published in August of this year by the Emergency Health Services Unit of the Office of Compre­ hensive Health Planning in the Department of Health. Every identifiable ambulance service in the state was contacted by questionnaire and personal visits, in some instances, and with 97% responding, the conclusions are difficult to challenge. Considering that the state has r..w,w “, more than 2,500 municipalities, the total of 1,018 ambulance ------- ..x.2 services currently available, suggests that more than one-half of them are unable or v unwilling to provide direct local service. Such service is : ;s provided by only 63, or 6% of the thousand s: __ ; services in the state. Private service only is provided in 273, ’ °r 27%, including undertakers and profit-making enterprises r—~. Only 9 hospitals provide a mere I % of the sc; rvices, while there are 673, or 66% volunteer ambulance flre company service. services, including separate and in 74 munic^'i".’1 Of these services, six are private, including J sional firms, 2 undertakers, and I other. Only | sP,°fts' is government owned, while 37 are volunteer ind'd'" 16 by fire companies and 21 by volunteer ’ambulan service only. Thirty ambulances meet or exceed mining­ provide 24 hour service Only 163 of the total 973 attendants lack completions one of the three types of training. Only 6 services hau two-way communication direct to hospitals. Here’s rescue vehicles _State- only 66% of the -- Formal mutual aid agreements may provide the basic nail required to upgrade ambulance services in Luzerne County. For want of an ambulance ... a life was lost! WHN ---------- County Luzerne Bucks Delaware Lackawanna Lehigh Montgomery Phi I adel phi a Westmorel and Population Ambulance Services 45 19 32 26 18 9 21 44 349,100 367,400 600,000 234,400 241,000 581,000 2,085,400 375,900 FEDERAL REVENUE SHARING tell the whoh This comparison, of course, does not -t indicate story, for the number of services does not treatment equip* number or quality of vehicular or of attendant trar nor the quality or extensiveness ; in service’-; Undoubtedly, much of the differenceof fragmentat 1. equipment is determined by the degree For ex*' of municipalities within a given count^.‘. philadelP" Luzerne County has 74 local units, w 1 of County has only one . . • the c'tT comPar Consequently, 45 services in Luzerne that the 26 in Philadelphia does not mean t.. ■3 better service than the latter. obvi°u,s • 5- own. a partia' Federal revenue sharing is based on the fundamental concept that the federal government cannot make local ecisions nor hope to manage programs that solve many 0 the urban problems. Also underlying revenue sharing is r*'------• recognition that the income tax comes from the American I people in every city and county and should not be the exclusive province of that government which can evy and collect it most easily. The adoption of avenue sharing will give further substance to the federal < system by strengthening the state and local Partners. Revenue sharing will extend Federal financial ass'stance t, to states and localities in a broad and “n'0nditional *1 manner. Every county, city, and township V/||| L . ------------- • l-Wi; k-WUHU/, X-. VZ ,------------------- ----------------------. sharin f'nc udec -'--J^ directly in the allocation of revenue their u| Unds’ local needs and priorities will determine defied t/mate distribution. Specific allocations are arise from this multiplicity of mun - . county. With 51 ambulances in Luzern The state survey provides In response to numerous public requests for detailed information on the fiscal impact of President Richard Nixon’s revenue sharing proposal, the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Economic Policy in the U. S. Treasury Department prepared a publication last July, showing the full-year effect of revenue sharing for all 50 state governments and major county, city and township governments. '-s Program and 22% Penn- “For want of a nail, the shoe was lost. For want of a shoe the horse was lost. For want of a horse the king was lost. For want of a king the battle was lost. For want of victory the kingdom was lost”. ambulance services: „ *er Advance Red /* occurs. how Luzerne compares with other countie-1 by 45 ambulance services, it |S while the communities have but one vehicle, The questions P^1 of the 74 have none, vjtnin who provides additional service 3 to when its one ambulance is enroute serv'ce without who provides service in areas requirements of Ten counties <have^no°f Surge°ns epu'Pment needs. np rescue vehicles —t standards, to serve their There are 19 44c _ , , sylvania, 81% k' ambulance attendant • service, from whatever community provided, when in need. A one-ambulance community may be a no-ambulance community when the one vehicle is enroute. A network of mutual agreements would place all ambulances at the disposal of a person in need no matter where the need having close to or greater population in the numbered The real significance in the survey, Of the 1,470 ambulances, and 39k that of the 1,018 ambulance services, 772 have sho*s' aid agreements to supplement each other or mutual , communities without ambulances. The nature of provide agreements has not been surveyed statewide. these £, ’ k is known from previous surveys in Luzerne County hnwever, that many of the mutual aid agreements are „| and informal understandings, not written agreements hich clearly spell out the rules or guidelines for mutual w , The Luzerne County Ambulance Association, now a' the process of organization, can make a significant ontribution to the efficiency and certainty of ambulance Cervice to everyone in need by encouraging the adoption Sf formal written agreements assuring that no person °nywhere in the county is without available ambulance and det y f°rmulas, spelled out in the proposed law, Popularerrr|ined by the latest available statistics on °n’ Incomes, and revenues. tbe ^locations shown in the tables reprinted in this - ^Publication are based on 1968 population and 'C: eniph^siz??"" a; 6 and income data, it is important to that they do not represent actual expected of impact.5 ThiT'iTbl Sharing durin8 the first full year Provided nlh \ m CarUSeth\aCtUal allocations as rne Administration bill win k„ k,,. j the latest available published data „r ! °n incomes, and revenues Thus u f Population, tables would be expected a rk e changes frorn these allocation formulas ch^e over ti^:'°r the assumed nldonw’iSe ^stributi'on^f SS billiom'^hi^wili the first full yea?o^ZLm^m^JeXZoTspS °“ ?eadii? c d niVidUal Statg and governments termS’ but these amounts can be anv ass u 'nt° Percentages and then applied to pJerv 1 Id nationwide or statewide distribution. Every local government eligible to receive at least ihe tables6"' a"™"' appropriation is included in State area allocations are primarily determined by he state s share of national population. An adjustment for revenue effort rewards (or penalizes) those states making an above-average (or below-average) effort in taxing the incomes of their citizens. The payment percentage for any particular state can be found by multiplying that state’s population by its revenue effort (defined as the ratio of general revenues from own sources to personal income for the state), and dividing the product by the sum of such products for all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The total amount allotted to the Commonwealth under the proposed revenue-sharing plan is $251,614,532, or 5.032% of the total sum. Within each state, the allocation of revenue sharing funds between state and local governments is based on the relative importance of each unit of government in the collection of total state and local general revenues. Of the amount above $190,793,020 is marked for state use and $60,821,512 will be the local government share. Once the state area allocation is determined in accordance with the above formula, calculations must be made to determine the total allocation to local governments, and the state government allocation. Under the President's proposal, all general purpose local governments (counties, municipalities, and town­ For every ships) are included in revenue sharing, revenue-sharing payment allocated to a state, the general purpose local governments will receive the 's to the ratio fraction of that payment which corresponds ; —3 t» to total state and all local of local general revenues fraction, of course, will vary by general revenues. This , state depending on the existing division of public The breakdown in Pennfinancing responsibilities, sylvania would be as follows: Cities Counties Townships S40.743.074 13,291,018 6,787,420 in a state would receive a Each local government which corresponds to the ratio of its general share w. from own sources to the sum of such general revenues for all eligible local governments. Under the revenues local units are listed: Presidents’ proposal, two S204.645 Wilkes-Barre city 367,880 Luzerne County �not revenue may r amounts of adda of revenue; sharing Although Je long-term benefits Luzerne County. appear large, a salutary effect o HVM can only have local INTERGOVERNMENTAL COORDINATORS Over the past four or five years a new breed of state and local officials has appeared in state and local governments across the United States. They are co­ ordinators of federal and state grant-in-aid. The number of governments which have appointed coordinators chas — -rs do not, howgrown remarkably fast. Most coordinators connected with full time to activities c_ ever, devote Some coordinators work as planners, grants-in-aid. administrative development personnel, community when they are not assistants, or in similar positions „ The policy activities where coordi sibilities are most important are j '? r:atOrS’ r» coordination, selecting programs for which'lePart^Ptl’ment applies, and federal agencies. o Transportation and poverty programs difficult to coordinate at the local level. • Large cities (250,000 population) with federal coordinators received substantially higher per capita grants than smaller cities with coordinators. • 77% of the reporting cities described their relationship with federal agency officials as cordial and friendly, non-competitive. 80% of both the counties and states responding reported their relationship with federal agencies as cordial, friendly. • The greatest portion of coordinator’s time is in coordinating and administering grant programs. areth^S1 o The Chamber of Commerce and consult, active groups on stimulating local :anU art governments to for grant-in-aid. aPpl, o The median salary for coordinators while the median budget for their offices '.s SI4.253 ,s S25.030’ Now comes the $64 question. Are theX worth »> PRT which provide or part-time coordinator positions jurisdictions with full already established: States-49; Counties-246; CitiesThe urban Data Service of the 309; for a total of 604. „„„„_____ City .... Management w------ 1 Association recently International conducted a survey of these coordinators. The following is a summary of their findings in the August, 1970 issue: ARY 1 their "^icipaJX DEC id 1970 7 to o The majority (49%) of city c : located in the office of the chief adminic°ordir ‘"ators ■lstratiV( 'Official „ 42% of city coordinators work most cl0. the chief appointed official in the determinat;or grant application priorities. ■»n M functioning as aid coordinators. The four public interest groups for the coordinators national professional organizations; fcr Conference, National Association of (Governors’ ' __ r and the National League of Cities, U. S. Counties, <Conference of Mayors) reported the following number of representing their IN THE LIBRARY LABOR MARKET NEWSLETTER - Pa. State Em | ment Service - A monthly review of current emploment developments and prospects in Luzerne Count LEGISLATIVE NEWSLETTER - Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs - The official bullet;, reporting legislative developments affecting tht Association members. LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH CHECKLIST - Councilt' State Governments — A quarterly publication reportirt legislative activities affecting state governments az a listing of recent research reports. THOUGHTS FOR TODAY Our country must always maintain the two pat? pat system because they need each other for alibis. A successful man is the chap who can lay foundation with the bricks that others throw at NEWS-LETTER VOL. XVH, NO. I 2 merged WILKES COLLEGE WILKES-BARRE, PENNA. The first complete merger of autonomous municipal olice departments in Pennsylvania has been con­ summated by Dallas and Kingston Townships in Luzerne County. The real significance in the move lies in the fact that the terms of the merger agreement reveal a unique formula for surmounting existing limitations and uncer­ tainties which hinder attainment of true intermunicipal cooperation in many municipalities. With the joint agreement signed and the initial phase of the transition underway, the merger will be completed according to recommendations contained in the study made for the governing bodies by the Institute of Regional Affairs of Wilkes College. Although the original authoriza­ tion forthe study to merge the police departments included Dallas Borough, which is surrounded by the two townships, the former has not accepted the agreement as of this date. However, the agreement is of the open-end type, permitting tne Borough, or any other adjacent borough or township, to join the merger at any time. The governing officials, police chiefs, and, no less, the citizenry, were long aware of the growing difficulties in providing adequate police service in this "Back Mountain” area and the conditions which called for immediate remedial action. The report showed that the entire area comprises 65.5 square miles traversed by about 150 miles of roads, with about 12,000 inhabitants, living, for the most part, in widely separated clusters, including, in many instances, high value residential and commercial properties. Under these demographic con­ ditions, the pressures for adequate police coverage by IRA NEWSLETTER Institute of Regional Affairs Wilkes College* Wilkes-Barre, Pa. 18703 Return Postage Guaranteed Non-Pr»fit s Organization u. S. POSTAL ; PA|Dpi Wilkes-Barre, permit N0, 1 under-manned staffs afforded by each municipality within its c"own borders were rapidly becoming overwhelming, Demand: '-nds of heavy traffic control, criminal investigations, and c -’ other basic services, consumed practically all available ppolice time. Thus, a regular program of areawide car patrols 3 was impossible, as were other much-needed services. concf16 .t0Wnsh'P officials recognized and accepted the type USf'°n Of the IRA reP°rt which indicated that some reduC'° *°'nt Police effort offered the only hope for servi^ °r eRm'nating the growing obstacles to police ce °n an individual jurisdictional basis. statutnUmder PoliceeSf' DECEMBER 15, 1970 police departments °Ptions were open under Pennsylvania municipality could supplement its regular Serve °rce w'th additional auxiliary police who would eli„ On an " available” basis. Any jurisdiction could , minate its ^wit*1 own regular force and contract for complete an expanded force of an adjacent jurisdiction. means agreements for mutual use of police on an "as needed" basis. Since none of these options satisfied the variety of conditions and problems in the area, an agreement was entered into by the two townships under authority of the Joint Municipal Activities Act, generally called the General Cooperation Law. This act grants a very broad authority for municipalities to enter joint agreements to perform any power, duty, or function which each may under law exercise and perform separately. This option offers at least three distinct advantages: (I) It provides specific machinery for formulating the initial agreement; (2) It lays the groundwork for extending intermunicipal cooperation in other than the initial function by providing for a joint advisory board to advise and aid the governing bodies to implement cooperative actions in the future; and, (3) It preserves the legal prerogatives of each municipality, and thus reduces the political or psychological barriers to voluntary cooperation between separate jurisdictions. The Dallas-Kingston Township merger agreement eliminated the source of interjurisdictional misunder­ standings under the other options by establishing a single police district comprising the total geographic area of the two adjacent townships. The police district has been designated as the Back Mountain Area Police District. The police function is under the general supervision of a Joint Police Commission, consisting of one repre­ sentative of the governing body of each participating municipality. If a borough joins the agreement, its commission representative would be the mayor in order to comply with the Borough Code requirement giving that officer responsibility for his police department. The terms of Commission members and officers is fixed at one year. The annual budget for the Joint Police Department is to be prepared by the Joint Commission and submitted to the respective governing bodies for consideration not later than October I each year to enable each (urisdiction to accommodate it to its total municipal budget Should the governing bodies fail to approve a police budget the prior year’s police budget shall be operative until one is adopted. between of real property I �municipal governing bodies, each CSi Casting While the initial venture includes only one „ . "1e tw0 townships, any adjacent borough or towns)? t0 join at any time by formal resolution an![P is pant may withdraw from the agreement Uni any REGIONAL AFFAIRS institute of Dr. Hugo V, Mai ley- Director three months written notice. newsletter VOL. XVII " f as a p.bU<h"1 "5. 7n the Institute of -. Notes and Thi, ... Dr. Hugo 18703 joint Police Commission its proportionate share ot the annual appropriations on the first day of each quarter These funds are paid to the treasurer of the Commission and deposited in a special Joint Police account. All police expenses, therefore, are to be paid from this fund by the Joint Treasurer on authority of the Commission. The agreement further provides that a special annual report of the Commission’s finances shall be filed with the Department of Community Affairs and with each governing body. Audits of the fund are to be made by a certified public accountant. The Joint Police Commission will supervise and direct all police activities in the single district and assist in the enforcement of participating municipal ordinances. It will make uniform policies on wages, hours, conditions, and terms of employment, and all other matters consistent with the laws of the State. The current police personnel of both Townships, and all future police appointees, are deputized to perform any and all police services in any part of the police district, regardless of Township boundaries. All police and civilian personnel are appointed by the Joint Police Commission, and when civil service regulations are applicable, the Joint Commission acts as the Civil Service Commission. All police equipment, materials, supplies and property existing on the date of the effectiveness'of the agreement shall remain that of tho \ municipality until the same is replaced All neweT'"2 Police Commission. In the at The unique feature of the Dallas <• Police Agreement is that it attains com£n Joiflt NO. 12 DECEMBER >5.1’™ p°n ACT 195 - event that any municipality terminates its agreement, common property will be appraised and either sold c °r retained end distributed in the same proportion as the -s assessment of police expenditures. By agreement, the central police f the headquarters has in the new i— 'P-.This will serve as the = of Dallas actlv'^ in the single district" «nter for a|| po|jce b ex|stmg and future police i * centralization ’’ standards and M procedures. under —-r accepted Any differenc'en«s arising under the ^0|ved by the” days' if not Jomt Police Commissreement shaU be ‘ suc«ssful, then by h°n Within si“y y the Participating under centralized authority of an int te "leJ commission appointed by the governing bodi 8rniUnicipa| terms, and at the same time retains in the h* f°r sS governing body of each jurisdiction ultimate^5 of ’he The precise definitions under the Act are - I “Supervisor” means any individual having authority in the interests of the employer to hire, transfer suspend, layoff, recall, promote, discharge, assign, reward or discipline other employees or responsibly to direct them or adjust their grievances; or to a substantial degree effectively recommend such action, if in connec­ tion with the foregoing, the exercise of such authority is not merely routine or clerical in nature but calls for the use of independent judgement. the police function. Undoubtedly, the Agreement011''01 «f with both letter and spirit of the new local COniplies provisions of the State Constitution. 80Vernrneni Trials and tribulations in fully impleme :entinSthens# and unique arrangement for joint police services ar{ naturally expected, but the enthusiasm 1 °f t0Wip officials and members of the individual | P°h« depatt. ments augurs well for the experiment. Its s.. --s , success should encourage other municipalities in th'e Back Mountain area, as well as other parts of the Cor >ninionwealth, to follow suit. 2. “Professional employee” means any employee whose work: (I) is predominantly intellectual and varied in character; (II) requires consistent exercise of discre­ tion and judgement; (III) requires knowledge of an advanced nature in the field of science or learning customarily acquired by specialized study in an institu­ tion of higher learning or its quivalent; and (IV) is of such character that the output or result accomplished cannot be standardized in relation to a given period of time. Short of the little-used and difficult procedure 0| municipal consolidation, complete merger of servicesby this type of cooperation promises the best answer to the rising cost of municipal services, as well as the best response to demands for improved services. The DallasKingston police merger, though small in scale, is regionalism at its best. 3. “First level of supervision” and “first level supervisor” means the lowest level at which an employee functions as a supervisor. WHN SEWER SOCIOLOGY “We’ve been doing our thing quietly, but we really plan to fly after the November election,” a highly place! r ' • j 11 l official of the Federal Department of Housing and Urbai Development (HUD) recently said of his departments plans to use Federal grant-in-aid programs to produces racial balance in America’s suburbs. HUD s chosen opening? The sewer systems of suburban America! ? I I I | ' eioned U , Regulations effective October I have been designe J r without ' make it virtually impossible for a community Federal , blacks or low-income housing to qualify/ for I .. The idea, of course, i water and sewer program assistance, to accept integrate-1 is to force suburban communitieslalify to for much-ne* low-income housing in order to qua..., sewer grants. and rad3' Despite the fact that housing Prociac^°a comi"tl,lili 1 inflamed ' relations are bound to suffer from . committedI to hostilities, HUD remains openly .. I balance - ‘'racial do",1‘‘’l1 , Federal housing programs to engineer ra^longressi° in the suburbs. Although there is no authorization for HUD’s use of water and funds to remake the social and resident! s.ste£jse'';er' i suburbia, sociological goals for federally a have been created in the HUD bureaUCJa|egislati’n? can, of course, simply pass prohibiting o sonie even transfer the water and sewer Pr°SratjOn agency, such as the Environmental Pr° yVheth where it will be safe from HUD sociolog not Congress can muster the effort to °f social engineering’’ will be interes ter tb'Le- ; 4. "Management level employee” means any individual who is involved directly in the determination of policy or who responsible directs the implementation thereof and shall include all ciupiu/ccd employees auuvc above liic the i first «• *-*i i vi ouai i iiiv .iuuc aii i i ol |eve| of SUpervisjon 5. “Confidential employee" shall mean any employee who works; (I) in the personnel offices of a public employer and has access to information subject to use by the public employer in collective bargaining; or (II) in a close continuing relationship with public officers or representatives associated with collective bargaining on behalf of the employer. The employer determines who is a supervisor by the ^ar|ner in which he describes the function of the job and ^quires the function to be performed. The employed the^d'0'08 agent can challenge this determination when LRr 6 ln't'on bargaining unit is being considered by will e LRB wilI make the final determination. There dete nOt be a s'n?le valid interpretation but rather a will r^'nat'on by each public employer as to where it ave erprofra. nSo DEFINITIONS Definitions are always worth understanding. Definiin certain laws will help to understand who is vered and who is exempt. Management level employees c fidential employees, and supervisors are excluded the bargaining under the new Public Employee CoHective Bargaining Law. abandoned cars ‘■eyIsoere^tya°bfanWdilkeS/Barre trucks 'and taX°s ar Undertaken to remove - PaSSenger cars‘ Police Chief ik ,at ,t,:. e cost to the taxpayers, directive in lune to ISSUed a department-wide that the m members of the Bureau of Police that the new Motor Vehicle ■ e ahandnnea l.■ i ven|cle Code provisions covering abandoned vehicles were to be strictly enforced The resuit was a check on all abandoned vehicles reported did^^r h113^6'5’ After determination that the vehicles d d not have proper license plates or inspection stickers, Shker Towing Service, one of three qualified salvors in NLPA, was ordered to remove the vehicles. The Sliker service receives SI5 for each vehicle removed. The City pays the SI5, after which the salvor presents documents that are forwarded to the Abandoned Vehicle Division of the Bureau of Motor Vehicles in Harrisburg The City then gets SID of the $15 cost for the removal of the abandoned vehicle. The net cost to the City is only $5. In July, August, and September, a total of 34 of the “worst eyesore abandoned vehicles" were removed from the City streets by the Sliker Service. - II in July, 9 in August, and 14 in September. The City expended S510 and was reimbursed S340. ARBITRATION A law permitting the use of arbitration at public expense in cases involving property evaluation for government acquisitions has been placed on the books in California law by Governor Ronald Regan. The new law, drafted by the California Law Revision Com­ mission, sets forth procedures for arbitration under mutual agreement of both the agency seeking the property and the property owner. Under provisions of the bill, the agreement to arbitrate would be subject to and enforceable under the California Arbitration Act, and the public agency seeking to acquire the property would pay for the costs of the arbitration procedure. The eminent domain law is offered as an alternative to jury trials in such cases. Under the previous law, the California Constitution required jury trials to break deadlocks over compensation. According to an analysis of the new law prepared by the Law Revision Commission, “arbitration can reduce the costs, delays, and ill will frequently associated with judicial proceedings and, at the same time, relieve the over-burdened courts of a heavy volume of jury cases. 12^687 level supervisory work performed. Perf0°r exarnPle: Does the person evaluate the work firinprmanCe °f otber people; effectively recommend hiring, PLASTIC ROOF Perso' prom°tion, transfer, or re-assignment of other of under his supervision; or direct the work effort to rs SUch as the techniques to be used, materials even t^'^ etc“ a person does some of these things, The Mount Joy, Pa., Borough Authority has installed a plastic roof over its water supply reservoir, believed first such installation in the East The roof ought to improve the payability and quality of the such dut°Ue8h devotin§ a small percentage of his time to wi|| ijL11,65, tbe designation of that person as a supervisor a Hg a-ee y withstand challenge by the employee bargainnt and will be excluded from the bargaining unit. resting place for migratory ducks. it doesn’t help the ducks any.• • Of course, �SNOW NEW APPROACH t0 '"’’X co™. The city approved a s- of Manhattan iendation that each FENCE ACT The erection and dismantling of snow June I. 1945, was amended, effective oct feb"ce, , of -□er to read: bl Q,’ Si % I “The Department shall have the allowance be — of grouP selectedhfrom“four ^"'J'^KsurlnTeTual to one ivailable types major medical, group dantf0’ng.terrn disability ^urance times annual sa|ary. employees overwhe: ming y at 60% of base pay. The by subscriptions in endorsed the program as disabi|ity coverages excess of 95% for me 'C ^e The former city policy was and 30% for denta group medical and life authority V 'o Pn upon private property adjacent to anX State and place thereon snow fences a, any . at any necessary, in order to eliminate snow drifr'nt snow (■ ■ en’elj traveled portion of the highway. Such 'ng Such shall not be placed more than 100 feet fro Sn°W St way line of the highway. rn the ri8ht0f “No snow fence authorized under this placed prior to October I; however, if the fen? Shal1 erected on private property containing unharve^ it may not be placed prior to November | u?dcr0|ls written consent of the owner of the adjacent p" ttlE PrT" °Perty i‘ obtained. No snow fence authorized under shall remain in place after April I of the f- -'Ss act Succeedinf year, unless the written consent of the owner of the adjacent property is obtained.’’ to a limited program. SECRETARY ROMNEY In his NAHB speech recently, HUD Secretary Romney gave this as his ten-point checklist of needed ingredients for a national housing policy. 1. Inflation’s end and easing of monetary controls. 2. Steadily expanding economy. IN THE LIBRARY MICHIGAN BUSINESS REVIEW - University ofMichige- Published bi-monthly as a service to the business and academic communities. MICHIGAN MUNICIPAL REVIEW - Michigan Municipt' 3. Housing to have a higher national priority. League — A monthly review confined to reseat and legislation with special articles on finance, purchasing, and personnel management. 4. Adequate, growing supply of mortgage financing. 5. Revised and strengthened land use policies. 6. Adequate level of government assistance for housing low-income families] MID-EASTERN COUNTIES BOROUGHS REPORTERLafayette College — A publication used as a meats of distributing municipal information among thos-: 7. Property tax reform. who serve in borough affairs. 8. Efficient administration, prompt processing of government programs. 9. Develop, introduce new technology, financing, marketing, management, methods for greater volume, lower cost, higher quality. THOUGHTS FOR TODAY Cross pigeon. 10. Concern for social implications. a sto:' I a dove with a toad and you'll get ! He who slings mud loses ground. IRA NEWSLETTER Non-Pr0^ Organic" u. S. POSTAL Institute of Regional Affairs Wilkes College Wilkes-Barre, Pa. 18703 PAID Wilkes-Ba"e' permit No- & Return Postage Guaranteed 17195 I �F 5 - 11lDQ025DEa5 IIII1111IWI WILKES UNIVERSITY UBRARY ■ . L ■ -.1 8 1 i- ■ ■: - ?.,.<- . B : Bii? I' J h IlhfifiMl it? »./ It •t <-■- ?,<•--.5--n "■ • iRnamBS^^Wy . $ jjh: ' hi ■. . Bl. ■ . '.' J - • > ' ■■ ISgfV^^ iJiM: ■ g .. ............. _.......... ;■ : ijj!' •■ ■ $5- X .■ :-.j ...' ■ - °■'■ InhUi'J;! :;W| \ ' .- -i ■ > g.; - i . eHSSaaife 5? . ■: ‘-J 'y J"'':. .7- Bdj• .... � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Luzerne County Newsletters and Institute for Regional Affair Newsletters, 1952-1975 Subject The topic of the resource Political Science; Luzerne County; Institute for Regional Affairs; Wyoming Valley Description An account of the resource A collection of newsletters created by the Political Science Department at Wilkes College from 1952-1975 for Luzerne County and later the Institute for Regional Affairs. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Political Science Department (Hugo Mailey) Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1952-1975 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Type The nature or genre of the resource Newsletters Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Luzerne County Newsletter, 1970 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Political Science Department Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1970 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Type The nature or genre of the resource Newsletter https://omeka.wilkes.edu/omeka/files/original/cf2920c280d943445d0cb4ec0177a368.pdf e1b8681ffa2da9cc451be8cb0f74bb8c PDF Text Text W" 4 ....«» ' . ■ ms i® : I .-•. ■ ,•: 15 '.'7: ?'< < i? .. .■!>.■■., .a MM®®-Y ■ < . •■■■■■■< .■■■■ ; ®® ■ ; a-.. I K#t . ■ <. a a >' :a '<a y ■ .ias» YlaY. hh^HI ■ ■. A<* ^■\ • ■ ■••i® •- *■'• ■ .................... •■••.■; fcW■ ’ ' .■■ ■' . r,’v' ;■■ •''.' ' ‘.'Ca' < '■•a . ■a . | ��\$O'. 1 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA., JANUARY 15, 1968 X SOCIAL REDEMPTION The Church, a group of Newark priests agreed, has to shift gears, change speed and direction: personnel in inner-city parishes should be priests who feel an apostolate to all the people living there; the Church should sell little-used property and reinvest in new projects in highpopulation areas; and it should stabilize neighborhoods by sponsoring low-rent co-operative housing for families. An internship for clergymen in the Urban Ministry has been es­ tablished at Western Reserve University, Cleveland College, in Cleve­ land, Ohio. It is a pilot program funded by the National Institute of Men­ tal Health. Fifteen persons will be admitted each year to the program which has been funded for three years. Experienced clergymen from any denomination are eligible for the program. In most instances the internship will be combined with service in a local congregation, parish, temple, etc. John Cardinal Krol of Philadelphia, in speaking to his church's Commission on Human Relations stated that seminarians would be put in inner parishes one day a week to have them experience interracial work. The Methodist Church will make a large investment of funds in inner city Detroit. Well, isn't it about time? The only comment that can candidly be made of these gestures °n the part of the American church is that it is "too little" and it may be "too late." ed religion in America on metropoliThe record of institutionaliz It talks earnestly about the; Cross and tan problems has not been good, at the carrying one, but it draws back I endorses the idea of everyone an undesirable neighborhood. thought of risking its life in n ' k -Motivation of people is the key to the revitalization of aging urban 6 orhoods. City neighborhoods, which are increasingly vulnerable �e SupP° ■ 1 tensions, blighted commercial districts, ”eC e\dlh »<l hardcore hirdcore unemployment, unemployment re. a “»l‘°“ and crowdedsc for their preservation and betJS45iohoki»g<p««‘'’.°7';"”of*Uci,ize”5 t0 deteriorating ■m q 7-J.U „„ir efforts oi’ with capable leadership, utilizing all the quiree the the sustained s' Intelligent people, can with professional guidance, bring terment. resources there are in a- -city conducive to good living for themselves and an environment cinto being the goal of the Model Cities program. their children. This is t-_ „ i soundly based institution in any comThis is where the church, a stimulating people to want to live bet­ munity, can take the initiative in help solve local problems. ter and inspire lay leadership to Both clergymen and laymen of the three faiths feel generally the Church has a responsibility for community improvement. However, there is generally little precise knowledge as to what to do. Continu­ ity of the religious institution is apparently the strongest motivation to­ ward community improvement among all three faiths. The preserva­ tion of the organization is usually more important to the members than a program of community development. None of the churches that have been studied in many of the large cities have clearly defined goals which could guide the direction of the churches. Churches always seem to be pleased with an urban renewal project which removes low-income people or Negroes to provide land far new middle income apartments. Catholic parishes seem to resent it when DPA cases move into their neighborhoods--relocated from aformer slum area. Protestant congregations seem to resent the transformation of its residential church area into a blighted commercial area with its public welfare families. Jewish synagogues seem to want to move to the sub­ urbs. Tf AN churches seem to follow their memberships to the suburbs. conclrnTd fo T remains- its members become completely un­ concerned for the church's neighborhood. interests from all na draw people of similar backbrounds and any strong concern for the neb ™etropolltan area, this mitigates against the real problems of the f t orhood and therefore any concern about dents of a slowly deterior j-Ure tf the underprivileged restaid of the churches of the area do not become the recipients of the ciety will have failed to und cburcb as an institution of our soth' Population. PPderstand the problems of nearly one third of them, Local churches should r_____ attention to the neighborhoods around members who live out of the area. If a city is aS Wel1 as to their m?TPay rtto r arne b not giv church of the s ot even be can the ighbo rhood o into ue If, b°W which may as ® er -nals churche: ,„e itsC;U’ e oibrought togethconomic go -so eople their sOcioe it store-front ­ A11 churches jize .ore the A ches rrrw city’of£thu-ivirg ”’ : is The change Chur This area1 forces, the •'e s‘tS«>tal urban , task in tn<=the politica the toi huina-n tions, °r , iK>P' 3 ,niza1 ;bhgntion a1 renewal, 1 dth the lfare Pr 8 on urban ,cial we And yet, >t0 deal «. soe■■ inform changeand the ek out -jectsare st se WS, clergy WU! jblerns co£CT ?the renev/alP^l imp°rta' ,d pro 1 fhe “> ““X Xho should play an city ai itizens in a very people of c' clergy , the lUnity goals- tha‘ rve i “‘^conununu, mui of the future » that churches isn’t it <=lear tlXe individual individual ethics ethic s to a true^ un y es and pn»>«y'»"C,erTnhrsocial etM and the the soc: individu’ the compassion Senate different fr^om ^“^Xders and church r Church leaders , our so that they fore modify their °rSanlZ^onl personal ministry a only personal utp The church which stresses on y H , cteasingly irrelevant in the exploding metropolis of th S:Xofl^:Xaa'S means participating in the power struggles, in e organizations, in the automated society of the future. The Churchin the America of the future must rec cial redemption" is as important as "personal salvation NEW JUSTIFICATIONS FOR THE COORDINA1 Suggested th.11 tW° years ago the National As sociation of or Federal Aid^01^ C,°Unty create the position of Count' to Provide seveJ°r inator- We suggested that this po 1 services to the communit new official would keep ] fully informed o and technii -^ical’ assistanc atiOns> *ee programs. He satisfaction of < tobeav°r' various celigibility requireme: Offiees alaif ■S°n the --------- The office w; M to “ county and the Serve as in£r -----: respective Wch pities, ornaation center and progra: eceive < > and even private gru 1 asSlst; ance. State �ratingho ^Sfug . affic c> oVer. s’ racial raC‘al tensions crowded r!Ustained eff ’ blighted con, aCho°13. and hardcoreun^ efforts °f all l distrJ CIWens for their n UnererCia gent People *Plovther e are in a ciK with <CaPable lead an enviroy-,^ CltV> can, •’"‘UW b,t.' shlp; ronment ren. ne‘lg aU th* Thls the c°nduciv, e to S°od li vin 1 8Uid^ living"," goal of the M°del Citi ® °r e’ b^ng ‘ -1 CitUs „ r ‘h«««l Ls is where th Ves and les Program> n take the in’!-C UrCh> *sou"dlybas,d j pire lay leadera‘1Ve “ Citation in 3hiP to l>e™“XenteliP1€ want to liv, — ve betxocal probl ems. X S6rv’"o,. X‘h py=i«ssiona7 °f the ^ree faith s feel gc°rnmunit generally the ^ious InstitnX^ knowledge as_lm toPr°vement. However, what to do. apparently the unity improVement Continustrongest among all f motivation torganization is usually ree -faiths. The important preserva----- z to the members than ”«aU Xhility f°r - =o_ity deXX—6 c?aX Xat XVxrx “ h Hcome apartments. Catholic parish.X" Pr°Vid<! land br -ve into their neighborhoodLXloc Ae'd'r ‘“T"* “ stant congregations relocated from a former slum church area , "to a hllX d esent th'transformation of its lies JXh blighted commercial area with its public lies. Jewish synagogues seem to want to move to the sub- hurches seem to follow their memberships to the suburbs, city church remains, its members become completely unr the church's neighborhood. rches continue to draw people of similar backbrounds and a all parts of the metropolitan area, this mitigates against icern for the neighborhood and therefore any concern about .ems of the future of the city. If the underprivileged resiwly deteriorating area do not become the recipients of the rches of the future, the church as an institution of our soe failed to understand the problems of nearly one t ir churches should pay attention to ‘h' as to their members who l.ve out of the area a revitalize -inizati°n "faith ? ° striving to realize their socioeconomic goals as set forth h *Great Society". This is where the "store-front" churches perform ,lmost impossible task in the changing city. A11 churchcs » nize their obligations to the total urban area. Churches must, therefore learnto deal with the organizations , the political forces , the power struc' tures, and the social welfare programs that have human implications. The clergy must seek out information on urban renewal, urban change and the broad problems of community change. And yet, the last group of citizens in a city to know about the renewal projects are the members of the clergy, the very people who should play an important role in for­ mulating community goals. Isn't it clear then, that churches of the future must move from primary concern with the individual ethics to a true understanding of social ethics? The social ethics and the social concern of the city of the future is quite different from the compassion with individual ethics in the village setting of the past. Church leaders and church members must seethecities ofAmericaas essential to our civilization, and must there­ fore modify their organizations so that they remain relevant in the fut­ ure. The church which stresses only personal ministry will become in­ creasingly irrelevant in the exploding metropolis of the future. This means participating in the power struggles, in the development of vocal organizations, in the automated society of the future. The Church in the America of the future must recognize that "social redemption" is as important as "personal salvation. NEW JUSTIFICATIONS FOR THE COORDINATOR Nearly two years ago the National Association of Counties ( I __ ) suggested that each county create the position of County Uiban Advisor or Federal Aid Coordinator. We suggested that this postion e create d to provide several important services to the community. as™’ aXeXe’a'l XstX grant applicationS) satisfaction of eligibility requirements, ar also designed ships among various county departments. The office was e. and federal to be a liaison between the county and the respec iv coordinator foi offices and to serve as information center and Pr0^* in the county ^nnicipalities, school district, and even priva e g Whlch receive federal assistance. lOOlZtf �Some four hundred counties established such an offiCe. e present time, in cooperation with our National Conference of c Development Coordinators (NCCDC), the National Association of Co ounty is preparing a series of manuals which should be very helpful to c n^e!S wishing either to establishthe position of County Development Coord' nLleS' or to revise and strengthen this position. On the basis of nea 1 & °r years of experience, we have ample evidence that the County De *’W° ment Coordinator position is extremely valuable and repays its c °P~ times over. ostmany by Bernard F. Hillenbrand, Executive Director ; tfiLi ^31968 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, pA I yoL I _ FEBRUARY 15, 1968 A SOUND MERIT SYSTEM Naco 1967 ACTS OF INTEREST TO LOCAL GOVERNMENTS Act 38. / ____ by increasing Amends the First Class Township Code the maximum rate ofr the annual tax ____ ,, <• for ■” fire - ■ fighting ■ - from —j one mill to two mills and allowing the revenue from the taxto be used for operating fire apparatus as well as for purchasing and maintaining it. Act.41. Amends the Optional Third Class City Charter Law by prohibiting any member of <city " council from heading an ; ’ administrative department under the council11-manager plan of government. Act 47. Amends the Local Tax Enabling Act to give municipal­ ities imposing earned income taxes discretion (rather than requiring that they do so) on crediting payment of income taxes to other political subdivisions by their residents, where the residents of the political sub­ division exercising that discretion are similarly given credit. THOUGHTS FOR TODAY A good woman inspires a n A beautiful woman fascinates him:man: A brilliant woman interests him: And a sympathetic woman gets him. Behind every successful more surprised. man stands a woman who couldn't be PUBLICATION This News-letter, originated in the Institute published monthly . as a community service, and inquiries may be addressed of Regional to Affairs c College. Notes gional Affairs, Wilkes College.’ W> Dr. Hugo V.°f Wilkes __ ,, • Mailey, Institute of Re" -ege, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. ' A merit system is peculiarly an American term as an r a public personnel management. No one else uses this term The BT' and some others occasionally speak of "merit principles", but only in the United States is the phrase "merit system" used to describe a governmen tai personnel system with three very general characteristics- (1) selec tion by merit through competitive examination; (2) protection from par tisan removal while on the job; and, (3) some limitations on the partisan political activity of civil servants while on the job. The Pendleton Act was revolutionary. It was not revolutionary by the curbing of patronage, important though that idea was. Itwas the more subtle provisions that acted to set United States public personnelmanage­ ment off in a direction that no other country has explored to the same extent. The "revolutionary" concepts that created an exceptionally fluid style of merit system mechanism were as follows: (1) the idea of nation­ wide examinations open to all, with no restrictions because of social class, the university attended, residence in some particular part of the country, or prior political affiliation; (2) the specific requirement that examinations be practical and as little tied in with formal education as Possible; and (3) the omission of upper age limits for entrance into public service. be consonant with good .trxs management. will answer the following: —- »“■ g°°d 1. Does the system recognize individuality a for that individuality to express its el m 2. 3. 4. 5. “ competition and cooperation with others? nition of superior talent? Does the system provide for the iec°^ oj tbe inferior? Does the system provide for the rejec _ Does the system permit managers to^ onSj,veness to the genera Does the system help encourage r P will of the body politic? �our ;77ntoeXnbHc XTcTInd^ are him move they are 11 i. les well-Lsigned tohelp the new person utilize his talents cases, even In otherwords, ourmerit systems have provided oppor. to the utmost, of ability, but most civil service commissions have tunity for persons them to appear. This is especially true of local g0Vtended to wait for ernment. Many jurisdictions could do much better in terms of incentive awards systems. Where these systems have been well worked out and where the awards are really worth something, they have proved bonan­ zas in idea production. If talent is recognized, the inferior can be left behind. Super­ visory improvement is left to chance in too many jurisdictions. But this is not enough. Better supervision and guidance of the individual em­ ployee can help in many cases. The most important device for the eli­ mination of inferior employees - the probationary period - is not used enough. This is true at all governmental levels, and especially at the local level. Some sort of severance pay system to provide more of a cushion than is now customary for those to be -- and who should be -let out of the public service should be built into a merit system. Per­ formance ratings donotalways present the adequacies and inadequacies of employees. wer for the future lies in labor and time saving equipment, and onlyhighest utilizati°n °f emPloYee skills. the 1 Merit systems will continue to increase, of he question of whether a merit system, once e greatest significance stablished, meets the is 1 ^Antioned criteria of good management. taiforern When the ordinances creating a merit system were passed by the Board of Luzerne County Commissioners and the Wilkes-Barre City Council, the Institute of Regional Affairs greeted the news with cautious optimism. Whether the County Commissioner s exercised powers within the framework of the County Code and whether the City Council utilized powers within the meaning of the Third Class City Code was and still is a legal question beyond the scope of this article. And although both ex­ periments were short lived, the establishment of a merit system is bound to come to local governments in the not too distant future. What then? Will a system be created that will recognize indi­ viduality? How? Will provision be made for superior talent? Will an active recruiting and testing program be incorporated into the merit sys­ tem? What about pre-service and in-service training? Will a system of incentives be included as an integral part of the in-service training program? These questions, and many others, must be discussed now, lest undue importance be attached to but a single aspect of a merit system, such as the prohibition of political activity by public service employees. Perhaps American public employees are almost too responsive o t e public. At the state and local levels such problems of responsiveresnprt 7 to derIve from inadequate rules and regulations with regulation/ conflicts of interest. Moreover, even where such so that emnloX1St’ *7 ade9uately explained and interpreted employees understand or know what is ejected. system. in the begin^™3 started ln government to combat the spoils recruitment, testing t^^’- gOvernment was far ahead of industry -- in a matter of fact goVP1^lning’ c^assifioation, and employee rights. As In recent years,’industrvTntP1°neered the entire field of personnelPrograms. Governmental the need to develop good personnel lag behind. mental J^-dxctions, especially the local units, now Governmental units lems. ■y true i OnStantlY faced with recruitment pr°b its c-retaining' emnlo11 C°mpetition with industry. Financing utilizin. —‘g their high, '-lls^ getting the most from them, a"d - lest skill. op-X*' :ruu' q“‘resa™«chbetterjobo£tralning. Th' LIGHTING IMPROVEMENTS IN PLYMOUTH Luzerne Electric has received enthusiastic approva • ' L>m Ply) further develop two pro­ mouth Borough officials and business leader s to community's Main Street. Posals for beautifying and modernizing the c substantial reduction The proposals would involve elimination or wires criss°f the number r of poles lining Main Street and the maz crossin. -ig overhead. Richard H. Demmy, UGI A "workable" suggestion presented by Electric, and Robert L. e President and general manager of Luzerne is to move present ei-SSe^e'rry> Luzerne Electric operating manag Main Street. ctric lines behind the buildings fronting on -third of the present The plan also calls for the removal °f aiuminum poles ^Ood.•en poles and replacing those remaining v �eight inchesin diameterand some 1 5 feet shorter. Modern street bights would be affixed to the aluminum standards. According to Demmy, this plan would improve Main Street' appearance tremendously. "It would appear wider, neater and unclut tered, " he said pledging Luzerne Electric's willingness to initiate th" program and cooperate with borough leaders. xVI NO. yOb. XV ’ WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE pa ’ u4d MARCH 15, 1968. Underground wiring was a second alternative. But this system while possible, may be impractical because of underground conditions’ Demmy said. WHAT ABOUT WILKES-BARRE? ? ? Luzerne Electric joined the community in seeking a solution to the problem at the request of the Plymouth Business and Professional Men's Association. Which American cities are most likely to have race riots? An article with many local implications appeared in the January 1968 issue of Public Management, the Journal of the International City Managers Association. A RULE OF THUMB For those who may wonder how to <deal ’ with ethical problems, what standard to use for maintaining honor, consider Senator Joseph Clark's rule of thumb: "Using influence on behalf of constituents is not itself immoral; indeed, it is appropriate, Benefiting per sonally from the use of the influence or taking reprisals against parts of the Government when the influence is unavailing is unethical. " ) The late Senator Claude Swanson of Virginia who, when asked to what he attributed his long and successful political career replied: The overall purpose of the study was to examine the characteris­ tics of such areas and determine what city planners . terested citizens could reasonably expect in terms o p "To m;iy unfailing adherence to three maxims of political conduct - First, be bold1 as a lion on arising tide. Second, when the water reaches the upper deck, follow the rats. And third, and most important, when in doubt, do right. Maloney's statistical analysis used 7 citizens over 65 to tion fo r each city. This ranged from the Per^® . when sorted out, the percent of workers using public transpo factors__metropolitanthes e facts could be grouped into eight bunc e empl°yinent’ highway ism, urban growth, southern syndrome, sp° drome, and low density, THOUGHT FOR TODAY The trouble with the modern generation is that it has made super highways out of almost every path except the straight and narrow one. I1 spending, Negro concentration, surbur an ne 22 actually Of the 25 cities calculated to be^th^^ Maloney^ had had riots in the four years Prior ., ility to riots an in PUBLICATION This News-letter, published monthly originated in - -a the Institute as a community c— service, of Regional Affairs and inquiries . of Wilkes -- College. Notes gional Affairs,maY be addreessed to Dr. Hugo V. Mailey, Institute of Re’ Wilkes Colleg, je, Wilkes -Barre, Pennsylvania. Northwestern University's Urban Journalism Center has comple­ ted a study which picks out riot-prone cities. The computerized study of 85 cities by Professor John Maloney, the Center1 s acting Director of Re­ search, also sorted out factors that make certain cities susceptible to high rates of murder, rape, general crime, suicide, auto deaths, and unemployment. > ranks the 85 cities as to their susceptwi Past riot experience. I the list- Scranton did Wilkes-Barre/Hazleton was ranked 64th on not aPPear on the list. Here are some hard questions which arise from the study: �, How did the researchers use the factors mentioned above in arriving at Wilkes-Barre/Hazleton'' s; rank, and are the factors that dif_ and Scranton--both of which are located ferentas between Wilkes-Barre Should the citizenry give a second look jomurdlr 'rape.^uto^X^etc. in Wilkes-Barre/Hazleton? Or, _ , auto deaths, etc. in Wilkes-Barre/Hazleton? Or > per­ tom ’ P led toa conclusion that is wholly unwarranted? haps, the researchers are sound ground in using data on a Standard Metro­ Werethe researchers ont: politan Area when the two principal cities in the Standard Metropolitan Area are 25 miles apart? ’ s a riot-prone city (which could be open to 2) If Wilkes-Barre is by the Journalism Center at Northwestern, what, question) as iindicated ----if anything, have the city officials, the city police, and all of the volun­ teer agencies done to ameliorate the conditions that could lead to a riot this summer? Is the Wilkes-Barre citizenry fully aware that it has been classified as a riot-prone city--ahead of Norfolk, Wilmington, Char­ lotte, Nashville, Birmingham, Chattanooga, Knoxville, Fresno, and Mobile? Do the people in the Wilkes-Barre/Hazleton Standard Metro­ politan Area care about their "image" ? LOCAL COMMUNITY--THREAT AND OPPORTUNITY The local urban community is in a great deal of trouble. The metropolitan region is made up of groupings of subcommunities only in a weak and weakening sense. Much of what is said about city life is based on a romantic view of the city as it existed 50 years ago. The ethnic com­ munity is a dying phenomenon now that immigration has virtually ceased and the processes of assimilation are continuing. The Negro community s a community only in the sense that it is a geographic location containmany bemoralized prople. It doesnot represent a distinctive way of life cherished by the residents. ... in the past have been largely destroyed. They are increasingly iS0d in their own communities. of the r- , 1P- they just move into a place to live. Thus thPTo • 7 whole, tney j _ r lus, there is a great defic­ iency in organizational links to the community. In the case of Negroes this deficiency in social organization is almost total. Significantly the initial proposal of local leaders m San Francisco's Western Addition was that all the federal anti-poverty money at the beginning be used to build organization on a block or neighborhood basis. This represented an ef­ fort to fill a vacuum of organization. Without organization there is no power. The Negroes want the power to say how the anti-poverty money is to be spent, what directions urban renewal in their areas is to take, and how legal services for the poor are to be administered. This situation represents botha threat and an opportunity. It can be viewed as a threat because it offers a way of fighting city hall. Thus the large city mayors appear to be almost uniformly unhappy over the organization of poor Negroes. Again, the threat is that we will have only a devisive power struggle instead of a movement toward constructive so­ lutions. But the opportunity lies in the possibility that the new organi­ zations will generate new sources of energy and innovation to solve pro­ blems. The crucial question in places like Watts is whether social or ganizations can be developed by the residents so that they can govern their own communities (with the help of outside financial and profession assistance). William Kornhauser Professor of Sociology University of California, Berkeley RIDERS IN UTICA NOW OWN BUSLIN^. temnorarv quality of co St a t'le clua^ty °f community life is declining in coneriCa‘ Allenation is only one aspect of the decline in the '■ °r " -S»tea„t sources ol the de- able relationship a °Cla organ^zat^on> in the whole complex of durto build social ornanizT Pe°ple‘ We must face squarely the urgent need g"’“t*°” “ Afferent ways than tn the past... • one being'a strutr There may not be anything different in the r' , 0Wned by read "Utica Transit Commission". Transit Commissioner Joseph Cardas . ending these cleavages in our society take many forms, vages. But in a' PluraliC °r power- Leaders cannot avoid these cleathem has to be a Political^eader^ °f leader whocan deal with sity, rather then a civic lead l °1S resPonsiveto conflict and diveriife. The kinds of social Grp61" W ° tries to represent a common way of zation members of the old middle class , ^8 buses--some old, some not so old--are dif ®ren Been changed to the People of Utica and the lettering on the sxdes has 1 the immediate letseries of innovations terin;■g change was the first step in what wi bY th.■e city-owned bus company. of Utica--let'suse it:’ "This is your bus company-you the pe°Ph ges in the bus °Peia appealed as he unveiled these cl’“g tion. II �'■ ,, "Ladies Day" service On July 12, and each Wednesday thereafter will begin. Fares during shopping hours will w-ll be reduced from 25 cents to a dime. In the near future, at a date tobe announced, express service from the New Hartford village line to downtown Utica will be inaugurated. The run is expected to be almost non-stop, with just pickups at Uptown and yOL xvi. NO. 4> WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA., APRIL 1 5, 1968. i/co no.! i Oneida Square. "As our readers know, the Institute rarely takeJ a pulAic posi- At close-out ceremonies in City Hall, the 19-year-old Utica Tran­ sit Corporation was sold to the city for $690, 250. The transfer ended three years of discussions on the sale. Wallace S. Sweet, president of the private company finally received approval of the sale from the State Public Service Commission, the last hurdle before city ownership. He had announced some years before that he could no longer operate the company profitably. local government matters. As a service agencyfor localgoverntion on x we have accepted the policy that we should not, exments in the region, mostunusual instances, express an Institute position on pubcept in the 1. lie matters. The above is the stated policy of the Institute of Local Govern­ The above is the ment at the Univer sity of Pittsburgh. THIS IS NOT THE POLICY OF THE INSTITUTE OF REGIONAL AFFAIRS AT WILKES COLLEGE. The IRA has never hesitated to take a position on public issues which affect local SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT I The January issue of the FBI National Academy Newsletter car­ ried an interesting article on anew pay incentive program put into effect September 1st by the Monroe, Louisiana Police Department. government. At times, the IRA has deliberately stirred up controversy and debate because of the salutary effect that discussion produces. The Constitutional Convention finished its work the basic document and now the fruits of that Conven ion will be subas Promitted to the voters. The local government article wi P A Monroe Police Officer with one year of college work receives a bonus of $50 per month, $75 per month for two years of college, $100 extra for three years of college, and if he earns a degree, is entitled to an extra $150 per month. These are bonus payments over and above the regular base pay for Monroe Police. posal No. 6 on the ballot. papers tovote^on pro. THE IRA URGES ALL OF ITS POSAL NO. 6 WHICH WILL BE SUBMITTED AT TH The program has already had a tremendous effect on recruitment with a number of applicants having college degrees and considerable col­ lege work. The ultimate goal of the program is threefold: to increase standards, increase proficiency of the individual officer, and to be able to offer the applicant higher salaries. 59th sLhseiJn°gFBINAaSCOnCeiVed Chief°f Police James APR 191968 VOTE YES! 1 ! In the fall, Sunday and evening service will begin. C. Kelly, Jr. PUBLICATION This News-letter, published monthly as a community service, originated in the Institute of Regional Affairs of Wilkes College. Notes and inquiries may be addressed to Dr. Hugo V. Mailey, Institute of Re­ gional Affair s, Wilkes College, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. 18703. election. I <xt of Proposal No..6. They tnd 3; County ;ed in Sections 2 am Six major topics have been 4 and included in other see­ are; Home Rule and Structural Options ded in term "municipality" asusGovernment treated specifically m Lent trea and Area Governmi tions by virtue of its inclusion withm 8; Appr0treated in Section ^e Proposal; Intergovernmental Coope 10, and 12; in Sections 9, 1' ted in Sections 5, 6, and 7; Boundary Ch^ ated g Priation for Public Purposesand De and Local Apportionment treated m 11. •. concur ower and the strict con•ule charter p°'the rule of *■The proposed grant of home $ reversest rent grant of residual power s �Another approach to intergover struction of the municipal charters, commonly known as Dillon's Rule. Local governments operating under the "residual" powers philosophy will be empowered to exercise all those powers not specifically denied to them by their charters, by the Legislature, or by the Constitution. A home rule charter could encompass all those powers a municipality may desire to be a governmental unit responsive to the needs of the people. Whatever powers are to be included in a Home Rule Charter must receive an affirmative vote of the people in a referendum. The most obvious problem that the Legislature will eventually have to solve under this section would be the allocation of the proper di­ vision of responsibility between counties and other local units since both levels of government would possess "residual" powers. In Section 3 of the Proposal, the i’”_---philosophy of "home rule" rule" is again evident. If a municipality does not choose a Home Rule Charter form of government, this section provides for ernment. A good illustration is second class ■ • "Optional Plans" of gov­ townships. Today, these townships may have a three-man Board of Supervisors, lation is over 10,000 the township may elect a five-man Board or if the popuvisors. In addition to these choices, this sectionwould permit of addition Super-­ al forms which, by referendum, the voters of the township may adopt. The Proposal would also insure to counties the flexibility to adopt forms of government suited to the characteriste would provide a slightly modified form of the cs of the counties. It government for those counties not choosing present structure of county of government ora home rule charter form,ig to accept an optional form vention because the county level of government is was done by the Con­ . This solution of metropolitan and area-wide problems that an ideal vehicle for the boundaries. spill over municipal Some of the provisions of Section 4 are: the oner and surveyor would be discontinued; the ~ — county office of cordefender is mandated; all county officers will be than fees; and county treasurers may succeed appointive office <of public -c paid by salary,, rather themselves. The Proposal also contains three sections municipality to cooperate, either voluntarily or tation, with other governmental units, on public r! that would permit any and fire protection, garbage disposal, and air and upon voter implemenservices such as police tion 5 of the Proposal expands previous law to include J water pollution. Section as an optional method of initiating intergovernmental Further, it permits municipalities to transfer functions to other voterimplementamental units, including the State or Federal government. _j;_1 cooperation. govern- „ provide for governments ofareas inyf'""’1 As^U°P“'M out ty, an "umbrella" government with inte,p8niOre thanone enip°Wered ty- The hot question of consolidation governmental dlctl°n. annexati°n is r- . resolved0 in the t0 the delight ofZ?^ — J class vention decided to permit partial annexat °r°Ughs and cities The Conration of a majority of eteetors voting upon , c°mplele unit. proposal by leaving it to the voters--m” townships and to the greater chagrin nfk Section 8 of the Proposal gives the General Assemble t0 enact "uniform" legislation establishing the procedure forCsohir tion, merger, and boundary changes. The General Assembly is to desk nate an agency to study boundary changes and advise municipalities of the result of their deliberations. If annexation is recommended then the a gency may place the question on the ballot. The function of the State a gency would be to serve as an impartial body to study potential annexations and to provide information on the possible impact of the boundary change to enable the voters to make intelligent decision. The present limitations on municipal indebtedness limit munici­ pal debt to 15% of the assessed valuation of taxable property, and further local borrowing may not be incurred beyond 5% without the consent of the electors. -------- k the debt limit The Constitutional Convention Proposal remo based upon i a percentage of assessed valuation and mandated a base that will be‘ a percentage of revenues computed over a period immediately Thus the real criteria (ability to preceding the year of the borrowing-----repay th.e orrowed money) for debt limits is tailored to fit each local unit of government. ■ 3 onmuniciThe delegates to the Convention felt some av0^d t„_ the rigid limiPal debtt were desirable, but they were anxious twenty years, tations which restricted local governments or ving it tothe LegisTheY felt greater flexibility could be achieve y vided by the Coniature to establish the restrictions withint e ha|-the Legislature wi stitution. While it is notpossibleto predict now uniform for all types Provide is probable debt limits wi the class or siz nf » it - -« MUcXUie that LllcLL the LL1C ULMV *-----Of ^Unicipalities and that rates will vary depen the lorai cal government unit. authority financi^ Borrowing The Convention made no attempt to eliminate beeaUs or self-supporting nature e of its self-liquidating �anticipation of current revenues has consistently been 1 exdud, term "debt". Both of these Convention clarifications ;are the decisions of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. 1 the stent. With the principle of ' SKt-i>»llb,P2nsal guarantees cay » 1962, U.S."one Suprwi; Since the ^/"utical and legal controversy m reappor. °ne Uncs have created a d state legislative reapportionment. • Sui C°Urt Tat focusing of congreSSs1entation has been excluded. In Pennsylie tionnae ’;n local level repres t deal with local apportionment EqUa 1 Ythe present Constitution blyhas provided that the power , VOl" XVI, NO. 5, WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, pA., MAY 15, 1968 provided that cities, boroughs, _ Ls> and and townships be SIXTEENTH ANNUAL DINNER In proposing Section 11, the basic considerations of population (not voters) and representation are mentioned. Federal census figures aretobeused. More recent figures maybe used if the governing body of a local unit deems it necessary. In determining standards for Section 11, districts are to be compact, contiguous, and substantially equal in popu­ lation. No provisions were included to prohibit gerrymandering. The Legislature will have to enact auniform law to make this Section opera­ tive. make this Section The essence of Proposal No. 6 is that local government should be in the hands of the people, whenever feasible, have the Under this Article, the electorate should, actions by majority vote. opportunity to approve or disapprove local The p~Prerequisite is clear--only an intelligent voter can assist in grating l0Cal v°ter can even government in the future. But first-only an intelligent Pretend to understand Proposal No. 6* VOTE Yes °N APRIL 23rd! I i I J J i 1,68. at 6:00' P. M. We expect to make this a gala occasion'for Lai officials and local government employees in Northeastern Pennsylvania particularly in Luzerne County. This Dinner really brings to a climax the year's activities in local government which the Institute of Regional Affairs has conducted. The main speaker of the evening will be The Honorable Bernard C. Brominski, President Judge, Court of Common Pleas, Luzerne County. There have been many changes in the responsibility and role of munici­ palities in our expanding economy. I am certain that Judge Brommski will have a timely message for all interested in local government. Every year at the Annual May Dinner the Institute Affairs presents Service Awards to those local officials a^n y^_ who have contributed untiringly over a long number o year vice of their respective governments. The Institute will-J^Xnty. annual service plaque to an outstandingpublic servantin Luzerne ^S2^^2HTSFOr_toDAY College Plan to be there, May 28th. P^idents never die, they just lose their faculties. to i'm not denyin match the that women men. are foolish; This Nev- °riginatted , m the ] pandinquiriec S10nal AffairSniay be *'s’ Wes God Almighty made 'em £^il2ATloN onthly as a community service, egi0nal Affa ; Wilkes College. Notes J Dr Hu g0 V College, ivfailey, Institute of Re Pennsylvania. 18703- adcr;ssew THE SUPREME COURT ANDPOLICE , s Supreme Court has _ U lited States S P rede£ini - '• ied the During the seven years -umw me past past seven y«^^-the Un. have comply V .11 citizens down a number of o£ decisions wl— goar»»t«d P°Hce officers' officers' role role in in protecting protecting rnnstitutionofthe United States. All decisions and mader the Fourth Amendment {amiliar with ue Fourth Amendment to to the the Cons *ell informed police officers shou rmed police officers shoul the nature of their effect on police :e �stating that although the Mapp decision sanction of’ exclusion of____ illegall^X 7evide “^ °ec 1S10n . convi cffon stailug it __ ,lies in federal courts, does not imnl, nceto the 1 state courts « £er' s this test still being largely J, I reasonablesa^e of the individual state. app’■ther, although the federal rules requir enforcement -4 e the announce E purpose n1 not apply to officers,these rules are ---------not of Constitutional status fur’ the states. of law Right to be Free from Unreasonable Searches and Seizures I FOURTH AMENDMENT The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papersand effects against unreasonable s earches and seizures, shall not be violated and no warrant shall issue, but upon probable cause, sup­ ported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized. Mapp Ohio (1961) Police officers, without a search warrant, entered the home of Dollree Mapp, a suspected violator of the gambling laws of the State of Ohio, and seized a quantity of obscene books and pictures. The Su­ preme Court held that the seized material could not be used in evidence in a criminal prosecution. In effect, this decision applied the exclusion­ ary rule, which had been in use in the federal system since 1941, to criminal prosecutions in state courts. The Court reasoned that "---- if letters andprivate documents can thus be seized and held and used in evi­ dence against a citizen accused of an offense, the protection of the Fourth Amendment declaring his right to be secure against such searches and seizures is of no value, and, so far as those thus placed are concerned, might as well be stricken from the Constitution. " Wong Sun v. U.S. and d° (1964) Texas Aguilar v. :e officers seize- -San . Antonio polic narcotics. Theentered searchthe andh sX^ appellant and the authority of a warrant which gave as probable WaS made under eized quantity < the facta that the affiant had received information fm^6 f°r.the search ithority of a thatfact narcotics were being that the affiant hadstored on the premiseTV Credible Person evidence, the Court ruled that the same standard for ? SUppressing the rcotics were being < warrant on the federal level applies to the states Tk a ®earch the Courtbecause ru' case was, deficient it gave no basis *" lhis on the ituthfulness andfederal did not state how the informant came harX* deficient because and did not mation that he passed on to the police. I (1964) Stoner v. California California police obtained incriminating evidence from the hotel I room of the defendant which they had searched, without a warrant, upon the consent of the hotel clerk. The court suppressed the evidence, ruling thatonlythe occupant of the roomcould give avalid consent to the search (1963) thereof. Federal and State Narcotics Agents unlawfully entered the de­ fendant's home and arrested him. As a result of this arrest, the de­ fendant confessed involvement in narcotics activity and told the agents where they could find a quantity of narcotics. The agents went to the address given by the defendant and found the narcotics were not admissable into evidence against the defendant, The Court reasoned that since the evidence was found as a result of the confession which was given by the defendant after he was illegally arrested, the evidence was "the fruit of the poisonous tree". In I other words, the illegality of the arrest tainted all evidence subsequently obtained. Ker v. California Sanford v. Texas (1965) r of awarde r the authority ; literature perrtaining to Courtt ruled the war- Texas police police officers officers raided a Texas rant authorizing them to seize "books an^ the operating of the Texas Communist a^ se^zure rant invalid because it authorized a gen ^cu^ariy desc ribmg. • • • Fourth Amendment requirement of P t° be seized". I (1963) Police officers observed Ker making a rendezvous with a known narcotics distributor <” ' and then observed him taking evasive action in his automobile_ in la an effort to shake the police officers who were following him. The police went to his apartment and, without explaining their pur­ pose or(demanding entry, broke into the apartment and seized a quantity of narcotics that; was in plain view therein. The Supreme Court upheld U-S. v. Ventresca —rating . thc deiend*"' <« * obtained by a The Court upheld the c°nJ‘ge„ce In this c»s author«V of a war­ an illegal still. The bulk of the e entsunder inferences drawn by Marchand seizure made by Reve ation and theUse<T ’ gJa*t based largely on hearsay inf heldthathat m that i» the agents fromrelated facts. Th ^arrant an (1965) search proPer on an affidavit for searc �01968 rjlie LB. A. Xews-letWt cases, judicial preference will be accorded those searches made upOn judicial preference the authority of warrants over cases wherein the search is made withOut a warrant. fa, 'WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA., JUNE 15, 1968 California (1967) Cooper %vi, Over-ruling, in part, an earlier case which held that a search of an automobile without a search warrant was illegal unless it was made contemporaneous in time and place with the arrest of the occupant of the auto, the Court upheld the search of a car which had been seized from a violator of the narcotics law after the vehicle had been removed to the police ga-rage. McCray v. Illinois THE KING IS DEAD ! (1967) Two police officers, accompanied by a confidential informant, were on patrol on Chicago's South Side. The informant pointed out an individual standing on the sidewalk who he said was a narcotics pusher. The informant then got out of the car and walked away. The police ap­ proached the suspect, searched him and found narcotics. At the trial, the police refused to disclose the identity of their informant. The Su­ preme Court upheld the conviction, stating that there was ample evidence that the informant was of provable reliability, there was no necessity for the disclosure of his identity. NO. I I LONG LIVE THE KING! light note from the heading, the Luzerne County NewsAs you m: Because of the increased activities of the Institute of letter is no more. and since the Institute is not limited to Luzerne County Regional Affairs < now officially becomes the IRA News-letter. alone, this publication The Luzerne County News-letter which started as a community service of the Institute of Municipal Government must now give way to its offspring -- the IRA News-letter. There has beena subtle change in edi­ torial policy but the News-letter will continue to be as helpful and infor­ mative as it has been in the past. Wp We hone hope you you will find it as useful as the old News-letter. THE NEW INGREDIENT IN POLITICSjW "A Survey of Recent Decisions of United States Supreme Court Affecting the Police " by Douglas D.McBroom Law Enforcement Bulletin February,1968 THOUGHTS FOR TODAY a U-turn. P ce is the area that disappears while you are making The speaker-to-be inquired inquired of of the the chairman, "How long shall I talk? " The chairman answered cheerfully, "Why, take as long as you like - we all leave at 8:30. " PUBLICATION This News-letter, published monthly as a community service, originated in the Institute of Regional Affairs of Wilkes College. Notes and inquiries r may be addressed to Dr. Hugo V. Mailey, Institute of Regional Affairs,, Wilkes College, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Previous to the 1900 Era local governments and were chiefly made up of three particular ^e^a^.ceand the City Clerkticular functions. The Fire Department, the keep the peace - and to their respective jobs were to protect property keep the records. and bridges. obile demanded better r° eratoo The advent of the automobile de blem. Th “ngovThis also created an engineering an P dditional parking- rticai figure, necessitated solution of new sewers an neW kind of p° 1 und rathernments then found it necessary 0 j ability and a ,ution in Villages and cities began to look for a m atest Technica er than a vote procurer. Then came °nr history. Times have changed -- enq. they? n £eels an incr63^ There is no que stion that the elected C que stion that the resPonsibility in this growing Amer era°f technology has soared up like ern government must be geared at age f aut^m^ of mod- thuS the d level to g �industrial growth of the 20th century. The city resident makes continuing insistent demands on his local government, which, therefore, necessi­ tates important decisions. Every facet of our taxpayers'welfare must be considered before that right decision can be made. On the local level, the urban citizen has a variety of needs. He needs greenery and fresh air, as well as good sewers and pure water. He needs shopping and en­ tertainment facilities, as well as fire and police protection. He needs mass transit lines, as well as four-lane expressways. He needs planning zoning and enlightened taxadministrationto protect the value of his home his business, and his job. I I I II I I The International Union of Electrical Workers, AFL-CIO, has requested. that . . the Philip Murray__ House - anapartment house for the elderly - be exempted from local real estate taxes in Philadelphi;ia. "There is no question that we will not build unless the Murray House is given a tax exemption, " said Harry Block, the Union's National Housing Director. "This is a program for the elderly who have limited incomes. " Block also predicted that four other organizations will aban­ don plans for similar projects, "if they can't get tax breaks. ” When will all the tax exemptions end? Can local, governl”e^ afford to increase amounts of tax exemption properties . vpars mous treasuries that local unions have been building up ove* Arethey do they really need a tax exemption for such apartment• °US® exemption? really performing a service to society when they as IT'S TIME FOR A CHANGE IN EDUCATION £aaa^°CHURCHES malls. There's no reason, in over 80% ° the new Marketplace Ministry be a new kind of counchurched-" ° 1 dealing with the family, personal problems, adjustment, TAX EXEMPTIONS There is a g----great need for the career type politician dedicated to good government to r o replace the old-fashioned office holder whose sole thought is for winning the ing the next election. This is the type of political leader we ineed — 1 today. ' This is the type of political leader our urban survival demands. ' —2-. This new political leader must supply the new ingredient in government, With men like that shouldering the responsibility we will surely write ter in the welfare a new page in good government and a brand new chapof mankind. ( Norman M. Gaffney) The church is fording to Strouse, the latest element to be added to th Landmark Shopping Greenberg & Co., a e shopping center firm that Center in Alexandria, N- Greenberg, Jr has just launched the Virginia. had to say of the unique project. This is what Sydney "In 20 years of shop ‘ _ ---shopping c ipping center ’ center take the place that M; development, we have Place into" ’.ain Street used to hold as a g —-**& . .owns and cities in ** America, watched the based population, people are reviving11old p Greenberg. "In our suburbansaid gathering centers and the centers have assumed th< -J patterns of behavior in shopping place or village green. Friends meet in t lunch, stop to chat on the shopping center ie social uses of the old market­ shopping center restaurants for ,, it strange that finally a spot has beenfound in shopping cenIsn ,, _ work ? Will this be a new kind of "Marketplace Ministry” ? for G°dfs Marketplace Ministry will develop in view of the fact that ^hat kind ° the 5 million shoppers who use shopping centers are ”un- seling serV1CU .rfehlW care? As we moved toward a more urban society we moved to an era of inter-dependence. The American people began to see that government required the services of the skilled, the trained, and the professional to face up to the complex problems of today. Today municipal govern­ ment is demanding the development of a new type of elected executive. new type of elected The stature of this modern political executive - or politician - if you executive or speculation. Tax­ will - must be upgraded to keep pace with this age- of keep pace with this age of speculation. payers, today, should settle for nothing less than the best qualified and nothing than the best qualified highest type of candidate to perform theless serious legislative tasks and perform the serious legislative tasks policy making demanded in this age of a ■ age of a moving America. SHOPPING why the church, which played mind i such a la ge Part in our ,t Gulture 1 can't move with the Population Stree; tbe aaction —'--’ is. " Today's typical classroom stillL under standable inthe fie^ or more years ago. Resistance to g with human °f education since it is a complex field ger, this resistance should not endure much o i I I I I be here, when children The time is coming, in fact it may air t^an within a clas , Can le,arn far more and far faster in the outsid^ of energy and diversify , r°°rn. The modern urban environment is on f°rceful info —Jrmation. „ of Education figures Dr. Louis Bright, Associate tt • S. .Commissioner nlarge citie 'where . foi* Research, has shown in his stu ie rage I.Q- ® than high school are attainable, dropouts have highe that some is wrong- K 8rad^ates. This would seem to indite that �the could be that educators are busy preparing us for a world that no longer I exists. NO. 7, l.u News-tetter WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA., JULY 15, 1968 ------------- 3 a high intelligen.ice but the old method of A person can possess rebellious, as in the case of the him teaching may cause L* to be insolent or dropout. WteANNUAL SERVICE AWARDS MUST READING: THE KERNER REPORT JUL25I%8 A special service plaque is awarded annually by the NsHt^of "Our Nation is moving toward two societies, one black, black, one white -- separate and unequal. " This is the controversial conclusion of the National Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders report released this March. The report is must reading for every city official. Regional Affairs at Wilkes College to a dedicated public servant whose contribution has been beyond the call of duty. This year the service plaque was presented at the Annual May Dinner to Dr. David Kistler, former president of the Board of Education in Wilkes-Barre. He was president of the Board during a period of change in the city school system and was responsible for instilling a philosophy of keeping the citizens of Wilkesa Barre informed of all school activities, including all of the problems of The report raps local governments for the lack of communication and the absence of regular contacts with ghetto residents. Even when needs of the ghetto are known, city governments are poorly organized to respond effectively to them, the report says. It adds that ghetto residents increasingly believe that they are excluded from the decision-making process and that this feeling of exclusion, intensified by racial discri­ mination, has produced a deep-seated hostility toward the institutions of government and has compromised the effectivenes s of programs intended to provide improved services to ghetto residents. administration and taxation. Other Service Award winners were: Peter Patrylak, Zigmund May, and Louis Vargo, Hanover Township fire truck drivers; Hazleton City Fire Department Chief Paul E. Ziegler; Luzerne County Civil De­ fense instructor, Anthony Broody; Plains Township planning commis sioner, Arthur Fanelli; Plymouth Boroughpolice sergeant, Alfred Mundy. These developments, the report says, "have coincided with the demise of the historic urban political machines and the growth of the 'city manager' concept of government. While this tendency has produced major benefits in terms of honest and efficient administration, it has eliminated an important political link between city government and low-income resi­ dents. " .■ck Borough; West WyoPolice Chief Eugene R. Brown, Nescopei ; White Haven Borough police Wills and Fire Captain ming Borough Councilman, Joseph Salvo;Charles 1. chief, Ervin G. Carter; Police Captain C- j Councilman, Frank Bonomo; Edward Williams, Wilkes-Barre; Yatesville Forty Fort school director, Herman Plieskatt. 1- thoughts for today Some girls are like cars; if you don't keep them filled with alcohol, they freeze up on you. POUCESCHOLASSiS5 IRA can femlM.aV6rage AmeriCan male iSOUtsP°ken-'by the aver age Amer i- PUBLICATION This News-letter, published monthly as a originated in the Institute of Regional Affairs of Wilkes College,service, community and inquiries may be addressed to Dr. Hugo V. Mailey, Institute of Re­ Notes gional Affairs, Wilkes College, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania 18703. I jublic •s determined^ the determin' .nnot gain The effectiveness of law enforce^ deP^L •t-v Rs effeC' ,olice c mnity. A1_ cooperation and support it receives. in the qUe sti°ned- * e££ectivene^ and maintain the confidence of the -ty- and al a i confidencehveness will be curtailed, and lts 1 ventt contrib» e b iic coni th°ugh physical facilities and equip«meate and keep P create Police services, they alone can �the •ernor recently approved a n mtive °lice law khlch GoV in August. It guarantees ? P annu al Pay minim Theill full-time police officers in h of 2, 500 or more. ln bor°ughs and t “ of effeC becor? WnshiPs with a to aE One of the essential factors which elevates a "job" to the level Qf One of the esse a respected profession is the fact that the group establishes its own code a respected pi----of ethics. Since 1956, law enforcement has had a code and related canons of ethics. - ----of Police Ethics. Article II of the latter, entitled Attitude Toward pro, fession, stresses thepointthat by diligent study and sincere attention to self-improvement, a police officer can strive to apply science to the solu­ tion of crime and to make for effective leadership and influence in human »5.zilation °. Therefore, the Board of Trustees of Wilkes College has instituted scholarship program for regional police to be administered by the In­ stitute of Regional Affairs. The scholarship will include tuition and text­ books. Scholarships to the Wilkes College Institute of Regional Affairs for extended education have been awarded to Detective Walter E. Wint, Wilkes-Barre Police Department, and Corporal Eugene J. Brennan, Pennsylvania State Police, according to Dr. Eugene S. Farley, presi­ dent of the college. Detective Wint, 78 Sheridan Street, has been affiliated with the Wilke -----s--Barre Police Department for 14 years, six of which were spent as a patrolman. Prior to his present post, he was cruiserman, jailer, and ambulance driver. C . Corporal Brennan,. 547 Miller Street, Luzerne, has been with the Pennsylvania State Police — e for 21 years. He received his promotion to corporal in June of this year. He is a criminal investigator. c- poPulonger the time the it str— >at the very hearttoofconsider local govern"!" ’’"”'3 the la • --tedofficials ' the right of i : It iSn0 to determine matters for th^ •trikes: competent to decide on police salaries ’ relationships. To this end, many cities have established police training programs for high quality public service. Many communities, large and small, have enacted training ordinances which spell out compensation, incen­ tives, and promotion for on-the-job and off-the-job training. Contracts with colleges and universities have been entered into for special courses or for joint staffing. Leaves of absences have been extended to include college based training. In some instances, the police officer pays the cost of tuition and other expenses and is reimbursed after successfully completing the course. TIME is NOW! ? SUpervisors that h? elected$5 —, to councilmen, 200the minimum salary in a weahhy sLbJ J" "" “fel is saying aren't mt from the effect in an impoverished coml?^ is ty ln a depressed of the of the state. That time is past. differe: area e. Whatwill theeffectof this law be locally? According to a wage and salary survey prepared by the IRA in early 1968, only Kingston Borough and Hanover Township budgeted at or above the $5, 200 minimum. Of course, a few of the municipalities have raised the salary minimums for police officers since the survey was completed. Nevertheless, there are still seventeen boroughs (with a population of more than 2, 500) which did not allocate this minimum. Only one of the four first-class townships in Luzerne County provided for it. Surprising and shocking though it may be, not one of the four third-class cities in the County budgeted for this mini­ mum. The low state of affairs is amply illustrated when only two muni­ cipalities approach the new minimum in police salaries which takeseffect I I I I I I in August. the municipalities going What are to be considered, since i to do? There are a number of alternatives There is not much time left. i too late to increase taxes. I I to curtail some of the services the Obviously, one solution would be ich the minimum, or reduce th? ,ed offi' of the dismiss offered by the municipality in order to reasalaries ‘ economically number of police officers and allocate the s is practical or solution oers to those remaining. Neither • the possibility of jointhiring municipalities. This method is —nSider A mor e logical solution is to of the State. The details of such .3 and. adjacent .ent, requiring only the rescheduling Policemen by contiguous a feasible. Detective Wint and Corporal Brennan have attended numerous in-training classes during the inceptio: m of the IRA. For the past eight years, Detective Wint has served as will make available to them related an instructor. These scholarships courses in police training. It is hoped that the completion of college courses by police officers will encourage their communities to establish incentives in the development of professionalism in --- .. .,i law enforcement work. part Trite wide-spread in the western joint hiring are very easy to implernC" -nths st few mon ’ , • - the pai Countyjoin a Lilable. During desire to , Another logical solution is av Seated a Patrol routes. 24 naunicipalities in the County have �wide radio net for police, fire, ambulance, and civil defense jointly operated emergency network would provide efficient servi Such a municipalities. The application has been reviewed and appyovecj ; to an bY State Office of Civil Defense and has now been approved by the ’ the Office of Civil Defense in region II. Eede; -~ral The E < A. Newsletter It is a sad commentary on the principle of inte rgovern: cooperation that only 24 municipalities have availed f themselves Cental of this method to provide more efficient police protection at low -~.J cost. %VI> NO. It is a sad commentary that many of the municipalities which will have to meet the $5, 200minimumfor each full-time policeman will take the uneconomic way out by raising taxes to pay the salary and totally ' nore participating in the County-wide net. ® 8, WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARR£j PA>’ AUGUST 15, i%8 EIGHTH ANNUAL COMMUNITY GROWTH CONFERENCE■ It is a sad commentary c-------- “t_ when hard economics j-----governing bodies to back into may cause local ----- ja common sense method of *providi: efficient police service. - ■ —ing more you are cordially invited to attend and participate in the ElCUTu ANNUAL COMMUNITY GROWTH CONFERENCE to be held at Wk College, on Wednesday, September 25, 1968. There is still ample time for the remaining communities ticipate in the County emergency communications to parnow. 5 system. The time is In an attempt to come to grips with the more pressing problems of our area, the sponsors of the COMMUNITY GROWTH CONFERENCE are pleased to provide this unique opportunity to share experiences with nationally known authorities who have been invited and will participate in the CONFERENCE with us. This EIGHTH ANNUAL COMMUNITY GROWTH CONFERENCE will provide an opportunity for the exchange of ideas among the various organizations and individuals concerned with the solution of the more practical problems related to the social and ec­ onomic well-being of our area. The CONFERENCE will bring together all those people interested in planning for the area. It is designed to set a pattern for future cooperative efforts among local government offi­ cials, builders, realtors, industrialists, developers, and interested minimum and efficieS^erXT^3 °PPort^ity to provide the pay O’»iUitb.juslanother 8ad commentary. thoughts for o T day Your c---- -conscience can't kee a 10t to keeP you from P You from doin. —a enjoying it. g Wrong, but it can do citizens. In thiss daY and age it than °ur lung sounds like we The theme of this year's Conference will be Resources in Northeastern Pennsylvania." Put better air in our tires Today when you see the °ne with the a father and beard is the son having a man-to-man talk, son. PUBLICATION This News-letter, published monthly as a c — originated in the Institute of Regional Affairs of Wilkes College, and inquiries may be addressed to Dr. Hugo V. Mailey. I — community service, gional Affairs, Wilkes College, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. -tes College. Notes Institute of Re- ■ ----18703 ad MARK THIS DATE ON YOUR CALEND IMPORTANT MEETING! ~~ I The Crisis of Human DON'T MISS THIS F°R SEARCH warrants and inspections irt of the United States in camar County of San Francisco Th 6 recent recent decisions decisions of of the the Supreme Supreme Cou: revision ahd see v" -Municipal Court of the City and y. Municipal Court of the < -—linationand °f the co;- Clty of Seattle call fora thorough eviously reexarm guided the> conduct City of Seattle call for countryb°Usin P*"s a nd procedures 1.. in this < c°nce epts and procedures which have preprograms sanitation and safety inspection i _a, the lessee al of Camara housing* nSPeC' case arose out of the refus The Camara i rmit a L-"' of the an apartment building, 1° Pe ground floor of �the occupancy permit for the building. Camara was advised of section 503 of the San Francisco housing code, but he persisted in refusing the inspectors access to his apartment without a search warrant. There­ after he was arrested and chargedunder section 507 of the code with re­ fusing to permit lawful inspection. Contending that section 503 was con­ trary to the Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments, Camara sought a writ of prohibition in the Supreme Court against his trial on the charge of violating that section. Upholding Camara's contention and overruling Frank v. Maryland, T* /___ j Justice Byron White, writing for the Supreme Court, held that adminis­ trative searches for housing violations are significant intrusions on the privacy and security of individuals--interests which are protected by the Fourth Amendment against arbitrary invasions by government officials and enforceable against the states under the Fourteenth Amendment. The Court declared that such searches when authorized and conducted without a warrant procedure lack the traditional safeguards which the Fourth Amendment guarantees to the individual. Recognizing that "the only effective way to seek universal conpliance with the minimum standards required by municipal codes is through routine periodic inspections of all structures, " he declaredthat the area inspection approach was a reasonable search of private property within the meaning of the Fourth Amendment, and provided the following guidelines for the determination of "probable cause" to issue a warrant: ". . . it is obvious that probable cause to issue a war­ rant to inspect must exist if reasonable legislative or administrative standards for conducting an area in­ spection are satisfied with respect to a particular dwelling. Such standards, which will vary with the municipal programbeing enforced, may be based upon the passage of time, the nature of the building (e. g. a multi-family apartment house) or the condition of the entire area, but they will not necessarily depend upon specific knowledge of the condition of the partic­ ular dwelling.11 The Court noted three ing: significant reservations to its general hold­ 1. Nothing in the spections, even without a opinion is intended t_ to foreclose prompt inin emergency situations. warrant, that the law h, nas traditionally upheld 2. In the light warrant specify the p- of the Fourth Amendment1 s property to be ___ _ requirement that a rants should normally b searched, "it seems 111. \ be sought only after likely that war, I—• entry is refused, > unless there I pn a citizen complaint Mediate entry. " or there is Ofk ^tist ". . • The requirement of a warr f°it seshe1 h»s „ hange in what seems to be the prXr °Cedura does „ . curing sug3- of authorizing entry, but „ot to irpYA , ** City of Seattle, the Seattle owner of alo 1V. representative of the fire Lv WarahouSe refuq In See .. arehouse warrant. Such ^P^mentT Spec?6111 ‘° enter ^d in Pect the warehouse withoutofa the warrant edsto permit a representative Se routine, periodic city-wide canvas tn Such insPectio ° fi„e»de and was ' ■ J 1“co^ 0" Was Part M P tlOn of a tion authorized c 1 ncn , lth Seattle's 3 authorized by section 8. 01-050 of the code Th " entry into buildings and inspections without a warrant’ convicted and given a suspended fine of $100 for violation See, who was . contended that the warrantless inspection authorized by of the section, -----the code would violate his rights under the r The teaching of these cases is that an entry upon and inspection of private property--residential property or commercial property not open to the public--by government officials without proper consent is an "unreasonable search and s eizure" within the Fourth Amendment and may not be enforced unless authorized by a valid search warrant. Accord­ ingly, the occupant may not be punished for refusing to permit a war­ rantless inspection. The restriction against entry on private commer­ cial property would, of course, be applicable to the portions of multi­ family houses reserved by the landlord. mob^parkinsottslaws. C. Northcote Parkinson, e^P°^d expands so as to fill the time available rkinson's Laws ("work d "expenditure^^ {inds TimesOf Londo , (uwho says 'no t0 e £adininiand effectiveraStinator to meet income"), writing in a supp that bureaucracy's Abominable No posal") is being replaced by amore su r^eprohibitive rteetostudy unmittee strator; The Prohibitive Procrastina or• {orins acOmrn sub(»> FP) doesn't say "NO" to a new .dea. rcferri»S its various xt- The committee drafts an outline p P the leg*1, financ, aI • - -ndhabitto "subcommittees formed « isCal> technical, political, hystericalwisdom, Ual aspects of the scheme. " BraC®d Lrea committed of in<luiry'dures setupP-«dUtrhis ®Ues an interim report whichis lai e eventually “ ^Otiy will convene in about six YearS in proceeding.further- W for hiding whether there is any P01* tirrn ie the pp has won the game with That fact finding is thus a a single "no"- substitute 10^ is very gen' decisi°ns �declares. "What we fail to „ ii Parkinson substitute for thought. " ec°gnize erally known, is also a s,----fact finding i~ Donald Olesen, Milw. that I News-letter flie g, WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE PUBLIC WORKS CONTRACTORS" BOND LAW XVL Works Contractors' Bond Law in of Act No. 385, the "Public r Federal Miller Act enacted 1967" Was drafted in conformity wi pertaining to Federal 1935, as interpreted by the U.of the Act are simple and clear, Con. struction Contracts. tracts exceeding $5, 000. Prime contrac-• applies to all Precontracting agency with (a) a Performance BondIt e tors must provide: the contract; and (b) a Payment Bond, also in in the amount of luu/° . The payment Bond is to be solely for the amount of 100% ° e sunnlying labor or materials to (a) the Prime the protectionof claiman prime Contractor's subcontractors. The Contractor; or (b) toany whether or not it becomes a comAct applies to all laoui ponent part of the public work. PA. , SEPTEMBER 15, 1968 WSCOLffi SEP 111%8 EIGHTH ANNUAL COMMUNITY GROWTH ---- ^^^^^Lconj^rence [IgDApy You are cordially invited to attend and particinate ’ annual community growth conference College, on Wednesday, September 25, 1968. f k ° e eighth e held at Wilkes in Julv if 0 anuary 1, 1968. Since the Newsletter was prepared early m July, was thenndlscover di. 1968 thatit Zi edthatthe Attorney General ruled on July 11, unth J^nuaJyV, 1i9a^oeC*'Z,|J1Un^C^pa^ budgets> * cannot become effective In an attempt to come to grips with the more pressing problems of our area, the sponsors of the COMMUNITY GROWTH CONFERENCE are pleased to provide this unique opportunity to share experiences with nationally known authorities who have been invited and will participate in the CONFERENCE with us. This EIGHTH ANNUAL COMMUNITY GROWTH CONFERENCE will provide an opportunity for the exchange of ideas among the various organizations and individuals concerned with the solution of the more practical problems related to the social and ec­ onomic well-being of our area. The CONFERENCE will bring together all those people interested in planning for the area. It is designed to set a pattern for future cooperative efforts among local government offi cials, builders, realtors, industrialists, developers, and interested more time to prepare for the Zcr Pr°Vlde 10Cal municiPalities a httle citizens. CORRECTION In the last issue of this Newsletter, reference was made to the mJ P° lCepay lawsetting the minimum salary at $5, 2 00 in boroughs and reXJPS‘ /7rding t0 the Act- it was to become effective in August, The theme of this year1 s Conference will be "The Crisis ol Hainan Resources in Northeastern Pennsylvania". UjOUGHTS FOR TODAY Rflower is nothing People The peach was once a bitter almond: caucabbage with a college education. ' who Ay into CALENDAR. a rage always make a bad landing. fUBLlCATlON ^^nated'in^^^^L Monthly as a community s ervice’ and inquiries m A^titut InStitute of R^Sbed monthly a ddr esq / iOnal Affairs of Wilkes College- Notes be g10nal Affair s> Sse d to Dr. . of Re' Wilkes College le8e- Wilk'HugoV' Mailey, Institute 18703 es-Barre, Pennsylvania DON'T MISS THIS MARK THIS DATE ON YOUR MPORTANT MEETING! POVERTY NEVER AND ALWAYS Poverty is o neVer ng £ enough. °f beddi n havi rUnnan out of money, of food, of clothes, of fuel, of Pc■mil'"ty 0 80 anv i ra’ °f equiPment, of furnishings, of room, of time, of any Soap, ( stay tQaCe’ °£ anYthmg to do anything with, of any way ioi t e Way t0 fa: and live. �is never having hope of having enough. poverty there is no way to get ahead, no Poverty » is always knowing ‘ve' ; always knowing that what little - Way to save up in order to later ' y°uhaVe going "down-hill"; always knowing t, being used up o that is wearing out, keeping covered and as clean as you Can. is some, "getting by, ' eating ‘ -----can ever do. the best you Poverty is never being comfortable. _ . owded, cold in winter, sweltering m summer, Poverty is always beingC^eat _ juicy fruit - rich milk, always living in half-hungry, craving re clutter> unrepaired and unkempt housing, drafts, smoke, dirt, gn , broken windows, torn screens, peeling poor plumbing (if Y°u to work, poor arrangements of your place to yourVmhy; always being unable to do anything easy or to have any­ thing handy or convenient. Poverty is never feeling that you are a part of the rest of the world never being informed - never understanding. Poverty is always being uneducated, untrained, half-equipped, always being told you are dumb, ignorant, can't understand. Poverty is never feeling dignity or self esteem. Poverty is always trying to express, trying to be heard, trying to com­ municate - being insulted, ignored, belittled, criticized, talked "down . being unable to show or to demonstrate. Poverty is:never ]----pretty - pleasant - peaceful to the eyes - to the ears to the nose to taste —e - to touch. Poverty is always gly houses, WeePin’g,U^s^ardS’ Ugly u^^hW^hQ 3’;U81y-bUildingS’ Ugly haUS’ defecation smFf’ jangling> garbage ° S’ bickering> arguing, yelling. oke- g ’ rot- mold, mildew, sweat, urine, Poverty is never having joy or Peace. Poverty is i always the storekeeear - fear of the landlord, L the welfare, the polic -Per. the SOrnetime'i boss. It is always grief - for the rnan _ the woman you can't be with or be with. It is always emptiness “bildr*nyou r. thati^ can't do for, tears, yearning, sickness, depression T°Ss a*d lack or ’ des°Iation and' It is alhopelessway3 tpess- poverty better- is never being able to plan, never being able to see a way to do -r is always receiving too little to "catch ifted out and forced out. It is always hon/f •' Seeing your chilpoverty listening to "big talk" by "big people " ft i eing shattered. ft is dren si" always It is always rising a bit and always being cru hT br°kenprom- ises. poverty is never being considered honest or good or well-intentioned. Poverty is always being considered a crook, an immoral person, a "dead­ beat, " a malingerer, a parasite, a "no-good." Poverty is never fully living. Poverty is always being just half-alive. John R. Gage, Field Services Chief American Public Welfare Association P.S. How much of this article fits you, or people that you know? ENGINEERS VS. PLANNERS „ the Engineering and There is some conflict, and feeling, b^^ the decisions of the Planning Professions, at times each o tives. other, and trespasses on the others Pre 'dated with been asso> be one link in _ Engineers, as a professionaljr^P^ seems to Planning for years. To many of Without are many a doubt there ■ : of transseveral logically related processes. with the probie^ lots, and the engine ers who are highly competen seW o*-> building .nperS sewers, .-■> take what latirLng a map into the reality of highway > where eng1 cases where like. . of a highway, On the other hand we have seen itudein the l°ca . ■ .reject, with the Can ch;aritably be called an arbitrary Region by a on . themselves as shatt ter the ecological balance o ,ge. L°° 1 . a group as I've “arest r _ Pretense of listening to anyon cOnseiva 1 "Practical"men, they are as ferocio ever met. �fhe I.R.A. NeWs.|etter o a practicing group, are a newer breed of cat. planners, as advice as the engineers, Whiie they oft, quite as ^^"Xenewness and insecurity of their r en try Profession fr t0 mask the relatij of social scientist, " Since so Iy a recourse to the inv democraCy have become hardened niatly of into the gospels of mo discuss an issue almost as risky as def, politicai shibboleths, trying , ciaHy when the case is butt arnin, Flag and Motherhood - and esp g the ressed b'ynias. ses of analytical statistics. Well tn toe P WeU, future, and the eng to stress e * X «»k, y£)I»XVl’ mseives c°nsid ";h't” 8rives to be the wave of the think they're the conservators of the past, each other. The engineers rT'’’ s would do well equipment Uss, and emphasize e / .... . decision. If the public thinks that thethe value "sPect ca"the “gi“ers Leonard N. Abrahms President, Panoramic Studios Philadelphia, Pennsylvania OCT24B68 There is no one reason why reform movements have• many instances. It could ship. It could be due to the fact that organiza i ges. qTi it could terment of a community begin to work at cross p^ reform is at be due to the fact that two or more citizen ^oup actjon groups lose THOUGHTS FOR TODAY man who would like to have as much fun as his wife an end with the adoption of a program. QU1 e is just plain citizen their momentum out of exhaustion. More o .J n becomes apolitical apathy and disinterestedness, The ordinary cit zen R of „n0. after a campaign for reform. He wraps himself up ma Politic s ". The man with anew 0 until he proves that hi; idea should expect to be considered a crack­ idea can hit the jackpot. Passion often makes clever men fools; sometimes, it evenmakes fools clever men. ,007in’te‘l !5. 1968 If the citizen is to carry out his responsibilities to and for con trolling his local government, he needs to give considerable time to th' study of politics in his community. The citizen, however needs to be informed about his government. Once informed, he can encourage and promote changes and reform in it. Many of the most effective reform movements in government in the past, springing from citizen interest, have contributed greatly to the improvement of local government, as can be seen in the wide use of the merit system, the short ballot, ex­ ecutive budgeting, central purchasing, the council-manager plan, and many others. An obsessive respect for technology, or <-a readiness to invoke unproved social theses, can do damage to far more than the ------- profession­ als involved, however good their intentions. This News - ’ -letter, published monthly j. vjce, as a community se !nd lnquiries •e ^stitut, —;e of Regional / Notes gional --1 Affairs,171 ay be addressed to Dr.Affairs of Wilkes College. of Re' Wes College, Wilke•s-Hugo V. Mailey, Institute 18703 Barre, Pennsylvania" PA-. OCTOBER library gadgets PUBLICATION 10, WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRe CITIZEN COMMITTEE And surely the planners can do much more to enlist the coopera­ tion of engineers, as equals in furthering common objectives. A husband is thinks he has. NO. I and these are two of the Informed citizens are active citizens The aforesurest safeguards against uncontrolled local government, form of gov" council-manager rnentioned ,nd other local safeguards are basic to the hool boards, ai ernment, to planning commissions, to sc gove rnnaent bodies. , • j of citizen advisory Tak<e a look. Is there a need for soxn® e of partisans and c al o':mmittee in your community? Not a con®1 governmental ic s- But °ne that can promote and encourageg �ship. If your community needs one, what are you waiting fOr ? I POLICE, FIRE FUNCTIONS Reprint Public Management October 1968 Effective Jan. 1, Boulder, Colo. (pop. 50,000), yea??11. C°mbme functionally its police and fire departments on a twoYear trial basis A complete re-evaluation will be made at the end of the trial period' Approximately 50 to 60 cities in the United States and Canada ha ed some degree of police-fire merger over the past generation. adopt. LOCAL COMMUNITY -- THREAT AND OPPORTUNITY Boulder City Manager Ted Tedesco estimates that for 1969, $208,794 will be saved over the present porgram of separate depart­ ments and over a five-year period $598, 912 will be I I saved. "While the apparent efficiencies and cost savings are significant, the real benefit will be received in a higher level of patrolling activity, etc. , " he predicted. response, Tedesco recommended the plan of functional alternative to decreasing the level of service or coordination as an ir.<r — ->■' ' police L . 2 and fire fighting. substantially increasing expenditures for l I I His plan retains both police and fire departments ------entities but provides for a as separate of public safety officers in police and fire work). pool Command -----> (dually trained (such as detectives, <’ fire engineers,.J ranks and fspecialized personnel to providej necessary expertise in th. etc.) will be a retained to continue ese areas. The public satety ofHc.r will be responsible fpr poli„ patrol and investigations pre; of a fire call, the PSO will P esentiy permed by patrolmen. In the event having already been trained in _ befire immediately dispatched to the fire -— J fighting. es that th. lihood plan will also permit an increase in the number If1V6S lnCreased- Tbe ignificantly ;°«t 1—1 the willcity alsoto provide a greater - effect foT On Patr01 througb deterrent effect for crime and other law violations. city to provide Under the ....cr newsafety system, c: by at least twome public offic Public close close to any reported incident. each fire r' station district will be covered -~ers at all ti: -imes one of whom will be Othe advantages ... greater job ■ral “fc'=ifo“thdb. 'y Tedesco ar °rthe pSo e optimum r use of manpower, whose range of skills —.s and duties are ed and whose compensation is jncr trained men available at major fireaSed ^°rdingly, and Widem making eded. 68 Whe--re~ maximum rtiore manpower is ueC The local urban community is in a great de ropolitan region is made up of groupings of subc tr°Uble- Themet­ weak and weakening sense. Much of what is said °mmunities °nly in a on a romantic view of the city as it existed 50 ear^ Clty lifeis based community is a dying phenomenon now that ag°', The ethnic ceased and the processes of assimilation are haS virtually community is a community only i„ tbe sense ,blt ” . N.gro I believe that the quality of community life is declining in con­ temporary America. Alienation is only one aspect of the decline in the quality of community life. One of the most significant sources of the de­ cline is a deficiency in social organization, in the whole complex of dur­ able relationships among people. We must face squarely the urgent need to build social organization in radically different ways than in the past.. . I I I I l The conflicts surrounding these cleavage^^^ cannot avoid many forms, one being a struggle for powe p • > kind of leader who can " . , ie these cleavages. But in a pluralistic s0^ ^isg responsive to conflict lea er . , deal with them has to be a political leader t0 represent a c0^ and diversity, rather than a civic leader w n members of t e mon way of life. The kinds of social organ gtroyed. They are middle class had in the past have large y creasingly isolated in their own communi have the sense is increasing do * oxnmumty The newcomer s whose power is the & d f^ °f the community's being theirs. .ive, Thus. case of ^e whole; they just move into a PlaC® cOmrounity‘ signi£1?^tion "’aS ^ncy in organizational links to the tot^^Addifc bls deficiency in social organiz canFrancisC° -nning be use d an e£' ^ial proposal of local leaders m the begi^ nted th* all the federal anti-poverty mone^ This °rganization on a block or neigh ° �fhe I.ILA. News-letter 80 _ organization. Without organization ther, fort to fill a vacuu °he er to say how the anti-poverty ere is no power. The Ne^r°®Sdirections urban renewal in their areas is : money i’XIeS P0°r “e ‘° b<! I I to take, Hj WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE This situation represents both a threat and an e■ _ opportunity T. ’ It can b. > threat beeau.e it offers a way of lighting city 7 can oe vi mayors appear to be almost uniformly unhappy hall. 0Ver t^eXXizaHon of poor Negroes. Again, the threat is that we will have 1. jtll’ only a divisive power struggle instead of a movement toward construct­ ive solutions. But the opportunity lies in the pos sibility that the new or­ ganizations will generate new sources of energy and innovation to solve porblems. The crucial question in places like Watts is whether social organizations can be developed by the residents so that they can govern their own communities (with the help of outside financial and profession­ al assistance). -- William Kornhauser, Professor of Sociology, Univ­ ersity of California, Berkeley, "Power and Participation in Local Com­ munities," in Local Government in a Changing World, pp. 48-51. NO- I I I I Resolution was passed yesterday by Wilk -Barre Council to select a patrolman of suitable age and education to attend New York City Police School and, upon certification, return ■ -----police school here. e cltY to organizei a From the Record, October 23, 1918 l THOUGHTS FOR TODAY I I is an old friend. TID BIT: The tragedy of today is not so much the noisiness of the bad people, but the silence of the good people. NOTHING IS EVER NEW, IS IT? Plans for the sewage desposal plant for Wilkes-Barre were re­ viewed yesterday by the engineer hired by the city to draw up the plans by the commissioners. Work will not be started until after the war. From the Record, October II, 1912 WHAT TOOK THEM SO LONG? TID BIT: There's only a slight different chin up and sticking your neck out, but it's w< ■Ce between keeping your 'orth knowing. I REGIONAL CONFERENCE I I publication This News-letter, originated in th< Published monthly ”le Institute of Regional Affairs as a community service, and inquiries may be addre of Wilkes College. Notes SSSedtoDr. Hugo V. Affairs, Wilk( Mailey, Institute of Re­ :es College, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. 18703 15> 1968 LOOKING BACK I TID BIT: The best mirror PA-. November Solid Waste'S^1 C°nferenCe Saturday nt on the Public Employees Relations Act a-i anaSement will be held from 9:00 A. M. to 4:00 P. M. r.~ ovember 23, 1968 at Wilkes College. I I Orie that all Employee Law and Collective Bargaining session is Soryarbitral flCials should be interested in. Subjects such as compulPl°yee law lonfor policemen and firemen, and the proposed public emgreat and T^^h will affect every municipality and its employees, are I immediate concern to all officials. MH ave to ^egiOnal Conference has been arranged so h; attend. rive over more than 50 miles to s°red This particular particular regional regional b. 'Y the Pennsylvania State ho -owever, has issued an conference conference iAssociation topen invitati that no official • a and sponmade possible The Ass0C* Boroughs to �Northeastern Pennsylvania. More information will corrie t both the Institute of Regional Affairs and the Pennsylvania s° iation of Boroughs. a'e Assoc. I violation of these profusions. Thevic- PUBLIC EMPLOYEES RELATIONS ACT increase in the of number of public There has been a tremendous , . crease in the number labor disputes, employeesand a corresponds the Legislature and all public emThis has posed many que of the situation, Governor Raymond ployer s. Recognizing ® “kman Commission and directed it to revise P. Shafer appointed e Pennsvlvania. This group filed a report the Public Employee La The conclusions briefly of the and recommendation dated June IV Hickman Commission were: 1. 'That the Public Employee Act of 1947 an entirely■ new law governing relations between should be replaced by public employers and employees. 2. The new law should r---recognize the right of all public employees, including police and firemen, > to bargain collectively, enumerated safeguards. ,, subject to 3. The law should requireboth parties to bargain in good faith, the steps in said bargaining being outlined in the report. 4. Except for policemen and fir erne: should be •n, a limited right to strike recognized subject to certain report. safeguards as set forth in the PoHceXTf^ C°mpulsory Itbitrlt^ mernen. enacted Act No. HI of rted functions stoppages. ofThe work areas in °lving the Perf ental Actinprohibit. concer' praeH=e. It further ern^ch 61 that public employees acknowledge A Act ey "^ve ' in sU ‘ prescribes penalties, including but hc § Ut n°t limited right to bargain collectivelvi. tofore, The such a right at law did not exist ^ySto^ ofthi- , Compulsory mediation*^ fact-finding are required in the event nf ° "tOf “solved diswes; - Since the Act prohibits strikes in the public sector collect’ bargaining impasses must be resolved in order to provide for their soT I ution, compulsory and binding arbitration is provided. Such arbitration is tobe conducted by a three-member board, one member to be selected by the public employees, one by the public employer and the third by agreement between the two so selected. If agreement as to the third arbitrator cannot be reached, then the Public Employees Relations Board shall submit a list of seven names to the parties, each striking three, and the one remaining shall be the third arbitrator. The decisions of the arbitrators shall be binding on both parties with the proviso that where legislative enactment is required, the decision shall be advisory. Unless this proviso is included, such arbitration would be violative of our Constitution. There is a constitutional exception for policemen and firemen providing that the results of arbitration are binding in all events. The Act would create a Pennsylvania Employees Relations Board which shall consist of five members, appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate, one of whom shall be designated by the Governor to be the Chairman. On the original Board, one member shall serve for five years, one for four years, one for two years and one ror °ne Vear. Their successors shall be appointedfor terms of five 10n m the event of dispute involving Because unresok Ployees are disput injurious to ’Ved citize: of th e^,Ween Public employers and emProposed the 1 :ns Public Employee RpiJ- ornrnonwealth, Governor Shafer pnbl« employee. s , state withTi?8 ^Ct would apply to all Persons?appointed’ by the °r local, . suPervisor s _excePtion of elected officials, : governor with sots and confidential vic= and consent of the Senate, "-i employe , ies. Undoubtedly the most revolutionary °nthe■.machinery established mostfor resolving ' after all ; collective bargaining procedures have aspect of this Act centers fore, it is deemed to be against the public interest perm ‘g unpassesto that continue to exist been utilized. Thereor condone This Board shall be independent of existing governmental agencies and shall be answerable directly to the Governor, making a fu repor dually of itZ —s activities for the year. — ------) supervise represent­ The primary duties of the Board w . mandatory under this3Act; to maintain panels ation elections, which are 1---------------, hearing '’Hact-tlnding purposes; and to condu« > in unfair practice proceedings and issue appropriate orde once consummated by the The collective bargaining agreement ild require legislative enactrules *ent begiven binding effect unless it woulstatutes or civil service 2 effective or „ —=___ ~ or violates existing bargain on wages, hours", and *orkeigUlations- r~ with The parties are free to are established x.„ 1 respect 1Ilg conditions. Certain limitations Larties is i �El)GENE SHEDDEN FARLEY LIBRAR policy. Public employ^ s of inherent m nagerial funC tions and programs, ef. bargaininaread t0 bargain ove budget, the technology of ill b' 'Sard .1 structure and selection and direot. p ficiency and sta ^perf0Zel rgani^ The I.R.A. News-letter WILKES COLLEGE ion of personnel . a the of 1947, proposed CompuL Act alSo Tn addition to repeal to Act firemen and the policemen. - Act HI °f 1968 ^ ^ded in the latter act is continued. Howmachinery tor representation elections, ' ’ or their resolution. It is m the interdefine unfair practi t all public - --------------the nor does 'it it defineunfair p employees utilize est of consistency and u implementation of their rights and to procedures established shed to protect the rights of the embe subject to ^J'»Xe e I-i-11. ployers and public at 1 g LEGISLATION AFFECTING LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 29. Allows the First Class Township commissioners, at their option, to accept applications for positions on the police force or as paid operators of fire apparatus from nonresidents of the township, and authorizing the township, by ordinance, to require nonresident pol­ icemen and firemen to become residents of the township after appoint­ ment. THOUGHTS FOR TODAY Happy homes are built with blocks of patience. Love is the unopened gift under the tree of life. Life consists of feeling; loving; doing and sharing. publication This News-letter rvice, r °nglnated in the Instih t ’ Published P?Dllshed monthly as a community se Notes of Regional Affair and inquiries , of Re' • Hugo V. Mailey, Institute ’ W11kes College, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. 118703 ^XRXTrA££aits °£ Wilkes CoUege- WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA., DECEMBER 15, 1968 I .nt.r 7XVI- NO- 12, WHO SAID AMERICA IS AN URBAN NATION? Efforts to explain why Congress fiddles while nation's cities burn have not been notably successful, despite the vigor and assuredness with which they are offered. That they have failed as useful analyses is undoubtedly due to the inability of most commentators to penetrate a great myth which has been fostered upon the American public by a gen­ eration of eager social scientists. The myth is that Americais an urban nation. The fact is that America is still, although by an increasingly small margin, a country dominated by small cities, small towns and rural areas. Once this is understood, the realities of American politics be­ gin to make some sense. After all, did not the I960 Census show that nay re of 70% is lived in urban areas? Unfortunately, that eye popp g 1700's based on a definition of urban which comes rightou ^^^g Bureau inwhen anything not rural was considered urban. more than 2, 500 credibly enough still defines any incorporated p ac American thinks inhabitants as urban! Surely this is not what the av of when he speaks of an urban society. n of urban with political rele. What is needed is clearly ad®fini^ distinguish, h1 Lbroad terms, vance, a definition which will be a based on the type of area they of the people with similar interests and concern wbat percen stake reside in. Specifically, it is necessary has a American population resides in centra Central citiesin attempts to meet the problems of t e .Rhe Census -•railabl e^information on . _ iS readily a5f' Fortunately, such informa j--tribute widely. •th nopulations of at bureau itself collects, but does not i cities T Tbs which arc cal"Urbanized areas. " These are define suburbs, le*st 50, 000 inhabitants and their surr > unding ed urbanized fringes. n is used is definition Jslead- As ica" when this What happens to "urban '^rneI'tbat statist05 do not mi. 4u.ite a shocker to those who believe �Thus, for example, guaranteed employment would seem to be a promising approach. Indeed, this intuitive prediction is borne out bv I of 32. 3% of thelived American cities or 1960, more;only another 21.2% in the population suburbs oflived theseincities 5°’ °°0 suburbs of these cities (the fringe). ; Nearly half of the — t ztA , e urban another 21 A m ericanpopulation (46. 5%) resided in areas " — dassified as small town or rural! the Census Bureau ch.__lf This information has staggering implications for understanding American politics. It now becomes clear that Congress, when it ignores pressing urban problems, is not, by some paradox, refusing to deal with the concerns of the great body of urbanized Americans whom they sup­ posedly represent. Rather Congress (particularly the House which has proven the major stumbling block) is, on the whole, being quite repre­ sentative of the American people. Most Congressmen represent areas which either do not suffer from urban problems or do not perceive that these problems exist even if they do. According to data compiled by Henry Bain of the Washington Center for Metropolitanstudies, only 115, or 26. 5% of the 435 Congres­ sional districts, have a majority of residents who by the I960 Census lived in central cities, where the Negrohas become an articulate force. Another 97, or 22.2%, have a majority of residents who live in urbanized areas (central cities plus suburbs) but do not have a majority of their popula­ tion in the area's central city. A clear majority of the Congressional districts, 223 (51. 3%) are primarily small town or rural in which televisionprovides most of the experience so far as inner-city problems and disorders are concerned. The typical response in these areas to what they hear and see on the media is that skulls ought to be cracked if that is what it takes to restore law and order. This response comprises the extent to which Congressmen from these areas perceive "urban prob­ lems as problems of political relevance to them. For the majority of m ricans, there is not particular urgency about the urban problem- Gallup poll of June 15, 1968 which reports that the American public re­ jects by 58-36%o a proposal for guaranteed income, but accepts by the em phatic margin of 78%-18%> a proposal to guarantee enough work so that each family with an employable wage-earner has a job with at least a poverty-level income. Such a proposal, if implemented, would go a long way towards establishing an effective income maintenance program in this country. What makes it acceptable to the American public, however, is not the substance of the program, but the Protestant ethic values it in­ vokes. In politics, unlike architecture, function follows form. Reprint: Commonweal Harold Wolman University of Pennsylvania October 25, 1968 I I I I I A PUBLIC OFFICIAL'S PHILOSOPHY Did it ever occur to you temptations ? I He comes into the world without his consent and goe s out of it and the trip between is exceedingly rocky. against his will, The rule of contraries is one lingering odXv violation of this ethic accounts for t Deal and flost-Ne^0 i ” grudging acceptance of) so many of the Ne urban Negr0 is JL eal welfare programs. If any program of aid tot it must be couched hTth American people - and thus to Congresscouched ln the language of this American verity. of the features of the trip. When he is little, the big girls kiss him; When he is big, the little girls kiss him. If he If he If he If he acted *b°Vejdiscussionnot only helps explain why Congress hasnot structiveUlyatoS°the ''urtTcrSsT^ CirCUmStances U maV respond con- Given the nature of Congress, it appears likely that any major e ort to aid the city (and in particular to aid the Negro poor) will fa1 ^erably unless it can be justified in terms of traditional American crn ve‘ :Wnan.dr/ralValUeS- Primary among these values is the AmeriXich thpTh the Pro;est-t ethic - thou shall not receive rewards for that a man's life is full of crosses and I II is poor, he is a bad manager; is rich, he is dishonest. needs credit, he can't get it; wants to do him a favor. is prosperous, everyone If he is in politics, it is for graft; ,d to his country, If he is out of politics, he is no goo* he is a stingy cuss; If he doesn't give to charity, If he does, it is for show. -j is, he is a hypocrite; If he is actively religion; interest in religion, he is a hardened sinner. If he takes no i.___ soft specimen; If he gives affection, he is a old blooded. If he cares for no one, he is co -eat future before him; If he dies young, there is he a gr missed his calling. If he lives to an old age, 1.2 ™ - - "rouch; If you save money, you're a grc loafer; If you spend it, you re a i �' t a grafter; If you get it, you're -- ' i can't get it, you're a bum If you So what the Hell's the use, WE PROPOSE TO KEEP THE STREETS CLEAN ANYWAY. ' Reprint: Borough Bulletin (Allentown) September, 1919 THOUGHTS FOR TODAY Mothers-in-law are like seeds; we don't need them, but they come with the tomatoes. Manya husband has learned too late that he who hesitates is bos­ sed. This News-letter nuhl’ k j originated in the Institute d monthly as a community service, * z-SX.-- to Dr. College, WHkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. / 3 0 C, L .f 118703 -■ ‘” �I I I �:' I I .J ■ ■ � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Luzerne County Newsletters and Institute for Regional Affair Newsletters, 1952-1975 Subject The topic of the resource Political Science; Luzerne County; Institute for Regional Affairs; Wyoming Valley Description An account of the resource A collection of newsletters created by the Political Science Department at Wilkes College from 1952-1975 for Luzerne County and later the Institute for Regional Affairs. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Political Science Department (Hugo Mailey) Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1952-1975 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Type The nature or genre of the resource Newsletters Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Luzerne County Newsletter, 1968 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Political Science Department Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1968 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Type The nature or genre of the resource Newsletter https://omeka.wilkes.edu/omeka/files/original/0ea0dbf2abfe67272eb462b095b8126c.pdf f2d875f31c37faaed915b1e2421f693e PDF Text Text ��(Comity TtetM-tettvi [JORAR * XVI, NO. 1 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, VOb' PA., JANUARY 15, 1%7 SHORT COURSES -- SPRING SEMESTER Once again the Institute of Regional Affairs will provide non­ credit, non-degree educational opportunities for elected and appointed officials. They are presented in cooperation with the Public Service Institute, Department of Public Instruction, Commonwealth of Pennsyl­ vania. Instruction by the Institute staff is supplemented by guest lecturers. During the Spring Semester, the following courses will be pre­ sented: Fundamentals of Fire Fighting -- A course designed for those firemen who wish to qualify as instructors of the fundamentals of fire fighting; Report Writing -- A course which acquaints the police officer with the purposes, values, and principles of basic police reports; Light Duty Rescue -- A course to provide training for individuals who will be­ come members of a Rescue Squad; Radiological Monitors -- A course for the training of radiological monitors for fixed stations and shelters; Ground Fire Attack -- A course designed to train firemen to fight fires on the ground, such as forest fires, grass fires, oil fires, etc. ; Control Center Operations -- A course on instructions for operating a Civil De­ fense Control Center; Medical Self-Help -- A course for adults which includes training for the resident to enable him toperform medical self­ help functions in an emergency when a doctor is not available; Auxiliary Police -- a cour se designed to train those whowill assistin police ut whenever necessary, such as traffic control or security control. SINGLE TAX COLLECTION ------ 3 tax that it would So much opposition has developed to the w g if its benefits were lost be136 a. pity, now that the tax £s here to stay, u m-c Hamat: anse of inefficient and unequal collection. - ■ . Central Division, PennsylvaRaymond Carmon, Director of the He has urged all eonununia E conomy League, has proposed a 1---- �4 L> their appointment,They or more 21 school year ten examination. must than be high by the date of H, alency diplomas. Sch°°lgraduates V- 16. 1? ri that have adopted the tax also adopt the same nities in Wyoming Va ey Wilkes-Barre City. As Mr. Carmon tax collector as is eing for the Economy League to make. But its said, it is an unusua &mo League's primary function - to aid and recommendation is as ams that result in the greatest possible advocate local g0-^^ °g sense, we can be grateful for servicefor every dollar spen . the leadership the League is providing. -Cadets must A pass written and qUaHfying medical tests sical agility test. psychological to certification from an eligiMe exam may begiX. phy! prior -The cadets will perform a variety of administrative and other forcement duties in the Yonkers police department while comnon- en. I the associate degree in police science program. pleting The truth is that the effectiveness, not to mention the economy, of using one collection agency is so obvious that it was in danger of being overlooked. There are serious difficulties facing the taxing bodies in collection of the wage tax. Foremost of these is that so many eligible taxpayers live in one community and work in another that without a single tax collector the job of collection become s almost impos sible. The dan­ ger is that many communities face the likelihood of either failing to col­ lect their share, or of spending too much money to collect its tax. THE ROLE OF BUSINESSMEN IN URBAN REVITALIZATION Although there is unanimous agreement that the United States faces a severe urban crisis, the majority of our cities either limp along with a do-nothing policy or at best get a meaningless surface cosmetic treatment. The reason for this bungling approach, to put it bluntly, is the legarthy of the American businessman. In an area of complex and vital self-interest, it appears that free enterprise is proving itself nei­ ther free nor enterprising, but timid, passive, and defeatist. With few exceptions, it has been government that has taken the initiative in urban It appears equally obvious that a similar consolidation of all tax billing and collection for all taxing bodies in the county into a single office would result in a substantial savings in the cost of local government. Adoption of a single collector for the wage tax should be a first step, in that direction. WBRE-TV EDITORIAL reprint revitalization. Now that government has opened the door, the public should de­ mand that all attributes associated withfree enterprise - daring, imag­ ination, creativity, the willingness to take risks - come to theforefront to push the slow bur eaucratic process into speedier action. In the frame work of a free democratic society the task of revitalizing our cities can beaccomplighedonly by the bold efforts ’ "d intimate intimate partnership of bot and p. YONKERS PLANS COLLEGE TRAINING FOR POLICEMEN The City of Yonkers has established a newprogram to train quali­ fied high school graduates as police officers, the Yonkers Herald States­ man reports. The newspaper said that: -To qualify for career appointment as a police officer, eachtrainee will be required to earn ; a two-year associate degree inpolice science at Westchester Community College while „ : working part-time in the Yonkers Police Department. -The trainees -- who will be designated Police Cadets - will be paid an annual salary of $2, 000. complete their t ’ ’ o age Vf l^They wTlfX cXl^^ ..3 when they reach the ’ ' .a police recruits, which a state's St'ate S Basic ®as^c Training Course for municipal I raining of the Office f ministered by the Division of Municipal Police or Local Government. -Fifteen Police will be appointed each year. Appointees must be= not less than 18Cadets 1/2 years of age by October 1 of the year of government and free enterprise. The few experiences with government-business partner urban revitalization suggest the following guiding principles for free I" I surprise: (1) Business must take the lead, for the T°St to gain from urban renewal. (2) The PreSe^?t°o^nfrom less influenigures on revitalization committees blocks opp . en multiplies al sources. (3) Financial support provided by. achieve (4) Busi'he effects which government revitalization efforts canac . . are not enough; -evitalization, rev—Above all, businessa on measures, as opposed to full-scale full (5) Above m Relive as treatment of cancer by aspirin. Neither should nment officials. n must work hand-in-hand with gover te«ipt to go-it-alone. 10012^ �ORDINANCE SETS POST-ENTRY TRAINING PAY ’■ ---- ? for city employees was recently A post-entry training ordinance Washington, city officials. The ordinance spells out adopted by Tacoma, 1. ’ 2s engaged in both on-the-job and pay and compensation for employee --------- 3 and establishes a formal training pro­ off-the-job training programs gram to be operated under the city's personnel development program. The program will be administered by three committees on muni­ cipal training, public utilities, and general government training. The overall program is coordinated by the director of personnel who acts as the Municipal Training Director. The ordinance gives the director the authority to: (1) Contract with universities, colleges, other educa­ tional institutions, organizations and individuals for special training courses, either on a part-time or a full-time basis for fixed periods not to exceed 12 months for eligible employees under the training program. (2) Use municipal personnel and municipally-owned or controlled proper­ ty, equipment, materials, and facilities. ( 3) Contract with other public jurisdictions for the joint staffing, participation in, and use of training facilities and programs. The ordinance specifies that employee attendance at on-the-job training sessions is considered attendance at work. Attendance at offthe-job training requiring absence from work is considered as attendance at work in accordance with the training program and implementing admini­ strative procedures. Under the ordinance, leaves of absence with or without pay can be granted for off-the-job training. The city will also pay travel, subsis­ tence, and other expenses in programs of two or more months duration. Employees pay the cost of tuition and other expense s for off-the job train­ ing and are reimbursed after successfully completing the course. PA., FEBRUARY 15, 1967 SERVICE AWARDS Every year at the Annual May Dinner the Institute of Regional Affairs presents Service Awards to those local officials who have con­ tributed untiringly over a long number of years in the service of their respective governments. The Institute will offer these awards again this year in May at the Fifteenth Annual Dinner. Included in those eligible for the Awards are school boardmem­ bers and secretaries, police, firemen, councilmen, mayors, solicitors, engineers, planning and zoning commissioners and township supervisors. Would you kindly send me the name of the recipient who is deserving of this Award. Kindly remember that these Awards aregivenas an expres­ sion of appreciation for ability, wide experience, and untiring efforts as an outstanding public servant over many years. HOME RULE meats. July first will have special significance this year for local go On that date, the Pennsylvania Sewage Facilities Act, embc> yii principle of "Home Rule" becomes effective. Local overn t at have ignored the problem of sewage collection an re receive first and heaviest responsibility for pollution contro . THOUGHT FOR TODAY A man doesn't hold a grudge as long as a woman holds one - he keeps replacing it with new ones. The Act is aimed at preventing further aggravatio wiU ° pment has erious threat to public health. Much of our subur a treatment furred in areas where there are no sewage co e „ or sump sterns and where the soil is incapable of han mg sprawl" is ^P°sal in any quantity, let alone in the volume "°Vface publication originated in the Institute’ of pbhshed monthly as a community service, and i,Hl, ‘°f Wil,“S Notes con":d 2 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE “of Re- underating- The result is a seepage of raw sewage and the Silent contamination of °p J lvania has an example of th-' Virtually every area of Northeastern c;auy acute in the Moun taim S Problern, but it threatens to become espec: Y 1Ut°P and Back Mountain areas of Wyoming Valley �overnments will have the prime of the Act, local g Under terms industrial and residential development to responsibility for regulating ’ 3 to make colleccan require developers provide sewage systems. They ' And certainly, the of every project. tion and treatment systems part establish such systems for homes local governments must prepare to £—______ and industry that now exist. Obviously, this should be a winter of planning and preparation for the implementation that must begin July first. It is a task that has been delayed too long. But it also is an absolute necessary foundation for solid, long-range growth of the region. WBRE-TV EDITORIAL reprint ELECTRIC TYPEWRITERS vs. MANUAL TYPEWRITERS Public purchasing executives will find of interest the following concise analysis of this subject made recently by President Rexford G. Wessellsof NIGP, procurement Officer of the District of Columbia in a letter to City Purchasing Agent John F. Ward of Chicago: "Several years ago we went quite thoroughly into the matter of electric typewriters vs. manual typewriters. We came to the following conclusions: (1) Maintenance costs on electric typewriters are approxi­ mately 20 times the average maintenance costs on manual typewriters. The actual costs involved were an average of $20 per year per electric typewriter as compared with an average of $1 per year per manual type­ writer. (2) The life expectancy of an electric typewriter is approximately the same as a manual typewriter if they are used by full-time typists or stenographic personnel. Where typewriters receive less than three or our hours use a day, the manual typewriter generally has a longer life expectancy. (3) Based on effective use of a machine for seven years---which lisS,we We find, aabout '3out- Pi ar for typists, secretaries, and stenographic personnel---- the annual cost ‘“ typewriter is not great. The electric - ---- 1fper typewriter has a higher trade-in - — value .—a or sale value than the manual typewriter. (4) We find that <an ~ employee's — productivity is increased by use of the electric typewriter, both from the standpoint of more rapid typing and the fact that it is less tiring. "Since all costs in connection with original purchase price and maintenance a typewriter-----including both of the investment in the employee who costs---- are a small fraction uses it, we definitely favor the use of electric typewriter s over i----manual typewriters where the employee is qualified as a typist, stenographe stantial portion of her workday * -r, or secretary and spends a sub­ using the machine. Accordingly, the only standards we have for buying typewriters are the following: Typewriters --- Executive Type- Ex (Those with proportional spacing, T W'lectric Type electric type .blic funds only when they a „ £or use P purchase writerS. .lication, and the requisition so states. preParmg materials for from Pu dup1- Typewriters ---Electric: Electric typewrit iurchase for full time stenographers and t • efS are permissible ,ers„„ to use the typewriter wlll\ ” ‘PPl’tS »h“ »>* tales pt for P1 or in multiple copy w ork (£ive „ hour. thep1 rial for reproduction. P ’ or for typing per day. mate Typewriter Maintenance and Repairs: Electric typewriter ser­ viceagreements should be ordered only when the typewriters are in heavy duty service or when maintenance cost records indicate that it would be less costly to contract for these services than to purchase repairs as needed under existing District contracts. Typewriters ----- Portable: Portable typewriters cannot be requiunless completely justified on the face of the sitionedat District expense requisition. "I doubt that you would be involved so much in purchase of type­ writers for use in classes of public schools; however, in case you are, Our policy in we do not buy any electric typewriters for this purpose. this case is predicated on cost plus the fact that for instructional pur­ poses the manual typewriter, in our opinion, is just as effective as the electric typewriter. " TRANSPORTATION PICTURE STILL VAGUE Li.o.g-J to scramble the transportation Well, Washington has managed ' cted legislation setting up a cabinet-level picture again. The recently enactfalls far short of a meamngiul meaningful accomi Department of Transportation i----- t of minor transportation functions the Plishment. While some consolidationwhat < was not set up remains as may be accomplished by this action, transportation problems. stumbling block to solving many, many ■» such diverse lie in coordinating rations. It lies For, the real problem does not 1' Coast Guard opei„ functions as air travel, highways and and roadways. Primarily in the conflict between rail i of the transportation picfully exploit As long as these two importan will not be able to 1_ lortation ^re are kept separated we - and continuing transpi Ie concept of integrated, comprehen pi °grarnming. �The highway-oriented Bureau of Public Roads, now in the newly created Dept, of Transportation, is still in the driver's seat with re­ spect to the allocation of funds for highways. Also, the rail transit in­ terest is still tucked safely away under the protective wing of the plan­ ner-oriented Department of Housing and Urban Development. Auntie (fauty 'Ttem-tettvi Thus, despite all the huffing and puffing during the past year, nothing of real importance has been done to really come to grips with the dog-fight between these two important aspects of the transportation field. And, if this was not bad enough -- the Congress of the United States has staked out for itself the task of reviewing and passing on the "standardsand criteria" to be set up by the new department with respect to apportioning Federal Aid. So, we now face a continued split in transportation responsibility and at the same time must deal with a many-headed Congress on Federal Aid programs. It is hard enough to get small, interested and authorita­ tive groups pinned down to setting andaccepting "standards. " It is really going to be interesting to see how our• non-expert Congressmen work this one out. Viewpoints of "Rural and Urban Roads" ANNIVERSARIES Four Luzerne County municipalities, Nescopeck and Dallas Town­ ships and the boroughs of Sugar Notch and Dupont, will observe impor­ tant anniversary dates in 1967. XVl NO. 3 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA. , VOL. MARCH 15, 1967 1967 SERVICE AWARDS Every year at the Annual May Dinner the Institute of Regional Affairs presents Service Awards to those local officials who have con­ tributed untiringly over a long number of years in the service of their respective governments. The Institute will offer these awards again this year in May at the Fifteenth Annual Dinner. Included in those eligible for the Awards are school board mem­ bers and secretaries, police, firemen, councilmen, mayors, solicitors, engineers, planning and zoning commissioners and township supervisors. Would you kindly send me the name of the recipient who is deserving of this Award. Kindly remember that these Awards are given as an expres­ sion of appreciation for ability, wide experience, and untiring efforts as an outstanding public servant over many years. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR MUNICIPAL AUTHORITIES Nescopeck, one of the oldest townships in Luzerne County, was separated from Newport Township in 1792, 175 years ago; Dallas Town­ ship was formed from Kingston Township in 1817, 150 years ago. THOUGHT FOR TODAY It is better t0 give than to receive -- and also it's deductible. PUBLICATION This News-letter, published r~: originated in the Institute of Regional monthly Affair as a community service, and inquiries may be addressed to Dr. _ —‘s of Wilkes College. Notes gional Affairs, Wilkes College, Wilkes Hugo V. Mailey, Institute of Re- Barre. Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania extends financial assistance unicipal authorities of the state for certain programs undertaken by to rthem. m with provisions of accordance 1, 1967, is authorized to adAct 537 of 1965 (section 6), effectlV.tieS as well as to counties and muminister grants to municipal aut-1°r official PlanS for sewerage sysnicipalities to assist them in prepa and -rch to implement te ms, and’ for carrying out survey5• frOm I--terns, funds appropriated by the such equ__ al1 one-half of the cost Ch plans. Ptans. Such funds shall be m made General Assembly for this purpose ‘and shallnot bevwithheld from any local Assembly for this purpose Preparing such plans. ra^ s'fthisact‘ The costs shall be exx Lans. Such Such S grants unit which complies with the term of this frOm Federal governcomplies with the terms elusive ' ’ aid by grants °f those reimbursed or p<— , 1. The State Department of Health ment. �Bv legislation passed iniv^ --------- was made for the^annual oassed in 1965 pprovision payment of two per cent cent of of the the eligible eligible costs. costs, On or about November 1 of each year, application forms and instructions ilication forms and instructions are mailed to prospective applicants. Costs shown on the application must have been paid and the the facilities placed in operation prior to December 31 of the year preceding the one in which the payment is to be made. Applications should be sub­ mitted to the Secretary of Health, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Har­ risburg, Pa. Information concerning the administration of this program may be obtained from Mrs. Leona Mack, Division of Sanitary Engineer­ ing, Pennsylvania Department of Health, P. O. Box 90, Harrisburg, pa By Act of 1947 P. L. 422 the Department of Forests and Waters is authorized to enter into contracts and other agreements with politi­ cal subdivisions including municipal authorities and other agencies for cooperation and assistance in planning, constructing and financing works concerned with stream clearance. The Community Facilities Act passed by the General Assembly and approved by Governor Scranton, January 25, 1966, provides for grants made directly to municipalities and municipal authorities for construction, rehabilitation, alteration, expansion, or improvement of waterand sewage disposal facilities and access roads. The revenue for this program is derived from a tax of two per cent wagered each day at the Meadows and Pocono Downs Race Tracks. The grants are restricted to boroughs and townships having a population of less than 10, 000 per project. Under the terms of the Community Facilities Act a project must not be in conflict with programs of other departments of the Com­ monwealth, must be consistent with an existing development plan for the municipality, cannot be otherwise financed, must either strengthen the income producing capacity of the municipality or improve the health and safety of the community. Finally, it must be necessary to orderly com­ munity development. AN EDUCATION PARK The resources and demands created by consolidation for our school districts permit new approaches to education that otherwise would have been impossible. One example is the plan of the Hazleton Area School District to center its <development around a so-called educational park. Within a site of some 65 ----- j acres, a complex is planned that incl school, a 5---- ' udes an academic high vocational technical high school, creation and ..J parking areasand land leftover an elementary school, re for eventual construction of a sports stadium and w supporting facilities. 1 When completed, the park is expected to serve about three-thousand 1 students. ci«nificant1'^’ the Pr°P°sed Plan is not intended schools in Hazleton, West Hazleton and" p repUce the pre«»thigh dent population makes the proposed addition , /eeland. Projected stw three years, In effect, the Hazleton Districtwill approache* ■ ’ W11J- be able to within sary s to school construction: the campus or edutwo basic test and the neighborhood elementary and community-wise tional park. cat— hool plan. seco:,ndary sc Hazleton's Educational Park Plan has a rockvm^ , realty. Bn. It Isa refresh!^ cone^I^ it becomes a district's education program, and is one that gives otheZ vigor into the the region an example with which to complete. districts m WBRE-TV EDITORIAL reprint THE COUNTY AS A REGIONAL GOVERNMENT The major local government problem of our time is adjusting; our —”r technology, exploding populocal democratic institutions to run-away t ' lations and the expanding expectations of our citizens. are beginning to accommodate to tech­ Our local governments it is beginning to adjust to population increases, nological change and are 1 of our citizens that cause the greatest strain on the rising expectations Our adjustment to this challenge will be rnment in local government institutions, the future role of local gove the decisive factor in determining the United States. coming to power. of Americans is just now They are conA whole new class in their jobs. Americans are y°ung> well educated and secure These new -rs and’ recessions, to controversial ent we can avoid major wars rules of study and aimalysis ■ e m°re prone to apply the i _ issues. /■"mt healthy ,et of They-Our new Americans have a new shears. driv." and highways. ■ They civil responsibility. and beautiful surroundings. They want nd juvenile Our new Americans want civil r g overt .y j mental illness ai ed culture, new Americans want strongly suppor. suppor. programs programs to cur p^mted and believe increas delinquency. nquency. They They are are,university-° -----beauty and education to be prime national goal. love results . —. They could all action. and they Above all, the new Americans are water auind air, local or state, ^nd not institutions. They demand clea of federal, result ci care less whether these come as a lvate action, or all four. �ealization that increasingly problems require solution It is the r Americans to turn to their county or to a multi, that is causing the new solve problems. county arrangement to The rate atwhichthe new Americans are turning toward the county for solution to'regional problems is amazing. Since 1957, for example, thenumberof county employees has increased 350, 000 nationally. This increase in employees exceeds the population of each ofthe three smallest yOM XVJ NO. 4 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA., APRIL 15, 1967 states. In most urban and rural areas, the county offers the single best vehicle for the provision of regional services. Indeed, the county is the regional unit of government, designed to discharge basic governmental functions for the citizens of the entire county, whether they live in the cities, towns and villages or in the rural areas. These functions gen­ erally include county record-keeping, elections, administration of jus­ tice, education, law enforcement, penal administration, public welfare and property assessment and taxation. The county is responding to regional pressures both within the county and outside the county. Within the county, the smaller sub-units are finding that they cannot respond to basic service needs and are in­ creasingly turning to the county to assume functions that were previous­ ly municipal. These include services such as water supply and sewage disposal. From outside the county, the federal government and, to a lesser extent, the states are urging regional response to federal and/or state­ aided activities such as planning and highway transportation. In coping with regional problems in both urban and rural ar eas, county offers five basic advantages: 1. Political accountability, 2. Broad tax base, 3. Economy of scale, 4. Area jurisdiction, 5. Closer ties with the state and federal governments. THOUGHT FOR tODAY The fool wanders, the wise man travels. PUBLICATION This News-letter, published monthly as a c-— iginated in the Institute of Regional Affairs of Wilkes community service, and inquiries may be addressed to Dr. Hugo V. Mailey, College. Notes gional Affairs, Wilkes College, Wilkes-Barre. Pennov Institute of Re­ 1967 SERVICE AWARDS Annual May Dinner the Institute of Regional Every year at the Affairs presents Service Awards to those local officials who have conlong number of years in the service of their tributed untiringly over a The Institute will offer these awards again respective governments. this year in May at the 1Fifteenth Annual Dinner. Included in those eligible for the Awards are school board mem­ bers and secretaries, police, firemen, councilmen, mayors, solicitors, engineers, planning and zoning commissioners and township supervisors. Would you kindly send me the name of the recipient who is deserving of this Award. Kindly remember that these Awards are given as an expres­ sion of appreciation for ability, wide experience, and untiring efforts as an outstanding public servant over many years. WHAT MALAPPORTIONMENT? talked about the over representation for have undertaken to do some empirical So many reformer s have Cities have complained that their problems pigsand cows that social scientists ---------------- attention in the state capitols because of the investigation on the subject. " ru,ralnot andbeen conservative (meaning Republican ) legisl have given proper the University Univei oily of Iowa x the in the March 1967 (Vol. 4, Now come two political scientis s March avrd Brady and Douglas Edmonds--to tell us tn lortionment may not be °- 4) issue of Transaction that legislative re p The reformer1 s case a philosophical arguPanacea for the political problems ofthe ci r reaPportionment is still a good case, 1 1 ent rather than empirical evidence. interesting j up some very 41 app°rtl°ne have turn'ied ared to the we. Thesetwo researchers are comPareQ ^hen the badly apportioned states �states. Their conclusion is that none of the following specific state ex penditures are related to malapportionment: teacher's salaries , capita expenditures for local schools, percent state spending for school per capita expenditures for higher education, amount spent per Pu weekly unemployment compensation benefits, per person expenditure * public welfare, percent state spending for public welfare, per per S S; expertise of limitations, state administrators • constitutional and partv1 T^^^tive rei significant in formulating states policies lphne ar« also s *\°n; group • b 5 c o tea ship’ as The authors do jnot deny that gerrymandering may be afactor; they do suggest that a case for apportionment sh m1 stand on its own without using irrelevant arguments. h°uld expenditures for health, percent state spending for health. Now is there any relation, according to Brady and Edmonds, be­ tween malapportionment and the following socio-economic variables; per capita income in thestate, percent of state population living in cities, percent of population with at lease high school education. One of the myths on malapportionment concerns the treatment that cities get at the hands of rural legislators. It is true that heavily populated counties are getting less than their fair share of state revenue. But the researchers go on to say that this situation is just as common in well apportioned states as in poorly apportioned ones. Brady and Edmonds contend that malapportionment is the most significant way to explain policy outcomes, vis a vis - liberal and con­ servative. They found thattherewas no relationbetween malapportion­ ment and the Kerr-Mills bill, right to work laws, and state income taxes. "The usual complaint of rural republican domination in matapportioned states simply does not hold up. " Pennsylvania's ranking on apportionment and expenditures is ex­ tracted from the complete state by state table in the article and presented below: Apportionment rank, 9; the weekly employment benefits, 21; the annual teachers salaries, 22; per capita expenditures for local schools, 2 , per capita expenditures for higher education, 49; expenditures per pupil, 17; per capita expenditures for public welfare, 26; per capita ex­ penditures for health and hospitals, 32; child welfare visits per 10, 000, ’ per caPita exPenditures for highways, 40; percent revenue from prop­ erty tax, 29; percent revenue from sales tax, 14. tOURTSM/RECREATION--THE Marlowe W. Hartung, Jr. Your over-all theme here at the conference is a "Critical Look The Future. " So if we are honest with ourselves, we ought to be Into And being critical brings me right downtothis subject of studycritical. And I'm going to be talking now strictly about this ing human behavior, relates to Tourism/Recreation, my assigned sub­ human behavior as it ject. ’ 5 an infant. It's our second major Today Tourism/Recreation is Thus, it seems to follow that the beindustry but it's still an infant. T'-_. still struggling to come up with business­ ginners in this business are s ’ es to marketing their tourism/recreation like sophisticated approache own Northeast. Yet this does facilities. This is so, right here in your not need to be so ! You start i a correct marketing fashion, It's easy to be planning in want. the vacationers or tourists you with the people you know are t— One more thing to that proven success formu^-^^.^ to meet keep records, keep comparing, keep eva the tastes and trends. ! recreational market, the developOn the average, all except th dnd On the average, all excep ^-nect in mi- before, t— clients begin with the needs of the p me nt or promotion begins. No other fact,or ( explains state policies than per capita income. It's the contention < of the Iowa political scientists that the states that have money spend it. two l--u Intangible factor s such as the activity of pres sure SECOND MAJOR INDUSTRY Wisconsin, and Colorado ,-nT1 through critical part of your In tourism and recreat, ”’re's where the sted because the area New England, we've seen--an Joyiars being wa; ;ustomers they ^ '-heme can come in--thousands of is aiming • -r at c costly to get em’ Promotion or commercial resort tem, or it's too °r shouldn't go after. They can of the market. °r the offering can't equal the ta �And this brings me right down to your own Northeast area I look at a map of the Northeast, I would trace a border down from -t® New York State line just east of Williamsport as far south as Sunb Then I'd go eastward through Shenandoah and Jim Thorpe to the N^' Jersey State line. 6V/ Here thisofblocked off section Pennsylvania, I find developed butinfull fantastically potent of natural tourist and recreat^ U”' xvi, NO. 5 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA,, MAY 15, 1967 10nal development potential. And then down here in the East, we've got the four county Pocono Mountain Vacation Bureau and some 267 member resort hotels and motels. And here, as has been the case in older resort parts of Colorado and New England, your Pocono resort hotels are shooting at the hardest marketing target to hit and bring down. And it is tough, and getting tougher, to show a buck of profit as a result. Too many of the older resorts continue to think they can get and keep vacationers for a whole week, and keep tham happy with the usual swimming pools, TV, air conditioning in every bedroom, good food, shuffle board, special night time entertainment. They can't do it! Gentlemen, whether we like it or not, we older-timers, we had better learn that to swim above water in this tourism market, we've got to swing. Remarks made at the 1966 Annual Community Growth Conference THOUGHTS FOR TODAY A parent is ates about the youngest. vol. °n Wh°allbls for his oldest child and exagger- Traffic is fso incredibly slow in some congested cities that if you want to hit a pedestrian ---- .1 you have to get out of your car. FIFTEENTH ANNUAL DINNER The Fifteenth Annual Dinner for Award and Certificate winners — i held at the New Dormitory at Wilkes College on Wednesday, will be Mayr 24, 1967, at 6:30 p. m. We expect to make this a gala occasion for local officials and local government employees in Northeastern Penn­ sylvania, particularly in Luzerne County. This Dinner really brings to a climax the year's activities in local government which the Institute of Regional Affairs has conducted. The main speaker of the evening willbe Mr. Fred Miller, Direc­ tor of the Public Service Institute of the Department of Public Instruction. His topic will be "Training of Local Government Personnel . -he have been many changes in the responsibility and role of mumcip^ in our expanding economy. This has been emphasized by t creation of the Department of Community Affairs. If loca o ici to do their jobs, a knowledge of their jobs is important. Every year at the Annual May D1"neT ^^l^and employees Affairs presents Service Awards to those oca vears in the serwhohave contributed untiringly over a long num offer awards vioe of their respective governments. The ns. Thomas; Bear again to the following recipients: Ashley, a Township, Rutter reek School District, Albert Nygren; Bear r H. Dixon; Exeter fott; Dennison Township School District, Board of Super v°'°“8h| Chief Josephs. FaiI”e”hTffalterW. Rickert;®”' School Distric , “r®, John J. Dempsey; Forty Fort Boroug . Township, John Butler and Floyd Turosk.,® PUBLICATION This News-letter, originated in the Institute published monthly as a community service, of Regional Affairs of Wilkes College. Notes and inquiries may be addres .jsed to Dr. Hugo V. Mailey, Institute of Re" gional Affairs, Wilkes College, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. y Ftortowsk>. Stish; Nanticoke, Nanticoke, Frank £»• Stish; Frank Maye Maye ’-*”„ Davenport; Pl?™”'* g"'5'0”’ Mayor Robert A. Loftus; Plymouth,Jeorge We,?,81*. a'‘“, Morgan; West Wyoming Bor g Borough, » ^'Wyoming, Leonard Chesterfield; Whhe Ha Reilly; Wilkes-Barre, Will-'' ”'it'Ha»enSchool District, Mrs.^ ln A. Murray, Agnes Kupstas and C°n Salwosk>; Wil e �Township, Edward Zaledonis; Wright School District, Robert J. Gillma Wright Township, William T. Williams of tfficient terms of their capability to receive, support, and susguevaluate llation of on-lot sewage disposal systems These three be , combined and will constitute the County Plan for Sewtain the inS rrrust oe aspects paciliii®5 ■ age THE NEW NORTHEAST PENNSYLVANIA SEWAGE FACILITIES ACT The General Assembly of Pennsylvania, in 1965, passed Act No 537, the Pennsylvania Sewage Facilities Act, which, was signed into the law by the Governor of the Commonwealth. This Act states that: "Each municipality shall submit to the Department (Pennsylvania Department of Health), an officially adopted plan for sewerage sys­ tems serving areas within its jurisdiction, within such reasonable per­ iod, as the Department may prescribe, and shall from time to time submit revisions of such plan as may be necessary. 11 A new era is in the making for Northeast Pennsylvania--a ninecounty area spreading from the Pocono Mountains through the former anthracite regions to the Susquehanna River. In a period of two decades, the people of this area have demon­ strated an amazing vitality and an ability to rise by their own boot­ straps to produce one of the prime economic comebacks of the century. This citizen effort took many forms. Among the most effective have been the formation of industrial development organizations. These community and inter-community non-profit "corporations" have raised millions of dollars in the last two decades. Shell buildings have been built to allow quick tailoring to meet the individual needs of new indus­ try - large and successful industrial parks have been created - 100 percent financing of new industry has been effected’ -. labor recruited schools and colleges and trained and special courses instituted in area . of some $40 milthat are industry-oriented - and with the assistance .....industrial Develop lion of loans from the Pennsylvania 1--168 industrial project established in 1956, more than 1-1 — proved for the New Northeast Pennsylvania. The Department of Health has prescribed July 1, 1967, as the date when such plans are due, and representatives of the Department have met with the Board of County Commissioners, and the County Planning Commission, to explain the provisions of Act 537, and to sug­ gest how the 74 cities, townships and boroughs in Luzerne Countymay comply with the Act. Among the recommendations of the Department, the most im­ portant one has been that the County Government accept the responsi­ bility for preparing an official plan covering all 74 municipalities in the County. The Department feels that by approaching the problem in a County-wide Basis, sewage systems which ordinarily are not confined wit in municipal limits, can be planned more efficiently and more eco­ nomically. The County Planning Commission has mscussed. discussed uaD recornmendationat several meetings, with representatives of the this Department of Health, and various County officers. rrn The Planning passed a resolution resolution recommending to the Board of Commission has sioners that Act 537 be planned in Luzerne County County Commis—t Act 537 be planned basis, rather an individual individual municipal basis. rather than than on on an r on a County-wide County Commissioners has accepted this recommendation and The Board of ---- *ssioners has accepted this with it. concurs The planning requirements in Act 537 are very specific and clear. The Commission must survey all existing sewerage systems, and evaluate their potential for increasing services. The Cornmission must also determine the areas in the County where growth and develc — opment will be sufficient to support sanitary sewerage systems, within the next 10 years and for support later periods, and in those areas it later rnustprepare - - a apian which will show how the sewage should be collected, be treated, and how to dispose of the effluent. it caI1 where development in the next 10 years willThe not areas be of the C°Udg^’sity to support the installation of sanitary systems, must W-her® Significantly, unemployment W ^^importance, thepeople from 16% in the 1950's to 5% today. are increasingly looking to the future r see that what is good ion any the whole Northeast. Disappearing competition which once characterize , regional viewpoint, Northeast 15 g°° . ^ch of the effort­ racka, otare Carbon, New Northeast are w ua ne and The counties comprising e , Susquehann • avenUes wanna, Luzerne, Monroe, plke’_ ?together by ge°Sr econOmic Wyoming. These counties are linked ^terns of s°ci^^/economic ., i I °f transportation and long-establis e behavior-- links further cemented y lrnProvement. aadnewpotentia s dominant' a once economic base mining was new In the region where anthracite d t0 establish a succ essful struggle has been wage' �founded on diver sineu -- -------new jobs have thereby been createdJ and the historic downward trend recently been halted and reversed of population and employment has i as current efforts quicken the pace of More jobs will be in the making over $12and million for development at, ,d gional framework in - But k But, what will during thenational next decade.? Wluch tOthis this initiative^ aigiIlg a—;ive shall be be tbe r6g I suggestedbefore, the the influence ofdth be in a As positive dir ection during coming ec\TT eC°no^ should vieW let us turnback about three years to the oricri iate this of the Northeastern "boot-straps" operation Vo^ T° apPrec feces' industrial development. PP&L MTS-MANA GEMENT One of the more illuminating and urgent parts of the report sub­ mitted by the Economic Development Council of Northeastern Pennsyl­ vania to the bi-county Board of Managers of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Airport concerns the lack of adequate financial management. The Council reports that it is "virtually impossible to determine the financial status of the Airport” because no cost accounting system is used. As a result, the annual statement given the Board reflects only income and outgo. There is no division between capital and operating expenses and returns. There is no provision for depreciation and re­ placement of investments. There is no accounting for such things as employee benefits, the cost of County administration, and the cost of pensions for employees. The County Commissioners merely get the size of the deficit to be paid by their two counties. It not only appears to be a poor way of running an airport, but one that also can defeat its growth. 'The Council suggests the airport may never become self-sustaining onl the basis of capital investments. But it says there is every reason to expect the airport to meet its operat­ ing costs. What these are, and how it can be done, cannot be determined until the airport has a business-like administration. The mis-manage­ ment and chaos that exists at theairport now is a result of its politically- • mana®ement- An authority could eliminate the politics and usmess-like administration the airport so desperately needs. Reprint WBRE-TV EDITORIAL WHAT'S AHEAD FOR THE NEXT TEN YEARS Richard Epps Already the Northeastern anthracite region has become renowned as an area of cooperative worker s; as a population who appreciates a good J° - The effect of plant and equipment finance, and well planned industrial Par E on desirability for the choosing industrialist is well appreciated m this corner of Pennsylvania. The unmatched local achievement of 'boot-straps ” operation local initiative had begun to come into its 0WnToth in ne eYe lta it appeared PPe*redthat that boards to come to Pennsylvania. In large nart the*C°Uraging corporate sion. However, a few national trends had begun wh ^ a tfUe imP«sto come to east. The most obvious of these is that the econ Chfavoredthe NorthHowever, a Businessmen everywhere were beginning to n°my had become * bull, The promise formo growth and stability1GW tbe future as full of would bring .................. ssmensustained and --the new economies had arrived which for grow continuous growth. In accord with this view , the bullish economy started into a capital >uld bring s — and an expanding population, This was not a boom of the fifties with extravagant investment boom. ' f, but rather a gradual enlargement of plant and equipadditions to capacity This new capital investment provided more than an ment facilities.increase T1 capacity and productivity, it allowed a shifting opportunity to .reductive increase facilities. Thus, the capital expansion that has of location meant of pj that the pool of industries that may be brought into the begun has , or anywhere else, has increased. Northeast, During this business ^^^"^^ThVcoterminous8 tendency of • productionhas meant that /^thout previously large levels . - . boom in all the middle sized metropolitan area ^om the current benefit from of industrialization have been able to ene “ examp. ie of the growth I greater proportion than in other perio . All of the parts that are So, anyplace is a good am speaking of is the television set pr °irted. ’--o This e" industry. assembled into the set canbe easily tra ^P^ 1 "footloos ■ironment, .• the better envi.. location. In the geographers' gib> t respect a to look for where workers a labor freedom of migration allows the plant ;ted and sized area where where transportation is not so conges absent. liddle old city are good job. Thus, the plant goes to the m. Thus, of the large to Scranton. Poolabounds, but where the distractio than usual, RCA, goes been larger than usual, That is, he goes to Nanticoke, or, .rations ’ ‘" liddle sizedarea *°t only has the crop of migrating corp development of the d the mi a boom to c~ but also they have tended more towar has been So far, then, the bullish economy ■■ -ontinue Northeast. ors wiUc0’ ofrece:.nt years w ;al investshed capita, the appears that these national trends -o pul , motives f°r capi^ent Corning decade. The forces which have >ula,ff of the taf inves'!ntly shouldcontinue. A quickchecko. (1) an e ^oent in the coming decade include. industry has been final goods pro uc these corporations to seek dl®perS® �tion with rising incomes that means increased demands for th ■ S?ods and services; (2) rising labor cost which puts the pressure on the industrial, ist to automate; (3) a continuing investment in research <and develop, ment which brings changes in manufacturing processes and1 invention Of entirely new lines of products. Of these selectedindustries, four are final products industries. Of these transport, electrical machinery, and rubber are largely foot­ loose-able to easily enter the Northeastern Pennsylvania Region. Thus, while we cannot be as certain of the continuing favorability of the com­ position of growth, prospects suggest that economic blessing will con­ tinue to be on some of the industries which search for the better environ­ ment. you. 6 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA XVI, NO. JUNE 15, 1%7 !967 LEGISLATION OF INTEREST TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT We may witness a faster pace of "taste obsolescence" in the <’ future. Towns built on a single industry, taste or a handful of industries, or a handful of will be im­ may find themselves with tenuous futures. Thus, diversity Thus, portant. As developers choose industries for the diversity Northeast,will be r' ” be .an eye to the possibility of large future taste swings would appropriate. In terms of jobs, the service industry has been the fastest growing sector of the economy in recent years. Also, the crystal ball men suggest that it will be .e the major point in the future. Thus, if it is not possible to keep up in the services sector it may well be impossible to keep up with national er mployment growth rates, for these jobs represent some fifteen percent of all 11 —11 workers. made at the Conference Act 1 amends Section 811 of the Borough Code, relative to election of Borough councilmen, to correct a typographical error in the year of election of councilmen who are to take office in January 1970, by changing the reference to the year " 1967" to "1969". Act 4 amends the Municipal Borrowing Law, to increase from 10% to 15% of the assessed valuation, the municipal borrowing limit for funded debt; to increase the aggregate non-electoral bonded debt from 2% to 5% of the assessed valuation; and to delete the $25,000 maximum temporary borrowing over a five-year period with bonds that had been applicable to boroughs and townships of less than 2,500 population. Aet5 amends Section 1704 of the First Class Township Code;.o increase township non-electrical indebtedness ro sessed valuation. thoughts for today The real test of a good joke i«s Tr. member it. 1S how many minutes COLLEGE AND COMMUNITY you can re- Not enough r looki ng for is at thePeople realize that th. " end of their own wr's^lp“S hand they alwaysa„ was established by When the Institute of Municipal 6°^ some of the resources of Wilkes College in 1951 > its purpose Institute directed these rethe College to serve the community. sources to the needs of local governme PUBLICATION This News-letter, published monthly originated in the Institute ofPublished Regional monthly ‘" andinquiries maybe addressed to Dr. regional Affair - as a community service, gional Affairs, Wilkes College, Wilkes- rs of Wilkes College. Notes Hugo V. . . Mailey, Institute of Re­ Barre, Pennsylvania. '_7 24, 1967 trated on hiay H» well it met its P«P°=« V’ of Municipal the Institute of Regional Affairs (s nner, marking ■ • 7 the end of the ac°Lernment) heldits 15th AnT?7AsZdents who reC^ e’c0U rSes •ved Certificates o Jdernic year. There were 467 s ourses. T sSme> covered Attamment for completion of training defeiise, as „.unt, police This "gradas radiology, criminal la«.JY,,g a„d department procedures, pnr �e°V"n”e“ Pers°Pnel class brings lb. to take Institute training Cours Starting with a "shoestring" in 1951 and weaving it into the tlb of better local government in Luzerne County, the Institute of Re Affairs has implanted the thought that "tomorrow IS created from the « Xday", and 15 years of "todays" are paying off for the citUeM communities whose government personnel have attended the institute. These government-employees attend the courses ’voluntarily, On their own time, and without compensation either for effort ’ Or accom~ plishment. Their reward is the same as that of the Institute .°f Regions Affairs, the satisfaction of doing a job better. The Institute will continue to use the resources of the College beyond the normal student body to serve the whole Northeaste rn Pennsylvania. reprint--WBRE EDITORIAL RECREATIONAL LAKE A large recreational lake for Luzerne County may become a reality within the nextyear accordingtoa grant received by the County yesterday from the Department of Housing and Urban Development. I transporta.ti°n study is broken down into four phases: Phase I phases; The of data; Phase II--analysis of datainto and four the projections made ,cotf-ecti0ri0phase HI--testing and evaluation of alternate routes, and .from; Phase and process evaluaf'^erefrorrr> „nTlf^III--testing Tnlins planning nlannine = IV—the continuing °f phaS® phase II ofof the analysis and fproX^? 0 ;Velo Pment anstudy, immediate action ’ iS direc*ed toward .fficient, accident prone sections of the existing an early date- In­ the de' being studied and analyzed to determine appronX Street ei suit in immediate improvement. The fore tate actl°ns which will are begins with 1990 land use and economic activitvVt8 °f the studY re the Luzerne and Lackawanna County Planning ComiX68 Prepared bY wnisafi^^^ Under the terms of the agreement, the highways department as­ sumes 85 per cent of the cost of the study while the counties of Luzerne and Lackawanna provide the remaining 15 per cent. No financial assis­ tance is required of either Scranton or Wilkes-Barre. SURVIVAL PLAN The grant amounts to $101, 666 which includes $4, 146 for relocation assistance under the open space program. According to A. DeWitt Smith, Chairman of Luzerne County Rec­ reation and Parks Commission, the grant will assist in the purchase of 940 acres known as Andy Pond Park site i ' in Dorrance and Rice Township in the vicinity of Blytheburn. The regional the 350, 000 residents of Luzerne —1 park, which would service County contains a 34-acre lake fed by Little Wapwallopen Creek. AREA TRANSIT STUDY eral funds fo^hithw^1211^7 Act °£ 1962 stated thatafter July 1965 fed°f more than 50,000 COI^struction could not be approved for urban areas upon continuing’comnPr°Gh'1 at-°n Unless the Projects involved were based operatively by the states; transPOrtati°n planning carried out cowas the basis for the La clra °cad communities. This requirement really Voorhees. wanna-Luzerne Transportation Study by Alan and The rPurpose of the study ec°nomical -1 transportati on is to develop plans for a safe, efficient’ k";i system for the study area. In March, the Luzerne Count, Boardot agreed to a complete survey of cl’rren’'dW^r^d to a program to insure in every municipality of the County, a that these facilities will be adequate throug £020. Y The study is required of every Facilities Act monwealth, effective July 1st, under term . | requirement of many of 1965. Water facilities studies are an a • and Urban Developprojects in which the Federal Departmen ° andcity inthe Coun y mentis involved. Even if every township, estimated cost wou could complete such studies, separate y, the whole job c°u about $300,000 Under the County1 s pr°P ’Q, oOo. TheCouny done for all communities for a costX 0°00 ^ith the balance expe;cted - to ernment's cost would be less than $14, c°me from state and federal funds. iunicipallty rethat every cooperate, But to achieve this savings theurunicip^ the aumeets its requirement, ibis nec eSoluti°nS S1 ntshave beennoailed A first step will be the „aoc^’ Many coin’ ‘h°rity todothejob. Copies o^'f^ry S°ve'“ti®„s. to every planning commission thege res Unities have not, as yet, return �J survival in Luzerne County depends on how Well Our growth and - provide adequate water supplies andadequate means for col. we plan to pruviuo n----nd disposing of our wastes. The jobat hand is to get these reslecting and olutions into the County Commissioners. UPWARD BOUND The Office of Economic Opportunity has approved a grant of $65,539 for a Upward Bound Program for 50 high school students in Luzerne County. This project will be administered by the Institute of Regional Affairs, a multi-purpose College organization which views regional prob­ lems as belonging to no one single academic discipline, but rather as contemporary phenomena spilling into many disciplines. The purpose of the project is to motivate able children who, be­ cause of lack of motivation, do not feel the need of higher education. The program will concentrate mainly on the basic skills of read­ ing, compositionand mathematics. In addition to the academic program, activities are planned in accordance with the cultural, recreational and educational opportunities available in the area. Upward Bound studentswill live in campus dormitories for first­ hand observation of college life. Costs of room, board and tuition will be provided under the project, and a small sum of spending money will be allotted participants on a weekly basis. VOL- xvi. NO. 7 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA. , JULY 15 1967 seventh annual community growth conference Now is the time to make plans to attend the Seventh Annual CommuGROWTH CONFERENCE on September 27, 1967. nity In an attempt to come to grips with the more pressing problems of our area, the planning committee for the conference will follow last year s format. The theme for this year's Conference will again con­ cern Northeastern Pennsylvania. Now is the time to make plans to exchange ideas with nationally known authorities who will participate in the Conference. Plan to join your own local public spirited leaders in deciding whether Northeastern Pennsylvania should be a "planned or unplanned" region. A follow-up plan will be instituted during the coming academic year, under which participants will periodically be invited back to the campus for educational programs. TRAINING OFFICERS has increased to such .onate out the administraan extent that it has been necessary . courses, Three training offifive work load of supervising the training co of Regional Affairs for inicers have been designated by the Ins i for Civil Defense, firemen, tiating and supervising the training c as er vise all of the Civil Defense and policemen. Ferd C. Endres wil s P > the training officer for all of training, Leonard Chesterfield will act a ervise the training classes for the fire classes, and Walter Wint will s P Police. The Institute's offering of short THOUGHTS FOR TODAY Sin. is what other people shouldn't do. The timid make excuses, while the courageous make progress. publication This News-letter, published monthly originated in the Institute of Regional Affairs and inquiries may be addressed to Dr. Hugo V.as a community service, gional Affairs, Wilkes College, Wilkes-Barre,of Wilkes College. Notes . Mailey, Institute of Re, Pennsylvania. FEDERAL MINIMUMJWA^ law -• Standards Act exr , of schools, hospitals, Recent amendments to the Federal.Fair ild include state and municipal teMing coverage to non-professional employee atld public transportation employees woul- of Labor prevails. 6rnPloyees if the position of the Departnieu •J �Two states, Maryland and Texas, have sent formal restrain^ orders to all State Attorney Generals mviting t em to join in an actiOn to prevent enforcement of this provision. The Maryland version wOuid include municipalities, the Texas one does not. To date, 23 states have joined the action. As of late spring, Pennsylvania had not participated in the action. The minimum wage amendment requires that these employees be paid a minimum of $1 per hour beginning February 1, 1967 with incre­ ments of 15£ per hour on February 1 of each year until the general mini­ mum wage of $1.60 per hour is reached in 1971. The Labor Department's position is that these state and local government employees are engaged in jobs which affect interstate com­ merce and therefore are subject to federal regulation. The States' posi­ tion is that under our federal system the Federal Government has no constitutional power to interfere with these state and municipal activities or to require them to appropriate money for such purposes. Also, if the Department of Labor's position prevails it would undoubtedly be ex­ tended to include all state and local positions which are comparable to positions in private industry. In additionto the minimum wage provisions, the Fair Labor Stan­ dards Act requires that employees be paid time-and-a-half for overtimeover 44 hours beginning February 1, 1967, over 42hours beginning February 1, 1968, and over 40 hours beginning February 1, 1969. a—2 a siignificant factor in accidents, but driving out of pattern (slower• or faster) is a factor. (3) State, to the l(3) --error causes 80-90% of all car accidents are " simplisthat driver ibstantial. " (4) Causes of accidents as reported by police riients La National unsu1 Safety <Council are meaningless. (5) Evidence does not tic an: or drugs contribute to accidents -- but it does and the that tranquilizers that drug addicts ]have lower accident rates on the road than nonshow show addicts"MARKET POTENTIAL AND ECONOMIC SHADOW" ---------- pr. Michael Ray, University of Chicago ains istraffic ,no This study introduces and develops a new concept, "economic " andstudy combines it with the market-potential concept to produce S ’ nal industrial-location model, which is tested for a case area. Market potential, which is an aggregate measure of accessibility from a given point to the market, is most applicable in explaining locations of locally owned and single-plant establishments. Hence, the "economic shadow" concept was devised to measure the attraction exercised by a region on foreign-owned branch plants. > out that the most important element of "econo13 what he calls sectoral affinity, because manufacturers The author points the parent mic shadow"stablish is ------ subsidiaries in the sector lying between generally es_______ market center of the region. company and the primary worthwhile addition to the literature on This is certainly a very If the law applies to state and local governments, then state and oca collective bargaining activity may come under NLRB jurisdiction, f i re<Iulre revision of present procedures for dealing collecpreslu b empl°yees- R Probably would produce greatly increased narticnit, 1^ Ju 80vernmentaI employees to have similar provisions, particularly the overtime provisions, applied to them. ernments from^thi^3 beenintroduced in Congress to exempt state govLuzerne Countv 2overPrOV1l1On.’ If K such SUCb legislation leSisla/fcion is not passed, are dards ? Can smlll PrO^Sd°nS for these new wa§e stan' walS? ?an sma11 municipalities under 5, 000 population afford the new wage scales? plant location theory. authority bonds eases in There are presently some eases rates are lower than comparable Gen accordingto Moody's Investors Service ls gradually diminishing even on bon s **'"’^“,'.2 Bo„d ,„ter ■st rates ^he difference1111 ^aVe an "A- ra 1958. 3. 830% 3i267% 20th Year Yield TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS 1965 3.351% 3.156% ■^Mjlwyer's index Arthur D. Little, Inc., study of traffic accidents for thiof Cambridge, Mass. , did a nine-month Some of the findings are: — .e American Manufacturers Association. (1) Police crackdowns and National Safety Council campaigns against drunken --- *1 and speeding drivers are ineffective- . 084% . 674% had time to Authority Bon< Prove The time has now come, since now enjoy the their soundness, that they �General Obligato Bonds do. At one time, certain trusts were develo that specifiedNat only General Obligation Bonds qualified as trust invealj meats Now those restriction, have been removed m recently dev«lop trust, and General Obligation Bonds and Authority Bonds are accepts IIl 1 I! ' with the same confidence. COUNCIL MANAGER Eight cities have recently been added to the Council-Manage iager Directory bringing to 2, 160 the total number of Council-Manager commu­ nities in the United States and Canada. During the past 20 y -------, the years, Council-Manager Plan has shown a net increase of about 71 cities ----- -s and towns per year. Council-Manager Places 1947 1957 1967 729 1,446 2, 160 At the end of 1966, al ’’ of 110 Council-Manager cities had total no managers. This is only 5% of total —7 -- the --------manager cities. Forty of the 110 vacant positions were in towns of less than 5,,000 population. The Councils in many of these places, because they ■'------- smaller ” ' „._y are not paying enough salary, are are having 1---- 1'"’ a difficult time getting qualified men. In 1966, in cities with a p \ ’ population between 50, 000 and 100, 000 the mean average salary was $18, 950, ranging from alow of $7,525 to $30, 264. thoughts for today As the Chi:neseproverb says: burn his britch. es behind him. Man who keep pipe in back pocket A husband who g' gives his wife his month will never have troubl salary check the first of every ---- le -- unless she finds month. out he's paid twice a PUBLICATION This News-letter, published monthly originated in the Institute of Regional Affairs as a community service, and inquiries may be addressed to Dr. of Wilkes College. Notes gional Affairs, Wilkes College, Wilkes Hugo V. Mailey, Institute of Re;-Barre, Pennsylvania. VON vyl, ko. 8 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA., cfventh nity AUGUST 15, 1967 ANNUAL COMMUNITY GROWTH CONFERENCE Now is the time to make plans to attend the Seventh Annual CommuGROWTH CONFERENCE on September 27, 1967. In an attempt to come to grips with the more pressing problems of our area, the planning committee for the conference will follow last year's format. The theme for this year's Conference will again con­ cern Northeastern Pennsylvania. Now is the time to make plans to exchange ideas with nationally known authorities who will participate. in the Conference.. Plan IW to join in deciding whether Northeastern your own local public spirited leaders Pennsylvania should be a "planned or unplanned" region. 1967 LEGISLATION OF INTEREST TO local^oveRISnB^ • + Class Township Code, Act 18, amending Section 611 for delegates toatten increases the per diem allowance ro ownShip officers- conventions of county associations o ^..mship Code, x601 of the Second Cla^ of township Act 19, amending Section 601 o c^ty association days of Provides for semi-annual convention supervisors, auditors and taxcolle ompensation of miie traveled tendance from 1 to 2; increases the c0^aseS the rate per ^tending from $10 to $20 per day; an 1 from 8£ to 10£. Township c°Je’ zvnd ClasS T° tcrWnshrp 702 of the Seco general en Act 25, amending Section 7 otection ^prtv withm ;t ionfrom g ener ' ^uthorizes the payment of costs o eSSlrients . on property fUnd. -is or in certain cases from as antlndred and eighty feet of any Hre y �Act 38, amending Section 1709 of the First Class Township Code, increases the maximum annual tax levy from 1 to 2 mills that thle town. ship may levy for fire fighting purposes. 1967 ALL-AMERICA CITIES AWARDS COMPETITION In today's rapidly evolving society, neglected problems can be­ come crises almost overnight. In these days, no citizen can afford to be apathetic--no city can afford to stand still. To encourage "citizen action, " the National Municipal League and Look Magazine co- sponsor the annual All-America Cities Awards that give national recognition to the initiative, the teamwork and the volunteer effort involved when citizens set out to improve their communities. You are invited to enter as a contestant if you believe your city qualifies under the following rules: (1) A city must show major civic achievements of benefit to the community as a whole. (2) It must give evidencethat these achievements resulted from"citizen action"--that is, the initiative and effort of a substantial number of citizens acting to im­ prove their community. (3) The actionshould be recent. Programs may have beenbegun inprevious years , but should at least be approaching cul­ mination this year. (4) Any size community may enter. Population and resources are taken fully into account in judging. (5) A city need not be a model community to win. Successful action, not perfection, is the cri­ terion. However, a city may be disqualified because of existing critical problems, unless progress is being made toward their solution. (6) To qualify for consideration, a city must be formally entered as a contesnt y one of its citizens, citizen groups or public officials. Achievements must be of major scope relative to the city's size and resources, n and must be of basic significance to the communityWithin this framed ~./ork, all areas of action" are acceptable. Have you improved in an tanding way your city's government, municipal services, housing, tionalfacilitieT’13^6 relatlons’ ec°nomy, and educational and recreasuccessful action in TnTmb^of m^ fUH’SCale accomplishment, or show those suggested above major areas not necessarily confined to mittee, are invited t’ W jCh are chosen by an impartial screening cornernment to addrec spokesmen to the National Conference on Goveducation busing/a twe^ve distinguished leader s in government, is Dr. George H. CiViC affairs- The foreman of the jury Opinion and Chair™* UPf’ lrector of the American Institute of public 0 he Council of the National Municipal League. choices and verification of evidence foil th held in ^vvauKee, Milwaukee, Wis Wis . s* hearings ,ntestants must use the official ’ °V* 12‘15- iference tms this year will be pre-,limi»ary , coni ■fhe d to the National Municipal r o Gntry fornL filled r . ■ AH co: fee. For entry form, write to-^t °Ct°ber 2n^ T1 oturne1 and rd rica Cities Program, Carl H Pf E 10nal Municipal T Street, imer Elding, 47^ entry New York, N. Y. 10021 is no o All-Ame CENSUS BUREAU The Statistics United States BureauAr ofethe Census has re] ofFederal for Local a s,,^ which updXs the coverage of the Directory of Federal Statistics for Metronolit/T issued in 1962 by the Advisory Comr^T^^^^ The Directoryis a comprehensive reference guide to federal sorelating to geographic and political areas below cial and economic data the state level. The subject matter is arranged under twenty-two major headings including such diverse topics as business and commerce, governments, population, and climate. Copies may be purchased from the United States Government Printing Office, Washington, D. C. 20402 — for one dollar per copy. TRANSPOBTATm^H°SS®’ m act, chapter 31, which The 1967 Indiana Legislature has3 pa®S®ach county in whlCh ^on ,ach county creates a mass transportation Authori a municipal corp _ class city is situated. Bach Each author^^-;„ket authority budget, 0.^4., With the - i —y ------- . an power to levy taxes, adopt an^ contracts. sue or be sued, acquire property, ’ 311 . „ construction, __ for the Planninagr'ies, control of An Authority will be responsible — ..uuiurny willthoroughfare oe y-foin its boun sy s> and re and maintenance of all spO rtation Maintenance of all thoroughfares v. Parking, designation of routes for mass view °f present bus and truck routes. iVERNMENT^ ^£gjQNAL COUNCILS OF GO presidentJohns°^ -----c our country byylast 4.1 year, in a message to the Congress Med (that .,'Earl than 35 years, ou e end of this century, in less t— �A li­ ­ WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA. SEPTEMBER 15, 1967 This prospect is enough to stagger the imagination of even the most ambitious municipal official. The problems of meeting the physical, the social and the economic demands generatedby this growth in themselves are almost beyond conception. But for those of us in local government, the problem has still an added dimension: We must create, literally out of thin air, a political framework within which this urban growth can take place in a sound and constructive fashion. yOL I Don't forget to attend the Seventh Annual Community GROWTH CONFERENCE on September 27, 1967. Now is the time to make plans to exchange ideas with nationally known authorities who will participate in the Conference. 's Conference is--"How Can Welmprove The theme for this year1 the Image of Northeastern 1Pennsylvania?" What is our image? How do outsiders view us? Is our image good or bad? Would the use of Northeastern Pennsylvania strip mine pits as sanitary landfills for Philadelphia give Northeastern Pennsylvania abadimage? Was the lowered credit rating for Wilkes-Barre by Moo y s I caused by a bad image? I by Walter A. Scheiber, Executive Director Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments lonal Capital Region Transportation Planning Board thoughts Quiet friendliness FOR TODAY often wins where loud logic has failed. The hard thin, ‘g to give away is kindness. to the giver. It keeps coming back publication This News-letter, published monthly as a <----originated in th. community service, -ie Institute of Regional Affairs of Wilkes and inquirie s may be addressed to Dr. Hugo V. —-J College. Notes gional Affairs, Wilkes College, Wilkes-Barre, Mailey, Institute of Re­ Pennsylvania. NO. 9 SEVENTH ANNUAL COMMUNITY GROWTH CONFERENCE Fifty years ago, in the early years of the twentieth century, most of our urban areas were precisely defined. Their activities were encom­ passed, by and large, within the bounds established by traditional city, village or borough lines. There were few demands upon individual muni­ cipal governments which they could not meet within the context of the powers granted them by their respective state constitutions. Today, a short half century later, we live in a far different en­ vironment. The population explosion, the easy mobility created by the automobile, and the increasing complexity of urban life brought about y t e technological revolution of the past few years, have caused both population and our problems to spill over our traditional boundary left 10Cal g°vernment officials bewildered and at a loss to cope with them. xvl. I i I i the Wyoming Valley San­ A sense of that "Image" aevelop^”^ ai’of the largest bond buyers itary Authority floated its bond issue. pric .■because, it was said, e. Pressed for specif in the nation refused to buy the bon s Image".as our "pocket of povNortheastern Pennsylvania has such a things small communities, *cs, customer representatives cite sU , too many, some have impr oved erty” label, inequities in assessments^ Some of these are unjust, nd there is are true and and corrupt government. L----• apply, but some < in recent years, some no longer lulation is damning. c„~"nl'nr just enough truth that the accumi changed. It is imconeasily (1) improving Jthe -’'»<'onP°rta«A■'■rna§e is a state of mind, and thereby ca n become ;tandpoints: so that they iLantto approach image from two s cept here ' ‘ I a public relati°nS e^issar^is area By the people who live undertaking Lble con.mbat unfavorai Progra les *n selling the area; and (2) to conn°ta-tiOris a^rne<i at those outside the area s °f Northeastern Pennsylvania. �CLEAN SUSQUEHANNA Reuben H. Levy, Chairman How can Northeastern Pennsylvania strengthen itself i those areas that have weaknesses? How can Northeaster^61-1141^ in word externally about its assets? ^enn.. spread the -Wyoming valley sanitary authority GROUND BREAKING LUNCHEON Plan now to join local public spirited leaders in appraisin image of Northeastern Pennsylvania on September 27, 1967. 8 the SHORT COURSES The Institute of Regional Affairs will inaugurate the most diver­ sified and comprehensive in-service training program in its 16 year his­ tory. The 29 courses are designed to make available to elected and ap­ pointed officials the means of improving the performance of their duties. There will be 17 course offerings beginning in August and September and another ---—n12 courses which will be initiated in January 1967.. Short courses are available to police, firemen, civil defense workers, assessors, justices of the peace and aidermen, and street workers. The Institute of Regional Affairs is most fortunate to have the co­ operation of Mr. FredMiller, Director of the Public Service Institute, in making these courses possible to local government officials. Mr. Miller and his staff have assisted in planning the in-service training program for the sixteenth consecutive year. pollution of the in ears, Pe„„sylva „iathis b" ” “npoverish an old st I'- F down, Northeastern much of itenvironment resulting froTY1 • h 810 d an fjertheasternPennsylvania is no/™™ “X"?! manyy is to realize the 25% gain over the next decade’ ' the »h°le reX to Hve Planning Board, improvements such as th a anticipated by the i — plant are a matter of «• The plans of the Wyoming Valley Sanitary Authority are directed toward meeting the long-range needs of one of the most important sections ofthe United States. Wyoming Valley is not only part of the Susquehanna River Basin, but is right in the center of it. Wyoming Valley is deter­ mined to live up to its new role--the crossroads of the east. The Wyoming Valley Sanitary Authority was created on December 12, 1962. When it was organized, its legion of critics staunchly main­ tained that it would never function efficiently. They said there were too many communities involved, and consequently the board would bog down in a quagmire of factionalism and rivalries. GOVERNMENT and the family eral health programs today> The papers--on mental health, genof existing Programs’aMamlv^^Tu011’ housing--offer a resume naiysis of their impact on the family. Ma.UriC :eF. Connery of the School of Social aid Programs have a biasVv6™16™’ point out that almost all government m®nt of the familv a °Ward the individual--sometimes to the detri highway construction or^x G°Veri1 'ernmental policies in other areas, like to ‘heir impact on the struL” reneWa1’ , are often mac}e without regard structure of familie s that get in their way. Welfare^ UCLA, Clark E.• Vine entofthe f ' J-s Particularly c School of Medicine of Wake Forest College vwith the p„etaymconcerned , current trend of government menta and their* impact eloprnent in on the family. He warns the latest ,dd'^t's attempt to provide for the mentally ill> already hard pressed American family. Whatever success the Wyoming Valley Sanitary Authority has at­ tained, it is to the everlasting credit of the councils of the communities which formed the organization. Every townappointed civic-minded rep­ resentatives to the Authority. There has been no factionalism or rival­ ries. R is truly the spirit of voluntary intergovernmental co opera 4J work. I want to pay tribute to all of them for their energetic, capaof this venture. e> and conscientious contributions to the progress communities together. It was not easy for Dr. Mailey J^whlt was ‘ then thought almost It took more than a fortnight toaccom would bring about a wastePittston to Nanticok an impossibility--to form an Anthon ¥ Valiey from ir°m V'm'unicipa 1 bodie . . •ley —i hndies water treatment plant serving Wyom g that the °n both sides of the Susquehanna Rive confidence in Lies o*’ - ~r so that showed their wisdom and foresight a fiting the pe P of our valleySUchaproject could become a reaW rleywhopr°v: —rided nd who WithItl^°uld like to thank Wilkes Collegeand Dr. Us ,nfident s dire e who possesses tremendous orga. hai lie wi]i the first phase of this project so ca' show ^at°nh,the is Ci‘^hole Contlri”° in the same capacity continue to serve in the same road, so to speak. �Wathan Glazer of the University of California at RP v , la“d Sling « rig“S WayS neC £°r th‘S Both Warren Phelan and Jerome Parker of the Department Urban Development were most co-operative in lending this Auth. of ■°rity $563,514 for engineering plans. Mr. Robert Cox of the Regional Office of the Economic Devel ment Administration has devoted a great deal of time and study to this project. His assistance was invaluable in getting us over $4 900 000 The State Health Department through Ralph Heister and Russell Kluck have been of tremendous assistance. Last but not least, the maestro himself, who has been a tower of strength in every worthwhile endeavor for our community--our Representative in the United States Congress, our very good friend Dan, who has nursed this project from the beginning. The loyalty and sincerity of all the professional talent associated with this project--Alfred Estrada, Joseph Flanagan, John Dempsey, and George Spohrer--have produced the substantial gains and the continuing progress which places the Authority almost two years ahead of schedule. Many hours of planning have gone into implementing this regional system of stream pollution abatement. ily llfe a requireS 3 in we., for "decent living, " Glazer points out, is peculA? * Umily id housing. The U. S. census calls housing with two persons n” °Wn for "dec_2c The T wdU. .ng) S... whereas new government houPs.ng - P« mom ”ex. cesS1V crowding is built , for five adults per room. Also, we do noA 8’ " eXaA-ole, Ptterishousing built forwill improve the quality of family life. InfteTrst better housing v that ^ost of the research on the ill-effects of bad housing has been place, most ,.desperately inadequate housing," which means housing with running water, electricity, and so on. In fact, desperately done on out toilets H„_te housing is quite rare in this country. There is no established Nation between housing inadequai housing conditionsand social unrest, either; housing better and more spacious than in Harlem, but Correll' is considerably ide r ably Uviolence has been more explosive in Watts. in cial Watts rac_ Glazer's second major point is that the notion of what constitutes good housing depends on how it compares on the scale of all available housing. In this country, he reminds us that the standard of desirable housing--however inefficient the idea may seem to urban planners--is the detached single family home owned by its occupants. The major thrust of government policy has been encouraging the building of such homes; while the entire public housing program has built 600,000 housing units, the FHA home mortgage program has supported the building of 5, 000, 000 individuals units. Housing policy reaches out to people in modest income brackets--it does not bring the private house within means ofreallypoor people. Glazer believes that housing programs should make the small family house available for poor people also--through family allowances community, their er members of this community and outside of this ers andmg and cooperation is equally appreciated. °r rent subsidies. Pennsylvania’s fut^^A^AT 1S the keY to central and Northeastern hanna. What is done'in i 1SfutUre dePends on a pollution-free Susquedevelopment and use of w^™^8 and exPanding opportunities for the entirely on public under standi" N°rtheast Pennsylvania depends almost eduJV1161618 grass-rootsundg' .Slgnificantprogress can be made only education and by example. standing that is best developed through return from. SUBURBIA firm-nnai-Mn real estate a Manhattan ,the nt of the According to a survey taken by a^irnately twenty ,roximat. returned City Carles H. Greenthal and Company- 'Xk have Persons leasing apartments in New after sampling suburban life. eral, hves fO: shed. expenditure of $27, 000, 000 of fed' who wi^X^1^2 this T.is system will result inbrighter d play in the Susquehanna River water-" For r- ociation with thisit has been a g group Of dedi<great experienc e and an enjoyable assseated men. and improve' the personal objections ssary to Property taxes, time spent in a seCoi entertai , in com: weekend ^tionships in the suburbs,” cost cost of a __ "expense of ,.nd the co»> 8ive the 1 busband and wife mobility > room. for the the r«t»« 8Uests who <’ of a spare give: in to take advantage ^Mntainingdrop status among the reasons symbols are to ^ City life. tOt Ri.tag costs of �town insurance andinsura greater resulted Lower premium costs c ncecoverage programhave which place in. Wethersfield, ConneC,'C. surance commissions limited to a fixed frotn ance ona bid basis wi The neW program was devel sUr, gotog to .he aihoUtlt oped by a special fiveman council xty N0VOL 10 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE CITY PREPARES GOVERNMENT TEXT Saginaw, Michigan (population 99, 000), rcc recently distributed 900 copies of a booklet YOUR LOCAL GOVERNMENT MT IN SAGINAW to the city's public and parochial high schools. The 32-page booklet, prepared by the city manager's office and public and parochial school administrators and teachers, describes the operation and organization of the city's government. It also cover s coun­ ty, township, and public school governments in the Saginaw area, the city history, legal requirements for establishing a city and the various types of government a city may adopt. The booklet was prepared to stimulate student interest in local government by serving as a s supplement to the generalized g_ treatment local government usually receives .s in the high school --1 curriculum. THOUGHTS FOR A fad is something that One of the being a mother. goes in TODAY one era and out the other. father is that it's better than The A. B. degree means that two lett, :ers of the alphabet. the holder has mastered the first 4 PUBLIC. ^xGATION This News-letter, published monthly as a c originated in the Institute of Regional Affairs of Wilk, and inquiries may be addressed to Dr. Hugo V. Mailc , . gional Affairs, Wilkes College, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. community service, tes College. Notes ey, Institute of Re­ pa ’ OCTOBER i5) 1967 PARADOX FOR POLITI CIA NS "politician" is another word in our ■>vocabulary ’ * which has been seriously corroded. What a strange paradox it is that in the --------- evolution of our modern democracy we have come to downgrade those who devote their lives to the public service by offering themselves as candidates for elective office. Many such are fine, able men who would distinguish themselves in any career. Some are unworthy, but when they are in office it is we ourselves who are at fault; they are there solely because we businessmen are not. By our own indifference we create the vacuum into which they are drawn. The executive who speaks in disgust of the "dirty politicians" is like the college senior who from the stand yells "coward" at the fullback when he himself has refused to try out for the team. Though it be bad government they create, it is nevertheless our government. If we do not like it, the way to change it is to take the job on ourselves, and prove that we can do it better. Heaping abuse upon thosewho do whatwe will not is unb _ Our ccountry ' will not remain great unless we restore m t e . public office tthe ’__. dignity -lo-—>---------------------7 esteem , and universal which it possesse ■ — the Declaration of Independence was signe Anonymous Business—-r. '^jg^ULTURAL PROBLEM OF URBAN RENEWAL 'T’l-. real problem is people and not slums. Urban renewalh-s ■ < lnfluenCe People, , and the physical improvement of their homes —of Harvard ^ough. A1 Political Scientist, Professor James Q. Wilson 1----univerSity (1965), puts it this way: vertv , a race "We have three major problems in our cities: apo let me add t pr°blena> and a cultural problem. B> but’ \d0 not mean the problem of maintain! g Metropolitan . ducational PrC\l'-";_ sitesU ture in the e young in a a broader broader sense: sense: the culture culture c people takine°\a Sou nd, stable family life which ca * a con front them. I mean sound, stable family life which CUlti ?ntage of the best °PP°rtU^?!nd not a high-br°'V sense. antage of the best opportunities 1 hereIc»-c '-refore, in an anthropological aam �.. These are the real problems-poor people, dxsadvantapged^inor itv groups, and people who come from famxlxes whxch have f:or t on! provided no support for education, for intellectual attainn * get^a. ambition. There is no reinforcement for anything but dupliCi ent> for ~atlnrg the tragic pattern of the past. For these three kinds of problems, stable so that a kind of neighborhood cult lfficiently lCial controls are automatically exerHc.,,. e can bevel,■°P. which S°; bv ™ * not have to inexercised ■by,a police force which, in be .erates as a kind of army of occupation facii our large Americancities. opeLng hostile natives . S11' renewal, as it has been practiced in the United States until recent!U1-hatl either irrelevant or disadvantageous. In the name of improving Jy. is or in the name of improving housing--in short, in the name < ■g ' cities, with fictions--urban renewal has bypassed the real problems,of dealing fn some cases, it has made them worse." INFORMATION CENTER The United States Office of Educati cational Research Information Center (ERIC) &S estabtished the Edusystem designed to serve the educational res ■ a national information available to any user reliable, current educat. C°mmunity bymaking search-related materials. micational research and re- "We may be at a point now at which some, kind of fundamental reconciliation must be.made between what we are doing to the physical shells of our cities and what we hope to do with the people who live in those shells. It seems that if urban renewal is accelerated, as it may well be, before an institutional response has been devised to the problems of poverty, race, and culture, that these problems may be made worse or their solutions impeded. Urban renewal on a larger scale than is prac­ ticed today may continue to break up natural neighborhoods and the sub­ cultures around which these neighborhoods are organized, weakening those institutions -- schools, churches, and kinship ties -- that are essential to dealingwith fundamental human problems. A vast increasein the scale of urban renewal will further reduce the supply of low-cost housing faster than we increase the capacity of people to acquire higherost housing. Finally, an accelerated urban renewal program may very we increase the sense of family insecurity and decrease the attachment stiZ 7! t0 community which is already so weak that it conwho are ERIC presently is based upon a network of thirteen information clearing houses or documentation centers located throughout the coun­ try. "Research in Education, " a monthly publication which lists pro­ jects recently supported through the Bureau of Research and final reports received from completed Bureau of Research projects, has been pub­ lished since November, 1966. Eachissue includes abstracts and detailed indexes of cited re sear ch documents; an accumulative index will be pub­ lished annually. BEAUTIFICATION PROGRAM 6 fundamental obstacles to the improvement of the people the disadvantaged at the bottom of the social heap. " " Poverty in the United Strnot - genetically, of course, but . s, to — :ate a very real extent, is inherited — of too-large 1 families, too-weak culturally ally. Poverty Poverty is is a vicious cycle and f • families, , families headed by mothers lack of ' a “d bY ‘he lack of victimized To eHmin; by racial prejudice, by to the l0 ss of self reCle’ Whole a sense of opportunity and purpose, Pattern of joblessness which leads Pendency, ads to de be eliminated.ch breeds child; desertion, which leads to dere^ho begin th, —te cycle all over again, must II Perhaps tribut, e significan c- tiyatortheewa1, as time, these are it is jpresently constituted, can conSolntion dealt the most of thease problems. And at the same ■y today. ^Portant not a hese People "t Proble smaller ms facing America domes SuPPly. r-P 2 need hood a larger ties aad fai Wh« *• needed supply of low-cost housing. -irnily ties; today is ’ and to J to strengthen neighbor­ encourage neighborhoods to becom® AT?’ The beautification awards program has ton, California Planning Commission. F°u^ 1 son presents awards of excellence toindivi ua hy the Stockyear, the commisorganizations, or pri­ , v^ng their prop - vate firms that have considered aesthetic va ues erty. X h, designers, and educitizens committee, including architect® imendations to the commisscreens proposals and r8 —— design1 or rehabilitation-- A whiXt :PeCt’ Which le' I cators, sion. >Categories ( include new envxronm institutional; parking develop. residential,* —commercial, industrial, or lercial signs as anintegral men ^entt,> such as landscaping or screening; c value; significant contride si, ■gn feature, reflecting effective a ver aesthetic ” : betterment of the cotiOn by a industrial establishperson or persons leading r ; a i or i — OrWiunity, cc ontinuing effort by a corn®"1 mainta^ -l.i a level of attractivene Helled private home , Reci . -------------u= to - date include _ ter Ipients of awal awards re™°d alandscapea !«««* an°ffiC1 home e building, an auto agency servi Parking lot. �PLANNING IN THE SCHOOLS f -„ one of the plans of the Conference of the American Society fOr ' - Planning Officials in San Francisco next May 4-9, 1968 is a Sessi°n on planning courses that have been introduced into the elementary ar ’ -ndhigh schools around the country. There are only a few, and only a handful' -1 of tests, most of them written several years ago. One of the best series was prepared by the San Francisco Unified School District between 1948 and 1950 for the third grade. It consists of a series of sixpamphlets. Illustrations of some of the pamphlets are: in AND OUT OF SAN FRANCISCO, FUN IN SAN FRANCISCO, WORKIN SAN FRANCISCO, EARLY IN SAN FRANCISCO, AT HOME IN SAN FRAN­ CISCO, and SAN FRANCISCO TODAY. There is also a teacher1 s manual suggesting the use of the materials. While the pamphlets have not been updated, anew film strip series on San Francisco has just been completed. A required 12th grade course in senior civics in the San Francisco schools includes a unit on Goals for an Urban Society. City Planning is the approach to social studies for eighth grader s in four New York City junior highschools. Junior planning commissions are being formed in high schools throughout the State of Michigan. SMALL SYSTEMS RECEIVE FUNDS politan Transit^AuthoHtv6^e\bUSeS Wil1 be Purchased bY the Erie Metro- Housing and Urban i a' wi-tbfunds provided by the Department of will go to build office and°Pment * The remainder of the $1,432, 170 new Authority's devel garaSe facilities. One area of emphasis in the adequate transportation^fT^1 °f a satisfactory system will be providing Parks. °n for low income groups to hospitals, schools, and THOUGHT EnvY Sh00ts for TODAY This News -letter, Published j---- -institute as a community service> of Regional monthly Affai ‘ -irs of Wilkes College. Notes addr e; ssed to Dr. Hu, s Colli-ge, Wilkes.B‘go V. Mailey, Institute of Re' ‘ rre> Pennsylvania. • I . I -1 -1 I \'O^ Most = systems, and a competence which relate to the organiiafcxi ifcseEf. They evolve procedures as well­ goals and discipline which, though always identified as facilitating the organization's end product, usually take precedence over the end product and, after a while become the end product. The worker who insists that what he really wants are guides to done, not mere explanations of his dilemma, may not be getting things < ■ or satisfied with these maxims. He will have to wait for entirely happy another paper devoted to "Getting the Job Done." It is interesting, and just a little sad, to see how tions, with shining escutcheons and high hopes, oft refugees and defectors from older organizations, 5 ~ ni-c---c-anm accarat, crust, the bureaucratic symptoms, —e ---d'etre and style of the older organizations. The deficiencies, tions are often explained away ■V1- • getting started. " This reminds me oi a L.stv.-/ > United States: "The U.S. is the only C°Urut intervene.'t to go from barbarism to decadence ,,jy from Similarly, organizations should not without going through maturity. at others and wounds herself. SH2LICATION . u WILKES COLLEGE, Wn NO. A reformulation of Gr»-f«h.n nomenon (in economic theory. g°°d money"). For a L"r*7 g0°d habits. ■ My ft u , . ((7Z iS needed >o ‘ , Sint* , < • •■■ -— �MAXIM ONE. Where Are the Calculations That Go With culated Risk? theCal. MAXIM TWO. Inventing Is Easy for Staff Outfits, f lem Is Much Harder. Instead of Stating Problems People 3 Li^ to p"kOut Half-accurate Statements Together With Half-availablea c , aSs Which They Can't Finish and Which They Want You to Finish. Sol"H»ns MAXIM THREE. Every Organizationis Self­ Ever Ask an Outfit to Justify Itself, or You'll Be Cow Perpetuatim [g- Don't ures, and Fancy. The Criterion Should Rather Be,•eredwith Fact Fig. If the Outfit Stops Doing What It's Doing? " The Value of ' "What Will H; [aPpen Is Easier Determined This Way. an Organizati, —cion MAXIM FOUR. Try " to Find Out Who's Doing the Writing About It, Controlling It, W°rk, Not Who's , or Summarizing It. MAXIM FIVE, Watch Out for Formal Briefings. They Often Produce an Avalanche. (Definition; A High-level Snow Job of Massive and Overwhelming Proportions.) MAXIM SIX. The Diffi, One to the Fact That a F_1 culty of the Coor dir .nation Coordinated Piece of Pap* Task Often Blinds to Be Either the MajorFully or Often Turns Out That W;—• The Final Product of the— jer Is Not Supposed ay. Organization, But It MAXIM SEVEN. Most Or—< Idea at a Time.. 'rganizations Can't Hold More Than One c°mpetitive> r- •.’ Thus Complementar Further, Like a Q —-*y Ideas Are Always Regarded as Quantized Pendulum, an Organization Can -treme to the - Other, Without Ever Going Through the EMERGENCY <'()M MIII11' / |j, . There is no consistent and estabIj_. ofall emergency communications sy.tf.r "" ‘ and fire - among the 73 municipalities'"V "" ; : fractionalization of communications n / the present time, there are approxi^'^^ . ~ ' / emergency vehicles in Wyoming Valle- -• -• ; base stations being the Police De™,~ Sreates: =-- < ■‘■^po.rLment, ■—-x-c The need of a centralized emergency co which would provide the inhabitants of Luzerne''-3 communication service necessary to ensure ef is readily apparent. anc protect p- The Emergency Communications Center should be located in a building which will provide protection from radiation in the event of nuclearwar, preferably in the Luzerne County Court House. Allmanufac­ turers of communications equipment can set up a system in stages be­ ginning with a police system first and adding other capabilities without obsoleting the present equipment. In establishing a centralized communi­ cations system, purchase of a radio system composed of equipment from a single manufacturer is most imperative to facilitate the maintenance of an efficient program. ^7dPleFr0In °ne Ext: Costs of an integrated County ^^^^great extent on the all protective services in the County, wi municipalities desire to degree of sophistication that the County an Commissioners shou ^axim EIGHT. Eb It Are Reading: Was Try to j Find the Real Tense of the Report You Done. Reports Are ReP°rts AareNDOne’ Is Tt Bemr Tense, Future ” -are Tense, Ten, N°W Written in Fou■g Done, or Is It Something to Bet (Contractor, GRAMmar), ar Tenses; rr, e’ and Preten, -tenses; Past Tense, Present RAMmar), Define// Watch Watch ffor °r Novel Uses of Congram Present, and the *’ N centralize communications.. The Board of Co^o at $35 000 bear the original cost of establishing sue a sy expenditure of $W,u>Jfor the base station, and an annual °Pera .... of the mobile The municipalities should bear the r espons . t£on and $',J ?" -le Absolutely perfecty^h® imperfect Past, the Insufficient 'msTraVelers CUsto; to foreign lands 1 hoflpe and history.8 go e,d anduse handbooks on the local gled -lertopassed ° residents of vast bureaucracieS‘ to ITiends, WiH Word of mouth and in smug' *Wira‘»pSu„SgsU,h' e of use to a larger audience. Air REPRiNT. Amrom H. Ka^ rce Magazine, November, I?67 mated at $1,200 per unit for the initial mst maintenance and operation. fhe costThe sb i>OSsib>ility of securing Federal matermz -^rnerge nc °U^d be carefully and seriously considered — Costshould tem of t Cy Communications System is woven into —-Luzerne eof n.,;_ erne County, competent personnel can . eTiipment. a centralized emergency ccm— ■ tainccn • .S'”an’' communications with the agencie "'s in preventing loss of life and damt-r-* �ACT 160. Amends Sections 4, 5 and 7 of t ‘ -ne Local Ta Actof 1965 to remove the provisions relating to rreenactmQ a X Enablin that every tax levied under the provisions of this force on a calendar year basis without annual reenact act would of tax was substantially changed. :ment Unlecouth ssth, ie rate ACT 166. Amends Section 521 of the Optionai Charter Law to provide that any future laws enacted v ; Third we .2!.^ pointing power upon the mayor or other executive heads Which confer S S City be construed as meaning the city-manager in cities tile ap. -J °f the city manager form of government. bating unde’r are to a City ACT 220. Amends Section 4 of the authorize pensions for widowers of Optional Retirement Law to employeSj ditional payments to be made to , and would provide for adthe retirement allowance. contributors who have been entitled to ACT 222. Amends Section 408 of the Optional Third Class Charter Law to permit citySection council/ “ to* hold its organization the following day when the first Mondav i= - legal holiday. ; council to hold' City meeting on 1 -Monday is a COLOR COMES TO CLEVE i^N^TRASH Cleveland is £—* ' o partment employees spending in bright $60, 000 to clothe 2, in k-- - > orange uniforms. 000 of its service deThe orange uniforms v Ployees. _. They will also afford will help identify the unifori■ms become standard, prowle - 1 protection to 3 se workers as city emoff as city employees. ’ lars will beresidents, because after the : unable to pass themselves THOUGHT FOR • It may rtoday be better 1 and be be done with it, t° be a s inner than ■ butf0( fool. You can repent for 5 iong in memory. ^2LlCATioN ■Tetter, Q, S ; NO. I2 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, pa. BE'"’----- - - XL MODEL CITIES GRANT Now that the hurrahs and shouts of elation have died down over Wilkes-Barre being selected as one of the demonstration cities and the DCND -Act: the time has come to take a hard view at all the unifications and ramifications attendant on the selection. The Main Rue scion is: Are all the people inig.-curs volved in the pre gram really prepared tr accept e cc e ; t Act? Do they realize how revolutionary that -eg_s . ; -heyreaE.ee that vested rights of individuals .'.n.' . J if not made to disazzear ? The Act provides for a new program the living environment and the general"<• 1 neighborhoods can be substantially imp1 comprehensive attack on social, economu blighted area through the most effectiv1 •' and coordination of Federal, State and l‘>> 3 , x , ■ ' ■■ >(^,| r. o l K I Of prime importance is an analysln "I 0" ysical problems of the model neighborhood .n"3 ... lib The City City must must have have high high but b’d r«* iblf , i . i end of five years (or less)* " . ,, fin' 11 years (or they less).nbo" It 1may b<- (l ,,t;j|ill < what general terms; ' (in tng the planning period. Io’"' Planning period. Pfessed 1 quantitatively. |(.i ll" Id 1 ' ” ...... .......... |i( hIihhI'I 1 ’ *~i d community service, of Wilkes College. Notes go V. bailey, Institute of RePennsylVania. ’ ,, . I,,.i "Il *' Local citi 7,f-rt k , ■//<■ 11 <> [ihI'I I' ,n'l veloping project'; -m' 1 ,r IlvUir'i in" ft I ; and she, >.'m t* >' > ["* ’' it, iln |(h>iiiii"l! f°r de. gran. fl |<» 1 )>' I ifl 'I' <|l' ' I'1 lup"' ||,i Im 11 T" jil. �Three serious questions which all public and Private neighborhood residents must wrestle with -—i are; A. B. C. gr°aPs aH(i C * essential to carrying a Can the public officials and out private agencies zations essentia selected con aprehensiv( and the citizen groups in the selected together to analyze lets of the area andthe to social, developeconomic program neighbO' and j ’ - ; al prob. goals ? Can an awareness begin to develop that a variety of projects and activities must be linked to get at deep-rooted problems? Can discussions generate new and innovative techniques ? aPProacheSand The content of a ------r.vucnsive program is implied by the pur­ poses of the legislation ascomprehensive statedin Sec. 101 of the Act. They are; (a) to in Sec. rebuild or revitalize large stated slumand blighted ar eas;(b) to expandhousing (c) to expand job and income opportunities; (d) to reduce dependence on welfare payments, (e) to improve educational facilities and programs; C°m^at disease and ill health; (g) to reduce the incidence of crime (h tnActTr"^' t0 enhance recreational and cultural opportunities; to imnrovp • etter access between homes and jobs; and (j) in general, wprove hv.ng coaditioas for (he people i-ve ,n the^ A following; cornPrehensive ities, both. :reation_and culturaj_component concerned win of recreational and cultural opportunities boVaT^ A recr broad and private, designed to serve the par Hr n bilities of area residents. -tcular interests, passive, pnbHc tastes, and a A crime to reduction component witt,of crinTXT'™ . nity resources prevent and control concerned the outbreak ’ habilitate criminals and delinquents; health m-norr.™ i . and to re“ b, t alcoholism and designed to develop a wider range olLcome^d hi,™ time opportunities; activities designed to build effective relation- 7 mutual respect between area residents and police forces. A health component concerned with physical and mental health services and facilities acces sible to and used by all residents of the area, including health education, personal services, diagnostic and thera­ peutic services, rehabilitative and restorative services, and area wide environmental health services. program is an appropriate combination of the A^ysical i; .mprovement component lenities that contribute concerned with all the facilcxsfymg livi; .ing environment. to making an area or neigh- ig component needs in<:Creas — & ing the’ particular!- concerned with r-'y °the f 1qw and meeting the full range of °f th. availability of -le City. moderate -income families, and eXisti; ■ng housim•g supply to all residents component can ^aces"of -f emplov_ cerned with the physical access ent, shopping and community facil" quality aSes. in °f the Poor and economic develop^ necessary to develop a c including assessment and employment Tr'*n?' ejects an aSS essment and follow-up employment needs,’ outreach ient, training, placementand functions nH iCh and system- ' health and educational systems. and cl°se linkage cruitm' with the A social services and^blix_ass^s^^ compon n^ neighadditional activities and services to part ker training, planned borhoods, legal aid, consumer counseling, homem unge^ng complaint parenthood, credit assistance, domestic relations extension services, bureau, neighborhood information services, ur an are and comfort assistance to deprived children, of the aged. COncernedwith < educationai the provision of high Services to Particular > area residents of all focus on the educational needs or The demonstration program cannot consist of a variety of social, economic and Physical improvement activities carried out in isolation -• Each component must be comprehensive so thatprjj - —i one can provide reinforcement and support ,o those ^tsVT another. F inotSs:CtiVitiesin The "r i-d 1^^tS Model Neighborhood Area application (those who tremendous job on a strictly voluntary basis) contains tllesis; stated innovatio: e innovations, with appropriate challenges in paren- Prea C.OlnPonent and services the X'd«i' s a �iTo^Y A. B. Home ^g^I^ LEADING WSTITUTIONS PREpIrI^ H. E1ZSi,laiPlannillg is tobe done in an integrated manner. (IS THE CITY PLANNING COMMISSION PREPARED TO INTE­ GRATE THE AREA AS AN URBAN RENEWAL PROJECT? IS THE CITY PLANNING COMMISSION REALLY EQUIPPED TO WORK IN THE FIELD OF SOCIAL PLANNING?) I. Local residents are to be involved. (IS THE CITY'S MID­ DLE CLASS PREPARED TO ACCEPT THE POOR IN THIS AREA AS EQUALS IN PLANNING AND EXECUTION OF THE WHOLE PROGRAM?) J. Private enterprise is to be involved. (WILL THE BANK PRESIDENTS AND OWNERS OF BUSINESS ESTABLISH­ MENTS SIT DOWN WITH THE CLIENTS ON THE RELIEF ROLLS, OR WILL THEY VIEW THEIR COMMITTMENT AND INVOLVEMENT ONLY ON THE DECISION-MAKING LEV­ EL?) K. A new administrative unit must be established by the Mayor and Council. (WILL THE POLITICIANS MEDDLE? WILL THE NEW CITY MANAGER VIEW THE WHOLE PROGRAM AS AN ENCROACHMENT ON HIS OFFICE ? WILL THE POL­ ITICIANS (WHATEVER THAT MEANS) SEE THAT AS AN­ OTHER BOONDOGGLE TO BE TREATED AS A SOPHIS­ TICATED WPA?) r .rtate rehabilitation, $500 grants will be set up. (WlLL T aCnr REGARDED AS CHARITY, OR ALMS GIVING? iS Everyone ^ALLY prepared to replace a-work! ORIENTED" CULTURE?) C. D. Quantity purchases of labor and maternal will be made to introduce economy and new technology. (WILL THE CON­ TRACTORS ASSIST? WILL THE UNIONS OBSTRUCT?) A new corporation with neighborhood residents buying shares will effectuate rehabilitation. (WILL THE RESIDENTS COM­ MIT THEIR OWN MONEY, OR WILL THEY WILLINGLY JOIN AND HELP FORMULATE A "PARTICIPATORY DE­ MOCRACY"?) E. An insured income fund will be set up to ease the impact of improvement on the individual family. (WILL THE REAL­ TORS OPPOSE THIS AS THEY USUALLY OPPOSE RENT SUBSIDIES? IS EVERY CITY TAXPAYER, AS BURDENED AS HE MAY BE, PREPARED TO SEE POVERTY AS INCOME DEPRIVATION?) F. A multi-function community health and welfare facility will be located in the area. (WILL THE FEDERAL, STATE, VOLUNTARY UNITED FUND, OR THE CHURCH OPPOSE THIS? WHICH ONE OF THEM WILL OPPOSE? WILL THE WELFARE COLONIALISM OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE IN­ DUSTRY BE AN OBSTRUCTION? IS THE WELFARE COUN­ CIL PREPARED TO GIVE OF ITS OLD ROLE ASSOCIATED WITH VOLUNTARYISM, AND PREPARED TO RECAST IT­ SELF WITHIN THE CONCEPT OF "UNIFIED SERVICES''?) G. mmunity school building is to be constructed in the area provide for the educational, recreational, social, an FEEtanJ?' (WILL THE SCHOOL BOARD DRAG PREPARFnPLEADN° MONEY, OR IS THE SCHOOL BOAR compensat3° ASSUME AND formulate plans , f ATORY EDUCATION? WILL THE TEACHE OpEFnnXEE THEMSELVES AS THE SOLE REPOS- AS ONE PAr^TI°N’ ORWILL THEY SEE THEMSELVES FOR A BETTFR°rntN INTEGRATED WHOLE IN MAKING J? OK A BETTER COMMUNITY ON THE HEIGHTS?) For evaluation purposes, a research branch will be estab­ lished. (WILL THIS ALSO BE VIEWED AS A BOONDOGGLE AND A SINECURE FOR "EXPERTS" BY THE BURDENED TAXPAYER?) CONSE RVATION VS. POPULATION Conservation of specific natural assets should be weighed against the value of other uses of the space they occupy, in relation to a to be determined by the factors of population explosion and an increas­ ingly steep curve of technological advance. The "Save Sunfish Pond" campaign provides an example. The charming mountaintop pond ha. unique elements 5 m . .1. c.-po been earmarked as part ota nuge dictate preservation. But thes tructed. Power is not to be power project part of which has of conservation_ Passed off as of light importance as is th Recent black_ ists. Tomorrow's life will be based on g 100120 �disruption caused even now by lack of it. r ^UrnPed ou,. show the extreme be especially valuable to prevent such incidc lents jn storage power « neak power in peak periods, reducing need for '* C°Stly .^*1 on-PCCLJX r that they return ,duction facilities. stand-by proa, -i a ietport will reduce the charm of rural Hunter S”t ll” P-P"1’*1”1' New York dicta« County, somewhere, and it would have many benefxts for the ® that it must go Overhead power lines lessen the charm of the countryside b ----------------------Power plants another danger: air pollution. faze a major factor in such pollution, should be located far out. in cities are a i ’tended underground transmission would sharply increase the cost It is cont-*------of power. However, in planning for the future, possibilities such as nuclear production of power which wouldn't pollute the air and transmission of power through the air instead of wires are to be considered. These might not affect the Sunfish Pond issue because no matter how produced, need may exist for storing power. Such possibilities should be considered, but realistically, in light of the best technical information available, not merely thrown out to advance a cause. A sort of redevelopment process is involved to rearrange the world to meet the needs of a radically changed future. It differs from urban redevelopment in that not often is actual blight involved. On the contrarythe places to be given over to new uses often have great charm; places like SunfishPond and the valleys the Tocks Island and Beltzville reservoirs will inundate. Some r such places must be saved. Which are to be saved, however, should depend1 on close calculation of the value of alternate uses. thoughts for today a girdle is like getting alon S a wishbone. It's no good if it doesn't snap. t ergood old days when you never knew a family wasn t0Sether until the will was read? PUBLICATION This News-letf originated in the J?’ ?ublished monthly as a community s ervice’ and inquiries mav b? °f Regmnal Affairs of Wilkes College- Notes glonal AffairS) WilkL .1?Sed tO Dr‘ Hugo V. Mailey, Institute of Re' 0 ege, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. 4,^ �I m' �� Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Luzerne County Newsletters and Institute for Regional Affair Newsletters, 1952-1975 Subject The topic of the resource Political Science; Luzerne County; Institute for Regional Affairs; Wyoming Valley Description An account of the resource A collection of newsletters created by the Political Science Department at Wilkes College from 1952-1975 for Luzerne County and later the Institute for Regional Affairs. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Political Science Department (Hugo Mailey) Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1952-1975 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Type The nature or genre of the resource Newsletters Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Luzerne County Newsletter, 1967 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Political Science Department Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1967 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Type The nature or genre of the resource Newsletter https://omeka.wilkes.edu/omeka/files/original/d2153d5cde7ac480ad0dbfcf146c1f78.pdf e77934b89b62c39bab085752f3568eb5 PDF Text Text ������������������������������ Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Luzerne County Newsletters and Institute for Regional Affair Newsletters, 1952-1975 Subject The topic of the resource Political Science; Luzerne County; Institute for Regional Affairs; Wyoming Valley Description An account of the resource A collection of newsletters created by the Political Science Department at Wilkes College from 1952-1975 for Luzerne County and later the Institute for Regional Affairs. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Political Science Department (Hugo Mailey) Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1952-1975 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Type The nature or genre of the resource Newsletters Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Luzerne County Newsletter, 1966 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Political Science Department Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1966 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Type The nature or genre of the resource Newsletter https://omeka.wilkes.edu/omeka/files/original/55ea6b550c880860a7d8d42521123c4c.pdf d08afa70d3fbf9fba48c804e450ac97e PDF Text Text I IB l'.|; 7 ■ i- ■ M! » . 1; '1 -■ ..i i HUH ��XS^-51 T+13 Vl-t, ists" Mb courses^E^ SE SHORT Municipal CjQ\ The lnsu^. Institute“ of service training a number of in conduct a n designed to ma) These '«rials T1"36 c0UrSC Sappmnted officials means of improving in th I duties. I I I I The courses being offered this spring s Arms Course--an introductory course in. the c olver, including firing for record; Zoning Course-a comprehensive study of a basic plan .f-iaio^tdeoisions upholding major foni tals of Fire T F‘’ ghtinE Course-a course desion 'nsh to qualify , as instructor<o nf r 'b-"1to be held at La« CourseP°Wers- duties“ “d -°™erToe 1 shire Wrote. ^°Uc;a ’•1 la a rP„ on Of "fle» Ha SS°QiiaHon, the officiai 48 Pul y Gal^ghe J and to ^Us Ptesant M: arPate. Ja «°VolUr“Peare°ughciti■ es <asi», V<' <■ as r ?Uch , as ° *’■ S5 86 cent fors to a ShSe!^s> GT"f11° s tc g*Uon $2 t/ * a c P at . stat/ ;>r S'. i ‘s S ,e^f Pl-iPali‘Us ce s cd b°th t*sta:he t0 to d h?Ve sD 10 ■h 1 loc ai <>ti Of n D �(fatty Tlwtectot. VOL. XIV, NO. 1 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE PA., JANUARY 15, 1965 SHORT COURSES -- SPRING SEMESTER The Institute of Municipal Government at Wilkes College will again conduct a number of in-service training courses for municipal officials. These courses are designed to make available to elected and appointed officials means of improving in the performance of their duties. The courses being offered this spring semester include: Small Arms Course--an introductory course in the care and use of the revolver, including firing for record; Zoning Law and Administration Course--a comprehensive study of a basic planning tool, with emphasis upon basic court decisions upholding major zoning practices; Fundamen­ tals of Fire Fighting Course--a course designed for those firemen who wish to qualify as instructors of the fundamentals of fire fighting. (One to be held at Wilkes College and another to be held at Dallas); School Law Course--a casebook review of the legal principles governing the powers, duties, and responsibilities of school officilas. CENTRALIZED PURCHASING In a recent edition of the official publication of the New Hamp­ shire Municipal Association, Jay Gallagher of the State News Service wrote: "New Hampshire cities and towns are dribbling away, in total thousands of dollars through present amateur uninformed and disjointed purchasing practices. . . " Mr. Mann made a survey of municipalities who were paying as much as 12. 4 cents to 32. 7 cents for a gallon o regular gasoline; 86 cents to $2.65 for a ream of mimeograph paper; and $2.10 to $8. 55 for a gallon of traffic paint. have been able to buy office supplies For years, municipalities plus 10 per cent markup to cover cost from the state at state prices, Few bothered to do so until needled by Mr. Mann. of handling. used the state contract In some instances municipalities have the state price, Mr. Mann Price as a lever to win local bids at or near said. 77741 �He said substantial savings for all hands might be made in purchasine heavy road building equipment, for instance, if municipalities were aware when the state would seek bids. Volume buying, again, would result in lower bids and savings all around. AND AGAIN - The OKLAHOMA CITY TIMES reported recently that almost unbelievable discount prices are being obtained by local governments of the State of Oklahoma through purchasing on State contracts. Ira Baker, Purchasing Director for the State of Oklahoma, reports some examples as follows: light bulbs, 50% off; tires, 30% off; and office sup­ plies and furniture, 30 to 40% below retail costs. Mr. Baker said that the number of cities, schools and other local units taking advantage of the central purchasing price catalogue issued by his agency has doubled in the last year. However, he said the majority still do not take advan­ tage of the volume buying power of the State. The catalogue is available to any unit of local government and discount from list will average about 33%. Local governments can buy the items from local dealers in most cases and obtain the discount made possible by competition and state­ wide volume. Mr. Baker pointed out that this helps the local govern­ ment because it gets cheaper prices, and it helps all units of govern­ ment since a manufacturer will bid lower in anticipation of high-volume sales. A corollary use of the State price catalogue has been the action by local government officials in taking the catalogue to local merchants and using it in bargaining for lower prices. Mr. Baker said that 26 schools, 13 cities, 2 county commissions, and 8 other units are parti­ cipating in the plan. --taken from the NIGP LETTER SERVICE. DON'T LITTER HELL Keep America Beautiful, the national anti-litter organization, has been collecting littter I bags from all over the U. S. They are used as part of its educational program. But every once in awhile one comes along that produces a chuckle. ^£5 bag "with Proof that the ght toucb sometimes works comes from the Hell Chamber of Commerceeliminated litter in Hell. t is amazing how much these litter bag shave We have no problem whatsoever. " (Keep this in mind for next spring!) �ulT'S SO He said sul chasing heavy were aware v would result in lower AND AGAIN - OKLAHOMA CITY TIMES r ported recently that almost The discount prices are being obtained by local governments unbelievable of Oklahoma through purchasing on State contracts. Ira of the State Rak'pr Purchasing Director for the State of Oklahoma, reports some examples as follows: light bulbs, 50% off; tires, 30% off; and office sup. plies and furniture, 30 to 40% below retail costs. Mr. Baker said that the number of cities, schools and other local units taking advantage of the central purchasing price catalogue issued by his agency has doubled in the last year. However, he said the majority still do not take advan­ tage of the volume buying power of the State. The catalogue is available to any unit of local government and discount from list will average about 33%. Local governments can buy the items from local dealers in most cases and obtain the discount made possible by competition and state­ wide volume. Mr. Baker pointed out that this helps the local govern­ ment because it gets cheaper prices, and it helps all units of govern­ ment since a manufacturer will bid lower in anticipation of high-volume sales. A corollary use of the State price catalogue has been the action by local government officials in taking the catalogue to local merchants and using it in bargaining for lower prices. Mr. Baker said that 26 schools, 13 cities, 2 county commissions, and 8 other units are parti­ cipating in the plan. --taken from the NIGP LETTER SERVICE. SUGGESTIONS FOR PURCHASING -- 'levels of governmentt can do much to procurement at all Public The methods by which this can be done are: combat price fixing. ------------- 1. (KeeP this in no problem whatsoever. " mind for next spring!) Procure public needs on open competitive bids. 2. and particularly the multiple Avoid negotiated contracts, award type wherein a contract is awarded to several sup­ pliers for furnishing the same item at identical or similar prices. 3. Eliminate " most favored customer" or "price reduction" clauses in governmental contracts since they tend to discourage reductions in prices both to governmental and nongovernmental buyers, and to coincidentally fix prices. 4. Seek out new sources of supply. 5. Question price increases. Verify prices paid by other ment agencies and their methods of purchase. eVeryOnce in awhile one C°meS r, v Proof that the hght sometimes works comes from the Hell Chamber of Commerce, mttouch • amazing how much these litter bag shave IT'S GOT TO WORK ?ems at the square. 6. The Ktest litter bag "with a 1. laugh1' came from Hell, Michigan. It bears the s °gan, in large red ietter“ > "Don't throw your trash all over Hell. " • ' ; bound to get attention, " Columbia, Tennso horrible , it's Hit's manager E. S. Bartlett commented. city essee. around the of the lines; and directional arrows He was speaking a fluorescent pink. H „_re. they are painted ; ,ntown square. dowi ~ explained that it is being reflect at night. Bartlett The paint will control traffic-pedestrianprobto see if it helps <------------used experimentally DON'T LITTER HELL along that prokTeTT chucki°egram’ horrible" 7. gov- Review patterns of bidding" on prior purchases of commodifies, s owing price acceleration or wherein prices remain static °ver several years. Give Publicity to bid c openings involving limited t>ef. competition" ore> during and after -~r advertising for bids. 8. S e c" eure bids sufficiently in advance Praisal and readvertisement of j of need to permit reapresults are n°t consistent with therequirements wherein bid i public interest. 9. .Consider the Use of alternate lirnited products wherein or where there is flxing. competition an indication of possible price �• said substantial savings for all hands might be cavy road building equipment, for instance, if T rnade in r, re when the state would seek bids. Volume b • ult in lower bids and savings all around. ying, again, "IT'S SO HORRIBLE" GOT TO WORK "It's so horrible, it's bound to get attention, " Columbia, Tenn­ essee, city manager E. S. Bartlett commented. He was speaking of the lines > and directional a: arrows around the downtown square: they are painted ;a fluorescent pink. AND AGAIN e OKLAHOMA CITY TIMES r .ported recently that almost >le discount prices are being retained by local governments te of Oklahoma through purchasing on State contracts. jra :rchasing Director for the State of Oklahoma, reports some is follows: light bulbs, 50% off; tires, 30% off; and offiCe sup. urniture, 30 to 40% below retail costs. Mr. Baker «-■ ■~ said that r of cities, schools and other local units taking advanta' ------ ige of L purchasing price catalogue issued by his agency has doubled year. However, he said the majority still do not take advan volume buying power of the State. The catalogue is available of local government and discount from list will average about 11 governments can buy the items from local dealers in most obtain the discount made possible by competition and statene. Mr. Baker pointed out that this helps the local governise it gets cheaper prices, and it helps all units of govern: a manufacturer will bid lower in anticipation of high-volume corollary use of the State price catalogue has been the action ivernment officials in taking the catalogue to local merchants it in bargaining for lower prices. Mr. Baker said that 26 3 cities, 2 county commissions, and 8 other units are parti - The paint will reflect at night. Bartlett explained that iti.b • used experimentally to see if it helps control trTffic/ptX^prT lems at the square. p SUGGESTIONS FOR PURCHASING Public procurement at all levels of government can do much to combat price fixing. The methods by which this can be done are: 1. Procure public needs on open competitive bids. 2. Avoid negotiated contracts, and particularly the multiple award type wherein a contract is awarded to several suppliers for furnishing the same item at identical or similar price s. 3. Eliminate "most favored customer" or "price reduction" clauses in governmental contracts since they tend to dis­ courage reductions in prices both to governmental and nongovernmental buyers, and to coincidentally fix prices. . the plan. 4, Seek out new sources of supply. om the NIGP LETTER SERVICE. 5. Question price increases. Verify prices paid by other gov­ ernment agencies and their methods of purchase. 6. "patterns of bidding" on prior purchases of corn­ er wherein prices remain modities, showing price acceleration static over several years. DON'T LITTER HELL nization, ep America Beautiful, the national anti-litter orga are used collecting litter bags from all over the U. S. They comes its educational program. But every once in awhile one 7. produces a chuckle. ie latest litter bag "with a laugh" came from Hell, he slogan, in large red letters, "Don't throw your all r 8. 11 the HeU ■ oof that the light touch sometimes works comes frombags We of Commerce: "It is amazing how much these litter d litter in Hell. We have no problem whatsoever. (Keep this in mind for next spring!) 9. Review • js involving limited "competition" Give publicity to bid opening advertising for bids. before, during and after a-.. need to permit reapSecure bids sufficiently in advance of of requirements wherein bid praisal and readvertisement consistent with the public interest. results are not < Consider the or where there is an indication is limited fixing. P �essee "It's so horrible, it's bound to get attention, city manager E. S. Bartlett commented. Columbia, Tenn­ He was speaking of the lines’ and dlrectional arrows around the downtown square: they are painted ;a fluorescent pink. lems at the square. fflc-pedestrianprob- SUGGESTIONS FOR PURCHASING Public procurement at all levels of government can do much to combat price fixing. The methods by which this can be done 1. Procure public needs on open competitive bids. 2. Avoid negotiated contracts, and particularly the multiple award type wherein a contract is awarded to several sup­ pliers for furnishing the same item at identical or similar price s. 3. Eliminate "most favored customer" or "price reduction" clauses in governmental contracts since they tend to dis­ courage reductions in prices both to governmental and non­ governmental buyers, and to coincidentally fix prices. 4. Seek out new sources of supply. 5. Question price increases, Verify prices paid by other goveminent agencies and a.— their ------ methods of purchase. 6. Review "patterns of bidding" on prior purchases of com­ modities, showing price acceleration or wherein prices remain static over several years. 7. gsinvolving limited "competition" Give publicity to bid opening advertising for bids. before, during and after a-.- -------„ ’ 3 of need to permit reapSecure bids sufficiently in advance t of-requirements wherein bid praisal and readvertisement cconsistent with the public interest. results are not < of alternate products wherein competitio 9. Consider the where use there is an indication of possible pric is limited 8. �enter fields with limited corn. supplierS to Encourage new 10. petition. requirement’ to the maximum extent practical Consolidate .ttractive to industry, but not 11. ’”akeJ“t”h«.'Srre”u'rem.»t becomes so large it ex_ to to the the production capacity of smaller but capable suppliers eeeds 12. 3 "price fixing" is suspected with Consolidate items where from available 1- -- the same industry to stimulate other items the total requirement both from the stand­ competition on able to meet the combined need and to attack point of vendor s xpand their facilities to meet the combined need. others to e: x Where practical, employ longer term contracts to co m kat 13. "taking turns. 11 14. Provide adequate staffing and compensation in public pro­ curementoperations to assureintegrity and wisdom in spend­ ing funds. 15. Report all cases of suspected price fixing to the Attorney General with any supporting evidence. yC>L XV, NO. 2 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA. , FEBRIL THE CITY BEAUTIFUL novation and re-designing of American cities iscurrs The re: • t many Americans; the re-creation of our cities is recogr effecting ential if they are to survive as places for decent human living as esse— and cultural centers. The excerpts below present tv, as economic aspects of of the the City City Beautiful Beautiful Movement. Movement. The first artic the many from the Annual Wherrett Lecture <on Local Govern: 10th Annual excerpts , former Consultant on the Arts under Pres: by August Heckscher Kennedy. The second article is excerpts from a talk given by I Paint-Up, Fi: Hackendahi, Director of the National Clean-Up, Bureau. AUGUST HECKSCHER AFFIDAVIT OF NON-COLLUSION An affidavit of non-collusion is contained in an advertisement for bids on a public works project in Savannah, Tennessee. Every bidder or agent must sign the agreement attesting that he has not en­ tered into an agreement with any person relative to the price to be bid. Thus begi "Cities given, the problem was to light them, We could famous essay on gas lamps by Robert Louis Stevenson, take the sentence for our text. Cities given, the problem is to fill with music, with movement and color--the life of the arts. So lo the great city remains a utilitarian thing merely--an agglomerati physical structures, a collection of services--it must seem a du' uninhabitable place. The arts touch all with their liveliness; they c the substructure with their particular grace. THOUGHTS FOR TODAY ”nh'e'hV0"eb"” P"Sid»' - One place in church. great many have y people get just as much as ever for a dime is publication This News-letter, published monthly as originated in the Institute of Municipal a community service. Notes and inquiries may be addressed toGovernment Dr. of Wilkes Collegeof Municipal Government, Wilkes Colle Hugo V. Mailey, Institute ge, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsy-1 vania- In the western tradition, the creation of great art has a invariably been a social act. The individual artist may pride hi upon seeing the world with a vision entirely his own; he may-i he must-eschew all ideas of interpreting his age. But in fact he child of his times, and he is never so creative, never so truly hir as when • he is in the midst of forces which inform his vision and his1 Perceptions. The city is his natural home. Its cafes and sti literary circles and artistic clubs, its newspapers, reviews, s; even its public squares and streets, have been the seed-bed of the Not oniv'd616 anot^ler sense in which the city is related to the °esthe city need the artist and the artist the city: in a < �0. Encourage new suppliers to enter fields with limited petition. 1. Consolidate requirements to the maximum extent pfa to make the requirement most attractive to industry, bu 1Cal to the extent where the requirement becomes so large it UOt ceedsthe production capacity of smaller but capable suppiiei.X' .2. is t”' — Consolidate items where "price fixing susPected with to f other items available from the same industry ■ stimulate competition on the total requirement both from the standpoint of vendors5 able to meet the combined need and to attack their facilities to meet the combined others to expand < need. 13. Where practical, employ longer term contracts to combat "taking turns. " 14. Provide adequate staffing and compensation in public pro­ curementoperations to assure integrity and wisdom in spend­ ing funds. 15. Report all cases of suspected price fixing to the Attorney General with any supporting evidence. VOL XV> NO. 2 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA., FEBRUARY 15, 1965 THE CITY BEAUTIFUL The renovation and re-designing of American ,n cities is currently effecting many Americans; the re-creation of our cities is recognized as essential if they are to survive as places for decent human living and as economic and cultural centers. The excerpts below present two of the many aspects of the City Beautiful Movement. The first article is excerpts from the 10th Annual Wherrett Lecture on Local Government by August Heckscher, former Consultant on the Arts under President Kennedy. The second article is excerpts from a talk given by H. R. Hackendahi, Director of the National Clean-Up, Paint-Up, Fix-Up Bureau. AUGUST HECKSCHER AFFIDAVIT OF NON-COLLUSION An affidavit of non-collusion is contained in an advertisement ids on a public works project in Savannah, Tennessee. Every r or agent must sign the agreement attesting that he has not eninto an agreement with any person relative to the price to be THOUGHTS FOR TODAY No woman has ever been President -- but a great many have ne speaker of the house. One place many people get just as much as ever for a dime is urch. PUBLICATION This News-letter, published monthly as a community servicemated m the Institute of Municipal Government of Wilkes Colleg6' Institut6 s an inquiries may be addressed to Dr. Hugo V. Mailey, unicipal Government, Wilkes College, Wilkes-Barre, Fennsylv*,ni 1 a- "Cities given, the problem was to light them." Thus begins a famous essay on gas lamps by Robert Louis Stevenson, We could well take the sentence for our text. Cities given, the problem is to fill them with music, with movement and color--the life of the arts. So long as the great city remains a utilitarian thing merely--an agglomeration of physical structures, a collection of services--it must seem a dull, an uninhabitable place. The arts touch all with their liveliness; they crown the substructure with their particular grace. In the western tradition, the creation of great art has almost invariably been a social act. The individual artist may pride hirnse upon seeing the world with a vision entirely his own; he may--in ee he must-eschew all ideas of interpreting his age. But in fact e is e child of his times, and he is never so creative, never so truly himse as when he is in the midst of forces which inform his visio t jios perceptions. The city is his natural home Its -les and, 1 s literary circles and artistic clubs, its newsp p even its public squares and streets, have been the see the arts. related to the arts, i which the city is There is another sense in in a dram•tistand the artist the city. Not only does the city need the art �atic way the city can be itself a work of art, perhaps the most striking and durable of all man's great works. The city is made. It is shaped out of the myriad decisions, conscious and unconscious, which deter­ mine from day to day and from epoch to epoch the outward forms of its The fact that each year the free n reau contribute to the success of thousands^6 materials of the * programs is ample proof that people today ^°mrnunity’wide Clean UePther for the improvement of their commuX t0‘ tureau show that over 100 million Americans thlt repres^O n life. This talk of granting money is a poor way to make real the cities have to play in support of their arts. For money, though it important, is only an element in the picture. We need to make clea , S role that individuals play in leading and stimulating the whole moverne t we need to see not only what money is given, but how it is given, thr ’ whatprocesses and institutional procedures; we need to have some fe 1 ing for the result that is achieved. The only way of avoiding mediocrity and of providing distinction for the city is through the creation of a body which is outside the politi­ cal flux, and which is composed of men knowledgeable in their parti­ cular field. It should not be impossible to create similar institutions at the municipal level. Indeed one must look to the handful of newly-estab­ lished municipal arts councils as an essential step in developing in this country a better relation between art and local government. The United States has wakened to the possibilities of urban exist­ ence. The old belief that the true values lay in the farm, that city life was corrupt and menacing, has given way only gradually--persisting long after the facts had shown us to be a nation, not of farmers but of city-dwellers. But give way in the end it must. Today the good life in America will be found in cities--or it is not likely to be found at all. And the cities will meet man's need only in proportion as they manifest again the qualities whichwe associate with urbanity, indeed with civili­ zation itself. They will become an abiding home only insofar as they of the cities and towns throughout the UnitedStates are exposed totheT words: Clean Up-Pamt Up-Fix Up, and enthusiastically embrace its simple philosophy of self-help. Clean Up programs have accomplished three things: 1) resulted in the voluntary expenditure of many millions of dollars in home, business, and neighborhood improvements; 2) been the catalytic agent in bringing together many diversified efforts and pro­ jects under one banner of home and community betterment; and 3) be­ come an integral part of our way of life in the American tradition of util­ izing local initiative for the self-improvement of property and area ap­ pearance. There are five objectives of the Bureauand one only has to study these objectives to realize the univer sal appeal and scope of this volun­ teer program. These objectives give any community the freedom of choice for concentrated effort on any single objective or combination thereof. Taken separately, each is a basic attribute to the ideal com munity. Collectively, they are the motivating force for the mass elim­ ination of blight--the generating force of civic pride--the magnet that at­ tracts newbusiness and economic development, improves area appear­ ance, and keeps people moving to a city, not from it! The five basic objectives are: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Home and Community Beautification Prevention of Slums and the Rehabilitation of Blighted Areas Improving Health and Safety Standards Teaching of Juvenile Decency Supporting Fire Prevention Programs nourish the arts. A beautiful city cannot be legislated, and yet sufficient codes and pronances are a basic necessity for any successful s____ - - ■ improvement . gram, This country, being a nation of law, has more statutes on the books nationally, state-wide and locally than any other country in the mind can think of has world, Practically every problem that the hun Consequently, the breakbeen r written into some form of legislation. 1 down is not the law itself--or lack of laws--but: most often lack of strong enfor cement. ,. R. H. HACKENDAHL What is Clean Up-Paint Up-Fix Up? Simply stated, it is people working together to improve their community. It can be a week long, month long, or year long program that harnesses the enthusiasm, dedi- cation and talent of all citizens into one team of volunteer workers, united m a common civic improvement effort. Clean Up programs create a personal, as well as a community, desire to maintain, irnP beautify, to restore and preserve privately owned properties, and God-given natural resources of the area. We must face the stark and discouraging reality that slums will end up up unfortunate y doll.ars going for new housing to replace slums will end �TUtM-Uttw slums unless there is a great chan tomorrow's new s ; attitude and habits regarding indiff8® * a ,in °f the ^midst blight, the less they care, the l<y e«ce laTS ore people live a lower they sink on the human scale iWer tMr' Xal standards beCSme and all other familiar problems ot X„ile deU»1««»c’’ “ Thus, in the interest of human welfare neighborhoods result vlV, NO. Ju- WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, ilvi„g be associated wrth greater and dig. civjc —nce • municipal MARCH MEETING BONDS The Institute of Municipal Government at Will, a bi-monthly dinner for local officials at Wilk* r * C°Uege will hold 1965 at 6:30 p. m. The featured speaker for th S Onirnoi}s on March 18, Post, Chairman of the Board of Luzerne CounnT ?e James Bwill discuss "The Progress of the Reassessment Wh° --rsSi'SSSSsSS' entire legal his PA. , MARCH 15, 1965 and the u. S. Treasury. The case revolves Company ot , t-on tax formula applicable to insurance comabout the ef^ ° las Company contends indirectly results in its paying panies which the AJould have to pay solely because it owned a higher ta which heretofore had been presumed to be tax free. How“““'tanlications of the case extend beyond the mere technicalities i rffte application of a tax formula and could extend to a review of ths ously upheld constitutionality of the tax exempt status of bonds .sS by state and local governments from the federal income taxes. Last year’s meeting on the assessment program was timely and successful. Now that the program has finallybeen adopted, all local of­ ficials will want to know something concerning the operations and pro­ cedures under the program. Mr. Post will be accompanied to this bi­ monthly meeting on March 18 by his colleagues and the Board of Assessors. LOCAL NEWS James B. Post, chairman of the Luzerne County Commissioners, and his colleague, William Goss, called on the Board of Assessors to re­ view all church parsonages, including parking areas, and to adjust their assessed value to about 10% of market value. The new arrangement reflect that about two-thirds of the propertyis usedfor churchand re i- THOUGHTS FOR TODAY The only thing people learnfrom experience is that they'vemade another mistake. ■ gious purposes and one-third for personal living. Those who want to live a quiet, peaceful life have picked the wrong time to live. Wallet ■ Something " you pay luxury tax on when you buy it, inout of come tax on what - you put into it, and sales tax on what you take it. PUBLICATION This News-letter, y service’ Inst't t published Published monthly monthly as as a a communi community originated in the Institute of Municipal Government of Wi r^gti^6 -3 ma k ^unic*Pai Government of Wilkes otes and inquiries may be addressed to Dr. Hugo V. e^’ sylva»ia' ' - J?® _acidressed to Dr. Hugo V. Mailey, umcipal Government, Wilkes College, Wilkes-Barre, ?e The Forty Fort Borough Council adopted a budget an occupational privilege tax of $10. 00, the first such levy by y Side Community. At a special session of the Swoyersville Borough s Mary Harzinski was elected to fill the une ° Harzinski. Her bus office caused by the death of her husban , ^ed. -pbe app< —----:pointment of his band was in his 5thterm as Mayor when e mem^er of the Harzinski wife will mark the 20th consecutive year a g woman in family has filled the Mayoralty post. Mayor, Josephine ■ -' —. Mrs. the history of Swoyersville to hold t e 0 to c’ complete the term of her ®rominski was appointed to the post in husband, Dr. John Brominski. �The Supreme Court in dismissing th< appeal, and and upholding upholding the the opini'on of the lower court, stated: "This Court cannot measure the degree :tent of noise, dust, odor or traffic or exl • • It It will will suffice suffice to say the" was sufficient evidence to sustain the findingr ■ n gs of the Board and we can find no abuse of discretion. " ene^l cove e rs grant of $33, 61* U” ._ition cost of $112, 050 for the area kno' 30% of total land * Township. It is off Route 29 about two,Wn as Ioon miles Lake Park m Ply knQwn as Mud Pond or Reakes Pond. • The CerbeOdevelo^ednfor activities such as swimming, boating, fis}V area Lng and BILLBOARD ban hiking. adopted^at^taeeting^nd publi^he^r^ng^'^Wy^omin^Plar^d^ng^Cornrni^i^ ae / Jan antibillboard ordinance of Metuchen, New Jersey (United Ad­ upheld vertising Corporation v. Metuchen). Th/ordinance will be recommended to Council for adoption. SERVICE AWARD Every year at the Annual May Dinner, the Institute of h4unicipal Government presents the Service Award to those local officials who have contributed untiringly over a long number of year s in the service of their respective governments. The Institute will offer these awards again this year in May at the Thirteenth Annual Dinner. Included in those eligible for the Award are school board members and secretaries, police, fire­ men, councilmen, mayors, solicitors, engineers, planning and zoning commissioners and township supervisors. ThisAward is given as an ex­ pression of appreciation for ability, wide experience and untiring efforts as an outstanding public servant over many years. Send in the name of the recipient who is deserving of this Award. I The majority opinion drewa sharp distinction between treatment of billboards and business signs. "Even if the baleful effect of both be in fact the same, " the court reasoned, "still in one case the sign may be found tolerable because of its contribution to the business or enterprise on the premises. " The court then turned to aesthetic factor s and economic effects. "A discordant sight is as hard an economic fact as an annoying color or sound. We refer not to some sensitive or exquisite preference, but to concepts of congruity held so widely that they are inseparable from the enjoyment and hence the value of property. " A dissenting opinion argued for banning billboardss as outright " ' . The decision eyesores, without shifting attention to economic effects, ' ” : factors in addition to tradiis noteworthy in its recognition of aesthetic L~----- -------threat to public safety. tional arguments that billboards are a t------- VALLEY FORGE INDUSTRIES APPEAL The Plymouth Township Board of Adjustment denied Valley Forge reqUeSt f°r a sPecial exception for the construction of a build ordinalthepaVjngof Hslotfor the storage of asphalt trucks. The zoning its meetinaUt °riZes the reQuesteduse as a special exception subject to its meeting certain criteria. proposed use would sibihties. denyi"H Valley Forge's application, found 111*1 * ec aracteristics ascribed to the use were only P CLUSTER ZONING the proper use of zoning regulations. The met o liar is the requirement of oversize lo s in classification, and an increase in the size the last ten years. An acre minimum is not a zoning regulation has been affirmed in decis in several states. Even higher requiremen s the courts, two acres in New York, three acr Connecticut and five in New Jersey. of higher notable trend of an(j ^tg validity as Supreme Court been sanctioned by Missouri, four in „ �thod of securing open development. is another nn6 developer to take something off the As Clustering zoning, it permits the re­ , lots, but only if the reductions ha: residential building applied to n­ land to be kept open. Ina residential de. quirementtofor the community as 1.---• t a zone restricted to lots of one acre, ded over of 50 acres, located in ‘Aitted 1Ot °part £ 30,' T ““ tof«b‘evelopment may be "permitted Lu —lltteto ;°”ora that of it,7 found the developer than 13, OOO-foot reduction, ‘ ’, --"'3 by U the the community for public recreand the more --2, mi^ 'ightb® . would, in most cases, be handled fit for the purpose would, in most cases, be bLhlv conditioned exception, and certainly t ation. This ‘ option -‘•--r to’ tU and ... zoning ordinance3 the submission by the developer of a plan in the ~ Planning commission or other specified comof the conditions x.: one I of the plan ^ nd tQ be deeded to the community the approval cf for -y. The fitness o clustering method of securing open munity agency, ttialinthe success the validity of cluster zoning was is an essent development- The 3 zoningbulletin o£the New York Regional ai.c.s..d 1« «“Fe‘'T'L a Superior Court case in New Jersey mvolv. yOb- J York and Philadelphia. Whether cluster zoning will appeal to developers is yet to be proved. They may save something in road construction, They may produce a more interesting residential pattern, and one more attractive to buyers. There maybe an advantage in house frontages on open land instead of the more conventional frontage on roads. I A penny saved makes the coin shortage worse. PA., APRIL 15, 1965 ANNUAL DINNER Plan Association.TownShip, locatedabout halfway between New THOUGHTS FOR TODAY XIV, NO. 4 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE I The Thirteenth Annual Dinner for award winners will be held at the Wilkes College Commons on Friday, May 14, 1965 at 6:30 p m This will be a gala occasion for local officials and local government employee s in Nor the a s ternPenn sylvania, particularly in Luzerne County. This Dinner really brings to a climax the activities in local government which the Institute of Municipal Government has conducted. The main speaker of the evening will be the Honorable Daniel J. Flood, member of Congress from the 11th Congressional District of Pennsylvania. His efforts in interesting the Federal Government in the Susquehanna River Basin are now beginning to bear fruit. Congressman Flood dreams of the day when the whole Wyoming Valley will be a thriv­ ing, prosperous area in the Susquehanna River Basin. His remarkswill be related to the part that local officials will play in revitalizing Wyo­ ming Valley. This is Ladies Night. The wives of all those who will receive Certificates or Awards are welcomed to the Dinner. He who laughs last probably didn't hear the punch line. municipal bonds PRISONER HANDLING Prisoner handling in one-man patrol car s in Glendale, Califo^^^^ ts facilitated by using a seat belt. The prisoner is handcuffed and "safety-belted" safety-belted" to the seat. (The Police Chief, April 1959) publication Thls 1 Notes and^inq^. Institute ofMuniVi m°nthly as a community service, ofMunicipalQ riesrn*y be addres Government of Wilkes College. 1G°Ve^ent, Wiik^ cV, t0Dr- Hugo V. Mailey, Institute 0 ege, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania- The United States Supreme Court•J711* ^^asury has the right ments on a case that may determine whether municipal bonds, to levy an indirect tax on the income from a • eSS eXpenses, generally At issue is the que stion of whether or dinary as deductions in pro fully deductible to businesses, should be i received. Portion to the amount of tax-exempt incom The case, which has been run Treasury against the Atlas Life Ithough the decision will direc y -r- . 19“;.?'”“> the . , since April. Cornpany of Tulsa, Oklahoma, the life insurance industry, �is "the knowledge and belief for any inV| ■ eallyisatSta pxempts will be excludable from taxes. ; "e®tor Th^ what i1 -3 from tax e and local governments is his income Olilhi01li, l bonds issue Federal taxation under the < terest on 1 t0 eX :: P al immunity. That is, the Federal Gove believed .-"■“beni doctrine of resX and local government bond interest, and viCe versai would not tax ■ much feeling, however, among many in the ]leSal Pro. There roneress is possesses the power to tax such inter -rest ifit fession that >< to do so. The exemption of interest has been the should choose Strenuous debate and recently has been argued 'j Subject more Otl of frequent and —mic and political impact than on the subject ofcoi the theory of economi msti. of Federal taxation. Tax-exempt bonds have tutional limitations rallvbeen thought of as the rich man's investment. A personin a 70 Per ex , ” have to earn, for example, about 10 per cent cent bracket would on a » thesame income as earned on a tax$10,000 investment to derive exempt The person in the 36 per cent bracket investment yielding 3 per cent. c- 'The leading decision is Commonwealth vs. Hanzlik, 400 Pa. 134 . That case involved a second clas (196the storage of abandoned or j ' ‘ coTst^«4 (earning $30,000 a year) would have to earn almost 5 per cent to get a similar yield. Commercial banks, which buy about half of all municipal bonds issued, have found that this form of income has enabled them to pay higher rates on investor savings accounts and corporate time deposits. Municipal income has also been a help to casualty and fire insurance companies in offsetting the heavy loss experience of recent years. The exemption from Federal income taxes is particularly appealing to banks and insurance companies, which are limited in their range of invest­ ments. For the state and local governments, if the Treasury wins "mu­ nicipal bondswill have to become more attractive (that is, pay more interest) if they are going to meet the investors1 objectives. " Last year and local governments sold $10 billion of tax-exempt bonds. The cent lnterest cost on the bonds ranged from 3. 04 per cent to 3. 27 per jJUNK YARD ORDINANCES a»7o2P"£"lhUM!,’lesislati''e'authorization as found in Clause 12, 1933'p: ' - X 53 x; as amended, t0 Prohibit nuisanc U Zati°n is g iven second class ■ authorizati, is given to second class township® including mobiles. Various CouV^ 1118 the storage of abandoned or junk au ° storage of abandoned or ‘he Act of May J ing e unlawful. The Supreme Court of T .... ---I Pennsylvania held that the le^Y/ture did not define the storage of junked glS se is unauthorized and thus invalid. The automobiles as a nuisance principal has been restated Daugherty vs. Messner, 404 Pa. 235 (1961). This principal is furJher enunciated in Roglaski vs. Upper Chichester Township, 406 Pa. 550 11962) which held that an automobile junk yard is not a nuisance per se. Also, the Montgomery County Court in Recent decisions _______ ..has followed same principle. ^For example, in the case of the same .......... c. of Limerick Limerick vs. Lonnie Wiseman, No- 62-8593, Judge Honeyman m a decision dated January 4 1963 held that by reason of clear unequivical language of the Supreme' Court of Pennsylvania in the case of Commonwealth vs. Hanzlik, to the effect that the legislature has not given to second class townships the power or right to promulgate ordinances declaring the storage, junking, abandoning or burning of automobiles as a nuisance per se, the appeal should be sustained without the necessity of a hearing and defendant should be judged not guilty and the fine of $100 assessed by the Justice of the Peace against the defendant be refunded to the defendant. In the matter of Township of Upper Merion vs. William Haney, 63-4136 a similar problem under the provisions of a second class town­ ship ordinance was raised. Under the date of July 9, 1963, Judge Honey­ man entered an Order upon the authority of Commonwealth vs. Hanzlik, sustaining the appeal from a conviction of guilty under the ordinance, discharged the defendant and directed that the fine paid by the defendant be returned to him. In the Upper Merion Case (Supra) the ordinance stated that it was unlawful to store or deposit any abandoned or junked automobiles or parts thereof in any place in the township. A further section of the ordinance said that such action in violation of the ordinance * would be deemed to be and would constitute a nuisance. It is clear under the Hanzlik decision that such an ordinance is invalid in that it seeks to declare the activity in question as , Per se and the courts have held that the legislative authorizai oni only to a nuisance in fact. Similarly the ordinances in the. Hanzlik d^ cision and in the Limerick Township decision soug , therein the storage of any abandoned or Glaring such activities to be a nuisance. aiven to second class various decisions is that the statutory authority g an activity Unships is only an authorization to the township o’ in the se_ t° be a nuisance. This is strengthened by ot er ? the right to c°nd Class Township code which give to the supervise egulate such activity. Reprint from May Reporter �CumtttLS-^np incompatible OFFICE§ — .tables may not Cons borough editor township °r Of the executive, as officers -> eXCept d mTv United States —’ ah policemen and may b°titledas constable, excep^ rve as aidermen or justices of the Peace, directors, district attor . judiciary departed neys of the g service. Constables mayents serve receive all costs and fees to which he as is costs and fees derived frombor. c0Hected by the borough mayor and yOL- XIV, NO. 5 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA. , MAY 15, 1%5 ough ordinance sury. There is no provision m the laws gov. aid into the borough t«ittiny constableS to serve as policemen, how- ANNUAL DINNER ever, notniug , Scranton (second class and second class A cities In Pittsburghandg silent concerning the question of a con­ respectively/, me law silentQnd concerning nnoo*. vectively), ,, . 6 the question <->f the law is is also a ciaSs city law does provide that stable serving as a . es amtoreceive a fixed salary, which would seem to be all city employes f the office of constable. However, in in conflict with the fee sy u ^ Edwards, 58 Pitts. 102, 1909,a ~ - —gh " and Scranton would also oe poiu-cu Third class city law specifically prohibits a constable being ap­ pointed as a policeman. In first class townships a constable may be a policeman, however, he may not receive compensation for his duties as a policeman. Second class township law provides that a policemanis an ex officio constable. He would not be entitled, however, to the fees of the constable except for the allowable traveling expenses. But, in most second class townships the elected constable performs all police functions and this compensation problem is thereby eliminated. This will be a gala occasion for local officials and inn i 6'3° P‘m’ the employees in Northeastern Pennsylvania, particuiari . / g°Vernment This dinner really brings to a climax the activities [ “J Lu*erne c°unty. which the Institute of Municipal Government has conducted g°Vernment The main speaker of the evening will be the Honorable Daniel J. Flood, member of Congress from the 11th Congressional District of Pennsylvania. His efforts in interesting the Federal Government in the Susquehanna River Basin are now beginning to bear fruit. Congressman Flood dreams of the day when the whole Wyoming Valley will be a thriv­ ing, prosperous area in the Susquehanna River Basin. His remarks will be related to the part that local officials will play in revitalizing Wyo­ ming Valley. This is Ladies Night. The wives of all those who will receive Certificates or Awards are welcomed to the Dinner.. NONTRADITIONAL ASSIGNMENTS^ Reprint from March Internal Affairs THOUGHT FOR TODAY Any man who calls derstand either women or his wife his better half probably doesn't un­ fractions. After careful analysis of the work of duty of in­ men at West St. Paul, Minnesota, have be business licenses specting businesses to determine thatfirst a in a program to make use of is the are current. The assignment i- — in areas which are not traditionally available fir e department manpower assigned to the fire department. publication This News-letter, originated in the Institute published monthly as a community service, Notes and inquiries r" of Municipal Government of Wilkes Collegeof Municipal Government, Wilk, may be address , . , ■ Institute ed to Dr. Hugo V. Mailey, .11 — :es College, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylv Lnia- at all times. The ■ the department Usually four men are on duty in d^n„ f-w0 men out in the depart­ license inspection program involves sen emergency equipment, nnent's station wagon, which is e<lU^PP^0_way radio. One man makes Because of firemen's personal equipment, and a tw0_way radio, the inspection while the other stands by yed in the course of a year, the relatively small number of alarms r �occasions will arrive when the men in. alarm, although this has occurred °nce. sPec, REASSESSMENT duty wiU be c permitted the fire department to duties also have commercial buildings. Durin| The new ment its regul -nlar ;nthsitisplan"eJ summer mo— Luzerne County adopted a long n ment program on October 1, 1964. A pr“ aug~ lg sist the inspection operation to as ^ck of construction activity in the cit the I— , of ..nontraditional" service to which fire manAs an example g out the following criteria: (1) it power can be put, the pr g ed in the community while remaining in is work which canbe ? hestation; (2) it is work which can be dropped constant radio contact wi to respOnd to an alarm if neces­ sary. Public Management, June, 1964 6 I HAZLETON MUNICIPAL TORT LIABILITY LEGISLATION Legislation was enacted in 1963 by the states of Minnesota and Wisconsin relating to municipal tort liability. The traditional defense of "governmental immunity" was abandoned by a Minnesota Supreme Court decision in 1962 (Spanel v. Mounds View School District). The 1963Minnesotalegislationbecomes effective January 1, 1964 (Laws 1963, Ch. 798). The law preserves some immunities, sets limits of recovery in tort actions against governmental subdivisions and clarifies the procedure for* pPurc’hasingo insurance .7. ” — and paying judgments. The maximum liability under the------1963 3 act shall not exceed". . . (a) $25, 000 when the claim is for one <death ’— ’ by wrongful act or omission, and $50, 000 to any claimant in any other c' , , case; (b) $300,000 on any number of claims arising out of a single occurrence, include punitive damages." No award for damages on such claim shall l«»g-delayed ment program is assessment equalization ot the reassess pays his fair share toward government on h everY Propertv were notified of the county assessment vfl^11Pr°perty owners explained the new assessment figure. One of by mail- A Pamphle of the program was to uncover and place H he notable achievement. 6,000 taxables who had been dodging their obhAt^ r°US appro™tely valuation for Luzerne County was $245 518 n' The old assessed show an increase of $126, 778, 388 for a’total nf t J?\new ass^sments communities, such as Wilkes-Barre Citv th *362, 297> 3<4. In some sessed valuations (-8. 6); whereas in other co^ WHS * decrease in asTownship there was an increase (+237. 9) orntT>unities such as Salem Hazleton has been named among those to receive All-Amsrica City honors, it was announced by the National Municipal League and Look Magazine, co-sponsors of the annual competition for the nation's cities. The All-America City designation is given each year to eleven cities whose citizens have made outstanding progress in solving com­ munity problems. The winning cities were picked from a field of over 100 by a jury headedby Dr. George H. Gallup, director of the American Institute of Public Opinion and chairman of the National Municipal League. !) I The Wiscon * a subdivLdieoanthallegedlycaus(edby4anvreq]UlreSnotice within 30 days of inser°r volunteer fire nypol^ca! corporation, governmental to be '^ployee Corporation or subd^ °.r ltS officer, agent or employee The first industrial resurgence in n^^^^ffX^nVdustrial organized a Dime-a-Week campaign to uy 1956 and 1963, three park, then cleared the land themselves. CAN-DO, Inc. , an in­ fund-raising drives netted over $2.2 ^lh°"°Jhelln buildings to attract dustrial development corporation which bui unemployment is down industries. Withl6 new industries gained to a e, ^az|etonians have from 16 per cent to 6 per cent. In addition, v0|Unteer labor and funds, created a 175-acre community park throug ei a2ny- The act lim tt t1V?1Onand°n such officer, agent or 00° the amount which may be recovered against a municipXtSort0 dividual fOr <darnage or injuP ty °r lts officer °r agents by any one inProvides that- sPecial rights or reTt^ °f a sin§le tort. The act also by °ther statutes Or injury, damage oV Pr°vided against municipalities - -le new law 5 death shall supercede the moneen such other statutes applY1 WYOMING VALLEY I SANITARY AUTHORITY- recently t a special meeting Wyoming Valley Sanitary Authority at advance an application for an Passed a resolution authorizing the filing of <- �grant of Finance w- with Community Facilities Administraf and Home Agency, to be usedin preparing fjnal 1On> Ho of $372,000 proposed $22, 000, 000 sewage treatmentworks for Wyomin Plans f°r the Finance munities. & •eY com. yOU. XIV, N°. 6 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA JUNE 15, ■ ■ ntiVE pLANj^OUR^^^2r^TRA^ EDUCATIONAU^UCouncil recently approved and indale, California / tive Plan prepared and sub- Theitsr entirety ani EducationaHncenti^e plan prepared .g designed to en_ Educational Incentive Plan plan is designed X'X® ’Edwin Edw‘ T. Powell. ■ -- The --------' self-improvement in the employee sand to recognize and reward HIGHWAY CLASSIFICATION REPORT courage employee for accomplishments. the iindividual ---- created by 1) All City employees who, on their own time, succes sfully com. plete the requirement of anapproved three-unit course will be eligible for a $5 per month increase in their salaries for as long as they are on the city payroll. 2) An approved course is one that is endorsed by the respective departmenthead and the city manager and directly pertains to the present duties and responsibilities of the employee or is associated with the next stepon the promotional ladder. 3) Two approved two-unit courses will qualify and the employee will have $5 per month increase and have one unit start toward his next three units. When six units are com­ pleted, it will qualify the employee for a $10 per month increase and so on, with $5 extra for each three units successfully completed, up to a maximun ofsixty units, or $100 per month per employee. The success­ ful completion of a two-unit course will not result in an increase untilan additional unit is completed. 4) If the employee, after receiving per­ mission from the department head and the city manager attends class on the city s time, he will not be eligible for this extra reimbursement be­ cause the city already has encouraged hisimprovement by not deducting from his regular salary the hours he was absent from his job while pur­ suing an education. —.3 week. the The report, omirled "Arterial Transport Sy.te„. lor Pe^aHa.' 11 * prepared for the Committee by the Automotive Safety Foundation, report recommends that the General Assembly "reassign govern­ The mental responsibilities for roads and streets, establish corresponding equitable fiscal policies, improve intergovernmental relations, and pro­ mote more efficient administration inboth state andlocal governments. " The report states that "revised financing policies should accompany changes in jurisdiction, " but other than citing the need for fiscal studies in several areas, and other than recommending that the 1/2 cent aid to the county be abolished, the report does not specify what the "revised financing policies" would be. The report recommends five road responsibility assignments: (1) state primary (rural and urban)--state responsibility; (2) state sec­ ondary (rural and urban) - - state responsibility; (3) other urban art erials - city and borough responsibility; (4) township roads--township responsi­ bility; (5) access streets--city and borough responsibility. THOUGH rs FOR TODAY Heat travels faster Work is a fine township roads, and city streets wou ^ncreaSe of 537 miles, sibility. " Cities and boroughs would have a ne ds WOuld betranstownships--11, 877 miles. All 613 miles o .co> ^tensively on "interferred to other jurisdictions. The report wn__and rightly so, begovernmental relations" in highway adminis } relations matter, cause classification is really an intergover citiesin the CommonIn referring to the more than 1,000 boroug sseS of communities-- than cold -- you can catch cold! way to escape being bored. publication ., . monthly as a TM’Mdd^WrtM atale °PH^nsned £M ™‘ta>S°G thly as a community communit stitute of Municipal Government of Wilkes>' 5""ce' Miciw s may be addressed t , Wilkes Colleege, Wilkes-Barre,Pennsylvania. -Ivania- I wealth, the report divides the group into those under 5, 000 population, those between 22 communities over 30,000. qqq and 30,000 and the 1965 �v • the smaller category, the report Sp the 766 boroughs inbe provided by the tto_per centmoney - For h of the arterial which are connecting links Of L fieS Department the ^tem. Additional arterial streets Would HighWay mary and secondary Y -priority development" by thJ municipalitynicipal agreements Governor William W. Scrant State’s share of the cost of operation of mgned into ^w a bill fixing the ment plants at two per cent annually T?1UniciPally-owned sewage treat sidy will give the Wyoming Vallev S fuU two per P- ce cent sewage sub$400, 000 toward the operating costs as3"^17 Authority/ approximately about $240, 000 under the old arrangement based on 1. ]o S ‘against z cent. -phasizes the importance of int—: P street operations. The report comesi to • hAtween 5.0°° and 3°’ ““num and the conclusion that the 216 boroughs and lation "should be able to efficiently Lterial and access streets. " There. streets would lie with the municipality "Under the previous law," the Governo ted to only 1. 19 per cent per year for the thrT "payments amounof this administration. At our request, theGe^ Pri°r t0 the start priated enough money to pay the full two per AssemblY hasapproLast year, this amounted to $5. 5 million. T1 60 Since 1963more than $6. 2 million, and next year $7. ] m-]iS year’ tbe flgure will be ments. This new act makes the full two ner raIT a"tlclPated in paymity with the Intent of the State's ™tionally.k„owfc“a‘'"yei"mX'" sponsibility tor de’^P"6 the state primary or secondary system. and they would be a Pa and boroughs would aga.n be earmarked State aid allocated to thes within the municipality. In the larger for use on the arterial lation)j arterials would be the o'the municipality "-n0 stat, aid or control. state aid or control. Comparing these three population categories, the report recom­ mends that purely local roads would be purely local responsibility in all three categories; that is, purely financial and administrative responsi­ bility. Also, in all three categories the state primary .and secondary system would, of course, be the responsibility of the state. It is in the category of arterial streets that the difference is found. In the small places, most the arterial streets would be the administrative and fis­ cal responsibility of the state. In the medium-sized places, the arterial streets will be municipal responsibility with ear-marked state aid of their development with state supervision. In the larger municipalities, the arterial systems would be the sole responsibility of the city or bor­ ough. rpi governments, by theffin/8 by rec°mmending certain "actions" by local For the latter, some of the^ t epartment; and by the General A ssembly. routes to the state highwav 1OnS mentloned are: refrain from adding and streets to local governtransfer responsibility for local roads inH°’jnpensate for suchtransf11 S’ revise state aid to local governments bod U e’ Stressing the policy erS'v Forlocal governments, the "actions" all XdSeleCtingacareer. quaw Hlng responsibilities of the legislative -nic^ StTeet derations; Veek nOn~elective employee to supervise Populatin gr°Ups to improve fr ■ C00perative agreements with other «gall Md' f°' boroughs over 5, 0™ a^hlslX1?11 Secondary, an« Panning, financing, and traffic COMMUNITY ANTENNA TELEVISION A43-page report reviewing guidelinesand practices for boroughs in regulating community antenna television firms is now available to local officials. It includes a survey of current regulations in 51 boroughs and copies of franchise and permit documents. A complimentary copy will be sent to each member-borough upon request from the Pennsyl­ vania State Association of Boroughs. f j SPECIAL LICENSES The special license plates for mayors and is pecially for borough officials have bee" ^JJJ^ndsome special plates rapidly being depleted. If you want one send $1 00 with "Mayor" or "Councilman" on it for the fro y. to the Pennsylvania State Association of Boro g new LEGISLATION • j to tlie secrcAct No. 20 - The combined amount of ^^^pensltion for I tary and treasurer as salary, wages or n of the annual tax up reTi exclusive of the compensation for pr/^emoney paid out by thetreas shall not exceed three per centum dollars per annu but it shall not be less than seventy-Lv �to Third Class Cities provides fOr t relating ' ,6 - This Act . officers for overtime emergency adddi. Act No. sati°n for police :y. tional cOinPerequire any• police officer to work more then eight h 8 more then forty-f Our hours,, nor N° city ca conseicutive , Fs cases for the suppression in emergency <■ of riots When the Mayor of a Thir — <i ClaSs •vation of public peace. or the preset: an emergency and requires police officers to r’ remain On City declares shall be compensated on the basis . such officers — their duty overtime annual salary. xiv> I I PA. , JULY 15, You are cordially invited to attend and participate in the FIFTH ANNUAL COMMUNITY GROWTH CONFERENCE to be held at Wilkes College, on Wednesday, September 29, 1965. In an attempt to come to grips with the more pressing problems of our area, the sponsors of the COMMUNITY GROWTH CONFERENCE are pleased to provide this unique opportunity to share experiences with nationally known authorities who have been invited and will participate in the CONFERENCE with us. This FIFTH ANNUAL COMMUNITY GROWTH CONFERENCE will provide an opportunity for the exchange of ideas among the various organizations and individuals concerned with the solution of the more practical problems related to the social and ec­ onomic well-being of our area. The CONFERENCE will bring together all those people interested in planning for the area. It is designed to set a pattern for future cooperative efforts among local government offi­ cials, builders, realtors, industrialists, developers, and interested such police. Act No. 28 - Second Class Township supervisors shall receive not less then $6. 00 nor more then $10. 00 for each meeting which they attend, the amount of the compensation to be determined by the township auditors. THOUGHTS FOR TODAY citizens. The early bird is usually the best dressed, especially in a family of girls. j But smarter people, from WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE fifth annual community growth conference t of the school directors in a borough the Act No. 9 - Upon request^ bory appoint special school police who shall serve at the ough council may • , council and whose compensation shall be fixed by th >e pleasure of the c d jointly by the council and the school borough council and s determined by the borough council and board directors, in a ratl° ° borough council and board of school directors of school directors. ° of compensation of the police tobepaid ^^h^cho^Vc^an^boTrd, each shall pay one-half of the c ompensation of Smartpeople speak from experience experience, don't speak. NO. 7 1 MARK THIS DATE ON YOUR CALENDAR. IMPORTANT MEETING! DON'T MISS THIS ADVERTISING FOR BIDS A woman doesn't mind admitting she's thirty-nine years especially when she's fifty. old, PUBLICATION This News 1 n- "-"“•I1; Uy service, Wilkes College............... ... ege, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. When a Borough advertises forbids ^ust realize that no what appears to be a satisfactory bid, t e ritten contract, emcontractual relation shall arise therefrom acceptance has been for bodying all material terms of the °ffeI’ the motion whose adoptioni is mally entered into. In the instant cas , meant merely that t e evidenced by the minutes of Borough Counci and execution of a forma preparatio. posal was accepted subject to the prepara _ded before the con r contract; or to the -n any way hrnit or subject subject to the motion motion being being rescm which was all the motion adopted amoun e Was all the motion ; Bor °ugh Council's freedom of future action. 1965 �ACT 19 1 cooperation Law is one of the most important pi The General C P pennsylvania municipalities. It is a P es of enabling legisla‘10” roblems on a common basis. When the law for solving area-w r did CQntain a contiguity restriction r originally passe the law that only adjoining n 19451 SUCh auw Inter into intergovernmental agreements. There & ' cipahties coul g when contiguity is not important for an effec ’ however, many five intergovernmental agreemen . Act 19makes it possible for municipalities that are not contiguous to enter into cooperative agreements under the General Cooperation Law, Municipalities may join together, under the General Cooperation Law, to perform almost any function or service they can perform separately. Joint agreements have been used for sewerage, police, protection, re­ creation, purchasing, and many other municipal functions. in women and children to their homes. children congregate. Policewomen maybe assigned to the shoplifting detail in department stor es, and to the records division, where they may perform various clerical or administrative jobs. In many cities local law or police policy requires that a policewoman be present at every questioning involving women suspects or victims. 'I POLICEWOMEN Crime prevention is a relatively new idea in police work, and policewomen have done much to translate this idea into action. The first fullfledgedpolicewoman, appointed inLos Angeles in 1910, was a former welfare worker. Her idea, which she finally sold to city officials, was to have a force of trained women charged with the supervision of dance halls, skating rinks, and other places of public entertainment. Crime that might involve women and children could be caught at the breeding places and prevented by methods similar to those of social work. After World War I the number of policewomen increas ed rapidly, and with this growth in numbers came a growth in understanding of the tion of women in police work. In In 1922, 1922, policewomen policewomen got got another another oost w en the International Association of Chiefs of Police, at their onven ion, passed a resolution upholding the need for this new force chiefs ^;7PTement- "The aPPointment of policewomen, " said the program for h, 6 purpose of carrying out a preventive and protective women and chXCenTUnity’ WiU include the social protection of and protective in r most present-day policewomen is still preventive Policewomen still1 wl*?’ The emPhasis is still on women and children. r with social agencies, both public and private, But duties of a may vary from ordinary patrol work to assignmentas aern f policewoman ‘ mgerprint expert, a member of the narcotics s9uad, or a radio a dl° dlsPatcher. Plain-clothes woX I Of the police departments that responded to a survey survey made made by by the IAWP, 48 per cent required a civil service examination of appli­ cants for policewomen positions. An additional 13 per cent hiredpolicewomenon the merit system. Civil service exams for policewomen vary considerably. Many of them cover such subjects as sociology, crimin­ ology, civics, government, English, and history. Over half the police departments in the United States require a high school education or better. According to IAWP surveys, 16 per cent require their police­ women to be college graduates. Educational standards for policewomen are rising especially in large cities. In some cities the majority of policewomen are college graduates, with a few holding master's or PH. D. degrees. With increasing numbers of more highly educated women in the ranks of police, the educational level of the occupation as a whole is rising. A number of colleges and universities offer courses in delin quency control, crime prevention, police science, or criminology. A major in one of these subjects with a minor in social work or psychology would be ideal for a policewoman. The majority of police departme offer some sort of in-service training to policewomen recruits, end of the formal training period, rookie policewomen spen mainder of their probation on regular police duty under t e c lice_ vision of experienced officers. The list of former occupations of p^ women is almost endless. Social work, nursing> an teac police, the occupational backgrounds of a considerable number oJback. Women who have served in the armed forceshave a ver policewomen ground for police work. Unlike their male counterpa_ ’ most frerarely wear uniforms. The sort of duties to which they a help. UniQuently assigned made a uniform more a hm r ormed women in department stores or on patro mp ed by potential lawbreakers and avoided like scar would be spotAbout the �average policewoman wears a uniform an. only instances ^ceremonial occasions—unless, of course, she's t^ffic detailor some other post where a uniform ishel s' parades or other occupations, the number of po ice will increase J' signed to thet—As in most service growing population. Women police should increase keep pace with the because of the growing acceptance of cnme preventiOn faster than men increased realization of the need for co-operation between work and an . police and social agencies. I I I No. s WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA., AUGUST 15, 1965 VOL XIV, NEW LEGISLATION Acts 67 through 73 - Second Class Townships First Class Townships> Boroughs and Third Class Cities are permitted to make use of non­ debt revenue bonds, which havebeen available to local governments on a limited basis under the Municipal Bond Law. These Acts make non­ debt revenue, secured by project revenues and not subject to constitu­ tionaldebtlimitations, more attractive to the investor. Non-debt revenue bonds do not pledge the credit of the municipality nor create any debt against the general revenues of the municipality. The cost of tnany facilities previously financed through the authority device can now be made by issuing non-debt revenue bonds. Whether the bonds are re­ tired annually by maturity or by a sinking fund the sum of the payments for principal and interest in any year shall not exceed the sum of the payments for principal and interest for any prior year by more then five thousand dollars or twenty per cent of the prior sum, which­ ever is greater. The maturity shall not exceed forty years. Munici­ palities may also refund non-debt revenue bonds except that such refund­ ing bonds shall bear an interest rate not exceeding the bonds to be re­ funded and the maturing of such refunding bonds shall not exceed twenty years. I' fifth annual community growth conference I You are cordially invited to attend and participate in the FIFTH ANNUAL COMMUNITY GROWTH CONFERENCE to be held at Wilkes College, on Wednesday, September 29, 1965. ! In an attempt to come to grips with the more pressing problems of our area, the sponsors of the COMMUNITY GROWTH CONFERENCE are pleased to provide this unique opportunity to share experiences with nationally known authorities who have been invited and will participate in the CONFERENCE with us. This FIFTH ANNUAL COMMUNITY GROWTH CONFERENCE will provide an opportunity for the exchange of ideas among the various organizations and individuals concerned with the solution of the more practical problems related to the socialand ec­ onomic well-being of our area. The CONFERENCE will bring together all those people interested in planning for the area. It is designed to set a pattern for future cooperative efforts among local government offi­ cials, builders, realtors, industrialists, developers, and interested E citizens. 1 I thoughts for today MARK THIS DATE ON YOUR CALENDAR. IMPORTANT MEETING! There's nothing like having an excellent reputation to make some people wonder what you're hiding. SALOPEK V. ALBERT The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania upheld th. Raising children is like drafting a blueprint--you have to know where to draw the line. °f 1 court directing the Mayor of a Borough to assign to t e p >les of the chief of police, which office the plaint.en- PUBLICATION This News-lptt-- -a Originated in the Institut"’ Polished monthly as a community service, ries m ° Municipal Government at Wilkes CollegeNotes and <- — inqui • ' • tODr- Husov- Mailey’ of Municipal g, kes College, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. DON'T MISS THIS I Borough Council had appointed the plaintiff ie 0 chief of Police, acted an ordinance specifically defining the duties chief duties conDespite that ordinance, the Mayor had assigne to e* and had sistent with those of a patrolman, and not of a ie p a t r olman, patrolman, " repeatedly suspended the plaintiff for refusing with back pay, Rowing whicJ the plaintiff was repeatedly reinstated, °y Council. �u t the duties to be performedby the var. are within the prerogative of Council, The court pointed out1 tha -artment to be performed is the ious ranks in the police depai the manner in which the deSlgw nr therefore, exceeded his authprerogative of the Mayor,■' The.f of Police duties pertinent to the rank iedto the Chie d^ty of the Mayor to enforce all ority when he assigned 1 " "J Furthermore, it is {ailure to recognize the duties asof patrolman. —» Of the Borough, and hi a lawful ordinance constituted ordinancesu cfChief of Police by Counci signed t0 the X official duties. a dereliction LOCAL GOVERNMENT local news r£he City of Wilkes-Barre in the iiexi tnree years will save a next three operation of the municipal minimum of $49, 500 in management fees' in m operation of the Lock facility. The Council approved a new three-year conapproved a r- ■■ New Jersey to par'•X an Edison Parking Corporation of Newark, Park —_°fJSIew ark,for New Jersey tract W1 the he pa rk and Lock. The new ccontract calls management manage ^ qq a year as compared with $52,000 a year under its of only $35, 500 a year as compared with $52'“O“on fees of °n * . Twelve bidders submitted bids for the management sent contract. Twelve bidders submitted bids f present con r facility. or of the ' COOPERATION Unless presenttrends are changed, the eleven-county regionbetween Trenton and Wilmington can expect an increasingly troubled future. As the region's population increases from its present five million to an expected eight million by 1980, suburban areas will have steadily mount­ ing population pressures and ever greater traffic congestion. There will be increasing air pollution, sewerage difficulties, disappearing open space, and intensifying competition for decreasing water supplies. In addition, the problems of the central cities along the Delaware will soon be hitting the older suburbs and gradually spreading into newer areas. These areas can expect increasing blight and obsolescence, overcrowd­ ing, and confusion. The only practical solution is increasing cooperation among the nearly 400 local governments in the region. Such cooperation will be aided and made more systematic by the recently established Regional Conference of Elected Officials. Cooperation across governmental boun­ reduce daries can stem the tide of disorder as nothing else can. It can for our tax the duplication of services and give much greater mileage traffic and dollars. It can help to work out practical solutions to our attract new mwater problems. It should also make it easier for us to dustry to the region. an arena Such a focus of cooperative interchange could constitute ettled. where pressing regional issues can be raised, negotiated, and s< thresh ■ 1 wou^d To the extent that agreement could not be reached, the discussion conc-j °Ut and suPP°rt whatewQfor public-spirited “h “*-------------------provide a center of attention citizenss concerned to ldered to be in the in r solutions to unresolved problems they St of the region. ard cer®" (From an address by John W. Bodine at the annual awa j-els monies for governmental officials and employes sponsored Ly anfa.) Institute of Local and State Government, University of Pennsy would have completed 60 years of service with the City. He filled every position in the City Engineer's Office starting as a clerk in 1905. He received meritorious service citations from the American Public Works Association, the Institute of M inicipal Government, and Wilkes College. Ata meeting of the West Pittston Borough Council it was decided to update and revise the Borough ordinances under the direction of Penns Valley Publishing Company. Mayor John Dempsey of Wyoming died on July 8, 1965 while ser­ ving his sixth term as the borough's chief officer. Market value of real estate in Luzerne County in 1964 totaled $726,636,100, for an increase of $10,955, 100 or 1. 5% in the 1963 mar­ ket value. About 90% of the land within the Hazle Street Redevelopment Pro­ ject area in the City of Wilkes-Barre has been committed or sold Plans call for expansion of a manufacturing company, construction post office, and construction of a super market for the area. SEWAGE DISPOSAL -------- 3, is al,fficial will be conways with us. That being the case, the di se of it. The Institute tinually alert to new and up-to-date waySblications on file that will help of Municipal Government Library has pu weicome the opportunity to him in this effort, and the Institute sta make them available to him. ex—" > special re­ The American Public Works Association P methods for home disposal Ports from time to time evaluating sew g �does does the U. S. Public Health Service. The , municipality alike, as blishedby the latter agencyin 1957> a" al of Septic Tank Practl ’ TPhe Public Health Service also issues ■s anexpecially useful handb° construction activities tabulating type ,1’rougl”,,t the country- in s | Public Works Association reports meritAmong the America erv.ceCharges," 1953j Summariz. ing particular attention are cities 5> 000 population) and ing information on se wagte D.sposers,„ i951, considering "Evaluation of House o installation of garbage grinders, and public works problems a tQ ulate their use. The Institute of Muaction taken in certaini c onfUe a number of studies relating nicipal Governmen Cities regarding sewage handling, and to the to experiences o sp stems. "Sewer Rentals in Pennsylvania Municipalities, P I Planning Commission. are two helpful bulletins Periodicals also carry frequent articles on current trends in techniques and methods of sewage disposal. "Public Works" and "Wastes Engineering" are special journals in this field, and "American City" in­ cludes many references on the subject. Municipal league magazines likewise often report developments in the treatment of sewage, not only in their localities but elsewhere. publication This News-lette originated in the Institute of isbe<^ rnontbly as a community service, N°tes and inquiries may be ^mcipai Government of Wilkes College, Gove„meVt 1 to Dr. Hugo V. Malley, institute ge, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania- FIFTH ANNUAL COMMUNITY GROWTH PA. , SEPTEMBER CONFERENCE MARK THIS DATE ON YOUR CALENDAR. IMPORTANT MEETING! ! THOUGHTS FOR TODAY One man's meat is another man's cholesterol. NO. 9 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARrEj In an attempt to come to grips with the more pressing problems of our area, the sponsors of the COMMUNITY GROWTH CONFERENCE are pleased to provide this unique opportunity to share experiences with nationally known authorities who have been invited and will participate in the CONFERENCE with us. This FIFTH ANNUAL COMMUNITY GROWTH CONFERENCE will provide an opportunity for the exchange of ideas among the various organizations and individuals concerned with the solution of the more practical problems related to the social and ec­ onomic well-being of our area. The CONFERENCE will bring together all those people interested in planning for the area. It is designed to set a pattern for future cooperative efforts among local government officials, builders, realtors, industrialists, developers, and interested citizens. on that subject. Anybody who believes that people think alike hasn't seen very many refold a road map. xiv. You are cordially invited to attend and pa. participate in the FIFTH MNUAL COMMUNITY i iieoe on Wednesday, GROWTH SeptemberCONFERENCE 29, 1965. CD to be held at Wilkes of Local Govern™., Penn-" "Sanitary Service Charges in Tennessee, Some people seem to make up their minds with concrete. yOL DON'T MISS THIS a SHORT COURSES anumThe Institute of Municipal Governm iwill offjcaeain ials. conduct These courses ber of in-service training courses for municipa & 'ojnted officials the are designed to make available to electe a means of improving the performance of their■ presented in cooperation with the Public* of Public Instruction, Commonwealth -phe COurses are Department u ania. include: Funda6 s t ethose The courses being offered this ■f 11 seedmfor firemen who mentals of Fire Fighting -A course ndaTnentals of fire fig 1 • ; Basic wish to qualify as instructors of the tun the neW x___ recruit an acPolice Procedure - A course designs work: Principles of quaintance with the duties and techniqu 15. 1965 �a • iroductory course designed for municipal inspectors Inspection -introdu^y^u,^^ principles of Assessing - A including building,.^ m’agistrates and justices of the peace with the fUn. designed to a Jch as treSpass and assumpsit; Basic Auxilia Jr n I A basic course in Police work for Civil Defense Police; Basic | | ( I ’ A course in basic rescue work, covering the fundamentals Of CM1 Defense Rescue; Light Duty Rescue - A course to provide training dividuals who will become members of a Rescue Squad; Auxiliary Fire"- A course designed to train auxiliary firemen in the fundamentals I of fire fighting; Civil Defense for Local Government - A general course that reviews the powers, duties and responsibilities of elected official^ The enclosed brochure makes no mention of the fact that the Institute courses are co-sponsored with the Public Service Institute of the Department of Public Instruction. In expanding the brochure of the In­ stitute of Municipal Government from six pages to eight pages the co­ sponsorship with the Public Service Institute was inadvertently omitted The Institute is delighted to state that the Public Service Institute will co-sponsor the in-service training program of the Institute of Munici­ pal Government for the fifteenth consecutive year. STRIP MINE CONTROL OnDecember 16, 1964 Luzerne County adopted a zoning ordinance containing strip mine control provisions, which was to become effective January 1, 1965. On the day of adoption 21 coal firms went before Pres­ ident Judge Pinola of the Court of Common Pleas and petitioned for a preliminary injunction. The jurist grantedan enjoiner which subsequent­ ly was made applicable only insofar as the excavating control provisions were concerned. The coal firms c~--' contended that the State preempted the field of strip mine regulations by its c—• own legislative acts and that the County had n° right to enter into that field? harm and in th. " the absence of an , and that they would suffer irreparable jurisdiction. adequate remedy at law, that equity had The Board to dissolve the prelimin- '• “““ll“lbS10riers petitioned the local court nance would not have been ? ?njUnctlon 'm- The The County held that the ordieffective UntU JanuarY 1. that no attempt had eon made to enforce the ord P^-iHfi ms didhavean X-"ordinance ;against the coal firms, and that the adequate r 61^6^7’ and a statutory remedy must e Pursued. Their petition waTdtL -*1 was denied by the - —- court en banc. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court concurred with the r ’ ’ County Commissioners. In ; hL t0 ■ decision it held thatof the opinion lower equity courts did not 1 - v?^1SdlCtiOn Since the ordinance -t the offers procedures to test its itself wa? hY’ WaS Unanimous the opinion that the coal company action , , . nought into the lower court prematurely since no action had been takenagainst an operator under theprovisions of the ordinance. Thus, on July 1 the Supreme Court vacated the preliminary injunction. The issue of whether or not State regulations preempt County regulations was not argued or resolved. | I I MANDATORY police T RAINING "The Legislature of New Jersey hereby finds and declares that a serious need for improvement in the administration of local and county law enforcement exists in order to better protect the health, safety and welfare of its citizens,. . . that the present need for improvement can be substantially met by the creation of a compulsory educational and train­ ing program for persons who seek to become permanent law enforcement officers wherein such persons will be required, while serving in a pro­ bationary capacity prior to permanent appointment, to receive efficient training in this profession. . and that by qualifying and becoming profi­ cientin the field of individually and collectively better insure the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of this State in their respective com­ munities. " This legislative declaration clearly states the need and the objective for mandatory ---- 1~'*' — police training. The recent enactment into law of the Police Training Act will have a profound effect on law enforcement. Effective July 1, 1965, every municipality in the State, shall, as a condition of employment, require all persons who seek to become permanent law enforcement officers on or after this date, to attend and successfully complete a training pro­ gram approved by the Police Training Commission. Municipalities that operate under the provisions of the State Ci­ vil Service Law, should be particularly interested in Section 52 which states that the three month probationary period does not become operative until the police officer has completed his training. It should a be noted t’ that the training and three-month probationary period must completed2 la in a total period not exceeding one year from the date of the original appointment. nnsylvania has a law pending before its Legislature. It provides that a officers who are regularly employed by any local political subdivision <°f the State having three or more members shall attend the School unless theyr were on the force at the time of passage of the law. �Civil service employment. An intermediate course of 80 hours is Vol. untary for New York police officers. I yOL. ( I NEW LEGISLATION Act No. 102 - Second Class Townships may contract with any other Se­ cond Class Township, First Class Township, Borough, or City for the purpose of securing police service. When such a contract has been en­ tered into, the police of the employing municipality shall have all the powers conferred by law on the police of the township which has con­ tracted to secure such police protection. ( I BATTLE PLAN HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT ACT (Reprint from Public Administration Bulletin) & Poise is the ability to understand why you should feel embarrassed, The best things in life stay potential all their lives. This News letter, r—monthly as a community service, published monthly as a c nT a theInstitute of Municipal Government of Wilkes College, Municipal Government of Munici laqrUlrleS may be addressed to Dr. Hugo V. Mailey, Institute of Municipal Government, Wilkes College, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. to Dr. The new rent supplement program authorize. Urban Development Act, signed by the President on August 10, 1965 has commanded the bulk of press and public attention, Because other features of the new Act offer new tools to municipa ° icia ® summary. with urban problems, these are emphasized in t e o o When funds are appropriated ($200 million ajear^are^a^ are taxable. -PUBLICATION A dinner meeting has been scheduled for November 17, 1965 to hear Richard S. Funck, who is the Director of Civil Defense in Le­ banon County. His remarks will relate to the establishment of a joint communications center for all emergency services such as civil defense, police, fire, and ambulance. Such a communications center could link together in a mutual aid network all of the emergency systems on which the welfare of our communities depend. It is only by such a joint center that the people of Luzerne County can be given day and night protection for every day of the year. Such a system could save countless lives and property damage. All local officials, fire chiefs, police chiefs, and civil defense directors interested in such a communications system for Luzerne County can ill afford to miss the meeting of November 17 with Richard S. Funck, the Director of the Center in Lebanon County. A battle plan is under consideration for Phoenix, Arizona fire­ fighters to show them the best way to close in on and fight a fire. When the fire alarm sounds, the dispatcher turns to an index card which details the best assignment of equipment for the particular area and refers to another card which charts the proper moves for backstopping in the area of the station vacated by the fire-fighters going to the scene. Spinsters are potential wives who PA. , OCTOBER 15, 1965 CENTRAL COMMUNICATIONS CENTER Act No. 8 - Third to Eighth Class Counties (which includes Luzerne County) may now make appropriations for police, fire and other public safety radio and tele-communications networks for the erection, opera­ tion and maintenance of a county system. THOUGHTS FOR TODAY XIV, NO. 10 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, t i I until July 1, 1969) 50 percent grants maybenna^^^^ facilities. Public and agencies to finance basic public water an treatment, purificawater facilities could include works for the storage, tlon, and distribution of water, but "treatment works"1 as treatment works' as defined in the ild not be eligible for a grant Federal Water Pollution Control Act woul facility. Projects must be under this new program as a public sewe seeable growth needs of the area designed to serve the reasonably for forea unified or officially coordinated and be consistent with a program �prehensively planned development of the area. If the land purchased with grant assistance is not utilized within five years for the construction of facility planned for the site or the land is directed to other uses the Administrator may require repayment of the grant. An authorization of $25 million a year is made for grants for the advance acquisition of land (Title VII, Sec. 704) sewer facilities system of the area. Before a 1 -r of Health, Education, waste material carried by the sewer will be adequately treated befOre :arried by the it is discharged discharged into into a a public waterway. A community of 10„000 population or less without an adequate public sewer facility and with an unemployment rate 100 percent above the national average for the preceding year could receiveup to a 90 per. cent grant for a basic public sewer facility if the community could not finance the facility without increased grant assistance. Prior to July 1, 1968, discretionary grants could be made if a program for an areawide water or sewer system is under active preparation but not yet comple­ ted, if the facility can reasonably be expected to be required under an areawide program and the facilityis urgently needed. (Title VII, Sec. 702) When funds are appropriated ($50 million a year are authorized until July 1, 1969), two-thirds grants could be made to local public bodies and non-profit agencies to build neighborhood facilities such as commu­ nity centers, youth centers, health stations, and other public buildings toprovide health, recreational or similar social services to a neighbor­ hood. (In areas designated as a redevelopment area, three-fourths grants could be made.) The grant could cover the cost of acquiring land, necessary site improvements, and construction of the facility. The facility must be located in an area to serve a significant number of low or moderate income residents and be necessary to carry out a program of health, recreational, social, or similar community service in the area. Priority is to be given to projects which will further the objec­ tives of a community action program approved under the Economic Op­ portunity Act. A facility constructed with a grant may not be conver­ ted to another use for 20 years without the approval of the Housing Ad­ ministrator. A facility may be developed directly by a local public body or agency or through a nonprofit organization approved by the local body if the Housing Administrator determines the nonprofit organization has , T" ^nanc^’ an<f technical capacity to carry out the project and the public body will have satisfactory continuing control over the use of the facility. (Title VII, Sec. 703) To assist communities in acquiring land sites before prices rise acquiring sites before pricbe made for public works and facilities needed in theland future, grants could to cover the interest cost of a loan incurred to finance the land acquisi­ tion. The grant could be for the interest cost between the date of the loan and the date of construction of the facility but for not more than m neeth40St 7 HVe yearS- The Housing Administrator must deter- and that thefnSU>Ctl°mW111 initiated on the facility within five years that the facility will contribute to economy, efficiency, and the com- The Open Space Land Acquisition program authorized by the Housing Act of 1961 is expanded by increasing grant assistance from 20 percent to 50 percent; permitting grants for the development of land ac­ quired under the open space program; and permitting grants to acquire, clear, and develop land in built-up urban areas. (Title IX, Sec. 903) I I I ( 6 i A grant may be made only if the Housing Administrator deter­ mines the acquisition and development of open space land is needed for carryingout a unified or officially coordinated program for the provision and development of open space and as part of the comprehensively plan­ ned development of the urban area. (Title IX, Sec. 905) The term "open space uses" is now defined to mean use of land for park and recreational purposes, conservation of land and other na­ tural resources, or historic or scenic purposes. (Title IX, Section 902) I i I Although major structures such as amphitheaters, swimming pools or large buildings would not be eligible for "development" grant assistance, development would include activities such as landscaping, provision of basic water and sanitary systems, small shelters, and re­ creational apparatus. Development funds are available only for land acquired under the previous or current Open Space Program. If a local government body determines adequate open space areas cannot be pro­ vided through the use of existing undeveloped land, 50 percent grants may be made for the cost of land acquisition, demolition, and develop­ ment for open space use. Relocation payments must be made to indi viduals, families, and businesses displaced by the purchase oflandswith open space funds, and federal grants are authorized to cover relocation Payments. I I I (Title IX, Sec. 906) Communities which develop a program^^ anj private resources public areas which involve all available pU . beautification programs would be eligible for federal grant assistance ° ublicareas, provision such as tree planting and landscaping streets anb decorative paveof street furniture, pedestrian malls, founa^tbe amount a community rnent. A grant could be made for 50 perce ntunder an approved pro­ spends for urban beautification and improvem activities. Pro­ gram which exceeds usual expenditures for c with with $5 $5 million million authvision is made fora small demonstrationp �to beautify public areas. (Title IX, Sec. 906) The authorization for open space and urban beautification proillion (Title IX, Sec. 904) VOL. grams is increased trom for urban beautification. could be used for grants Grants may now be made to a city or municipality to cover twothirds of the cost of demolishing structures which, under state or local laws, have been determined to be structurally unsound or unfit for human habitation and which the community has the legal authority to demolish. A city could receive grant assistance to demolish unsafe structures with­ in an urban renewal area or outside of an urban renewal area if (1) the community has an approved workable program for community improve­ ment, (2) the demolition will be carried out on a planned neighborhood basis and will further the urban renewal objectives of the community, (3) the community is carrying on a program of enforcement of its hous­ ing and related codes, (4) the structures constitute a public nuisance and serious hazard to public health and welfare, and (5) the community's governing body has determined that all other available legal procedures have been exhausted to secure remedial actionby the owner s and that de­ molition by governmental action is required. (Title III, Sec. 311) A dinner meeting has been scheduled for November 17, 1965, to hear Richard S. Funck, who is the Director of Civil Defense in Le­ banon County. His remarks will relate to the establishment of a joint communications center for all emergency services such as civil defense, police, fire, and ambulance. Such a communications center could link together in a mutual aid network all of the emergency systems on which the welfare of our communities depend. It is only by such a joint center that the people of Luzerne County can be given day and night protection for every day of the year. Such a system could save countless lives and property damage. I THOUGHTS FOR TODAY ““ tO‘"ant’ th<! °V"‘ PA. .OCTOBER. 15, 1965 CENTRAL COMMUNICATIONS CENTER I wHelm1„7™jrr“yy”°.Ta"eJhri£,y' XIV, NO. 11 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, I All local officials, fire chiefs, police chiefs, and civil defense directors interested in such a communications system for Luzerne County can ill afford to miss the meeting of November 17 with Richard S. Funck, the Director of the Center in Lebanon County. LOCAL NEWS One way to teach children to listen is at the top of your voice. Habit is the easiest way of doing something wrong. I I I I _ The city when purchased by the bag. Some of the savings is _ sue of the anti-trust suits brought against the sa tcomp with the rock salt on the Street Department will mix calcium chloride v- ( hills and at the dangerous intersections. PUBLICATION This News-letter, originated • ;.eWS'letter. published i--------Institute of M.mic'in^lTaS & community service, Notes and -3 may be add P Government of Wilkes College. _ y be addressed to Dr. Hugo V. Mailey, Institute °f Municipal Gow —to Hugo ■ —uolleg'' ollege, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Wilkes-Barre will save thousands of dollars in its ^hases of rock salt because of the bulkform purchases which it will make, salt he obtained at a cost of $11. 30a ton instead Instead of o .^ thet$28. *d28o80 8“a*J,. I I I Plymouth Borough is presently making plan- Presentatives for its centennial to be celebra Charter made Plymouth a borough on April 1866 reThe Borough �COOPERATIVE PURCHASING SUN OIL COMPANY SALISBURY. TOWNSHIP V. Cooperative purchasing came to the Lehigh Valley June 15 1965 when the Borough of Catasauqua and the Township of Whitehall entered into an agreement to pool their needs and attempt to save their taxpayer s money. Pursuant to that agreement the Purchasing Council, which is composed of the manager of each community, designated the Borough of Catasauqua to receive bids for the furnishing of road aggregates, blacktop oils and mixes, calcium chloride, and rock salt. ordinance" as a matter proby the Township Commissioners. Sun of right, Sing e ^y vided that approval Commissioners for permissionto construct a gas staOil applied to the C. — - denied. (In the "final" zoning ordinance, enac­ tion, but its request was ted in January, I960, the property in issue was retained in the single- I Sun Oil chose to ignore the Commissioner's refusal, and with­ out taking any appeal, began construction. The Township sought, and secured, an injunction restraining Sun Oil from completing the service station. Sun Oil appealed the injunction, arguing that the interim zon­ ing ordinance was invalid. i The Supreme Court in its decision pointed out that since the stop­ gap ordinance expired at the end of January, I960, the question of the validity of the interim ordinance was one with which the Court need no longer concern itself. It stated that if Sun Oil now wished to obtain a permit for its building, the Company must comply with the provisions of the current ordinance. The Court added that, despite mootness of the appeal, it could not help but repeat its well-established rule that the proper procedure for Sun Oil to have followed would have been to appeal the adverse decision of the Commissioners to the County Court, and in this way put the validity of the interim ordinance to the judicial test. I I I i i i burglar alarm system with permission of th^ECc" W1U Skokie, Illinois, will be installed installed in in Skokie, Illinois, quarters via two-way radio ’ Th automaticallY reports to police head­ ing device at police 6 sYstem includes an electronic decodthe building or propertv with a digital decoder and printer. At short burst of coded tones R PJ°tected a radio transmitter sends out a headquarters and translated bC transrrdtted automatically topolice , e decoder- A number simultaneously is printed °n a tape. This shows the location of the particular transmitter so s that the policed to the scene. The decoding e ?atcber can send the nearest patrol car transmitte ;ers which can be act^T*?61* handle UP to 290 separate cells, andJ other devices (pnkr \ r door switchers, photoelectric (Pubhc Management) i f f I I I The Purchasing Council prepared specifications utilizing appli­ cable standards of the Pennsylvania Department of Highways and the American Society of Testing and Materials. Bids were received at the regular meeting of Catasauqua's Borough Council held August 2, 1965. The results of this first venture were far from conclusive, but they did evidence that cooperative purchasing can result in considerable savings. Despite the general increase in the price of road aggregates in 1965, Catasauqua's prices ranged from 3.0% to 9.7% lower than their 1964 figures. However, Whitehall Township's prices reflected the general trend and their costs increased from 3. 5% to 14. 2%. The quantities Catasauqua ordered did not add enough to Whitehall's quantities to force their prices down. The bids received for blacktop oils and mixes were approximately the same as the 1964 prices paid by both municipalities. The story was different for rock salt and calcium chloride. Catasauqua uses these chemicals exclusively for snow and ice control while Whitehall stilluses a considerable quantity of ashes. Consequently, Catasauqua's Catasauqua' orders were a significant increase over Whitehall's needs alone. Catasauqua realized a 12.9% savings and Whitehall a 16. 4% savings over 1964 prices paid for calcium chloride. Catasauqua realized a 2. 6% savings on t e price of rock salt, while Whitehall did not order saltin 1964 and, there­ fore, no basis of comparison exists. These savings on chemicals are are possible where the com­ the strongest indication that real economics bined needs of the cooperating municipalities significantly in conindividual needs. The state of competition is also a ac or ck_ sidered since there were only two bidder s on road aggregachloride calcium chloride top oils and mixes while there were three bidders on ca and four bidders on rock salt. , Whitehall Whitehall is is only only the third coThis venture by Catasauqua and municipalities Pennsylvania. operative purchasing agreement in Pennsylvania. subdivisions have are cooperating in Bucks County and three poi savings have been Pooled their needs in Allegheny County. Const er at least three realized in both cases. Cooperative purchasi g d£tjes in combenefits: (1) Lower and uniform prices for many �■- V f cooperative, of materials and c ontrac (3) Delivery as needed. * . . * edge. Luzerne County communities should explOre f the concept of cooperative purchasing. I parent. don't realize their offspring are PUBLICATION 'i*hi s g ctt c originated in the Institute nfU^Shed monthly as a community service, Notes and inquiries may be addUniClpal Govemment of Wilkes College. °f MuniciPal Government, WUkesr^ V‘ InstitU^ 0 ege, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania- Once again the Institute of Municipal Government will provide non-degree educational opportunities for elected and ap­ pointed officials. They are presented in cooperation with the Public Service Institute, Department of Public Instruction, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Instruction by the Institute staff is supplemented by guest lecturers. non -credit, J i I I thoughts for today using, DECEMBER 15, 1965 SHORT COURSES "I believe that a general delegation of authority to a fire admi­ nistratorcan be upheld, even though a finger cannot be pointed as a grant of power to do each specific thing, so long as the official does not dis­ criminate classes whichare not based in reason, that his action is rea­ sonable as distinguished frombeing arbitrary, and his actions are direc­ ted toward achieving the desirable intentions of a fire code, 11 said Judge Langtry. The judge cited a number of recent Cases where fire authorities and other city officers have been found by courts to have implied powers beyond those specifically spelled out in charters and codes. A few de­ cades ago, he said, courts most frequently did not rule this way. But "a general liberalization of strict rules of construction with reference to municipal powers is apparent in the field of municipal law. There are two sides to every argument, and they1 re usually married to each other. XIV, NO. 12 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA., I FIRE PREVENTION OFFICIALS Fire prevention officials can act in many situations where fire codes do not give them specific powers, an Oregon jurist has stated. But their actions must be reasonable, non-discriminatory, and direc­ ted at achieving the desirable intentions of the code, advised Judge Vir­ gil Langtry of the Multnomah County Circuit Court of Oregon. The jur­ ist addressed the Fire Marshals Association of America on the subject of implied powers of fire marshals. VOL. I | I I During the Spring Semester, the following courses will be pre­ sented: Fundamentals of Fire Fighting -- A course designed for those firemen who wish to qualify as instructors of the fundamentals of fire fighting; Penal Code -- A refresher course for advanced police officers covering the elements of the penal code of 1939 as contained in Penn­ sylvania Criminal Law and Procedure; Councilmen and Commissioners -- A basic course that presents the organization, powers, and functions of borough and first class township governments; Street Maintenance -- An introductory course in the techniques and methods for the proper construction and maintenance of roads and streets; Shelter Managers -- A course for the training of managers for local shelters; Radiolo­ gical Monitors -- A course for the training of radiological monitors for fixed stations and shelters; Civil Defense for Local Directors--A course to provide civil defense directors with the necessary training in their responsibilities as directors; Civil Defense Adult Education - A cours intended to train members of families to meet emergency situations; Basic Auxiliary Police -- A basic course in Police work or iv fense Police. I I I I I I RECREATION CENTER cu. the building - • • -r has accepted The Borough Council of Shickshinny haS the ^ C^g creation Center Recreation knOW”ouncil the officials of and grounds on Main Street formerly know unCu and the from the Shickshinny School Board. , renter for it will provi of the Center for it the Borough are publicly appreciative �the youth ol th. community with an opportunity to engage in a full Pro- lywood, Florida, takes the position that sidewalks should be included in the initial development plans for subdivisions. He points to the fact that many communities throughout the country are requiring sidewalks in subdivisions as a means of providing for community orderliness, good planning, and neighborhood stability. gram of recreational activities. WOULDN'T YOU BE? A reporter inquired of a U. S. Astronaut, "Aren't you sacred when you take these space flights?" The astronaut replied, "On the morning of the shot I get up at 4:00 A. M. , go down to the launch pad, and for an hour and a half I’m getting worked into that suit. I go up in the elevator in that gantry, 17 floors. It takes an hour to get strapped in that position, and all the time realizing that I'm sitting atop the most explosive, most volatile fuel known to man; that in a matter of minutes I shall be 250 miles out in space, going approximately 20, 000 miles an hour. Underneath me there are 14,409 small working parts -- all sup­ plied by the lowest bidder. You're dam right I'm scared. " Opposition to sidewalks often stems from the question of cost. Who will stand the expense of initial construction as well as the cost of cleaning and maintenance? Another point of objection revolves around the defacing of property. In many communities the subject of sidewalks arises after a community is settled and grown to the extent that increased pedestrian and vehicular traffic prompts their consideration. Residents then have serious objection to the destruction of trees, shrubbery, lawns, and driveways which abut on streets. Some of these basic objections are lessened or eliminated when sidewalks are constructed as part of the original street plan. Lower costs result. Ready identification of street lines permits property ow­ ners to develop lawns and driveways in confidence that they will remain undisturbed. The grading of lawns and driveways is also facilitated since the finished sidewalk provides the resident with a guide to the final grade of street property. PRISONER WORK A recent survey conducted by the National A ssociation of County Administrators reveals widely varying practices regarding prisoner workand compensation. Fifty-eight of the seventy-five responding coun­ ties do use prisoner labor at least occasionally. The .type of work ran­ ges from odd jobs around the jail to forest fire fighting and agricultural labor furloughs. Forty-three counties provide compensation, usually in the form of reduced sentences or small daily payments (up to two dollars). Six counties reward work with such incentives as cigarettes, more and better food, and extra visiting hours, Fifteen counties which use prisoner labor do not compensate prisoners in any way. "Getting out of the cage is its own reward, " commented one administrator. There are other advantages to including sidewalks in subdivision construction. Street drainage is controlled, thereby retarding the de­ terioration of pavement and erosion of adjacent land. There can oe more effective planning and installation of utilities when sidewalks id­ entify street limits. From thebeginning, sidewalks will also aid in pre­ venting costly and unsightly edge-of-pavement damage that often results when vehicles are not confined to street right-of-ways. Walkways do much to avoid a ragged appearance that frequently accompanies property development without them. The resultar mity of community appearance, has a tendency to atabilize property value by adding a degree of orderliness and stability which provides an SIDEWALKS Sidewalks are a controversial issue in many municipalities. .Advocates claim that th, ey are not only desirable, but are a necessityr in elWoef!1’°rdered COmmunity and should be uniformly required. Opp°n" ents often argue that it ic uneconomical and unwise to require sidein.oPOgraPhiM1. ---- uuse variations intopog actually injurerather than Sidewalks ■ in some instances, nity interests. an benefit Property values and over-all commu- Neno John SpaagnaleDPPearing in * r~" recent issue of "Street Engineering, 1 P g a, Director of Planni: inning and Zoning Department in Hoi- tive for property improvement. i Where do Luzerne County municipalities stand on thi , g.s of sidewalks in initial community development? Periap-, e nreof municipal subdivision regulations in Luzerne Count;'d^^e the num_ Pared by the Luzerne County Planning Commission ot subdivision regulations requiring sidewalks. s°ry examination of subdivision ordinances show a in quiring sidewalks ? such a curr 777-11 �FACTORS IN LAND USE the Nation is onthe the demand threshold a masLand use experts ,be beve^ ble or triple forofland fOr sive recreation boom that come fromforests and farms withsuch purposes. Most of tn nters. but some may come from city in easy access of “rb^/^National Institute of Farm and Land Brokers. L H Bushart, president of the Institute, said the trend for more recreational land has just begun and will be accelerated by four factors. These Bushart identified in a recent speech c ■ . ’ as the -population < ------- 1 explosion, ■* the Nathe trend toward urban living that will double the population of tion's cities by the year 2000, high speed expressways and iimproved vehicles of transportation, and the spread of more leisure time by means of "the gradual steady decrease in the hours of the work week. " WATER BILLS c Customers may pay their water bills in Kingsport, Tennessee as much as a year in advance, and receive interest on the prepayments at the rate of 3% per annum. The city will save four cents on postage alone every time it does not have to mail out a monthly bill, which is 2% of the $2 minimum monthly bill for inside-city customers, Other savings in billing and bookkeeping costs are also anticipated. THOUGHTS FOR TODAY Middle age is the time in life when your're still young, but only once in a while. Nothing is better for baldness than getting used to it. Christmas Club: What you save to o pay for last year's giftsl PUBLICATION This News-letter, originated in the Institute of Mu'161- monthly as a community service, Notes and inquiries i— ’ maybe addUmC1Pal Government of Wilkes College. of Municipal Government, ■ Wilktr5; t0 Dr- HuS° V. Mailey, Institute ege, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. qpeennqs I �� Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Luzerne County Newsletters and Institute for Regional Affair Newsletters, 1952-1975 Subject The topic of the resource Political Science; Luzerne County; Institute for Regional Affairs; Wyoming Valley Description An account of the resource A collection of newsletters created by the Political Science Department at Wilkes College from 1952-1975 for Luzerne County and later the Institute for Regional Affairs. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Political Science Department (Hugo Mailey) Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1952-1975 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Type The nature or genre of the resource Newsletters Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Luzerne County Newsletter, 1965 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Political Science Department Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1965 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Type The nature or genre of the resource Newsletter https://omeka.wilkes.edu/omeka/files/original/bd078e50cca65b5a2f623444bea8c304.pdf 6a0ac1f5bc803f8653ff5c9716c1713d PDF Text Text ■ Vr. >4i3L<t ��Kes Cihge litan LIBRARY WTLKES-BARRE PENNSYLVANIA �pA* * archives ,7<^ Ji wi^ES pfiGP’ ^5 *^1 p4 H V, 13) Z3' sH2Si a:OuS.s^ ent Govefn^ elect* eS ^°r witP ? of instil®. ti° nal Commc ‘il,tbee educa1 res eihe d in true*1 ^eaga:<■degree lemenl Ins is supp ...:> 11011 They are P of P*bliC staff .rd institute the :^stitute,toStr»etio» by co°Peratl°C ■■ >1- f r the following courses , the «“”STiTf rue Fighting - A course design. -ld!T!oUwy as instructors of the fundamen yXXXs -- A general review of the powers -islilities of elected school official s; Smal L Arms .inthecare and use of the revolver, including fil ’i".shipSupervisors -- A general course that reviews -dresponsibilities of elected township officials- Yc ^V^in’Uen? COntro1 for law enfor. Count, a„detheUDen'» Sp°nSorshiP of 1 Department of Public Wei CONTEST . Mii^ ok the success of Chamber of I Co nine y eatr s of /Mw^uroto stimulate annual H^Mears, beginni mmerceand its co - ' develo -spons ing January 1, 1964 and Ldary j St2?ms teve li year period contest er '"■MW. ct^hs. -sted on the Official cot^p" th e P^rti Inco— projects V community this Vno-ocai ’j W.“"S t0 ^»tds°is ,to d • C ^vill ' ete rthine 6ting of Your corr you Lize �S COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA. , JANUARY 15, 1964 VOL. Xni, NO. 1 SHORT COURSES Once again the Institute of Municipal Government will provide non-credit, non-degree educational opportunities for elected and ap­ pointed officials. They are presented in cooperation with the Public Service Institute, Department of Public Instruction, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Instruction by the Institute staff is supplemented by guest lecturers. During the Spring Semester, the following courses will be pre­ sented: Fundamentals of Fire Fighting -- A course designed for those firemen who wish to qualify as instructors of the fundamentals of fire fighting; School Directors -- A general review of the powers, duties and responsibilities of elected school officials; Small Arms -- An introduc­ tory course in the care and use of the revolver, including firing for rec­ ord; Township Supervisors -- A general course that reviews the powers, duties and responsibilities of elected township officials; Youth Control -- A practical course in delinquency control for law enforcement offi­ cers. This course is offered under the sponsorship of the Juvenile Court of Luzerne County and the Department of Public Welfare. BETTER-COMMUNITY CONTEST Building on the success of nine years of annual contests, the Pennsylvania State Chamber of Commerce and its co-sponsors have re­ vised the program to stimulate local community development and to co­ ver two calendar years, beginning January 1, 1964 and ending December 31, 1965. During this two-year period contest participants must c°mplete the projects they have listed on the Official Entry blank to ob­ tain maximum point credits. Incomplete projects will score esser Points in the judging. I determine what your community needs The first thing to do is to meeting of your citizens and reprein th,eway of improvements. Call a 67913 �INTER-COUNTY RELATIONSHIPS community's needsand seDiscuss __ your sentatives ol all civic groups 1964 and 1965. l.ct the projects you will work on in 1. Having decided on your co-sponsoxM 6 g--r3 and sub-commit­ co-sponsoring groups tees and the jobs they are to do, do, you're you'r well on your way. At this point, be sure to mail in the Official Entry Blank with the projects listed. This must be postmarked not later than April 1, 1964. should be parceled out to sub-committees and other ProjectsThese groups, working under one central organization, civic groups. civicmake groups. will it easier for a community to accomplish its objectives in the contest period; and will also make for a well-rounded community with civic, agricultural and industrial improvements to report as achieve­ ments. Appoint a contest chairman to keep track of the various pro­ jects and accomplishments. He should oversee the taking of before and after photographs of your projects. Pictures before the various committees start working on improvements and after they have com­ pleted their jobs will offer visual evidence to the judges on what has been done. The chairman should also accumulate newspaper clippings and other material. News items should be marked with the name and date of the newspaper. I If some one were to Sum up in a , meeting of Luzerne and Lackawanna 0^7 acc°mplishments ,ight well be termed, "A New Approach Civic representative! of the itold problem, " of course, is that of the time ° ” 01d Problem'" The II lousy and rivalry which has existed primarT0?8^ feeHng of jeaWilkes-Barre and Scranton, and in a lesser d etWeen the cities of and Lackawanna counties. The "new approach^66’ between Luzerne Mayor Slattery and Mayor William Schmidt f aptly defined bY attention upon a vital need for both their mJcini?0"’ “ focusing spirit of cooperation. nunicipalities - an improved With both communities and counties facing the same common problems, it is time for leaders of both the Wyoming and Lackawanna Valleys to make a reappraisal of their problems, of their efforts to solve them independently, as well as the tremendous loss of time, mo­ ney and energy which could be eliminated, at least in some fields of ci­ vic betterment, if such tasks were undertaken jointly. Primarily under discussion at the meeting of the two mayors, along with representatives of city and county planning commissions, urban development, regional industrial development and affiliated agen­ cies, was the problem of public transportation. Toward the end of the contest period, get in all reports from all committees and co-sponsors. Have this material re-written into one consolidated report which will beyour Record Book of Progress. In other fields of cooperative effort, the list isalmost inexhausti­ ble - mine drainage programs, sewage treatment, need for new indus­ tries to create more jobs, inter-city and inter-state highways linking the communities of both counties, uniform zoning restrictions, to men­ Every community in Pennsylvania is eligible to participate in this contest, including sub-divisions of large cities. However, only one entry per community or sub-division will be accepted. Entrants may be a Chamber of Commerce; an organization with similar functions; or any association of men or women interested in community betterment. A special group may be formed for the specific purpose of engaging in this contest. tion only a few. The contest period is from January 1, 1964 to December 31, 1965. Record Books showing the varied local promotions must be re­ ceived not later than midnight March 1, 1966, by the Better-Community Contest Committee, Pennsylvania State Chamber of Commerce, 222 N. Third Street, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, 17101. Regional, state-wide and special award winners will be announced on or before June 1, 1966. Presentation of awards will be made by a member of the contest committee or a person designated for the purpose. The time has come when neither the municipalities of Luzerne °r Lackawanna County can afford to keep on the way they are going, under separate actions and independent thinking. (Reprint: Editorial, Wilkes-Barre Record, January 11, 1963) jointpurch^I^ . the Regional Cooperation Seven local governments ^^“^^ia, have prepared Council of Lower Bucks County, Pen" ? mater ials and iaterials and suppheS dfications for joint purchase of cer }964 and 1965. �-— - Pipe; trac gas. mixes, and, oils’ storm —and calcium; cinders: gateS’ ndamotoPr oil; fuel oik concre and janitorial suppl^ f01inieine paint: hig^Y ationS is a tabulation of approximate qUan. nanvingthebid specifica :■ y.“ estimates it will use during the Tf “S„ ot«■’ “'cutive board °c ,he *'■ xs X“»iu bemadetotbe,lo'"'at- gicnri Co»P“’ti“ rC°“.ch sponsible bidder for eacn awarded the entire busin item. Ordering materials municipality. VOL. XIIL NO. 2 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA IMPORTANT DATES February 10 (B. Bristol a»d Morrisville. This is the second tvo-y.ar joint agreement entered into by the Council. The previous agreement, covering 1962 and 1963, resulted in savings estimated at $16,000 per year. MISCELLANEOUS An automatic recorder monitors telephone complaints as well as radio calls to the mobile emergency crews of the water, sewer, and street maintenance branch of the Greater Winnipeg Water and Sanitary Winnipeg, Manitoba. This system is a sure way to keep the record aight on all customer complaints and emergency operations handledI over the telephone. (Willing Water, March, 1962.) to ^artT^T^stio^^ thoughts Committee; What FFp 1 Send Form MERB-20 and January payroll deductions to the Municipal Employees' Retirement Board 15 FileForm 450-A (Withholding-Old Age Tax) if required; that is, if employees' tax deductions together with employer's tax liability for January exceed $100 1 Cities file annual financial report with the Department of Internal Affairs 10 Send Form MERB-20and February payroll deductions to the Municipal Employees' Retirement Board 15 File Form 450-A (Withholding-Old Age Tax) if required; that is, if employees' tax deductions together with employer's tax liability for February exceed $100 31 Municipal Water Authorities and municipal water depart­ ments file Form 6 with the Department of Internal A March a Sewage treatment plant can be used cals and assuring earlv J hUS SaVlng the c°stof neutralizing chemiJanuary, 1962.) pr° UCtaon of sludge gas. (Wastes Engineering, lost. FEBRUARY 15, 1964 eparate item. Thue, one supplier bc municipalltles participating ln that ts are the responsibility of each FOR TODAY 31 y°u refer a bill to when you hope it will get 31 About the only exerciq °f Internal Affairs °me people get is jumping to conclusions. 31 publication T1jis News-lett, originated :er> Published r.; an"d the Institut, monthly as a community service. Notes ’ and inquiries r- I Government of Wilkes Collegeof Municipal G; aadre Uovernm. 7 ssed to Dr. Hugo V. Mailey, Institute ”lent. Wilke College, Wilkes-Barre Pennsylvania- mayb7a2*unicipal Municipal electric utilities file Form 3 with the Department 31 Motor vehicle registration for non-commercialvehicles ex pires Return affidavit certifying number of police employed per month during previous year to Auditor General's Office �CITY MANAGERS The council-manager growth in 1963 as 8 a i ,g now used by 954 communities Canada adopted the p an. mogt popular form of local government in North American an 1 Q00 and 250, 000 population. Over onein American cities between 2!5, 0“ on group are council-manager half of all American cii , Directory of Council-Manager Cities," soonStoabCeCprubHfhed by the International City Managers' Association. Leading the states with additions to the Council-Manag er Directory in 1963 was California with 16 communities followed by Pennsylvania with 12. Nine communities were added in Michigan, and four cities and one county in North Carolina. Five new council-manager communities were reported from Canada. Since 1950 the number of cities using the council-manager plan has increased by an average of 75 per year. Sixteen of the 51 American cities with populations in excess of a quarter-million are council-mana­ ger cities. Four of these have populations over a half-million: San Antonio and Dallas, Texas; San Diego, California; and Cincinnati, Ohio. The largest local government with the council-manager plan is Dade County (Miami), Florida, which has a population of 935, 000. I ■ The council-manager form of government is 56 years old. It star­ ted in 1908 when the council of Staunton, Virginia, appointed a general manager. Four years later, Sumter, South Carolina, become the first city in which the plan was adopted by vote of the people. A survey reported in the Directory indicates that most of the men pp inte as managers during 1963 had previous public administrative ser r>e USUally as a manager in another city, an assistant manayeLs of head‘ M°St °f the new aPPointees were under 40 years of age at the time of their appointment. POLICEMEN'S TEN COMMANDMENTS 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Ask God to give me the strength to do my duty as it should be done: To improve myself mora y, mentally, physically, and spiritually: To be obedient and carry out all orders frr>™ ™ To protect life and Property: • my suPervlsor: To report for duty' Punctually and To be firm and still be < to be presentable at all times: courteous: respectful at all times: 1 would like to have them treat me: To live my life so as to be a credit to mv n. f To remember always that I am a public P iession 10. to give the best I have in me. servant and 9- am obligated EXCESS CONDEMNATION In our nation, planning, which involv. es the imposition of control exercised by or in behalf of the entity we call society, is bound to encounter the wall of constitutional limitation, One of the prime ? areas of social control is formal or governmental control; this thesis3 deals with one of the less commonly employed means of social, formal --.-1 control, i. e. excess condemnation. Excess condemnation is best defined as the practice of acquisition by public authority under the right of eminent domain of more property than will be actually occupied by the contemplated public improvement The concept of excess condemnationhas no meaning outside of the law of eminent domain, being a portion, an extension of that power. The power of excess condemnation is utilized primarily for three purposes: one is the taking of remnants created by takings for purposes of highway construction or street widening; another is to provide re­ striction and protection for the area arounda great variety of public im­ provements; the final and most controversial, is taking of excess pro­ perty which, following the completion of the public project, will be sold in order to recoup either all or part of the cost of said improvement. The theoretical justification of this latter procedure is the right of the government to provide for itself a part of the unearned increment or the increase in value of property adjacent topublic improvements whichhas been brought about not through an act of the owner, but rather by the development power of the state. The creator of value, not a fortuitous person, should reap the rewards. Excess condemnation has not been extensively usedin the United States. Reasons for this disuse include an emotional antipathy based Reasons for this disuse include an sacramental quality of property rights in our society, an un gOnservatism on the part of city attorneys and solicitors, the nega ive antlc*l nature of the words, the high initial political abuse and manipulation, and the < . 1C1al approbation. Excess condemnation, particularly particular y w k ded fo: by by statute statute rather rather than than constitutional constitutional amendment, amendment tos has been stru dov7 b/ the courts under the doctrine of public' use. use The n « do trine lneof Public use, -use by the public," is an anachronism rebunedby "use by the public," i«»» housing, legal acceptance of■ a broad concept of public publtc bene i i Th. etslum clearance, and redevelopment cases in the �in addition to eliminating the le. feet of these cases in redevelopment ’attack excess condemnation, aiSo gal doctrine which had been used to for eXercise of the powers of excess eliminated much of the necessity al cloud which hung over excess concondemnation. In actuality, the.engotbeen lifted since no court which had ---------demnation for over aa <century ' — has'ubiic use has ever reversed its holding, doctrine of pu excess condemnation violates the applied the the narrow whether question of °f^ federal Constitution even when provided Moreover n 1 -Fourteenth Amendment of the not been answered. for in a state constitution has ’i excess condemnation has the most The planning activity in which taking of land for protection of right of future is highway planning. The t. restriction of adjacent land is a valway, limitation of remnants, and ■inal land acquisition. uable method of marginal !?’ (Abstract of a thesis by Benjamin H. Renshaw III, Fels Institute of T cal and State Government, University of Pennsylvania. ) road improvement In 1869 the city fathers of New York floated a $377, 500 road im­ provementbond issue. Maturity date was to be year 2147. By that time the 7% interest rate will have cost the city more than $3 million. The two miles of plank road the issue built have long since disappeared. Is there a moral? THOUGHTS FOR TODAY It isn't the load that breaks us down, its the way we carry it. The best place to look for a helping hand is at the end of your arm. If there's on--e thing that will make your wife's eyes twinkle, mink H- VOL- XIII, NO. 3, WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, pa MARCH 15, 1964 LOCAL OFFICIALS' DINNER The Institute of Municipal Government at wiv hold a bi-monthly dinner for local officials in th C°Uege wiH Wednesday, March 18, 1964, at 6:30 p m Th f 1 kes Commons on the evening will be Mr. James B. Post who winX^^ County’s Reassessment Program,” uss> Luzerne The amount of money received from the real estate tax, local government's most important source of revenue, depends upon three factors: the assessed valuation of real estate, the tax rate, and the pro­ portion of total taxes that is actually collected. The making of assess­ ments in Luzerne County is really a County rather than a local govern­ ment function. At the heart of local government's financial structure is the whole Assessment Program. In 1957, the Luzerne County Commissioners adopted a Reassess­ ment Program in order to remove the inequities then existing. Because delays were endured over the last six years in the adoption of the Re­ assessment Program, pressures were built up over inequities and dis crimination. The new County administration, under the chairmanship °f Mr. Post, has the adoption of the Reassessment Program as one of its primary goals, Mr. Post will be accompanied to this bi-month y meeting on March 18th by his colleagues Mr. Goss and Mr. Wi email, the Board of Assessors, and the new Mapping Director, Mr. Flattery won't hurt a man, so long as he doesn't inhale. jfUZERNE COUNTY BOROUGHS ASSOCIATION MEETING PUBLICATION This News-letter, published monthly as a community serviceoriginated in the Institute of >CollegeMunicipaltoGovernment Notes and inquiries may be addressed o- •-of Wilkes ' nnsy^ va" Instil6 of MunicipalGovernmt.«s College, Wilkes-Barre, ernrv, . , —-oocu co Dr. Hugo V. Mailey, ernment, Wilkes ~ ” ,nia- The Luzerne County Boroughs Association will hold its meeting ■-*1 18, 1964, at the Wilkes College Commons following the 6:30 March T- M. meeting of local officials All boroughs in the County should be ^Presented at the meeting. Dinr_ Among the items to be . are the Annual election of ° of the Institute of Municipal and the A of the “-a Luzerne County Boroughs As®.ation of Boroughs, Conventi on of the Pennsylvania As so �ofth«P«»»»vw“laAsS0Cla,i°n of Boroughs. Convention of the r INSTITUTBCOMPIUN2 mailing list c the Luzerne County Newsletter, published The mailing list for ™ ernment. must necessarily be brought bv the Institute of Municipal This task can only be successfully comup to date after each e ec'■' municipalities. pleted with the assistanc . . .nnreciate the cooperation of all municipals The Institute w<°Uforwarded to us its list of officials. Please do ties which have not yet that the mailing list of the Institute can be ups0as soon as possible so dated. CONSOLIDATED INSURANCE POLICIES ings on cies. Orange, California, (pop. 35, 000) has realized substantial savcity insurance by negotiated proposals and consolidation of poli- The procedure did not involve employment of an insurance ana­ lyst, use of sealed bids, and other formalities. Instead, a letter was sent to each local insurance agent pointing out that the city had 24 poli­ cies with 13 different anniversary dates and that their evaluations and tentative quotations were desired for better coverage at less cost. The appropriate financial and statistical data were enclosed with the letters. Only four proposals were received, and these were checked to arrive at a firm consensus on appropriate coverage. It was decided to place all insurance in three groups: fire insurance; surety bond premiums; Final’ liability, comprehensive, burglary and robbery, and all other. Fl-listings then were prepared and each of the four agencies was asked to quote firm premiums for the coverages shown. "all other" group hav **7® been dramatic. Premiums for the with greater coverage and fu red^Ced from $18, 904 to $15, 590 per year bonds’ with city council ° pollCles replacing six policies. On surety e annual premiums have b ^°r rea^Snrnent of some coverage, .7™ P°licies one polir,eeiLredUCed from $6> 607 to $2’ 07-6’ and e 10 fire insurance poHc’ eg°tiations are now under way to con- H tcies mto one policy. ^-ntagi1^^-this method , qeveral of informal negotiation ha ork' lng out exact cove forna'.al al procedures, including flexibility in task in prenarges-Lbetter — relations with local agents, and an preParing specificati| —ions. oraltests for publicpersonnelse^ The process of selecting employees 1 by means of competitive examinations, a process originating with the L j beginning of the merit >is the cornerstone of the public personnel' system „.„1 program. The exami nation system evolved not only as a result of the abuses of patronage but also because of its inherent merits. C Competitive examinations have wed to be a successful method in determiniiig^eTaHve pro1 ___ j competence ,ointment. for apP' The oral testis being used increasingly in public service exami ning programs as an integral part of an examination process which may include written, performance, and oral tests, as well as an evaluation of experience and training. It is most frequently used for higher job levels, when public contact is required of the appointee and where the position will require supervision of other employees. Its primary func­ tion is to measure such personal characteristics as initiative, poise, tact, sociability, vocal expression, presentation of ideas, comprehen­ sion, and potential leadership ability. Oral tests are usually one of two types. An individual oral test where each candidate is interviewed by a panel of two to four examiners is the most commonly used type of oral test. The group oral test, a more recent development in oral testing, differs from the individual oral test in that a group of candidates are seen at one time rather than individually, and the candidates interact with each other rather than with the examiners. not impossible to develop in the individual oral e fore reveals some factor not observa e in . , oraj testas a follow leveland supervisory positions using the in i Rd basis for evaluation, np to the group oral test provides a more va The effectiveness and value of the oral rate the can- the abilities of the interviewers who con uc examiners is of prime didates. Therefore the selection and trainl”“ x agencies consist o importance. Training activities of mos P holding brief sessions. Providing written material to the exami excellent training devi Practice interviewers have proved to be •al test is effective to the wherever id that the or: in summary it may be sa: -n important instrument degree it is used properly and is an essentialonsidered to be tests °f personal attributes are cc — �commonwealth vs BUTLER of the city of Pittsburgh Pension Fund, The executive secretarydirectors of the pension fund, was employee hired by the.b0 false pretenses and embezzlement charged with misbehavior in use of a fictitious name, a sum of because he had withdrwan, y^ time thig was done, the defendent money from the pension tun he had withdrawn> The had on deposit with tne relating to embezzlement and false pre­ Grand Jury ignored the coun relating to the charge of misbehavior tenses, but returned a then filed a motion to quash the in­ in office. Counsel for the dictment. The Court of Quarter Sessions of Allegheny County ruled that a city employee, the nature of whose employment does not meet the stan­ dards of a "public officer, " cannot legally be charged with the crime of "misbehavior in office." An employee, hired by the board of directors of the city pension fund, having no fixed term, receiving no fees or em­ oluments, and performing duties that were purely ministerial in char­ acter and not defined by law, is not a "public officer. " Consequently, the court granted the defendant's motion to quash the indictment charging him with misbehavior in office. THOUGHTS FOR TODAY Youhave to doyour own growing — no matter how tall your grandfather is. I takes a long time for some people to recover from an illness --it compensation sets in. publication monthly as a community service, Municipal Government of Wilkes College1 to Dr. Hugo V. Mailey, Institute ege, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. VOL. XIII NO. 4 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-barRE, pa..april15 1964 annual dinner The Twelfth Annual Dinner ffor award winners will beheld at the Wilkes Commons on Wednesday, May 13, 1964 at 6:30 P. M. This will be a gala occasion for local officials and local employees in Northeastern Pennsylvania, particularly in government Luzerne The dinner really brings to a climax the activities in local ...J County government which the Institute of Municipal Government has conducted over the pastyear. The main speaker of the evening will be the Honorable Henry D. Harral, Secretary of Highways of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Secretary Harral has had a distinguished career in public service and highways as an Advisory Associate at the Fels Institute at the Univer­ sity of Pennsylvania, as Chairman Chairman of of the the Policy Policy Committee Committee of the PennJersey Transportation Study, , , , as both the Deputy Commissioner and the Commissioner of the Philadelphia Department of Streets, , and as Execufive Director of the Delaware County Planning Commission, Mr. Harral has been in municipal engineering work since 1924. Llay 13 is Ladies Night. Wives of all those who will receive Certificates of Attainment and Service Awards are cordially welcomed. COMMONWEALTH EX REL. FOXY. SWING, 1962 ship treaCOrnPlaint in quo warranto was filed againsta first class townsurer, who had been elected to the office of county commission,er, ; " eging the offices of township treasurer and county commissioner had functio: -uns, duties and responsibilities that were incompatible, and, therefore, the positions were held illegally. The appellant filed preliminary objections to the jurisdiction of the lo. *Wer court contending that the power to determine whether or not two Public offices are incompatible is vested in the legislature (Article XII, Sectio:'n 2, Pennsylvania Constitution of 1874) and that the question �decided by the courts. The preliminary cannot be - - argumentt and appellant was given 20 of incompatibilitydismissed after taken to the Supreme Court of An appeal was tobjections were answer. i— days to file an Pennsylvania The Supreme Court ruled, in November, 1962, that the offices „f county commissioner and township treasurer ... not ine»mpatible Of county declaring them to be incompatible. The ConXTon ofTennsylvania, in declaring that "The General Assembly may by law declare what offices are incompatible " has provided the method of declaring what offices are incompatible. Therefore, the courts have no power to hold offices to be incompatible merely because the legis­ lature has failed to act. The order of the lower court was reversed and the action dismissed. PENNSYLVANIA V. MC HUGH, 1962 " > Pennsylvania Supreme Court reversed On March 13, 1962, the Commonwealth Court which had held that the public judgment of the C-------irom Pennsylvania Selective Sales and Use Tax didnot apply with respect to the purchase of materials for use in constructing new public utility facilities. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court's opinion squarely holds that materials purchased for use directly in rendering a public utility service as exempt from Pennsylvania Selective Sales and Use Tax, regardless of whether such materials are for use in recon­ structing and maintaining existing facilities or in construction of new fa­ cilities. The exemption may be claimed either by the public utility or by the construction contractor. . . S°rne companies may already have paid the tax on purchases of decision °r use ianew construction in reliance upon the lower court's Revenue o” January 10 N°’ 25 DePartment °f fund with the Pennsylvania D C°mPanles maY file petitions for refrom the date of payment of t®Partment of Revenue within five (5) years The Supreme Court ruled that of the panel can be advisory only> P mental authorities). This is employees, f (although the recomm 68’ " £ not endations have no means of negotiatinga emPloyees, unlike ° T^^ with‘heir i r '"W-r. employer •»« .er™. employment, a governmental unit lacks the power tn J° ?e future- In most instances, terms of a contract. P tO blnd ^elfto its employees bythe through collective bargaining, settin/f including wages, for a npecin’dp:"^ Grievances affecting municipal employees, therefore, are not merely the day-to-day complaints which. normally rare settled by the grievance procedure in the industrial context, Rather, in the governmental situation, these grievances also c __ concern the main elements of an employee relationship, matters which in the industrial situation are determined in the collective bargaining agreement. Therefore, > to deny municipal employees the right to invoke grievance machinery to present demands concerning wages, hours and working conditions would be to defeat the entire purpose of the Anti­ Strike Act. The provision of this facility for discussion is designed in no small measure to compensate for the inability to strike. SUN OIL CO. V. ZONING BOARD OF PITTSBURGH, 1961 An application for permission tobuild an automobile service sta­ tion on a heavily-traveled main highway in Pittsburgh was turned down because the zoning ordinance required that major vehicular access points for such a thoroughfare must be at least 300 feet apart. The oil company objected to this on the ground that it would force them into un­ necessarily large sites. However, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court up­ held the regulation on the ground that "Adequate distance between ac­ cess points tends to avoid the likelihood of congestion on the station driveways, and to prevent situations where vehicles waiting to enter pr trude into the highway traffic lanes. " ^^^jBjLZIGHTERS LOCAL NO, 1 V. BARR, 1962 The Supreme Court of P _----- common Pleas All u ennsY^vania reversed the order of the Court of Cc------ —s seeking t^ <~'ount3r> which had dismissed a compiaint in mandamus e Public Emn? COrnPel the city to submit to the grievance procedure in th. mand for a wageformula tying°yeIS Anti‘Strike Act, the firemen's dein the City. e wages of the firemen toother wageS DONAHUE V. WHITEMARSH TOWNSHIP, 1963 Pennsylvania Supreme Court decisions in I960, J9*1 aadJ^ ; meaning of the statutory presented --J a slowly evolving discussion of the ------ o accordance wi withi aa enaent that zoning ordinances be adopted adopted in in accordance require^. _ c°mprehen‘ isive plan. �H lllwo uO QW policy approach. Nevertheless, a number of cases hadbg.' started through the courts, basing their zoning attacks upon the absence of a master plan document. The Donahue case is one of those cases. Whitemarsh Township amended its zoning ordinance to authorize an apartment house district but did not designate any such district on the zoning map until six weeks later. Objectors attacked the amendments on the ground that they crea­ ted an invalid floating zone, but the Supreme Court upheld the amend­ ments by pointing out that no step-by-step procedure for obtaining rezoriing had been inserted in the ordinance, as was done in the Eves case ordinance. Thus the importance of shrewd ordinance draftsmanship was underscored. The Whitemarsh apartment amendment also showed good draftsmanship in that it contained an articulate declaration of in­ tent, upon which the court relied. In answer to the objectors' argument that a separate master plan was required, the Court pointed out that a comprehensive plan can be embodied in the general zoning ordinance itself, thus again indicating that the legal comprehensive plan requirement mandates only a consis­ tent policy approach. VOL. XIII, NO. 5 WILKES COLLEGE, • In j y Wilkes-barre, pa., - MAY 15, 1964 .ANNUAL dinner The Institute of Municipal Government culminated another suc­ cessful year of activity with the Twelfth Annual Awards Dinner for local officials in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Certificates of Attainment were presented to 187 men and women who completed the following courses offered by the Institute: Rural Assessment, School Directors, Small Arms, Township Supervisors, Arson Detection, Criminal Investigation, Fundamentals of Fire Fighting, and Magistrates - Criminal Law. An additional 56 officials and employees received certificates in Police Handling of Youth. THOUGHTS FOR TODAY Isn't it too bad that World conditions success makes failures out of so many men. today are a direct result of mess psychology. About all the average person learns from his be an exPert in making mistakesis howto J excuses. pubucation This News-letter, originated in the Instituti published r~ monthly as a community service, Notes and inquiries r~ e _of Municipal -----1 Government of Wilkes Collegemay be addressed to Dr. I’ _ --------- - ’ * lvaniaof Municipal Government, Wilk, Hugo V. Mailey, Institute ~ —,;es College, ---Wilkes-Barre, Pennsy Service Awards were presented to 24 officials and employees for their experience and untiring efforts as public servants in.their com­ munities. Persons receiving the awards were: Stanley Meholchick, Ashley School District; Edwin F. Henry, Central Luzerne Jointure; Elliott Miller, Courtdale School District; Harold Brobst, Dallas Bor­ ough; Peter Wanko, Edwardsville School District; Angelo Russo, Exeter Borough; Henry Nork, Fairview Township; Roger J. Kirkhuff, Forty Eort Borough; W. C. Wint, Hanover School District; John Emanuel, Hanover Township; George Bulford, Jackson Township School District; Christopher C. Gowran, Jenkins Township; Frank Green, Jermyn Schoo ^trict; Ralph Schmoll, Kingston Borough; Nellie J. Brown Laflin School District; Oscar Wagner, Nescopeck Borough; Clarence P. Shat ?kesc°Peck School District; Simon Russin, Plains Township Sheldon Plymouth Borough; Stephen R. Francis Ecker, °u§h; Wilb >urT. Nauman, White Haven School District *fanci s V. Murphy, and Clement W. Perkins, Wilkes-Barre G y lhot*ias, j �BUSINESSMEN'S ROLE IN URBAN RENEWAL Although there is unanimous agreement that the United S faces a severe urban crisis, the majority of our cities either lim ^es with a do-nothing policy or at best get a meaningless surface c °n® treatment. The reason for this bungling approach, to put it blunti*16^ the lethargy of the American businessman. In an area of com *S vital self-interest, it appears that free enterprise is pro • eX an<^ neither free nor enterprising, but timid, passive, and defeatist^ 2tSe^ few exceptions, it has been government that has taken the ' urban revitalization. 1111 laUve in Now that government has opened the door, the public should de­ mand that all attributes associated with free enterprise--daring, imagi­ nation, creativity, the willingness to take risks--come to the forefront to push the slow bureaucratic process into speedier action. In the framework of a free democratic society the task of revitalizing our cities can be accomplished only by the bold efforts and intimate partner­ ship of both government and free enterprise. The few experiences with government-busines s partnership for urban revitalization suggest the following guiding principles for free enterprise: 1. Business must take the lead, for the businessman has most to gain from urban renewal. 2. The presence of influential business figures on revitaliza­ tion committees blocks opposition from less influential sources. RULES SET FOR WAGE tax COLLECTION Representatives of the City of Wilv T- $10 levied by all three communities, it wa"?*1011 tax which hadT*' It will was b/ be adopted whereby the tax deduction a standarl fo^m ted whereby the tax deduction will b a standard identification form will be pay. A standard identification wiU ‘he employee" show that he had paid the tax. 0 the employee to Agreement was also reached on regulations to govern such workers whose jobs change between communities, such as construction workers, bakery truck drivers, and ■< insurance agents. It was decided that if a person's office were in i a community not levying the tax, he would still be obliged to pay it if he earned at least $800 annually in „ he any community carrying the tax. All three communities ragreed upon a standard method of recordkeeping. The tax office of each a community will determine who had paid by checking tax receipts with names and addresses in directories, The payment is mandatory for all workers who earn $800 annually, whether they be self-employed or not. The tax is binding regardless of occupation. It is the employer's duty to determine if their employees will earn more than the minimum amount during the calednar year. If em­ ployers are iin dotibt, they , may withhold the tax, and those who do not meet the $800 requirement will1 receive a tax refund. 3. Financial support provided by businessmen multiplies the effects which government revitalization efforts can achieve. WHERE DO THEY FIND THE SPACE? 4. Businessmen must realize that flowerpots are not enough; simple city < ’ beautification measures, as opposed to full-scale revitalization, are aboutt as effective as treatment of cancer by aspirin. 5. Above /' all, businessmen i----- 1 " * ernment officials. must work hand-in-hand with govNeither should attempt to go-it alone. (Excerpt from Harvard Business Review, May-June, 19&3) An analysis of more than a million auto trips in Pittsburgh indi­ cates that 93% parked free. About 38% found space on the street; 25% lots, 1% in garageSj and 28% on residential property. Half of the 7% who paid to park used street meters... . The parking indus ry’ 2*_the fastest growing chain operations in the U.S. , is currently doing $350 r •” million worth of business. The largest such company, w lalizes in —i airport lots, operates 94 facilities in 55 citie �REFUSE DISPOSAL „ l recently conducted a special refuse of Oregon The University• 100, ooo“ in population. The larger cities oi th. survey of cities over d generally have regulations which prohibit United States, it was f discarded tires and building materials and waste the open burning information provided by 38 cities in response to the oil, according to .prohibited. Disposal of waste oil in sewer systems also is generally oquestionnaire. L VOL. XIII, NO. 6 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA-> JUNE 15, 1964 regulated or ] A majority of responding cities assume some responsibility for disposing of waste tires and waste building materials. Ten cities re­ port full or partial responsibility for waste oil disposal. The limited number of cities with responsibility for waste oil disposal may be par­ tially due to the extent to which this material is reclaimed. Discarded tiresand building materials are generally disposed of in sanitary landfills. However, most of the cities utilizing this method report that it is not entirely satisfactory. Some cities incinerate dis­ carded tires and building materials and report this to be a satisfactory method of disposal. Waste oil is collected and reclaimed by private agencies in most cities. Discarded tires are also salvaged by private agencies in a number of cities. Two cities report that waste oil is used to hold dust on roads. HENRY D. HARR AT. Speaking at the Twelfth Annual Awards E‘ Dinner of the Institute of Municipal Government, Secretary of Highways I’ L. „ 3 Henry D. Harral announced the creation of a State Highways Commission to develop a sixyear construction program for the Commonwealth so that county countv and mu­ nicipal governments will be able to plan road construction projects in their areas. He reported that the Highway Department is engaged in a comprehensive statewide classification study of all 105, 000 miles of roads, streets, and highways in the State and local systems. The pur­ pose of the comprehensive analysis is to set the criteria for the place­ ment of roads, standardize construction and maintenance, and develop a financial plan involving the allocation of revenue according to class. (The Street Cleaner, May, 1964, Vol. 48, No. 4) THOUGHTS FOR TODA Y Women can keep a secret just as well as men, but it generally takes more of them to do it. Experience is what makes your mistakes so familiar. publication This News-letter ki • originated in the Institute oA/ ^ m°nthly as a community service, of°wS and inquiries may be adri™101^1 Government of Wilkes College. Municipal Government, Wilk^ru t0 Hu§o Mailey, Institute 0 lege, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. "For the first time there will be an announced program of what is within the Department's resources so that cities, boroughs, towns and counties can proceed with their highway planning with a good idea of when the Department will come into local areas. That means we have to work together. This concept means there must be a complete mesh­ ing of State and local desires to accomplish a complete and adequate highway program. " they were In the past, highways were judged a. equate if attrac tive. safe, The convenient, swift, smooth, economical, P regarding the adequacy new philosophy, according to Secretary ’ adds promoting of highways" not only includes the above but als^ c economical health of an area, m se^VWgconforming to communi y sources enhancing urban values, an in sign. Secretary Harral described highways as as the the "adhesive that ti aU tria_nsport modes together. "An airport without highways leading to lt could n°t be used. A railroad station without opportunity t^brmg goods nd people to it would not be helpful. Even water tra P ave roads that come to it. " �APPALACHIA PLAN_ Governor Scranton — coupled with prompt A personal appeal by resulted in the addition of $10. 62 million Presidential approval - has td rFederal-State economic development pro­ for coal regions to a propose's five-point program to get rid of for coair s Governor' gram for Appalachia. Th. . included in the Appalachia proposal to « begin > million in Pennsylvania alone. If Congress agrees, the money estimated to cost $436. 25 Pennsylvania's 210,000 acres of strip pits are so ugly that they repel tourists and keep industry away. In addition, they are a sourceof aJd drainage which pollute streams and create waste which could be­ come a valuable land resource, both recreational and industrial. At an estimated cost of $500 per acre in the anthracite fields, nearly 1, 000 acres are now being restored eachyear by the State on its own. If funds are made available by Congress under the Appalachia program, the job could be done five times as fast. The immediate impact would be a boost of from 1, 000 to 5, 000 acres to be rehabilitated during fiscal 1964-65. I Currently, 27 underground mine fires areburning in Pennsylva­ nia — endangering human life, destroying surface property, and driving industry away from the hard-hit coal regions. Since 195 3, some 45 oth­ er fires have been extinguished at a cost of $250, 000 annually in State funds, plus additional $150,000 a year from the Federal government. Today, a major urbanrenewal project is underway in Carbondale where about 404 families in a 100-acre area have been affected by a major un­ derground mine fire. At Laurel Run, an underground mine fire that has been burning for fifty years threatens 181 homes, parts of Wilkes-Barre Township and the City of Wilkes-Barre. The urban renewal formula again will be used to evacuate residents, clear the area, put out the fire, and rehabilitate the land. Inclusion of an allocation for burning fires in the Appalachia program means the problem can be attacked in other are­ as where the fires are fully as dangerous. . A major factor which has deterred industrial expansion in Pennsylvania1 ’ 7 ' Jregions is the danger of surface subsidence above abandoned coal mines, Because of this, the surface gives way, building5 collapse, feWer UneS are destroyed, and families forced to flee their hoi ustry, which could take up some of the unempl°y ment slack, shuns ■ns such areas. Since 1953, Pennsylvania already ha5 treated 49 such < back in to mines in as in the bituminous fields by flushing fill material ,u,^’e5 °^co^apse. Eight similar areas have been completed in the anthracite fields. Presidential approval already ba been given to a requested $1 miUion ventive measures on a long-ramm k approPriatiOn tn $700, 000 to be used in urban renewal^18 " as WeH as C°ntlnue Pfewould step up Pennsylvania's own fij^0^8, Egression additional still remaining to be treated in the bkum” Subsidence approval the hard coal regions. ummous fields, r>lu_ 7 areas P Us others in Long deplored by Pennsylvania outdoo as the major disease that has killed some 2 GoSTT11 Conservationists acid mine drainage must be cured. Action 63 °f State strean>s, abandoned mines and build effective plants P^°grams to both seal off or treat acid mine drainage also are needed" Pr°CeSses to eliminate Appalachia report already contemplates re'searVh^V-that the more economical methods of reducing acid ■ actlvities towards Johnson already has approved Governor Scranton- drainage’ Pre5ident begin practical anti-pollution measures immediatelyPerS°nal appeal to Both Pennsylvania's anthracite and bituminous areas are dotted with hundreds of burning and non-burning culm piles and other spoil banks of the mining industry. All are unsightly, discourage job-cre­ ating industry from locating in the area, use up needed land, and, when ignited, form a serious air pollution health menace. The current count is 25 in the anthracite areas, plus uncounted hundreds of non-burning refuse banks. The Legislature has already appropriated $325, 000 to be used on burning banks, $200, 000 of it to remove "hot spots" and the balance — to be matched by Federal funds — to design, construct and operate a pilot plan for elimination of air pollution. In addition, the Legislature is currently considering a bill appropriating $400, 000 to de­ sign, construct, and operate a cleaning plant to process non-burning refuse to be used as underground fill to prevent mine subsidence. Con gressional approval of an allocation through the Appalachia program will mean that Pennsylvania not only can begin a detailed survey for planne action but can actually spend $2 million of it on removal of both burning culm banks in the next fiscal year. RENTING AUTOMOBILES FOR POLICE USE According to a 1961 survey,done ^^^“^JpaHties have reau of- th, «ie League of Minnesota Municip. . Police Adminisbeen iusing a relatively untried technique in lersfor use in police tration, that of renting automobiles from loca ea ^ce Departments Such a rental system is intended to P^° sa me WOrk« rentai “'"without at the same time burdening with ,.properly purchasing, Pyop,erly equipped squad cars .basing, rf repairing andothMunicipal budgets with irregular cos erwi s maintaining such vehicles. er wise �it was tried in the early 30's, and local of. It was The idea is not new. t has prOven successful. Rental a. The idea is —.rally reporte contain a large number of provificials have genei_„i3 can, and probablys of both the municipality and the les. greements nd define the responsibly^ responsibilities is a crucial first sions ai*— Mutual understanding . of a successful program. sor. towards harmonious reiat step discussion of the car, provision fOr periodic maintenance and servicing, i of police equipment, replacement of gTand'oIl, Insurance, and amount of payment, payment fOr cars, length of contract, method < VOL- XIII. NO. 7 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA., JULY 15, 1964 • /ZVXS-bE: Pe URBAN REDEVELOPMENT repair of damages. are “mo““f"m service to repairs and maintenance work, ability to ’.place cars with new equipment more frequently, lite of the rental cars exceeding the usual life of a police car. While the Minnesota and Illinois dealers willingly participate, Kansas municipalities found that their auto dealers were reluctant to provide cars on a rental basis and assume the required risks. Such an attitude is likely to raisethe rentalfees which the dealer s would require. I 1 In summarizing, the only statement that can be made today is that some municipalities have tried the system and have been satisfied with it. Their success coupled with the fact that it provides a method through which some of our cities can obtain police cars without making large capital outlays and without assuming the risk of possible heavy re­ pair costs does seem to recommend that more municipalities might give serious consideration to the advisability of adopting the plan. THOUGHTS FOR TODAY Leon E. Hickman, Executive Vice-President and Chairman of the Finance Committee of Alcoa, made a number of constructive remarks, concerning urban redevelopment at the National Mortgage Banking con­ ference held in February 1964 in Chicago. Mr. Hickman's look at urban redevelopment is significant because he sees troubles that need resolv­ ing before renewal activity can become an aggressive generator of urban redemption. While it is impossible to reproduce all of his remarks printed in Urban Land, May, 1964, some pertinent excerpts are worth noting. "Something is plainly wrong. Of 22,000 acres purchased by cities for redevelopment since the federal program began in 1949, only 6,800 acres have been resold to developers. Of the remaining 6,000 acres haven't even been cleared of old buildings; while another 3, 300 acres have been cleared but no redevelopers located. Some 5, 900 acres are cleared and appear close to being sold to redevelopers. Obviously, there are sserious gaps between acquisitions, clearing and redevelop- ment. " ’ie redevelopment "Part of the problem is the responsibility of- th The best place to look for a helping hand is at the end of your arm. agencies. ' «« capable of total redevelopment in one or f. the cancer is but wise, you have only an island; or, to change the figure. Some business partly removed. " careers are carved; others are chiseled. PUBLICATION This News-letter, Institute of Munrnontlaly as a community service, originated in the L. -Jrr naybeadrirJ C1R1G°Vernment of Wilkes College. Notes and inquiries ‘ ' cS®d t0 Dr- Hugo V. Mailey, Institute of Municipal Government, Wilkes 0 lege, Wilkes_Barre> Pennsylvania. 1 t of confidence in his to have "A private redeveloper has got U> prOgramslocal redevelopment authority to buy. the community t0 redevelopment authority to buy veloper needs to know that the au -ng the total proje deveiopauthority, are reasonably sure o be cornmits or a gubstanoompletion. He needs confidence oeCific program ove flexnaent which obligates him to build to ncy will berea tial number of years, the redevelop^ �-chedules and in revisions of Program, ible in its insistence upon time sc the original concept to be uneconomic. " where experience indicates a share of the responsibility. Urban "The community also has > be undertakenunless the municipality is or redevelopment ought not to total program. Anything short of that means ganized and dedicated to a I ultimate defeat. " number of such aroused communities and they There are quite a are usually the ones that are staffed with able and dedicated urban re­ ones that are newal officials. Short Short of of such sue total dedication, urban redevelopment is fraught with peril and maybe a vast waste of money. This is not a game for halfway measures and weakly-sponsored programs. " "Our municipalities are so hungry for funds that redeveloped properties are placed placed on the tax rolls at figures which too often simply kill the attractiveness of the project. This happens before the develop­ ment is ever filled up with tenants, before it even gets off the ground. In far too many cases a project teeters between red and black ink de­ pending upon the tax assessment. " "In need as municipalities are of tax revenue, there ought to be a better understanding than now prevails that the early and heavy im­ position of property taxes will in the long run defeat this urban renewal concept and the hoped for improvement of the municipal tax base. If taxes could be imposed at lesser rates in the earlier and more difficult years in recognition of the fact that the developer has got to make a rea­ sonable profit on his development and his management if such programs are to continue, urban renewal would have a much more certain future than in the case today.11 TIPS ON SNOW CLEARANCE Abandoned or stalled vehicles in the streets was a big hindrance to snow clearance efforts last winter in a number of communities. To orestall such a situation the following suggestions were listed in a re cent issues of the Local Government News Letter: Have a municipal ordinance, compliance, requiring cars to have backed up by stiff penalties for non­ ered streets. snow tires or chains on snow-cOV' Request tn ’’ ucking and delivery firms to remain off streets a all.-night snows until they have b een cleared for traffic. Designate vacant areas in COn™ere1al dislricts parking zones where drivers can leave th streets with them. e their . autos rather emergency than block Clear municipal parking lots as -mailable other than on the main roa^0*?8 Possible * so Parking will be ,n av; t will be working. s wherea snow removal equipmenCoordinate all emergency forces , in a special storm center so time can be saveT’/^6’ public works sual or dangerous situations during snows Savedwhen reacting to unu Some Do's and Don't1 s Don't wait to buy new snow equipment until old equipment can longer be repaired. New equipment will be found easier to operaU efficient, and less expensive to maintain. H e’ Don't wait until snow has accumulated several inches before be­ ginning plowing operations. Do purchase chlorides in bulkand store them in or near the same building with spreaders. This puts the vehicle on the road faster; no time is lost in opening bags. Do have rosters of men who would be available for work during snow emergencies. CITY MANAGERS AND SOCIAL CLASS Much more conscious effort must be made to provide for political participation by all social groups in council-manager cities if the plan is *to continu ' -LL.ue its development. This is the major conclusion to be drawn from a a recent recent survey of 74 suburban cities in the Chicago area. The cities were arranged in rank order of median dwelling uni values, and the definite coincidence of high housing drops, a few more n°n-manager cities appear. About halfway down the list, manager an n°n-manager cities are in about the same proportion. Be ow ® rank city in value of housing, all of the remaining 31 are non-manage cities. cities had a higher It appeared that on the average debt per capita, expenditure per capita, a lower net ^ip^ g pattern and high undoubt­ P^Perty taxes per capita. The maj suburban c-------cities which have choedly is th. e greater wealth of many o Sen the council-manager plan. ed to study Citi ®rouPs which have an interest in council-manager plan e Problem of communication with those in the community 67913 �h uld be explained more in detail rather social rank. The ~ •>” b“6iMSS corpota,ionof lower merely using the an? than i— tatus persons have less opportunity to It is stated that lower lection at large is employed. In addition, hold municipal office where 36 ; in lower status groups have relativeit is probable that many persons how they can achieve representation in ly more difficulty understanding The surVey shows some evidence that the the council-manager plan city. T apparent to members of different so- not^ually VOL XII, MO. 8 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE PA- > AUGUST 15, 1964 FOURTH ANNUAL COMMUNITY GR0Wth CONFFp._ benefits of the plan areAdministration nc Review) cial classes. (Public i Youare cordially invited to attend and nartM- miscellaneous „The citizen's Citizen's Part Part in in Crime and Accident Prevention" is the title of a pamphlet issued by the police department of Statesville, North Carolina. The pamphlet lists many useful suggestions for businessmen, housewives, and school children, who, if they fully cooperate with their local police department in following the rulesand suggestions set forth, can substantially reduce the number of crimes and accidents in their community. (FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin, May 1962) Police officers who direct traffic on dark streets in Memphis will wear bright orange and white vests, enabling motorists to see them better. (The Municipal South) THOUGHTS FOR TODAY 1964 may go down as the the greatest greatest entertainment entertainment year year ever, what with the World's Fair, two national political conventions and the plunging neckline. Try praising your wife even though it may frighten her at first. PUBLICATION This News-letter of Municipal r m aS a community service, monthly “ngmated in the Institute’ Published mn ma y be addres V Government of Wilkes CollegeNotes and inquiries ’ Wilkes nJ? tO Dr- Hug° V. Mailey, Institute °f Municipal Government, ege, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania,nia- . . annual community growth conference s College, on Wednesday, September 30, 1964 ° ntheF0URTH e held at Wilkes In an attempt to come to grips with the more pressing problems of our area, the sponsors of the COMMUNITY GROWTH CONFERENCE are pleased to provide this unique opportunity to share experiences with nationally known authorities who have been invited and will participate in the CONFERENCE with us. This FOURTH ANNUAL COMMUNITY GROWTH CONFERENCE will provide an opportunity for the exchange of ideas among the various organizations and individuals concerned with the solution of the mor e practical problems related to the socialand ec­ onomic well-being of our area. The CONFERENCE will bring together all those people inter ested in planning for the area. It is designed to set a pattern for future cooperative efforts among local government offi­ cials, builders, realtors, industrialists, developers, and interested citizens. gener as W The theme of this yearns CONFERENCE will relate around the Pr°blem of housing and its importance if older communities yoming Valley are to attract new industries. DOES WYOMING VALLEY HAVE A HOUSING PROBLEM: FACT °R myth ? The registration fee ior entitle the registrants to luncheon, coc Proceedings. We sincerely hope that y also urge interested citizens in joining Ibis opportunity. mark this date on your °RTANT MEETING! 00 This will and a »< attend, and tha y will in taking adva of CALENDAR. DON'T MISS THIS �DELgSSiSSi 25, D.C. The new publication offers the followi concerning the use of fluorescent lights: ments < taxes □ T auent taxes for the years 1962 and 1963 total of $96,350 mde Luzerne County Treas_ £cted during the7 ” icipalities willbenefit the most from this a WaS C°qchooldistricts an m for school districts and $17,209 for urert tax collection--$^> delinquent tax municipalities. check will go to Hazleton school district in The largest single the amount of $6, 291- d their school districtswill receivenothThree municipalities — ’a”h as no tax delinquencies were forthcoming in this description!, • -— a inasmu _ Jeddo Borough, and Yates-,-Conyng a 33) will go to Nescopeck Towning from the threeThe smallest ville Borough. T ------ ship. The Borougl ing: Kingston, L-- POLLUTION OF GROUND WATER Each person in the United States produces, on the average, four a nf refuse every day. This means that every day the urban popu uXpXoe. over 400mIllio» pounds of refuse which must be disposed I . of. Refuse includes garbage, rubbish, ashes, street refuse and^soh industrial wastes. When refuse is deposited on top of the gr tential effect on ground water may be considerable. Groun wa er polluted by removal from the refuse of the soluble minerals y lating waters (leaching) and for leaching to occur these basic con 1 must exist: 1) the refuse must be deposited in or near a water ear rock formation, 2) the refuse must be completely soaked (supersa rated), and 3) fluids removed by solution from the refuse must be a to enter the water-bearing rock. The coexistence of conditions 1 an can be prevented by careful site selection. Condition 2 is mor to occur in open dumps than in sanitary land fill, but if the site is intermittent or continuous contact with ground water, it will ma ground water in the vicinity unfit for domestic or irrigational use. SEARCH tilUte nritSSe11 Petreat of Green Bay. Wisconsin. Cit°NOTlJ? yPur Public Buildij. c’ P^ished bv f^SU£ °5 a new Publication titled RE" ervice, General q6 °ffice of Buildings Management, Prices Administration, Washington • lnteresting com - Sometimes, turning off your fluorescent f light costs more than leaving them burning. Studies conducted by the e " Ressearch Division have shown that each time a fluor escent lamp is turned off and on again, between 12 and 13 hours of useful lamp life are expended, A little calculation will show that in areas where turnoffs are ffrequent, added lamp replacement costs exceed the cost of the electrical1 energy cnsaved. Actually, the lamp life loss resulting from one complete on-off switching cycle would buy about four hours worth of electrical energy. Intermittently occupied areas may requires to 10 turnoffs a day. Each turn­ off would buy 4 more hours worth of electrical energy. For this reason, reason a program encouraging occupants not to turn off their fluorescent lamps produces long-run economies of operation. These economiesarebased entirely upon added lamp life and do not include the extra benefits of less frequent replacement periods and better lighting levels over longer periods of time. We must emphasize, however, that this procedure applies only to fluorescent lamps. Incandescent lamps, if operated in this manner, would cost a great deal more. Many pieces of electrical equipment operating for only a few minutes will consume enough electrical energy to light an office for two or three days. FIREMEN'S RELIEF ASSOCIATION V. HANLON Municipalities--PaidFire Department--"Replacement" of Volunteer Fire Companies --Share of Foreign Fire Insurance Tax Moneys. no municipality may replace a volunteer The law provides that favorable referendum. For many years, fire company except after a favoraoie 1 . a city. The city both used by a city, paid firemen and volunteer firemen were ervices of the volunteer services c. then enacted an ordinance"dispensing with withttheVnj.gpia.ee " thevolunteer replace" fire company" and claimed that action 1 n° aiready in existence, fire company since the paid fire departmen nsurance tax moneys The city further turned over all of the foreign firemen, reived from the State to the relief assooauon The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania ... ■ ordinance was originally to "rep­ ■** department and was, therefore, dum had been held. firev amPle evidence that the volunteer Furthermore, there was amp �yOL. PA" ®PTEMBER151 1%4 of Second Class Township--Report of Beroughs-'A^^^Xcretion of Court. . Fact-Finding Comm . fact-finding commission, appointed under Despite a rTP°«0 Recommending that a petition for the Act of 1953 P. L. 5b. township to a borough be denied, a lower anne xation of a portior of a s*cond order approving the annexation, a low, court confirmed its pr withhold its approval where a majority stating that "this court is Power exoressed their desire to be annexed to the of the persons involved ha P Borough." The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania reversed the order of the lower court and remanded the matter to it for further consideration, pointing out that an order of annexation, based solely on the fact that a majority of the freeholders in the area proposed to be annexed desire such annexation, is erroneous. The r"’ intent of the law is that there be an initial determination by the court,, iinterlocutory in nature, of the legality and propriety of the annexation, and __id a a final final determination of the legality and propriety of the annexation on the basis of all the facts then before the court. THOUGHTS FOR TODAY It is better to give than receive--and also it's deductible, made aJother^misUke.1’601’16 frOm exPerience is that they've Raising lg J chUdren is like drafting a blueprint--you have to know where to dr: : “*aw the line. publication Yhis News-left S”Xd"'heI"sHt«r<; Xu„hed mon,hl>'as a community service, “fM«nicipaJ’c"'‘e”,i,>'beaddresC1PH1 Govern'n<s”« of Wilkes College. °Vernment, Wilkes t0 Dr> HuS° V- Mailey, Institute 0 ege, Wilkes-Barre,Pennsylvania. FOURTH ANNUAL COMMUNITY GROWTH conference The Fourth Annual Community C Growth Conference at Wilkes College on Wednesday, September 30, will be held * . 1964. The theme of this year's CONFERENCE 'll general problem of housing and its importance if ni\ ar°Und the Wyoming Valley are to attract new industries DOeRwvRRtT^63 aS LEY HAVE A HOUSING PROBLEM: FACT OR S? “ VAL' MARK SEPTEMBER 30 ON YOUR CALENDAR. THIS IMPORTANT MEETING! DON'T MISS SHORT COURSES The Institute of Municipal Government will again conduct a num­ ber of in-service training courses for municipal officials. These courses are designed to make available to elected andappointed officials the means of improving the performance of their duties. The courses are presented in cooperation with the Public Service Institute, Depart­ ment of Public Instruction, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The c-----courses being offered this fall semester include: Magistrates Course, ; " , a general review of the fundamentals of civil law re quired by •y magistrates and the proper operation of their office, Com munity - Planning, "’InnnLig, a survey course concerning the fundamentals o p ni n rr * designed J • ning for planning commissioners, council members, and in­ terested laym laymen;,Hydraulics, a general course for firemen, revi~ g •he generating of water pressurei pressure control, the necessary for Fighting. such service; Assessment Problems, an the admin. for assessors, discussing o -r -----Fundamentals of i specialized problems comm_ , a istr; 'ation of municipal assessment, wish to qualify aS c°urSe <’ instructors designed for those firemen °n the fund; Jamentals of fire fighting. POLICE PROBLEMS police ^ailY> I receive letters from citizens, wanting t0 know why ePartment isn't addressing itself to the many ill �in Chicago, Why wasn't a policeman in forcement that need correction sister was as saulted? Why do the police the park last week when my to roam our streets? Why do the police permit well-known gangsters , Why, in Heaven's name, don't not punish criminals caught in the act? Every police officer recognizes the police do something about crime? he himself has been asked them and similar questions, because these by angry citizens. . mselves arise out of a misconception. Most The questions the too> for that matter) do not realize citizens of Chicago (an e agency in Our country operates that, contrary to popn ar ’ Some of these restrictions are written under very strict linn a are part of the checks and balances into the Constitution i se . justice. Still others have been inibuilt into our system of X/pretation. posed through Supreme Court interp Citizens who raise these questions are well mtentioned. We, as v ffirP-A have an obligation to help them under stand the problems feetag the police. Below are score of the answers we give to the per- nor can they be searched unless there is PERSONS ACCUSED OF rnn 4 arrest- catise’ 5. TAIN RIGHTS. We cannot take acts ----- , We cannot take action tivity complained of is, in fact, defined or the laws of either our state or city Are GUADax *p ^XtsT?/er- lng Cri^inal by feri the ac' >lained of is, in fact, defined ; dividuals without an adequate fo ' 6 P°lice cannot a al law laws of either our statebasis or city. crime has without a constitutional right to bail A an adequate basis for T??/ arrest A pers°» accuTn recently heldconstitutional that a confession U’ S< d °f a right obtain to bail.a 5^ TheU. S Supreme C confession obtained by the police'prior the prosecution. with counsel e tlrne tke Staged offender fs allowed L cannot be used in b. ALL CRIMINALS CANNOT BE PROSECUTED The police are aware of many individuals who we have a strong basis for believing are actively engaged in criminal activity or are profiting from such activities. The techniques by which they operate, however, prevent us from obtaining the evidence which we need with which to arrest and prosecute them. Many, for example, carry on their criminal activities over the telephone. We are prohibited, bylaw, from listening into telephone conversations. sistent questions we are asked: 1 THE POLICE DO NOT MANUFACTURE CRIME. Crime in a community is caused by a variety of factors - varying from the mental or emotional state of a given individual to poor housing, poverty, un­ employment, lack of education and other environmental conditions over which the police have no control. 2. THE POLICE CANNOT BE EVERYWHERE ALL OF THE TIME. The police do not have enough funds and personnel to place a police officer wherever a crime may occur in order to prevent that e from occurring. We undertake to deploy our manpower in lo­ cations where crimesare most likely to occur and during the hours when they are most likely to be committed. PREVENTED. Many crimes crimes occur “ PHvat. ALL CRIMES CANNOT BEPRE VENTED. Many fas ,^^na^e in the back reaches of a person's mind and are the result of prevent such crimes' 1 impulse- N° amount of police protection can 4- the police 2 are urged lo^ UNDER LIMITED AUTHORITY. Everyday, the police °ur democrat! which we are without authority to do. Under control as to th ' °rrn 8overnment, citizens are not subject to strict They cannot b rnovernents and actions; their privacy is secure e taken into custody without legal 7. THE POLICE DO NOT PUNISH PEOPLE. It is the function of the police to apprehend criminals and charge them with the crimes they committed. It is the function of the State's Attorney to prosecute the alleged criminal and of the Court to judge whether or not the person is guilty. Contrary to frequently expressed views, the police do not have anything to do with deciding whether or not a person is to be con­ victed, and if so, what punishment is to be meted out. (Editorial, Chicago Police Star, August, 1964). URBAN RENEWAL urban renewal is paying its way After 17 years and $210 million, city officials, it's bringing suburin Chicago. As an added bonus, say city ice. By the late 19banites back to the City at a better than exp i of others ., throughout the 40's, Chicago's white citizens--like rnillio^ * suburbs while slums spread in their country--were streaming to the of real estate and tax revenue were wake. Assessed tax valuations dropping. • 1047 with the Hyde Park­ reverse the tide beganunl?4 States. The battle to Benwood Conservation Project, first ° 1 , al funds was spent m re More than r $36 million in city, state and Fe buildings, renovate o next 103 years to build new homes and apar prOjects later, city 0 nnits, and tear down dilapidated ones. °w> extend into almost ficialis estimate that the developments, w 1 luation of the inv° Part of the city, eventually will increase th teal estate by more than $48 million. �D. the E. increase MacKelmann, deputy of Urba estimated in tax yield at commissioner 115 per cent since th^ renewal, newal programs were initiated. The city should be able tQ6 Ur^an rel millions invested by 1975, "Don't forget, " he said, >.the ° Pay °ff the eludes not only the projects which are developed privatel"0^86 inmany that do not increase such as ^ut alSo r the projectsthe tax returns, grounds. M^-nrofit community works are part of the > S ar “^PIay not increase t program. Ur an reneWaI Non-profit c— VOL xiii» N°- 10 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE pA. , OCTOBER 15, 1964 COLLECTINGJIETER^OI^ meter coins in the City of Memphis maybe Collecting par mg firm. Estimates were submitted to handled in the future by^a P^ found that one company quoted a the city by private firms charge The city is now paying more than $1,000 per month minimu e loyees to make collections, in addition $1,200 in salaries to ou^ ng a truck and paying office personnel to “ ”th"dC°„“”cC.i»siSb«lore depositing them. (Memphis Commercial MUNICIPAL NEEDS OF 100 FAMILIES cognition Dinner remarks posed this question to the local offictali-k'Thhat does thihs gJeat increase in population me- to™nmumty like the ones in which you people hold office?" Appeal, February 19, 1962) IT'S AN OLD, OLD PROBLEM! "The prophet Isaiah said a long time ago, 'We continue to place house against house and field against field until there is no place in the world to be alone. 1 From then until now, we have continued so to place and have done little about the resulting confusion. " As an answer to the query she propounded, she quoted from Horizons, a publication sponsored and distributed by the Institutes of Local Government of the University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania State University, and the University of Pennsylvania: "When 100 families move into a medium-large city, services will they call for and how much will it all cost? what new --Charles A. DeTurk, Director California State Department of Parks and Recreation THOUGHTS FOR TODAY worry and a.Vera®e ^e^°wis torn between his doctor telling him not to about. awyer outlining all the things he should be worrying 1. 65 high school rooms, which will cost h'igh,’and 25 50 of the children will be in grammar sc oo , nfieded. In all, the in senior high. Four more school teachers wi ,ldpetof the school 100 families will add $30, 000 a year to the operating budget system. Money is the jack of all trades. PUBLICATION This News-letter, published monthly as a community ser«^ originated in the Ini istitute of Municipal Government of Wilkes g^£tute Notes and inquiries may be addressed to Dr. Hugo V. Mailey, aI1iaofMunicipalGovernment, , Wilkes College, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsy street cleaning, more garbage "The families will mean more City parks and city health will collecting, and more tax collecting, department will have to pump The water need more looking after. will have to buy approxi10, 000 extra gallons of water a day. The c*ty school, high school, mately four acres of land; one e,:ach for grammar Parks and play areas. "This will mean hiring rno need 0. 84 new employes in the po 1 ne^ fireman. Probably four othe . The city will t and two-thirds of a departrnent t0 be added to the city have t_ �Win *----- The new stall wu. — L and boost the general payroll v — payroll. fire department, 000 to $15, 000. °y an expenses, from $12, " *,c $2, 820 to amount ranging 100 500 newnew families require ’ >Lii $10,the 000); books will for the librarlnC1Ude: "Other things which 'adda new hospital bed (price annual budget); and a fraction of => a CeH in the ing $675 to the library's jail. " PROJECT 70 1963, the voters of Pennsylvania approved a On November 5, water $70, 000, 000 bond issue to provide funds to acquire land and sites for recreation, conservation, and historical purposes And just which will last month, the legislature ajpproved~ the enabling ’ 1 ’— legislation _x. make Project 70 a reality. These sites could include any use of land for public park, fishing hunting, boating, open space, scenic or historical purposes, or for any related public out-door recreation project. The objective of this imaginative program is to preserve the state's scenic and recreation areas before they are permanently lost to competing land-use. The present pattern of urban growth and develop­ ment appears to be accelerating at the expected rate. For example, in one rapidly urbanizing county, if the present rate of consumption of open land continues for two more decades (160-200 acres per 1, 000 new re­ sidents), the entire county will be covered by urban sprawl, and all the desirable tracts of open land will have vanished. eligible for a grant of fifty of the ill be cost of the land land for f0: a eation, conservation, or historical merce, Bureau of Community Dev 1 Pr °Jectrecr' The Department of administer this portion of Project 70. 6 °Pment- will be' Com' -e authorized to Land could be acquired for smaller DarV residential areas where they could be used i “ and ud playfields Piaytield cch i„ cilities would be designed for active and bas^ day-to-day basis. be -designed for active and passive leisure °uIdneeds to meet the of- all age groups in a municipality. eiSUre activities would be provided for adequate picnic areas M°re space pools, tennis courts, ball fields, apparatus facilities o’ swimming Pools, education areas Whatever the recreation facility needs of theor outdoor ° °F Nation i community ject 70 grant would provide financial assistanc ?Unity may maY be, a ProProThe development of recreation facilities wouldb ? f i" ac(luisition. sp< development of recreation facilities would bee a local financial reionsibility. !n addition to projects for park and recreation purposes a com munity could acquire stream valleys, forest land, watershed areas, and scenic areas for conservation purposes. Historic and cultural sites could also be secured. Project 70 would help make possible the preservation of those areas now in exis­ tence and point the way toward restoration of many sites which have fallen by the wayside or are in danger of being lost forever. Counties and municipalities should immediately make prepara­ tions which will enable them to take advantage of the Project 70 pro­ gram. Actions which should be undertaken by public officials and citi­ zens without delay include the following: 1. With these problems in mind, the state's planners conce' Project 70 proposal to expend the $70, 000, 000 by 1970. A sum t^stat <' 00?’ 000 WiU be allocated out of Project 70 funds for acquisition of s' and for future development of regional parks and reservoir sites. poses. 2. A su^ of $10,000,000 will k 6 made available by Project 70 to provide• new fish and wildlife eserves and more access to our rivers, thus bettier accommodating Th municipality should consider the political jurisdiction -7 ± the site. A playlot, which could most appropriately acquire cquired lity park could best be a, neighborhood park or communi , . county. Intermunicipal by a group of municipalities oran a asset for many proposed cooperation would certainly be A land acquisition projects. of acquiring the site nsylvania fishermen and hunters. 3. wealth001°° t0 be all°oatPeXo all^r °f Project 70 is in the sum °f Project 7 0 is in the sum 8titutedmunicina]nty’ City’ b^ough^^1 Subdivisions in the CommonniC1Pal authority Orea ’ °Wn’ or township, or a legally conzed for park and recreation purposeS’ Develop an overall plan and policy concerning the acquisi­ Develop an tion of land for recreation, conservation, or historical pur­ A municipality should study the means °r preserving open space. _o >n to determine the cost of acquir4. A preliminary investigation considered. ing a site should be <----- �5. determine the most feasible method A municipality should site, - base price of the site. A Project 70 An additional of financing the P'>UrfCfty percent of of the the cost. cost, percent could be obtained from the grant could finance? “ could be < ’ grant of twenty or V-mder the Open Space Land Program under the Open Space Land Pro. Federal gove rZ Housing Housing and and Home Home Finance Finance Agency. Ag, XIU> N°* 11 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRg pA \f0^- November by ,be t be raised from local sources. Local The balance ZZZed from donations, the general operathe funds may ^/a municipality, a capital reserve fund ting budget fo: ' 1 obligation bonds, the issue of municipal issue of g<enera — or possibly a short-term bank note finanauthority bonds, cing program. 6. The municipality snouiu “*tauuuluoUiL1 or agencies which will be responsible for developing vising, and maintaining the proposed recreating cons^611' tion, or historical project to be acquired. a' If a county or municipality takes the foregoing steps, it will be in a better position to take full advantage of the Project 70 Assistance Program. SHADES OF LONG AGO According to an item in the April 18, 1 914 Wilkes-Barre Record, Wilkes-Barre-has had a Planning Commission for more than 50 years. On that date the following were unanimously confirmed by the CityCouncil to serve on the Commission: J. C. Bridgman, A. C. Campbell, F. G. Darte, H. S. Smith, and J. A. Hourigan. THOUGHTS FOR TODAY Seems there's one advantage of being old--you can whistle while brushing yOur teeth. Vacation-Three weeks rocks. on the sands; the rest of the year on the 15. 1%4 REDEVELOPMENT PROJECTS Wilkes-Barre with its six urban renewal • than twelve million dollars, has made giant striri Pr°-)eCts filing more ment Authority established an office four vM ^SlnCe the Redevelopjects, including the State Street General. Ren/wafpi Six pr°execution stage. Plan, five are in the HAZLE STREET, the first project, consisting of approximately 38 acres, is being developed for commercial and industrial reuse. A million dollar post office and a million and one-half dollar Acme Service Center covering a tract of 12 acres, are two of the commercial struc­ tures which will be built on South Main Street. A convent bordering the future Pennsylvania Boulevard, was constructed by the first redevel­ oper. An attractive manufacturing plant, built by the second redevel­ oper in the Hazle Street Project Area is now in operation. Another in­ dustrial plant, adjacent to the latter, is now under construction. mately £tc^ was ^^^XdTvT- ing Authority as the site for the 400 low-income city, schools, opment area was selected due to its proximi estak}ishments. The churches, transportation facilities and com me units for famiproject will consist of 200 units for the e e £our bedroom dwel­ ls. There will be a variety of one, two, thre* new street t0 take lings. The Redevelopment Authority wi e P a new railroad, thus the place of Lincoln Street between creating the necessary buffer between t surrounds PUBLICATION Notes and inqutrij1181^6 ^uScLT'g^17 ** * CommunitV service, of MuniCipa] r beaddr P 1 Government of Wilkes CollegePal Government, Wnkes cn bailey, Institute ege, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania- The DYER LANE PROJECT, the municipal garage which was construe thenar kin^ Auth°rlt^ major step hi land sold by the Redevelopment Authori J* e,s Central BuSineShMain dernization and rehabilitation of Wi buildings which face ou° from trict. The creation of a mall behind ively accessib an<i South Washington Streets will be a Not only dll this pro­ the uPper side exit of the Park and Lf^^ff street parking facilities. Ject beautify, speed shoppers fl°w r �. . ms for the businesses in the area, but it win oblems and solve delivery Pr°M e aking Dyer Lane readily accessible to end fire-fighting hazar^^ as other emergency equipment. The fire apparatus of a urban renewal project has been received by adoption of this area±°rprchants with enthusiasm and it is expected that the South Main Street m bemade with the consulting assistance thnr«l»M““*ion”£*A„thorlty. of the Redevelopment Au .mirMT STREET PROJECT’ approximately 3 acres, will The —^ynT^d^ational facilities and to increase permit Wilkes o eg eria t0 accomodate 400 students and a 250 enrollment by 2b . f_,irfPd unit dormitory will be constr COLLEGE PROJECT, approximately 9 acres, is the The KING'S ' first step in a threeMillion dollar expansion program by the college. A dormitory, student center and a gymnasium will be constructed. The STATE STREET GENERAL NEIGHBORHOOD RENEWAL A REA, ab out 60 acres in size, is strategically located between the Dyer Lane-and King's College Projects to the north, the Lincoln Street Pro­ ject to the south and theHazle Street Project to the west. It is predom­ inantly nonresidential in character and its location permits the area to be redeveloped for a combination of parking, commercial, public and traffic improvement. It will combine conservation and rehabilitation and will be carried out in four stages or projects over an eight-year period. Project No. 1, consisting of about 38 acres, has just been ap­ proved. The INDUSTRIAL PARK URBAN RENEWAL PROJECT has not been included in Wilkes-Barre's six projects because it is in the plan­ ning stage. It covers an area of 220 acres and encompasses almost the entire railroad belt which traverses the City. Approximately seven years will elapse before all the land is under redevelopment. Two years this time will be spent to conduct the necessary studies and to pre­ pare the necessary plans. jQfOMING VALLEY SANITARY AUTHORITY approxiIXly?onrorAnhgefirmv°f Albright and Frie1’ InC* haS comPlet^ tract of $176,000 ah W°r^ enta-iled in the preliminary planning c° lines, 50% of the nr T tbe aer^ photography for the intercept°r and force mains and ^a^ou^ study in connection with the sewe Pieted. The engineer % °f the studVP1ans and profiles have been coin­ design for the hydraulic11"6 presently working on the development of t ’ and tPle Pump and lift stations. It is expected that the preliminary plannir, ted by the end of February. Monthly progress n« rwill b e COHl- sports are made by P neers to the Engineering Committee of the WVS a" eIlgl£ull Authority at its regular monthly meeting The which reports to •^located locally at 308 Wyoming Avenue, Kingston. engineering firm NEW BUILDING Ground was broken for a new $157,000 municioal b„im, Township to be erected on the site of th. iX Xtb"1 " plains ■. The federal government will provide $90, 060 or c. 58% to Street School, Land on which the building will be conward the. construction costs. structed was purchased for $1 from the Plains Township School Board that the building will be ready for use in 1965. It is expected t . JOINT LIBRARY Four West Side Communities have agreed to participate in a 21month library demonstration program to be conducted with the Hoyt Library in Kingston. The program is aimed at demonstrating to Court­ dale, Edwardsville, Luzerne and Pringle that library service can be permitted to use the library facilities free for 21 months at the end of which time the four towns may agree to continue at the rate of 30 cents per person based on the I960 census. LAFLIN Laflin Borough Council is among the municipal legislative bodies which must study new assessment figures and compute a new tax for 1965. But Laflin councilmen aren't too concerned. The town oper­ ates on only $912 a year. For 1964, a tax levy of 7 mills was require to raise that much revenue. A levy of 2. 76 mills should work out well for 1965. A UT HORIT Y - OWNED BUILDINGS ..ty established an The Borough of West View in Allegheny C y of a private water Authority in 1942 to acquire the property and asse s c__ ordinance napany. In 1949the Borough passed an c.--or purity to acquire, improve and operate, either y aiding on specified lots. t a two-story building' A building, in part a one-story and in p rtliority used by the Aut — Was cconstructed. * private enterPart of the building was Authority to r water rproject, and part was leased by the Prises. �was leased to the Borough, which in of the building Attocomme--, enterprises. The entire second story, ercl,a waS rented to private groups for soturn leased *to the; LBorough, “&t free by such "public groups" as Fireused’ rf----whichWai ns and was uChamber of Commerce. (faulty The - from this set of circumstances and The problem which aroseMunicipal Authority Appeal, 381 Pa „i View I. this Authority property was exempt from taxa- ,oh. N0- 12 WMES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA., DECEMBER 15, 1%4 tion in whole or m part. for which property is used and not the nature ft is the Purp0S\nes the tax exemption status of the property, of us owner that determlthat where public property is devoted partly to It was held, th®ret°rc^mmercial uses, it may be divided for tax pur­ public and partly o c^ by private business and exempting the noses by taxing the p part devoted to a public purpo WYOMING VALLEY SANITARY AUTHORITY by the Wyoming Valley Sanitary Authority. S been made FINANCE AND TAXATION I Completed urban renewal projects increase tax revenues "an average of 300 per cent," says David M. Walker, commissioner,Urban Renewal Administration. He called higher tax revenue and improved physical plant a means of achieving the goal of "social and Spiritual ad­ vancement--better environment for living and working. " (Texas Town & City, July I960). Depressed expressways cause less drop in adjacent property values than do those built on an elevated roadway. (Bulletin, Decem­ ber, 1959). This Authority which is composed of 14 municipalities in the Wyoming Valley area stands as an example of progress thatcanbe made through functional cooperation. The Chairman of the Authority, Mr. Reuben Levy, will present the progress report and will discuss the ac­ complishments to date and the anticipated time table for completion of this cooperative venture. This is a meeting that should be of interest not only to the officials of the cooperating municipalities but it is also open to all interested citizens who would like to keep informed as to the remarkable progress of the Authority. CLEAN UP-PAINT UP-FIX UP THOUGHTS FOR TODAY There are 1two kinds of people that cannot be trusted: those who speak badly about- everyone and those who speak well about everyone. clawed. When a woman lets the cat out of the bag, somebody's apt to get PUBLICATION _ . This News-letter, and inqutrlJs8^6 • ■ les may be a, JOvernment, Wilkes of Municipal G< * communitY service, pal Government of Wilkes College. tO Dr’ Hugo V- Mailey, Institute ege, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania- representativeorganimtioM Because of the response by — “ XndaMat the to the remarks made by Mr. Richar . ring committee wl monthly meeting of municipal offictaiaations and munTJiscuss to evaluate and discuss the role'‘^X^esentativet Will play in the Spring campaig ■ continuing organ the participation, timing and goa s of the Wy0Tning {act will be designed to upgrade the appear meeting emphasi campaign The response of the individuals at th a onCe a y ^tee that "paint up, cleanup, fixup" m n<^he Area ApP^111^® much inut that it is a continuing program. , Commerce is oups Par" of the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber oicitizens g terested in having not only municipa baSis. ticipate in this program on a continuin �HAZLETON 1Qzc budget, Hazleton City will levy a $10 °Ccu~ As part of the IV taX which will be paid by aU Persons national privilegeJa*. is expected to raise upwards of $80, > ooo gainfully employed in * 0Q0 deficit in the budget. It wiu o and will be used to increases for the City's 140 employees. be used to provide wage COMMUNITY PARK of Community Park f0, f4 ^^iaerappfOV'sdCby'the^Plym 0’1^1from ®orouSk C°U"Ci1' d f 65 acres has been acquired for recreational purposes, it expected thatit will bepart of a planned recreational area under Pro•ect 70. There still remains 33 acres in the Borough that can be ac­ quired for recreational purposes. f TAX COLLECTIONS The Luzerne County Commissioners have adopted a new tax col­ lection program. Under the program the County will bill and collect its and the Institution district's taxes early in the year to eliminate past practice of borrowing against current tax collections. Municipal tax collectors will still get their commissions for collecting the County and Institution district taxes, but they will not have to prepare the bills. The County is using its new data processing center. The step is intended to save the tax collectors time and postage in the preparation of separate bills. It has been the common practice for collectors to group all tax bills on one card and then mail the card to the property owners in the towns. The County program is based on the belief that most property owners would rather divide their tax bills for the year. Growth requires a broad viewpoint 1. f ..downtown Denver iis dependent for olitan area’ an economicanY successful state ana n nealthY me*d lnfluential busitr°P°ties throughout a wide region of the nation He said successful ^"motion of downtown development must be coordinated ^promotion of the metropolitan and regional economic —.1 success­ complex. There must be continual communication z 2. and coordination ! many and diverse organizations, and between between The coordinated efforts of the Downtown'Denver Im" citizen efforts. < pi-ovement Association, Downtown Denver Master Plan Committee, and Chamber■ of Commerce in concert with some 40 other public and gencies were cited by Mr. Koch as instrumental in creatprivate ag healthy ing a L—— . climate for new investment in Denver's central core. 3. "Redevelopment of a city is a never-ending task." Mr. Koch cautioned civic and business leaders to maintain constant vigilance over the health of downtown. "The nature of American life is changing rapidly, and the cities of America are swept along on this wave of change. In planning our cities, we try to be farsighted and intuitive of the future, but the horizon of our imaginations is much too near. So, our planning had to be flexible, our analysis continual, and our work unceasing," Mr. Koch concluded. Illustrating the effect of concentrated planning for downtown im­ provement, Mr. Koch said the Mountain States Telephone Company de cision to remain in its downtown location and undertake a building pro­ gram that will total $15 million, was made largely on the basis o e work being done by the Downtown Denver Improvement Associa individual leaders in the revitalization effort. Nearly 10 years agothe Council made a panel study PRINCIPLES OF DOWNTOWN IMPROVEMENT Three principles t t° guide central city development based on Denver's experience over the past 10 years were to a national ir on WC1C presented U1C seminar Land In" r Urban By stitute1 r Koch, President of the Mountain States Teleph°n® developers, real estate experts and investo throughout the United States that the eX" "Ponthet^pXple^011rom ^ las taken place in downtown Denver depenided 1 Walter K Denver problems which helped set the stage for the exte . the Coun°pment of recent years, An evaluation of Denver Pr0^ three-day sescil and a series of proposals for the future climaxe si°n. (Urban Land, Vol. 23, Number 10 - November, JOHN T. MULHALL .ttack on OcAttorney John T. Mulhall died s^ddan^n°ff a heart al —nBorough , W pct Pittston Solicitor for West r tober 24, ociation from '> 1964. Mr. Mulhall was the S-l-"4"”" inly Boroughs A.so-y association and an active member of the Luzerne Coui Solicitor to the eoun'Y ' the Wyoming sin ttirne ^rne of its formation. He was the Vice-Chair^" “‘J' Pittston on - } 1952. 952. Mr. Mulhall was also representing the Boroug i»' Authority’ �FRENCH vs ZONING board OF adjustment Zoning Ordinance designated as residential The 1933 Philadelphia °in the otherwise residential zone were ate.-bfo*ar~°Oho C.ty. properties. These were cUssiHea 2 existing, ’“'"'Te commercial properties was used prior to the orical. One of th ■ ca. and thereafter, for for the the purpose of passage the Z°ning tiyTpermit was was granted granted for for its its use use as as a a superoring taxicabs. Relation objected, contending that the six l objected, contending that the market. A neighborhood a spot_ZOning. The objectors took the "constituted spot-zoning. The objectors took commercial co were, in reality, ------ enclaves u .reels reality, nonconforming nonconforming uses. They position'.tat'X"the that these parce tion of the garage termination garage use use on or. the the property in argued thatstatus with as thea nonconformity ^nnformitv ce ased, and issue, iS cased, and that that it it can can now now only be used for residential purposes. The The Supreme Supreme Court agreed that the action of the City in Zoning the six commercial parcels constituted spot-zoning, holding that:: "The property in question must be treated as containing a nonconforming use and not as (a commercial) Parcel. " I Contributor's Comment: It should be noted that the Court's de­ cision hinged solely on the question of spot zoning. It stated no conclu­ sions with respect to the objectors' argument that the garage property lost its original use. This issue will only be decided when an applica­ tion is made to occupy the garage premises for another nonconforming purpose. THOUGHTS FOR TODAY Actress: I didn't want to marry him for his money, but there wasn't any other way to get it. . 'll D1Sarmament wiU hurt heavy industry? - -Not nearly as much as it will hurt the toy toy manufArh,.p_ manufacturers. PUBLICATION This News-letter, monthly as a community service, originated in the Institute Published monthly Notes and inquiries mavbp° MuniciPal Government of Wilkes College, - y Wilkes addressed to Dr. Hugo V. Mailey, Institute of Municipal Government, Colleg dvaniae> Wilkes-Barre, Pennsy. 8 9«9 chpistmAs qpeetings ��. . \ ;1 1 S .. . ■ ■ < '■■■i^v.7 /All'l l :1"'' ’•'•fll 'l ■ "•:' ■:.■ ..-.-5 ; . ■■ . . .. . . *”s >' ■'■' •■ . ■ f .. '; -I . ■ ' ■ . ■ ' . >: 11' ■ ■ .■■ ■ ..■■'■ < . . • ■ ■ a a, .. ; ■ 11 1; " . • 1 :/ .1 . - ■• a ■ I '1 ■ . ' - 11' 11 7. :. ' : . 1 a. a <1 "11' . ■' ■::■■■' / a- ..,: 7^ ■' llllilllll <1' . I•** ■ ■ 1^,0 '7 I ! it ■a| ■ , ... - . ■- \ ww . ■ H iisW ■.' a '.'V a'-. .A'vaiy ■ aAa'.x7'lal <aaaalia-. ■ ' ■ ■.a ■-v v',■ .'.’■'yr’-aa■<. '.<>ya.a<.a. a.'lv a. .;? •'.'.■...■■/ .> <7''\-a7a.-Y?-a3\aa'\.. I. -a ■ . -'.’ -a » .1 1 ' I ' \\ isasss --..v i Ha . ■ iBi'!- ■’ \ j 11 : W - 7 ■'■ jin 7 111" !}-W vih’4i ' \ . a. ■ :<i<.a-aa^^^-‘'‘ 77 I ■111 . gw II ■ ■'<. till .. '. ■ "■ '. iiHiila ■ ■ ■ aaaaaa- • /.:■ 7; ■■ Il»^aia77 i Hl . - \all\;;l;71'a7':/'>^ ' a - --------- - . ’1 ■■ 11 . . ■■ .... 7<.v7. ■ • ■ . ■-. ■ • ■ . ' . 7 . ... ■ ■■ . ■ ■' . ill ■ : ■. ■ ■ ■ ■ ■. . ' 1 ■ : - ■ ■ . ' * .... ■- . . ■ ' •• ■' 7 . ' . - ' ■ 7 -... ' � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Luzerne County Newsletters and Institute for Regional Affair Newsletters, 1952-1975 Subject The topic of the resource Political Science; Luzerne County; Institute for Regional Affairs; Wyoming Valley Description An account of the resource A collection of newsletters created by the Political Science Department at Wilkes College from 1952-1975 for Luzerne County and later the Institute for Regional Affairs. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Political Science Department (Hugo Mailey) Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1952-1975 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Type The nature or genre of the resource Newsletters Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Luzerne County Newsletter, 1964 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Political Science Department Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1964 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Type The nature or genre of the resource Newsletter https://omeka.wilkes.edu/omeka/files/original/4238cb3324c5a50ecd9d7be6990f4886.pdf 80f31f21689baa455147d52a5ee1493b PDF Text Text ��VOL XII, NO. 1 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA. , JANUARY 15, 1963 SHORT COURSES - - SPRING SEMES TER The Institute of Municipal Government at Wilkes College will again conduct a number of in-service training courses for municipal officials. These courses are designed to make available to elected and appointed officials means of improving in the performance of their duties. The courses being offered this spring semester include: Small Arms Course—an introductory course in the care and use of the rev­ olver, including firing for record; Magistrates - Civil Law Coursea general review of the fundamentals of civil law required by magistra­ tes and the proper operation of their office; Councilmen and Commi­ ssioners Course--a basic course that presents the organization, powers, and functions of borough and first class township governments; Report Writing Course--a course to acquaint the police officer with the pur­ poses, values, and principles of basic police reports; Fire Fighting Instructors Course--a course for those who wish to qualify as teachers of the fundamentals of fire fighting. MIDDLE-INCOME HOUSING IN PITTSBURGH A million-dollar building experiment is being conducted in Pitts­ burgh by a team which includes a private developer, architects, lending companies, the Federal Housing Administration, manufacturers, build­ ing and construction trades council, and city and county agencies--all cooperating on a housing community for middle-income families. The project--East Hills Park--although experimental now, as reported by the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials, could be a model for middle-income housing in other cities. The plan, directed by ACTION-Housing, Inc. , Pittsburgh citizen group, and financed in part by the business-supported Pittsburgh Dev­ elopment Fund, calls for four neighborhood sections, complete with residential, commercial, and public lands in accordance with a new zoning amendment passed by the city council. This amendment, per­ mitting more than a single zoning use in the area, was on y one o e several "revolutionary" acts characteristic of the project. Other unu­ sual features are as follows: ■ SI! r �xC.dVES pt-lL? V’ >s, ^(o3> --The building and construction trades ^council of ^Pittsburgh developer of the East Hills project, made several concessions to the c agreements made were: the guarCatranel, Inc. Out-of-the-ordinary of disputes, with Catranel authorantee of no work stoppages because if”the union failed to supply workers within ized to hire non-union labor i- — - ------, On regular work days to be made 72 hours; bad weather work stoppage up the following Saturday at regular - -■_ j Saturday at regular wage wage rates--not overtime; wage scale for workmen workmen to to be be 10 10 percent percent lower than the going commercial I-. wage scale most of scale for for most of the the construction. construction. In exchange, Catranel agreed labor and to subcontract only with union shops. to hire only union 1------ -------New building materials are being experimented with, one of which is colored aluminum roofs harmonizing with colored bricks of the buildings; gas incinerators with the advantages of reducing air pollu­ tion and management and maintenance problems, underground electri­ cal connections and telephone service wires, for utility and beauty. --Groups of houses clustered around courtyard areas--a step expected to save open land for playgrounds and parks, segregate living areas from auto traffic, save space and cost in road and utilities instal­ lation, and reduce by a big 40 percent the average cost per dwelling unit for site work. --Availability of building trades union pension funds for buyers1 mortgages gives the buyers in the fir st neighborhood phase of East Hills Park an interest rate of 4-3/4 percent for 35 years. Mortgages are FHA-insured. --Other factors of interest: Purchasers will pay $10 a month to a cooperative maintenance association to free them from cutting lawns, shoveling snow, caring for general upkeep of houses and grounds; and an elementary school will be housedin a two-story 10-apartment build­ ing provided by the developer, which if housing demands become over­ whelming can be converted back info apartments. Predicted cost of living in one of the 210 units in phase one of East Hills is $79.50 per month for a two-bedroom house to $115 for a four-bedroom house. OCCUPATION TAX RULED UNCONSTITUTIONAL The Supreme Court Court of Pennsylvania declared unconstitutional xne oupreme and invalid an "occupation" occupation" tax tax of $10 yearly levied by a city upon non­ residents engaged in any occupation within the limits of the city. tax is not an occupation tax, but a head tax, a direct levy on persons, since no distinctions <------are made fXed $10 levy fallS Up°n aU nonresidents. ” among occupations and the _ _ Head taxes may be imposed only upon residents of the taxing districts, since residence alone furnishes the contract necessary to render a person amenable to the'direct levyEven if the tax were truly an occupation tax, it would violate the ■formity provision of the Constitution of Pennsylvania because of the Justified distinction between residents and nonresidents. The tax bears none of the incidents of an occupation tax which is a flat rate levy measured by the assessed value of a particular mode of employment. Here no distinctions are made among occupations, a fixed ten dollar levy falling upon all nonresidents. The useof the word "occu­ pational" adds nothing to the levy and does not conceal its real nature as a capitation tax. The tax is imposed because of the protection which a govern­ mental unit affords to persons residing therein, and is designed primar­ ily to requite contribution from all residents for the services rendered them by the taxing authority. Consequently, per capita or head taxes canbe imposed only upon residents of the particular political subdivision since residence alone furnishes the contact necessary to render a per­ son amenable to the direct levy. Such a connection is lacking here since the only persons subject to the levy are those residing outside of the city. Residence cannot be made the basis of discrimination in taxation of persons engaged in the same occupation or profession. To permit such distinction would be contrary to the well-established principle that the validity of a classi­ fication is whether it produces diversity in results or lack of uniform­ ity in its operation either on the given subject of tax or the persons affected as payers. SAVING VEHICLES FROM SALT IS EXPENSIVE T. M. Galloway, City Purchasing Agent of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, has made available to NIGP the following inter­ esting article from "Civic Administration" magazine of February 1962: Municipalities planning to use a phosphate additive in road sa t to crease vehicle corrosion would be well advised to change their plans, n extensive research project carried out byOntario OntarioResearch Researc Founda. ___ ~ tlon, in cooperation with metropolitan Toronto <officials and'I Ontar^ ePartment of Highways, indicates such ch additive may.no may exPense. For metropolitan Toronto alone, use of inhibi C°st an estimated $500, 000 more a year than salt a one. �to provincial highways fanning "And without similar treatment of it would be of questionable s use out from the urban area, Toronto' carried out last winter on a test rig value. The research project was Various shaped pieces of which simulated actual driving conditions. body and frame manufacture the various types of metal’ used — in car from wet snow with salt, and snow a varying exposure fr were subjected to * J_— to addition, fender sections and other metal test with inhibited salt, ' • varying lengths of time to simulate the effect samples were heated for vehicle overnight in a garage. Besides the out­ of regularly parking a v... door test rigs, engineers studied corrosion on cars driven a controlled number of Lies on urban Toronto streets during the winter and ex­ tensive physical and chemical tests were carried out in the laboratory. "When the results of all tests were evaluated these conclusions were reached: Inhibited salt results in an average reduction of corro­ sion of 55%. The shape of the metal concerned has a major effect on degree of corrosion. Thus V-shaped frame members, which retain the wet salt corrode faster and to a greater degreethan a shape from which salt can freely run off. Storing a vehicle overnight in a heated garage accelerates the rate of corrosion. Corrosion due to de-icing is depen­ dent upon time, not on miles traveled. " MUNICIPAL BOND ISSUES An overwhelming majority--86. 6%--of the volume of municipal bonds sold in 1961 were financed through public invitation of bids rather than negotiated sales. A recently published report by the Investment Bankers Associ­ ation shows that general obligation bonds are sold this way even more frequently: 96. 6% of the $6 billion sold in 1961 were by public sale. yOto XI1’ NO. 2 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, KINGSTON MUNICIPAL BUILDING Groundbreaking ceremonies were recently held for the new Kingston Borough Municipal Building. The ceremonies paved the way for construction of the $162, 000 municipal building which will replace borough offices which are now housed in several structures through­ out the community. The new building, at Wyoming Avenue and Price Street, will be one and one-half stories high and will house police headquarters and have three jail cells; a garage for both cruisers; offices for the police chief, borough secretary, engineer, building and health inspectors and council chambers. It will be of Colonial-type design. Cornelius Daly, regional director of the Communities Facilities Administration, under whose sponsorship the building is being erected, congratulated those in attendance and stated that the new structure was the first project being undertaken in a six-state area. Mayor Husband, during his brief talk at the ceremonies, stated that thebuilding should be dedicated sometime during the month of June. A parking lot will be located at the rear of the building on the Price Street side. The front grounds will be landscaped. On the other hand, revenue bonds sold only 60. 6% by public bidding. IBA suggests that the reason for this is that most revenue bond acts permit negotiated sales. THOUGHTS FOR TODAY Time: What some people waste, others use, and the rest spend. Diet Mix: Product whose makers live off the fat of the land. publication This News-letter, .wvi.cx, published originated in the Institute of Municipal Goj-'t-ute monthly as a community service, s Institute Notes and inquiries may be addressed to Dr. Hugo V.ofMailey, lCollege. nS ’ vernment Wilkes may be ^dres’seFto' of Municipal Government, Wilkes-College, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsyl van Hugo V. Mailey, Institute PA., FEBRUARY 15, 1963 T.EHMAN TOWN HALL Lehman Township Supervisors will breakground fora newmuni C1pal building and public park as soon as weather permits, according said to Plans made at a recent meeting. Michael Godek, chairman, JJat five acres of land including a pine grove and small stream~oni the Huntsville Road adjacent to the Lehman Golf Course has been acquir rorn Joseph Park. Godek said plans call for a municipal building. The Board also m as possible means of revenue. area in addition to the Psed a transient salesman fee �LUZERNECOUNTLACCESSROAD A ToYffighJays toprepare aerial photographs and submit maps Department of H location studies for a new access road fro^ “e existing Susquehanna River bridge and the Anthracite Expressway How are we going to get communities we u t industries and industrialists? Mr R Whlch are going to uo attract suchwe will have to get "greater mileage ou^V^8 * WOnlt be j easy-that ’ industry and government. "The time ’ eVery dollar, spent by both .'when we are not going to be able to afford’ says Robert H. Ryan, rating." the luxury . of-- not i coope: in Luzerne County. The proposed work includes a study to determine the most feasi­ ble route to provide a four-lane limited access highway between the river bridge and Sugar Notch interchange approximately 0. 3 mile north of Nanticoke City. After the location of the route is determined, the design will include two 24-foot lanes separated by a four-foot median. The project will be about 3.5 miles in length in Sugar Notch Borough and Hanover Township and will be an extension of Legislative Route 786 from Legislative Route 40036 to the interchange north of Nanticoke COOPERATION CALLED "MUST" TO ATTRACT INDUST RTES Intergovernmental cooperation was the discussion at a recent gathering of Allegheny County local government representatives at the University of Pittsburgh. They heard some straight-from-the-shoulder talk on the subject from Robert H. Ryan, new head of the Regional Industrial Development Corporation, As reported by William Allan in the Pittsburgh Press, Ryan said: "More and more of the men iin industry making the tough decisions, where to locate a f ___ plant,, where to expand, x , are paying more and more attention to the total livabilityr of a community. "Taxes are relatively low on their lists. "They're 1looking ‘ o for __ good local schools, good universities, good symphony orchestras, , good highways, good water and good government. "They're worried not so much about what you're spending. what you're spending as for "The days of locatir- • materials are •ng industry where there's cheap labor and over. They're r building electronic -J not building ships and tanks. They're devices that cost thousands of dollars. you can hold in your hand and which IN THE BAG College Park, Maryland, is the first citv in h, a city-wide system of refuse collection using d‘ natlon t0 adoPt After a 60-day test period among 106 household6 Paper bagsapproved adoption of the new system. Ninety percent f C°Uncil test group endorsed the paper bags as more * f those ln the than the standard metal cans. 1 ary and less noisy The system uses a strong, weatherproof bag that is clamped over a round collar on a permanent metal holder. An odor-tight lid keeps out flies, birds, and animals. Each residential property owner will be furnished one wall-type holder and two paper bags per week. The cost of this basic service will be borne by the city. Should the property owner desire a stand-type holder or require more holders, the additional cost will be charged to him. New bags will be furnished at the time of regular semi-weekly refuse collections. The containers can be used for most kinds of garbage and rubbish. A separate weekly collection is provided for grass clippings and yard and garden trash. Although the new system will increase present refuse collection costs, it is expected that it will be offset by savings in labor costs. The system will enable the city to transfer the equivalent of eight fulltime employees to other public works projects. Other advantages of the plan are: the system eliminates setting back cans, it permits crews to work ahead of garbage trucks without unsightly crew conditions; it eliminates the purchase and operating expense of packer-type trucks since open dump trucks can be used; it permits refuse crews to work at a higher rate of speed; use of open trucks should eliminate 907» o special trash pick-ups; and less physical exertion is require Part of the crews handling paper bags as compared with heavier me Cans- (Reprint from Pittsburgh Local Government News-letter, ary> 1963.) CITIES NEED SEWAGE PLANTS , "With modern - ■ where and the fellows tranrsportation these plants can be located any they want to li, “ industry are - -ive." going to locate their plants wher 5> 290 lion c °ver the next decade, according to r®P t-’ S‘ • Public Health Service. Grants un e —;rol Act to help meet this nee wi • noiv ---- r involves ent needs ... —-j of $600 milrecently issued by the Federal Water Pollumilli°n for fiscal �nd $100 million for each of the next , MO 000 for fiscal 1963, a up to 30 percentof construct­ under the Act. Annual ex1962, aiswears A city can now four fl£T Ir $600, 000, whiche7facilities by federal and local governion costs qftWage treatmen million a year since passage penditures for sewage averaged approximately ments have of the Act in 1956. yOE. XII, NO. 3 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA. , MARCH 15, 1963 SOMETIME.. . Sometime when you're feeling important, Sometime when your ego's in bloom, Sometime when you take it for granted, You're the Best Qualified in the room; Sometime when you feel that your going Would leave an unfillable hole, Just follow this simple instruction And see how it humbles your soul. Take a bucket and fill it with water, Put your hand in it up to the wrist, Pull it out and the hole that's remaining Is a measure of how you'll be missed. You may splash all you please when you enter, You can stir up the water galore, But stop and you'll find in a minute That it looks quite the same as before. The moral in this quaint example is: Do just the best that you can; Be proud of yourself, but remember. . . There is no INDISPENSIBLE MAN. (Public Administration Review, Dec., 1962.) THOUGHTS FOR TODAY Used Car:" One that teach. es the buyer how hard it is to drive a bargain. Neurotic: A T,. „ who, when asked how he is, tells you. publication Ihis News-letter -- --------originated in the Institute ofi?^. m°nthly as a community service, and “Airies may be add UmClpal Government of Wilkes College°f Municipal G.r°vernment, Wilke^r3601 tO Dr’ Hugo V- Mailey, Institute ollege, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania- STREET USE REGULATIONS FOR A SNOW CONTROL PROGRAM New traffic ordinances to assist in snow control have been put into effect in Buffalo, N.Y. In essence, these ordinances give the Streets Division the power to post "No parking" signs where required; and they provide more efficiently for the removal of improperly parked, stalled or abandoned automobiles. About 120 miles of streets, includ­ ing main arterial highways and the downtown shopping area are desig­ nated as "snow emergency" streets. During a declared emergency, all vehicles on any of these streets are required to be equipped with snow tires or tire chains; and parking is also prohibited during a snow emer­ gency. Pertinent portions of the ordinance are given below, local data, such as street names and ordinance numbers being omitted. For more efficient enforcement, and in lieu of towing a vehicle to the vehicle pound, where such vehicle is found parked in violation of the ordinance a police officer may place a warning tag on the vehicle. Any owner, operator, chauffeur or driverto whosevehicle any such tag has been affixed must obey the instructions or directions thereon and any refusal or omission to actin accordance therewith will be followedby the issuance of a summons. A new subdivision provides fo^Unat^f^. emergencies, a vehicle during snowstorms, floods, fires or other pu any street is found (a) parked, abandoned or una en constitute an obstruction or highway as defined in the ordinance, so . jing Or parking is Pr° °f traffic; or (b) any place where stoPP^g’e vehicle pound. Before the hibited, the vehicle may be removed remove it from the cusowner or person in charge of such ve ic e evidence of his identi y tody of the police department, he must ^^^^eipt for the vehicle and ownership or right of possession, mu a inCUrred ineffec 1 and must pay all expenses actually and ne of $15 for towing, such removal, such chargesnot to excee th tjmethe vehicle rem $1 for each day, or fraction thereof, during in the pound. �r declare that an emergency ex­ The commissioner of police may section or sections thereof, whenists in the city of Buffalo, or in any £ snow drifts or other natural pheever snow, freezing rain, sleet, ice, t of the commissioner, is likely to nomenon creates or, in the judgment impeding or likely to impede the free create, hazardous road conditions emergency or other vehicular traffic movement of fire, health, police, nd welfare of the community. The declaravital to the health, safety, ar^ '"p shall create an emergency period of 72 tion of such an emergencyr be terminated earlier by the commission hours, but such period may vplowing and/or sanding operations are satisfacer if the necessary-----snow] 1 ~ --Public Works torily completed. ' COURT UPHOLDS HOME RULE The Oregon Supreme Court has ruled that a state law requiring all political subdivisions that employ four or more full-time firemen to maintain a firemen's civil service system is a violation of home rule (State ex rel. Henig V. City of Milwaukie). The case came beforethe Court on appeal from the city of Milwaukie. The Court maintained that establishment of a civil service system for city firemen is a local mat­ ter of state-wide concern. It then delcared that the state legislature does not have authority to enact a general law applicable to all cities when the enactment relates to matters that are predominantly of local concern. Charles S. Rhyne, general counsel, National Institute of Mu­ nicipal Law Officers, has stated that the opinion will ". . . receive nation­ wide attention as a classic in the field of home rule. " The opinion is available from the League of Oregon Cities, P. O. Box 5177, Eugene. SPECIAL DISTRICTS NOW OUTNUMBER MUNICIPALITIES, TOWNSHIPS Special districts now outnumber every form of local government except school districts, a preliminary report of the 1962 Census of Government shows. one-thirdof special dist ’ sourcesOnly activities. The all remaining twoXitn functions. The largest group of special d 22, or 17. 6 percen( 6ngaged « natural Perform largely , X On the other hand, multi-purpose districts--often cited as a mising approach to metropolitan-wide functional problems--number pr° 11(1 or 1. 7 percent of the total, only The Census report shows a grand total of 91,236 governmental units in the United States in 1962, a decrease of 11,156 from that shown in 1957. There has been a continuing sharp reduction in the number of school districts, 34, 678 in 1962 compared to 50, 454 five years ago. In the same period, 782 more municipalities were reported. Townships declined by 54, and counties numbered seven fewer--3, 043 vs. 3,050. More than 4, 000 governments are found in each of seven states: Illinois, 6,453; Pennsylvania, 6, 202; Kansas, 5411; Minnesota, 5,213; Nebraska, 5,125; South Dakota, 4,464; California, 4,023. These states account for nearly 37,000 local governments, about 40 percent of the national total, --American Municipal News. CONTRACTS FOR DATA PROCESSING Saginaw, Michigan has awarded a contract to a local service bureau to concert certain major functions of the department of finance to electronic data processing. Functions to be converted are. real es tate and personal property taxes and special assessments, real estate taxes return roll and delinquent tax accounting, water and sewer bi mg and related accounts receivable, and preparation of payrolls and related reports. The city reports that conversion to data processing willeii inate six bookkeeping machines, bring long-range savings in per costs, and increase capacity for handling an expanding work There were 18, 323 special districts compared to 17,99? muni palities and 17,144 townships in 1962, according to the survey. The substantial STlha'n SPeCial districts--up nearly 4, 000 over 1957--is partially due —ge ln c^assification, which now counts as special districts some units P eviously consider ed as dependent agencies of other governments. NevertheL ess, entirely aside from the effect of these c g g if ^ore ica — tion changes, the number of special districts shows an increase than 2, 200, or about 15 percent, between 1957 and 1962. PUBLIC RELATIONS Proper timing is important from Jould be such things as good public relations. Examples of P°° , .n„ a period of temporary­ placing needed restrictions on curbpaiin during the summer mon. > business recession; increasing water ia fataiitv at that loca a fatality at the installation of a traffic signal the day a 1! �a few days before the street is completely torn patching anasphaltsiree' under a new program; cutting a new pavement for „p and reconditioned lines shortly after the new pavement is installed. water and sewer --Texas Town & City. meetings of the mayor, city commission, and Monthly breaktaj^______^,.^ urban renewal have proven sucother Memphis officials con t Only one participant has missed cessful for coordinating an anj that because he had to be out of a meeting over a two-year p ' town. --Public Administration N yOD. XI1 NO. 4 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, pA APRIL 15, 1963 ELEVENTH ANNUAL DINNER MAY 22ndIS A RED-LETTER DAY. CIRCLE IT ON YOUR CALENDAR! POLITICAL ACTIVITY OK The Alameda County (California) Superior Court ruled recently that a provision in the Alameda County Charter forbidding political ac­ tivity on the part of county employees is unconstitutional. The decision was based on two points: (1) the provision is vague as to what conduct employees may engage in without fear of punishment, and (2) it dis­ criminates unreasonably between employees in the classified civil ser­ vice and those in the unclassified civil service. Framers of the char­ ter pointed out that the language in the charter is identical with that in number of other jurisdictions. --Public Management. THOUGHTS FOR TODAY Forbidden fruit is responsible for many a bad jam. Even if you are on the right track, you will get run over if you just sit there. The Institute of Municipal Government will hold its Eleventh An­ nual Dinner for award and certificate winners at the Wilkes Commons on Wednesday, May 22, 1963, at 6:30 p. m. This dinner really brings to a climax the in-service training activities in local government which the Institute has conducted over the past year. The main speaker will be Colonel E. Wilson Purdy, newly ap­ pointed Commissioner of Police for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvan­ ia. Commissioner Purdy, who received his graduate degree in Police Science from Michigan State University, will devote some of his re­ marks to professionalization of law-enforcement. The in-service training activities of the Institute have intensi­ fied and incr eased in number over the last eleven years. It is quite evi­ dent that many local officials in Northeastern Pennsylvania are making every effort to avail themselves of these short courses and thereby raise their standards in local government. The awards dinner is, therefore, a fitting climax to their sincere efforts to widen their horizon and vision. *** DON'T FORGET MAY 22nd! *** PUBLICATION $181, 540 AID GIVEN TO CITY This News-letter, published monthly monthly as a community service, originated in - the -’..j L. Institute of Municipal Government of Wilkes College. Notes and inquiries may be addressed of Municipal Government, Wilkes Coll- to -J Dr. Hugo V. Mailey, Institute ege, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Accelerated Public Works c«y° was made to Mrs. Ethel Price, head of ^"ation of th. grant states ment, by Congressman Daniel J. F oo ' days. that work on the project must begin wi . on the specifications will begin iniMrs. Price stated that wor Government will pay 58 per Mediately. Under the grant, the Fe e be req, mired to pay the cent of the total cost, $181, 549, while the �or $131,460. Request for the Federal aid was remaining 42 per cent, 7 1962. The moneys will be spent on three sew submitted on November Project 1, sanitary interceptor sewers in North er projects in the city: residential 1 development; Project 2, reconstruc r in South Wilkes-Barre and Mill Creek Sewer in Wilkes-Barre for a new tion of D. and Barre, H. sewer andinProject 3, improvement of North Pennsylvan. ,„jr. The Federal agency yesterday also granted $8, 787 to North Wilkesia storm ■land sewer Borough to provide resurfacing of Ridge Street. The work is Freel„___ to begin in 40 days. AT.BTTQTTF.RQUE SAVES ON RENTAL CHARGES -By MODERNIZING ITS FIRE ALARM SYSTEM A modern fire alarm system has gone into operation in the fire department of the city of Albuquerque. The Class A system is required by the National Board of Fire Underwriters for all departments answer­ ing morethanl, 500 alarms in one year. During the last fiscal year, the new system, Fire Cheif Simon Seligman said, will help keep low insur­ ance rates in force in Albuquerque. With the new type A system, fire alarms are received at central headquarters and by responding compa­ nies only. The class B system, formerly in use, transmitted all alarms to all stations. It has been estimated that the $111, 640 contract price of the new system is but one-tenth of what the city would have to pay dur­ ing the next 30 years (a conservative useful life expectation of the new system) under a plan which proposed leasing a telephone type reporting system. stallation design. The r keadquarters alarm room is a model of mproximately 16 feet bv 20°f^<- °U®lngthe central office equipment is apTypeB system, when the citv h^ °riginaUy built for a six-circuit, A equipment which has an ir Only ten engine houses. The new type es has been installed in lmate caPacity for handling 30 engine housn rtle same room. Included in th. 1uipment is of the latest Modular ede2nal ?fiCe e equipment is an operator's console ly installed to the rear of th ontrolling switchboards have been neatports a fire or requests the e ispatcher's facilities. When a person rethe main fire alarm office. escue unit by telephone, he is connected to dtu^ineTro'md1 tim?8; new operators system the'ai'arm operator W°the alarrn will be on duty inW0 the new system the alarm operator v-ing to ' the -J call andwilW Pani es location responsible for respon and vail transmit tbe the com alarm and to these conaP* nies. The dispatch cards,required for the new syste the correct companies to dispatch to anytvne eJ? glV6S the °pertO anyl°ati°n in the city. These cards showthe first due cnm cati°n ond and third alarm assignments to every location168 the sec of to these planshave been worked „ S° that the theFire Fire departdepartment is"All able function effectively under anv Chief Seligman said. All incoming calls to theY xemergency condition," ed as a means of preventing mistakes. operator immediately plays back the recording ; d bt’ the ala™ the caller gives the operator accurate informal! & d°Uble check- "If nature of the emergency it is possible tn ho, aSt° thelocati°n and seconds, " the chief said. Plans caU fo, appira,«s » •>>, way i„ dude two more planned fire stations. -Western^ '° ern City Magazine. SET-OUT, SET-BACK SERVICE COSTS TOLEDO $333, 000/YR, The original separate collection of garbage and trash has been replaced by a single collection on a once-a-week basis with pickup and iplaced by setback of cans in the city of Toledo, Ohio. A study was recently made to see how well the newly installed collection system was working; and to make any additional recommendations for further improvement of the efficiency of pickup and haul. ' ’ s5 refuse collection Using I960 as a test year, the city of Toledo' costs were determined from budget analysis. Each E__- individual costs, id amortization, was divided such as labor, operation and maintenance and into the general categories of: a. pickup costs b. haul costs . Pickup and haul costs were in turn, subdivided into: a. costs related to time and b. costs related to miles of travel. tons of material By relating each of these costs for the test year of handling one handled during that period, it can be state a haul for tbe year I960, ton of refuse was $13. 40 for pickup and ag $0 3795 per ton Haul costs were broken down further, an e p ,Xstance basis. mile with the mileage computed on a roun ri _z ? collection proof Toledo's refuse „ One of the expensive features by picking up and a- returning refrather thanleaving thanleaving this this work to the in­ cedures is the additional service gi in most cities. It is estimated that if USe cans to the rear of the houses ra cities. It Is c~ deleted, about $333, 000 per year will dividual householder, as is done this pickup and return of cans is 4! �ly the return of the empty cans to the other hand, wy would be saved. be saved. IL on the rear of the houses was .■^tPdinthe city pickup procedures were ana. Recent changes instlt* system presently being employed ap. lyI.d statistically. The anyone felt possible, and the average nears tobe working farbette 5 9 hOurs. Part of this reduction is due to *ork day has beenreduced.■15_minute coffeebreaks allowed dur- VOL. XII NO. 5 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA. , MAY, 1963 ing the regular 8 hour f irther analyzed, and it is concluded that some The situation was c could be expected by keeping the additional total increased ei workload in a gradual manner as pop­ present system and increa individual truck route areas are adjVsted^o^e^iwHz^^ota^work^loaji^^m^on^CO^lle^Hjm^cre^w^s^Ifth^ effeteS^^enrLVeXe system would probably break down This is considering an 8hour workday less 2 coffeebreaks or an effective work neriodof 7-1/2 hours. The anticipated breakdown would be due pnmarilyto seasonal occurrences of considerable period of overtime being re­ quired. TIPS WORTH TAPPING XXalr;-1S.®™ ' • WeStPal ” Be”=h- FIa' (F”"k La’ent ln a local PaPer Prior to PrePar‘ r citizen suggestions. Those responding tions were incorporated into th bJ°nSe was g°od and several sugges- THOUGHTS FOR TODAY Nothing makes paying your taxes a refund. seem fully justified like getting Lots of people laugh i one way and vote another. --Will Rodgers. PUBLICATION PofbLished monthiy of Mun1CipalG( The Institute of Municipal Government will hold its Eleventh Annual Dinner for award winners at the Wilkes Commons on Wednesday, May 22, 1963, at 6:30 p.. m. This dinner brings to a climax the in-service t ------ ' ■■ ■■ ■ _ in . training activities local government which the Institute has con­ ducted. The main speaker of the evening will be Colonel E. Wilson Pur­ dy, newly appointed Commissioner of Police for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Commissioner Purdy, who received his degree in Police Science from Michigan State University, will speakabout the profession­ alization of law-enforcement. ***DON'T FORGET MAY 22nd!*** Gaylord, Mich. (Kenneth D. Northuis, manager), has a monthly cola™ in the local newspaper written by the city manager. . . . Roanoke, seve 1 dUT ' °WenS’ mana£er)> sent notes of apology and roses to trashpickuVat^h126^6 Suffered through an especially long delay in ing the annual budget to ask to the ad were sent- r ELEVENTH ANNUAL DINNER Municipal GrWilkes Con?0 °5. V. Mailey, Institute ege, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. RECENT PENNSYLVANIA LEGISLATION AFFECTING MUNICIPALITIES The Governor has signed the bill which a™®*d®^townships and izingthe establishment of historical districts in of’Historical Armunicipalitiesby requiring that members o e wnshiP or municipality chitectural Review be residents of the C°^ formerly provided that in which the historic district is locate . only a majority of the Board be residents. eno Another law amends the act entitled separately or jointly, to power cities, boroughs, towns, and towns anj constructing certain its, and within or without the county m which eements with other municipalities to enter into arrangement a^oving the prohib^on Public authorities for the purposes o uPon municipalities to construct dams Poses, and increasing the amount o w be let without competitive bidding an flood control or ot improvements w t^sernent. may i' �NOW exempt ---- THIRD OF from TAXES example of the manner in which Wilkes-Barre is an outs bei steadily whittled nicipal income from ^/'.contrasted to the state average which m \tions InWilkes-Bar d llar collected--almost one-third i tn taxes lost fpom paying faxes. The 1%1 as. ofall th. property th the a grade total of $115, 900, 000 of sessment, for example, sh ty which is exempt from taxation is property, the total value tax exempt listincreases $37,466,754, or aboum^perty added by means of changes of the law. „ f the exemptionshave been granted in recent years is T“ 7O'i 7 n 19M a. total was so that the tnshown by the fact th Q()0 000 thg last decade. This contrasts crease has been a mos , > . R in ^30 when the total was little 7*7X7.“mF™ years later. In 1930 the exempt total was $28, 648, 535--only some $200, 000 less than in 1950. All through Pennsylvania exemptions are becomong a big head­ ache for local government officials. With a trend toward more and more exemptions whittling away at local tax bases, they must seek new sour­ ces of revenue. When local taxables are shaved by exemptions, state subsidies to school districts and for other purposes--normally based on local real estate values--are increased to help make up the difference. ilready on the books. In addition, the 1961 lesisiot gave final gaVe tfo» )val_-andthe voters concurred overwhelming —-------- -------- .. B/y at the November apPr°1"' -to a constitutional amendment exempting the Property of needy eiectionamputee, blind and paraplegic veterans. multipl® 1.This latest amendment is the first of a new P the^oTr f affects property of individuals and is certain to tvn open which properties in other classes of persons ’ " « dd amendments to, exempt Philadelphia chief assessor. Martin Steiger A review of exemption provisions and so-called abuses has been The Joint State Government Commission, research urged for years, arm of the legislatur e, followed up the resolution by appointing an 18member committee to study the problem and report to the 1963 session. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO LOCAL GOVERNMENTS INCREASES Technical assistance, a concept and practice familiar in inter­ national relations, is increasingly utilized as a form of domestic in­ tergovernmental cooperation. However, "in the concern about grantsin-aid and other methods by which one level of government may super­ vise or control activities of other governments, " the importance of tech­ nical assistance has received less consideration. To remedy this lack of attention, the Council of State Gove Eo„-H^e0rgn FT’ research and statistical expert of the State Tax toq school1 diqf°artd’ estlmates at least $80> 000> 000 in taxables are lost d S ““°“gh The cost to the state tn in- ™£ 7' oo°’ oo°- A survey prepared by 1950, while taxable exempt property rose 20% between 1935 and in the next 11 years, in—d only 9%. The margin narrowed 1961, while taxable nm eXemPt Property still rose by 65% from 1950 to property increased by 63%, A long list of p--------is spelled out in the State Constitution and general laws tiexemptions , WOrship, and property^ 1HClude all public property, places of actual P™* orations and public utilities, charitable and non­ military veterans groups. Despite the billsPproproesmade C°nstamiyPforblem by local taxing bodies, ateralAssemb\7 exemptieo7snwmOre eXemPtions’ Twenty-five ted by charitable W° Were enacted n lntroduced in the 1961 Gented access hi»K °rSanizations- tk ne exempts concert halls operah*h»«y.. Th. lat”Bp'.7 other excuse, land used for Uffli- erelya classification of an exemp' ments has published a report on State Technical Assistance Governments, by William L. Frederick and Marilyn Gitte . Though technical assistance has been basically state supervision the authors state, it is o en a of accomplishing goals sometimes sought through confr "increasingt0 ly the emphasis at the state level is upon assism t0 make certain do a better job, rather than merely supervising state governthat minimum standards are observed. In 1S w which otherwise ments can better rely on local units to furnish service might have to be shifted entirely to the state be mandaJ"^diting services, Other tory, for instance providing budget particularly from state agenaid programs are available upon reque educations.,nd health or consulcies concerned with professional ser takes several form^ and ;C ial studies with staff functions. Technical assis a ,ngtituteSi spec Nation and expert advice, conference , arnS, ana:.nuals and nv.odel ^Ports, clearing house and informaHon^^ogra laws. --Public Administration Technical assistance for local �NICIPALITIEST2-^ SHARE OF GAS TAX MUN_ Wilbur c. Webb announced recently ton has authorized distribution Of Acting Secretary of William W. Subdivisions throughout the state. The that Governor $29, 390, 232 to the 2560 polity Share of the Liquid Fuel and Fuels - - cent of their moneyrepresents 90per .... t fisealy«'“>e”dI“ for the fiscal y Use Tax T------- yOL. XII, NO. 6 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, Legislative Act 6S5. notM guarantees annual Department dis4 1/2 cent tax--or $30 million, whichever tribution of 20 percent ofthe; qualifiedby submitting budgets is more-to the municipa’^hat at least 25 per cent of the alloca­ tor approval. The Act ^cstruct.on and reconstruction and the balance tions must be spent for , roads bridges. for maintenance on local This year,for the sixth time, 90 per cent payments will start in April so that money is available for use during the summer construc­ tion season. The remaining 10 per cent willbe paid in October as specfied by the Act. Payments will be made to Fir st and Second Gias s townships, bor­ oughs and cities. Although counties receive no payments, amounts go­ ing to municipalities have been compiled, for simplicity, to show totals by county. thoughts for today A successful man is one whoknowshow toget ahead of the people he has to get along with. Fault ha;s never been too easy to find that people stopped looking for it. publication This N< ews-Ietter, originated in the IInstitute Polished of MunV- tr.; monthly as a community service, Notes and inquiries _°f Municipal "* 5 nray b e addres^A Governnaent of Wilkes College, of Municipal Government, Wilke -as r n tO ^r‘ HuS° V. Mailey, Institute ege, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. PA. , JUNE 15 , 1963 ANNUAL AWARDS DINNER The Institute of Municipal Government culminated another suc­ cessful year of activity with the Eleventh Annual Awards Dinner for lo­ cal officials in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Certificates of Attainment were presented to 103 men and women who completed the courses of the Institute in property assessment, police report writing, fundamentals of fire fighting, civil law for magistrates, personnel supervision, munici­ pal fire administration and small arms. An additional nineteen officials and employees received service awards for experience and untiring ef­ forts as public servants in their communities. The following officials received service awards: Dr. Robert M. Bodycomb, Dallas school board 18 years; John T. Jeter, Dallas Borough engineer, 46 years; Henry Cislo, Dupont police chief, five years; Mi­ chael Kravitsky, Edwardsville police chief, 29 years; Vernon A. Cease, Jackson Township school director, 24 years and justice of the peace 14 years; Anthony Krauzlis, Kingston police officer, 38 years; Anthony Panaway, Laflin solicitor, five years; Frank Marcinkowski, Nanticoke councilman, 16 years; Joseph Mazzarella, Pittston Township fire chief, 18 years; Anthony Kulikowski, Plains Township commissioner, eight years; Lawrence Kendig, Plymouth police chief, 33 years; John Bren­ nan, Pringle police chief, 12 years; Charles Arndt, Salem Township school board, 23 years; Joseph Tirpak, West Wyoming official and sec­ retary of the school board, 21 years; Charles Morgan, Wilkes-Barre chief of police, 20 years in the department; Carl Naessig, Wilkes a City assessor, 30 years; Albert Harrison, Wright Township sc oo i ^ctor, 15 years; Carl N. Smith, chairman, Wright Township Planning Commission, three years; George Samuels, Forty Fort Ver> 27 years. COMMISSIQNER PURDY ‘■■j of “-----. Dinner of the Institute —- c. of the In an address at the Eleventh. AnnuaCommissioner Municipal Government, Colonel E. ^11S°di£ference of citizens vwho failed Pennsylvania State,Police, scored the i 11 t �. itizenship in demanding and supporting p the responsibility —of -i c , Commissioner, the police oft00ad law enforcement. — f.° - iS the first line u flCe olice department and the dedicated offiCer "A strong hometown P on hope to p: ieS without which no community can “propet,y’"he declaied' He advocated and urged police depar open door policy with regard to the public press toenCourage visits from the general pubinformation on law enforcement activi- lic as a means Act 23- -Increases the maximum compensation of auditor in any townshiphaving apopulation of 10, 000 or lessnotto exceed $200 for any calendar year. Auditors are not to receive™ -re than $400 for any calendar year in townships having ar ’ population in excess of 10, 000. In addition, an auditor is to receive $lo” . - J per day to audit the accounts of a vacated public office (1) P# 66. Act 29--Authorizes ordinances and certain resolutions tobe in force af­ ter attachment to the borough ordinance book, and validates certain borough records. (5) P# 833. against police officials setting themselves up NON-RESIDENT OCCUPATIONAL TAX as semi-official censors. If law enforcement agencies want to improve their public image and gain the support and respect of the people, lack of which Commis­ sioner Purdy decries, it would be well for them to ponder Purdy's words seriously. COUNCILMEN'S PAY BILL The Councilmen's Pay Bill " was signed into law by Governor ranton. It is the first bill pertaining to borough government to comP 6 a lts tripthrough the legislative process this session. H. 352 aletinatti " ast ParagraPb °f Section 1001 of the Borough Code by deanv monthmg phrase: "No compensation shall be paid in meeting of counc^d1 ™h°has failedto attend at least one (regular) missed the re 1 m°nth’ " ThiS would Permit a councilman adjourned meeting^ C°UnCil meeting, but who attended a special or that month. ring rnonfb, to be paid his monthly salary for In June, 1962, this column reported the Pennsylvania Supreme Court's knockout of the City of Johnstown's attempt to impose a flat $10 "occupational" tax upon non-residents working in the city. Johnstown came out of its fiscal corner counter-punching with the fact that it also had put a $10 per capita tax upon every resident. But the court said that the tax on non-residents was itself a per capita tax and therefore inval­ id because of lack of jurisdiction to tax. Danyluk v. Johnstown, 406 Pa. 427 (1962). But that was only a preliminary. Next, into the Superior Court's ring, came the Borough of Midland, also seeking a way to get residents of neighboring towns to kick in for the services they receive. But, as we reported in September, 1962, Midland also lost, despite the fact that it carefully imposed its $10 occupation tax upon everybody employed in the borough, resident and non-resident alike. The Superior Court, be­ lieving that it was following the Supreme Court's decision in the Johns­ town case, kayoed the Midland tax on the ground that it was also a per capita tax because of its flat rate; and a true occupation tax, the court said, must involve a sliding scale of charges varying with different clas­ ses of occupations. Guernsey v. Midland Borough, 197 Pa. Super. V (1962). local government Act 6-- Provides for th. a Vice~Chairman of the Board of SuPerviSors for Serr.CtJ°/^ n Class Townships. (1) P# 52. Act 7-- The supervision of supervisors whentb ’wnships affairs shall be by five township court has provided for election of two ad (1) P# 67. Act 16~ Two r- ^embers of any board of supervisors consisting of three members -3 shall c institute a quorum, and three members of a flVe membe: rboard -J shall constitute a quorum. (1) P# b0. . The City of Allentown, Now, however, comes the main even . which also put a $io like Midland, brought to the Supreme o , -n an occupation within in levy on all residents and non-residents engaged eng theC“y' hlth..^AnytMn6Acf. As we noted last September, the;factt J^ssly sets a $10 (Act No. 481 of June 25, 1947, P. L- 11 Lonal privilege taxes' suPplid imum for "flat rate occupation and occup a pretty good hint that the solons m Har . °ccupation tax must have a sliding sea urg don't think tha I �n recently filed, the PennsylVani: The court says that, in So, in Gaugler r. Alientow , ia Allentow n ' s^lethat an occupation tax, in order Supreme Court upheld the it did not intend o rding to the mode of employ. Johnstown case, Of necessity vary to be valid, must ment. VOL. The Johnstown case, the court states, was different b 'ecause the lawyers there virtually admitted that the "occupational" tax ■ was really per capita tax on non-residents. PA., JULY 15, 1963 LAWS AFFECTING LOCAL GOVERNMENT The Allentown opinion points out that the Tax-Anything Law ex­ pressly mentionsboth per capita and occupation taxes and expres sly puts separate limitations on both. Ac Amending Section 1709 of the First Class Township Code (1931 p_ l. 1206) to increase the millage limit for general township purposes from 15 mills to 20 mills. Approved March 25. Act 15-- Amends Sections 2 and 3 of the act of 1936 P. L. 95, relating to flood control, by authorizing cities, boroughs, towns and town­ ships to enter into arrangements and agreements with other public authorities for the purposes of the act; removing the pro­ hibition upon municipalities to construct dams for flood control or other purposes, and increasing from $300 to $1000, the amount of works or improvements that may be let without com­ petitive bidding and advertisement. Approved April 15. For good measure, the Allentown decision says that municipal­ ities had power to impose occupational license taxes even before the 1947 act was passed. For extragood measure, the Supreme Court also backs up its view of the occupation tax by citing an 1885 Pennsylvania case. Don't throw out those old law books yet, solicitors; they come in handy, sometimes. The Allentown opinion did not expressly overrule the Superior Court Midland decision. But don't be surprised if Midland seeks a re­ turnmatch. (Reprint of article by David W. Craig, Esq. in the LOCAL GOVERNMENT NEWSLETTER, May, 1963). Act 21-- Amends Section 610 of the First Class Township Code (1931 P. L. 1206) to allow county association of township officers to hold quarterly conventions, as an alternative to semi-annual or an­ THOUGHTS FOR TODAY nual conventions. Act 30--Enlarges the right of Authorities to charge a tapping fee, and provides for payment to the person or corporation paying for Keep thy eyes wide cp open before marriage, and half-shut after­ wards. --Benjamin Franklin. Everybody is ignorant, only on differ ent subjects. XII, NO. 7 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, ~~ the construction. 1 (1) P# 74. Act 46-- Regulates the compensation of townships secretaries and treas urers as to salary, wages, or a certain percentage on all.men eys received and paid by him as determinedby the super PUBLICATION This News originated in the L.-letter, Published nmonthly as a community service, institute Notes and inquiries , of Municipal "3Jnay be addrer — 1 Government of Wilkes Collegeof Municipal Government, Wilke ssed to Dr. Hugo V. Mailey, Institute -es Coll, -—lege, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania- (1) P# 57. i Authorizes supervisors to transact business other than organi­ zing as a boardat meetings on the first Mondayof January. ((6). Act 48--Validates ordinances heretofore book for third class cities. Act 49--Validates ordinances nance book for second class to the city ordinance 1 ordittached to the township (7) P# 280, I �,0 Act5° nficationof members of the board of health Further fixes the qua f p# 281> rei.ti»s“>^8‘“a by separate departments and bureaus whoseinprimary instead °fim piy to acquire needed materials quickly order tointerest get on simply to acquire needed materials II ■ bn to the Veterans of World War I of . t 56—Authorises an appr0P“a_„ Act 00 TT c A . Inc. '(8)• P# 695. The U. S. a. , missioners may appropriate, annually, to °f W°rld WaT 1 the U‘ S‘ A‘ ’ InC> Act (8) P# 706. Act 76--Authorises townships . to remove and impound illegally parked vehicles. (3) P# Act 78--Authorizes the reassessment of a building or buildings con­ structed, or where major improvements have been made after the township supervisors have prepared a duplicate of the as­ sessment of township taxes. (4) P# 835. CENTRALIZED PURCHASING "If thel5 percent saving often claimed for centralized purchasing is correct, Richmond, Virginia taxpayers have saved nearly 12 million dollars since establishment of the city's central purchasing agency 20 years ag°’ A 81011111011(1 Times-Dispatch editorial appraising the muni^slng agency after 20 years of operation is quoted in the NaHonal Institute o£ Governmental Purchasing Letter Service. purchasine 6 'm?rovements came about through questioning of previous rsupplier yTbX™! “Ssa'e editorial ”°uswho had always sol/^?6^1 *eS phoned fir" a typewriter ribbon partment, and said h ribbons at $10 a dozen to a certain city deThe supplier then cut hi^ .S going °ing to 1° look for a lower price elsewhere. Price to $5. 50. Richmond was f editorial continues, and one, cS,' ‘ S’. city to use foreign small cars, the foreign ones, with operating and i e first to use domestic compacts. The cost 1, 2 cents less per mile thanmaintenance costs of 2. 1 cents per mile, chasing agency's recommendation, ' conventional cars. In 1947, at the purservicing city-owned motor vehicle’ consolidation of the three city shops n,, eS brougbt further economies. •--vxgauon and innovation, observes in icate "the savings realized through having P11 Professional1 buying agency that seeks to save mon NEWS ABOUT FIRE Portland, Oregon—— A plea for closer cooperation between fire . building officials was voiced here today by C. M. Christiansen, building inspections director of Portland. "If your city does not now have the kind of cooperation you would like, " he said, "you will need to rid yourselves of monopolistic codes and 'little kingdoms. ' Little kingdoms, favors shownto a few, and ego­ tism in the job have no place. " While personnel is vitally important, Christiansen said, the most competent administrators "are literally stymied without proper codes." The ideal code, he told the group, requires "specific minimum stan­ dards of performance rather than specific materials, " thus getting away from the monopolistic code under which only the products of a particu­ lar manufacturer or dealer can qualify. In the past, code requirements often called for inefficient work methods and "stand-by" labor. These codes were so restrictive and monopolistic that they were barriers to new products and modern tech­ niques, he said. Granted good codes to work with, cooperation can only be achieved if fire and building officials have an understanding of "What and why they are enforcing. " Each group must be well informed as to the other's problems so that there can be teamwork resulting in accom­ plishment. "The principle of public service impartially applied is the only oundation for the enforcement of code provisions, " he said. INTERIM ASSESSMENT * has now been extended The right of interim assessment limited basis at least. House 1—- Bill boroughs of the Commonwealth, on a IL — 356 is now Act 80 of 1963. --cedto give the borThe Boroughs Associationhac “““ now available : ; to assess for taxation purposes, new c duplicate has been prepared for the y ,he “ �, t.mes on its journey through the legist - I several tim buiiders' groups. When it ap. 356 stalled H. position from s® itted and might die, the Associa. ture because of oppc bill would be reco amendments were inserted and peared that the L— amendments. tion agreed to some ed and is now law. the bill advanc The amendments provide that the new property shall not b ill It L purchased or occupied whichever is 6 as~ , shall sessed and taxed until it is the pi postponement of assessment e .earllerwhich’ the In no case, however, -11 next annual tax duplicate is completed0^ ^e~ VOL. XII> NO. 8 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA. , AUGUST 15, 1963 yond that date on THIRD ANNUAL COMMUNITY GROWTH CONFERENCE DEBT LIMIT Senate Bill 37, proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the Commonwealth, is on its way to the Governor. This bill, as a- mended, would increase the local government debt limit to 5 percent of assessed valuation without voter approval, and to 15 percent of assessed valuation with voter approval. The current limits are 7 percent with voter approval and 2 percent without. S. 37 originally applied only to school districts and to school debt. After Senate passage, it was amended in the House to include all local governments, was quickly passed, and, the Senate concurred in the House amendments. The Boroughs Association is urging the Governor to sign this bill, although its long-standing policy on debt limits favors changing the basis from assessed valuation to market valuation. A ConsJutioi7XndXTUre be approved by the voters W°Uld be °nly the SteP’ must Pass two successive legislatures and THOUGHTS FOR TODAY A DEBTOR is a man who owes money to a CREDITOR who thinks he will get it. A penny fOr most Sjuyesr* People's thoughts is a fair price. PUBLICATION T :er’ published monthly as a community service, N° es a”d inquirieInstitute of Municipal Government of Wilkes Collegeof Municipal ' 28 ^ay be ; “ addressed to Dr. Hugo V. Mailey, Institute vernment, Wilk, ’”ill;es College, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsy.•Ivania- The Third Annual COMMUNITY GROWTH CONFERENCE will again provide an opportunity for the exchange of ideas among the various organizations and individuals concerned with the solution of the more practical problems related to the social and economic well-being of our area. The CONFERENCE will bring together all those people interes­ ted in present and future planning for the area. It is designed to set a pattern for continuing cooperative efforts among local government offi­ cials, builders, realtors, industrialists, developers, and interested citizens. In examining the more vital problems of our area, the sponsors of the COMMUNITY GROWTH CONFERENCE hope tobenefit from shar­ ing experiences with nationally known authorities who will participate in the CONFERENCE with us. COMMUNITY GROWTH CONFERENCE willbe The Third Annual < held at Wilkes College oni Wednesday, September 25, 1963. Watch for the final program announcement and registration form. DON'T MISS THIS IMPORTANT MEETING! MARK THIS DATE ON your calendar! LAWS AFFECTING LOCAL GOVERNMENT xtends the eligibility for military leave of absence under Act 93__ tthe Veterans Preference Act of 1957" which includes em­ ployes of counties, municipalities, townships, authorities Or other political subdivisions of the Commonwealth to times emergency proclaimed by the Governor or President of the U. S. A. county solicitor Act 95-- Provides that no elected county officer oror tax collector of as treasurer shall at the same time serve �u incorporated town or township, any city. •cions of existing law relating to supervisors, tes exemptions from payment of real estate Act 104- Grants and reg a ,ncluding land upon which it stands of taxes on any bu paraplegic or have suffered the war veterans w ° limbg> imposes duties on the State Veloss of two or prohibits the sale of certain real es- Fuel and oil additives have been qUipment on a trial basis over a period of on P°lice transport ver, Colorado, with worthwhile results rT ^rs iln *' costs may prove their use to be valuahl' .Reducti°ns in maint en' OWMa vehicles Their finding, in e “ lrMSm...ton additive repair. ont,ansmi!> ” 50 per cent. The problem of dismantli aut°“ « ?'“ ov„ been eliminated. s aromatic transmissions has the gasoline supplement, five po- grant of an exemption. Act 106-- Authorizes municipality authorities to file tax and munici­ pal claims not filed within the time specified by law. Act 114- Department of Highways shall have the power to declare as surplus any bridge or structure and sell at public sale after giving first preference and priority to purchase to the local governments within which the bridge or structure is located or in adjacent counties. Act 115 A majority of the remaining supervisors may appoint a suc­ cessor, and upon their failure to make such appointment with­ in thirty days after the vacancy occurs, the court of quarter sessions shall appoint a successor upon the presentation of a petition signed by a supervisor and not less than five registered electors. the gasoline additive also greatly reduced carburetor maintenanc tt of the motor oil supplement resulted in reduction of valve-lifter trou" ble and crankcase sludge. trou- ADVANCES IN FIRE FIGHTING TECHNIQUES On September 18, 1963, at 7:30 p.m. in Stark Hall, WilkesCollege, the Institute of Municipal Government will sponsor a series of films on fire fighting. Mr. Bill Gross, Fire Instructor at IMG, is in charge of the program. The following films are scheduled to be shown: (1) Fire Fighting in the Nuclear Age (2) Water Fog -- Master of Fires (3) The Nozzleman (4) Kansas City Oil Fires (5) Building the Line (For­ est Fire Fighting) (6) Know the Cause (Arson). All firemen from the surrounding area are encouraged to attend. troller°rmgh lnStead of electing three auditors, or one concounts bv a7 Pf°7lde by ordinance for the audit of its acauditing wor^er 1 pu^c acc°untant or a person skilled in Act 131- Provides tha* tion of process o stitute a felony. * of pnbl“;" th. sut0,„at c COURT UPHOLDS CLUSTER ZONING , irl a "cluster zoning or di or beating an officer in the executhe Perf°rmance of his duties shall con- ADDITIVES RE'. —^££-^aintenance COSTS The National Institute Of r. study made by the Denver D<'ePartm ^ernmental Purchasing reports a with police maintenance f" garages j6*1 General Services in connection tomatic transmission additiv< ' --/e, a'a?' ierViCe tests were made u6ing aU' tive manufactured by one c°mpany S° lne addItive> and a motor oil addi- nance Planning Board) The zoning approved by th. subdivision tract deeded to the munlCip 1 X^r may reduce cent. board for public purposes, then the 10 “ “n sizes by 20 to 30 per cent and minim stress on over q_ The court upheld the provision becau .tfi attempt hthis rather than on traditional lot-by-lot ^dividual subdivideJS iglation. spaces. The benefits derived by^ otherwise valid leg Provision do not, ruled the court, (New Jersey Municipalities, April 19 �yoL XII, pioe Cleaning Company, Canonsburg, Pennsylvania The Robinson F P ,nnovation in sewer and pipeline maintenance has announced an exciting in ,nspection via closed-circuit televisi^ Robinsonhas now added in to its varied services. THIRD B Schaff, company president, the inspects on According t0 ' manner: a section of a sewer, for examis performed in the manhole to manhole with the Robinson Power pie, is first rod e r ,g then attached to the rod and is pulled Rodder; the televisi parties sit in weatherproof comfort in the through the line. n and watch eVery tile come onto the screen. PhX'oHhe'monitor can provide a permanent record , The camera is lights provide needed illumination. The camera can be placed on skids or even on a boat or raft for inspecting large diameter pipes, and addi­ tional outboard lighting can then be provided as needed. annual community growth conference citizens. In examining the more vital problems of our area, the sponsors of the COMMUNITY GROWTH CONFERENCE hope tobenefit from shar­ ing experiences with nationally known authorities who will participate A typical inspection job was performed recently for the Borough of Greentree where approximately 850 feet of 36" concrete storm sewer was the subject. Robinson had been cleaning the sewer and after remov­ ing literally tons of debris encountered an immovable obstruction at ut halfway point (two openings available were at two extremities), ince collapsed pipe was suspected, it was decided to make the TV in- in the CONFERENCE with us. ofthe hr v 6 camera confirmedall suspicions, and the exact locations pleted in onX^ rthT^ Wele noted- Inspection was comoay- (The Borough Bulletin, March 1961) ) The Third Annual COMMUNITY GROWTH CONFERENCE will be held at Wilkes College on Wednesday, September 25, 1963. The theme of this CONFERENCE will be "The Need to Rehabilitate the Older Com­ munity. " At the panel session, prominent individuals will discuss the following topics: Survival of the Central Business District, Effect of Urban Renewal on Land Values, and Measurement of Community Re­ discussion of The newal Needs. The CONFERENCE will conclude with ac.------- Role of the Citizen in Community Growth. thoughts for today A chip on the shoulder always indicates there is wood higher up. i SHORT COURSES ■einpl Governmentt will provide tunities for elected el and apwith the Public non-credit, non-degree tea eoopemuo. Vof Pointed officials. They are PreS Instruction, Commonwealth C Service Institute, Department of P staff supPlern' taff is supplemented by guest Pennsylvania. Instruction by the In lecturers. Once again the Institute of PUBLICATION This News-letter, originated in the Institute published monthly as a communityr service> Notes and inquiries r*' ma ^un^cipal Government of \. ------- Colleg®’ Wilkes of Municipal Government, ® addresse<i to Dr. Hugo V. Mailey, Instil • Wilkes College, Wilkes-Barre, Penney•Ivania- SEPTEMBER 15, 1963 The Third Annual COMMUNITY GROWTH CONFERENCE will again provide an opportunity for the exchange of ideas among the various organizations and individuals concerned with the solution of the more practical problems related to the social and economic well-being of our area. The CONFERENCE will bring together all those people interes­ ted in present and future planning for the area. It is designed to set a pattern for continuing cooperative efforts among local government offi­ cials, builders, realtors, industrialists, developers, and interested rnotos ui work. Encased in a waterproof "X^-^easures 5 1/2" indiamete. Inboard Some people are like blotters - they soak it all in, but get it all backwards. NO. 9 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA . �11Q mester, the following courses will bepresentedDuring the Fall bem^ew of Firemen<s responsibility in the Arson Investigation — arson and fraud fires; Criminal Investiga. detection and prevention observational and scientific techtion — An advanced n of major crimes; Magistrates - Criminiques used in the inve g of the important points of criminal law nal Law---A Sener^ in the proper fulfilling of their office; Rural required by magis course for assessors with prior experi. assessment: field i„ rural areas. SWOYERVILLE The recent decision of Judge Jacob Schiffman regarding a mo­ tion by the Swoyerville Council for a preliminary injunction to stop the erection of a million gallon oil storage tank strongly points up once more the importance of zoning. Note the comments made by Judge Schiffman in denying the motion. "The record does not reveal that the tank is un­ safe because of the material or equipment used or the manner of its con­ struction. Nor does the testimony indicate the proposed structure will necessarily or with practical certainty, result in fire or explosion with resultant drastic effect upon neighboring residents. On the contrary, the record reveals the construction involved meets the requirements and has been approved by the Bureau of Fire Protection, Pennsylvania State Police of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Not only is the re­ cord barren of the necessity to prevent irreparable harm and injury, it also does not denote that greater injury would result by refusing the preliminary injunction than by granting it. 11 "On one hand, the plaintiff alleges noise and odors during the «-‘ruction, but the evidence- does —not not /eveal reveal they they were unnecessary or among XnTe^ CirCUmStanc - ™eed, circumstances. Indeed, there there are are scattered other industries, commercial establishments and vehicular traffic in the ~“ area- Nor do the fears and apprehension of these residents constitute fhe balance of the scales a legal reason to now enjoin the defendant. ight that this action was °f equity and justice must be viewed in the the property upon which commenced after the defendant had purchased the <-•storage tank is located. The relief sought 1S after substantial constr, toe n^esp”,iba“- 'had Progressed with its concurrent fiCOMMITMENTS AND ACTIONS BY PRECLUDED BY ANY ZONING CLASSor OUCH... ER restricting ordinanceI WITHIN THEBOR- mCAUON XTE N°T i I Once again, local officials have sadly learned that - ' sible to prevent certain undesirable activities simnlv bit is legally imp°s activity as a nuisance. A decrease in value of P Y Y/ construing the property cannot be the basis of any legal relief nearby residenAn injunction is tial substitute for a well-written and adequately enforced not a -1 zoning ordinance. Courts in the United States have continually held 1that the only •thod of promoting the best use of land is by means of a- zoning ordime' This is the tool of comprehensive planning that is intended nance -wusl tO safeguard investments in homes and schools and it provides for orderly growth and wholesome living. If Swoyerville had adopteda good zoning ordinance, the residents of that area would have been spared their concern. The ordinance would not have allowed commercial or industrial uses in a residential area. Only fifteen of the seventy-three municipalities in Luzerne Coun­ ty have some type of zoning ordinance. There is a real need in every one of the remaining fifty-eight communities to enacta zoning ordinance sufficiently definite to convey to a landowner a clear concept of what use may be made of his land. Only then can the best interests be ser­ ved and the orderly growth of these communities be adequately pro­ vided. The sad lesson of the residents of Swoyerville should be enough incentive for municipalities'in Luzerne County to draft their zoning or­ <i I r dinances with deliberate speed. i i i LEGISLATION IN REVIEW passed by the 1963 General AsA great deal of legislation was \ Some of that legislation will sembly which will affect local government, of the NEWSLETTER. A more complete be summarized in this issue c. -------list of legislation affecting local government will follow in subseque issues. Fir st, an appropriation bill was passed w^h ^nwealth, as appropriation bill Percent sewage aid payment to municipa i • 'nalities which have apart of their clean streams program, pays tom the municipalbuilt sewage disposal plants, an annual sum to e ^se ygum t0 be used 2 ’■tles which have built sewage disposal plants, a £tbese plants. The y the municipalities for maintenance and operatio theplantand ^°unt of this grant is based on the cost of • e taw specifies that this amount shall be up I' I �the percentage has been far below recent y.«=. Pcent years, Many municipalities proceeded In 1 119 cent in motion that the full 2 percent would be 1. 19 per percent this fl8ure’ tion with theaSSU P o effort to discourage this belief. itruction with with cons the state ma m transcends municipal bounforthcommg^ce dean stream PS blem> and since municipali_ FUT fond is, therefore, a sta ateSt amount of an effort to lI I I VOL. Jar have long made a manda. part of its legislative program. eliminate stream pollutionfull two percent grant a dated this full 2 percent did not pass, tory sufficient to provide the full two The bill which would have but the appropriation bill m am municipalities and authpercent did. The result 1 * increase in the amount of sewage aid orities can expect to receive does not mean, however, they receive from ® forthcoming in subsequent year s. This guaran­ that this amount will be ectives in the 1965 Legislature. tee will be one of our mam objecti Glendale, California, recently entered into a lease-purchase agreement with an insurance company to lease two parking lots in the central business district at a rate of 5 per cent of the land acquisition cost per year. The city spent its own funds to purchase a land parcel contiguous to the other two lots; to clear the land; and to install paving, lighting, meters, and other improvements. The city may purchase the property within five years at the original land purchase price of $51,000. The entire off-street parking program in the central business district is self-financing, and the cost for new lots is derived from revenue from existing lots and on-street parking meters. Since initiation of the CBD off-street parking program in 1954, the city has spent about $1.1 million for 12 parking lots and a 240-unit garage. the cost of public works contracts as much as 30 percent in some areas, and many municipalities were forced to either postpone or cancel need­ ed public works, or devise ways to circumvent the law and its regulations. This new act, basically, does four things: it raises the limit from $2,000 to $25,000 on projects covered by the law; defines "locality" SAVINGS ON CITY INSURANCE from which the prevailing wage is to be determined as meaning the mu­ nicipality or the county in which the work is performed; establishes an ppeals board on which municipalities will also be represented. I THOUGHTS FOR TODAY About the only sions. exercise some people get is jumping to conclu- PUBLICATION This News-letter, e of Municina?°r^thly as a community service, originated in the Institute Notes and inquiries r' be address H G°Vernment of Wilkes College’ Wes Cnu tO Dr’ Hu8° V- Mailey, Institute of Municipal Government, ege, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania- PA., OCTOBER 15, 1963 LEASE-PURCHASE PARKING LOTS The second piece of legislation passed this session if the bill which amends the Compulsory Wage Law (Act 442) of 1961. Rarely has a new law received such a spontaneous outburst of opposition from lo­ cal government officials asdid Act 442 of 1961. This law, not well con­ ceived in the first place, was administered in a way which increased Some persons grow with responsibility - others merely swell- XII, NO. 10 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, i Rockville, Maryland (26, 090), has effected a savings of 25 per cent on insurance costs by competitive bidding. Specifications were developed by the city finance department to cover workmen's compen­ sation, automobile and comprehensive liability, and public and insti­ tutional property fire and extended coverage. The specifications doubled coverage to $1 million for single limit liability coverage and provi e 100 per cent replacement costs for all city-owned buildings under fire and extended coverage insurance. MERCHANTS OFFER BONUSJPJliSS . -ties throughout the Merchants in about thirty ci £ at least $2 to $6. After customers free transit rides with a Pur5 giveS the buyer a free a Copper makes a purchase, the cler receipt, making7 it valid for transit token or stamps a transit companyr * dollar's wc"or th of mera free ride home. In some cities, buying fare, chandise brings a five- cent refund towar �successful program in c Tucson, Arizona, has had ahave given over one-halfoperation ' million ;rchants since 1956. Since then, me: free rides to customers. NICOLETTI VEITCH et al. , APPELLANTS to veto an appointmpru, 7? of a Borough has no authority The ^CouncirofT^e^on'to fill a vacancy in the office /i Council of a person by the Boroug ,s de ite the fact that the Borough Code gives the This is despite t.__ councilman resoiutions and that the Code provides that, in Sasye°ofaaUvacancy in the office of councilman, the council fills thet vacancy by appointing, by resolution, a r<egistered elector of the Borough, The latter, however, does not require a formal resolution of council; a mere roll-call vote, properly entered on the minutes of council, meets the requirements of the law. The substance and not the form of councilmanic action is gov­ erning in these matters. The Mayor'8 authority to veto extends only to ordinances or resolutions of legislative nature, and not to actions of executive or ministerial nature, regardless of whether they may be called resolutions or ordinances. The court further based its decision on the fact that: (1) in Sec­ tion 1003 of the Borough Code there is a distinction between ordinary resolutions of council, and those dealing with the filling of vacancies; (2) to allow the Mayor the veto over such appointments would lead to confusion and complications because the Mayor returns his veto at the next regular meeting of Council, and Council is by law given only 30 days to fill the vacancy, otherwise the duty to fill the vacancy devolves on the courts. bills affecting local government Act 15 — Act 16— Act 80— Extends the time during which actions of assumpsit may be brought for the recovery and collection of municipal claims to six years. Increase mills. e authorized rate of tax in certain cases to twenty Whenever in ’ ' -r °maS1 thereis anY construction of a buildlng> buildings, or r ■ --dad 1improvements after the borough ouXThas prepa-d ough taxes, the Property sha]1,^6 °f the assessment of borbe reassessed and added to the duplicate. Act Act 14g_- Excludes from certain advertising ; borough real or personal -1 property corporations engaged in community j— requirements, certain to be -J sold to nonprofit industrial development. 162 — No elected county, city, borough, town or townRv or auditor, and no controller or auditor appolXlTni" vacancy in th. office of county, city, borough, t„w„ .hip, controller or auditor, shall he employed , oth„ capacity by a school district or joint schoolboard if he audits any finances or any funds belonging to or controlled by the school district or joint school board. Act 167-- Provides for payments from the tax on premiums paid by foreign casualty insurance companies when a municipality furnishes police protection to another municipality pursuant to a contract. Act 176-- Increases the millage of annual tax for road, bridge and gen­ eral township purposes to 14 mills. Act 180-- Increases the maximum amount of annual tax for general borough purposes to 25 mills. Act 297-- Excludes from The Realty Transfer Tax Act any transfers to nonprofit industrial development agencies, and provides that such exclusion shall be retroactive for a specified period. LIQUID FUEL TAXES The largest amount of money in history will be returned by the State Government from liquid fuel taxes to local municipalities this year. Local governments will receive a total of $10.2 mill: street maintenance. This amount brings the 1963 paymentt to a record total of $37.2 $39. 6 million. In 1962, local governments received a U. nuillion. are based on the volume of liquid Payments to municipalities ommunity during the year. The largest fuel taxes collected in each cc----t is $31, 501.96 to WilkesPayment by the State Highway DePa?*m®“ + is $66. 07 to Jeddo Borough. Barre, and the smallest payment i- . can use liquid fuel tax monies for Under the law, municipalities ibe following purposes: construction, re­ must be used for in that community are 1. 25 per cent of the amount instruction, and resurfacing, if all c— the roads �oved, If they are impr not improved, tenance. maintenance, i. e. > 2. Usual fences, repairing mantling of snow of small tools. 3. Purchase chased. 4. 5. this money can be used for Mainsnow removal, erection and disof roads after spring thaws, etc. No major equipment may be pur- l VOL. XII, NO. 11 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA. , NOVEMBER 15, 1963 Purchase of snow fences. when applicable to State accounts. Salaries and wages INTER-GOVERNMENTAL COOPERATION FQUIPMENT REPLACEMENT PROGRAM I Middletown, Connecticut, is beginning its third five-year plan for motor equipment replacement. The plan combines a modified deprecia­ tion reserve fund with level annual appropriations to finance capital ex­ penditures. The current plan calls for annual appropriations of $80, 000 so that $400, 000, plus interest, will be available for the fourth five-year plan beginning May 1, 1968. The replacement plan originated in 195 3 with a bond issue of $400, 000 for initial financing. During the first decade annual appropriations of $60,000 were made, and the initial bond issue was retired from general revenues. At the beginning of each five-year period, the capital expenditure committee of the town council meets with department heads to review their inventory with respect to age, condi­ tion, and operating costs. The five-year plan then is projected on the basis of present and anticipated needs. The program covers all motor equipment except police cars which are financed on an annual replace­ ment basis by regular appropriations. THOUGHTS FOR TODAY The real tragedy of ulce: rs is that you can have them and still not be a success. In the continuing attempt to solve mutual problems, the East Side Sanitary Landfill Authority has been formed. This Authority is composed of the City of Wilkes-Barre, the Borough of Ashley, and Hanover and Plains Townships. It has as its expressed purpose the development and maintenance of a sanitary landfill for the garbage and rubbish collection in the four municipalities. This follows by only a few months the creation of the West Side Regional Sanitary Landfill Authority. EdwardsThis Authority is composed of nine boroughs:: Courtdale, Edwardc ville, Forty Fort, Kingston, Larksville, Luzerne, Plymouth, Pringle, and Swoyersville. Both of these authorities have been established for a two-fold purpose: the elimination of the open dumps as required by the State Department of Health, and also to provide effective, economic disposal of refuse for the affected municipalities. As has been stated in this Newsletter a number of times, "Too many times cooperation between towns is avoided because it is too full of common sense. We have got to learn that all communities in an area sink or swim together; that the economic well being of one community affects the others. " OCCUPATIONAL TAX LITIGATION ing for ZhMeMmanaChelOr islooking for is anidealgirl who isn't look- publication This News-letter, originated in the Institute of Munmontk^y as a community service, Notes and inquiries may be add^niC1Pal G°Vernment Wilkes College. of Municipal Government, Wilki ~ -tes^n6 tO Dr- Hug° V. Mailey, Institute ege> Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. In cases now before the State Supreme Court the city of Johns town and the Borough of Franklin have asked the court to rule consti­ tutional their $10. 00 occupation and occupational privilege taxes. These Municipalities are appealing a decision of the Cambria County o are asking the Supreme Court to consider their taxes simii ar ‘ -n which the higher court upheld in March. asking the Supreme Johnstown City Solicitor, reasoned to the irnposed by the city of Allentown the same as the Allentown ordinDe Francesco, J_'..~ Samuel R. are Franklin ordinances exempt resicourt that the■ occupational taxes and ^nce’ except that the Johnstown < $600 or less a year. dents and non--residents who earn �_dotttget_int£A- FRENZY OVER FOAM! porled nnnds Of detergents are used every year by this -Four billion p pounds g0 down the drain. „ Qn clean nation. .. ana of statistics may epen Lt actions of a great American industry an rocesses, stream — , of of gewage sewage treatment treatment p processes, ;upply systems. ”s- importantas this sounds, the solution does not lie in getting into a frenzy over foam resulting from the presence of detergents in sew­ age ^n sewage plant effluents, in receiving streams, and in public water supply sources. revealed that of 115 ?0, 000 or more population, 71 per: cent ce„t of of them lhe„ „ '■ required the'7eVe7op' installation where it is j- called _ " - t„ by P to pay for 1“ all al storm sewer retaliation ,n regulations. In those cities where costs <-- L were shared by dev­ division and community, community, the the breakpoint breakpoint is is usually basJd on the size of eloper and usually based the pipe- For example, Long Beach, California, requires the developer t0 pay for all storm sewers under 30 inches while the city pays 30 per cent of the cost for sewers over 30 inches. Fort Worth, Texas, re­ quires the developer to pay for the full cost of storm drains 36 inches in diameter or less; for those over 36 inches, the city pays 25 per cent. In a few communities, the city pays all costs for pipes over a certain size. --------- n over detergent pollution offers four alterna­ The current•concern Providing sewage tive procedures 1tor coping with the ABS challenge: treatment processes for eliminating ABS in effluents, streams; manu­ facturing ABS detergents which are readily biodegradable, and dis­ continuing the use of ABS detergents by legal edict or voluntary action of manufacturers. These four alternatives constitute the total line of attack on the new and vexing problem; that is all there is. (Progress Report, Commission on Water Resources Planning, State of New York. ) SUBDIVISION REGULATIONS (Reprint) A perennial problem in the development of subdivisions is making provision for future storm water drainage. Often a small subdivision is constructed in the lower section of a drainage area without storm ater pipes. As more development occurs in the higher elevations, the nee or large pipes becomes quite evident. Below is additional inforhve I?0"1 1theAmerican Society of Planning Officials on the compari- arrangements for paying for storm drainage facilities. xS?-’—x1 x" A 1958 comparative analysis was done by the Tennessee State Planning Commission. The report summarized existing practice in sev­ eral states. The percentage of cities in which the developer paid all of the cost of storm drainage or sewers was as follows: North Carolina (24 cities replying)--75%; Tennessee (38 cities replying)--82%; Connecticut: (cities 10,000-50,000) trunk lines--83%, lateral extensions--83%; (cities 50,000 and over) trunk lines--67%, and lateral extensions--83%. From the findings of these few studies, it is apparent that the ......................... burden of storm drainage installation primarily fallss on the developer. The surveys showed that about 80 per cent of the communities charged The surveys showed that i------all of the cost of storm drainage to the developer. But the question remains, What about the other 20 per ,th they operating under antiquated regulations that are not in ar present day trends? The justification for sharing th. cost,of storm drainage facilities stems from the belief that su in er required to pay for oversized drainage and storm se ’ ilities that are larger than the particular subdivision needs. The issue is stated succinctly in the Urban Land Institute Techni­ this matter: cost analysis. communities; com munities; or on the basis of a type of benefit- cal Bulletin No. 27: to installing at his improvements he expense such utilities as are required or rar-niect However, he needs in creating the residential lots of of his his own own Pr0JeCJ; installations, are made for i----d°es object when excessive demands are m the benefit of his own of area not for thebe: street pavements or assignments of area must be geared tot e Pr°ject. Specifications for site irnpr0^e roject with which the devtype, the size and the price bracket o ’’The responsible developer has no divisionSeVeral agencies have undertaken comparative studies of sub On lmProvement costs f’XiTthafole /^unities in Inthe1952, New the Regional Plan Association ----- / York Metropolitan Region an regularly charged the cost of storm j �ecifications of the subdivision regfu. .n, But, if ^der for example, to install and pay Or eloper is ? Lper is req"ir® a’vier than his project needs, or if he lations, the be paved h water lines intended to serve roadways th ide trunk sew municipality has exceeded is rei areas of equity and the bounds L- VOL. XU, NO. 12 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA., DECEMBER 15, 1963 • Advisory Service Information Report that No. Planning . „ _r suppO rts the c ontention The. ASPO . 109 is especially pertinent and generally - be based portion of the drainage the cost to — t developer J on - that the s' . ’ 1 . Three methods are sugfacility benefiting the particular subdivision, of the cost of' that portion of the facility servicing the gested to take care Csurrounding tributary area: r , nr countY canneeded pay for excess cost­ 1. over t^capacity of government storm sewers to the serve the sub excess divided area. 2. 3. (Lancaster The city or county government can establish a revolving fund whereby the government initially pays for the excess capacity. As additional areas are developed and additional connections made to the storm sewer system, the city is reimbursed so that additional funds are available for storm sewers in other areas. The r"’ city government thus assumes the financial risk for further development of the drainage area. A third method is to have the contractor pay for the excess capacity for storm water, Reimbursement is made to the developer as further connections are made to the system, Under this plan the developer is taking the financial risk for further development of the drainage area. y Planning Commission Newsletter, October 1, 1963.) THOUGHTS Politician's for today siogan: If at first you don't mislead, lie, lie again. Committee: A group of men TAX COLLECTOR GIVES COLLEGIANS AID Remember back in 1961 when James Walsh, 63 of Exeter, cam­ paigned for tax collector in thatborough on a platform that every cent of his commissions would be used to aid students to finance their way through college? Well, Walsh won the tax collector's post and has kept his promise. Tax Collector Walsh reported that last year his commis­ sions totaled $5, 695. 75 and that the sum was divided among three Lu­ zerne County colleges for financial aid to 29 students from Exeter. A total of $1, 859. 94 went to College Misericordia, Dallas, where 10 Exeter students each received $190 toward tuition. At King's College 11 students each received about $165. Total outlay for Exeter students attending King's was $1, 874. 40. At Wilkes College, eight students each received $225 toward their tuition, for a total expenditure of $1, 859. 21. Walsh, a widower who operates a restaurant at 1246 Wyoming Avenue, Exeter, states that interested college students from Exeter Borough must register to participate in his plan. Student recipients of the tax money are expected to aid the tax collector in preparing taxreturns, mailing them out, and keeping accounts of collections. ' is ’ 5 a very good The tax collector stated that he believes the work form of practical experience in local government ifor — the — college students. "I'm in a a few years that other persons in n 'I'm hoping hoping in Hfe will take up the idea," Walsh said. "I just want to help the kids take up the idea, They've got (Wilkes-Barre Record) got their their whole whole life life ahead ahead of of them. them. "" who keep minutes and waste hours. publication ori ' News-left InBf? r’ o7M publis hed ^Wasa community service, M-8?andd in the Inst itute Sned institute Notes ..--ia"d»q«We, maybeof Of J' Government of Wilkes College. -jjnay be addrer- ' of Municipal 0Vernment, to Dr- Hugo V. Mailey, Institute s Colle Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania* SHORT COURSES nce again the Institute of Municipal Government will provide redit, non-degree educational opportunities for elected and apnon­ j wjth the Public �I pe.nsylva.ia. Instruction by the Institute staff is supplemented bygUest FIRE DEPARTMENT VIOLATION lecturers. tags In Minneapolis, you don't have to beanow ■■ parker or careless driver to collect a tag. A unique tag used inertime thi' - —is city is handed out by firemen, not policemen, and it goes to violators of fire department codes and ordinances. .g Semester, the following courses will b o --------preDuring the Spring “"Xhting for of ^ Fire Fighting -- A course designed fooe 6 those sented: Fundamentals o */ as instruct ors of of- fire instructors of the the fundamentals fundamentals^ firemen who wish to quality- A general ral revie w of the powers, duties review dut/* and fighting; School Directors officials; Small Arms -- An introducresponsibilities ofelecte of the revolver, including firing for rec­ torycourse in the care an _ general course that reviews the powers, ord; Township Supervisors township officials; Youth Control duties and responsible ie, control for law enforcement offi- A practical course in the spOnsorship of the Juvenile cJurt of^Luzerne County and the Department of Public Welfare. in that city. otection Association conference held Tagging violators isn't the only modern technique used by the Fire Prevention Bureau which he heads, Palmer explained. They have lie detectors, finger printing equipment and a complete photographic laboratory. TRAINING IN HUMAN RELATIONS, COMMUNICAT IO NS While this equipment is used primarily to investigate deliberate­ Supervisory personnel from the Texas cities of Mesquite (34, 900) and Irving (45, 985) and the Mesquite Independent School District recent­ ly completed a dual training program covering communications and hu­ man relations for management. The program and speakers were ar­ ranged by the Institute of Management of Southern Methodist University. ly set fires, the bureau conducts extensive training and educational pro­ grams in hospitals, schools and industrial plants. The bureau's whole aim, said Palmer, is to stop fires before they start. REGISTERED BONDS GAIN ON COUPON BONDS Fourteen weekly sessions v. were held from 4:00 to 6:00 p. m. on Tuesdays with lectures and discussion -*“*i sessions. The first seven sessions dealt with the communications <-----: 1. topics of writing letters, reports, and other materials; personal techniques in speaking; increasing read­ ing speed and understanding; and comprehension, evaluation, and other aspects of listening to all communications. The remaining seven <=Q<, ■ for management, includin SSlons were devoted to human relations ating personnel, morale ng recent social trends, motivating and evalusonal conflicts, administ f sa‘f sfaction, behavior patterns and Per" ment of attitudes. lye communications, and origin and developSpeakers fOr both resno^k^^ ^Usiness> and fhp ^ramS Were recruited from university is beUev jltles and supervisor/^,6 partlcular attention to management critical / atthese ‘lining pr/eatl°nshiPs in a11 o£ the sessions. It port writin P°nSibilities for comm^™8 WiU enable supervisors to meet c°mprehenfiondaSJeaking’ ^^eas'in/th^ 8 effectivelV through re­ peal factor <.k’and eidarging th«S tbeir ability for oral and written inS i® vital fn motivate pe0Djlr underatanding of complex psycholoan age of increasing °ff the job- Such understandS echnology and urbanization. I I The paperwork haters are making progress in their campaign for the use of registered bonds instead of the old-fashioned coupon bonds. The trend has been pressed by banks, insurance companies, and other institutional investors. A registered bond is recorded by the issuer in the name of the owner, and periodic interest payments are made to him by check in the same manner as dividends on stock. On the bearer type, interest coupons must be clipped and presented for payment, ordinarily through a bank. A committee of the American Bankers Association headed by I I I Russell H. Johnson, Executive Vice President of theUnited States Trust Company of New York, has been campaigning for wider acceptance o the registered type. each year being cut and counted, "There are 300 million coupons " Mr. Johnson says. "It recounted, presented, audited, and cremate > . anything but upset with is very difficult for me as an operating man og — —----------- — of paper be thrown into any system that year, demands 300 million pie promises to grow year by every andthat the bundle of waste a furnace Year." 65S-S I �, clipped each year, 112 million are Of the 300 from federal bonds, and the balance dcipal bonds, 15mi i egtimates that 452 manyears of effort from muni- . “ corporates, — d^sXut coupons every year. Other advantages for the from are itandard use of registeretnd mailing costs by 80 per cent; si Reduce insura stolen bonds for loan collateral; Protect againtSt2hdecall notices to be mailed Allow intere^ communications with bondholders; and Permit di loopholes, increase safety and save space (The state ofTaXia reduced 1 1/2 tons of paper in the form of coupon bonds to 87 pounds of registered i Another sign of a growing awareness of the whole paperwork problem is the increasing use of the $5, 000 denomination in the case of m^cTpals,’formerly issued entirely in the denomination of $1, 000. NEW TRENDS An automatic recorder monitor s telephone complaints as well as radio calls to the mobile emergency crews of the water, sewer, and street maintenance branch of the Greater Winnipeg Water and Sanitary District, Winnipeg, Manitoba. This system is a sure way to keep the record straight on all customer complaints and emergency operations handled over the telephone. (Willing Water, March 19&2) Seed sludge obtained from a sewage treatment plant can be used to start a new digestion tank, thus saving the cost of neutralizing chem­ icalsand assuring early production of sludge gas. (Wastes Engineering, January 1962). 1 I thoughts for today A woman's chief asset is a man's imagination. Flattery won't hurt a man, as long as he doesn't inhale. I I PUBLICATION This News-lettf er, published monthly as a community service, Notes’ll in hlStitute - --i Municipal Government of Wilkes Collegeof ^’“'^ipal'ccwernmenth Tirm reSSed tO ^r" Hugo V. Mailey, Institute ’ W1 Wilkes *kes College,Wilkes-Barre, College,Wilk. PennsylvaniaSEASONS GREETINGS I �H :I In I *T 1 I ' ■ fl It■■ 4 j I/ I I �• 1 ■ -<• H � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Luzerne County Newsletters and Institute for Regional Affair Newsletters, 1952-1975 Subject The topic of the resource Political Science; Luzerne County; Institute for Regional Affairs; Wyoming Valley Description An account of the resource A collection of newsletters created by the Political Science Department at Wilkes College from 1952-1975 for Luzerne County and later the Institute for Regional Affairs. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Political Science Department (Hugo Mailey) Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1952-1975 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Type The nature or genre of the resource Newsletters Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Luzerne County Newsletter, 1963 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Political Science Department Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1963 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Type The nature or genre of the resource Newsletter https://omeka.wilkes.edu/omeka/files/original/45406df95643e36aa279278d66b381d3.pdf 15cd52f8f3a2e3b020b9ecfcc83aff56 PDF Text Text ■ : ��LIBRARY �c^' Ah-C.^S 1 5^ P4M sgS^ iicip' ouT" ktAet vaila a^ce rfor^'1 to ' IUA b---518-■An..1 . '• d this s ltov>n8 ac heinQ, oftcT t? eral c a‘C° c2rse-a gen elected t rse that p agement Coarse--a. basic coa technique cers with a knowledge of the -a co traffic functions; Zoning Course­ g corr planning tool designed for planning School Dire and zoning administrator s;■ School , and responsibilil of the powers, duties, -a general r« and Magistrates Course-la» required by magistrates INTOXICATION AND LA'. i Beginning on February 5, 1962, live Mondays, a lecture series on Int ’'illbe presented by the Institute of Mu oi lectures is f-by the followi hlley Motor csponsored, ^b Scania PoliCe , Police Executives Chiefs Association, 1 u”'1®®. Di 1 """'Count, LiJistrict Attorney's O aw and Library Ass Q ^ers \uVeS YS °pen without 1 tninor h,a: • ^cem eined, fee law enfos, a Cernent. Si ehin Q1 Ci -ivii this hi; a. -<TS of Ch e^al tOceh eS b.re 7 �VOL XI NO. 1 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, pa JANUARY 15, 1962 SHORT COURSES--SPRING SEMESTER The Institute of Municipal Government will again conduct a num­ ber of in-service training courses for municipal officials. These courses are designed to make available to elected and appointed officials means of improving in the performance of their duties. The courses being offered this spring semester include: Town­ ship Supervisors Course--a general course that reviews the powers, duties, and responsibilities of elected township officials; Traffic Man­ agement Course--a basic course that provides responsible police offi­ cers with a knowledge of the techniques necessary to improve police traffic functions; Zoning Course—a comprehensive study of the basic planning tool designed for planning commissioners, council members, and zoning administrators; School Directors Course--a general review of the powers, duties, and responsibilities of elected school officials; and Magistrates Course--a general review of the important points of criminal law required by magistrates in the proper fulfilling of their office. INTOXICATION AND LAW ENFORCEMENT Beginning on February 5, 1962, and continuing for six consecu­ tive Mondays, a lecture series on Intoxication and Law Enforcement will be presented by the Institute of Municipal Government. This series of lectures is sponsored by the following organizations: The Wyoming Valley Motor Club, Police Executives Association, Northeastern Penn­ sylvania Police Chiefs Association, the Luzerne County Magistrates Association, the District Attorney's Office of Luzerne County, and the Luzerne County Law and Library Association. , members of the Bar, The series is open without fee to police members of the minor judiciaries, and others directly or indirectly concerned with law enforcement. Physiologic Effect of Alcohol, Topic s included in this series are. t of Criminal Liability, Legal Aspects of Civil Liability, Legal Aspect Constit^tVoL'f Aspect's* oTcheml'oaTlests,'Equipment Demonstration, and Examination Procedure. GOSS7 �, TESTING PAPER REFUSE RECEPTACl.p MONTCLAIR, N. J, testing the use of disposable baa g conducted over a two-mon!k Montclair, New Jersey, is fuse containers. The experiment, being is the first United States test f period at 540 homes in in the the community, i_ this new method. The purpose of the test is (1) to ascertain the feasibility of sub­ stituting easy-to-handle, disposable sanitary bags, for the present metal garbage can, and (2) 2‘ to ■ > determine determine if the labor saved from loading and unloading the bulky metal metal cans cans will will sufficiently offset the cost of the bags. An official of the West Virginia Pulp and Paper Company, a manufacturer of the product and sponsor of the project, said that this new method, called the Westvaco Refuse System, might change the gar­ bage collection habits of the nation if the Montclair trial proves satis­ factory. The experiment takes a predetermined route "typical of the town's residential area" in central Montclair, said Harold Johnson, Montclair superintendent of service. "A preliminary survey of the 540 households on the route indi­ cated that 99% polled approved of the new system," said Johnson. The survey was made by field workers after Commissioner Robert G. Hooke, director ounced last July that the town had agreed to the terests of improving present methods of garbage of the paper company of public works, ann­ experiment "in the in­ collection. " The center of the experiment is actually a chemically-treated double-layer paper bag which the company maintains is unaffected by rain, tear or wear. It is mountedIon a permanent metal holder equipped with a hinged lid. Each bag can hold 1 twenty to thirty gallons of refuse. l_ en fUU.’ bag is simply lifted from the rack and tossed into the garbage truck, while a new °ne is left under the lid by the collector. The cost of the paper bag, however, hasnot yet been determ' The West Virginia Puip and immediately went into investigation of th” Company took the idea and garbage collection systems of a dozen cities along the East Coast Montclair was finally selected for the first trial, the Company said, because it has "an efficient refuse collection system, and a conSa ~ing program to Seek imProvement-" BUYING BULK SALT GAINS POPULARITY The storing of salt in bulk has become quite popular during the past three years in the Western Pennsylvania area. In municipalities where storage facilities do not exist, or where the seasonal bulk order is not sufficient to warrant renting facilities, officials have constructed bins, hoppers, sheds, and variations of these, mostly out of scrap materials. In Penn Hills, a hillside bulk storage shed is rigged with a gra­ vity flow chute to load spreaders quickly. In Mt. Lebanon, a salt room and chute principle permits the loading of a six-ton spreader in three minutes' time. There are two major advantages to the buying of salt in bulk. First, it greatly reduces the material cost of salt and practically elimi­ nates handling expense. Thus in the face of increased demands for more and faster protection against snow and ice, additional funds could be made available for purchasing additional equipment to aid in fighting snow. Second, buying salt in bulk greatly increases the efficiency in winter maintenance. The immediate availability of salt provides for quick application to slippery streets. In the case of light storms, icy coatings can be completely removed; if the storm gains in velocity, the salt will -facilitate plowing by thawing the crusty layer of packed snow that forms over well-traveled highways. Other Other Western Western Pennsylvania Pennsylvania communities communities' participating salt buying program are Monroeville, Turtle Cr rnont, and Johnstown. The bags are to be purchased by the municipalitie s and pro­ vided free to the individual household, the Company said. The paper bag trial was first conceived at the American ^en Works Convention C at the New York Coliseum in September, 19 > ^sS< a sanitation -l-i expert was invited from Stockholm to explain its use u E°n'SUClbi8si,aVeb«» widely England. used in Europe, especially Swe West- MUNICIPAL BOND MARKET : in recentyears. Revenuebonds have become increasingly popular , in this method disadvantages O f f. e are many advantages, as well as disadvantages, Ther llnancing. -> deriving the It is obviously sound and equitable that those 1. should pay the benefit froi'm the construction of the public improvemen cost. �Many facilities, such as parking systems, are utilized by not persons not living living within within the the taxing taxing jurisdiction jurisdiction where the facility is to the cost of the located. It is only fair that those persons contribute <------- 1 facility. B 12 1962 yOM XI NO. 3. The necessityfor certain capital improvements is not always immediately apparent to the public at large. Therefore, many econom­ ically desirable and financially feasible improvements would lag behind if revenue financing were not used to provide the funds. 4. By using revenue bonds to finance self-liquidating projects, municipal officials are afforded a greater degree of fiscal flexibility by reserving tax supported issues for projects of a more general public nature. This is of particular importance because of statutory limi­ tations imposed on the amount of general obligation bonded debt which may legally be incurred. As mentioned above, there are certain disadvantages to the use of revenue bonds: 1. Revenue bonds are frequently more costly in terms of in­ terest since they are not secured by general tax support. 2. Excessive use of revenue financing may lead to circumventing debt limits and/or avoiding the necessityfor voter approvals of specific debt authorization. 3. "" The absence of legal liability of a revenue bond as a claim against general fund money is clear but the ' —------moral responsibility remains. THOUGHTS FOR TODAY Some people work so hard to make to live. 2 IVILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA. , FEBRUARY 15, 1962 LOCAL OFFICIALS DINNER The third meeting of Luzerne County Local Officials, sponsored the Institute of Municipal Government, will be held on Thursday, Febby ary 15 1962, at 6:30 P. M. in the Wilkes College Commons. The speaker for the evening will be Mr. Harry Butera, a realtor, from Norristown, Pennsylvania, who will discuss "VOLUNTEER PROP­ ERTY INSPECTION. " Mr. Butera was the initiator in 1949 of a volun­ teer property inspection project which succeeded in removing many un­ sightly conditions in the town. The Norristown Real Estate Board est­ ablished a Committee on Local Improvements to cooperate with the building inspector, the fire department, and the health department. Mr. Butera's campaign started a chain reaction of local improvements which has lead to the upgrading of 9, 000 properties in the Borough of Norristown. VOLUNTEER PROPERTY INSPECTION has been so successful that it has made the national headlines. It was the subject of a pamphlet published by the American Council to Improve Our Neighborhoods, Inc. The Luzerne County Boroughs Association will holdl a very important meeting following the remarks by Mr. Butera, Election of officers will take place. Every borough should be represented. a living that they forget how A CHECK LIST FOR MUNICIPAL COUNCILMEN The person who says youth is a state of mind invariably has far more state of mind than youth. 1. ticipal ordinances and council Havel familiarized myself with themun. rules? PUBLICATION This News-letter, published monthly as a community service, originated in the Institute of Municipal Government of Wilkes College. Notes and inquiries may be addressed to Dr. Hugo V. Mailey, Institute of Municipal Government, Wilkes College, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. 2. °o I make an effort to under stand reports andrecomme pared for the council's information and action. 3. Do I find out if similar ordinances have been other cities? used successfully in amendments designed 4. Am I open-minded about proposed ordinance citizens? to make an ordinance more acceptable to �5. Am I familiar enough with the budget to kno->w howwell it fits the needs improvements? of the municipality for new services and capital c I think that the proposed budget will provide adequate salaries and 6. Do wages for municipal employees? ' ’ , meet the basic needs of the muni­ 7. Does the budget, in my opinion, in the next fiscal year? cipality for new equipment t „ 8. Do I give time to selling needed policies, services, and projects to the voters? 9. Do I carry my share of public relations in dealing with voters, the press, radio, and television? 10, Am I tolerant and fair-minded toward my colleagues in the council? PARKING PROBLEMS In the past, municipal officials have been reluctant to take the steps necessary for the removal of curb parking where necessary or expedient, for the acquisition of sufficient off-street facilities toreplace this curb parking, or for providing for additional parking needs. As of this date, the Department of Highways has not seen fit to force munici­ palities along these lines. However, the Department has, under Sec­ tions 1103 and 1113 of the Vehicle Code, the power to remove or cause to be removed, parking along these major thoroughfares which are a part of the State Highway system. If, with the continued increase of traffic, the municipalities continue to ignore the seriousness of this problem, it may become necessary for the Department of Highways to take the authority vested in it through the law as stated and erect signs prohibit­ ing this parking along State Highways in municipalities. It is not the desire or the intention of the Department of High­ ways to infringe on home rule. However, if it becomes necessary for the Department to take this action, it will only be the result of the muni­ cipality's not doing its part to solve a problem and thus retain its cher­ ished right of home rule. We sincerely hope that the municipality will becomei seriously interested and active on its part, since action by the " Department will1 certainly not be one that will be met with any degree of approval by the local officials. Parking meters were primarily designed to „ Unfortunately, they lend themselves readily to a source of income in­ regulate parking. stead of a source of control. It is quite obvious to the Department of Highways after completing numerous parking surveys throughout the State, that in very few communities are the parking meters being used as ol items only. A few facts from these nap­ contr control could alter the use of curb parking Tindi<^e how have found that rigid.verage shopper parking in a downtown busTn’ the a'L a minimum of 23 minutes to a maximum oT 38dlStriCt con^mes Ki*xg for shopping. The manor woman stonnTna !minutes of curb from business purposes, such as paying bills call’ the downtown area parking minimum of 23 minutes to a maxim., “r Cust°mers, etc. forosumesa L_ minimum of 23 minutes to a ^m of 42 minutes. These coi surveys indicate that a worker in a downtown area parking at the same consumes a minimum of one hour, 9 minutes to a maximum of 3 curb minutes of curb parking time. hours, 5 of illegal curb parking encourages hazard, The thatabuse is, the and double parker orWcreate h another traffic surveys that in a normal 8-hour period we ha'v 6 f0Und from our mately 1,700 illegal parkers as toposition, th^is^t °fapproxistops, etc. In these surveys, double parking . Ilre Plugs, bus of 0. 7 per cent to 6. 8 per cent of the total parkers the are^"1 & Illegal parking is not due to the driver's having a complete dis­ regard for your ordinances. It is primarily due to the insufficient num­ ber of parking spaces within a reasonable walking distance of the down­ town section and the abuse of available curb parking spaces by the long time parker. If this long time parker is discouraged and the spaces thus occupied become available for the short time parker, the illegal and double parking will be reduced and perhaps eliminated. In the planning of off-street parking, it is essential that this offstreet parking be provided as close to the demand for parking spaces as possible. Our surveys indicate that the people of Pennsylvania are not willing or in the habit of walking any great distance from the point of parking to their destination. We have found that the parker invariably will not walk much over 150 to 300 feet from his parked vehicle to his destination. Our surveys also show that 75 per cent of the people park ing either legally or illegally park within 300 feet of their ultimate des­ tination. This is extremely important to a community when considering the purchase and improvement of off-street facilities. The faclhtle® must be within reasonable walking distance of the area they are e £ to Serve. If this distance is beyond a reasonable walking dis ance, only wiHit be undesirable to the parker, but it may prove to be un WHAT'S THE "TAKE" FROM PARKING METERS? ", in about $85 per year in coins, The average parking meter hauls plus $16 in fines, for an average total t----- of $100. --o, meters; have t 25 years ago; Since their initial appearance about countries. About and 87 foreign c— spread to nearly 4, 000 U. S. cities �— Average number of meters for a city is two million are now in use. approximating $40, 000. Cost of meter opera400, with annual grosses tion totals about $5, 000. VOL. MAD "JO 1QO XI no. 3 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE PA. , MARCH 15, 1962 REHABILITATION PROCEDURES ISSUED The Urban Renewal Administration issued procedures to implement demonstration of rehabilitation techniques in urban renewal areas as authorized by the 1961 Housing Act. "How-to-do-it-laboratories"on repair and rehabilitation of build­ ings may be set up and included as part of the cost of urban renewal projects. "This is a brand new tool which should provide the impetus to upgrade entire neighborhoods," said Urban Renewal Commissioner William L. Slayton. "Rehabilitation is a comples, individualized pro­ jects, varying almost from building to building, yet it holds the greatest potential for good housing. "In the past, property owners have been hindered by lack of practical, experienced guidance. Now for the first time, local agencies can purchase rundown buildings and demonstrate on a larger scale the benefits of sound, economical, rehabilitation practices," Slayton said. According to to the the procedures, procedures the building must be in an urban According renewal area and must be designated in the urban renewal plan for repair or rehabilitation for residential -------------*„1 uses. THOUGHTS FOR TODAY Some people are easily entertained. down and listen to them. SERVICE AWARDS .wa^ZeeLX^ long number of years in the service of their res U ! Untlring1y over vice The Institute will offer these awardsagain this vaJ^ governmentsa Annual Dinner. ln May at the Tenth Included in those eligible for the award are school board mem­ bers and secretaries, police, firemen, councilmen, mayors, solicitors, engineers, planning and zoning commissioners, and township super­ visors. This award is given as an expression of appreciation for ability, wide experience, and continued efforts as an outstanding public servant over many years. Names of nominees should be sent to the Institute of Municipal Government by April 1, 1962. NATIONAL DRIVER REGISTER SERVICE Pennsylvania is one of many states that has joined the National / the United States Bureau of Driver Register Service, inaugurated by file Public Roads. The Driver Register is a fl on motor vehicle operators for driving while intoxiwhose driving privileges have been withdrawn a cated or for conviction of a violation involving traffic fatality. All you have to do is sit The world does for what a person does not pay for what aperson knows, But it does pay with what he knows. PUBLICATION This News-letter, published monthly as a originated in the Institute of Municipal Governmc community service, Notes and inquiries may be addressed to Dr. Hugo entV.ofMailey, Wilkes College. of Municipal Government, Wilkes College, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. “ Institute States will furnish the names and data on d privileges have been withdrawn for the specitie may request the roads agency to check on app The file already contains information on near y whose driving causes. The states for new licenses, drivers. The neighboring eU.ee of Ohio. New become part of this program. REAL SAVINGS estimated $137, 000 per The City of Dayton, Ohio, ^^01ins submitted by city emYear for six years by the adoption stjon contest and awards prizes Ployees. The city holds an annual sugg �for the best suggestions. The prize money is furnished by the local associations of independent fire and casualty companies. The judging committee consists of current city officials, former city officials, and representatives from the city employees. Awards are presented at an annual award dinner. TORT IMMUNITY ABOLISHED Municipalities in Michigan no longer have common law immunity from tort liability, according to a September, 1961, decision of the Mich­ igan State Supreme Court. By a five-to-three decision, the Court abol­ ished the distinction between governmental and proprietary functions, and all activities of a municipality now can be considered proprietary in nature. Some of the activities which were formerly immune from lia­ bility and for which the governmental unit may now be held responsible in tort include: operation of police and fire departments, park and rec­ reation activities, safety and engineering departments, and the main­ tenance of public buildings. It seems that many state courts are remov­ ing the distinction between the two types of functions. FEDERAL WATER POLLUTION CONTROL ACT AMENDMENTS OF 1961 This legislation, which amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, (” transfer of the Act's administration -------------- -----'. provides: x ----- : (1) from the Surgeon General to the Secretary of Health, Education, 1----- ■ • — and Welfare; (2) the extension of Federal authority in water pollution abatement to all navigable waters and the granting of power to the Secretary of HEW to institute remedial action to correct interstate pollution and to enter intrastate situations at the request of the Governor of any State or other designated State agencies; (3) that the annual authorization for Federal grants to municipalities for the construction of waste treatment plants be increased from the present maximum of $50 million per year to $80 million for fiscal 1962, $90 million for fiscal 1963, and $100 million per year for the following four years; (4) that the single grant limit be raised to $600, 000 or 30%, whichever is the lesser, and in the case of joint projects that a ceiling of $2.4 million be imposed; (5) the establishment of at least seven field laboratory and research facilities in various parts of the United States along with a special program dealing with the waters of the Great Lakes. INSURANCE POLICIES Olivette, Missouri, has revised and erage to- -----provide ‘ ‘better protection for expanded its insurance covm the area of bonding. city government, especially HOMEJMPROVEMENTS A^Zg£ggRTY CONSERyATION Conservation and rehabilitation are the latest t a community level to up-grade entire neighborhoods. s developed bn The objective of the Nor ristown, Pennsylvania Reai f x . , 1949) was to stem property deterioration in the com™ > u B°ard (inVoluntary Property Inspection Program. A Committee of relltoL”.”! a ’■ ,ted to serve as volunteer tnspectors, assisting the building ™ ■ the lire department, the health department, and othe! law crea' spectors enforcement: officials. A two-man team of volunteer inspectors exam in town for structural, physical, sanitary, and ined every property : aesthetic conditions. Where the property clearly showed evidence of ithetic cdeterioration, the committee sent a form letter to the owner advising him of the conditions. F our repeat surveys have been conducted inorder to remove many of the conditions which tended to down-grade the com­ munity in previous years. Since 1956 a similar systematic program for eliminating blight and improving property conditions--Conservation and Rehabilitation- has been in operation in Newport Beach, California, A City Building and Safety Department carries out the program. Both of these programs are dependent uponi community-wide iy oxhjlxxqxj. -t, around the country, the local support. As with many similar programs a*-----------two communities have given excellent support by newspapers in these twc - ------------------publicizing the objectives and' procedures ’ >s of the program from its incepincep­ tion. The Volunteer Property Inspection Program in Norristown, Pen­ The Volunteer Property Inspection Program pamphlet by the American Council nsylvania, has been the subject of a ] Inc. 'The latest step in the Newport to Improve Our Neighborhoods, Beach program has been for the city government ana me iccai ----------board to jointly finance preparation of a pamphlet "Procedure for Im proving Property in Newport Beach" which covers all aspects of prop­ erty ownership. The pamphlet lists the city's departments and agencies where information can be obtained. . ht have is that of inOne fear that many property owners’ condition of their creased assessment if they invest in irnP' -n many communities have homes. In order to allay this fear, ass®s the jot>s thatcan be mailed statements to home owners pom mg other improvemen without risk of higher assessments, and also of these state which will probably cause higher assess ments is that of the City of Detroit, Mic which lists the two g gories of home improvements. --7 assessmentt increase without any of existing The work which can be done and replacing c epairing ancludes the following: repainting, r �modernrzati^nhC wirin^rncxlerni^ation; added electrical outlets; outdo^ electric cable and outdoor lights; new fences; lawns an landscaping, lawn sprinkler systems; new roof; outside and inside painting; plaster repairs; redecorating; repairing and replacing porches and steps; asphalt or asbestos siding placed over existing siding; new kitchen cabinets, cupboards, and counters; added closets and other built-ins; new ceilings; new wall surfacing; insulation, weather stripping; storm windows and doors; exterior awnings; repairing or replacing sidewalks or drives; automatic hot water; removing unused porch and dated exterior trim­ add or replace gutter downspouts; put numbers on houses; light near house number; replace dilapidated sheds and garages with a rear lot parking area; pave rear lot parking area (500 feet or less); and adding of built-in vents. The improvements which might bring an ? * assessment increase are: change from single-family to multiple-family replacing no basement or part p—1 ofr basement; added use; new basement ’ rumpus room; new rooms furnished in attic; any change ! resulting in largi ger building; complete modernization and conversions; forced air, cut. automatic heating-replacing hot air gravity or stove; add extra bedroom, place, or porches where —, bathroom, firenone existed. If the Wyoming Valley area is to enjoy a good reputation as a fine place in which to work and live, to establish a respectable family, and to raise children under a healthful community environment, a forceful policy of maintaining and up-grading property will have to be by local officials and civic-minded groups. This is the one adopted this area can reflect a high degree of collective civic pride as will way that netically attract industry and people. mag- thoughts_fOr TODAY Ever notice how d°gs win friends even reading books? and influence If you educate a woman, people without you educate a family, says the old adage. PUBLICATION This News-lett er> published originated in the I monthly as a c — institute of Municipal JNotes and inquiries r~* service, 1 Governmentcommunity of may be addre v ' Wilkes College. of Municipal Government, Wilke _SSed Dr. Hugo V Mailey, Institute s Coll, e8e> Wilkes -Barre, Pennsylvania. VOL. XI NO- 4 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE. PA. , APRIL 15, 1%2 TENTH ANNUAL DINNER MAY 16th IS A RED-LETTER DAY, CIRCLE IT ON YOUR CAL- ENDAR! The Institute of Municipal Government will hold its TahH, a Dinner for award winner s at the Wilkes Commons on Wednesdav mTa 1962, at 6:30 p. m. This dinner really brings to a climax the 6’ training activities in local government which the Institute has co’hd™ The main speaker of the evening will be the Honorable Benjamin R. Jones, Justice of the Supreme Court of the Commonwealth of Penn­ sylvania. Judge Jones is well known to local government officials, and therefore needs no introduction to many of us. His timely message will be on "The Role of the Local Official in the 1960's." Certificates will be awarded to 217 local officials and local gov­ ernment employees. The number of in-service training classes has in­ creased from one in 1951 to eleven in 1962. The first class, con uc e by a member of the Political Science Department of Wilkes College, held for borough officials in 1951. The number of certifica e. winne each of the short courses for 1961-1962 is as follows. ma HishSchool Educational Seeretaries-22; Planning-15; Pena C°de"2^ way Malnlenane.-ZO; Munleipa! ervisors--15; Traffic Management--12, Zoning 26; Magistrates-Criminal Law-25; and Intoxication Lecture _20 The In-service training activities of the ^“^^^e'evident fied and increased in number over the last VeaJ £,uzerne County are that many local officials in Wyoming Valley a tcourses and theremaking every effort to avail themselves of t ese .^nner |s> therefore, by raise their performance standards. The awa uorizon and vision. a fitting climax to their sincere efforts towi en * * * DON'T FORGET MAY 16th! *#* ! �SEWAGE j qGAL disposal plant appeal lost ruled agianst Wilkes-Barre earlier this A Commonwealth Court i a Sanitary Water Board order to stop month in the City's appeal from into discharging untreated sewage i..L the Susquehanna River. "We can see no valid reason why the City of Wilkes-Barre should be treated differently from any other city in the Commonwealth, " the Court said in a 12-page opinion, adding: "Many of the cities on the Susquehanna River south of it (WilkesBarre) will be affected and endangered by its continued dumping of raw sewage into the river. " The City appealed a board order to stop discharging untreated sewage by March 13, 1963, and to build a sewage treatment plant. The City had argued that the board didnotprove conclusively that City sewage was causing pollution. Wilkes-Barre also argued that construction of a plant would be a waste of money because of subsidence or earth movements in the area due to underground mines. Judge Walter R. Sohn, who wrote the opinion for the court--a special division of Dauphin County court handling State matters--said that the City failed to support the subsidence claims. "Subsidence, we feel here, has been amply demonstrated to be nothing more than an engineering problem which can be solved by appli­ cation to the proper engineering firms, " Sohn said. The court said there are many large cities subject to earth movement, adding: "It cannot be that the whole west coast of California, where earth­ quakes are quite frequent, with its crowded populations have not pro­ vided proper sewage disposal plants despite the occurrence of these phe­ nomena. " An appeal will be taken to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court by Wilkes-Barre City from the ruling of Sanitary Water Board requiring the City to stop discharging untreated sewage into the river by March, 1963. At a recent meeting of City Council, officials directed the City Solicitor to file the appeal. The Wilkes-Barre Board of Health unani­ mously recommended the City to file the appeal. years y pre'-’ UNITS COOPERATE ON COMMON PROBLEMS Six local governments in Lower Bucks County have had several f successful experience in a cooperative approach to common through the Regional Cooperation Committee. The Committee, which meets monthl representatives of the respective governing bo^i eT^8 °f designated studies and prepares recommendations to be tak k “ COnducts its own local governments for approval, modification the resPective the Committee has no operating authority or fund^tT6^011' Alth°ugh mal mechanism for bringing these 2overnmmf"’(haSprovided a forbasis. Organized in 1957, the charter memb to8ether on a planned Bristol, Falls, and Middletown and the Borough TZt townshiPs °f Makefield Township and Morrisville Bom.^n k Tullytown. Lower urougn nave since joined. The Regional Cooperation Committee was organized originally to deal with some of the street, road, and sidewalk problems caused by the large-scale housing development of Levittown. Since then the Com­ mittee has studied many municipal services, including agreements to divide boundary streets into sections for maintenance purposes; a study of refuse collection and disposal practices; contracts for joint animal control services; organization of a special training course for super­ visory employees; joint purchasing of materials and supplies; and stan­ dardizing ordinances on building regulation and real estate operations. Without resorting to legislation or governmental changes, the a systematic way for local officials to pool their Committee provides a systematic way ideas and resources as well as their problems in the search for better coordination of services. (Article by Charles M. Melchior, Township Manager ship, BOROUGH BULLETIN, February, 1962.) , Middletown Town- NEW GO-TO-MARKET CENTERS PROGRESS_INFIX^-^ "downtown" as the marin many cities, large and r orts from. C fivei of the cities, small, throughout the country. Pr°gres Retjevelopmen mt Officials' Jourin the National As sociation of Housing an way from i 1963 to the year nal of Housing, list completion dates 2000. . this summer, Charles Scheduled for first building ^"fnished, a 33'acr® "^downtownCenter in Baltimore will occupy, wh functionS in the hea site providing a concentration of Y City-center renewal projec s ketplace are at the advance planning �The Center will provide space for offices, retail services, and relate^ commercial activities. Core Superblock" for the redevelopment of its Fresno plans a " ■. The 85-acre site will be closed to general central business district, traffic and laced with a pattern of pedestrian malls designed vehicular t- atmosphere for shopping and buying. The superblock is the to create an a central core area of 2500 acres, which will hub of a larger plan for , convention hall, medical complex, institutional include a civic center,-------complex, and residential area. Expected completion date for the total plan: 1980. Both of these redevelopment projects will rely on federal financial aid. Plans for revitalizing the 350-acre central area of Binghamton, New York, call for two five-year "phases and eight projects. The first, to be known as Valley Plaza, will be the expansion and renewal of the retail-commercial district with a new grouping of businesses around an open square of a seven-acre parcel of land. Subsequent projects include clearance for industrial redevelopment, and clearance, rehabilitation, and concurrent construction of new housing and recreation facilities. The second phase will include the clearance and renovation of the present downtown shopping area and the construction of a center of civic and government buildings. Financing will be shared three ways--26. 2 mil­ lion dollars federal aid; 10. 5 million dollars state aid; and 7. 2 million dollars local. "Centre City" in San Diego, comprising approximately 1100 acres, will serve as the location for nine new city, state, and federal office buildings, including a civic center and convention hall, and numerous new privately built structures. Ground was broken late last spring on the first construction--a 24-story office building. Completion date of the final public construction is the year 2000. thoughts for today If the cigarette industry ever succeeds in making man think for himself, the government will be looking for a new source of revenue. The modern boy scout helps an old lady across the street by slowing down his convertible. PUBLICATION This News-letter, published monthly originated in the Institute of 1' ' \ , as a community service, Municipal Government of Wilkes College. Notes and inquiries may be addressed JJ ------ J to Dr. Hugo V. Mailey, Institute of Municipal Government, Wilkes Colleg e, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. VOL. XI N°- 5 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA. , MAY 15, 1962 TENTH ANNUAL DINNER Institute of Municipal Government will hoW it„ . A Dinner The lor award winners at the Wilkes lenthAnnual 16, 1962, at 6:30 p. m. This dinner really b"°“ t“ We,d“sd^ service training activities in local government whlehtte w,? conducted. the Institute has The mam speaker of the evening will be the Honorable Benjamin R. Jones, Justice of the Supreme Court of the Commonwealth of Penn­ sylvania. Judge Jones is well known to local government officials, and therefore needs no introduction to many of us. His timely message will be on "The Role of the Local Official in the 1960's. " # * # DON’T FORGET MAY 16th! #** TO SPUR STATE'S RECRBAUgjgSS™PROJECT 7 0 PLANNED by the State Project 70, recommended to Governor Lawrence Summarized Planning Board, is a four-point development program, briefly, the plan will: 1. Create three major federal recreation areas in Pennsylvania —• lalthwith by 1970. 2. Ring the major population centers of the Commonwe. flm major population centers $70 million 'green belts" of ] ’ -J cmces by 1970 financed by a parks and open spaces by . bond issue. and water areas with 3. Acquire important fishand wildlife land bond issue to the State Fish five million dollars allotted from the same and Game Commissions. urfa vacation land in non­ --round American existing State Lands. ^sta.blish a new yearrecreation on un counties by diversifying 1 than areas with more plan, population Under an urban areas �- ' for ' : "open space" grants for use in de 25, 000 persons will be eligible and velopment of land, water, fish — — wildlife, historical or scenic areas The Planning Board recommended that the necessary amend— ment to the State Constitution authorizing the $70 million bond issue ue be presented to the 1962 session of the Pennsylvania General Assembl —ly. It is hoped to have the proposed amendment on the ballot for voter consideration in 1963 if it passes two separately elected legislatures. In 1915 the city set up three main drainaa ■atment; by 1923 the first of three proposedareaS f°r sewerage and tre;, protect the Torresdale water intake treatment plants —s was built to A sewer rental was initiated in 1944 Northeast Works was opened in i951 The 125 million gallon Southeast and Southwest Plants (opened in ig^?116 1923 plant. The die 136 million gallons daily, each. D' 55) are designed tohansince May, 1961, hauled to sea. Rested sludge is lagooned or, CITY MODERNIZES SEWERAGE SYSTEM AND WATER SUPPT,Y Philadelphia, which once poured thousands of tons of raw sew­ age solids into the Delaware and Schuylkill Rivers each year, now treats 96% of all its raw sewage, besides millions of gallons daily from neigh­ boring communities. Public support has helped. In eight short y-years the city has stepped up its treatment of raw sewage from 82 million ■ion gallons daily to 355 million gallons, and the rise is still going on. Spearheading this far reaching change has been a $260 million program for modernizing the city's c* century-old sewage system; of the 2, 352 miles of sewers, more than 800 -J are of brick, built before 1900. Changes since 1940 have ] that looked bad, with offensive !1 been impressive: public water supplies -taste and odor, have become of w ally high quality; -----raw sewage and industrial w ---- gener-■ abated; boating and other recreational uses wastes of the rivers 1 discharges have been come possible and enjoyable; where once hydrogen -. sulphide s have again befumes destroyed ships' paint, Philadelphia (third largest city sewage of J United States) is is now the nation's leading foreign trade center. ■ the Credit for the change is due to local and state pollution control programs: the early and continuing interest of the Sanitary Water Board in uprgading stream conditions in the area, the awakened zeal of Dela­ ware River and Schuylkill River communities, industries, and organi­ zations, and Philadelphia's River own program for sewage disposal and water supply improvements. ia's own All of Philadelphi; La's public water r ware and Schuylkill Rivers, supply comes from the DelaThe need for guard these sources from *• extensive pollution was measures to safe apparent. Growing complaints about the water fiye filte: —.er plants between 1901 and 1909. suPply led to construction of "RANDOM SAMPLING" USED IN ROAD BUILDING A scientific technique of quality control in road inspection is now in use in the State Department of Highways. Developed by private industry and known as "random sampling," the technique is relatively new in road building. The system eliminates the element of personal preference in deciding what section of a roadway should be tested for quality. Through random sampling, the best possible finished highway is more certain. The Department, which is now perfecting state-wide use of the procedure, initiated the system in District 6, which comprises Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia Counties. Department laboratory technicians and materials engineers were processing and testing the system prior to recommendation of the Amer­ ican Association of State Highways Officials in I960 that random samp­ ling be adopted. State inspectors continue to make daily checks^of Aments, but work being done by contractors. Random samp mg does not replace, re gular testing and inspections. nf the roadway have an equal In random sampling all portions por example- the tester chance of being selected for quality samp i gnuTnber on a specia chooses a number from 1 to 100. He the”. J. The number finds t e random sample table prepared by statis start of Pr°ject an 1 corresponding factors which tell distance is the portion to in th, roadway. This point oi th.joadw The tur.y of tested. Personal preference ..S thus^e « oj.cts extend the process to �COOPERATIVE purchasing in metropolitan areas Oldestand most successful of joint buying arrangements in met­ ropolitan areas is the Cincinnati plan. In the depression year of 1931> the Cincinnati Bureau of Governmental Research put forward the idea as an economy measure. Purchasing agents for the city of Cincinnati, Hamilton County, and the Cincinnati Board of Education immediately began the cooperative action, and the program has continued for over twenty years. Savings on the first joint purchase of coal, amounting to some $50,000, attracted the interest of two other public agencies, the Cincinnati public library, and the University of Cincinnati, both of which quickly joined the program. United action to achieve greater economy and efficiency has not meant loss of independence of action by member agencies. Each parti­ cipating unit maintains its own purchasing organization and operates independently where it is impracticable to make group purchases. In addition, there is also a body composed of the purchasing agents of each member, known as the Coordinating Committee of Purchasing Agents of Hamilton County. A major cause of the committee's success was the manner in which it began its work. Instead of attempting an immediate survey of all articles which could be purchased collectively, the group discussed at weekly meetings the possibility of combining the pending contracts of each of the several units. When it was possible to develop common specifications for generally used articles, vendors were requested to submit bids on the total quantities desired by all members. THOUGHTS FOR TODAY Every man complains of his memory, but no man complains of his judgment. VOL- XI NO. 6 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE PA. >> MAY 15, 1962 ANNUAL DINNER The Institute Government a for award winnersofatMunicipal the Wilkes Commons held on wits a T th Annual Dinner at 6:30 p. m. This dinner was the culmination ofth68^’ May 16, 1962> activities in local government conducted hv Government. y h, / ln‘service training e Institute of Municipal Certificates were awarded to 217 local officials and local government employees. The number of in-service training classeshas increasedfrom one in 1951 to eleven in 1962. The number of certificate winners in each of the short courses for 1961-1962 is as follows: Small Arms--8; School Educational Secretaries --22; Planning--15; Penal Code--25; Highway Maintenance--20; Municipal Fire Administration--11; Township Supervisors--15; Traffic Management--12; Zoning--18; School Directors--26; Magistrates, Criminal Law--25; and Intoxication Lectures--20. It is quite evident that many local officials in Wyoming Valley and in Luzerne County are making every effort to avail themselves of these ort courses and thereby raise their performance standards. j . -^xcerpts from the speech of the Honorable Benjamin R. Jones, us ice of the Supreme Court of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, are . C °sed with this Newsletter. His remarks point up the problems and enges which local officials face today in the performance of their duties. Being young is a fault which improves daily. A DECADE WITH THEJNSTITUTE_ PUBLICATION This News-letter, published monthly as a community service, originated in the Institute of Municipal Government of Wilkes College. Notes and inquiries may be addressed to Dr. Hugo V. Mailey, Institute of Municipal Government, Wilkes College, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. nr Huso V. Mailey, Director At the Tenth Annual Awards Dinner, • the philosophy which °f th.e Institute of Municipal Government, reco mun^ty service, has guided the Institute throughout its years nt today. Training "Training is an important trend S. atest developments in par not ("1, keeps local officials in touch ,he education whtch ticui; Iar fields, it also provides the basic occ p �so often lacking. Most local officials never have any preservice trainin for the workthey do, and this is as it shouldbe in a democracy. Thebene, ficial results of inservice training can onlybe measuredand demonstrated in the work that local officials do--not now and immediately, but next month, and next year, and in this coming decade. "How will local officials perform their assigned tasks and duties? Will this bea better community as a result of the course work that has been taken? Will police training result in dropping of the traffic injury index? Will the s .... , . xx . . • ______ schools improve? Will the streets be repaired in better fashion, at the lowest possible unit cost? Will fire losses drop? If local officials can just lose that blue-sky campaign promise and that hazy notion offic­ ial duties and how to perform them, then this training has done you some good. You are to be commended for embarking on the training. "There is still another reward and benefit that needs mention. The general public must put a premium on learning and training in Luzerne County. Pay scales and promotions must be based on ability, experience, and seniority, and training. In Luzerne County, training has been com­ pletely ignored. I am hoping for the day in Luzerne County when the gen­ eral public recognizes the importance of training, when training is given its proper place in pay schedules, when the voters reward those who take training on their own time, when an incentive system is created for learning. Perhaps I'm dreaming again, but that's whatl was told tenyears ago when the Institute first started. I wonder what the next ten years has in store for us. Why don't all of you you who are here tonight dream a little; can't tell where we might be ten years from now. "One obligation of the local official of today is vision--not just the anticipation of tomorrow but the creation of tomorrow. A public official may identify the permanent forces in his community, he may have the will to act, and he may ever act with restraint, but unless he sets the goals of possibility-, unless he sees the community not as it is but as it ought to be and can be, he is not fit to be a local public official. The central question in the mind of a good local public official is: what kind of community do I want to help build? What should it look like twenty-five years from now? Because most local officials have failed to dream, local governments set their sights too low--far Far too many local governments low- - ' .. too low. x behave as though their only were to repair a few hundred yards though their only functions functii of streets, remove remove snow, snow, etc. etc. These activities may keep a treadmill going, but they will never build .11 never build a civilized community. The main job of a house­ wife is not not to to dust dust under under the bed, it is to raise a decent family. ThereooHcv H1 government gO77ment must become an effective instrument of social dr come true must ""wi, dream drearrls about the future, and help those dreams Why don't all where you & tO.night dream a Can,t tel1 you might be ten years from tonight. " THE BREADTH OF democracy xxld , > too, O friend, suppose democ Did you, ditics, and for a party name? I sa d Tacy Was only for elections, o. —*----- x * on and come to its flower amTZ^ iS Only of use there for P°b that it paS stforms of® interactionbetween men -S ln mai manners, in the , colleges and school................. and their beliefs. . in religion, highe£” Hterature Walt Whitman ADVISORY COUNCIL The Institute of Municipal Government h councils to assist in the development of instructors115116'1 two training a Programs for police and firemen. The purpose of the Police Training Advisory Council willbeto eval­ uate the police training program of the Institute, identify the training needs of men from the area, and also to coordinate the training programs of the local governmental units. The Fire Training Advisory Council will assist in formulating the training program for volunteer and paid firemen, and coordinate the program of the Institute with that of the Northeastern Penn­ sylvania Volunteer Firemen's Federation, The Lewistown Fire School, and the local governmental fire departments. SUSQUEHANNA RIVER BASIN ASSOCIATION The Susquehanna River Basin Association was orgamzedlast month at a luncheon meeting of the Board of Directors of the Association; Association is anon-profit, non-political, impartialfe era a_ izations and individuals. Membership willbe open t0 „Jizatlon tions and individuals along the Susquehanna River Basin. and parthas been established topromote citizen interest, un er ’ of the iclpation toward the orderly development of the water resoorc basin. x_ fives of non-profit organVoting member ship is limited toip is available retXXn izations and institutions. Nonviduals who express an interes At a reeentmeeting of the tions were presented for adop 10 the Charter and the corporate seal o the President and Secretary to see Association, Internal K-e d authoriza 10 ”s“ ' y, r of resolu- nue Service the Presexplain the aPProval as a tax-exempt organization, abrochure that will ident to name a committee to prep tion, °hjectives and activities of the Asso �The Association expects to supply speaker s on virtually every a of water resources of the Basin, to notify groups and individuals ak 6Ct hearings by Federal and State Officials on water resources problem Ut arrange for regional and local meetings on water resources probl ’ t0 and to discuss and maintain a full flow of information on the water S’ sources of the Basin. re ~ VOL. XI NO. 7 Eventually the Association hopes to see created anlnter state Com mittee for the Susquehanna River similar to the plan for the River Basin (INCOHANNA). Te F. A. Pitkin, representing Governor David Lawrence at the Binghamton hearing of the Joint Government State Commission, stated that many of the economic ills of the region could be placed on the lack of development of the Susquehanna River and that the true potential of the Susquehanna River has never really been realized. The three governors of Maryland, Pennsylvania, and New York have all expressed an interest in the development of a comprehensive plan for the development of water and land resources of the Susquehanna River. This meeting of the representatives of the three states on the Basin water problems is the first step toward the complete development of a Basin with 2, 000, 000 people living in 300 communities. THOUGHTS for today A big man not only makes mistakes--but he is take he makes. bigger than any misNowadays the only males years old. s whoboss the household are less than three publication This News-letter, p.u.unsned monthly as a community service, originated Published Government of Wilkes College. Notes and in the Institute of Municipal community service, of Municipal inquiries may be addressed to Dr. Hugo-rV.’”111 Mailey, Institute —3 College. .. of Mun­ icipal Government, Wilkes College, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Mailey, Institute WILKBS COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA., JULY 15, 1,62 SEWAGE DISPOSAL The Public Services Committee of the Cha pollution. The purpose of the meetings is to review = abate stream whole sewage program in Wyoming Valley the elopments and disposal court decisions since completion of thein Albrighflnd F i Report of 1954. The Committee, steeped with baeitaXeX that it has accumulated over the last 12 years, hopes that as a res^t of these informal meetings a joint cooperative effort can be revived to ward the solution of a problem that has affected heavily Wyoming Val­ ley's economic and industrial progress. According to a recent statement by the Honorable Maurice K. Goddard, State Secretary of Forest and Waters, State joblessness can be tied to pollution of rivers. Dr. Goddard, speaking at the National Symposium on the Control of Coal Mine Drainage, stated, "If you were to draw a map of Pennsylvania's polluted streams and another of the State's depressed regions, and superimpose the two, you would find that both areas correspond exactly. Industries simply will not move into an area with polluted streams. While stream pollution may not be the only cause for unemployment, no steps can be effective in correct­ ing the situation until the streams are cleaned up. " • G Breth, Chairman of the According to Representative a^,1S ’ legislation will be mtroJoint State Government Commission, s i A_„eTnbly to protect Penn duced in the coming session of the General Asse sylvania' s public water supply- has changed The City of Trenton, N. J. > ^f^the new public ^^risk its form of property insurance co^®^cific class of fi*e in^vernmental 1onal property form. This is a P designed for institutions that serve public, such as �units, churches, colleges, hospitals, and schools. The change has resulted in a refund of $24, 968. 54 in current insurance premiums, and stated m accordance with author do not that, abut the sewer as required r„in ^is State does intervene beyond the center of th/® instant caSe’l ® proPerties on the other side of the street, r sk ® reet and the p he Sewer laid there is no authority for assessment of be Statad thaT °f the Sewer LOOK WHO'S TALKING The Civil Service Commission of a large city was holding a pub­ lic hearing on the request of an operating agency to remove one of its positions from the competitive service. The Director of Examination testified that it would be practical to hold a competitive examination. Despite this, the Commission by a 2-1 vote placed the position in the non-competitive class after the next speaker declared: It is desirable to have a man experienced in the performance of the duties, If a competitive employee were engaged, he could not be disposed of so easily as a non-competitive employee in the event the performance was not up to the desired standard. " Section 2408 of the Act of 1931 L sever Specifically states that the assessmentis to be made "upon(pthe on the sewer"--not on the street on which the propertiesabutting Courtwent on to state that to abut means "to touch^1 iS placed- The or lean against at a joint of construction " ° ^errninate, Theassessment Supreme Court to effectuate b JUdlClal ’ a- • Pr°nouncement the of allrefuses properties touchin tf/ ing a sewer system. Abut must mean actual i Mtreet accommodatferred that the amount of benefits accruing to J°lning‘ The Court inthe sewer line open for their accommodation, whether TV not, is irrelevant since assessment can „n!y attach the ab"ta“ ” NEW PERFORMANCE REPORT The speaker was the President of the Civil Service Commission. William Brody Philadelphia Department of Public Health SIMON APPEAL Under the first class township code, assessment ar-------- ----- — of benefit for sewer construction may be made only against r~*_ properties the sewer." Where boundary of a lot terminates in the "Abutting on 1_ j center of a street, that lot <1. does not abut on the sewer and, under the First Class Township Code, is s not subject to an ? assessment for benefits. The question of whether th, e property actually benefits by the since the law -i .. sewer irrelevant, provides that only abutting properties can be is assessed for benefits. In a case handed down by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania on January 2, 1962, the Courtwas faced with the question: When do prop­ erties abut on a sewer? The sewer was laid out on the other side of the street across from the properties and beyond the dividing line in the middle of the street. Since the boundaries of the lots in question in the case1 terminated in the center of the street and the sewer lines were laid out out bevr>v.a beyond the middle line on the other side of the street, the Court ---- adopted A Park Ridge, Illinois (32, 659), has a new performance replace the former graphic trait rating system for city employees to 1 scale. The new and simplified version was adopted to overcome the problems of "secret" ratings, lack of standardization, and difficulty in standardizing job elements. The The new new performance rating system provides only six job factors with four possible evaluations: generally superior, as expected, not as expected, and unsatisfactory. The new system places responsibility directly with department heads for rec­ ommendations for salary increases, and they are encouraged to pro vide descriptions and explanations for recommendations. GLASS DOOR ORDINANCES 3 doors was adopted sliding glass Western City MagaA safety ordinance regulating --norted in recently in Seattle, Washington. As rep< i of increasing pop­ eet the problem ion and the construction 3nd the acz^nei the ordinance was needed to me-in residential co^ ndardg require that parity of sliding glass doors —. ^^^hlavier cidents caused by shattered glass. The Th® Seattle Sbe one stanc of the must be one of the glass in sliding door installations muquarter inc d ^ass. , -roved one-quarter : P'orsd laminated safety glass, W^'drh°or heavier tempered g approved one-quarter inch or 1— wired glass, or < �Similar ordinances have been adopted by Kent and Bellevue, ’ Washing ton, and all three ordinances exclude French doors and multiglass paneled doors. YT NO. 8 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRr -da VOL. X1 t>ARRE> PAi> August 15) FIRE-POLICE REORGANIZATION aSSSSSSSSs® i?62 Forty policem, men annual salary of $5, 902 as compared with $5, 590 for regular policemen igular polic and firemen. The dual-purpose policemen serve in 10 districts and serve in 10 <” perform regular police duties until there is a fire incident. Fire re­ i fire incident, sponse also is provided by a fire truck with a captain and driver and by captainwith and driver a fire department flying squad of three men riding the assistant riding with the onu r chief and his driver. Thus any fire alarmbrings men > a minimum of 10 and three pieces of fire equipment. The reorganization was undertaken largely to meet mounting departmental costs. Provision for 40 dual­ was undertake: Provision for departpurpose officers allows a reduction of 40 positions in the fire positions in by the allowing fire ment itself. This reduction is being accomplis'hed the budgetary authorization by allowing the _ a for vacant positions to lapse, by resignations and retirements, and finally, as needed, by layoffs. This represents a reduction in the total authorized strength in both departments (310 positions) of about 13 per cent. gggHTS FOR today H you want a job done, give it to secretary do it. a busy man. Conceit is what makes knowledge. a little SECOND ANNUAL C™MUNItyc^^ The Second Annual COMMUNITY GROWTH again provide an opportunity for the exchange of id °NFERENCE will organizations and individuals concerned with th eaS among the various practical problems related to the social andeconnm° °f the more area. The CONFERENCE will bring together all th^ of our in present and future planning for the area It is d e pe°ple lnterested budders, realtors, industrialists, developers, and interested In examining the more vital problems of our area, the sponsors of the COMMUNITY GROWTH CONFERENCE hope to benefit from sharing experiences with nationally known authorities who will parti­ cipate in the CONFERENCE with us. The Second Annual COMMUNITY GROWTH CONFERENCE will be held at Wilkes College on Wednesday, September 26, 1962. He'll have his Watch for the final program announcement and registration form. DON'T MISS THIS IMPORTANT MEETING! MARK THIS DATE ON YOUR CALENDAR! squirt think that he is a fountain of COOPERATIVE PURCHASINGITpME™D2^D^ Duplication This News-letter, originated in the Institute Published mmonthly as a community service, Notes and inquiries may be°f Municipal 1 Government of Wilkes College, of Municipal Government, Wilke addressed to Dr. Hugo V. Mailey, Institute -as Coll, ege, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.' ~ * Oldest and most successful of joint b^epression year of 1931, ropolitan areas is the Cincinnati plan. £ h put forward the i ea the Cincinnati Bureau of Governmenta of Cincinnai > as an economy measure. Purchasing ag of Education in^me 1 r Hamilton County, and the Cincinnati m haS continue 0 ing began the cooperative action, and t e p hase of coal, a™encies, twenty years. Savings on the first join P public ag q{ to some $50, 000, attracted the mtere . ersity of Cincinna , the Cincinnati public library, and the which quickly joined the program. �=^7^ Sating unit maintains its own purchasing organization and operates independently where it is impracticable to make group purchases. There is also a body composed of the purchasing agents of each mem­ ber, known as the Coordinating Committee of Purchasing Agents of Hamilton County. Through all the years of its activity, and despite the magnitude of its achievements, this coordinating committee has never had specific legal authorization. Rather, it has been supported by the voluntary cooperation of its combined membership. A major cause of the committee's success was the manner in which it began its work. Instead of attempting an immediate survey of all articles which could be purchased collectively, the group discussed at weekly meetings the possibility of combining the pending contracts of each of the several units. When it was possible to develop common speci­ fications for generally used articles, vendors were requested to submit bids on the total quantities desired by all members. As experience in­ creased the following procedure evolved: 1. 2. Standardization of specifications for major commodities as a continuing process. Re-education of bid fo: >rms and price inquiry to a single standardfor all the units, 1 to eliminate possible misunderstanding with vendors. 3. Establishment °f uniform legal conditions in contract bid forms. 4. Estimation of all departmental needs by each unit, so that purchases of a year s supply could by made at one time. 5. Adoption of uniform contracting dates by all units. As far as j Possible, pussioie, the work divided■ among among the the agencies. Thus, of negotiating the joint contracts is by any one of the members. T’ bids may be taken and contracts made one of the Usually the unit requiring the largest amount of a particular item takes bids f the work load and capacity of thfor it, although consideration is given to - -ae various offices. NEW_yqrk ^^IGpRogram FOR MUNICIPAL POLICE nniExPerienc e in the fl. Police offiCers first state — has obtained e mandatory training program for local -J widespread —J. and wholehearted acceptance and Police Training Council for the^ro^am^ports ini state' ,nt issue of State Government, journal of the Council of State Governreceiments1 The New York Municipal Police Training Council Act, passed in fter more than 14 years of state and local cooperation, aims at the 1959 ation of broad state facilities at the request of the local representautiliza 1° assist them to do a better job of police training than they could tives> The act provides for an 8-man Municipal Police Training do al°.?e' pointed by the Governor as an advisory and policy board for Counci and a fuil-time Executive Director whose most important the Pr supervise procedures for certification of training schools and g’ltotes of such schools. Under this act each police officer appointed since July 1, I960, • d to satisfactorily complete an approved Basic Training Course iS ^^lldition of permanent appointment. The first task of the new aS a u was to formulate a curriculum for this Basic Training Course. TheTesult was a minimum requirement of 80 hours' training in 17 subT\ a few of which are: The Role of Law Enforcement, Police-Com- muniiy Relations, Firearms, Civil Rights, Patrol Function, Handling of Juveniles, and Code of Criminal Procedure. Training schools are held on an area or local basis and, since the beginning of the program, 35 basic schools have been approved and certified by the Executive Director of the State Council. A to a 0 new police officers from 267 municipal police agencies have comp the requirements for graduation. Instructors have been drawn ron different agencies. Since most classes are held in various types of publie facilities and instructional services are free, the cost of the program to the municipalities involves only the salary of the men during the train­ ing period, 200 rounds of ammunition and, in come cases, travel expenses to and from school. according to Mr. York, that police The Council is convinced, o{ a state-mandated pro­ training can be improved through the m of local initiative and gram without i removing the important in§ on t^e localities.. He says without unduly imposing the will of the s areas eof -in-service the Council c envisions further deve ^^college-level courses in police Irainii -Ing, administrative training, an science and administration. REAL ESTATE certifications Real estate owners in Philadelphia now must furnish property �' ProPerty -J bY the The certificates are issued by the department of licens es and in. spections at $5 each. The city is com;iplying with a recently enacted state --------- ' proper rnnerty offered -------for sale is that j „ not . in viola, law requiring certification c----. y tion of the city's housing, fire, building, or zoning codes. Under 1 a buyer not receiving such a certificate can demand the refund of the purchase price. The city reports that requests are coming in at a rate of 100 per week and are increasing. The purpose of the law is not to prevent transactions but rather to make purchaser s aware that violatio—ons exist. city yOP- xl N°- 9 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA. SEPTEMBER 15, 1962 second annual community growth conference The Second Annual Community Growth Conference will be held t Wilk®5 College on Wednesday, September 26, 1962. BROADENS PROMOTIONAL EXAMS Covina, California, has added the factor of supervisory f \ ratings to promotional examinations to help evaluate candidates, Previously only written and oral examinations were o given, and each was weighted at’ 50 per cent of the total. Nowthe thewritten writtenexamination, examination, oral oral examina­ x . Now tion, and supervisor's rating are considered in that order and each is weighted at one-third. The supervisor of each person qualified to take the promotional examination is given an employee evaluation form. This evaluation is placed in a sealed envelope, and it is not opened until after the written and oral examinations are completed and scored. The new completed and scored, procedure allows for consideration of reliability on the job and contribu­ •eliability on tions to carrying out the department's program. thoughts FOR TODAY The girl who searches too long fo: up with a crumb. 'r a smart cookie is apt to wind Last year's Conference, the first to be attempted in this area provided an opportunity for the exchange of ideas among the various organizations and individuals concerned with the solution of the more practical problems related to the social and economic well being of the area. Several hundred delegates from Northeastern Pennsylvania att­ ended in an attempt to scrutinize the more pressing problems which all communities face in a pace-setting era. Sponsors of the Conference will provide an opportunity to share experiences with nationally known authorities who will appear on the discussion panels. Included among the topic s to be discussed at this Second Annual The Key to Community Growth; What Conference are the following: —Governments ----- -Local Can Do to Promote Community Growth; What the Individual Can Do to Promote Community Growth; and Community Growth --A Partnership. DON'T MISS CALENDAR. THIS MEETING! MARK THIS DATE ON YOUR One of the troubles with large doses. small talk is that it usually comes in SHORT COURSgtl publication This News-letter, originated in the Institute Published monthly as a community service Notes and inquiries 1— ’ of .w., J' .... Municipal Gover: nment of Wilkes College. may be addres of Municipal Government, Wilke --ssed to Dr. JHugo V. Mailey, Institute S College, Wilkes”-Barr ------ re, Pennsylvania. ill again conductt a numThe Institute of Municipal G°Ve™™icipal officials,. These courber of in-service training courses °relecte(j and appointed . officials the ses are designed to make available 0 their duties, The courses rneans of improving in the performa gervice — J ' 1 1Institute, Departare presented in cooperation with t e c of Pennsylvania. nuent of Public Instruction, Commonwe Assessf n semester include. The courses being offered for assessors dth prior ex-nel SuperCourse, an advanced course field'. Perienceand familiarity with thetaxa landing ole that the the major r vision, Municipal of' personnel; and an introductory course in u j. c • supervisor must play in the managem �Fire Administration, a comprehensive course for command mffiCer° covering the basic techniques of departmental organization and i ment. In addition, under the sponsor ship, of the Juvenile Court anage^ “ of W erne County and the Department of Public Welfare, a course in control will be offered. This is a practical course in delinquency Youth ’ control for law enforcement officers. BORROWING LAW AMENDMENT UNCONSTITUTIONAL A 1961 state law that would have made it easier for municipality and school districts to float loans without voter approval was d 1 65 unconstitutional by Pennsylvania's Supreme Court. ed The unanimous decision of the six justices--there is one vacancy--struck a harsh blow at many school districts and municipalities The law would have permitted increased borrowing for needed capital improvements. N. J- CITIES LIABLE FOR POLICE training The New Jersey Supreme Court in a ruling cr * wide implications, has stated that ’ on a civil suit with a municipality isrespc jonsible for training its policemen to handle firearms ■ms and is liable for acts o of negligence committed by an employee in the line of d ' The suit resulted from an injury to a <■ cheting bullet fired by a reserve policeman\ nager caused by a ricocourt noted that the policeman had never re Uring * disturh>anc. • The firearms. The decision upheld a lower courf61^ training in the li ­ of use the theory that the policeman had been inadeq 1^ &gainst the cit7 r on A Court of Appeals decision has upheld a verdict this same theory in a casein which a nnT against the CitY of Newark on discharged the back of a girl m the adjoining apartment. entered -b k- fashra:hlay^ A spokesman for the Department of Internal Affairs, approve all bond proceedings, said that no school district which must or municipality has issued general obligation bonds under the 1961 act. The Municipal Authority, publication of the National Institute of Municipal Law Officers, reports that at least four other suits have been started in New Jersey against municipalities based on this theory of inadequate training of police officers. The spokesman termed the department and administration had court's action "a disaster. " The supported the bill when it appeared before the Legislature. CITY TAKES STEPS TO DEVELOP PROPERTY CONSERVATION The high tribunal took c ’ i original jurisdiction of the taxpayers suit filed against the s school district of Baldwin ----- -.^in Township, Allegheny County. The district last - January 10 authorized sale of $2. 5 million worth of bonds. Chief Justice John C. Bell Jr. agreed, contending the 1961 law-which amended the 1941 able ’ andJ was merely municipalborrowing law - - was "clearly unr easonan obvious attempt to circumvent the constitution and double or triple th' e borrowing capacity of municipalities. " in the illegal amendment, said Bell, was in def■»'«««. iMreasedtehe of taxable property as "market value. " This, debt limit of school districts, he said. The constitution p-t0 tw° Per cent of provides that a i assessed —1 valuation ofmunicipality can borrow only up approval. taxable property without voter Since mid-1956, Newport Beach, California (pop. 26,564) has developed a systematic program for eliminating blight and improving property. Called "Conservation and Rehabilitation," or C-R, its ob­ jectives are to halt progressive decay of older buildings, to correct structural and safety hazards, to reduce overcrowding by preventing "bootlegged" additions and alterations to buildings, and to prevent illegal subdivisions and alterations of buildings for living quarters. . rarries out the C-R P*0' and imust — be either rehabilitated or en^e-ng identified. buildini —igs with excessive occupancy are community wide support. All buildin Th • 6 Pro§rarn is dependent upon v comn ~—/ on law violations but also °n tactfuinSPeCtors bave been trained not.gh only with property owners. Their Gaining i aPProacfia-nd firm follow-throug with discussionof common continued at weekly staff meetings �^cc^ute problems and techniques. Each building inspector carries cation card and wears a badge, and each inspector shows the 0 talking to a property owner, without being asked to do so Card wheil Local newspapers have given excellent support by r ’ Publicizins the objectives and procedures of the program from its inception,' Th" latest step was for the city government and the local real estate to jointly finance preparation of a pamphlet, "Blueprint for Im] hoard Proving Property in Newport Beach, " which covers zoning, building and lhousing codes, off-street parking, and other aspects of property ownershi->g pamphlet is liberally illustrated and lists the city departments and P- The agencies where further information can be obtained. --Robert A. Glenn. Director of Building and Safety, Newport Beach. BEATITUDES FOR BOARD MEMBERS Blessed are they C who notify the Clerk < of the Board when they must be absent from. the C.j meeting, for they shall .1 not be held accountable for his ulcers. Blessed are they who do not talk c (nor read the daily newspaper),over the time-of-day during meetings , for they shall obtain knowledge of what's going on. Blessed are they that listen, for they shall inherit the right to go home early for some sleep. Blessed are they who follow the agenda, for they shall see business finished on time. ■American School Board Journal. THOUGHTS ■£QR today wHk A gem cannot be P°liSheti without trials. Ail Sonae girlc take them out of it exPect from n„ a man perfected the business world is a husband to publication This er, originate. s in the Institute of monthly a community service, Rotes ?as ant of Wilkes Collegeand inquiries mav be pa?mC1Pal Governme of Ml-micipal ^ernmelt.WilkeVc3!?'001 ,Ve' rnrnent Hug° V' ca 10 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRF RRE' PA-. OCTOBER 15, 1962 yOL INTER-GOVERNMENTAL COOPERATION A dozen Wyoming Valley municipalities recently took the first . step toward cooperation and solution of the sewage problem when they unanimously endorsed the concept of a joint sewage authority. Action was taken at a recent meeting in Hotel StPrT t sentatives of the various communities arranged bvPnhr c S.°f repre’ mittee of the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber nfr bllC Services Comwer oi Commerce. The committee has been meeting with all the communities indi­ vidually over a period of months and those represented recently had previously indicated, by resolutions of their councils, a willingness to participate in discussions which would lead to the formation of an auth­ ority. Although Edwardsville has indicated its interest in the coopera­ tive move, its formal intent has been pending for several weeks. Han­ over Township, up to the recent meeting, had declined to join the dis­ cussion with the other communities. Decision of the municipalities to av they would form a Valley Authority an esig leaders to serve on it, was preceded by a e joint authority and a county authority. van a each were evaluated. Concluding this phase o munities were polled and the voting was una method of approach. own community appraisal of such a an(j disadvantages of meeting, the comfavor of the joint 1of a formula to determine There was similar unanimous aP?^ty could name to the gov^ the number of representatives each C° ula adopted would pe* { of eming body of the authority. The ^^/or fraction thereo community one representative for ea would have on -Rilkes Population. In most cases each eo»»^Nanticote wo. However, Kingston would be entitled Barre five. eS College, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania- The spirit of the meeting was such tha^ the of representatives to serve was minimi Qumb i regarding eacl ch commun- �us problem faced by the Valley and the the mechanics invo ve ice C1Dreme Court of the state disavowed « J'd “ th'/“tU'e all«>• P“Wic bodies °?ho , siblliV «* legislate aM )»»»• I” lts decis‘°”. the Court said- ° ‘ feilur« to M*,<’Cept ’“PMW»« corrective authority* Greater stress was placed upon the fact that each community wiu be represented by at least one individual it being the responsibility Of the community to find a capable dedicated and civic-minded citiZen to be its designee. of municipal tort im s te rics: e. g. ,rule governmental function ship of "The governor to Municipalities represented at the meeting were: Wyomin; lg > J ohn Shoemaker, Mayor Jack Dempsey, George Metcalf, Council Preside lent Leo Chiavacci; Plymouth, Mayor Donald Hosey, President John Barney; Plains, Clem Falchek, John Stasik; Pittston, Peter Butera, Mayor Robert Loftus, Solicitor George Spohrer. been made upon it. Exeter, Mayor Dan Ripa, Anthony Pace; Kingston, Mayor Bert Husband; Nanticoke, John Dudrick; Jenkins Township, George Kemezis, Simon Kapoczius; West Pittston, R. Nelson Myers; Forty Fort, Arthur Piccone, Jr; Swoyersville, Anthony Wallace, Stephen Gavlick; WilkesBarre, Mayor Frank Slattery, Council members Mrs. Ethel A. Price, Edward J. White, Luther Balliet, Engineer Guy B. Walker. LOCAL OFFICIALS' DINNER The institute of Municipal Government at Wilkes College will hold the bion y dinner for local officials in the Wilkes Commons on Thursday, November r‘ 15, 1962, at 6:30 p. m. The featured speaker for Me evening will be Mr dence Fund. He will di.• Vincent W. Raba, Director, Coal Mine Subsiscuss the topic "Mine Cave Insurance. " This topic t L. should be of great interest to municipal officials of northeastern “ Penn, __ .isylvania. , The Anthracite and Bituminous Subsidence -r und was created for th damag es resulting from P rpose of insuring home owners against the will c__ _ individuals 1 coa mine subsidence. The insurance program enable $4, 000. 00 rire their homes in amounts ranging from .-J to $20,000.00. and the risks involved. Mr. es will vary according to the coverage and answer any questions that aba will be able to explain the program may arise- Plan to attend. schoolsaND TORT liability Municipalities n° longer he 1 immune from 111 Wisc°nsin-and Klng can do tort claims r school districts as well_"WiH no wrong, h In th| under the old doctrine that "the Solving a UttL c Holyt ~ e girl who was e case °f . ;z vs the City of Milwaukee, injured in —1 a tot-lot public playground, the ls knee-deePm i legal esoproprietary function; relationgoverned. The dogma of the rule is so deeply in­ law that we deem it necessary to consider the hisgrained in our case torical origins of the rule and some of the critical assaults which have The rule of sovereign immunity developed in this country from and has been applied in the United States far beyond doCtHne conception. The doctrine expanded to the point where the its originalsovereignty of kings was relied upon to support a protecthistorical s e for municipalities. . . . ive perogativ Perhaps clarity will be clarity will be afforded afforded by by our expression that hence­ forward, so far as governmental responsibility for torts is concerned, far as govei------the rule is liability--the exception is immunity. In determining the tort a municipality it is no longer necessary to divide its operawhichare proprietary and those which are governmental. liability of tions not broaden the government's obligation so as to make __ into those Our decision does it responsible for all harms to others; it is only as to those harms which are torts that governmental bodies are to be liable by reason of this decision. " In making this decision, Wisconsin °th’ safe condi- Oregon, and New York in setting up reSp0_ „rounds. School districts tion and operation of public buildings an p officers, agents, an will be liable for damages for the torts o of the sChools. The employees in the course of conducting t e have will be adequa e °nly protection which the school districts School Board Journal, insurance.----- William C. Bruce, "The Ame August, 1962." PARKING METER CHECKING IMPROVED oved inspection has pr i costs -r meter Per-year operating Use of motor scooters ifor narking cy. 3-wheel Ohio. successful in Washington Court ed with al ~ibout $400 for a — o, the i°r the scooters has been $40, co evdoUsly- Proof of its name > inspect Motorcycle which had been used P traffic, einabling police to i_ scooter is adaptable and versatile More meters on a tour of duty. �SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY FOR POLICEMEN The increasing necessity for study of inter-group relati0 police work is indicated in a recent publication, "Intergroup Rel for Police Officers." It provides information on how policemen Ca principles of social psychology in their everyday work. The book USe that since law enforcement arises out of conflict, the policeman' is not limited to mere apprehension of law breakers. He is ren S duty called upon to deal intelligently with conflict situations using his^6^ judge. ment and offering his services as arbitrator to placate disturbed j d citizens. This requires that police officers have an understanding of diff. erent social classes and ethnic groups, that they know the prejudice and discrimination toward minority groups, and t’ ea.S°ns for and that they have a feeling for the American tradition of equality. The book i - is designed to be used as a study manual for groups of students. Several chapter Z“hXXX^»»Prr*le,”S thatare aC‘Ually WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA- . OCTOBER 15, 1962 XI n°- 10 INTER-GOVERNMENTAL COOPERATION A dozen Wyoming Valley municipalities recently took the first big step toward cooperation and solution of the sewage problem when tbey unanimously endorsed the concept of a joint sewage authority. Action was taken at a recent meeting in Hotel Sterling of repre­ sentatives of the various communities arranged by Public Services Com­ mittee of the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commerce. POLICE ANDFIREMEN IN PHYSICAL TRAINING police and firemen J bling1 provided by monthly fee paid by the citv e.ty. Pr°gram f°r Abllene, Texas, Th Y * private health club at a $500 The program is on a 6-month test basis. VIOLATIONS nnt7 ''c°urtesy" tickets notify citizens of of city ord,da“ ”e"b"rgh’ to garbage collection (_ governing rubbish and few weeks' experience' - indicated that one ticke,■ the is third violation. A usually sufficient. ®ESHTSroRTODAY Probably the best told another woman's age meinory expert is ful--he a woman who has once been The man Wltha lot of irc_ may be a.Wfu]JV die es in the fire isn't y disgusted necessarily success­ -J with hi s golf game. ^SiTCATiON_ :er, originate; Puhlished monthl Notes —- of Municipal Gov^ HS a COrnmunity service, Of ^icipalK may be addressed to °f Wilkes College. ''Overnm l nt, Wilk( -le es College, WilkeTJl Mailey’ Institute Barre, Pennsylvania. The committee has been meeting with all the communities indi­ vidually over a period of months and those represented recently had previously indicated, by resolutions of their councils, a willingness to participate in discussions which would lead to the formation of an auth­ ority. Although Edwardsville has indicated its interest in the coopera­ tive move, its formal intent has been pending for several weeks. Han­ over Township, up to the recent meeting, had declined to join the dis­ cussion with the other communities. Decision of the municipalities to favor joint action, in which they would form a Valley Authority and designate their own community leaders to serve on it, was preceded by a lengthy appraisal of such a joint authority and a county authority. Advantages and disadvantages o each were evaluated. Concluding this phase of the meeting, the com­ munities were polled and the voting was unanimous in favor of the join ttlethod of approach. There was similar unanimous approval of a formula t°det the number of representatives each community could naaae each erning body of the authority. The formula adopted woul pe f> of immunity one representative for each 15, 000, or rac ion ee> it s I° — PUlation- In most cases each community would have one d ^g^ however, ’ Kingston would be entitled to two, Nanticoke w , Barre fi, LVe. the regarding The spirit of the meeting was such that discussion •ach commun­ Qunaber of‘ representatives to serve was minimize , �ity recognizing that the enormous problem faced by the Vail benefits it stands to gain through joint action outweighed in the mechanics involved in the number of individuals who waU.J.Q , and the Pll-i/J authority. 'e1 the Greater stress was placed upon the fact that each community^ be represented by at least one individual, it being the r responsibility of the community to find a capable dedicated and civic / be its designee. Vlc-nmnded —1 citiZent0 Municipalities represented at the meeting were: Wyoming, john Shoemaker, Mayor Jack Dempsey, George Metcalf, Council President Leo Chiavacci; Plymouth, Mayor Donald Hosey, President John Barney; Plains, Clem Falchek, John Stasik; Pittston, Peter Butera, Mayor Robert Loftus, Solicitor George Spohrer. Exeter, Mayor Dan Ripa, Anthony Pace; Kingston, Mayor Bert Husband; Nanticoke, John Dudrick; Jenkins Township, George Kemezis, Simon Kapoczius; West Pittston, R. Nelson Myers; Forty Fort, Arthur Piccone, Jr; Swoyersville, Anthony Wallace, Stephen Gavlick; WilkesBarre, Mayor Frank Slattery, Council members Mrs. Ethel A. Price, Edward J. White, Luther Balliet, Engineer Guy B. Walker. LOCAL OFFICIALS' DINNER The Institute of Municipal Government at Wilkes College will hold the bi-monthly dinner for local officials in the Wilkes Commons on Thursday, November 15, 1962, at 6:30 p. m. The featured speaker for the evening will be Mr. Vincent W. Raba, Director, Coal Mine Subsience Fund. He will discuss the topic "Mine Cave Insurance. " This topic should northeast,tern Pennsylvania. of great interest to municipal officials of Fund was The Anthracite and Bituminous Subsidence i created for the pur; damages ] pose of insuring resulting from coal mine ------ home owners against the will enable 1 - individuals to insure their homes The insurance program subsidence. $4, 000. 00 to $20, 000. 00. Rates will vary a' s into amounts and the risks involved. Mr. Raba will be able t x — ranging from and answer any questions that may arise. Plan according to the coverage to attend. explain the program SCHOOLS AND TORT liability Municipalities i no longer be immune fr in Wisconsin--and King can do no wrong." :om tort claims r school districts as well--w^^ involving a little girlwh. In the case of Holyt under the old doctrine that ' the ; -z vs the City of Milwaukee, o was injured inJa"’tot-lot public playground, the Court of the state disavowed the long-f standing precedents and Sup^me that in the future all public bodies of the th, state must not withstanding accept responrule,d 1 withstanding the the legislature's legislature's failure to pass sibility. ..„ decision, the Court Raia- said: the Court corrective In its la^s- ’ rule of municipal tort immunity is u -- , governmental function vs propHet^6"/^ in le8al esoe. gterics: governor to governed. The dogma of the \ UnCtion= relationship of our case law that we deem it necessaJ? 1S S° deePly grained in of the rule and some of the criticJ C°nsider the historical made upon it. assaults which have been ii The The rule of sovereign immunity developed • . an English doctrine and has been applied in the U countrV fr°m its original conception. The doctrine expanded T StateS far bey°nd historical sovereignty of kings was relied u °t 6 P°lnt where the ive perogative for municipalities. . . P°n ° suPPort a protect­ Perhaps clarity will be afforded by our expression that hence­ forward, so far as governmental responsibility for torts is concerned, the rule is liability--the exception is immunity. In determining the tort liability of a municipality it is no longer necessary to divide its opera­ tions into those whichare proprietary and those which are governmental. Our decision does not broaden the government's obligation soas to make it responsible for all harms to others; it is only as to those harms which are torts that governmental bodies are to be liable by reason of this decision. " In making this decision, Wisconsin joined1 condi. Oregon, and New York in setting up respon ds School districts tion and operation of public buildings an P ayS . officers, agents, and will be liable for damages for the torts o e egs of the schools. The employees in the course be adequate only protection which the school districts w c^00Will ^ goard Journal, insurance.----- William C. Bruce, "The Americ August, 1962." PARKING METER CHECj£INGJMPROVg— tion has proved Use of motor scooters for Par^n^.I^e per_year operating7 costs for thSS^U^ i*1 Washington Court House, ,r a 3-wheel e scooters has been $40, compare^ wi “ "proof of its name, the n^otor,cycle which had been used previous y ’enabling police to inspect scoote:ir is adaptable and versatile in traffic, Tier e meters on a tour of duty. �SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY FOR POLICEMEN Thk ^JnTicSd^reTei^pXutaHln, proyides information on how policemen can ’ in >ns use that since law enforcement arises out of conflict, the policeman's duty is not limited to mere apprehension of law breakers. He is repeatedly called upon to deal intelligently with conflict situations using his judge. ment and offering his services as arbitrator to placate disturbed citi­ zens. This requires that police officers have an understanding of diff­ erent social classes and ethnic groups, that they know the reasons fOr prejudice and discrimination toward minority groups, and that they have a feeling for the American tradition of equality. The book is designed to be used as a study manual for groups of students. Several chapters conclude with discussion problems thatare actually faced by the police­ men in their everyday work. police Pol^.^r officers „ XS' sociai ^ci“iogyin the;r rery£1dayt wt°hrk- ,The book POLICE AND FIREMEN IN PHYSICAL TRAINING A voluntary physical fitnesstr; program for Abilene, Texas, police and firemen is being provided aining by ; Ky a private health club at a $500 monthly fee paid by the city. The program is 23 Qn a b-month test basis. WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE p. v0k*nO- LOCAL OFFICIALS' DINNER The Institute of Municipal Government at Wilkes College ;,i'„ . _monthly dinner for local officials in the Wilkes Commons on hold the 1 November 15, 1962, at 6:30 p. m. The featured speaker for Thursday,^ be Mr. Vincent W. Raba, Director, Coal Mine Subsithe evenm„ discuss the topic "Mine Cave Insurance, dence Fund, n This topic should be of great interest to municipal officials uf northeastern Pennsylvania. The Anthracite and Bituminous Subsidence Fund was created for the purpose of insuring home owners against the damages resulting from coal mine subsidence. The insurance program will enable individuals to insure their homes in amounts ranging from $4, 000. 00 to $20, 000. 00. Rates will vary according to the coverage and the risks involved. Mr. Raba will be able to explain the program and answer any questions that may arise. Plan to attend. RESIDENTS TICKETED FOR GARBAGE VIOLATIONS "Courtesy" tickets are notify citizens of violations of being used in Newburgh, New York, to garbage collection. Court actioncity is ordinances governing rubbish and few weeks' experience indicated that instituted on the third violation. A one ticket is usually sufficient. THOUGHTS FOR TODAY Probably the best , told ano*-ber woman's^.memory ’ expert is a woman who has once been . , The man with a lot of irons in the ful--he maybe awfully disgusted with hi fire isn't necessarily success­ s golf game. ^5LIGATion his News-letter, published monthly as a community service, Originate Notes and ?- Jn t.elnstltute of Municipal Government of Wilkes Collegeas a c of Municipal 'Wines may be addressed to Dr. Hugo V. Mailey, Institute .-1 Government, Wilkes College, Wilkes-Barre, ernment Pennsylvania- HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT REPORT Rnreau of dollar Materials Testing The State Highway Department... taxpay ers' to guarantee and Research, in effect watch dog o cifications, broke records all purchases of road materials meet rigi SP items used in constrlast year in the number of samples ana yze sand, cement, pain., uction and maintenance. Samples of asP ya^oratories operating — steel and fuel oils were examined in the year, Th-this important bureau, in Harrisburg, tota ® routine testing of road is 4,853 more than the I960 figure. In a 1 10 on extensive resea--^d bridge materials, the laboratories carry ays and bridges. Projects to improve better and more dura ■^ePartment th as an essential adjunct to the State Highways Cr the State <?«• 6 ®ureau has occupied the large building in the shadow reet Bridge since August, 1930. ■er> __ 67 c°ttnties „ , leJ-h laboratories using surveying Corp buses cover the N4obile f, 1 j er the supervision of materials engineers. �The five separate laboratories in the Harrisburg inst. •aUatio, chemical, asphalt, soils, sand and cement and physical, Each 111 are. equipment ranging from ovens producing intense heat, zero degree freezing chambers and intricate distillation apparatus, to a c°mpre machine with a capacity of 400, 000 pounds to determine the ssion ■'e structustrength of concrete and the tensile strength of steel. Jral CLOVERLEAF INTERCHANCrs verleaf interchanges, not too long ago regarded as the height C ent for handling traffic on high speed highways, already are of achievembsolete! Fewer such interchanges will be constructed as highway ffic 011 an STUDY OF COMPACT CARS FOR POLICE Robert K. Lowry, City Purchasing Agent, F ort Lauderdale Florida, has made available to the National Institute of Government Purchasing a <lcLa.llcu,xepuri. me use oi detailed,report on. the of six compact automobile the police department. The purpose f s in of the study was to determine if an automobile of the compact size was suitable and satisfactory for the rugged use to which vehicles tare subjected in police patrol duty. - The -ae report is divided into five sections .L..s dealing with: Driver Reaction, Cost of Gasoline, Maintenance Expense, Depreciation, , and Total Costs and Summary. In concluding his report, Mr. Lowry writes: " report, Mr. the annual savings of $2,709.40 justifies the use of the It is vdoubtful if police patrol duty when considered in the light of efficiency, compact car in when c ~ ‘ ’ and safety of the police department. The results of x, morale, police department. not be used to judge the compact vehicle for this report should patrol duty in the city. use in other than police city. It is believed that in < will prove to be efficient, economical, and desirable, other services the compact interesting and detailed 19-page study are ____ „. " Copies of this available from NIGP. MOTOR SCOOTER Washiiington Court Hi of successful experience with a (P°P' 12’ 388)’ haS had tW° e with 539 parking meters. The sco t 0 or scooter as an aid in control for The In previous years, annual 0De° t* replaced a three-wheel motorcycle, annual • aged $400 to $450. T Total Costs ^or the motorcycle had averotal on & been about $40 per year. in loc^ costs for the motor scooter have meter -c. ... °ns totaledIn$37 1958, C°"lecti 6 laSt fuU year with the motorcycle, $44,000, a.L . a?d in i960 to $46 goo t 1959, collections increased to parking ticket; are being is’sued addition, about 65 per cent more 15 per cent, police patrol: er reasons fOr Parking turnover has increase ■man <has been assigned rneter enforcement are that one scooter is more adaPtable and versat--/1*116 tO this work> and the motor can be inspected du: Uring a tour of duty S tra^c so that more meters -gn engineers discover better--and safer--ways to get tratoday-s modern highways. erS report that the federal interstate highway program Engindeparture of the cloverleaf design. Where two interstate j^rect connection or semi-direct connection interchange is has'Xening " -i direct connection or semi-direct ge eliminate 270-degree turns common to cloverleafs. routes. rneet a These eliminate 270-degree turns luired. , , , ■ ■ __ ja 270-degree is reqt left on a cloverleaf the motorist must traverse To turn is difficult in many cases because of on the This automobile. loop, •ntrifugaTthrust always moving right. the cei----- „ On a direct connection interchange the motorist makes a 90degree turn to the left by means of a gentle curve to the left. A semi­ direct connection interchange is even better because unlike the direct connection the motorist ends up in the right (slow moving) lane of the highway he wants to use instead of the left (fast moving) lane. This is accomplished by constructing a bridge over to the highway to be entered. Highway designers thus sacrifice money for safety. The interstate pro­ gram under which the federal government supplies 90% of cost of con­ struction and acquiring right-of-way makes that worth while to the high­ way department. Because direct and semi-direct interchanges require more elabe ayouts and more structure than the cloverleafs, they are more Or^enS^ 6 and take longer to construct. Often they require two, three, tanc Ur. level structures. But the directional types reduce travel dise’ *ncrease speed and vehicle capacity, avoid loss of direction as occurs • • g a loop, and eliminate v weaving. /’ a vehiclin rivin Weaving occurs when r ipft turn has _ -----------------------------o lofj . tnrn h as to pass vehicle leaving the main highway ° tine i— ~ 4 cars comroad mg onto the main highway from the ^erS®ften ca usesbefore the passing much dangerous Car itself leaves the th“ main road. car 1S hifting from lane to lane. however, and are regarded as Cloverleafs are still being used, Sa-tisf;factory when the traffic is not heavy on main and subsidiary roads. same general direction is The crossing of traffic streams moving m n°t so common then. incompw r • - its compaCtIU'. • An advantage of the cloverleaf the with the sprawling directional type g^pfett aPd k u tv.'e ^eaf advantag eous in urban areas. ' ■ �change is known as a diamond design. This requires on a and only one structure. Its advantage is that it require" across traffic for some vehicles entering and leaving subo d' way. Diamond interchanges are used mostly where the crosses a secondary road. ^ain nate hig? a hiShway Direct and semi-direct interchanges are 1being used in areas where traffic on main and subsidiary roads is n u*ban *J heavy. EX; in Pennsylvania are City Line Interchanges of the Schuylkm’ :atnples v ——-.J. way in Philadelphia and Brady Street Interch; tange of the Pen: PressParkway in Pittsburgh. in~Lincoln ONE-WAY STREETS PAIRED IN OREGON Travel time and accident rates , mties in Oregon following adoption of one-way "pa maj°rity °f Highway Research Board reported recenHv T P°f Streets> the n all five situations where before-and-after’d /aVel tlme was reduced 56 w (Per miUi0n vehicle-miles) dron d available- Acci56-3%, while the rate remained unrh °PPed m seven cities, 18 2 to verity rates were cut inX" ciZ v CitieS’ Ac<^ se unchanged. Accident cost rate (doll’ 6'7t°53-7%> with seven cities lower m nine cities> te (dollars per million vehicle-miles) was average for all 12 dropped fro’ I^reaSed occurred in three, PPed from $12, 000 to $9, 000 or 25%. THOUGHTS FOR.TODAY It:'s wasted effort to sit up and take notice if afterward all you do is sit there. Peophe who liVe in glass houses neighbors. certainly do make interesting -^SilCATlON This New, .riginates in r s-letter, Published monthl the Institute Notes and inquiries mav h of Municipal Gr> Y as a community service, °fMunicipalQay be addressed to DVer^ment of Wilkes College. -^mment, —;es Colleee w-n Ug° V' Mailey, Institute g ’ Wllkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. 12 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA., DECEMBER 15, i962 ^0- ^g-TOPYjTf THE WYOMING VALLEY SANITARY AUTHORITY As long ago as 1944 the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania ordered \ Valley communities to provide primary sewage treatment Wyoming ■ Nothing happened and the matter was placed in the hands of plants. I — --y General. One year later, Wilkes-Barre pleaded for time the Attorney about regional cooperation for the sake of economy. This to bring :— lification effort ended in failure. uni Between 1946 and 1952 no progress was reported, but a number of communities were cited before the Sanitary Water Board. In the fall of 1951 the Chamber of Commerce expressed its recognition of the urgency of the situation by creating the Public Ser­ vices Committee. The Committee requested an extension of time for the area. Although no extension was granted, the Board assured the Committee that action against the towns would depend upon the good faith shown in cooperating with the Committee, The Committee immediately set about getting information on the feasibility of a joint Project. An engineering firm was employed to study the advantages of a joint project for 15 communities. The report was submitted to the communities in the fall of 1954. Meetings were held with consulting var’ eerS) ^scal agents, bond attorneys, and investment bankers on joint°US ?hases of the report. April, 1956, was set by the Board tor ction by all the communities participating in the study. enter . Public Wee number of communities expressed their willingness t a_j°int project by submitting a resolution so stating to e ®rvices Committee. When Wilkes-Barre notified the om- “■OnwniK..11 dld n°‘ int“d to enter into any joint project with °t n?r ?°urt am-63’ the Board decided to cite the City and procee e w C, munty co1On‘ The Wilkes-Barre case had been before the Dauphi c, for the last five years. �Recently the Pennsylvania Superior Court ’ denied r Barre's appeal from a Health Department order to build Wilkes a sewa, posal plant. Wilkes-Barre therefore had lost its aaPI>eal in a„ to set aside the order of the State Sanitary Water Board' e««M WhiCh^ led Wilkes-Barre to erect a disposal unit. In the spring of 1962 preliminary meetings w. We , - --------Committee ------ — of the Greater ~ . s were held b1 ■' 1 Public Services Wilkes-Ba Commerce. After a series of exploratory meetings3^6./^^6? pared by expert bond counsel were adopted by all of Participati municipalities, and on December 3, 1962, the last t V ities executed the articles of incorporation. ° t e= municipaR dinner On December 12, ’n62 TbeeymWZeeX£„the orBanizati purpose of Judge Frank L. Plnola’ President Judge Lus rHon°rable Common Pleas. The By-Laws were annr’™ n I C°",y Co“ « These proceedings> -ere felled by aX7 K bO7ri°S the £ the Authority and■ their «speette the evening was r 'he Honorable Dr. Charles L Speakl!r retarV of Health, Con™ --■.onwealthofPe„„sylvaaia; Wilbar, Jr. , Sec- by Dr^^HNSAHEAD Secretary of Health Jr. • major program of PennAs Chairman of the Sanitary lch has a special official re­ streams program, I am y°u with to speak to you about —a maintaining and imays, particularly the SusN°rthi Branch of that river. °ccasion for a ■cWirSnst. T*ehanna ot P®»sylv‘°„■ “d wy°«4 v""1” ‘o partis that. poll««on Of a' '"•'■“■■ge'wlr "Use. i In the fo_ o£ the '' lrnportant milestone in N»'th W:U be a The abatement of un'h' P“'p-« SXT the ^ehan"^ “ oiiminating d result of the f R1Ver- That, we all formation of this Author- Thus, _ a11 o£- us with responsibility and concern for th. , long the live a'-riot the eSsary ... v waste^ream. Present pollution of the Su estic .filed tbe.ted by by the the construction construction and and operation operation of of sewage treatment del. ly eliminaidequate treatment of acid mine drainage , adeq^-- — . de and flow control plant3 future > dams. JThis^ This program requires8 a P^g^.^T^ * considerabl Consid^able amount from fpublic support, by municipalities, industries, mditure,, and1 thus " "" "" \ of exP e: tsmen's groups, citizens groups and government. sp1 The Sanitary Water Board fully realizes the economic probs involved in the program. Many of the communities are economlenJl depressed and the hard coal industry is unquestionably hard 1CeSsed to maintain its existence. However, we feel that procedures for removing pollution from the Susquehanna can be and are being developed which are both practical and feasible. Toward this end, the Wyoming Valley Sanitary Authority has been created for the ex­ press purpose of financing and constructing sewage treatment facili­ ties for its 14 participating municipalities. I am confident that this Authority will now proceed without delay to accomplish this purpose and that soon we will be witnessing the construction of sewage treat­ ment facilities that will adequately serve the people of the Wyoming Valley. Sewage is not alone to blame for pollution of our rivers. In­ dustry's wastes and acid and iron from active and abandoned mine operations are a major cause of pollution in Pennsylvania. Acid and iron contaminants from deep mines are particularly serious in con­ nection with the pollution of the North Branch of the Susquehanna. Industry has made much progress in the last dozen years in °ur state in meeting its obligation under the clean streams law. Acid wme drainage from deep mines is the major source of pollution of the °rth Branch of the Susquehanna River. Improvements have been but there is still considerable work to be done. Very large PastUntS iron an<d acid from pumpings and gravity overflow rom and present mining go into the river. have • TW° tributaries of the North Branch of the Susquehanna eerne?Pr°Ved to such a degree, as far as acid mine drainagen con* reclas’-f the Sanitary Water Board, after proper ean ’ d4reSeSlfied the- to a cleaner class. This now requires a higher ties bo °f sewage treatment and industrial wastes by the m > reclassifiCati°n oe ering them- These are Black Creek, where the River, where urred several years ago, and the Lackawanna �the reclassification occurred this year. I have listed for you a number of the specific p number of specific activities which have been taking 2° lenas and solving the clean stream problems as far as the Susque^06 toWardas particularly its North Branch, is concerned. Development1111^ cleanliness of the Susquehanna Basin requires certain 1 ^^ate comprehensive studies, which are now under way The^ terrtl and of Health has, for a number of months, been undertak'6 DepartlUent hensive study for pollution control needs in the North B & C°mPrelarly with reference to acid mine drainage. It is a nti raUCh’particustudy will be ready for presentation to the Sanitary W^tT^ this mg the early part of next year. Further, the Con.rZ t"B°ard Cr­ ated specially marked funds for the United States vme as well as for the Corps of Engineers to mil study of the Susquehanna River Basin for wat control needs for the next 50 years. This sT^i ™y -.« <= estatea aat it C Health dr­ REFLECTIONS ON INTER-GOVERNMENTAL COOPERATION are au u2 cleaner North Branch of the Susquehanna “ intimately with a pollute as toTrac^, one which is so free tional activities ' aud old and new industries, recrea­ determination of te Sanitary WateT R Zt is the dutJ and ti0n the Susquehanna^R^ 1'^ Water. Board f . u River is elimi^?° hel? tO See that pollu" must be done without i 1Ver Zs eiiruinated 1Wel*-dof^^ without jeopardizin„ the tl? existenc e ’ Bhis can be done and ~le People who live ir, axistence of industries and the - *ive m the basin. I have r Pointed out to SuiQg its duties you that th,e Sanitary Water Board, in pur““““ipalities-s under the clean and major — ams Xaw> has issued orders to times We h , coal corporations for :T?’^we have to take the treating wastes. At ! n°t lost a ! , matter before courts of the Common­ court. We case in this connection in recent years are always J^tream (- r®alize that reluctant to take cases to no °ne really planning and : . d- that the wants to harm his neighbor difficulty' —mcing eS lie mandates yet te Boar^ •*’ -u ;adequate understanding, -s duty-bound Seditiously 1S ----- J. to carry out the as Possible. , UnQUesti°f P, ennsylvania alonj ■y Wat, Board and the Government financial to help , -.unioipalitios and industries °f all wate: pollution. led in —i obtaining governmental ctl°uwith th, ”le necessary abatement e»X‘”VSSiS‘“' I congratulate each municipality and each individual wh< ticipated in the formation of the Wyoming Valley Sanitary Author^ Pt7ch is getting underway this evening. I know that with your leaderV and hard work we can expect that proper sewage treatment fa<-qXs will soon be in operation and that the Sanitary Water Board cL. b1 pridefully present at the dedication ceremonies." & ComPrehensive P°Uution take -rt%T:reaith' Thus; when Wilkes-Barre, Pittston, Nanticoke Ki™ t Plymouth,Exeter,^Swoyersville, West PittsUr? wardsviUe’ ' Township, Jenkins Township, Plains Townshi ------ ip and' Forty I Ha»°ver treating their wastes before they renter ■ the Susquehanna Fort are trough one or more sewage treatment plants," giver 1 loud "well done" as to conquering of municipal we can all exwaste pollutior press a major waterway. on this Many years ago Patrick Henry said, "I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided and that is the lamp of experience. I know noway of judging the future but by the past. " The wisdom of his words should not be forgotten, nor should they be lost at this time. If the experience of the past fifteen years, as we have lost in­ dustries, people, and federal aid, has not provided oil for our lamp of experience, the pathway is dark indeed. One obligation of the local official of today is vision--not just the anticipation of tomorrow, but the creation of tomorrow. He must see the community not as it is, but as it ought to be and can oe. me central question for him must be: What kind of community do I want to help build? .q Effective local government depends not so much upon the macnPosVe emPXoy; as the spirit we have. Good local gox Xe unless we first discover our goal and unless we think creaty about human resources and human relations. Xt seems self evident that small town government is m danger Of submergence. It is threatened with a withering away o 1 Actions and a loss of power to make fundamental devi-kr dai ger of dan Emergence is more than imaginary. Can it be avoided. One important American political tenet is that Pow< ers of government shall be handled at the lowest possi to <- �a closest to the people concerned. assigne , °{ intergOvernmental Ca which they can Nation between towns is avoided be. . X1.-C he done? cause it's . ’ Too many We have got to learn that all community too full of common SsX together, that the economic well being Of■es in one an area sink or community affects the others. cc°op««C . rs of the Wyoming Valley Sanitary Authority; the Tothe member { pOgitive that the principle of intercreation of this AuthOr?Jn is the only method available to municipal, governmental coopera'blerns and still retain local home rule. This ities t0 S01vethCe°^duct of a genuine spirit of cooperation among local officials of this area. AUTHORITY MEMBERS AND OFFICERS The members of the Wyoming Valley Sanitary Authority rep­ resenting their communities are: Term Expiring in 1963: Samuel Zarembo, Wilkes-Barre; George Spohrer, Pittston; Anthony Shipula, Hanover Township; John N. Shoemaker, Wyoming. Term Expiring in 1964: Guy Walker, Wilkes-Barre; Robert J. Hourigan, Forty Fort; Reuben H. Levy, Kingston; John Stasik, Plains Township. Term Ex­ piring in 1965: Benjamin L. Jenkins, Wilkes-Barre; Chester Nocek, Edwardsville; Harold R. Wruble, Exeter; Nicholas R. Lakatos, Nan­ ticoke. Term Expiring in 1966: James J. Law, Wilkes-Barre; Frank Gerosky, Jenkins Township; John T. Mulhall, West Pittston; Henry Levi, Nanticoke. Term Expiring in 1967: Sheldon Wintermute, Wilkes Barre; BlytheH. Evans, Jr., Plymouth; Charles Pfifferling, Kingston; JohnKolesar, Swoyersville. At the 6 °f the Authority, the following officers ’were ---- elfcteTfor^T „ ’ ' ~ Mulhall; Vice S rmaU ’ ReUben H’ LeVy! ViC6' Chairman, John T. 1" w_*ce"Chairman, Nicholas R. Lakatos; Secretary, Harold R. Wruble; J Treasurer, Guy Walker. FOR TODAY Christmas Club: What y°u save to pay for last year's gifts. Perfect Wife; hslps her husband with the housework. publication ^his News lett ! �' - L T / ,'. ■ " ! ’ ;■• I ■ ?'.. - ■ ' ■ ' • ;$. ;■ ?... ■ ■ > ■ I va’l'1 . ' 11 I ■ ■; i' . '<W<' ■ ' ■ tHMKS kF . ■ ' .'. ' ' . ■ ! Oil ■ a #<< ■ ■i ■ *'.■<! ■ �■ -I ■ H - *3 J � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Luzerne County Newsletters and Institute for Regional Affair Newsletters, 1952-1975 Subject The topic of the resource Political Science; Luzerne County; Institute for Regional Affairs; Wyoming Valley Description An account of the resource A collection of newsletters created by the Political Science Department at Wilkes College from 1952-1975 for Luzerne County and later the Institute for Regional Affairs. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Political Science Department (Hugo Mailey) Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1952-1975 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Type The nature or genre of the resource Newsletters Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Luzerne County Newsletter, 1962 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Political Science Department Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1962 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Type The nature or genre of the resource Newsletter https://omeka.wilkes.edu/omeka/files/original/709f0de6f7098babed5be10ea0a7d96a.pdf ce51631b4a8b0306a0d6731e2c752791 PDF Text Text / ■ - ■ ' ■ ' ■ . 0 ■: . - ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ . . ■ ■ ■ SS«? �•v H 1b III ' I lyi Iff Hi' �* 'V . ■ • ''. ’: I- >■* ■ ■ ; A ■ •'■■ i W ■ri-ipj I ; ;|1 .' ’' I '<••! ;!■ 11 il l ’’■I f J?" ' Ij. vi R'4 ^9 tr' fa/1> WW <d'd! WARY WILKES-BARRE PENNSYLVANIA ih i " It1 ' i ____________ �- ------------------------- --------- --- ----------------- Vc/i-t V0L. X No. 1 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES BARRE, PA. JANUARY 15, 1961 INSTITUTE OFFERS THREE COURSES The Institute of Municipal Government at Wilkes College will present three short courses for municipal officials in its spring semester training program. Beginning January 24, 1961, the Institute will offer a course for police chiefs of larger municipalities. This course will be for fourteen weeks and is designed to acquaint police chiefs with such important topics as: Organization, Prevention of Criminality and Delinquency, Crime Investi­ gation, Vice Control, Communications and Records. Guest lecturers from the Philadelphia Police Academy and State Police Headquarters in Harrisburg will join the instructor, Mr. Philip Tuhy. Beginning February 10 will be a second course for assessors of North­ eastern Pennsylvania counties. The course, offered for ten sessions, is designed to orient these officials to their duties and responsibilities. The course will cover such subjects as: Assessment, Administration, Depth Factors tables, Judicial Standards of Value, Exempt Property, and Property Record Systems . The instructor for this course will be Mr. Edgar H. Wood. Acknowledged experts will join the class on some of the topics. Tne third course in the spring semester will be for police officers who have completed the basic police course. This course will begin on February 7 and run for twelve weeks. Such matters as the following will be discussed: Law of Arrest, Use of Force, Search and Seizure, Hearings, Evidence, Witnesses, and Confessions. The instructor will be Mr. Charles A. Connolly, who will bring to the class a wealth of experience and a varied police background. Certificates of attainment will be awarded to all those who complete the courses. HIGHWAYS: NO BOON TO CITIES The following .s a reprint from Engineering News-Record of several years ago. Conditions have changed. The great new national highway program wi not solve traffic problems in U. S. cities. In fact, it could strangle them w still more vehicular traffic. "No highway program-however big^or .^^^vorL'rlm A highway program to the traffic problems of the grea > i i �UBCHASING already overcrowded vehicles to the city's V- ~ Siniy bring more and more congestion. greater . p streets, creating even ■ ' ; matter that seems to affect There's a peculiar blind spot in this and municipal officials -but also many not only the general public engineers. of what must be transported to ’ --not vehicles , people. 'the city aliveTFuing its work done are Considerations of keeping with what transports them. concerns,ed primarily with people, not v........... — Y,/0 IUI c, %• £ S5X i. poffibL- And, when the traffic problem is recognized as primarily one of moving people, the answer is not hard to find, The answer is mass transportation, rapid transit and railroads, There is no need to argue the point: A single track can carry more people than a 20-lane highway, someone has figured. We hold no brief for highways vs . rapid transit. Both play a part and both make business for construction men. And, while rapid transit passage is paid for by the user, there is truly no such thing as a "free" road--all highways cost money and must be paid for by someone, of course. But, there is this difference: In many city areas, the rapid transit facilities exist. They may be outmoded and rattling--but they exist. It may often be cheaper to refurbish them to handle more people than build new intra-city highways . It may be cheaper, in fact, to subsidize rapid transit, which seems a necessity now, than to build more arteries that will pour still more traffic into the hearts of our cities. And, if subsidy is necessary, think of it in the proper per­ spective: as spending for the movement of people--not as a subsidy to a given railroad or rapid transit line, but as a subsidy to people, and to the city itself." ——-— of the Richmond (Va. staff wrlterrt/le that the City Gm Ed Grinnsley. - recent feature uai experiment th< anticipating in anmental supplier the method of bXheir Purchasing and war effect on a consolidation of their officl; involves moment the conS° d they are confident of At the 1- heCit7::rie sXi Board conducted se so far has the past, the its Warehouses . This arrangement and each had A few years ago, however, a consultant p countryThey aj City and the Board would co-operate. if the C In Buffalo, New York, reflective aluminum stre nine month test with flying colors . Test results w‘ City Council and, if approved, the present steel sig replaced. The new signs can be manufactured in po and are about 40£ cheaper than present signs supplii COMPACT CARS New Jersey reports that its I960 revenues from 4 or 5 million dollars below expectations, and blarm compact cars. New York's estimated loss because million dollars in gas taxes and 1.1 million in reel in"uitao^°LWel6ht' Gas-tax collections below exp Illinois, Ohio, and Florida. P Looking ahead, f 7 the Sun Oil Company, C of Philad of 330 ’" ]million dollars r-- -- ' J per year in tax would be revenues by 1< ~J a federal loss . C • Gas-tax revenues °f the nation's road building? are reli liability insurance liabwt^nce prfe°Xmsh:: 4°% aving of almost 40% Specifications were based on a mod i formal request for bids . ation of Insurance Agents . Six fi 6 prePared by the California Associcompany specializing in auto in"™3 SUbmitted bids, with a nation-wide offered by the successful bidder w^t Jecelving tbe award. The policy automotive, and it was the onlv com & rateS f°r a11 coverages excepting would be unchanged for the lifef of Se^oHcy1 W°Uld 6Stablish rates that i 1 F '■ ■■ I 1Cy- Would a tax boost solve l Institute. the problem? No <= = Higher taxes 3 would just can ’ Say£ J t cause more peopi speaking H ere is a lett about thos e who grip forthe refuse cr> SprinSfield, Mas sachuS£ about refuse collection. To q �lore vehicles to the city’s • greater congestion. ar blind iblic and al ready overcrowded spot in this matter that municipal officials--butSeerns also to affect rnany i in be ting 'ith the matter of what must be transported to brought in is p people—not vehicles , people. the city alive, people, not wi, getting its work done are uth what transports them. ■affic problem is recognized as primarily one answer is not hard to find, The answer is rapid transit and railroads . There is no need .ingle track can carry c------- more people than a :one has figured. for highways vs. rapid transit. Both play usiness for construction men. And, while s paid for by the user, there is truly no such .-all highways cost money and must be paid for PURCHASING Ed Grimsley, staff writer of the Richmond (Va.) TIMES DISPATCH, reported in a recent feature article that the City Government and the School Board are participating in an unusual experiment that could have a profound effect on the method of buying governmental supplies and equipment. It involves a consolidation of their purchasing and warehousing programs. At the moment the consolidation is partial but officials say the experiment so far has been successful and they are confident of additional progress. In the past, the City and the School Board conducted separate purchasing programs and each had its warehouses. This arrangement is typical throughout the country. A few years ago, however, a consultant predicted significant savings if the City and the Board would co-operate. They agreed to try. In Buffalo, New York, reflective aluminum street signs have passed a nine month test with flying colors. Test results will be submitted to the City Council and, if approved, the present steel signs will be gradually replaced. The new signs can'be manufactured in police department shops and are about 40£ cheaper than present signs supplied from an outside vendor. COMPACT CARS 5 difference: In many city areas, the rapid They may be outmoded and rattling--but they cheaper to refurbish them to handle more ntra-city highways. It may be cheaper, in fact, sit, which seems a necessity now, than to build L pour still more traffic into the hearts of our /■ is necessary, think of it in the proper perfor the movement of people—not as a subsidy rapid transit line, but as a subsidy to people, I,T ABILITY INSURANCE % on public almost 40% effected a saving of . for bids. , has as a result of a formal ns model prepared by thej California Associ, with a nation-wide a firms submitted bids Six the award. The policy o insurance receiving t’for - all coverages excepting dder was at firm rates establish rates that only company that would life of the policy. New Jersey reports that its I960 revenues from gasoline sales may dip 4 or 5 million dollars below expectations, and blames much of the loss on compact cars. New York's estimated loss because of compacts is almost 2 million dollars in gas taxes and 1.1 million in registration fees, which are based on weight. Gas-tax collections below expectations are reported in Illinois , Ohio , and Florida. Looking ahead, the Sun Oil Company, of Philadelphia, predicts a loss of 330 million dollars per year in tax revenues by 1965, of which 130 million would be a federal loss. Gas-tax revenues are relied on to finance much of the nation's road building. Would a tax boost solve the problem? No, says the American Petroleum Institute. Higher taxes would just cause more people to buy small cars. SPEAK ING FOR THE REFUSE COLLECTORS Here is a letter to the Springfield, Massachusetts UNION which gripes about those who gripe about refuse collection. To quote: I '■ �collections. gto. -MXM M FEBR WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BAB RE, Some people have under- t X yOB. * NO • Xhgo’gXe.T'.o k..p i» th. liquid so « dribbles out along the I IMP AC T STUDY street. Some p— —iace broken handles with wire or rope, making it more difficult for the collectors. A few, enough to slow up work, replace the regular containers with common water buckets, about half the size of the original con­ tainers, then thoughtlessly dump in garbage to the top of the concrete outer jackets. These are not supposed to be picked up, but when some people call up, the department cooperates by sending a truck and crew to take the garbage away. When trucks and crews are sent on such special jobs, the regular collections are slowed. People are told when to expect collections, but still cars are often parked right over the containers . 1 j I i s Now for trash. Some cans are as much as 40 years old and, even when empty, weigh three times more than newer ones . Often the cans are left outside with no covers, the contents get soaked and become heavy and hard to handle. Although collection routes are listed, the collectors often have to shout to wake people up in the morning so that they can get in the cellar or garage for the barrels." Unquote. Administration. Two-thirds of the cost of the project will be pal Federal Government, and the other one-third of the cost will be J State. There is no cost to the city. This project is only one of t carried out in the nation and will be the only one of its kind in thi of the study when finished will be distributed to 2300 communities The project will apply techinques of data collection, analysis to the work being done in Wilkes-Barre. This completed report as a guide to other communities in applying the techniques which possible the proper planning and completion of urban renewal pro TAX LOSS nguXg',jhiP2fe“tCofalS L“Zerne C°Unty £aCe many Problems Coal CorporationXXXX™ thoughts for today One thing about the Middle East--it sure is in the middle. He who has a sharp tongue soon cuts his own throat. face the prosnect of This News-letter, published in the Institute of Municinal Co rnonthly as a community community service, service, origniated may be addressed to Dr. Hueo °f Wilkes College. Notes and inquiries Wilkes College, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylv’ InStitute of Municipal Government, The loc< 'r°n> the coal eorporattoXTause of to Whlch creases might be one of the r °£ to aXalXI' ■>< at least a dozen municipz A sc*" ations of r- ’ X nJate 22% decr PUBLICATION anticipated tax revenue. • as ‘ Glen Alden' XnXrfsPXeX a—- -—e properties gives the coal U. tax bill. HaLXtXiXXX Hanover city!tS °f the decrease> followed by Newport Township, > Ashley, ; The ssettlement in ^icipated s on the basis < ' -T total t p giv®s the community fro . .■ anover-all redaction of $X X’201 to « b^^ssion'company reduction becauSe th stated that they watered into the coX' Th° Luz they felt that it ?resent c°nditions. Th represented Th h a re ln'iustrV since it Drn • ,ey ^ave also been al evali «-• promase and y°£X X employment 3- retent' at hlSh rates of pay. �garbage c°Uections . Sotv, these were . Norrie n People hav ^axsed about fOu : e under> they wouldn't ~Lr inches bF Putting get full. Of Water • The parHo and ™eigh three ruck ng rba§e men can't dump ■ Our trucks, the out the keep m the lia„iH most modern — r-- water renLn v X1quid so it dribbles out alo available , nj replace broken hand! ’’-ng the es with wire or lit for the rope, collectors . 3 slow up work r ’ Replace the rregular COnt^ers tckets, about half thTsIz^f — eesize sssly dump in garba to H,of !the riglnal con—j ° original off. the C°ncrete are not supposed to be pickedtop P ° >artment cooperates bv^ P’ bUt when some ray . When trucks and ere' lar collections are slowed5 g * — SUCh when to expect collections, but still cars are r the containers . Some cans are as much as 40 years old and, gh. three times more than newer ones. Often de with no covers, the contents get soaked hard to handle. Although collection routes ors often have to shout to wake people up in ey can get in the cellar or garage for the thoughts for today Iddle East--it sure is in the middle. ngue soon cuts his own throat. VOL. X NO. 2 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA. FEBRUARY 15, 1961 IMPACT STUDY A $90,000 contract by which the city of Wilkes-Barre will be used as a study area and guide for other communities undertaking urban renewal was signed by David M. Walker, Commissioner of the Federal Urban Renewal Administration. Two-thirds of the cost of the project will be paid by the Federal Government, and the other one-third of the cost will be paid by the State. There is no cost to the city. This project is only one of twelve being carried out in the nation and will be the only one of its kind in this area. Copies of the study when finished will be distributed to 2300 communities in the nation. ! The project will apply techinques of data collection., analysis and report to the work being done in Wilkes-Barre. This completed report will then serve as a guide to other communities in applying the techniques which will make possible the proper planning and completion of urban renewal projects. TAX LOSS Municipal officials in Luzerne County face many problems as they begin figuring the effect of an agreement between Luzerne County and the Glen Alden Coal Corporation which cut the anticipated tax revenue. The local officials face the prospect of raising money to offset revenue which will not be coming from the coal corporation because of the agreement. Additional general tax increases might be one of the results in at least a dozen municipalities. A settlement of Glen Alden's appeal from the I960 assessment and valu­ ations of coal and surface properties gives the coal producing firm an approxi­ mate 22% decrease in its tax bill. Hanover Township will bear the biggest effects of the decrease, followed by Newport Township, Ashley, and Wilkes-Barre city. •PUBLICATION originated mUnity?"Xes anTinquiries ■ ’ ' as a corn: dished monthly ■- of Wilkes College. Municipal Government. il Government c ; Maliey, Institute of U. lugo V. — Pennsylvania. arre 1 The settlement in dollars on the basis of the I960 assessments cuts the anticipated total tax yield in the community from $1,848,201 to $1,480,388. It gives the company an over-all reduction of $367,812. The Luzerne County Commissioners stated that they entered into the compromise and settlement because they felt that it represented a real evaluation of anthracite coal under Present conditions . They have also been concerned with a retention of the coal industry since it provides male employment at high rates of pay. IV �I JOINT BUYING and Upper Southampton, Northampton, and The governing bodies °^L°^e^ount have informally agreed to share the £"IOid ’ i was made at a session of the Announcement of the joint purchasing plan by Ray Westerfield, Township manager Lower Southampton Board of Supervisor not been put on paper as yet, it is already in effect. Although the agreement has “ said that Lower Southampton Supervisors V.D. Platt and C .A. Stroh have been pushing the cooperative purchase idea for three years . But heretofore, it was in effect between Lower and Upper Southampton only. STREET SWEEPING The magazine Public Works reported recently on the savings made by the borough of Leonia, New Jersey, when it went to mechanized street sweeping. Its machine swept 1,766 curb miles of street at a cost of $3.01 per curb mile, for a total cost of $5,317.34 consuming 1,019.4 gallons of gasoline , 5 fibre main brooms and 6 steel wire brooms. The gutter wire brooms swept 294 curb miles each; the main brooms swept 353 miles each. -I I i. This sweeping cost is based on empirical monthly overhead charge of $161.68 (made up of $49.18, an annual interest charge of 6% on the $10,000 cost of equip­ ment; $10.50 insurance cost; $20 garage rental; and $82 depreciation); to this is added the gasoline cost, operator's time, cost of fibre, cost of steel wire, labor and part costs. Hand sweeping costs came to $25.00 per curb mile; the $3.01 per curb mile for 1959 compares favorably with the $3.54 of 1958, and is a tre­ mendous saving over the hand sweeping, according to the magazine story. THE WRONG WAY TO RUN A CITY? ' members of the League of Minnesota Municipalities, which1 co-sponsored the institute. DISAPPEARING CONCRETE HIGH WAYS ».dared under the joint pureha.ing plan will be appor. “oned among the iour lown.hips for their reepeot.ee road program. . I Improvising from a rough script, men attending the conference played the parts not only of council members, but also of irate citizens wanting everything from an ordinance for bell cats to more courtesy from village employees. The mock council meeting climaxed a <1_, day of serious study for the mayors and councilmen, as well as for city managers, - . clerks and finance officers and public works officials. i d •°U®agUe'S face’ Another made a motion Jecl^ed to "skip some of this stuff m the anyway lessons to be learned from tho nYway .• " It was all in fun, but there were mock C council and councilmen at Minnesota uX--_ °UnCil meeting at a conference for mayor3 diversity. to abolish minutes because it ain't important Thousands of miles of expensive concrete roads have disappeared from view in the last 8 years . Most of these roads have had to be covered over with asphalt paving to restore a satisfactory level of riding safety and comfort. Concrete surfaced highways are actually disappearing from the records of the U.S. Bureau of Public Roads faster than they're being built. A recent report showed that from 1940 to 1958, despite the fact that more than 30,000 new miles of concrete roads were constructed, total concrete mileage decreased by over 50,000 miles. This is a decline in concrete mileage 9,000 miles greater than the entire new Interstate Highway System now being built. During the same period, according to the Bureau of Public Roads, records show that high type asphalt-paved mileage increased over 180 thousand miles. And today, over 90% of America's paved roads are asphalt-surfaced. CIVIL DEFENSE In compliance with agreements with the Office of Civil Defense Mobili­ zation and the Department of Health, Education and Welfare, the following policies regarding the payment of acquisition service charges for surplus federal property for civil defense have been established in Pennsylvania: 1- Political subdivisions will make payments on bills for acquisition service charges on surplus federal property for civil defense to the State Council of Civil Defense. These will be in the form of checks made payable to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, State Council of Civil Defense, Surplus 2. Although printed checks from the billed political subdivision are pre­ ferred, in those instances where separate Civil Defense Funds have been established, printed checks drawn on those accounts will be accepted. ' f ,1 1 �'TtetM,-letter 3. Checks in the following classes are not acceptable: VOL. X NO. 3 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA. MARCH 15, 1961 a. Personal checks b. Fire Company checks c. School District checks d. Money orders e. Cashier's checks . with the stated policies, those civil defense In instances of non-compliance to acquire property until acceptable payment organizations lose their privileges I is submitted. FUELS MONEY USE EXPLAINED At the March meeting of municipal officials, sponsored by the Institute of Municipal Government, officials of the State Highway Department spoke on "Liquid Fuels Money for Municipalities." In attendance were 65 officials from 22 municipalities in Luzerne and surrounding counties. The speakers were Michael Newcombe, Director of Municipal Services, and Carmen Dapipi, auditor in the same bureau. purpos es. While not objectionable in itself this could result in practices which violate the intent of the civil defense donation program, particularly if these private individuals or organizations are given possession of such property. Although the source of a civil defense organization's funds used to pay expenses connected with acquiring the property is a matter of local concern and is required only to be in accord with State and local law, it should be made very clear to all such contributors that donation of such funds does not give a perse or firm a right in the property or in its use. Neither does membership in a civil defense organization carry with it any individual rights in donated property or in its use . All State, county and local civil defense directors are cautioned against practices which violate these principles. Both speakers stressed the regulation by which 75 per cent of the liquid fuels money is allocated for maintenance and 25 per cent for new construction, The municipal officials were ireminded that the money allocated for new construction cannot be used for maintenance, _________ _ When money is used illegally by municipalities, the municipalities may be surcharged, If the municipality does not use its funds for new construction or does not have a project approved, the entire allocation may be lost for the year. Mr. Newcombe explained that a municipality i . ’ . must have approval .. - --for it s project before they start in order to receive liquid fuels money, otherwise local officials are liable to surcharge. If a project has been approved and has not been completed within the required time, it must be cancelled and rewritten to avoid surcharge, Newcombe said. He reminded local officials that they cannot use 1961 funds on a I960 project. Local officials must observe closely to see if the money is spent on maintenance or new construction. thoughts for today A good woman inspires ;a man; a brilliant woman interests him; a beautiful woman fascinates him; but a• sympathetic woman gets him. her tongW Mr. Newcombe stated that since June, I960, any road resurfacing less than 2. 5 inches in thickness is maintenance. If a municipality classifies all roads as improved and, therefore, has no new construction projects, a munici­ pality will still receive its full allocation. m°VeS is his heart; when a woman dies, PUBLICATION This News-letter, published monthly Government of e> FeXylvLu Mailey, Institute ’ ' °£ wS.b:cCoUege, ad.d"*sedWilkes-Barr to riginated Government, Mr. Dapipi explained that liquid fuels money is apportioned on the basis of 6o ]per cent for mileage and 40 per cent for population. Communities, he said, receive $1. 06 per person based on the I960 census and $291. 60 per mile basedI on mileage as approved by the State Highways Department. For a mumcipality to receive mileage credit for its roads and streets, it must meet 'be Squired width. The minimum width for a township road, right-of-way, is 33 feet and for a borough, 40 feet. �WHAT CAN YOU DO WlTH_A concrete MANHOLE COVER? a cast-iron ma: What can you do with 1 • when they --Missouri, found the answer are so.,ld for scrapcast-iron manhole covers ' Louis public works people have been the St. covers. What can you do with a To get around the problem, with concre Tq date> none have been stolen. dacing the standard covers v.z manhole cover? Apparently repJ concrete CITY L* WORKSHOP FOR teachers Twenty-five school teachers in Aurora, Colorado, recently particiPat in a one-day Government-Teacher byManaee^ the cit government. "Local The workshop began with an Workshop" orientation sponsored talk by City Robert O. Wright accompanied by color slides of municipal facilities. Ne*t was a tour of city offices and the library followed by a bus tour of park and recreation areas, drainage areas, and work under construction. Afternoo tours included the sewage treatment plant, city garage, and police and fir departments. The workshop closed with a critique and question-and-answe session at the city hall.government Informational materials were prepared and distribut to the teachers on city services together with a list of projects U 6d ■I: r indicating how school assignments could be tied specifically to local Govern­ ment operations. ° GROWTH OF METROPOLITAN AREAS ( h o Approximately 85 per cent of the increase in the total population United States between 1950 and I960 occurred in standard metropolitan s tical areas (SMSA's), that is, in cities of 50, 000 or more and the outlying areas surorunding them. The 209 SMSA's increased by 22. 5 million Pe^|°"s’ and of this increase 17. 6 million occurred in the outlying parts of the _ and 4. 9 million in the central cities. Thus the population increase in the lying parts of the SMSA's accounted for about two-thirds of the total popu increase in the United States since 1950, and more than three-fourths of t e total increase within SMSA’s. The growth of population in the central citi accounted for 19 per cent of the total population increase of the United Sta and 22 per cent of the increase within SMSA's. aCCOrding to the0DiIrf7ernments op^raHnJ the number of 1 les’ towns a H places were added in I960 to “"der,he cour‘cil-manager plan. . Cities tO be published soon by mxilies wer communities as of January 1, 196I Ofthi^ ’ x g a £rand total of !, 7 56 States, one in Puerto Rico' andi 59 inUnited I Five states now have more than 100 council-manager places. California leads with 209 places, followed by Texas with 148, Maine with 138, Michiga n with 128, and Pennsylvania with 105. Spokane, Washington, was the largest city that adopted the plan in I960. The population of all places operating under the council-manager plan now totals 41. 5 million. I Twenty cities held referenda during I960 on continuation of the council­ manager plan, and voters in five of these cities decided to abandon the plan: Ottumwa, Iowa; Hot Springs, South Dakota; Rosenberg, Texas; and Marinette and Watertown, Wisconsin. The first council-manager charter was adopted by a popular vote 49 years ago. Now 49 per cent of all cities in the United States over 25, 000 population have council-manager government, and 38 per cent of all cities between 10, 000 and 25, 000 have this form of government. In I960 a total of 339 city manager appointments was made. Of this number, 175 men became managers for the first time. A total of 88 per cent of all man­ agers appointed in I960 had previous public administration experience. Sixty­ seven per cent of the total were managers and former managers (48 per cent) and administrative assistants to managers (19 per cent). ISSUE INFORMATION BOOKLETS Salinas, California, recently issued a 16-page booklet entitled Making Salinas Your New Home? as a guide for persons moving into the city. Infor­ mation is provided on schools, major streets, location of houses with respect to sun and wind, land titles, zoning, building permits, street improvements, and property taxes. The booklet was published and distributed jointly by the city government and the Salinas Board of Realtors. . . . San Antonio, Texas, has issued a Citizen's Guide to the City of San Antonio to provide information on police, fire, general city government, taxes, public health, and other munici­ pal services. The 24-page booklet is liberally illustrated with photographs and line drawings and has a minimum of text. The back cover has a map showing the three area service centers that serve as branch city halls for the convenience of citizens. . . . Riverside, Illinois, recently mailed a folder to village residents entitled For Your Protection. It describes precautions to be taken by home°^ners and renters to minimize burglaries. . .. Albuquerque, Mew Mexico has issued a booklet, Your Rights in Municipal Court, to outline the rights o e en ants and the cons^^Tces of guilty and not-guilty pleas. ... The second issue of ^2£mation Please, published by Lower Southampton Township Bucks County, for the information of their citizens is at hand. It is a breezy, bright, and lntormative publication. , I* �* jaunty purchasing tlv that voters in St. Paul, Minnesota '’dXTpurchasing operation that is expected to Purchasing Week repo: have approved a joint city an The new setup merges Ramsey County's 2 mil. '' T th that of St. Paul which totals $18 million save some $2 million a year, lion dollar purchasing operate ratl°n County Legislative Research Committee and The measure was backed by thi6 il and Board of 'County Commissioners. opposed by the St. Paul aux City —, Counc -al the "paper clip" bill because some of office supplies. St. Paul officials pointed The commissioners L^^th^a^a the claimed savings are in area 10 thedepartment operates on a budget of $75, 000 a year out that the ctiy's purchasing the ^ork of buying the $2. 1 million worth of supplies and could easily the — a--------------- absorb . ?L sey County outside of contracts. The city purchaspurchased annually for Ramsey ing staff consists of 17 persons. „ l dnp A>ent Harold S. Wickham of the County of Dallas, County Purcha g = system that will pare paperwork by Dallas, Texas, has p“'' s tons road and bridge districts. The 7S% ” with Hv. carbons attached. The carbons take the '™ce* “re. old form. and eliminate th. necessity for maintaining one comn Pte set of files Mr. Wickham says the new form means that suppliers will aet their money faster since the County pays suppliers as soon as it receives In invoice to match up with the County purchase order. — VOL. X NO. 4 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA. APRIL 15, 1961 LOCAL OFFICIALS' DINNER The Institute of Municipal Government of Wilkes College will hold the Ninth Annual Dinner for Local Officials in the Wilkes Commons on Thursday, May 18, 1961, at 6:30 P. M. The featured speaker of the evening will be Dr. John H. Ferguson, Director of the Institute of Public Administration at Pennsylvania State University. Certificates of attainment will be presented to the participants in the Borough and Township Secretaries Course; to the police officers who have participated in the Basic Police Course, the Advanced Police Course, the Small Arms Course, and the Municipal Police Administration Course; and to the participants in both the Assessors Course and the Magistrates Course. Also honored will be the local officials who have served their municipalities for especially long periods of time. This award will be in the form of the Service Award, of the Institute of Municipal Government. Over 250 local officials will attend the affair. r Under the old system, the invoice went out to the supplier who held the contract. The supplier completed a form and then made delivery. Then three more forms were filled out at the shop, with a transfer of various order num­ bers and the stacking of copies in a file. Eventually, the paperwork got back to the courthouse, to Mr. Wickham's office, to the County Auditor's office, and finally, after being checked, cross-checked, and double-checked, the supplier got his money. ! PLAN TO BE THERE. GOVERNOR SIGNS TAX COLLECTOR BILL On Tuesday, March 14, 1961, Governor David L. Lawrence signed into law as Act 23, Senate Bill 178. Act 23 amends Section 35 of the Local Tax Collection Law pertaining to the compensation of tax collectors in boroughs and townships of the second class. The words "salary, wages or" are added to the first sen­ tence as follows: Ii THOUGHTS FOR TODAY A baby-sitter is somebody who lets the refrigerator get warm and the children get cold. Coining together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success. "The tax collector in boroughs and townships of the second class shall receive as compensation for the collection of county, insti­ tution, district, borough and township taxes, salary, wages or a commission on all such taxes, to be fixed by the respective taxing authorities levying such taxes not exceeding five per centum of the amount collected." Section 2 of the new act amends Section 36.1 of the Act added May 16, 1951, PUBLICATION This News-letter, published monthly as a community servic inQu^r1^ ^e orig^ at the Institute of Municipal Government of Wilkes College. Notes rpineIlt’ may be addressed to Dr. Hugo V. Mailey, Institute of Municipal Gov Wilkes College, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. I-*- 314) to read as follows: "Section 36. 1. When any taxing district or taxing authorities pro­ pose to either raise or reduce the compensation or salary for the office of an elected tax collector, such action shall be by ordinance ! �finally passed or adopted at least two days fixed by law for candidates to withresolutions or from nomination previous to the day to the last day prior draw their names ■lection." of the muimicipal e. the act shall take effect immediately 3 of Act 23 of 1961, states that Section reported inhave last week's "Capitol Hill Reports, " there is some fPlni°n that As boroughs may until two days before the deadline to withdraw r7 the to that change the compensation of the tax the municipal prevailing election opinion is March 18th is the deadline, Thecollector former ’ alth°u8h would give boroughs until sometime in August to act. °Pinion Thefor Pennsylvania Boroughs supported th' x-1 * and worked its passage.State TheAssociation Associationoftakes no position on the rate of tax compensation. We supported the bill because it is th Jnet^lod or Association that the borough should have the right to determine th 6 °f the rate of the compensation. Cities, school districts, and townsh' 6 method and class had this right previously. 1PS ^he first I1 SAVINGS ON PUBLIC EMPLOYEE BOND I 1 'I >1' will reduce its annual insurance premium by almost Zanesville, Ohio, v,— --------' ! on employees by use cl one-half for faithful performance bonds of Ll_.-l._t. blanket bonds and competitive bidding. The bid specifications asked for a blanket faithful performance bond in an aggregate of $100, 000 to cover all employees in the municipal court and in the offices of the city manager, treasurer, auditor, and for income tax collection and utility billing. The city also asked for a blanket dishonesty bond in the aggregate of $10, 000 to cover about one-half of the other city employees, excluding the fire department and street, sanitation, and water crews. Nineteen proposals were received, but only one followed the specifi­ cations strictly. This also was the low bid with a three-year advance premium of $1,074 or an average of $358 per year. The city has been paying an annual premium of $689 for 12 individual faithful performance bonds on specifically named employees and two blanket faithful performance bonds covering 10 em- L™ «.“oo“ 7£co““ “ilily billi”s- The“ 14 »“ds r“Sed in am0°"‘ POLICE LIABILITY ENLARGED On February 20, 1961, the United States Supreme Court decided the case of Monroe v. “ against the policemen individually. 11 1 a P—such 1Ustated a cause of action The plaintiff's claim was that the policemen had broken into his home in the early morning hours, routed the family out of bed, searched every room, emptyiriS drawers and ripping mattrees covers. They then took the plaintiff to the station and held him for 10 hours, questioning him about a two-day-old murder. He was not booked nor taken before a magistrate nor permitted to call his family or an attorney. No charges were preferred and no arrest warrant or search warrant was ever issued. The action was brought under Section 1979 of the Revised Statutes (42 USC Sec. 1983). Eight members of the court ruled that the complaint stated a good cause of action against the individual policemen because where the misuse of power is made possible only because the wrongdoers are clothed with the authority of state law, the action is taken "under color cf state law. Justice Frankfurter did feel that the complaint might be allowed to stand as to the allegation that the plaintiff was held in custody for ten hours incommunicado, as he felt that the Illinois decisions were not clear as to whether such detention was unlawful per se. This decision may very well stimulate others to bring complaints against police actions in the Federal courts. Policemen will undoubtedly be concerned as to this increase in potential litigation against them. It is well to remind all concerned that Act 59 of 1951, enacted with the support of the Michigan Munici­ pal League, authorizes cities and villages to indemnify their policemen for judgements recovered against them, except where the action results from the willful misconduct of the policemen. Though not specifically mentioned in this statute, many municipalities have seen fit to obtain insurance covering such a risk. At least one Michigan insurance company indicates that it will write this type of insurance as a rider to a general liability policy protecting the city. Where no such general lia­ bility policy is carried, this type of risk may be covered only through special­ ized insurance companies such as Lloyds of London. WATER WORKS AND SEWAGE PLANT OPERATOR LICENSING BILLS SENT TO COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE Senate Bills 342 and 344 pertaining to the licensing of water system oper; respectively have been referred to ators and sewage disposal plant operators Health and Welfare. Senator George Sarraf the Senate Committee on 1Public - -------------The names of the Senators Allegheny County is chairman of this Committee. Reports Number 3." -------- 4r> ’’Canitol Hi' �TRENTON TO BUILD NEW GARBAGE INCINERATOp Trenton, has appliedloan to the U. S. Community Fa• ltie8 istration for aNew $103,Jersey, 000 interest-free to finance the enginee AdtW a new city garbage incinerator. This will be applied to the ove W°rk on plant and truck garages, estimated at $1, 600, 000. ra c°st °f the sewage treatment plant, the Slated to be constructed near the city's new Operating capacity of 500 tons. incinerator would have a 24-hour oj j Waldron says this would be enough to Public Safety Director William ,„d 'surrounding townships. Neighboring .heir take care of the needs , of the ™(.i€ipaliti« Io join the venture; no decision want iucia township officials this as yet. has been made on i the application for Federal planning funds The estimated overall cost on Waldron said the cost can be held to about is listed at $2, 200, 000. However, some refinements. $1, 600, 000 by "eliminating RECREATION WORKSHOP The Pennsylvania Recreation Society will hold its 14th Annual Pennsyl­ vania Recreation Conference in Wilkes-Barre on May 1, 2, and 3, 1961. i The Society has agreed to add an additional session for the citizenry of Wyoming Valley in order to review the general philosophy of recreation. It is the feeling of the organizations sponsoring the workshop as part of the Annual Pennsylvania Recreation Conference that this might be a good time to discuss the whole municipal recreation problem--its philosophy and its function. All local public officials should be interested in the general program of the con­ ference and particularly in the Workshop provided by the Conference. THOUGHTS FOR TODAY Sooner or later, every man probably wishes he had cooker instead of the good looker. married the good It's mighty nice to have untold wealth, except when it's untold only VOL. X NO. 5 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA. MAY 15, 1961 LOCAL OFFICIALS' DINNER The Institute of Municipal Government of Wilkes College will hold the Ninth Annual Dinner for Local Officials in the Wilkes Commons on Thursday, May 18, 1961, at 6:30 p. m. The featured speaker of the evening will be Dr. John H. Ferguson, Director of the Institute of Public Administration at Pennsylvania State University. Certificates of attainment will be presented to the participants in the Borough and Township Secretaries Course; to the police officers who have participated in both the Assessors Course and the Magistrates Course. Also honored will be the local officials who have served their municipalities for especially long periods of time. This award will be in the form of the Service Award of the Institute of Muni­ cipal Government. Over 250 local officials will attend the affair. PLAN TO BE THERE. ALTON SAVES MONEY A new procedure for purchasing city insurance worked out between the Alton Association of Insurance Agents and the city of Alton, Illinois (pop. 43, 047) is saving the city more than $5, 000 annually on automobile and property coverage. Under the cooperative program, one agency is designated by the city as insurance advisor and the costs of its work are paid by the Association of Insruance Agents. After determining the exposures to be insured, the type of insurance and other pertinent requirements, specifications for a policy are prepared by the insurance advisor, reviewed by the city and submitted to the member agents for preparation of sealed bids. Bids are reviewed jointly by the city and the advisor with the award being made by the city manager. Previously, individual policies were obtained for various pieces of equipment and buildings for various coverages. Under the new plan insurance coverage has been increased at premium costs less than under the plan formerly used. income tax report. EMPLOYEE'S HANDBOOK PUBLICATION This News-letter, published monthly as a community ser vice, and in the Institute of Municipal Government of Wilkes College. y Govei*11116 may be addressed to Dr. Hugo V. Mailey, Institute of Municrpa Wilkes College, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. The Township of Lower Merion, Pennsylvania (pop. 59, 420) has released a 24. Page Employee's Handbook, the first of its type to be published by the town^°Pic Ship. ^tended to promote better employee relations, the handbook covers such Cs as hours of work, overtime, pay procedures, promotions, employee benefits, ■ �j qji public business, s.nd. tips to automobiles leave privileges, use of private equirements, telephone use and personal f residence * employees on gratuities billboard controt. mail. WLKES^BARB^TOWNS^ efforts of State Superintendent of Public Works to acquire an easement over land to prohibit the property owner from maintaining outdoor advertising on his private property along the highway. The State contended that this was an exercise of the power of eminent domain for a public purpose, and the court agreed by a four-to-one decision. a Township Commissioners have appointed a Township The Wilkes-Barr P future development of the township Planning Commission to ma Studies will be made of' e schools, recreation a ’ ation, economy, housing, land use, transportation, and general appearance Deveiopment Committee has expressed an interest ’ tract. cOand in th. PUBLIC SERVICE AWARD PROGRAM promote the industrial expaneion®^tSn °‘ A program for recognizing superior public service has been announced by Radio Station WDZ in Decatur, Illinois. The awards will be granted each month for outstanding work "above and beyond the call of duty. " Recommendations will be made by supervisors and department heads, and the radio station news staff will make the final selection. Each winner will receive a United States Savings Bond with a maturity value of $25, a certificate of commendation, and a letter noting the award for his personal file. the community. WHITEHALL TOWNSHIP VS OSWALD There is no means available under the Uniform Declaratory Judgements Act by which political subdivisions may test the constitutionality or validity of their own ordinances. This right is available only to a person whose rights status or other legal relations are affected by the ordinance. It cannot reasonably be said that the municipality's rights, status, or other legal relations have been adversely affected by its own deliberately intended enactment, and to construe the Uniform Declaratory Judgements Act as granting such a right to a governmental body would be to encourage legislative irresponsibility and to constitute the courts as legal advisors of municipalities with respect to their legislative enactments. So said the Supreme Court in the case involving the Township of Whitehall in Lehigh County. This township had enacted an ordinance providing that no person shall occupy any trailer coach for sleeping or living quarters outside a duly permitted trailer park. The chief of police of the township gave notice to Oswald, one of the appellants who purchased and occupied a house trailer, that he was in violation of the ordinance and subject to the fines and penalties provided therein. Without any effort td enforce the ordinance against Oswald, the township filed a petition in the Court of Common Pleas of the county praying a declaiatory judgement affirming the constitutionality of the ordinance. The court accepted the township's argument that it was a conflict of judicial opinion tnnk0^ 6 constltutlonality of the ordinances of this type. The court, therefore, jurisdiction and decreed that the ordinance was constitutional. municipality to^ctl^or^4 Unorotbodox as it is extraordinary for a determination of its consth 1.nanCe and tben forthwith supplicate a court's of an ordinance is to be pas'sed^ * question concerning the constitutiona the sequence of an actual UP°n a court' it can be done properly only as validity remains established Cr°Versy and 80 l°ng as the ordinance in question PERSONNEL A professional training program for city employees in Hollywood, Florida, offers a real incentive for making good grades. The employees enrolling in the program pay all costs in advance. An employee completing the course with a grade of "A" gets a 100 per cent refund; of his costs; a grade of "B" entitles him to a 74 per cent refund; the "C" grade employee gets a 50 per cent refund; and a grade of "D" or failing grade means the student must bear the full cost of the course himself. (The Municipal South, February I960) ! A "human relations" course is required for all city employees under the supervision of the city manager in Roanoke, Virginia. According to the city manager, this course is not only to acquaint employees with good public relations, but also to bring together representatives of various city departments. In this way, an opportunity is provided for employees to discuss, understand, and apnreci^ nf rlpnartments other than their own. (The Municipal South, June 1959) TRAFFIC AND PARKING ,d „lo-, then the sign should If 85 per cent or more drivers violate a speed sign, >laced where there is enough be changed, not the drivers. Slow signs should be■ for the low speed r°adside development to cause the driv drivers see roadside ®f to ° ^^culous sign, the answer is not 8ign. When practically everyone disregards a i. d respectable citizens, to Put radar out and make law violators out of safe drivers and Put radar out and make law violators (Street Engineering, but to J a more realistic one. ( change the speed limit to a more April l96~o) �TfatuA,-fatten, e favored over the conventional square Co corners help to .peed up traffic at 1" Round SOTtl” F‘brUary intersections, t Ou- d .. i nermits cost Milwaukee motorists fOur Over-night street par ig get the cars off the 8treets r.?a*8 to get the cars off the street This charge charge is is per however, is used to buy parking lots i/, per month. This ----- Money than to raise money. one, /American Municipal News, April i960) botI» areas I business and residential areas. • 1 r Kir nsqfl -23S on business was tested in Toledo rVnTtraffic wasSowed in the aUowed^in the central central business business district district which which ’was^ For 45 days no ?() per cent o£ the merchants reported esri ‘ X‘£h" Z a year a80 e._ Away from the mall, only 56 pan per cent noted Imp,.,, ed sales. (The Bullentin, October 1959) POLICE AND FIRE Compact cars were chosen for use by Burbank police after a two-year trial period which showed that they had many advantages over a three-wheel motorcycle for parking enforcement. These advantages included: use as an all-weather unit; lower initial cost for the vehicle and the two-way radio; savings of motorcycle pay; and greater comfort and safety for the driver. The cars are equipped with right-hand drive. (WesternCity, May I960) Fire alarm cable is now being installed under the streets in Phoenix, Arizona, in telephone company ducts. The telephone company installs the cable without charge to the city at the same time that it installs telephone lines. (Public Management, January I960) THOUGHTS FOR TODAY the month. 8 aP6 where everything is farther away except the first of Hght alar's""' T1,e suspicion that the other fellow might be PUBLICATION • *>. TThia News-letter, L Berv.ce> originated ln the Institute of Munici’ PuMlBhed monthly aB a comm -y be addressed to Dr^F H«SO V °£ *ilke« C°UeS<>- Notes and inquiries Wilkes Coll, —lege, Wilkes-Barr” , Pennsyiva InStitUte of Municipal Government, VOL. X NO. 6 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA. JUNE 15, 1961 LOCAL OFFICIALS' DINNER Over 200 local officials and their guests attended the 9th Annual Dinner for local officials in the Wilkes Commons onThursday, May 18, 1961. The dinner this year attracted the largest attendence in the history of the Institute Dr. John H. Ferguson, Director of the Institute of Public Administration at Pennsylvania State University delivered the principle address. Dr. Ferguson described "deep-seated forces," <-among them population, growth, urbanization and nationalism, which he said1 are revolutionizing present attitudes and institutions. Unless we adapt our attitudes and institutions, these forces will overwhelm us or force us to bypass the institutions which do not respond, II he declared. He described problems of adaption as follows: How to divide powers between geographical divisions of government; how to organize these forms of government in the days ahead; how to allocate responsibility as between public and private sector; how to keep governments responsible. "These forces are more powerful than ever before, and democracy is on trial not only overseas but at home. We must muster all the intelligence we can; we must train young people as well as older people in the art and science of government. We need to double technical skills to a greater extent, encourage and expect of our people greater interest, less lethargy, in political science and government than in the past. It will take a great deal of dedication to achieve. " The expanded program of the Institute, made possible through the generous assistance of the Ford Foundation, included the offering of eight courses in instruction. Certificates of Attainment were presented to 11 people who completed the Municipal Police Course; 27 persons who completed the Magistrates Course; 11 persons who completed the Borough Officials course, 34 police officers who completed the Advanced Police Course; 21 police officers wh° completed the Small Arms Course; 20 persons who completed the Basic Police Course; 26 Assessors from North Eastern Pennsylvania who c°mpleted the Assessor's Course; and 7 who completed a First Aid Course. �--rented by the Institute of annually Pres service, were presented to ; Tnd r faithful PbUC ervice < In addition, S' long Government fo Luzerne County. officials in a) It worked actively with the Luzerne County Planning Commission in the preparation of a comprehensive plan for park and recreation service in the county level which was published in December, I960. FCREATION - A MAJOR CHALLENGE publi£3l-—-—— “ ' — Annual Governor's Conference on Recreation, held The Fourteenth * Barre representatives from communities ar early *‘3s the M,y' A'khlirhto =“ccrn With ,he Of public M state and higmig'“ recreation programs. Locally, the need from emphasis; on this portion of our overall services stressed in the Community Services S to the people of Wyoming Valley was i Study of 1959: 1) Considering Wyoming ling Valley Valley as ; a whole, our group work and recreation programs appear to have "grown like Topsy", revealing a lack of overall planning and coordination. The report commented that "the community can no longer justify a pattern of service whereby special groups or selected geographical areas are benefited and other groups or areas neglected ] I : • 2) "The retarded development of tax-supported recreation in the area adds tc the difficulties. . . . It is generally accepted that it is the responsibility of tax supported recreation to provide the floor of facilities and services to meet the. ... needs of the citizens as a whole, and the specific and emerging needs". xs i services. It hasmeantthat the United Fund, hard press > burden of needs of its member agencies, has been trying to carry t e u support. some services which are generally accepted as appropriate or 4) The study urged the development of public recreation Pr°g^county area, emphasizing the need of working toward the establishemn time. Park and Recreation Board. As there was no planning Council -ation ta^e the study recommended that the Playground and Recreation Associ the lead in promoting the cause of public recreation. The Association, under the leadership of its new director, J° " ^erb wayes' “epted the challenge of these recommendations and set about I*"3*™, airs' *° lh™- Ouri»S the past two years it has worked in sever b) It has provided consultant and advisory services to eiti, several communities working for more adequate Lax a Cltizen groups in programs. Q ’ tax-supported recreation c) It completed such a plan for the Cityof Wilkes-BarrP xsr ,hc eMi" ,he n WHAT HAS HAPPENED IN WILKES - BARRE After reviewing all aspects of its program, the Playground and Recreation Association felt the most practical start could be made in helping Wilkes-Barre, which represented the largest single operation of the Association, to develop its own department and program of recreation, At the time, the Association's services to the city consisted of administering and supervising recreation activities. Funds made available from City Council and School Board provided leaderhip, supplies, and equipment. The Association prepared a three-year transition program which was presented to the City Council and School Board for consideration. It provided for the following: 1) Establishemnt of a five member Recreation Board to be responsible for making and enforcing policies for the proposed program. The ordinance creating the Recreation Board was approved in May, I960 and the five members were officially appointed last November. 2) Participation by the City in the Extension Recreation Program which makes state funds available to qualifying local communities for leadership costs of youth programs. This would enable Wilkes-Barre to receive reimbursement °f 62£ for every $1. 00 spent for leadership, plus 62% reimbursement on a maximum of $4, 800, toward the salary of a full-time director. Under this program, reimbursement is made through local school boards. 3) A three-year financial plan, initiated in the summer of I960, for the assumption of increased leadership costs until reimbursement starts c°ming back from the state in 1962. 4) Equalization of City Council and School Board Participation. �F ith a greatly expanded program qualifi meant that f e"*ionS far in excess of the position ed This P^n ha^ applying for barely enough applicants, pet5„,,»=l “"vi„sly, the program. availablenualifications> regardless oi q approved and Miss Sally Jervis of , rh 6 1961, this PlanfaSs Rector. As of July 1, 1961, the °n ^Hon's Staff was name ely independent of the Playground the Associa^ ^ogram wiU be co that this plan wiR serve W11oeS'reation Association. IIt is communities in the area, and to the and ^Crtment of parks and recreation. LAWSAnTO^Q^ government Act 89--Provides that supervisors, assessors, auditors, and tax coll of second class townships must be electors of the townshi • eCt°rs to be eligible for office. ln Order Act97-- Authorizes class townships to condem land disposal andsecond land fill operations. & for aBe I I WILKES-BARRE, K Act 93--Permits boroughs to make appropriations to industrial development agencies. Act 84--Authorizes cities of the third class to install traffic signals on all local highways within such cities without prior approval of the Secretary of highways subject to uniform standards. PA. JULY15, 1961 HOUSING RENEWAL MUST REPLACE 20 :9b" establishment of a cou KE I VOL. X NO. 7 WILKES COLLEGE A vaccine to has been devised by ant, Pratt Institute, icipants through the Officials. CLEARANCE guarantee a neighborhood against becoming a slum George M. Raymond, planning professor and consult­ and has been widely discussed by urban renewal part­ National Association of Housing and Redevelopment We cannot move all the people from the deteriorating ~z ig parts of our cities nor can we afford to clear and rebuild all these sections, However, property owners and local governments hesitate to invest in a neighborhood which is beginning to run down. They do not modernize residences or public services such as schools and sewers because the gradual deteriora­ tion soon will result in slum clearance, and a waste of the new investment. The result is that no action is taken to keep older neighborhoods from slipping into slums. If we could guarantee that buildings would be replaced when they became too old to serve properly, it would pay to spot-clear dilapidated structures, rehabilitates sound but aging dwellings, and modernize public services, including traffic patterns. THOUGHTS FOR TODAY Time Zoning Parents spend the first part of a child's life urging him to walk and talk, and the rest of his childhood getting him to sit down and keep quiet. Time zoning is the vaccine which Professor Raymond prescribes against the decay of a part of a neighborhood which infects the whole. Many a man who marries a wisp of a girl is astonished at the will o' the wisp- PUBLICATION This News-Letter, published monthly as a communi y p;otes and ee. c^Pa in the Institute of Municipal Government of Wilkes Col eg seryiNluni inquiries may be addressed to Dr. Hugo V. Mailey, Institu Government, Wilkes College, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Under Mr. Raymond's plan, older neighborhoods could be im­ proved through government financed clearance of the worst parts, gov­ ernment backed financing for rehabilitating other parts, and improved public service. Then, a time limit would be set for the use of all the buildings. Each building's useful life after rehabilitation wuuld be bought by the government. It would be similar to the government's buying the land and giving the former owner a lease for the estimated useful life of the structure. A plan for the continual up-dating of the neighborhood would be developed showing what will become of the property after its present i �:o thatnew eachhomes, property willwill know mnds, andowner schools be b °-Pen is prohibited, so use 1SPandplaygr°’ spaces — s for the value of the property .property owners to property l..g would be partially reimbursed City Payments ■ • -yg — zoning ’ away by timi ~' esent renewal laws. Payment to which it ta^ jnt under pr slum property usually has an actwernmeu eded because. by the federal go its socially useful life is ended. owners is ne property even after lal economic value Ui----Ground Leases A device similar to time-zoning —ground leasing—is used sue. ■ „.sMly i» Europe “ lim“ th' °f P-Perty to enewal have expressed some critOthers working on urban r • i at conferences of the National Asicisms of Professor Raymond's plan nd Redevelopment Officials and in the association's sociation of Housing ai------ journal. )5 ' i " t a property owner will allow his building Some are afraid that end of its legal life approaches. Mr. Raymond to run down as the e.------replies that this is not Europe's experience with ground leases. The government retains influence on the building's upkeep through building code enforcement. Continuous renewal involves the least amount of government intervention which can assure a continually livable com- munity. COMMUNITY OPINION SURVEY GUIDES COUNCIL ACTION A community opinion survey in Boyne City, Michigan(2, 797), has provided guidelines for policy actions by the city commission as well as indicating areas where citizens are not well informed on their city government. briefcheck eiaht yes-or_ *<citizensAcould ^uestr°nnaire was prepared so that a °ts were distributed bv 1 answers on election day in November. e availa^e through other emPtoyers m the community and were able publicity to the s" JJTT' The 10Cal newspaper gave considto?8' “ w7at. “*'d “P The questions dealt °f tpeXT™ °fthe cn>' doek.'Vo'V 3 SPeCial S‘reet tinuance of th SSessrnents, evna ’ • ** lnuance of the city trailer park, °f the clock. The greatest benefit of a r----■ survey of this kind is the information it provides for the city commission ion in in planning planning future future programs and in stimulating citizen interest in programs and projects needed for ’ the ec------onomic well-being of the community. HEALTH, SAFETY, AND WELFARE public control periodically. II and improvements unless they are reasonably well informed through public information pregrams. Zoning, for example, which is essential to orderly community development, was a pproved by the narrow margin of 175 to 166. Other essential items such as special assessments for street, sewer, and water improvements, and expansion the municipal airport were turned down decisively even though a great of need'f^h^ actions was evident. s k t need tor these eXpansi°n of the city airport, and discon- The results s eem t0 indica-te that people will not vote lor pr°g«"S Crash tests, conducted by the California Division of Highways, determined that the combination cable--chain link barrier satisfied all criteria as the most efficient of the 15 barriers tested. It functioned efficiently both in low-speed, low-angle collisions and in high-speed and __.i high angle collisions ■with ‘itl. 1buses, --------- It also will support a growth of ivy or other vines to serve as a screen. (Civil Engineering, Nov. 1959) Speeding ambulances have killed more people than they have saved, according to a committee appointed by the American College of Surgeons to study problems involved in transporting injured persons to hospitals. According to a report of the committee's findings: "Speed is, for practical purpose^, seldom, if ever, a factor in the preservation of a life. And speeding ambulances have occasioned more traffic deaths than lives saved by rushing pell-mell to medical facilities. (The Knoxville News Sentinel, January 15, I960) FEDERAL TRANSPORTATION TAX ON FREIGHT CHARGES A ruling of the United States Bureau of Internal Revenue relating to the three-per-cent tax on freight charges is of unusual interest to boroughs since municipalities have to absorb the tax in the cost of con tracts if the shipment of materials going into the performance of their contracts is not handled in a manner which permits the taking advantage of the municipal exemption from federal taxes. ---• ts of the Internal Revenue Code The ruling modifies the requirement from the three-per-cent Transportation Tax as regarding exemptions i —folio-jws: "1. A contractor doing work for a State, County, or City may hav e materials shipped to the State, County, or City, c/o himself, in �cent Federal Transportation Tax on order to avoid paying the three per freight charges, provided he has written approval to do so from the State, County, or City. State, County, or Cit A general authorization by the obtained by the contractor must id 1S.not The authorization of project involved. ' entlfy "2. ■ VOL. X NO. 8 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA. AUGUST 15, 1961 sufficient- : contract cf l the speclflC terials must obtain a written certifthe mat ,nnlier of ot me »•“ (the contractor) has obtThe°c«»>'a"°r- "^such certifying »»> 'Authorized by bid, ' ’Authorise authorization, irate fret" ,hori»t.o». , •a'«d,hTXtl»ri“db>' ' contractor to the supplier claiming -^"ilaHon is insufficient. It must be in writing. ,<4. A verbal statem insufficient. It must be in that he has the proper a- by contrac , prepares the bill-of-lading showing how the 'Borough of Blankville, c/o John Doe "5. Since the supp shipments are consignedB1^kviUe’ Pennsylvania, 1 they are held reConsturction Company, records to back up the authorization to sponsible for maintaining proper make shipments this way. "6. If the suppliers are audited by the Bureau of Internal Revenue, and their bills-of-lading are not backed up by the proper certificates from contractors, they will have to pay the three per cent federal transportation tax. "Do not criticize your supplier if he demands your prompt cooper­ ation in this matter." (The Borough Bulletin, May, 1961) I t » FIRST ANNUAL COMMUNITY GROWTH CONFERENCE This First Annual COMMUNITY GROWTH CONFERENCE will pro­ vide an opportunity for the exchange of ideas among the various organ­ izations and individuals concerned with the solution of the more practi­ cal problems related to the social and economic well-being of our area. The CONFERENCE will bring together all those people interested in planning for the area. It is designed to set a pattern for future cooper­ ative efforts among local government officials, builders, realtors, in­ dustrialists, developers, and interested citizens. In examining the more vital problems of our area, the sponsors of the COMMUNITY GROIVTH CONFERENCE hope to benefit from sharing experiences with nationally known authorities who will participate in the CONFERENCE with us. The First Annual COMMUNITY GROWTH CONFERENCE will he held at Wilkes College on Wednesday, September 27, 1961. Watch for the final program announcement and registration form. DON1 T MISS THIS IMPORTANT MEETING! MARK THIS DATE ON YOUR CALENDAR! THOUGHTS FOR TODAY A man, head over heels in love, usually gets back on his feet after he's married. If you agree that it's poor judgement to quarrel before c ompany > remember that two is company. S^acation Act 62--Authorizes boroughs to have recreation boards of either five or seven members. Act 55--Provides for a vice-president of the borough council and specifies the duties of the president and vice-president of the coun- cil. an dinqujirnies nstitut eofMunici as a community service, originated th^T^ 8 ~letter ’ PublishMi iciPal Governn.payt be Pressed to nG°Vernment of Wilkes College. Notes Wilkes Colle° Dr„ LAWS AFFECTING LOCAL GOVERNMENT V. Mailey, institute of Mun- ilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. the findings of the Civil Act 56--Permits a borough council to appeal Service Commission. Act 54--Provides that copies of budget ordinances shall be filed in the office of the Departm for third class cities �_ztpr a'dopti°n- • ■thin thirty dayS within . t cUss tovznships shall be public], bidS Public meeting of a committee appoi y yi.jes that )ublic _Auth°riz' or at an open meeting of the commis ied and read at Act 69opent-or liSSi comm ­ thercontract >ntract shall be awarded at a subsequent by the dssioners. sioners and that of the com®1 meeting -WILKES-BARRE POST , netting a $2. 500, 000 ultramodern post office _es-Barr3 may be g back contract and return tax Wilkes-Barre built by private inte Three potential sites are under conto be b— t0 the city g°ver" outh Main street in the Hazel Street Urban revenue t ,„jn—a plot facing 1(jt along South Pennsylvania Avenue now oc. siderationl Project Area, a_p an area on South Washington Street Renew;.a— ike South Street Bridge. cupied by the between £-• «• The city offici in view of the ac are most interested in the lease back arrangement are most revenue will be provided for the city. It will Qff.ce Department. In this way the structure, leasedtothe^U. S. Goverameat, will be a taxable item for local government. YMCA CITY OF READING erty used for dormitories and for a coffee shop should be exempt from the real estate tax. It reversed the decision of the lower court that the portion of the building rented to other charitable organizations as office space should be tax exempt, and ruled that this space should be subject to the local estate tax. BETTER NOT SLASH THE SANITATION DEPARTMENT Firemen in Kawano, Japan, angered by plans of city officials to re­ duce fire department personnel, turned hoses from 11 pumps on city hall, drenching assemblymenand flooding the telephone exchange and the mayor's office. NANTICOKE I I) I . assigned to canvas a certain area once , tures of unsightly and littered places, every three months, taking picWhen the information has been completed and turned in to the Board, a letter and photograph of the littered spot are mailed to the property owner, with* the A —- —- request that he take steps to improve the site. — (Keep America Beautiful) The federal government has granted Nanticoke Redevelopment Au­ thority anadditional $161,483 to expedite its downtown business district urban renewal project. The appropriation is based on progress made to date and supplement grants totaling $330, 081 the city previously re­ ceived. A Nanticoke agency has already purchased 48 properties, op­ tions have been taken on 11 others. WILKES-BARRE Wilkes-Barre has been refused a stay of proceedings by Dauphin County Court in the city's appeal from an order of State Sanitary Water Board to construct a sewage treatment plant. The city motion was reon the ground that the city has an appeal pending from the adjud cation of State Sanitary Board and thatunderthe circumstances the Com™p7nX\Td in a P°sition t0 bring a lawsuit while the appeal Pendmg before the court. The appeal will be argued in October. ^BWITFICATION DETECTIVE FORCE SEWER PERMITS REQUIRED Officials of 2, 500 municipalities in Pennsylvania have been notified that it is unlawful to construct sewers without a prior permit from the Sanitary Water Board. Letters have been sent by the State Health Department to all cities, boroughs, and townships, informing them that before any sewer can be constructed or extended, an application must be made to the Board and a Board Permit secured. Dr. C. L. Wilbar, Jr., State Health Secretary and Sanitary Water Board Chairman, explained that during I960 it was necessary for the Board to issue seven "cease and desist" orders to municipalities found to be building sewers illegally. "Permitsare necessary", Dr. Wilbar said, "before sewers can be buUt to make certain they do not cause additional pollut.on where Board crdersfor treatment plants havenot beencomplied with or where ex ing treatment plants are already operating at capacity. Board. The CiVisA part °f the Birmingham Beautifica^0” lty 13 divided into sections and a member of theBoar^ �-3 of housing subdivisions Board approval. Before agreeingbuild to nSeV(rers MthOccasionally developers iwerage ah 1 °okup oval.the municipality must s out first obtaining ' — ecure a■ ^°ard system the with a municipal se1 permit. MANUALl^- VOL. PR materials issued a Homeowners Handbook to pro. Michigan, recently i other reguiatOry codes and orP°ntiac' n building- zon ’vided on ordinance requirements, vide inf°rm^ecise information 1 lties> and appeal procedures. A dinanCeS‘obtain facts on P^®1 ’ -deS data on contractors, inspectors, I section providr X'‘~p“-“tcbe r iej»g p.“ervaCW activitiesimprovement and conse ACCOUNT I: B ■ i it Ssfef renewai areas £oth°"« classification manual The City of Rockville, Md. , (pop. 26, 090) has prepared a '' Manual of Standard Classification of Accounts. " Prepared by the department of finance, the Manual is the first document of its type in the City's history to bring together in one publication a systematic presentation of the classification and codification of accounts used by Rockville in its gen­ eral accounting. Revenues are classified by source; expenditures are classified by function, activity, and object. Each account is briefly de­ —------- --------- /}^KES C°LLEGE’ WILKES-BARRE, PA. SEPTEMBER 15, 1961 FIRST ANNUAL COMMUNITY GROWTH CONFERENCE The First Annual COMMUNITY GROWTH CONFERENCE will be 1 eld at Wilkes College on Wednesday, September 27, 1961. The First Annual COMMUNITY GROWTH CONFERENCE v. will provide an opportunity for the exchange of ideas among the various _3 organizations and individuals concerned with the solution of the more practi­ cal problems related to the social and economic well-being of our area. The CONFERENCE will bring together all those people interested in planning for the area. It is designed to set a pattern for future cooper­ ative efforts among local government officials, builders, realtors, in­ dustrialists, developers, and interested citizens. In an attempt to come to grips with the more pressing problems of our area, the sponsors of the COMMUNITY GROWTH CONFERENCE are pleased to provide this unique opportunity to share experiences with nationally known authorities who will participate in the CONFERENCE with us. scribed and accounts are numerically coded. THOUGHTS FOR TODAY Parents spend the first part of a child's life urging him to walk and talk and the rest of his childhood getting him to sit down and keep quiet. A married man soon realizes that it not only doesn't pay to argue with his wife but also that the hours are too long. PUBLICATION This News-letter, published monthly as a community service, ° ® In many smaller communities there is no need to engage in long range renewal projects involving the tearing down of buildings. The need may be one of conservation. One of the present purposes of the Housing Act of 1954 is to renew those neighborhoods which are basically soundbut are beginning to show evidence of deterioration. Such neigh­ borhoods can be up-graded through cooperative efforts of public agencies and individuals who own properties. It would seem that this objective is one well within the reach of smaller communities in developing a program for Community Improveibility which the locality can asment (Workable Program), a responsi. Since this Program is of sume for eliminating and preventing blight, local official should make vital inter est to all local governments, every It will afford an excellent �SHORT COURSES river DEVELOPMENTS of Municipal will a training coursesGovernment for municipal offic^T C°nduct a to make available to elected and S’ ^eSe number courses * Theln^f c°urses improving —^mance of their dtti’es^^ °fficial of i-8of ^ available -is the in the performance are design­ means c* - .is fail semester include: Small Arms The courses being offered this fall rSes being offere7. officers in the care and use of the rL introductory course for ipolice - Course, a review of the basic ThVctoryco^ sefOr P Secretaries aniver; ntr°t hool Educational EdUCati°n^ Se {unctioning of a school office staff; School v01ver’leSs necessary Io^thePonPerning the fundamentals of planning; necessary for principles course advanced police officers covering a survey Planning, * re£r esher cours and subsequently amendeda refresher ^Telemenisi of of the the pent. ^ductory course in the techniques and L ahway Maintenance, Maintenance, an truction and maintenance of roads and HlgL 2 for the proper nistration, a comprehensive course for greets; and Municipal FireAd^ techniques of departmental organ­ command officers cover ization and management. local improvements Local improvements made right in our own midst may be so "obvious" that we take them for granted. A great deal of "face lifting” has been going on in the city of Wilkes-Barre and its environs, concrete ev­ idence that many have faith and confidence in the future of the Valley. Many improvements have been made in Central City where many of the commercial establishments have remodeled and improved their fronts. In addition to the numerous open air parking lots, there is the new Miners Bank 400 car parkade which adjoins the 168 car parking ramp of the Boston Store. Soon the Parking Authority will begin conruction of a million dollar, 500 car garage, to be located between South as mgton Street and Dier Lane, north of Jefferson Lane. Provision SouthMa^Stree^ from Soutk Washington Street and Greater Wilke^-B^rre Jf the WilkeS’Barre CitY Parks Department e tremendous project of cj 10r Chamber of Commerce has undertaken es on theKincrci earin® and beautifying Nesbitt Park—the jungle that .ndli,the £, ehe Riverbetween the North Street P*rk'»8 ««e the and a te„M«'"i ™s wil1 b= ’ These and ON TUFSiVe attitude of the mProvements are beginning to reflect the 0N THE MOVE. the People of Wyoming Valley. THE VALL-ey is 'L The first major steps in the formation of a Susquehanna River Basin water resource rgamzation have been taken with preliminary meetings ans appointment of a steering committee to draw up by-laws for such an organization. The early discussion has centered on the mechanics of setting up such an association along the Susquehanna River for the pur­ pose of flood control, recreation, sanitation and pollution control, soil conservation, industrial growth, irrigation and reclamation, and water supply- At the invitation of Mayor Frank Slattery of Wilkes-Barre, Frank W. Dressier, Executive Director of the Water Resources As­ sociation of the Delaware River Basin, explained the formation of his organization along the Delaware River. Congressman Daniel J. Flood and Major General William F. Cassidy, Director of Civil Works for Army Engineers, have already testified before a subcommittee of the Agriculture Committee of the House of Representatives on a resolution authorizing a two million dollar comprehensive survey of the whole Sus­ quehanna River Basin. The purpose of the contemplated water resources association is to look beyond the proposed survey and assist in making recommendations on the projects on the River Basin and solicit public support for many of the projects intended for the Basin. Committee officials attending preliminary discussionmeetings came from the following areas: Wilkes-Barre, Birmingham, Sunbury, Nan­ ticoke, Harrisburg, Scranton, Williamsport, Lockhaven, Clearfield, and Havre-de-Grace. WEST SIDE PLANNING Community leaders on the West Side have expressed an interest in conserted planning for the whole West Side area. Several meetings have already been held to coordinate future planning for the various munici­ palities of the River. With Courtdale and Larksville taking action, this makes 4 of the 9 boroughs proposed to be included in the regional plan­ ning commission to coordinate planning upon the West Side. Such a re­ gional commission will have one representative from 9 of the boroughs who will be entitled to have one vote. In this way a comprehensive re­ gional plan can be developed in such areas as street and highway trans­ portation, housing, schools, recreation, land use, utilities, and sub­ division regulations. Only with proper regional planning can many problems be solved cooperatively and money spent more wisely. STRIP MINING LEGISLATION b much bickering and many setbacks compromise legislation on lilmg of strip mines was finally passed by the general assembly month. It has been held that strip mining not only constituted a ce to health and safety but also impeded the future economic devel- �' opment oi m. - in many respects • Stripth mining abuses haVe correction. While e enacted legisl( e ,been f the anthracite area' need of it is a step forward in assisting the whole anthracite 1Onitl*y b( e ^eak, ° While in many itself. It is a start and will be of some benefit to t^^ tO re^h- "a -ate forward in as civic leaders who have sought stronger back , e Hard ■big P“‘g egi«atio?'o'ki, start ai— the VOL. ire abandoned pits within 7 50 feet nations w»»ld iU „p areas, schools, and cemetart„ of ™ 'Institute8' t wall H they ” feet to to the t"P °f ‘ B ri„ mining operator would be requiIed in be r, to depth, . the Greater Wilkes-Barre Real Estate cover thebOtt°m ““"d“’oXpi-"b5fe't0£ear,h' incal groups, mcluQ * and the Luzerne County United Comrda"he Chamber of were among those who urged stronger munity Development Confer > community grOups stated that pres^gislltion. ^^detrimental to the important industrial developent practices have ment program- LAWS AFFECTING LOCAL GOVERNMENT Act 109--Redesignates the burgess as the Mayor. V 1 I I IF J 1 •K i ( Act 223--Specifically exempts all property used for public highway from taxation. THOUGHTS FOR TODAY A bride is someone who wants her silver to be sterling and her hus­ band to be stainless. A free country is one where you don't have to get permission to travel except from the fii.nance company. PUBLICATION . This News-letter and inqX?eeslnStitUteofPMun7clptirOnthlyaS a cornmunity service, origniciPal Gover?^ be lesseeI tn n ernment of Wilkes College. Notes ftient, Wilkes Colle r' ^ugo V. Mailey, Institute of Mu- Se> ilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania- X NO. 10 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA OCTOBER 15, 1961 EXCERPTS FROM FIRST ANNUAL COMMUNITY GROWTH CONFERENCE. "The future demands a fresh outlook and unfettered imagination. I believe with all my heart that if a city or a community is worth saving it can be saved. There are some towns, undoubtedly, which would scarcely justify the effort it would cost to save them, but they are not located in this valley. They are not Wilkes-Barre, or Hazleton, or neighboring Scranton. For these communities possess far more than the richest anthracite fields on earth. They possess the attractive sur­ roundings, the strategic locations, the water, and the raw materials which form the foundations upon which any thriving human settlement must build. . . . "Community planning requires only that you have a point of view on three basic issues: first, know what your present difficulties are; second, know where you want to go; third, decide the best way to get there; and fourth, sell these points of view to the community so that you can find the energy and leadership to achieve the results you are after. . . . "But remember, there is no magic in the word "planning". Noth­ ing happens miraculously merely through the creation of a planning agency. The people involved must have vision, must have an under­ standing of the potentiality of the planning process, must have a willing­ ness to study the field and then to find out what tools are available to them and how they have worked in similar circumstances elsewhere. There must be a willingness to support these activities not only on the part of the elected officials but also by the community as a whole. And this is your job. No one in Harrisburg or Washington can do it for you. "The raw resources are here for growth. You stand at the end an era--the erawhen you depended upon the market for one commodity to Sustain you. Now you must change your focus, as you have already d°ne in the field of industrial development, and shift your gaze to a broader, more diversified view of your role in a growing me How Do You Plan for Community Growth? Francis A. Pitkin, Executive Director Pennsylvania State Planning Board �’ -.e within the community k . that industry'® plac i must be informed of the b& bet' Industry Set® aad "In order local citi^nsrial development. D arising as a consequence of i^Ust be erstood the • with industrial ter unders connected l..g ini housing and schools, increased^^1 on problems liabilitieS to cooperate ■ auto_ willing such as over crowding local streets, and the like. And Of must be made aware of industry's ° equal on growth* and truck traffic willing. ;al people m<iobile ,ortance; the loc: ich matters. imp< irate on sue.. ness to coope: ’ ; community must be willing to rcooperate " ~r hand, the in such a way that, within the fram■tework of "On the other citizen such services available to industr with the corporate c. as are -•5, it makes development. Also, the community must not atits resources, industry's industry more than its proper share in D needed for . The will for cooperation must exist on both side""8 f°r from tempt to wrench it must be worked out carefully--before situations'28 and local servicesindustry and the community develop. The conn °f ten' the terms for and must create mutually beneficial relations and sion between mutually beneficial relations w with the continuance *th each industry can --e of this desirable relationship, both other. To ensure still appraise the prevailing attitudes each or better, must periodically, holds toward the other. on summary then, industry's role in community development is threefold: ; ; r contributes directly to the economic well-being First, industry -ity through the employment it provides; the wages itpays of the communil other financial contributions it makes to the local treas­ the taxes and c... — ---ury and charitable institutions; and the business and income it stimu­ lates in other ancillary industries and service occupations in the com­ munity. Thus, industry has an obligation to itself and the community to operate in such a way that it remains economically healthy and com­ petitive. ment through^he^nfluen by way of its pmnk ■ Ce 1 lndirect role in community developexerts on industry--seeking communities facilities and Many communities have unprad a i T exPanded Plant facilities. such ini" Pavements would mak th • Conditions in the hope that t,-' seekers. e eir town more attractive to prospective site *^rti,y and de"And third, industry plays a cooperative roie 1p in community cooperative velopment by actively participatinga in communityrole a aiin and helpin§ t0 solve local problems." "Financing is the key to all development, whether it be public or private. We can plan, we can zone, and we can dream, but we have to be practical and nothing is accomplished unless it can be financed, and the users of our end product ------ are satisfied with the results. cannot sensibly force growth and have Y ou ------- a it economically sound. •■There is no set pattern for financing growth. If the elements that justify it are there, or can be developed, both demand for use and financing will be found available. Because the types of properties to be developed and the users vary widely, both as to their special nature and credit of the users, all types of financing are required in the early stages. But the original real estate development decisions are influ­ enced substantially by financing ability. It is typical in the business to have a buyer finance a major portion of the investment by purchase money mortgage, syndication, second mortgages, front money loans-or a combination of all of them. . . . "The local financial climate and local confidence has a lot to do with fixing prices and establishing current values. On Urban Rede­ velopment the statement that we hear quite often that the Government pays two-thirds and the City one-third of the net cost of urban renewal is true as far as it goes, but it is misleading. "The funds available for study and planning and the right of con­ demnation ar e tremendous tools, but although Urban Renewal has existed for over a decade, and has included acquisition funds, actual accomp­ lishment of new private building in connection with it have appeared to be rather negligible. "This is notcritical of past or present administration of the pro­ gram; actually it is complimentary, as haste does not produce sound planning. Also, there is a distinct question as to how much Urban Re­ newal any given area can afford in a short period, or, unless it is actu­ ally accompanied by sound growth and increasing employment, in the immediate area involved. . . . "Our experience seems to indicate that many facts gathered by hard work in many agencies need coordination and interpretation to be really meaningful in relationto the fiscal problems of the area involved. Surely some of the experiences of your bankers in studying the re­ sources of communities, and of private businesses, and calculating the risks of courses of action which require financing, can be applied to local urban renewal problems to assist communities and potential de velopers to reach sound investment decisions. , . . Financing Needed tor The Role, of Industry in Community DeveLopment Max S. Wehrly, Executive Director Urban Land ----- 1 Institute —-- Vice Pr.s.d»< The First National Bank of Boston �e----- *5 that it is often more ^onom ical . gic would tell us -e than to tear it down structure nand stan >.gimp?le J 10-lean exists5 neighborhood area. The < decision-. pder>'nlZ: besaid for• a repair and ,can oe not always a simple one, but We are same ? U The nervation-'15 a more proficient freshconsei accummlating ’ Set Of -ledge and are clearanceo 0 I” in know! growing L — ewal indicate conservati, toolsb n renewal iuuivo..- that- -^** = ervatiOn is nifold objectives of renewal. n-phe econoi , the Federal Gover - means for potent aTin getting the most from its money invested t will pardon an ■ thi8s money can eliminate if you Lin, eliminate a a future future req„ire. money na< quiterban > renewal. Where this ted in clearance projects, it is money well renewalinvested incleara: inu b, a greater neater sum mv^....--g involved surely are interested in micipalitie ment forSecond, : the ™unlCt^n “the city benefits in that many potential spent, flically. Economically.se conse rvation planning, conservation planning, and, and, Out economycan be obviated be iished. Thirdj be accomp accomplished. Third, problems - a-given1 ^^conservation area, and here should be our primary of individuals within a^ meang foj for_ improved improved living living opportunities, opportunities, :^mi^^—ience- I „ nroiects will involve some clearance. From ■ ''MOrfO"hereVntire project, then, the procedures are the same the viewpoint o same series of applications, the same as for a clearance projec . obvious difference is one F.d.„l Grant rahos and so forth. The conservation LX conservation than for a clearance effort in the same project. " Conservation in Urban Renewal Areas James T. Leigh, Deputy Regional Director VOL. x NO. H WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA. NOVEMBER 15, 1961 LOCAL OFFICIALS DINNER The Institute of Municipal Government of Wilkes College will hold the bi-monthly dinner for local officials in the Wilkes Commons on Wednesday, November 15, 1961, at 6:30 P. M. The featured speaker for the evening will be Mr. Robert H. McKinney, Jr. , Pottstown Bor­ ough Manager, who will discuss "The Manager Form of Government. " Although there are few manager forms of government in North­ eastern Pennsylvania, more municipalities than ever before are adopt­ ing this form of government. Mr. McKinney will discuss the role and the function of the manager in local government. Mr. McKinney has served as President of the Association of Pennsylvania Municipal Man­ agers. The Luzerne County Boroughs Association will hold an important meeting following the remarks of Mr. McKinney. In viewof the import­ ance of this meeting, every borough should be represented. EXCERPT FROM FIRST ANNUAL COMMUNITY GROWTH CONFERENCE Urban Renewal Il THOUGHTS FOR TODAY By the time most men learn to behave themselves, they re old to do anything else. too A good salesman is the fellow who can convince his v/if looks fat in a fur coat. "It is widely recognized that present land use controls are often inadequate in their approach to land use and development. They are in­ adequate in the sensethat they provide too little flexibility for situations in which variations from normal procedures are called for, and inade­ quate in allowing room for the exercise of imagination. . . . "Many zoning ordinances trace their roots back to the concept °f land development as it used to be practiced on an individual lot by lot is undertaken by sub­ basis. Today, however, most new development dividers, who take a tract of land and develop plans for the entire area, for other activities, in addition to resifrequently including provision .... We should think in terms of land and Us use as atoge dential uses. scale matter, and of the relationship of a piece niece o an ' ■ PUBLICATION This News-left service­ originates in the Instin ? P^bllshed monthly as a community may be add ‘ -------------------------5 College,Otes and inquiries Municipal Government of Wilkes ;titUt£! > WilkeVr-5^ t0 Dr’ Hu§° v- Mailey, InS °£M*MG.ve„me„t pennsylvani College, Wilkes-Barre, - - 1 -1 - r ounding s... . x^evlh facing us, especially in the With very great population growth of accommodating great numbers of urban areas, we must find means of . land. . . . People in ways that will not waste our 11 i �most promising proposals are tho "Out of this survey, the , under which the density of a giv° re. lating to density control zoning fixed specifications for individual io.n afea is established, rather than fl.. ;es, ■ments; cluster zoning, in which buildi. arrangements, each with priva'u S are frontage and yard require: -anient Arrangements, each v/ithpriva’t space grouped specifically grouped in with conve:the excess -s space grouped into into a a '.c/yard than made a part 010,1 space of its own, rather but part of of each each individual individual lotlotwhich outright provision is made for =Panned .utright provision is made for usable open area, ----------- ,n ,------- ___ a comb;, unit developments, in which O' within an overall tract, on a previ<>Usly nation of dwelling and use types avoiding the homogeneity of a mass of housing arranged basis, thus character. types all of the same device, which yet offers latitude, is that "A relatively simple r'.' jjeu of fixed minimum lot sizes. instead of average lot size zoning,’ Virement of 12, 000 square foot lots, t the of a standard minimum req' average of 12, 000 square feet, allow!: - ..ing ordinance could provide for an low as 9, 000 square feet and some within some lots to be developed as In this way variety the same subdivision upto about 15,000 square- f' t and allowance for terrain variation can be L introduced. I 1 i 1 --- incorporate ■ ■ > more and more of these ideas, "Good planning will you consider them in the future development of and to the extent that t this County, there will be that much more progress toward an environ­ ment which will be increasingly beneficial to the overall economic picture." Flexible Zoning Robert C. Ledermann, Director Community Facilities & Urban Renewal National Association of Home Builders CHARGE FOR THE SERVICE The mayor and council of Berlin, rWisconsin, reflecting public opinion, early this year passed an ordinance which r «< large lot. from depositing .now on city street ’s -a prohibits the owners under specified charges. ---- 3 unless they do so F or years, filling-station operators. £•■--supermarket managers and others who maintained large 1 open expanses had snow from their lots onto city pushed the fallen / streets. There it causes slowed the snow-removal operations <— problem and of the Department ofaPublic Works substantially. It resulted, too, ... in —i more overtime, a drain on the snowremoval budget. Two solutions were apparent. One was to require these owners to find someone who would remove their snow, a difficult task in a city of less than 5, 000 population. The other was to continue the snow removal by city forces with regulation of and a payment for the service. The choice of the second resulted in Ordinance A-18 which the ............. e council unanimously passed last January. These are the provisions of the Ordinance: No one shall deposit any snow, leaves or debris from private property onto public property except as covered by the ordinance. Those wishing the r -* snow-removal service shall apply to the city not later than October 1 of each year and shall sign a contract agreeing to pay for the service. The Director of Public Works shall measure the area of property served. ?! DEBT LIMIT REVISION SIGNED BY GOVERNOR Senate 40; ThVn8181?6 int° laW as Act 398 bY Governor Lawrence last Bill week. aW to base the constitution 1 aW amends the Municipal Borrowing The owner shall pay annually a minimum charge of $10 for each section containing 2, 000 square feet or less, plus $2. 50 for each in­ crement of 500 square feet over the minimum. ert”tS°n the market rather tl^ °rrowing capacities of local governb y- he new law permits bo*" °n the assessed valuation of real propuPon theCllmaniC action and an adZ^8 UP tO tW° Percent of market value le aPProval of the electorate^0"*1 Percent of market value Each owner shall, at his own cost, windrow or pile the snow on his own property where practicable or in the street at the direction and control of the Director of Public Works, The new lav-raised the outdated debt limits of local governments and standardized these limits throughout the state. There is . some indication that local governme nts will wait for a court decision before making use of this new la to The city will not remove snow not piled orwindrowed according to instructions. The few weeks' experience with the new provisions at the begmning of this year gave promise of better days ahead with regard to tus difficult problem of the past. Ben Grota, City Clerk Berlin, Wisconsin �Eg£££g2ALBBACKTO^ SURPACE - is using synthetic rubber in rtment of Highways an ex. The DepaL, surface along assection of former State Route 12 near in Monroe County. Saylors l»ke . is to determine whether the synthetic The aim of the expe rinMengthen pavement life and provide rubber blended with asphalt W1U , B ,i,ich is a butadiene-styrene more rUbber asphalt mixture. type, stability. The i__ ' ntCoX .xcent wx comprised three pe: ■3 used in the wearing course only ari(j The rubber• compound was lights inch, which is considerably thinner depth of three-ei^ was applied t0 a < .LMg course depth. The sandsand-asphalt-rubber a<5ru , mixture than the usual wearing conventional bituminous paving can be placed by This is not the first use of a rubber compound in a road wearing surface in Pennsylvania. It is. however, the first use of this type of synthetic rubber for a road surface in the Commonwealth, Neoprene rubber has been used elsewhere experimentally. COMPETITIVE BIDS FOR INSURANCE Ashland, Kentucky, has revised its insurance program to con­ solidate policies, provide improved coverage, and permit each qualified insurance agent to bid for city business. Total savings have reached almost $3,500. The city's insurance coverage was consolidated into three groups: public liability, workmen's compensation and fidelity bonds, and fire insurance. Specifications were drafted " ith the help of local agents and competitive sealed bids were called for. The liability coverage included police cruisers for the first time. Companies which did not —' coverage previously were willing to do so when the cov..„t fgrant erage was applied to all city vehicles, The new fire coverage was almost three times the previous amount, yet there was an annual saving of $450 on this item. THOUGHTS FOR TODAY A wife is gh all the a woman who sticks with her husband throug troubles he wouldn't have if he hadn't married her. Today is the day you worried about yesterday. PUBLICATION This News-ietter, published monthly as a cOinI^r^es Coll®^ ews -Ietter, of Municipal Government of se* vice originates in the Institute 1 •t InS ti^. a’ institute Notes and inquiries may be addressed to Dr. Hugo V. NlalpennsYlva ■as of Municipal Government, Wilkes College, Wilkes-Barre. yOL. X NO. 12 "VVILKeS COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, pA. , DECEMBER 15, 1961 MINE DRAINAGE More than nine million dollars has been available to fill mine stripping3 in the anthracite area. This money was part of a 15 million dollar fund created jointly by the General Assembly and theStateof Penn­ sylvania to help the coal companies meet the ever increasing cost of pumping underground water. The plan also included workon the surface to divert certain streams which were finding their way into mines; to fill in stripping holes which gather water from all surrounding areas and cause it to go into deep mines. According to a ruling by the State Attor­ ney General, money in this fund could not be used for filling strip mines except those located above active mines. For this reason new legislation was necessary by the State Legis­ lature, especially authorizing the use of the funds for strip mines. More­ over, the Federal Government had to change the legislation, too. The Pennsylvania General Assembly did amend previous legislation provided to fill mine strippings; however, a similar bill to change the original law has been "delayed" in the House Interior and Insular Affairs Committee. Congressman Flood has hopes that this bill will be released in January of 1962 when the Congress reconvenes. According to this measure, two million dollars of the current program fundswill remain for mine pump­ ing stations while seven million dollars will be allocated for strip mine filling. PLANNING NOTES Commission has submitted The Wilkes-Barre Township Planning ' '* most of the an application to the Federal Government for a -T , Zoning Ordinance and cost of the preparation of a Comprehensive^Plam Township, the technical work Subdivision Regulations for Wilkes-Barre - - Planning Commission. to be done by the staff of the Luzerne Coun y Township recently agreed1 to pay the The Lions Club of Jenkins ,n of a Comprehensive Plan an iocal share of the cost for preparatio: ■ • , and also Laflin and Yates Developmental Controls for Jenkins Towns ip. were agreeable. yille Boroughs, if these boroughs ’■------ - �r 1 , the Townships of Fairview, Ricej S1 ,1a Borough and banning Tuning commissions toprepare to prepare cor^' hJuang0' -med l° cal.P lities an d to coordinate ^cipalities and coordmate the plans their mumoip Area. hensive plans for the the Mountain regional plan VA^oFjn^QD^^UTO-M2BiLjL TRANSPOBTA-----------------------. executives will be interested in the follc-„ °wing Public purchasing gent t0 the Mayor and City Commission — * of portions of a commU^Ca L Purchasing Agent Lloyd M. Head: Jackson, Michigan, by City ! attached information will permit you to study the 1,1 ^^rsure of the AMA specifications of thirty-eight models facts, at your lei duced by American manufacturers. >duced of passenger cars no p "These thirty-eight different models are produced on sixteen dif. ferent wheelbases and from this comparison it is quite obvious that there is norelation between the length of the wheelbase and the interior dimen. sions. "It is also clear that the price of a car has nothing to do with its passenger capacity when you notice that the $6,800 car has no more head or leg room than the $2, 000 car. "There are twenty-seven of the thirty-eight models or 71% of the cars that have headroom in the front seat of less than thirty-five inches or less. Exactly 50% of the models provide legroom in the front of fortyfour inches or less. : ;! i "The power factor is determined by a formula which gives an approximate indication of the acceleration and hill climbing ability of each model. The higher the figure, the better the power factor. Com­ parison of the power factor of a car selling from $4, 000 to $6800 shows that price is no indication of performance. The only conclusion that can e made from this comparison is that neither wheelbase nor high price is any proof of the actual transportation value of the present day auto. based on whe Teadily see that arbitrary arbitrary or artificial restrictions lationtoperfolma6 °ther factor that does not have a direct re- actually prevents °eS nOt lnsure anY added value to the City, possible in the purch fr°m takin§ advantage of the economies no doesnot seem logicatth tf *Ut°mobiles- I believe you can agree that lng for $7000 are not * dlmensions that are acceptable in a car sell" acceptable in a car selling for $2000. ^ts.concerning^he trtnltTf15 bUying Only transportation and °nly asing automobileSt " P T atlon value should be considered when P PENNSYLVAMAAGTWYAFFEGT DEbt LTMrrfl During the 1961 Pennsylvania legislature session an act V.X ’ was3 .adopted-which ultimately may have an effect on the debt limits of local ~U1 govgovernments in Pennsylvania (Act 398) The r new act amends the Municipal "mar- X „P to 2% ol the o! XX f” a'bt over ,hat ■» •“ “X of 7% of assessed valuation. Since assessed values are generally lower than market value, this would in some cases tend to inLease the debt limit as much as five times for general obligation debt, andon the aver­ age three times the current limitation. Using market value as a base the debt limit would be uniform throughout the state rather than varying from community to community, a situation that can can ~z.; now occur because of differing levels of assessment used by the communities, -... — It is reported that a test case of the new act in the courts has been arranged by the Pennsylvania Local Government Conference. Another amendment to the Municipal Borrowing Law (Act 368) is intended to make revenue bonds issued by local governmetns in the State more salable. The maximum term of the bonds was increased to 40 years or the life of the project, whichever is shorter, and permission was granted to sell such bonds at a discount. MUNICIPAL INDEBTEDNESS CLIMBS In the 15 years since the end of World War II, local government debt has climbed 37. 6%, from $13. 6 billion in 1946 to $51. 2 billion at the end of fiscal I960. Frederick L. Bird, until recently Director of Dun Bradstreet's Municipal Research Department, recently told the WALL STREET JOURNAL, "Local governments haven't begun to finance the improvements they need. The trend in local debt is up, and it is going to continue to be up for a long time to come. 11 Bond market analysts predict 1961 municipal bond sales will sur­ pass the $8 billion mark for the first time, exceeding last year' s $7. 2 bond underwriter, billion total by some 10%. According to one major i the issuance of state and local bonds has doubled since 1910 and is ex­ pected to approach $15 billion by the late I960 s. With many cities now approaching the statutory debt limits set »«. I„ lheit „,cal years ended in 1961, ,he '"‘fromlheStates from other governments, with $1.9 aid from other governments m fiscal 9 Tot” 45% over fiscal 1956. i �service, This News-letter, published monthly as a community College' originated in the Institute of Municipal Government of Wilkes Institute Notes and inquiries may be addressed to Dr. Hugo V. Mailey, •Ivanin of Municipal Government, Wilkes College, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsy. »> 3E $ Jtotiday tycttiinfys Mid test wishes fot the hew tyeaA- �I b. ■" I JS451 PkL9 v. lo 1961 c. 2 *he Luze. 1 I 5702? JSh51 57029 letter, PhL9 v. 10 1961 c. 2 The Luzerne County News-letter, HIE BI DATE I! il i JSU51 PULS V. .10 1961 c5 2 5702? �■ ■ ■ - � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Luzerne County Newsletters and Institute for Regional Affair Newsletters, 1952-1975 Subject The topic of the resource Political Science; Luzerne County; Institute for Regional Affairs; Wyoming Valley Description An account of the resource A collection of newsletters created by the Political Science Department at Wilkes College from 1952-1975 for Luzerne County and later the Institute for Regional Affairs. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Political Science Department (Hugo Mailey) Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1952-1975 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Type The nature or genre of the resource Newsletters Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Luzerne County Newsletter, 1961 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Political Science Department Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1961 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Type The nature or genre of the resource Newsletter https://omeka.wilkes.edu/omeka/files/original/82667afc7ee0e472e9da69fb1d217c99.pdf a4c97a17d452092411d6797cc0a153ca PDF Text Text ��VOL- VIII NO. 1 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA., JANUARY 15, 1959 . WHAT IS GOOD BUDGETING? Originally a budget was a leather pouch in which monies or other valuable's were carried or put for saf ekeeping. It is interesting to speculate on the gradual transition from the leather pouch or wallet to the meaning attached to the word "budget" today. In the expression "to budget time" even money or valuable goods has dropped out. The usual meaning of budget today comes through the great leather bag in which the King's Treasurer brought his documents of the country's needs and resources to the English Parliament. Today budgeting is the process by which the financial policy of a municipal government, including its monetary requirements, is formulated, adopted, and carried into effect. Municipal budgeting is common-place now, but it is of comparatively recent origin. A significant date in the rise of municipal budgeting is 1912. The major impetus for the growth of municipal budgeting has been undoubtedly the de­ sire to exercise better control of public monies. Important as is such control, good budgeting goes far beyond this limited objective. i • Municipal budgeting involves not only a document, but a whole series of steps that carry throughout the whole fiscal period. These steps are involved: 1. The formulation of the budget - the preparation of estimates and the framing of a financial plan. 2. The authorization of the budget - the legal adoption of the plan through an appropriate appropriation measure. 3. The execution of the budget - the carrying out of the plan as author­ ized through the measures of budget control. A fourth step is suggested by some - the accountability for the budget as executed - the audit and review of financial operations. Most municipalities have devised accounting systems that facilitate the assembly of data needed for the preparation of the uniform budget, appropria­ tion and financial reports required by the state. The budget has possibilities as a dynamic force for governmental planning, as a useful tool for programming muni­ cipal activities. I �Ts^$7 of # take advantage < . wel citizens jood thing. It may be oint. The fact that few th scale. Perhaps ■ this thispoint time. is 1 - - not necessarily a gbroad i is not necess could view municipal operations on a 1 functions which ope isures for.icipal expenditures for certain ’ ■; be les S i there might .ditur es at budget ti sacrificing other functions. Perhaps broached i -r other /V L- 1 v.g'? A good municipal budget is, above all, a plan for action during o the coming year It is not a static set of figures, nicely devised to balance neatly ---r— I W Ccdff. feVenues and expenditures. Rather is it a compelling program of decisions and actions affecting the lives of all the people who live, work , or visit within the boundaries of the municipality. Good budgeting is more truly the planning of the dumber, extent, and quality of the governmental services to be rendered in the coming year that it is the very necessary balancing of municipal income and outgo. - i Budget time is a decision-making time. Good budget information and good budget preparation are necessary if the members of the local legislative body are to make good decisions. It is probably only with the study of the bud­ get that local legislators can obtain an overall view of the workings of the whole governmental organization. It is probably only at budget time that they can see the needs of one department related to those of each department and to the needs of the municipality as a whole. Only then can emphases in municipal functions be recognized and sound decisions be made as to desirable shifts in emphases among the several functions. At other than budget time, attention is largely directed to details of this and that service, to the planning and carrying out of specific pro­ jects, and to the solution of rather narrow problems. Budget formulation, con­ sideration, and adoption provide the best overall planning time for legislators and administrators . Budget time is reappraisal time. It is a time to consider the adequacy of the various municipal operations. Comparison of a function's expenditures with those of other years, or with those of comparable municipalities, may provide some guide as to adequacy. Small appropriations are not necessarily signs of economical operations; they may merely indicate inadequacy of operations. Good budget information can be the basis for a review of the efficiency of work methods. Marked variations in unit costs from those of other years or of other jurisdictions are signposts to further investigations . Budget study should concern itself with a restudy of the organizational structure of the municipality. Did the existing organization just grow into its present form? Can it be simplified for more effective and efficient operations ? All personnel should be scrutinized during the preparation of the budget. Is each employee in the right spot? Can a better division of labor be made? Should a weak man be replaced? Is a new employee needed to make the organization click? Are employees being lost to private industry? Should changes be made in personnel policy regarding wages, vacations, sick leave, or pensions? Will inin­ service training bring better operations? Budget Budget time time is is a public-relations time, A good municipal budget can be a valuable aid in informing the citizen. He has the right of review and recom- taxes or new policies if the matters were policies obtained Y >od budget information or reports to back them up . rmation or to new Such uses of the budget and of budget time are not uncomrr gOI perhaps they are not common enough. Sometimes budgets are so usee Such uses sciously as the struggles to prepare and adopt a municipal budget pro they are better budgets will result and local government will be strengthened ii the of all concerned are directed deliberately to the positive objectives ol geting with which this article has dealt. LICENSE fees and SERVICE CHARGES Today local governments face a bigger task than, ever befo taining reveunes adequate to meet governmental costs. Many are and long-postponed public improvement programs . At the same time, the viding residents with new and expanded services -- garbage and ref us tion; parking accommodations; and water, while inflation has meant higher costs for taxes, the chief source of local revenues, underAct 481 often are inadequate to meet sewer, and other services labor and materials . Local and the new non-property t this demand for new funds . Regulation is the basis for licensing and the cost of such r is the historic reason for a license fee . But for many years , in many palities , license fees have returned monies well in excess of the cost volved and the surplus has been an accepted part of the general manic venue. Faced with the need income, mi need for for additional ; expanded li, icense system to satisfy a part of their . 0-1110 ip al iti e s busini satisfy a part of their needs r ess and amusement license fees because of the high• degree of They justify quired bbecause of iy general businesses and amusements in the police and fire traffic -f s ( control and parking; in highway construction and water, prot< sewer, and electrical facilities. maintenanc e; muniicipality ‘ It ^st try The must fit to its :licensing r ' eliminate ----- j inequalitie c°de to its cs betw'sen business own. loc --3 typeSj do aw ay �ipal budget is, above all, a static set of figures, nicel'- plan for action during the is . Rather is it a compellin; y devised to balance r5 of all the people who live, *ig program of decisions3.tly 3 th and iality. Good budgeting is rr work , or visit within quality of the governmental more truly the planning of e the very necessary balai 1 services to be rendered in .ncing of municipal income and ‘ a decision-making time. Good budget information and .re necessary if the members of the local legislative cis ions . It is probably only with the study of the bud­ can obtain an overall view of the workings of the whole n. It is probably only at budget time that they can see mt related to those of each department and to the needs hole. Only then can emphases in municipal functions be isions be made as to desirable shifts in emphases among other than budget time, attention is largely directed to twice, to the planning and carrying out of specific pro­ of rather narrow problems . Budget formulation, conrovide the best overall planning time for legislators and reappraisal time. It is a time to consider the adequacy perations. Comparison of a function's expenditures with ith those of comparable municipalities, may provide Small appropriations are not necessarily signs of jy may merely indicate inadequacy of operations. Good the basis for a review of the efficiency of work methods, costs from those of other years or of other jurisdictions vestigations . restudy of the organizational ould concern itself with a ga_nization just grow into its ty. Did the existing or_ efficient operations ? for more effective and mplified of the budget. Is each the preparation ru.tin.ized during of labor be made ? Should a division ? Can a better needed to make the organization a new employee industry? Should changes be made in lost to private , sick leave, or pensions ? Will ing wages , vacations 5r o-operations ? 1 public-relations time. A good municipal budget can ing the citizen. He has the right of review and recom- mendation at this point. The fact that few citi^enc j portunities at this time is not necessarily a «ood thine “ age °f their “Pths citizen to view municipal operations on a broad sells p’rttao '"th' m lower pressure, for expenditures lor certain function,' which oould'Xb”. obtained by sacr.f.cmg other functions. Perhaps there might be resistance t0 now taxes or now polm.es if the matter, were broached at budget t.m. wS good budget information or reports to back them up. 8 Such uses of the budget and of budget time are not uncommon, but perhaps they are not common enough. Sometimes budgets are so used subcon­ sciously as the struggles to prepare and adopt a municipal budget progress. But better budgets will result and local government will be strengthened if the attention of all concerned are directed deliberately to the positive objectives of good bud­ geting with which this article has dealt. LICENSE FEES AND SERVICE CHARGES Today local governments face a bigger task than ever before in ob­ taining reveunes adequate to meet governmental costs. Many are undertaking long-postponed public improvement programs . At the same time, they are pro­ viding residents with new and expanded services -- garbage and refuse collec­ tion; parking accommodations; and water, sewer, and other services. Mean­ while inflation has meant higher costs for labor and materials. Local property taxes, the chief source of local revenues, and the new non-property taxes allowed underAct 481 often are inadequate to meet this demand for new funds. Regulation is the basis for licensing and the cost of such regulation is the historic reason for a license fee. But for many years, in many munici­ palities, license fees have returned monies well in excess of the costs in­ volved and the surplus has been an accepted part of the general municipal re­ venue . Faced with the need for additional income, municipalities look to an expanded license system to satisfy a part of their needs . They justify the general business and amusement license fees because of the high degree of services re­ quired by general businesses and amusements in police and fire protection; in traffic control and parking; in highway construction and maintenance; and in water, sewer, and electrical facilities . The municipality must fit its licensing code to its own local problems. It must try to eliminate inequalities between business types, do away with 5584.0 ! �C'i regressive rates, establish a flexible rate structure to take care of changing business conditions, examine long-run implications of the proposed license structure, and anticipate administrative difficulties. Before revising its licensing system, the municipality should deter­ mine its legal power to license. Then it should decide whether or not it de­ sires revenue as well as regulation from its rate structure. It should make a list of all establishments in the community that can be licensed. Finally the municipality should decide on the types of license fees and taxes it wishes to have and the appropriate rate structure for each type. There are many bases for levying fees and taxes. What base to use for a given type of business will, of course, depend upon local conditions and the classes of business being regulated. Some of the common bases for li­ cense fees includes: (1) type of occupation; (2) value of goods, stocks, or in­ ventories on hand as of a certain date, or the value of the average stock within a given period; (3) rental value of premise occupied; (4) amount of street frontage; (5) amount of floor or ground space; (6) seating capacity; (7) number of rooms or units; (8) number of units of some essential equip­ ment; (9) number of employees; (10) number of salesmen; (11) number of com­ panies represented; (12) amount of fee or admission price charged; (13) volume of purchases; (14) volume of gross receipts; (15) amount of invested capital; (16) volume of actual production , productive capacity of plant, or kind of and size of product produced. (to be continued in the next issue) I THOUGHTS FOR TODAY If you've made up your mind that you can't do something - you're absolutely right. Politics is like roller skating; you go partly where you want to go> and partly where the darn things take you. PUBLICATION 1 This News-letter, published monthly as a community service, originates in the Institute of Municipal Government of Wilkes College. Notes and inquiries may be addressed to Dr. Hugo V. Mailey, Institute of Municipal Government, Wilkes College, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. FFR 25 VOL. Vin NO. 2 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA., FEBRUARY 15, 1959 LICENSE FEES AND SERVICE CHARGES ( Continued from previous issue ) Charges for muncipal services are taking a more important position in local finances with each passing year. Charges most common are for garbage and refuge collection, for fire protection outside municipal bounderies, for sewer rentals, and assessments for special purposes. The idea is that many services, once paid from general funds are now charged those who receive the service. The use of service charges for refuse collection and disposal is growing. There are advantages to the use of the service charge for refuse collection and disposal over and beyond the revenues to be obtained. The service charge can be related directly to the service given. General fund money is released for other functions . Of course, there will be criticism. Many citizens may feel that cer­ tain services such as garbage and refuse collection are a rightful function of local government. If a municipality makes charges for any service, a complete list of payers must be prepared for use in billing and enforcement. In the case of garbage and refuse collection such a list should include the names of all tenants (whether property owners or not), address, and classification of property (residential or commercial). Many local units of government set up a service charge system for residential property only. Commercial establishments must find their own methods of collection and disposal. A separate accounting fund should be established for each service. Either the secretary or treasurer can be designated the collector of the revenue, so long as the billing is done from a central office. Some times the bill for the rental or service accompanies the tax bill. Billing can be done annually, semi-annually, quarterly, or monthly, depending on the service. No council or board should change from a policy wherein a service has been financed from the general fund to a policy wherein the service will be financed from charges or fees without careful study of comparative costs and without completely informing the general Public. �SUBSISTENCE ALLOWANCE Since September 30, 1958 local police officers are no longer entitled to a special income tax deduction of up to five dollars a day for statitory subsistence allowances granted in 1954 under Section 120 of the Internal Revenue Code. That part of the Code was repealed by Congress. Apolice officer may exclude from allowances received from January 1 through September 30, 1958. He may still, however, deduct such travel expenses and subsistence costs to which he is entitled under general income tax regulation. ACT 481 Political subdivisions may legally tax certain amusements and not tax other amusements. Local governments have a wide discretion to classify for tax purposes under Act 481. Any challenge to a tax ordinance or resolution under Act 481 based on the uniformity provision of the Pennsylvania Constitution is not likely to be successful. This <’ . _1_ also apply to second class ' decision would townships which have the power to tax under Act 430. (Coe V. Duffield, Pa. Superior Court, 1958) by Public Administration Service for the Sacramento Metropolitan Area Advisory Committee. The basic recommendation of the report was for con­ solidation of the city and county government (involving absorption of smaller municipalities within Sacramento County) under a home rule "metropolitan charter" for the new government. The repository of local legislative powers would be the 11-member Metropolitan Council. Six members of this body would be selected at large, and five elected to represent each of the five boroughs proposed for the consolidated jurisdictions. The boroughs would have elected councils serving as a tie with the Metropolitan Council, as administrative districts, and possibly as areas of extra ____________ local services. Also suggested \ra.s :riCL», o-m-x _ ______ . _____ oc» establishment of differentials in taxation and in services by division of the the c cons olidated territory into zones of "urban" and "rural" territory, proceeding via (1) a carefully written charter provision that would define what constitutes urban and rural territory and would justify added urban taxes to meet the costs of added urban services; and/or (2) ;a state permissive law allowing a city-county charter to contain such a tax: differential for urban services if protected by adequate safeguards. L E GIS LAT ION AFFECTING BOROUGHS URBAN RENEWAL INCREASES REVENUE I! Cities participating in urban renewal projects stand to reap benefits of increased tax yields. These increased yields will enable the municipal govern­ ments to pay off construction costs within relatively short periods of time. New Haven, Connecticut, will put $575,000 into its Oak Street project and revenues will increase $375,000 annually. The tax yield in Sacramento, California, will increase $300,000 a year through urban renewal. Ten projects in New York City will cost $29,965,000 and return a tax of $3,700,000 annually. At that rate the total cost can be written off in seven years. The picture is clear. Therefore Congress ought to be urged to recognize the long­ term needs of urban renewal and authorize a ten year program for its accomplish­ ment. Local officials ought to also urge Congress to amend Section 701 of the Housing Act of 1954 to (1) make planning assistance matching grants available to cities of less than 50,000 instead of limiting the aid to cities of less than 2 5,000, (2) increase the fund authorization for the planning program. SACRAMENTO Considerable attention 1 has been attracted to Sacramento a 1957 report on "The Government' i of Metropolitan Sacram as a result of ento " developed A proposal, approved by the Local Government Commission, and not sponsor ed by the Association of Pennsylvania Boroughs, would amend the Third Class City Code to permit a borough to be annexed to a city if the borough council passes an ordinance after three-fifths of the taxable inhabit­ ants present a petition accompanied by written consent of a majority in numbers and interest of property owners of the borough asking for such annexation. It should be understood that the Local Government Commission consideration and approval precedes the introduction (or possible introduction) of a bill before the legislature. DELAWARE COUNTY COOPERATION Delaware County Commissioners recently created a County Disposal The The new department is to take the place of the Delaware county Tentative plans call for the issuance of bonds to Department. Incenerator Authority, ,tz~3 to serve every municipality in the finance the building of three incinerators ’ ’ • incinerator plan will be more efficient and county. It is felt that number a county-wide i of smaller ones. Also, the disposal problem less expensive than a i*---- individual in the county and not just isolated local is one which affects every cooperation of every community in units and will, therefore, call for the Delaware County. �LOCAL UNITS COOPERATE Ten. communites in the Harrisburg area recently held a joint meeting to discuss a very acute problem common to all. Seven boroughs and three townships located on the west shore of the Susquehanna, directly opposite Harrisburg, are faced with a serious problem of garbage and refuse disposal In an effort to remedy the situation, the ten municipalities are jointly investi­ gating the problem and discussing the several courses of action open to them. Individuals experienced in the various methods of disposal were invited to appear at the meeting and presented films and short talks on various aspects of the disposal problem. t 1 The West Shore Chamber of Commerce made a study of the disposal situation in the ten communities . In its report on the problem, copies of which were distributed at the meeting, the Chamber concluded that the immediate solution to the problem lies in the establishment of a sanitary landfill for the area. The report also suggested that a joint collection scheme be instituted in the ten communites. Such a : " x. --------------------------------- lusiuuiea system, they point out, would provide for efficient systematic, regulated, and economical1 operation u rather than the piecemeal approach now in effect. VIn NO. 3 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA., MARCH 15. 1959 VOL- VEHICLE USE STUDY Six out of every ten gainfully employed Pennsylvanians use private automobiles to get to and from work, according to a Vehicle Use Study prepared bu the Depart­ ment of Highways planning division in cooperation with the Federal Bureau of Riblic Roads. Nearly 23 percent of gainfully employed residents of the Keystone State use public transportation--largely buses--for conveyance to their jobs, while 14.5 per­ cent walk. Eighteen percent of workers in cities with more than 25,000 population (excluding Philadelphia and Pittsburgh) are conveyed to their jobs by public transpor­ tation facilities . Use of cars to get to work is more important in cities of more than 100,000 pop­ ulation than in cities of 25,000 to 100,000 population. In the former 64 percent use cars and in the latter 57 percent. In places of under 25,000 population, the lower the population, the higher the proportion of auto users. Two - thirds of suburban — _ make their way to their jobs in cars, One-forth use public transit fringe weUse of.autos to carry nonnio people tr> to work work as as n; passengers rather than as drivers facilities . is most common in communities nf fewer than 1,000 communities of fewer than 1,000 persons. persons. In those places almost to work by car do so as passengers. one-third of employed persons getting SECOND CLASS TOWNSHIP The officers of the Second Class Townships Association in Luzerne Coui are: President-Arthur Smith, Kingston; First Vice-President-Alan Major; Lehman; Second Vice-President-Fred Kendiz; Secretary-Clark Rinehimer, Dorrance. THOUGHTS FOR TODAYSome workers make use of their opportunities; others seem to create a lack of them. Lots of parents take their kids to the circus and send them to Sunday School. PUBLICATION This News-letter, published monthly as a community service, originates in the Institute of Municipal Government of Wilkes may be addressed to Dr. Hugo V. Mailey, Tll.es LiO ' College. Notes and inquiries Institute of Municipal Government, Wilkes College, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. HARVEY VS ALLEGHENY COUNTY RETIREMENT BOARD The Supreme Court ruled that once a member of a retirement system for public employees has complied with all the conditions necessary to receive a retirement allowance, he connot be affected adversely by later legislation changing the terms of a retirement contract. Employees who have not become eligible to retirement allowances may be affected adversely by changes in the law only if such changes enhance the actuarial soundness of the retirement fund. Increasing the minimum age for retirement would enhance the actuarial soundness of the fund, and, therefore, present employes may be compelled to work for a longer period of years than wouxd have been the case had the law not been changed. On the other hand, a new require­ ment restricting the kind of employment to be engaged in by retired persons does not enhance the actuarial soundness of the fund, hence would not apply to persons who were members of the fund before the change in in the the law law.. DAHL VS WOOSTER ' ' ■ : collector, the Borough of Ellwood City To fill a vacancy in the office of tax elector of the Borough, who took the oath of appointed the plaintiff, a qualified cl-cT �office and made a written request to the school board to fix his bond, The sehool board, however, appointed the defendant as collector of school taxes, Fonowi this action of quo warranto,the court ruled in favor of the plaintiff and ousted the defendant as collector of school taxes. The court stated that the intent of the law is that the borough tax collector whether elected by the voters or appointed to fill a vacancy, is to collect school taxes as well as borough taxes. The only circumstances under which the school district is authorized to appoint its own tax collector is when the person elected or appointed as borough tax collector fails to furnish proper bond within the time limit set out in the law. In this instance, the plaintiff's failure to furnish bond was only because he was prevented from doing so by the failure of the school board to fix his bond following his written request. White Haven, Conyngham, New Columbus, Dallas, Avoca, Yatesville, West Wyoming’ Highestown, Exeter, Duryea, Courtdale, Wyoming, Edwardsville, Laflin. Ashley, Plains Township, Luzerne, and Newport Township. BOROUGHS ASSOCIATION The following are the 1959 officers of the Luzerne County Boroughs Association: —-j,, President, Forty-Fort; John Mizin, Vice President, West Wyoming; Alan " Bare • ’ — Nicholoson, Vice President, White Haven; Brinley Crahall, Secretary, Luther L------ Courtdale; and George Weiskerger, Treasurer, West Pittston. REAL ESTATE TAX SALE LAW LIQUID FUELS TAX A discussion of liquid fuels tax distributions was led by John T. Corrigan, Field Auditor, Liquid Fuels Tax Department of the State Highway Department, at the last dinner meeting of local government officials at the Commons on the Wilkes College Campus. Mr. Corrigan established the Department in 1956 and is in charge of the field auditors. In his talk before about 7 5 local officials, Mr. Corrigan explained the allocation to municipalities in the State of the thirty million dollars on the basis of population and mileage. Each municipality receives two hundred and ninty-seven dollars for each mile of improved streets and one dollar and eleven cents per person. In order to be eligible for the money, a municipality must set up expenditures for road work. The report must list the expenditures. All the money received may be used for maintenance if all the roads in a town are improved as determined by highway engineers, otherwise twenty-five percent of the allocation must be used for new construction. Curbs and drainage are considered new construction if all the roads are improved. If the "new construction money" is not used within two years, the money reverts back to the Highway Fund, and the municipality is penalized next year by receiving that much less money. The local officials should emcumber the "new construction money" for a job even though they may rewrite it for another construction. The idea is to encumber one year to receive the money next year. Relaying storm lines and snow removal are considered maintenance. Cinder removal in the spring is not considered maintenance. A two inch roll with bituminous is con­ sidered maintenance. If oil and chips raises the type of road, it is new construc­ tion; otherwise, it is maintenance. SURRENDER OF HEALTH FUNCTION The ffollowing municipalities in Luzerne County have voluntarily relinquished their health function a to the State Department of Health: Nuangola, Laurel Run, Recognizing the inequities in delinquent tax procedure, the State in 1947 passed Real Estate Tax Sale Law. This law consolidates all delinquent real estate the claims throughout a county in one agency--the Tax Claim Bureau. It eliminates tax the accumulation of delinquent taxes, and the two year redemption period after a tax sale. It also makes it possible to convey a clear title to the purchase at a tax sale. The property owner has at least two years from the date tax was first due before any property can be sold for unpaid taxes. One sale procedure is provided by the Tax Claim Bureau. The law benefits municipalities in a county in the accelerated collection of delinquent real estate taxes without working undue hardship on the delinquent property owner. It has reduced the amount of delinquent real estate taxes heretofore accumulated through liens filed with the prothonotary. The end result should increase the total tax yield for properties> are continuously on the assessment and tax rolls. The provision for conveying a clear c----- — title does attract purchasers to tax sales. By transferring non-tax paying properties; to the current is converted tax rolls in the hands of responsible taxpayers, a delinquent tax liability lie1- into a tax revenue. plains township decided to adopt an ordinance At a meeting of the Board of Commissioners it was r at the ‘1 percentt rate. It was to impose a real estate transfer tax in the township will be realized from this estimated that approximately two thousand dollars -source and will be used to increase wages of township employees■ .. The tax was necessary in view of the fact that the board had to relinquish to the t..- school board dollars and fifty cents per two dollars and fifty cents from the township seven capita tax. �NANTICOKE Nanticoke probably will match the $ 320,000 redevelopment grant from the State Housing and Redevelopment division with services. The city can provide the equivalent in new sewers, lighting, street paving and similar services. EDWARDSVILLE President Judge John J. Aponick confirmed nisi a report of a three man commission which recommended the abolishment of all the ward lines in the borough. There are not seven wards in the borough. The commission stated, "It is the opinion of this commission that the affirmation of this recommendation will suit the convenience of the inhabitants of the Borough and the interest of the taxpayers property owners and residents." TERM OF OFFICE Borough secretaries and treasurers are no longer to be elected every biennium but, along with all other officers and employees appointed by the borough council, are to have indefinite terms of office subject to removal by the council. Act 194, approved June 20, 1957 amends Section 1001 and clause I of Section 1005 of Borough Code. THOUGHTS FOR TODAY A woman may be outspoken, but seldom by her husband. Liquor makes you see double and act s ingle. PUBLICATION This News-letter, published monthly as a community service, originates in the Institute of Municipal Government of Wilkes College. Notes and inquiries may be addressed to Dr. Hugo V. Mailey, Institute of Municipal Government, Wilkes College, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. '■- j flPP 27 toro VOL. VIII NO. 4 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA., APRIL 15, 1959 the dinner The Seventh Annual Dinner of the Luzerne County Local officials group will be held at the Wilkes College Commons on Wednesday, May 6, 1959 at 6:30 p.m. The speaker will be an old friend to many local officials in this area, Dr. Harold Alderfer, presently Deputy Secretary of Public Instruction. This will be a gala occasion for the local officials in Luzerne County. This meeting really brings to a climax the activities in local government in this area. Certificates will be awarded to township supervisors and school directors who have completed a prescribed course. Awards are made to local officials who have served faith­ fully in their communities. Make your reservations early. REVISED DEBT LIMITS Debt limits based on market value was part of a report recently presented to the Governor and to the General Assembly by the Pennsylvania Commission on Constitutional Revision. The Commission, appointed by former Governor Leader and by the General Assembly to study and recommend changes in the State Constitution of 1874, proposed 20 major changes. The Constitution now stipulates that the limit of councilmanic or non-electoral debt is two per cent of the assessed value of the taxable real estate of the munici­ pality, with an additional five per cent allowed after a favorable vote of the people. The Constitutional Revision Commission recognized the inequities of basing debt limits on assessed valuation and recommended that market value be used instead. The Commission stated that the change would permit " a municipal subdivision to relate its debt to its real ability to repay its obligations-- market value of taxable property." --1 no constitutional limit be placed The Commission also recommended that created with the approval of the electorate, on the amount of debt which can be add additional limitations or restrictions , but that the General Assembly may both on councilmanic or electoral debt. Further recommended changes would authorize the General Assembly to apportion authorized borrowing power among the political subdivisions, which means that the legislature may set a total debt limit for an area and assign a percentage of the limit to the municipality, the school district, the county and the institutional district. �The new section would also prohibit further use "of <authority financing whi^ depends on general revenues under a lease or other arrangement, " but would provide that any debts incurred for self-liquidation projects such as s ewage disposal plants where the cost of the plant will be paid through sewer charges not be included within the debt limitations . It was felt by the Commission that these changes would eliminate the inequities of the current debt law, provide means of giving the municipalities the added borrowing power that is so urgentl needed without forcing them to resort to authority financing. WHAT IS A SUPERVISOR ? Reprint From Township Supervisor 1I I Strange as it may seem supervisors are human, Just like the rest of us they eat breakfast, sleep in a bed and most of them brush their teeth, In fact until a certain election day came along they were one of us . Many in this part of the country are males, although they do not have to be. They come in various sizes . This sometimes depends on whether you are looking for or trying to avoid one. Most of them have homes , all covered with roses and mortgages . If he drives a big car he's a chiseler; a little car, "who's he kidding." His credit should be good because his salary isn't. Figuring what little recompense he gets compared to the hours put in and it is only pennies . The supervisor is a 'meeting man'. He puts in endless hours and many nights of meetings. Although some will be enjoyed others must be endured. When he gets to all the meetings his family wants to know when he is going to move home again. When he misses some the public says he is neglecting his duty. If he can help you he is a good egg. When he helps the other fellow he is in a clique. If he trys to take care of a ticket for you, he wants your vote. If he refuses , he only plays politics with the other fellows . When he makes a mistake "he's a grafter and that goes for the rest of them,too." When he withstands pressure, he is stubborn; if he gives in, he is a push over. No matter what decision, he makes he will be ace high to some and a dirty double crosser to others. He gives long hours, thinks wide and his answers must have depth. To many he is a game, to see how many of his faults can be found. He has some. He also has some good points , but if they are found nobody lets on. The supervisor continually hums the song, "Yield Not to Temptation." Not so much to resist bribes but to refuse unwarranted favors from deserving friends. To last , a supervisor must have integrity. If he has he will face even complex problems, straight forward without putting off or side stepping. He will stand win ctmeTrst^H dlSre8ard Political reaction, as community welfare or ^01^0^ hZ B Ve T tO the deservinS without respect of person or political party. He will work without recompense- he will tot i „ithoul ,evenge, vA11 acknowledge So you see a supervisor has to be a real softie, toughie, as wise as Solomon and hope he has no babies to divide, spread himself thin to reach all constituents, yet be able to lump up when there is a warranted need; say a sympathic "no" and a good many yeses, but to live in a glass house with some loose stones handy just in case. Why does a man want to be a supervisor? The reason must be a noble one or else has been disillusioned. It is interesting work. He will have the satisfaction of knowing the municipal government is run honestly and he will have a feeling of having done his part to make his community a better place to live. If with a deflated ego, a flat pocketbook and stooped shoulders, the supervisor can still take punishment and runs for re-election, one of the most rewarding things that could happen to him would be for him to receive your vote. REFUSE COLLECTORS PROVIDE CLEAN CANS A new refuse collection plan which has been in operation in Nottingham, England, deserves a try on this side of the Atlantic, too. The collector takes an empty refuse can to a house, leaves it, and picks up the filled container which he empties into the waiting collection truck. So far, this sounds familiar, but now he inserts a power-driven bristle brush which is installed under the truck and scours out the can with disinfectant. This clean container is then taken to the next house and the filled container picked up. By this process the collector makes only one trip to each house and in each places a clean, disinfected garbage can. A simple ordinance and small fee could accomplish this here in many of our towns. EXPLRATION OF COUNCIL MEMBERSHIP The term of office of members of borough council expires at 8:00 p.m. on the first Monday of January next succeeding the municipal election. This is the opinion of the Department of Justice, which was written by Deputy Attorney General Harrington Adams in the early part of 1958. This information was requested by Miss Genevieve Blate, Secretary of Internal Affairs, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, to determine whether the action of a borough council in over-riding the burgess' veto was legal. Members of the borough council had voted between 7:30 and 7:50 on that Monday evening, just a few minutes before the deadline. �(twenty VOL. VIII. NO. 5 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA., MAY 15, 1959 A A legal legal opinion opinion on the exact time at which borough councilmen s terms of office expire was necessary since the fate of a bond issue hinged on determining the legality of the councilmen's vote in over-riding the burgess' veto. All bond issues must be approved by the Secretary of Internal Affairs and her decision to approve or disapprove the issue in the case in question was based on establishing the validity of the vote of the borough council members . PAVING LIEN Nanticoke City Council has written off paving liens totaling $72,552. 93 and therein lies a story. The money can't be collected and members of the body know it. They are simply getting down to earth in preparation for the time when the city debt will be eliminated. It seems the paving liens were improperly filed when the work was done more than three decades ago . In spite of this , howe ver , each succeeding ad­ ministration continued to list the item as an asset and, making matters worse , even borrowed against it. It won't be possible in the future. As a result of the cut, the City's 1959 budget is finally free of fat. There is no need for additional loans so municipal assets are no longer inflated. The paving liens listed at $73,552.93 only a year ago, now have a more realistic value of $1,000. THOUGHTS FOR TODAY A public official is a man who can fool some of the people all of the time and all of the people some of the time, but not his private secretary. Hors epower was much safer when only the horses had it. PUBLICATION This News-letter LOOKING AHEAD FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT The speaker at the Seventh Annual Dinner of Luzerne County Local Officials, held at Wilkes College, was Dr. Harold F . Alderfer, Deputy Super­ intendent of Public Instruction, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. A part of the message that he gave to local officials follows in abbreviated form. "After more than a quarter of century of work with Pennsylvania local government, I have come up with one deeply-rooted, rock-bound belief -that local government is linked to human freedom, and that when one grows the other grows with it, and when one goes , the other goes along with it down the road to oblivion. To me, the highest good is freedom; I want it for myself, I want it for all people - all over the world. But we must constantly work for it. When we have freedom we can live the best life our human and natural resources will allow. We may not be rich, but we won't starve, we won’t lack shelter and we will have as much as it is possible to have because when we all have freedom we will help each other and that is the central motivation of every com­ munity . "But, in our day, local government is being challenged as never before by big government, both state and national. We must admit that local government here in our own state as well as in the nation, and in fact all over the world, has exhibited some glaring weaknesses. It needs to be modernized. It needs freedom of action, increased powers and more revenue. It needs to be geographically adjusted to the tremendous changes which have come about. "Its present weaknesses are what enemies of local government parade to the public. They say, 'Look, local government is ox-cart. It can’t do the things that must be done. It does not have trained p ersonnel, its umts are too small, it lacks money. Let the state or the national government take over. They have what is necessary.' "And then some of our local government officials, looking at their own inadequate resources reply, 'Sure, take over. Local government costs us too much money. We can't find more money; we can't raise our assesse va na­ tions . We cannot inaugurate new taxes. Our people won t go a ong. ey not elect us and they will hate us .' �"The state and national governments have been whittling away at such functions , once entirely local, as highways , police, health, education, public assistance, welfare, housing - in fact in almost everything except fire protection. And why not fire protection? I have an idea that the volunteer fire departments have a lot to do with that . They have numbers , they have citizen members, they have local interest, they are inactive. They make fire protec­ tion fun as well as useful. The climate of fire protection is not dull like that of most local functions. "So we must help local government to be strong. The state govern­ ment through the General Assembly and the Governor mustgive it more power, more financial resources, more flexibility, more modern ways of doing things, up-to-date machinery. Local government law must reflect the best possibili­ ties, the legal shackles and restraints must be lifted. State departments can help through various kinds of advice and assistance. But again, it must be said, the real job must be done at home. "Let's take a look at the most pressing problems of the anthra­ cite region. I would like to suggest a few ideas along this line, knowing all the while that I am an outsider with little detailed knowledge of the community. But this sometimes has a few advantages and I am willing to take advantage of them for the good of the order. "First, I would like to see some functions of the state govern­ ment decentralized and some of the offices set up in the anthracite region. There are about 65,000 employees in the government of the Commonwealth, most of them in the Harrisburg area. It is increasingly difficult to get persons who are qualified for various positions in the lower salary echelons to come to Harrisburg, and to live there and survive economically. They could do better living nearer home. Many of them now drive from the lower anthracite region to Harrisburg every day to the detriment both of their health and their work. The increased possibilities of decentralization should be explored. "Second, I would like to see the entire anthracite region united in an organization designed for and with full power to work towards improved economic conditions of the whole area. Such an ; authority should be established by state law, given an appropriation to get under _• of residents appointed by the Governor on the r"' way, be governed by a board recommendation of the various occupational, professional and industrial organizations of the a capable staff appointed on the basis of merit, and given full region, have powers to seek all available means to do better economically, to utilize existing resources, acquire property and even to set up new industries if resources to are available. "One word must be said about the place of local government in such a picture. ocal units would remain as they are, they would cooperate together through such an Authority. They would carry on their present functions with their present resources, but they would receive aid and assistance from the Anthracite Authority when requested and where possible. " SERVICE AWARDS These awards were presented to the following people: Roy Andrews, Shickshinny; Miner Aylesworth, Ross Township; Miss Bertha Blakeslee, Buck Township; Peter Chronowski, Wyoming Borough; Mrs. Burt Durland, West Pittston Borough; Mayor Frank E. Kielar, Nanticoke; Ceola Kishbaugh, Nescopek Borough; George Kohl, Laurel Run Borough; Raymond E. Kresge, Bear Creek Township; John A. Learn, Dennison Township; Michael Mastroianni, Wilkes-Barre City; Howard Perry, Exeter Township; JohnRoskos, Rice Town­ ship; George Sobeck , Jr. , Luzerne Borough; William J. Storm, White Haven Borough; Michael Sunder, Hazle Township; William Thomas, Fairview Town­ ship; John Wawryzn, Sugar Notch Borough; Harvey VanFossen, Dorrance Town­ ship; Harry Bogart, Kingston Township; and Allan Sachs, Wright Township. SCHOOL DIRECTORS CERTIFICATES The following people received Public Service Institute Certificates: Peter F . Albano, McAdoo; William H. Clewell, Dallas; John Contrady, McAdoo; Alvin H. Cunfer, Butler; William E. Davis, Dallas; Allen Feinberg, WilkesBarre; Carrol Hansen, Fairview; William J. Hodakowski, Edwardsville; Alphonse J. Hozempa, Edwardsville; H. Merritt Hughes, Wilkes-Barre; Frank J. Jagodinski, Plains; Richard H. Kerschner, Butler; U. Craig Peters, Wilkes-Barre; Willard Reese, Wyoming; Louis M. Sauers, McAdoo; Moderno D. Sciamanna, Conyngham; Floyd S. Siegfried, Wilkes-Barre; Julius A. Skwayek, Conyngham; Mrs. Harriet Stahl, Dallas; Girard G. Stish, Hazleton; Raymond W. Tubridy, Wilkes-Barre; Albert C. Wagner, Butler; J. Stuart Weiss, Kingston; Mrs. Volma Whitesell, Hunlock Creek; and Russell Worrall, Hunlock Creek. TOWN SHIP SUPERVISORS The following people received Public Service Institute Certificates: Daniel Bafunno, Dorrance; Otto Biery, Lake; Stephen Bodnar, Salem; Harry Bogart, Kingston; Keith Bonham, Hunlock; Adam Crahall, Bear Creek; Mason Davenport, Hunlock; William Fink, Hunlock; E. Cleaver Geist, Salem; Otto Good, Hollenback; Walter Hoover, Lake; Edward Jeffrey, Jackson; William Jenkins, Fairmont; George Kemezis, Jenkins; Lloyd Kishbaugh, �Salem; E. Raymond Kresge, Bear Creek; Wesley Lamoreaux, Jackson; Arlie MacDougall, Salem; Jacob D. Martz, Huntington; Harold R. Maye, Lake; Calvin McHose, Lake; Charles B. Mowery, Lake; Thomas Murphy, Bear Creek; Howard Perry, Exeter; Howard Piatt, Lake; Steve Radonavitch Jackson; Reynold Rehn, Wright; Edgar Ridall, Huntington; Clark Rinehirner Dorrance; Keith Rinehirner, Dorrance; Michael Semyon, Jenkins; Warren Scott, Exeter; DonaldSmith, Wright; Paul Smith, Exeter; Carl Swanson, Lake; Bruce Thomas, Salem; Sharon Whitesell, Lake; Fred Wolfe, Hollenback; Leroy Zeigler, Kingston. 75th BIRTHDAY A huge celebration is in the plann ng to celebrate the 75th anni­ versary of Edwardsville Borough which was incorporated June, 1884. The clebration is being planned by off.cials and organizations throughout the town. tetter VOL.VIII- NO. 6 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA., JUNE 15, 1959 • • 'J consolidation' ?< Jb ■ 2 2 i.’bS < Consolidation of Wilkes-Barre and Plains, Hanover, and WilkesBarre Barre Townships (First Class) went down to a crushing defeat on primary elec­ tion day at the hands of voters of the three townships, while in the city the vote was overwhelming in favor of the proposals. Annexation Edwardsville Borough, which was named after Dnaiel Edwards, early resident, has a colorful history. Prior to 1884 the land wh.ch consti­ tuted the incorporated borough of Edwardsville consisted of certain sections of two townships , Kingston Township and Plymouth Township. I REALTY TRANSFER TAX Six Luzerne County communities so far this year have imposed a realty transfer tax to bring to 22 the number which now re :quire payment of such tax. li The municipal tax, which is one per cent in all cases, except for Hazleton City, which requires payment of a realty transfer tax of three-tenths of one per cent, is in addition to the one per cent State Realty Transfer Tax. THOUGHTS FOR TODAY If you want a youthful figure , ask a woman her age . No one but a convict likes to be interrupted in the middle of a sentence. PUBLICATION This News-letter, published monthly as a community service, originates in. the J.j Institute of Municipal Government of Wilkes College. Notes and inquiries rmay , be addressed to Dr. Hugo V. Ma.ley, Institute of Municipal Government, Wilkes Coll -- —-lege, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Wilkes-Barre Township Wilkes-Barre City on Wilkes-Barre Township Plains Township Wilkes-Barre City on Plains Township Hanover Township Wilkes-Barre City on Hanover Township Yes 340 10,233 789 9,608 1,122 9,621 NO 1,107 1,732 2,812 1,674 3,815 1,645 That such a decision must be accepted without rancor goes without saying. That is the American way. Consolidation is one of a set of 8 or 10 solutions to metropolitan problems. Of the various plans for meeting the govern­ mental problems of metropolitan areas, only three’are sufficiently comprehensive to afford permanent relief on a large scale. Consolidation is one of these three. A lengthy study of all possible solutions must precede acceptance of any one of them for our particular area. Moreover, an understanding of the basic reasons for the movement of people out of our cities is most important. Because many people lack that understanding, few know the "metropolitan problem. The real job necessary to develop integration in American metropolitan areas in the foreseeable future is education. Above all, there is the need to foster a feeling of unity within the entire metropolitan area that will aid in bringing about the urge to make the necessary improvements that are so urgently needed. new town hall obtained court approval yesterday Fairview Township supervisors , Mountaintop, for $6,400, the to purchase property at 144 North Main Street Premises to be used as a Town Hall. 'I 1 �The building, the supervisors noted, would supplant the munici­ pality's present town hall which is old, of frame construction and in need of considerable repairs and maintenance. Petition of the supervisors also pointed out the present township building is no longer adequate in size or facilities due to tremendous increase in new residences, business and industrial establishments and the large growth of population within its borders. The supervisors also noted the present structure can be sold at public sale and the proceeds applied on the purchase price of the new property. SALE OF ZONING RIGHTS FOR PARKING The Lower Merion Township of Pennsylvania has come up with a plan to share the costs for off-street parking, required under their zoning law, between the municipality and the benefitted merchants. Under the plan, the Township will accept contributions toward the cost of municipal off-street parking facilities and, in return, will issue to the contributor Certificates of Participation which will be acceptable in lieu of off-streetparking required under the zoning ordinance, at such time as the contributor chooses to remodel, expand, or rebuild. The contribution required for each certificate will equal one half the average cost per car space. Highlights of the plan include: - A policy is established that parking funds will be used in any area on an equal matching basis; - Certificates of Participation are prepared for parking spaces with the price based on one half the average cost per space; -Certificates are offered for sale and for a period of a year are limited to persons with an interest in property within 300 geet of the parking lot; -The number of certificates are limited to the number of spaces required under zoning if the private building were constructed today; - Certificates may be issued in return for land dedicated and ac­ cepted as part of the parking system, on the basis of one certificate for 150 square feet of land accepted; - Certificates are 1transferrable between individuals until such time as they have been used in lieu of ~ required off-street parking for new construction, expansion or change of use; -Parking meters or other means of charging can be used to cover the municipal cost. Municipalities requiring off-street parking under 5 may find that the Zoning Certificate plan provides a solution tozoning r ordinances older downtown areas , and enable them to compete with suburban o revitalize the centers. —a shopping COOPER, APPELLANT, V. READING In, Cooper, Appellant, v- Reading the city was held liable for the , o f two children by drowning in a pool formed by the discharge of storm death ■ S3 water mto the bed of an abandoned canal. The city had obtained an drainage asement permitting it to discharge storm water into the canal in 1911, while eathe c anal was still a navigable waterway. At that time the water was carried off as part of the overflow of the canal. The pool is shallow around the edge, but near the center the constant flow of water from the city's outlet pipe eroded the former canal bed and caused the formation of a hole about 16 feet deep. For many years, children in the neighborhood used the pool for swimming in the summer and sliding in the winter. The area was unfenced and easily accessi­ ble to children. No attempt had been made to block access to the pool, even after the drowning of a child three years before the death of the Cooper children. In the lower court,the verdict of the jury was in favor of the plain­ tiffs, but the court set aside the award and entered judegment n.o.v. in favor of the city. The Supreme Court reversed the judgement in favor of the city and reinstated the verdict of the jury awarding damages to the parents of the drowned children. The Supreme Court ruled that the city, through its easements, completely controlled the land on which the pool was located. Therefore, it must be held to the duties of a possessor of land, as to the responsibility of guarding against injury to trepassing children. In this particular situation, factors making the city responsible included the following, (1) There is little doubt that the city knew or should have known that the pool was a place where children were likeunreasonable risk to trespassing childly to trespass. (2) The pool involved an of shallowness around the edges, with ren because of its deceptive appearance no indication of the deep hole in the middle. (3) The pool was of no use to the city, and the danger could have been eliminated by the city with little effort or expense. as being without merit, the city's argument The court dismissed, could not be considered as the proximate cause of the that the city's negligence accident. Finally, the court stated that there was no merit in the city's con­ tention that, even if it were negligent, it would not be liable because, m main­ taining the storm drainage system, it was engage m a governm 1 The court pointed out that the city did not create the pool storm drainage project; it merely PaSS^^ been disposed of, to form into a pool upon tne ianu its easement. controlled because of l| �MEETINGS VII NO- 7 Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs, Annual Convention, Phu delphia, June 14-17. a~ Pennsylvania State Association of Townships Commissioners, Unity House, Poconos, June 14-17. Governor David L. Lawrence signed Senate Bill number 29 on April 15 , 1959 . The bill amends the Borough Code by authorizing Civil Service Com­ missions to designate the times when applicants for positions and promotions in the police forces and paid fire departments shall take physical examinations. This will allow Civil Service Commissions to require physical examinations AFTER the applicants have passed the other examinations . SEWER SILT Kingston Borough Street and Sanitation Department is in the process of removing silt and dirt from the Mercer Avenue sewer line which has become blocked by caving in the area and from the creek flowing into it from Swoyerville. I Operation at Mercer Avenue sewer is being done by a 30-inch bucket which is run back and forth through the line, removing silt and debris and loaded into a truck for hauling away. The operation is slow due to the necessity of pumping water from the line each day before actual work on silt and debris can begin. Recent surveys show that 4 out of 5 of a metropolitan government for the area in and around Seattle, about the ' The committee carefully explored seven forms of government ihington tfasl trooolitan government for the area. Teams from the committee for a uniascertaining the merits and shortcomings of these different ■L reseacoanties ^d cities and reported back to the main group which did much forms iin — d°theirCpossible applicability. discussei Here are these possible alternative forms or changes in government: 1. The direct annexation of substantially all of the metropolitan area by Seattle was considered inadvisable. The financial burden on the city would be too great. City government would become farther removed from the people and less responsive to them. Some local public functions can be more efficiently performed by smaller units of local government. Community spirit and citizen participation can be more effectively developed in smaller cities. The value of keeping local government undesirable to proceed by direct annexation close to the people makes it i—. particularly where only certain functions of the entire metropolitan area area-wide administration and planning. of government really require example, the water rates. barely an urge. women haters are women. PUBLICATION This News-letter, p ’ ’ UL-published in the Institute of Municipal Govern —ti; monthly as a community service, originates _ . -rnment Wilkes College. Notes and inquiries may be addressed to Dr. Hugo V. Mail , of . __ Wilkes College, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. ey, Institute of Municipal Government, -1- . swyo£ mdpaUieWita eMciusi0M to violate the fundamental principle that the go should represent the people in the area governe . people being served with city water should have a THOUGHTS FOR TODAY Chinese currency is so inflated that the yen is now PA., JULY 15, 1959 metropolitan government A co: GOVERNOR SIGNS BILL WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, yO^- , transit, and other 3. The creation of separate metropolitan sewer, ---- arefully examined, districts, each to handle a particular unc ion, .round the country, the Based on the experience of other CO^^“.^Sle function districts makes . committee concluded that the crea Kotwpent different di£fex“*- functions — it more difficult to achieve coordination drainage drainage is directly a.. ”-----related ’ Functions are related to each other. -plated construction, elated to to road road cons to sanitary sewage disposal and bot closely related to mass transporta related to mass t Road construction and financing are c land use> Establishing spe< speci sound use. Establishing willto impede over-all tion. All functions are related soun a sound, over _all solution. solution, districts for each function �4. Consolidation of the city and county governments within the metro­ politan area and the performance of all governmental functions within that area was considered impractical because of the difficult position in which the remainder of the county would be left if the metropolitan area with its wealthy financial base were separated from the rural area. Two counties would have to be created, one a city-county and one a rural county, and each would require its own structure of government. The new city-county government would amount to a very large city in itself and would be subject to the same disadvantages as the direct annexation approach. A taxpayer contended that the bonds, if a debt, would violate the Consti­ tution. Dld the b°nds create such a debt? The Court said "No" under the ding of the ordinance. The Court puimea pointed out nut mat th at many improvements x , woramg have been financed through the Authority method and that authorities do not create a debt of the incorporating municipality contrary to the Constitution. The Court then said that if the municipality could do this indirectly through an Authority, it could do its borrowing directly. TELEPHONE SYSTEM 5. Expansion of county government to enable it to give city-county services in the metropolitan area would be effective only if the county were at the same reorganized to permit sound administration of such services. i 6. Combined city-county agencies would be set up to perform some, but not all of the metropolitan functions . However , they would not be representative of the smaller <_xkxes cities ,. and would be too limited A------------- --------------in power to accomplish comprehensive solutions of many metro­ politan problems . 7. After reviewing the available alternatives, the committee concluded that the creation of a representative metropolitan government charged with the duty of handling common problems within the area, while leaving traditional and local county functions to the individual counties, cities and towns, holds the greatest promise for a sound, ultimate solution. THE EPHRATA DECISION One of the impetuses to the formation of municipal authorities has been the fact that they are self-liquidating projects and their debts are not considered to be an obligation of the incorporating municipality within the Pennsylvania Constitution. The Municipal Borrowing Act of 1941 provides for the issuance of revenue bonds by a municipality. In an opinion by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania on March 24, 1959 (Elmer Beam, et al v. Ephrata) sustained the issuance of municipal non-debt revenue bonds by a boro to borrow the money necessary to pay for improvements to its electric system. The ordinance of of the boro provided that the bonds were payable solely out of electric revenues and that no taxes would be levied for the payment of the bonds or the interest that might accrue and that no property of the boro may be taken to satisfy either the principal or or interest interest requirements. Upper Darby Township recently installed a 24-hour a day public emergency call telephone system. The system, which was designed originally for reporting fires, is now used in many cities throughout the country for reporting all types of emergencies. The system comprises 40 public telephones which are located on utility poles or special special standards standards.. The --- telephones are contained in bright red boxes , on the outside of which are the words , "FIRE, EMERGENCY, POLICE," in large white letters. On top of the telephone boxes are continuously-burning blue and amber lights. The telephone lines are connected directly to the switch­ board of the police department in the Township building. The switchboard operators have direct telephone and radio connections with eight fire companies, twelve police cars (two of which are emergency cars which can be used as ambulances), and two detective and motorcycle squad cars. All foot patrolmen can be reached through the system by the switchboard operators who can flash lights on top of the boxes to attract the attention of the patrolmen while they are patroling their beats. Locally, Nanticoke has adopted the system and from all reports it seems to be working efficiently. Perhaps, the idea could be explored either in center valley or a switchboard for the east side and a board for the west side of the River. Costs could be shared by each municipality if the idea were adopted for the west side. HOWLING alleys A 1th, first of its kindin the State, and which has no preA ruling whic Tudee James Henninger of the Common cedent in the nation, was handed down by Judge James He g Plea, Court of Lehigh County who decided that howltngjdley. are ay.artoftb. real estate on which they are locatedI a»d t the of ttree eal estate in which the alley, were installed. �1 I PLYMOUTH The newly purchased Elgin street sweeper has arrived and is in service Sentiment of the people indicates approval of the council action in securing the mpchanical sweeper. Businessmen have purchased containers and placed thein at intersections so that people discard paper and waste matter in the baskets. These two projects will certainly go a long way toward making the community a better community. VOL. VIII. NO. 8 NEW LEGISLATION Act 95 - Provides for the acquisition, maintenance and enlargement by second class townships of certain sewage collection or disposal systems . Act 76 - Empowers boro council to adopt a procedure for the sale of personal property of an estimated value of less than $200, such procedure not to require the approval of each individual sale by HANOVER POLICE PENSION FUND Last April the State went to the Supreme Court to regain money it had paid into a newly dissolved private police pension fund. The twenty members of the Hanover Township Police Pension and Benefit Association voted to end the non-profit corporation in 1957 when the Township established its own retirement fund. The fund held over $132,000. The Commonwealth had contributed over $67.000 between 1946 and 1957 . At the time of dissolution only one policeman was on pension. Luzerne County Common Pleas Court directed that the State money be placed into the new township fund which would pay his pension. The balance of the money, after expenses, was to be distributed to the members of the Association. The State, in asking reversal of the lower court decision as to the Commonwealth contributions, stated that when the private police pension fund was dissolved the moneys allocated by the State for pension purposes must be returned together with interest for redistribution for the same purpose. council. school police in second class townships. Tree Commissions where there is no Commission. - Authorizes townships of the first-class5 and of the second class to exceed 5% on unpaid assessments. impose a penalty not to e--------- Act 7 Provides that commissioners of first class townships may act as the Shade Tree Commission where there is no Commission. Act 3 Increases mileage allowance for delegates to meetings of state associations from 8 cents to 10 cents. Act 4 Increases minimum compensation of supervisors for attendance at meetings to six dollars and the maximum compensation to ten young, try running up two flight:s of steps . published monthly as a community service, originates ral Government of Wilkes College. Notes and inquiries may be addressed to Dr. Hugo V. Mailey, Institute of Municipal Government, to Dr. Wilkes College, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Provides that council may perform duties and obligations of Shade Act 5 dollars . PUBLICATION This News-letter, Provides for the election of councilmen upon consolidation of boroughs. Act 6 Trouble is only opportunity in work clothes . If you still think you’re so Changes the provisions relating to the compensation of special Act 69 Act 2 thoughts for today WILKES COLLEGE, WILKE^Aifefi’F’PA. August 15, 1959 Authorizes second class township supervisors to regulate junk Act 9 dealers, junk yards, and salvage yards. Provides for the annexation of boroughs having a population of Act 12 Act 21 10,000 or more inhabitants. for delegates to meetings of State Increases mileage allowance from 8 cents to 10 cents. Association of Boroughs ■I �Hazleton desires to annex the land in question so that the latter can become a part of the Can-Do Industrial Development plot in the Boro. One of the arguments placed before the Court was that Hazle Township would lose revenue if the tract of land was annexed by West Hazleton. The difference is age old - whether or not a second class township is equipped to provide all services necessary in an area of 550. acres, which eventually would hold about a dozen plants with a possible payroll of 4,000 to 5,000 people. The supervisors contend that the added revenue from the development will provide more than sufficient money to provide the necessary services. The Boro argues that the township cannot and that it will be years before West Hazleton realizes any revenue. The Court was not at this time ruling on the annexation report, but on five legal issues raised by the petitioners: 1) Is the Act of 1953 consti­ tutional despite its failure to provide for the giving of notice to aggrieved persons ?; 2) Can the Boro of West Hazleton in one proceeding annex lands situated in two different townships ? ; 3) Can the Boro of West Hazleton annex land which is not contiguous to the Boro, but which is con­ tiguous to other land to be annexed in the same proceeding?; 4) Is it sufficient that the map of the territory to be annexed filed in these pro­ ceedings contains a description of the entire territory by metes and bounds, or must it show in addition the location of each individual tract of land within that area?; 5) Will the Courts permit a loss of assessment in affirm­ ing an annexation? ■ I The Court considered the merits of each of the legal issues raised and then entered the order saying it was satisfied of the legality and propriety of the proceedings . THOUGHTS FOR TODAY group of cities is about even as between charging and not charging the whole group record information, more than a half-dozen cities without such for policeindicate 1------ an intention to develop such fee schedules for early adopcharges tion. SCRAN TON HAS PARK PLAN detailed plan for developing The City of Scranton is considering a h will include a new imunicipal __ 375 acres of new parks and playgrounds wh -> 61-acre s and one 33-acre and one _ golf course, 14 new neighborhood playfields_____ district park. The plan has been prepared by a professional city planning . The plan has been prepared by a firm and requires that the city make annual purchases of new land areas in and requires with a 1definite expenditure program adjusted to the financial accordance of the city in order to fulfill the goal. Scranton already comes close ability o* -the standard of the National Recreation Association for one acre .. meeting of playground space for each 1,000 residents and the projected new parks to and play areas will greatly exceed this standard and will help to increase the attractiveness of Scranton to new Industry. TR AFFIC LIGHTS HARRISBURG -- To assure that motorists see traffic signals and that they see them soon enough, the Department of Highways now requires that two separate lights face in each direction. Previously, the Department approved single installations, because the municipalities, which pay for installation and operation of the signals , did not desire to assume the cost of operating a second installation. New policy calls for two faces in each direction whether the signals are on or off the State Highway System. The usual arrangement will be for the right side signal to be on the far corner and the left side signal on the near corner. However, conditions at each location will govern the choice of arrangement, including whether overhead Honesty is the fear of being caught. Conceit is a form of "I" strain. signals should be used. ANNEXATION PUBLICATION This News-letter, published monthly as a community service, originates in the Institute of Municipal ~ rilkes College. Notes and in­ quiries may be addressed t. to Dr. Hugo V. Mailey, Institute of Municipal Government, Wilkes Colleg je, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. ■ J X Objections to the legality and propriety of annexation proceedings involving West Hazleton Boro and the townships of Hazle and Sugarloaf w«e dismissed by the Luzerne County Court en banc and a board of three commissioners was named to study facts and submit a report to the Court f°r final approval. The objections were raised by the supervisors of Hazle Township, the School District of Hazle Township, four individual tax­ Township, and and four payers of Hazle Township. There were were no from Sugarloaf no complainants complainants fl Township. West Hazleton is the annexing boro.. The The propos proposed territory annexing boro t0 be annexed is located for the most part ’ in Hazle township. Township. West I ! �TAX DEDUCTIBLE EXPENSES OF NON-PAID MUNICIPAL flukes uOiiese iaur di y officia is The Internal Revenue Service has issued a revised ruling, 59 -160, which reads as follows: "To the extent that mayors, councilmen, and/or other elected or appointed officials, who render the services of such offices for cities or other municipal governments without compensation, can estab­ lish that they actually incurred unreimbursable expenses directly connected with and solely attributable to the performance of their official duties (i.e. , are not personal expenses), the amount of such out-of-pocket expenses con­ stitute contributions within the meaning of section 170 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 and are deductible in computing taxable income, subject to the limitations imposed by that section." POLICE RECORDS YIELD REVENUE [ The money-making possibilities of a service that was once an accomo­ dation is increasingly the vogue among city police departments, as the result of an American Municipal Association survey on this relatively new develop­ ment. The minor bonanza is being found in the police records, frequently consulted, for legitimate purposes, by attorneys, employers, insurance com­ panies, and others. San Francisco is one city that authorizes charges for supplying infor­ mation from police records of individuals , traffic accidents, etc. An ordi­ nance authorizes establishment of fees for '‘furnishing reproductions of re­ ports, records, documents, data or other material to the public." Initially adopted charges require payment of $2.50 for the first copy of a complete report, duplicates being made available for $2.00 each. Individual page charges range from $1.00 for the first copy of a first page, to 75£ for addi­ tional pages or additional copies of any page. Governmental agencies, foreign and domestic, are exempted from the charges, which may also be waived by the Chief of Police for "any persons or institutions affected with a public in­ terest, as a matter of policy or reciprocity". The increasing tempo of establishme nt of such by the fact that San Francisco is the sixth sizeable city charges is indicated schedule of charges for access to information in police to recently adopt a newly developing the revenue potential of record room service ar Others records. D.C.; Akron, Ohio; Wichita, Kansas; Jacksonville, Florida; and are Washington, Mississippi. Several anticipate that the revenues to be derived will c 1 Jackson, the cost of rendering the service. These hopes appear justified from service. ..—I exceed experience of more than than twenty-five twenty-fi­ cities having longer .1 the ules of charges for records fn-r room service. records for -established schedIntensity of interest in th cities ^iedbytheAssociX,; subject is ] reflected in the rin its current response of 60 -i survey. While practice among VUJjo VIII v NO. 9 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE,z PA., SEPTEMBER 15, 1959 . I . I OCTOBER MEETING The Fall meeting of local officials will be held Monday evening, Oct­ ober 12, 1959 at the Commons at Wilkes College. The dinner will begin at 6:30 p.m. and the meeting followed by discussion will begin at 7:30 p.m. The speaker for the evening will be Mr. Edward Heiselberg, Director of Planning, Luzerne County Planning Commission. We have heard Mr. Heiselberg before but since the planning Commission is now prepared to adopt subdivision regulations, his remarks will be all the more timely. His topic will be "The Adoption of Subdivision Regulations for Luzerne County." He will re­ view and discuss the regulations on which the Commission has already held one public hearing, with other meetings to follow. This meeting on the 12th is really an opportunity for the local officials to be heard. Certainly, the adoption of these regulations will have an effect on every community— its plans for the future and its capital budget in the present. The Luzerne County Boroughs Association will hold its meeting immed­ iately after the discussion on subdivision regulations. Every borough should be represented in order to hear a report of the major pieces of legislation passed at this session of the General Assembly. PLANNING COURSE A seven-session course on planning, zoning, and community develop­ ment will be offered to local officials for the first time in north­ eastern Pennsylvania as part of the instructional program of the Institute of Municipal Government at Wilkes College. The course will be co-sponsored by the Luzerne Counaty Planning Commission, the Public Service Institute of the Department of Public Instruction and the Institute of Municipal Govern­ ment at Wilkes College. The course is designed to provide local officials-members of councils, zoning hnarns planning commissions, township boards, redevelopment author­ ities and school boards - with an opportunity to familiarize themselves with the latest developments in the planning field and to discusss problems ox mutual interest. The instructor for the course will be Mr. Edward Heiselberg, Director of Planning-for the Luzerne County Planning Commission, assisted by a number of expert lecturers on specialized topics. includes such important topics as zoning, land ,, The tentative program ,: and utilities, housing and redevelopment', planning subdivision, transportation for schools^and other community facilities, and economic development. �The course will be held on the fifth floor in Parrish Hall at Wilkes College on seven successive Monday evenings beginning October 19, 1959. . session will begin promptly at 7:30 p.m. and close at 10 p.m. Registration will be limited to local officials on a "first come, first serve" basis. The is no charge or fee for the course. Registration will be limited to 35 perso 5 in order to provide adequate time for discussion. s Those attending six of the seven sessions will receive a certificate at the annual May dinner of Local Officials. fl I SUBDIVISION REGULATIONS The developer has as much to gain as anyone through community surveillauce of his plan. With the plannig commission’s stamp of approval on his map, his lots become more saleable. He has the ad van tn gp of the expert’s examination of'his layout to protect him against costly mistakes, to guard him for example, against a street plan that unnenessarily requires too high a percentage of his land. In addition he benefits from the rec­ ommendations for improvement in the attractiveness and utility of the site which ultimately will lead to increased investment profits for him. The subdivision of land is essential to the general growth of almost every type of community and can be a great benefit if it provides proper living conditions for new residents and at the same time gives assurance of economic maintenance and service and a long term addition to the community’s resources. On the other hand, poorly planned, poorly located or premature land subdivisions become a permanent handicap to any community’s growth. In many localities, the increasing population, caused by the rapidly expanding subdivisions, has brought tremendous burdens upon the local govern­ ments and school boards. In numerous instances the increased income from taxes is far overshadowed by the cost of providing educational and municipal facilities for the new citizens. No community in Wyoming Valley that is growing can afford this. While many communities may have to focus much of their attention in development on rejuvenation of the old, subdivision control offers a com­ munity the opportunity to prevent future substandard residential areas by compelling subdividers in new areas to comply with a certain set of stan­ dards in regard to let layout and subdivision plan. Subdivision to assure the orderly Subdivision regulations regulations should be be designed designed to ---- ■' ' of residential areas,, the development ” coordination —4"*— of n'p existing streets and public buildings and shopping areasp the proper provision of open space location of future sites for passive and active recreation and the proper 1. '‘ ---- -■<+== In order to attain this for schools, public buildings and shopping areas,,! concerned with the land, purpose, complete subdivision regulatinns must be < easements and streets and roads, blocks and lots, building lines, utility uuxxxujr --- --- ----the provision of improvements such as sidewalks, planting, water mains, sewers, and other facilities. THE BOEER OF A COMMUNITY TO C01~0L x. SUBCONTROL THE DIVISION OF LAND IS OF DIRECT BENEFIT TO THE COMMUNITY, TO THE POTENTIAL PURCHASES OF A HOME, AND TO THE LEGITIMATE DEVELOPER HIMSELF. The community gains by forestalling future 1 , --health hazards, slums and blight which may appear as the result of excessively narrow lot specifications, excessive building over the land, and the failure of the developer to allow sufficient space for necessary community facilities, such as water service, sewers and parks. The community may forestall hazzards to the safety of the future residents, particularly to children, by redesigning the street layout, so that residential streets feed into collector streets, which in turn feed into arterial highways making it impossible for local residential streets to become heavy traffic arteries. The community may save itself substantial amounts of money (initially by a redesign of the subdivision to eliminate unnecessary lengths of street or area of paved surfaces, and may save itself heavy future expenses in repaving, snow removal, cleaning and other such costs. The potential purchases can invest in this confidence if he knows that the entire lot with considerably more subdivision has been e" approved by the Planning Commission, examined and investment can be protected against < He° knows -- that the values —J of his nei rfihnA—J ' - Lot sizes- often bitterbone bone of contention, since narrow --- _ provideaabitter frontages are important important to to the the developer developer and a. broad lots are usually desired by __ the community. However, it sl._ should always be remembered that — ---__ "7. However, it . the most important economy lies in the provision of decent living conditionss the most important economy lies for the future. In addition, the increased road and improvement costs entailed by the provision. of wider lot frontages frontages may be entirely offset by a wider mayofoften decrease in lot depth and lot proper planning block arrangements and utility depth and proper planning c systems. In semi-urban areas where public water and sewer mains are not avail­ able witnin a reasonable distance, the developer might be required to install water and sewage disposal facilities that will meet minimum standards. In order to insure a healthful separation of water supply and sewage dis­ posal in such situations,lot sizes will be necessarily be much larger than when off-the-lot mains are installed. If If the the lot lot size is too great, the developer may find that the resulting maller 1number of saleable lots resulting ssmaller — �I (jaunty. yOL will offset any advantage of individual installations. In fact, he might well be money ahead to provide off-the-lot sewerage at the outset. Where extension of public mains to or near the site is comtemplated in the near future, the developer and new owner will probably find it more economical to install the local mains and connections within the subdivision at the time of development and to provide a temporary community water supply and sewage plant. The cost of any installation is not complete until connection has been made with the public system. Consequently, if the laterals and local mains of a community plant were initially used, part of the cost, of the public connectinn will have been saved; if, on the other hand, cesspools or septic tanks were originally installed nothing can be salvaged the property owner will have paid twice for the same service. VIII NO. io, WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA., OCTOBER 15, 1959 RETIREMENT BILL Senate Bill 699, the Municipal Employes Retirement Bill and one of the most important parts of the Boroughs Association's and the Authorities Association's legislative programs,, was signed in to law by Governor Lawrence on September 23, 1959, ■as Act Number 390. The bill, introduced by Senators Stevenson and Mallery, had the full support of all the local government associations and passed both houses of the legislature by unanimous vote. The signing of the bill into law is the culmination of much work by the Retirement Committee of the Boroughs Association and the Assoc­ THOUGHTS FOR TODAY Janitors might be called floor flushers. A wife is a woman who sticks with her husband through al 1 the troubles he wouldnot have if he had not married her. iation staff. ACT 390 amends the Municipal Employes Retirement Law which has been "on the books" but has not been used since its passage in 1943. The amendments would co-ordinate the provisions of this existing retirement system with Social Security. With the co-ordinated system most boroughs and authorities should be able to afford retirement for all their employees. PUBLICATION This news-letter, published monthly as a community service, originates originates in the Political Science Department of Wilkes community College. service, Notes and inquiries may be addressed to Dr. Hugo V. Malley, Political Science Department, Wilkes College, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. The retirement pay will be about 1.6 per cent of the employe's final salary multiplied by the number of years employed. The plan would go into effect as soon as municipalities having a cumulative total of 250 employes sign up for the service. The system will be administered by the State Employes Retirement Board. 3 are preparing an explanatory The staffs of the Associations of ACT 390. lease on the full provisions c- �I INSURANCE PLACEMENT PROCEDURES In the past, the City of Glendale, California, distributed its fire insurance to local insurance agents on the basis of the volume of insurance business which they wrote in the city. This resulted in the city dealing with 50 different agents. Following a conference between the city's insurance committee and representatives of the Glendale Insurance Association a new procedure for placing fire insurance on city-owned property was adopted. The Insurance Association will act as the city's broker for fire insurance and will issue fire insurance policies . The association will also keep the city insurance committee advised of changes, revisions, and desirable protection, The city has the right to accept or reject any proposals submitted. As commissions are earned they are placed in a trust account; amounts not disbursed for actual expenses connected with handling the city's insurance are to be transferred to a welfare account from which sums may be disbursed upon authorization of the Insurance Association for projects such as safety, fire prevention, community, civic, and other welfare projects. None of the commissions from public business will be distributed to any member of the Insurance Association except for reasonable and approved expenses. principal of the original loan shall be paid annually and that such obligation or obligations may be paid in full or in part each year when the taxes are received and reborrowed again the latter part of the fiscal year provided that the amount borrowed the preceding year by at least one-fifth of the total amount of the original loan. Act 299 further stipulates that the municipality may refund any part of the obligation by the issuance of bonds and that the municipality shall not pay any interest or charges equal to more than six per cent per year on any money borrowed under the provisions of the article. All borrowing under the provisions of this act must fall within the non-electoral constitutional debt limits of the municipality (two perr cent of the assessed property valuation) and a statement must filed with the Department of Internal Affairs attesting this fact. be 1 An annual tax for each of the years the obligation shall be out­ standing sufficient for the payment of the interest thereon and the repayment of not less than one-fifth of the total principal of the original loan shall be assessed by the taxing authorities of the munici­ pality. The annual tax shall be expressed as an amount to be raised by taxation in each succeeding year for principal and interest on the debt so that in each succeeding year the tax rate may be adjusted to produce the amount specified. BORROW WITHOUT BONDS On September 8th the Governor signed into law House Bill 354, ACT 299. This important Boroughs Association bill would allow a municipality to borrow money, not to exceed $15,000, for capital expenditures for municipal improvements and equipment without the issuance of bonds , provided the money is .repaid within five years from the date of borrowing. The bill, which amends the 1" Municipal Borrowing Law of 1941 by adding a new article-VII-A. The Commission s the Local Government Conference supported it.sponsored the bill and The new law further provides ^at at least one-fifth of the total OPEN DUMPS George Livingstone, regional sanitarian for the State Department George Livingstone, of Health, announced that he intends to close all open dumps, both private and municipality-operated, in the eight-county area under his jurisdiction • The crackdown is part of a State-wide campaign to "rid the Commonwealth of these insect and disease breeding disposal sites." Livingstone reported that he has sent letters to county commissioners in Luzerne, Columbia, Lackawanna, Monroe, Pike, Susquehanna, Wayne and Wyoming counties, informing them of his plans and requesting conferences on the matter. He has aliready met with solicitors for Luzerne County and received replies from officials in Susquehanna and Wyoming counties I �1 The sanitarian pointed out that State Law prohibits garbage decaving matter or waste from being permitted to remain exposed n:c the surface of the ground. He said this clearly outlaws the common open dumps. The only approved refuse disposal methods are sanitary landfill and incineration. Landfill consists of dumping refuse in a trench, compacting it and covering it with a layer of dirt. Livingstone said many small communities report they do not have the money r ’ for grading equipment which is needed for the sanitary fill method. ... r __‘l—1. He reported that this work may have to be handled on a county level when the crackdown is .... -s completed. VOL. VIII NO. 11, WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA., NOVEMBER 15, 1959 EDUCATING PUBLIC EMPLOYEES " Can you tell us whether we would be out of line if we granted some sort of financial assistance to our employees for regular courses in high schools and colleges ? " ered by many local government officials during the next decade. The City of Phoenix, Arizona recently con­ ducted graduation ceremonies and presented certificates to 748 c employees who had completed 63-in-service training ; courses during the past year. In addition, 5,818 employees completed 21 training courses for which no certificates were awarded. THOUGHTS FOR TODAY Some people are like mummies , all rapped up in themselves. America has the best ' 'yessed" woman in the world. publication This News-letter, published monthly as a originates in the Political T Science Dej Notes and inquirie es may be addressed Political Science I Right now we are being warned of rising educational costs and the diffi­ culty facing many families which may be unable to afford a college education for their children. This suggests that some, perhaps many, youngsters will be unable to receive all the education they want and need. Industry and gov­ ernments are being asked to help solve the dilemma. For a full treatment of the question raised by the mayor, let us cite a report on a national survey of programs of formal education and assistance in the January, 1959, issue of the Public Personnel Review. Here are a few highlights from that account. Although not yet widespread, practices of the last five years reveal the beginning of a trend for local governments to give their employees assistance in getting more formal education. Programs exist in cities and counties of all sizes; Ipswich, Mass., population 6,895, introduced a program in 1947. Generally these assistance programs must be "directly connected with and relevant to the duties of the employee in his present position;" and must be taken on the employees own time. The employee is not required to con­ tinue as an employee after completion of the course, however. The most common requirement is simply completion of course work. Glendora, California requires a 1-page course summary and statement of benefits derived, while Covenia, California requires 90 per cent class attendance. screening committees for selection of candidates, Some governments use a written examination and oral interview to Ripon, Wisconsin, requires �A variety of aids are offered. Seventy-six per cent of i------ •• dictions pay full tuition; 9 per cent allow 50 per cent tuition and 15 per provide no tuition. Books and supplies are purchased by 43 per <— cent; one contributes 8 cents per mile auto allowance. Lynwood, California Pays for only one-half tuition, expenses but grants premium pay on the basis 1 °f one dollar per completed unit of study. Supervisors place a high value on the program as morale builders; employees are moderate in their acceptance of them, often preferring to have the governmental unit give pay increases instead of paying for the employee education. There are sharp differences of opinion about justification of the program, The personnel director of Pasadena, California believes employees work harder and gain more by paying for their own formal education; the chief personnel technician at Anaheim, California views the programs as a " longrange capital gain" primarily for the benefit of the community and not for the personal benefit of employees. Other benefits cited are; an aid to recruitment, a brake on turnover and an opportunity to provide special training in some of the professional fields. Government assistance to public employees in regular school and college courses cannot -be viewed ---- -------J as a substitute for in-service training. But a precedent for this type of <educational assistance has been set; public officials should observe and evaluate ’ ‘ its operation a as a means of improving public service in their communities. SHOPPING CENTERS Many a retailer has looked at his diminishing receipts and decided that if only off-street parking were available for his customers all of his problems would be solved. IT store is located in an old "established" ---- ' _____ _ His shopping center where he has done < a good business for years. He is within -a comparatively ------------------- ' few feet of an important transfer corner on main transportationlines. While his business “ continues to decline, the new modern shopping centers some distance away are ; j prospering. If only there were off-street parking. Because his livelihood may be at stake, he had better check to see whether or not his ’■’"‘-king is really dreaming. Shopping habits . However, while the automobile has come means of conveyance from the home to the ng space, on its own, will not bring a single customer to the merchant. Even in the new shopping centers, with their acres of free parking, it is not the parking which is the first attraction to the buyer. The shopper is interested in the merchandise, the merchandising, in the price, in opportunity to make comparisons, and in several factors which are placed before parking. All things being equal, the center with convenient parking facilities will outdraw the center without parking, but close examination will usually re­ veal that the average man or woman does not discontinue shopping in a given neighborhood or store only because of the inconvenience connected with the lack of parking. He or she learns of a new store which is bright and attractive, which is well lighted where the values of the goods offered for sale are more attractive, where the clerks are pleasant, and where the service is good. After he tries it once or twice, trips to the " old neighborhood " become more infrequent. The city of Detroit has established off-street parking lots in a number of its major shopping centers outside of the central business district as a part of a thriving automobile parking system. Briefly told, some of the experiences may be of value to the merchant who would like to believe that all of his troubles can be related to the lack of parking. Case History No. 1 was established in a neighborhood center with A 360-car parking lot wao coccyx-------------- -------- o comparatively new stores. The The center center is is recognized for its alert and aggressive _________ merchandisers and for its cleanliness and attractiveness. Despite the fact v.-v „ — within --------- the orbit of one of the world's most successful that it is --e-i suburban shopping centers, this center has held its own, continuing to prosper. The use of the parking lot has increased each year with an annual average occupancy in excess of 200,000 cars. The fee on the parking lot is ten cents for the first hour and five cents for each additional hour. Case History No. 2 A 260-car parking, l_i lot was established in an endeavor to stop the de­ was established in an cline of an important secondary major business center. The attitude of secondary major business many of the merchants and and business business property property owners owners was defeatist and, — -------1-!------- 1lot was encouraging while the announcement of the coming of *the parking to several of them, quite a few with expiring leases were seeking new and few with expiring more productive locations. During the twelve months between the announce­ _ __ During the 1 ment of the approval of the parking lot and its opening, several merchants >roval of the parking 1----moved out. Others were convinced that as soon as the parking lot was Others were convinced that opened, the vacant stores would be filled and the cash registers would be would be 1-— 1 I i �TtecM-tetten ringing again. After all, they reasoned, the population which the center served was still there, and the nearest of the new suburban shopping centers was six miles away. The parking lot was opened with much fan­ fare by the brave band of retailers who were either convinced or were hopeful that the center would come back. However, the shopping public stayed away in droves. After a year's operation at a parking rate of ten cents for the first hour and five cents for each additional hour, the parking lot did not produce enough revenue to pay the salary of the at­ tendant. A parking gate has been installed and it is now possible to park on the lot for ten cents for an unlimited period. This change has attracted the cars of a few of the merchants but has brought no additional customers. The future of the center is a big question mark. ! j This article does not intend in any way to indicate 1’ that adequate parking is not a necessary adjunct of the retail business. Rather, it is believed that these case histories, selected from a number of experiences, empha­ size what has previously been said. Parking is one of the factors nec­ essary to the success of a retail business. However, it is only one factor and it is not, by any means, the most important factor. It is necessary to give attention to many things in order to maintain a shopping center in an attractive, healthy, prosperous condition. Before a property owner decides to invest in parking as a panacea, he would do well to keep in mind that " off-street parking will not save a dying shopping center. " "THOUGHTS FOR TODAY" Loud-mouths don't have to worry about food shortages, they usually eat their words. An ounce of suggestion is worth a pound of lure. ' 'PUBLICAT ION1' This News-letter, published monthly as a community service, originates in the Political Science Depar Department Notes and inquiries maybe addressed to Dr. I’of Wilkes College. litical Science Department, Hugo V. Mailey, PoDepartment, Wilkes Wilkes College, Wilkes sylvania. Ti—— a-Barre, Penn- VOL- VIII NO 12, WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA., DECEMBER 15, 1959 NEW COURSES BY THE INSTITUTE Immediately following the Christmas holidays the Institute of Municipal Government will send out informational letters on training courses for newly elected local officials - School Dir­ ectors, Councilmen and Township Commissioners. Both of these courses will provide an opportunity for successful candidates to gain a valuable orientation toward their new careers in Public Service. LOCAL GOVERNMENT SERVICES The Department of Internal Affairs is exploring the feasibility of establishing a Division of Administrative Services in the Bureau of Municipal Affairs . The Division would be headed by a t rained administrator who would be assisted by a staff well versed in public finance, records management programs and personnel systems . The Division would also locate local government officials who are especially trained in any of these fields and who would be willing to make their training and experience available to other local governments which are seeking assistance. Thus, when a local government sought aid, either a member of the Division would render the aid directly, or some local government official, working under the supervision and in cooperation with the Division, would advise and assist the municipality. A government which seeks help in any of these three areas would be expected to pay for the service. Every effort, of course, would be made to offer the desired assistance on as economical and efficient a basis as possible, but the political sub-division would compensate the appropriate parties for the services rendered. d-------differs from the The Pennsylvania approach to the matter . The fact that the proposed , is immaterial. What is imcourses of action differ, however interest which is becoming evident portant is the increasing i—---Maryland and New York approach �in all three states for the creation of a state body which will provide technical advisory services to local governments. There appears to be a growing recognition of the circumstanc es that, if the political subdivisions are to provide the types of services desired by the citizenry, it is necessary that more specialized assistance be made available to them at reasonable cost. VOLUNTEER FIREMEN 1! • ! A supplement to the Workmen's Compensation Act amended in 1956 (1955 P . L. 1468; 77 PS 22a) provided that the word employee should include members of volunteer fire companies of the various cities , boroughs , towns and townships , and that they should be entitled to compensation for injuries; (1) "re­ ceived while actually engaged as fire fighter or while going to or returning from any fire; (2) "or while participating in instructing fire drivers"; (3^ or"while repairing or doing other work about or on fire apparatus or building x x x or the fire company, " (4) "or while answering any emergency call"; (5) or "while riding upon fire apparatus owned or used by the fire company of which they are members"; (6) "or while per­ forming any other duties of such company or fire department authorized by such township. " The Act further provided that the subdivision should be deemed to have knowledge of all other employment of its vol­ unteer firemen and that the compensation payable should be based upon the fireman's average weekly wage or his earnings if self employed. The great detail in which the coverage is spelled out in this act was prompted by decisions like Versellesi v . Elizabeth Township, 136 Super. 362, where the volunteer fire chief was denied compensation while working on an addition to the firehouse; and Smith v. Perkasie Borough, 80 D & C 451, a volunteer fireman was denied compensation while t ’ where __ collecting waste paper to be sold for buying fire equipment where th_ -ie collection was never authorized. This latter case under the 1956 amendment. may still be good law even FEDERAL EXCISE TAX Pennsylvania political subdivisions, can save up to 11 per cent on purchases by taking advantage of their exemption from certain federal excise taxes. There are five major kinds of federal excise taxes from which municipalities are exempt. These include the manufacturers' excise taxes, the transportation taxes , the com­ munication taxes, the retailers' taxes, and the admissions taxes. Municipal governments are exempt from most excise taxes when the purchases are to be used solely for governmental pur­ poses. These tax exemptions may be achieved in one of two ways. One way is by registering with the district director of internal revenue and the other way is by using tax exemption certificates. The "Excise Tax Technical Changes Act of 1951" authorizes local governments to use the registration method instead of the exemption certificates. Local governments may register but they are not required to do so. It must be remembered that the registration method is applicable only when municipal purchases are made directly from a manufacturer. If the purchases are made from a dealer or distributor, the exemption certificate must be used. Ordinarily an exemption certificate should oe mea wim order for goods or materials, but if the invoice shows that an excise tax is included in the charge, the municipality should deduct the amount of the tax and substitute an exemption certificate. Most of the exemptions from the federal excise taxes (on pur­ chases of vehicles, gasoline, oil, tires and tubes , radios, firearms, etc.) are set forth in the "Internal Revenue Code." Although the law is silent on exemption from taxes on safe deposit boxes , foreign insurance policies, deeds of conveyance, and transfers of mortgages and corporate securities, municipalities are not required to pay them as a matter of internal revenue policy. auxiliary police unit Wyoming Boro Council unanimously voted down a request by members of the Boro Auxiliary Police Unit to be included as special boro police officers. The auxiliary unit also expressed a desire to become insured under boro jurisdiction. The request was turned down on the grounds that the present regular police force is adequate and that the insurance would be too costly for the tax­ payers. Jt has also been argued that the community already possesses a group of special officers on whom the regular police can depend at all times �tfwty 'Jteurt.-tettWl HANOVER TOWNSHIP ______________________________________________ ; An ordinance creating a Redevelopment Authority in Hanover Township was approved. Together with the Planning Commission, the Authority will study the use of lands released for sale by the Glen Alden Corporation. WILKES - BARRE Presence within the City of one trailer camp and a number of trailers being used separately as permanent residences have caused city officials to consider regulations and taxation. Camps will be licensed renewable annually. The fee is $15.00. Rules and regulations have also been considered under the police power of the city. A YACHT CLUB OR SEWAGE PLANT Boats bob at their moorings on three sides of it and flag s fly gaily from its roof, f Saucy seahorses adorn its wall. It looks just like a yacht club,. Actually, it's Clearwater's new i sewage treatment plant, designed to be a showplace rather than „ an eyesore. The plant, put into service recently, had to be located near a luxurious i esidential development. Its designers took all this into consideration and came up with a building which looks like anything except what it is . "THOUGHTS FOR TODAY'' A man about town is most always a fool about women. A good r ’ salesman is the fellow who can convince his wife she looks fat in a fur coat. publication This News-letter, published monthly as a community service, iius news-letter, originates in the Institute of Municipal Government of Wilkes College. Notes and inquiries may be addressed to Dr. Hugo V. Mailey, Institute of Municipal Government, Wilkes College, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. VOL. IX NO. 1, WILKES G^jLLEGEF,'"'WILKES-BARRE, PA., JANUARY 15, I960 VOLUNTEER PROPERTY INSPECTION Twice during the past five years, volunteer inspectors from the Norristown Real Estate Board's Committee on local improve­ ments have inspected every one of the 9,000 properties in the Borough of Norristown for unsightly exterior conditions. This campaign for local improvement was started in 1949 largely as a result of the concern of Harry Butera, a prominent citizen and realtor, who states that the campaigns have succeeded in remov­ ing the major unsightly ightly physical conditions within the Borough. The personal efforts of the volunteer inspectors are strongly reinforced by official law-enforcement actions endorsed by the Borough Council, and strengthened by consistent and intelligent reporting in the local newspaper. The committee outlined its program in detail to the Borough Council, prior to the first survey which began in late October 1949. The Council agreed to cooperate fully and assigned the build­ ing inspector and the fire and health departments to work closely with the real estate men. The committee's first step was to divide the Borough of Nor­ ristown, three and one-half square miles in area, into five dis­ tricts and to assign a two-man team of volunteer inspectors from the real estate board to each district. With each man donating an afternoon a week until the survey was completed, the teams visited every property in the Borough and examined them for structural condition, for privies, for junkpiles, and for other physical, sanitary, and esthetic conditions. clearly showed evidence of deterioration, Where the property form letter to the owner on which were the committee sent ~ a :e deficiencies noted by the inspectors. The checked offoffered, the specific --------without charge, the realtors' "individual and letter also expert <-----------collective advice" to correct the faults and, when nec­ essary, for assistance in obtaining loans for repair and restor- ■ �Borough officials have increased their enforcement activities since the time of the first survey. They now condemn buildings they would not have condemned before. For example, the real estate men's position was notably reinforced when only six months after they had reported that a fire hazard existed, a fire did break out in the structure and endangered an entire block. There had only been a cursory inspection of the building, but as Butera said at the time, " Those who have been around in this business can tell what the interior is like by looking at the exterior." The Borough officials immediately began to press their enforcement activities. The local newspaper,The Norristown Times Herald, gave strong support to the campaigns. Richard Walsh, the city editor, assigned reporters to cover the committee's work and week after week ran daily stories reporting the conditions uncovered by the teams. Often a reporter accompanied the survey teams , bringing back spe­ cial feature articles running up to column length. As a whole, Norristown shows visible improvement. Several hundred privies are gone. Houses are freshly painted, many with new additions to them. Yards and river banks are cleared of junk and out-buildings . The only severely blighted area just behind a local shopping street is being brought up by a group of retail mer­ chants for conversion to customer parking. Their action, ac­ cording to Butera, is attributable to the Improvement Committee's initial effort to maintain the community. Exclusive of hundreds of hours of volunteer work, the first survey cost the Real Estate Board about $250. kfost of this went for printing the form letters. The campaigns not only started a chain reaction of local improvements of which the committee is intensely proud, they also started Butera off on a career of speech­ making around the country, as scores of communities heard of the Norristown experience and wanted to know how to undertake sim­ ilar operations. Sometimes Butera feels that this demand for assistance to other communities keeps him from concentrating on the Norristown program which he created and which remains his major interest. MUTUAL AID AND INSPECTION PLAN Four public agencies in Rochester, New York are engaged in ■’ something-for-something relationship that eventually may pro­ vide a complete cinspection history - available at a moment's notice - of -f every dwelling in the city and that, potentially, could a r— become an important source of census-type housing information for the city. Participants in the Rochester 11 mutual aid" plan: the fire buthe rehabilitation commisreau , the county health department, sion , and the bureau of buildings. The Rochester -plan goes like this: a clearing house - it is known “ as3 the Central Housing Index - has been set up in the re­ habilitation commission's offices. Anyone from any of the par­ ticipating agencies who needs to know anything about the inspec­ tion history of a dwelling can get the story simply by dialing the Central Index number on the phone. At Central Index there is maintained a complete and permanent file, on keysort cards, of every housing inspection job in the city. Included in the avail­ able information: name and address of building owner and/or agent; whether building is owner occupied or not; why the inspec­ tion was initiated; description of type and condition of struc­ ture; whether it has rooming or business units; whether it has central heat; what housing code violations exist; whether the owner or tenant is responsible for condition of the building; what action , if any, was taken as a result of the inspection (including such things as referral of a family to a social agency, calling in another of the housing inspection agencies, legal action). ------ l is that it brings toThe most important jj-l phase of" the program w place data collected by all inspection agencies, so gether in one that one may easily make use use of information on a property pre­ viously gathered ’by Hence, as / another. another. Hence, as the central file is built up, more and and more it will more often often it will be be unnecessary unnecessary for an inspector to go on a job cold, even if his particular agency has not investi­ job cold, gated a property before. Further, the system offers new oppor­ property befor ordered have been tunities tunities for for checking checking on whether improvements valuable source for made and, in the long run, it may also prove a getting a quick picture of the city's housing inventory. - the Central Housing Index form is the master form maintained at All information on Index headquarters for each inspected property. all of the particior a building emanating from inspections by any that the inforpating agencies is put on a single keysort card, so mation always is quickly available. ial form filled out by an in- the Record of Inspection is the special ti g Index (it is used in adspecter for routing to the Central Housing of the regular forms of the dition to, not as a substitute for, any Each inspector is provided with a book of participating agencies), carbons to yield duplicates. Both copies, such forms, rigged with one is kept at the Index to bring once filled out, go to Central Index: the property; the second is filled out, up to date the central file on �on the backside, with reports on previous inspections of the same property and then returned to the agency from which it originated -the Numerical Code System is the key to both of the forms des­ cribed above. Inspectors use the code to fill out the Record of In­ spection and "central indexers" use it to transfer information to the keysort card. Under the code system, virtually all conditions that might apply to a building have been assigned numbers within four categories - why initiated, type of structure, reason for con­ dition, category of violations - and an inspector need only circle the *.i --------------proper number ’ under • the proper category < in order to tell the story of what his inspection has turned up. F __ 1 is that the reResult cording of building data, literally, has been made ------- j as easy as 1, 2, 3. ______:___________________ / VOL- IX NO. _______________________ _ 2, WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA. , FEBRUARY 15, I960 LIQUID FUELS MONEY The Liquid Fuels Tax Act of 1931, most recently amended this session, provides that one-half cent per gallon of the permanent tax on gasoline shall be paid to the counties of the commonwealth. This money is distributed to the counties in amounts based on the money collected in each of the counties for the years immediately preceding the passage of the law in 1931. This basis of distribution is still in effect, i.e. , the funds are distributed to the counties based on collections in the years 1929-1931. DISCRIMINATION AGAINST NONRESIDENT GARBAGE While a township may regulate the business of collecting and disposing of garbage, it may not prohibit the hauling and disposal of any materials which originate outside of the township with out similar control of garbage generated within the township. This is the decision of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court in Lutz v. Armour (1959) 395 Pa. 576. The Supreme Court held that the attempt of Findlay Township to i .......................... _ restrict the disposal of garbage within its boundaries on the basis ofI origin of the garbage constituted unlawful --- of the place ’ discrimination and was therefore unconstitutional. The Court re­ jected the township's argument that it was merely regulating the quantity of garbage dispo sed of in the township because there was no attempt to control the quantity of local garbage disposed of in the township The law originally stipulated that the money received from this source "shall be used for the purpose of construction, reconstruction, maintenance and repair, of roads, highways and bridges, including the payment of property damage . . . . " The law was amended to set-up a County Liquid Fuels Tax Fund and provide that any money not used for highway purposes on county highways may be allocated and apportioned to the local governments within the county. The law now says, as amended during the 1959 session of the Legislature that the county commissioners may allocate a portion of the "County Liquid Fuels Tax Fund" to the municipalities and that they shall notify the political subdivisions to make application within 90 days for participation in the dis­ tribution of a balance in the "County Liquid Fuels Tax Fund" if the balance is greater than the amount received into the fund for the preceding 12 months. The distribution of the unencumbered balance in excess of 50 per cent of the receipts for the previous 12 months shall be made to the political subdivisions applying. "THOUGHTS FOR TODAY " A farmer is one who stands c out in his field. Life is an reverlasting struggl Je to keep money coming in and teeth and hair from ----a coming out. PUBLICATION This News-letter, published monthly as a community service, originates in the Institute of Municipal Government of Wilkes Col­ lege. Notes and inquiries maybe addressed to Dr. Hugo V. Mailey, Institute of Municipal Government, Wilkes College, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. be used for this distribution is: 50 per cent according to The formula to - x . Considering all *■this , ’it cent according to population. ’ *■ mileage and 50 per .eighboring counties are receiving is easy to see why some boroughs in n( _ highway money from the county and the State and why political subdivisions in Luzerne County are receiving money only from the State. In the first place, this money has first priority for use by the county, A few counties for which they are responsible, ‘ still have extensive county road systems Many counties maintain a number although this is far from being the rule, xra still paying off some debt incurred for the of bridges and some counties are £.--- . and bridges although these may now not be the . construction of county roads Perhaps the balance in the funds for a particresponsibility of the county, not in excess of the receipts for the pre­ ular year in some counties was situation which has arisen in the past is that vious twelve months.. Another I �political subdivisions have failed to make application distribution of these funds after they have been notified by the1^ e in the county. Most other sizable third class counties contribute sums of money to towns and townships in their borders for road and highway maintenance while in Luzerne County there has been a consistent policy of refusing help except for rental of machinery. Luzerne County has always spent all of its ]' liquid fuel tax refund on its highway system, even though the mileage has 3 not changed in recent years and the refund goes up with each succeeding year. In 1959 the County received $ 542,000 from 1’ the state, spent $ 87,000 for road bonds and interest, and then spent for maintenance ----- j and repair, something like $ 454,000. Montgomery County, the only one which receives more in liquid fuel tax refunds than Luzerne, contributed $ 70,615 to various subdivisions which asked for help in maintaining their road system, for maintenance and repair. Neighboring Lackawanna It spent $ 449,000 $ 375,000 from the State and applied $ 74,000 for land _ County received $ 62,000 for interest and bonds . Westmoreland County, damages costs, plus , the most liberal with its subdivision, last year distributing $ 109,500 out of $ 427,000 ~ ,-----L $ Li, uuO re­ ceived among the towns, t 68,000 ~ _ J more for land damage claims and using $ spending $ 188,000 for its own highways. Berks County County spent spent much much more on gifts to subdivisions than on its own highways - $ 77,000 - and also spent $ 55,000 for ,__ ) against $ 25,000 land damages. Berks ended the year with a quarter-million balance in its liquid fuels tax. four communities show INTEREST IN REFUSE PLAN Four communities are interested in the waste disposal program being offered by the Lancaster Area Refuse Authority. The authority board was told at its regular monthly meeting in October that if all four communities sign up for the program contracts for approximately 20 loads of waste per week will have been signed. A guarantee of at least 30 loads per week is required before the authority will formally start its program. To date, no communities have signed contracts. Jack D. ILausch, landfill manager, told the authority board that in addition to the four c—•** communities interested in the program other smaller municipalities have — .J espressed an interest. Mr. Lausch reported that one °f the four jaj-----rger communities queried him on the possibility of sending lts waste collector .fors direct to the authority landfill sites instead of using the Portable waste containers contemplated in the authority program. The authority board, as a result, voted unanimously to adhere to its program. The vote followed the recommendations of the authority's op­ erating committee. The authority plan calls for participating communities to buy huge metal containers which would be stationed in the various local­ ities to receive waste. When full, they would be hauled to the authority landfill and emptied. An empty container would be left when a full one was picked up. Communities would buy the containers and pay $ 19.00 per pickup. The authority would buy the truck and spare containers. The authority offered the plan after the State Health Department ordered the closing of all open dumps in the county. Some municipalities as a re­ sult are faced with the loss of all dumping grounds. At the October meeting the board discussed but made no decision on the possibility of returning more of the money loaned to the authority by the seven member communities. The board discussed the possibility of chan­ neling another $ 12,000 to its members. The City of Lancaster would re­ ceive $ 3,000 and each of the townships -- East Hempfield, East Lampeter, Lancaster, Manheim, Manor, and West Lampeter -- would receive $ 1,500. Two years ago the authority returned $ 12,000 to the members. Loans from various communities totaled $ 60,000. After hearing that the authority cash balance was $ 27,412, the authority board gave the finance committee per­ mission to invest $ 15,000. POLICE RADIO SYSTEM TO SERVE FIVE MUNICIPALITIES A big step forward for New Sewickley township resulted when the town­ ship board of supervisors approved plans to participate in a tentative fivearea police radio communication system. The four areas beside New Sewickly are Pulaski, Daughtery and Rochester townships, and Rochester borough all of Beaver County. The board took the action during its regular meeting held in the Big Knob fire hall. Officials from the other four communities were present at the meeting. ------ i record as definitely New Sewickley is the first of the five areas to go on participating in the program. They did so 1providing „ that needed equipment �^.ct^en*te can be purchased under the present civil defense program and °PeratiOn expenses will be a reasonable amount for the year. Other surroundi .ng communities are expected to join the system later. !X NO. 3, WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA., MARCH 15, I960 VOL- PUBLIC SAFETY TAX CLAIM BUREAU Hidden Cameras are used in New York City to snap the picture of persons turning in false alarms. The shutter of the camera clicks automatically as the alarm is pulled. Auctioning Used Cars rather than trading them in saves several thousands of dollars for Winston-Salem, N.C. The city reports that it also makes substantial savings by replacing cars after 40,000 miles rather than 60,000, and by buying a year's supply of cars at one time. A state Approved Training course will be compulsory for all police officers hired by municipalities or counties in New York State after July 1, I960. THE POLICE-FIRE INTEGRATION The Police-Fire Integration experiment in Winston-Salem, N.C., has been called successful by both the fire chief and the police chief. The experiment was conducted in one section of this city of 105,000 population for 7 months. Both chiefs have recommended that the in­ tegration become permanent. THOUGHTS FOR TODAY" A woman's chief asset is man's imagination. A self-made man is usually an example of un-skilled labor. PUBLICATION This News-letter, published monthly as a c~ originates in the Institute of Municipal Governm community service, lege. Notes and inquiries may be addressed ment of Wilkes ColInstitute of Municipal Government, Wilkes Colleg to Dr. Hugo V. Mailey, Pennsylvania. e, Wilkes-Barre, In 1947 the Real Estate Tax Sale Law was passed in Pennsylvania in an effort to make the sale of property for taxes more efficient, to make tax sales more attractive to purchasers, and to dispose quickly of the great backlog of unsold property that had accumulated over the years. Luzerne County is one of the few counties that has adopted this system. But how many local officials know exactly what the Bureau does with the property? Here are excerpts of remarks made by Mr. Harry Welsh of the County Tax Claim Bureau at a meeting of local officials. " The Tax Claim Bureau is like an old letter file to municipalities. It is a place to put tax claims which tax collectors have been unable to col­ lect. The Tax Claim Bureau enters the picture on the first Monday of May of each year when the various collectors certify, and turn over all of their unpaid tax claims. From here on they are absolved from all responsibility. The bureau carefully analyzes all of the returns. Many are discarded and stricken from the record as exempt, faulty assessments, or State or county owned real estate. The Bureau sends a notice of return by certified mail return receipt requested to every delinquent taxpayer. This notice gives com­ plete data concerning property ownership, location, description, amount of claim and interest, methods of making payment, and that the claim will be­ come absolute on December 31st following. All notices must be received by July 31st, and if for any reason a notice can not be delivered, then the prop­ erty is posted with a like notice, and an affidavit to this effect is recorded." "Beginning in June payments of claims start to flow through the Bureau. Each bill is prepared by the bureau, each payment is posted in the permanent docket and index, and each property ledger card is posted by a bookkeeping machine. This system is so complete that the recapitulation not only gives each district a total of all monthly collections, but it lists each district a total of all monthly collections, but it lists each property and description, each receipt number and date, and each individual payment by year broken down into tax, interest, and costs. The present charge for such service to each district-------- 4% of the money collected. " "One year from the month of July, all properties against which there is still a claim open of record, or not properly protected by a written contract, are placed in a public sale known as an Upset Price Sale. The term Upset �Price denotes a total of all taxes, interest, penalties, r: costs, ~ ana miw.ciw liens, if any. This Upset Price is the lowest amount which the Tax Claij^ Bureau will accept for the sale of any property. Besides cor computing the erous Upset Price figures, the Bureau sends a notice of sale —j by certified mail return receipt requested to each property owner. " deals with abatements, divisions of property, and tax compromises. "Now why should districts be concerned with all this melee? The Tax Claim Bureau has the headache as agent for the districts while the districts receive money at a mere 4% charge on the money collected only. "Sale notices must be received by the property owners at least ten days prior to sale, and where the mail is not delivered, the property is posted The Bureau will allow anyone to remove a property from sale for the owner anytime up to and including the morning of sale. " "First of all, the district is responsible to see that current taxes are furnished to the Bureau to be included in all Upset Prices. Not one dis­ trict does this. Is there money lost? Yes, and a lot more would be lost if the Bureau didnot estimate current taxes purely on its own initiative." "Eventually the sale takes place, and the highest successful bidder at an open public auction is awarded each property. All properties not sold are considered advertised and held by the Tax Claim Bureau as Trustee. With­ in 60 days the Bureau must make a report to the Court of Common Pleas as to the status of all sale properties. Sixty days after receiving the report, the Court confirms all sales except those to which there is a valid objection, should be noted that all successful buyers at an Upset Price Sale are It paying all taxes of record. Judgements are wiped out by the sale, actually Judgements if any, hold, and follow the nrnno>-t>r ■< but mortgages property." "Districts are also responsible for furnishing the Bureau with all municipal liens, if any. Do they do this? No." "One year from the date of this sale, the Tax Claim Bureau files individual n Pleas to sell all those properties not sold at the Upset Price Sale. Each petition includes a legal search made by attorneys for the Bureau. The Court upon being satisfied that the petitions are proper, and that this service was made, r ' ,Sale. sets a date and time for a public auction sale known as a Free and a Free and Clear Sale." "Once again properties are placed on the auction block, and sold to the highest bidder, but bidding begins at the total amount of costs accrued by the Bureau in preparing the sale. This cost figure is usually about $ 70.00, and all successful bidders get a free and clear title with all taxes, judgements, and mortgages wiped off the record. Where there is no interested bidder, a property is sold to the County of Luzerne for costs plus one dollar. " "All County owned prop' property may still be purchased by a private bid. bids are initiated i with the T J Bureau, and where the County Commissioners Such satisfied with the /___ .e amount of the bid, ’ ’ ’, the Bureau petitions the Court to are sell. " "While the Bureau is r-;_l.l and docketing and indexing these claims, it receiving is also p~*claims from ,collectors, . _ collectors, ” ■preparing ’ preparing an and Upset Price from the previous year, and a free clear r ' Sale for open claims ceived two years prior. It is also collecting, posting, and is also c to the districts. -------„•Itsale re­ of payments, and making It distribution is for claims _o distributio: thousands of pieces ‘aking of mail, thousands phone auditingthousands thousandsof in toofthe <” calls, and issuing li, certificates guaranteeing certified lien status of the tax servicing record. It is hand­ __ i the of phone ling many private bid sales, and protect— *■- • Sheriff sales. It also status c protecting tax claims at n " The Tax Bureau can write a tax off the record at any time, and all but one or two districts in the County would not know the difference." 'The returns of taxes made to the Bureau usually include so many false claims that it is impossible to know how a district ever uses these claims when making up its budget. " "When a property owned by the County is sold for more than costs, the Bureau makes an equitable distribution of all bid money in excess of costs. Since all taxes were previously dis charged, the district is actually without a claim, but still receives money." "Did you know that a district may buy property at a tax sale in its own right, and that this could prove to be beneficial? It is never done, Did you know that a district can force the Tax Bureau into the sequestration of property, and that all rents received by the bureau in this capacity must be used to reduce tax claims? Did you know that a district can force the Bureau or the County to accept a tax bid that may have been refused, and thereby restore real estate to a tax income status?" KINGSTON TOWNSHIP The proposed I960 budget includes four changes in sources of revenue. These changes include elimination of the 1-mill sinking fund tax; reduction in light assessment from seven cents to six cents per front foot; elim­ ination of the 11-mill occupation tax and establishment of a $3.00 per capita tax. Elimination of the 1-mill sinking fund tax is possible because there was sufficient balance in the sinking fund account at the end of 1959 to re­ tire the one out-standing $500 bond and pay the accumulated interest. Reduc­ tion in the light assessment is brought about because seven cents was a little more than was needed to pay the cost of light for those areas where street lights have been requested. As a result the light account has a balance be­ yond current needs. An assessment of six cents will provide a little less than is needed to defray the cost of those lights, so the balance in the �& light will decrease from year to year. When the balance is sufficiently depleted it may be necessary to restablish the seven cent assessment. The 11-mill occupation tax will be replaced with a $3.00 per capita tax. These two changes will result in a more equitable distribution of the tax load by allowing those residents of the township, who are not property owners, to participate in paying the costs of the services they receive. IX NO. 4, WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA., APRIL 15, I960 VOL- LUZERNE COUNTY BOROUGHS ASSOCIATION In consideration of the May 1st deadline on operation of open dumps in the region Luzerne County Boroughs Association this week reaffirmed its stand to cooperate with the State Department of Health in eliminating open dumps and expressed its willingness to explore the possibility of joint landfill method of disposing of garbage. Establishment of a landfill oper­ ation would be in cooperation with the State Department of Health, Institute of Municipal Government and Public Services Committee of the Chamber of Commerce. ANNEXATION Luzerne County Court fin/ BanE-approved the annexation of certain sections of Hazle and Sugarloaf Townships to the Borough of West Hazle­ ton. The Court noted in its decision that all the free holders in the sec­ tions proposed to be annexed were in favor of the proposal. West Hazle­ ton council by ordinance, approved the proposed annexation and Sugarloaf Township did not complain. The The municipal municipal and and school school authorities authorities of Hazle Township and several citizens ~r---J of record opposed the annexation. EDWAR DSVILLE The Council has had under consideration a building ordinance govern­ ing construction and remodeling within borough limits. Officials intend to adopt the ordinance which would make it compulsory for individuals obtain a permit before starting work. The move is intended to protect to persons and properties from hazards and undesirable construction in the business and residential areas. THOUGHTS FOR TODAY Today is the day you The honeymoon is worried about yesterday. the thrill of a wife-time. .PUBLICATION This News-letter, published monthly as a community service, origina*:e in the Institute of Municipal Government of Wilkes College. Notes and in­ quiries maybe addressed to Dr. Hugo V. Mailey, Institute of Municipal G°v ernment, Wilkes College, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. ItoM-tettei fa -depute DINNER Eighth Annual Dinner for Luzerne County Local Officials will be held Wednesday, May 11, I960 at the Wilkes Commons. Join in the fun and see your fellow officials receive awards. Police, Planners, Commissioners, Councilmen, and School Directors will receive awards. Make your res­ ervations with the Institute at VA. 4--4651. EXEMPTIONS OF RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS During the 1959 session of the Legislature in Harrisburg a bill was introduced into the House, known as HB No. 1830. This bill sought to in that tax exempt redefine "places of actual worship" so as to t„ include 1._ 1_. ...j or lands maintained and used as a parsonage, category "any building ................ This to or adjacent to the church building. whether or not connected ---------- of the Legislature and sent to the Govbill was passed by both Houses ernor for his approval. Governor Lawrence, after studying the bill at length, vetoed it with the explanation that even though enacted into a law, the bill would not be sustained by the State courts because of its unconstitutionality. He re­ ferred to the provision in the State Constitution wherein tax exemptions of various classes of property are authorizedfArt. IX Sec. 1). According to the Governor, this proposed act attempted to go beyond the meaning of "actual places of religious worship" as specifically referred to in this constitutional provision. similar to that in a decision handed down by the Hi s reasoning was December 30, 1959 in the case of Second Church State Supreme Court on of Christ, Scientist, etalvs. Philadelphia. This case concerned two Philadelphia churches which appealed fro>m decisions of the Court of t ruled that church parking lots, used Common Pleas, in which the court of their congregation were taxable. Apsolely for parking by members c- . Superior Court and resulted in a re­ peals were heard first by the State versal of the lower court's decision. Then on appeal to the Supreme Court, the Superior Court was in turn reversed. ; cases involving church exemptions, the SuAfter reviewing previous Court took the position that the Constitution expressly limited expreme (___________ to "places of actual worship." Although eruptions of religious institutions 1 ■e enactment to include "ground thereto this has been defined by legislativ annexed necessary for the occupancy and enjoyment of the same a J �distinction was drawn between church and charitable exemptions. The court reasoned that parking lots as such could not possibly be cepted as "]'places of actual worship" and therefore are not considered ac-. "necessary,," which term has been limited by previous decisions to land adjacent to the church r' ' structures which ground is required for entrance exit, light and air. Beyond’ that point the refused to go. " j court It should be noted that in this decision the court once again pointed that parsonages could not be made out exempt, thus bearing out the arrived at by Governor Lawrence when he conclusion Lu refused to approve HB 1830. COMPETITIVE bidding ON insurance In March 1955 this letter suggested to local governments to look into suggested to local possibilities of <— competitive bidding on insurance. It was stated then that the Park Forest Illino ino in 1954 purchased insurance on a competitive basis at considerable savings, vings. The municipality combined as many types of policies as practicable into nto a single package and requested bids from insurance companies and agencies «... ... cies. A 37% reduction in premiums premiums for for workmen' workmen's compensation and general insurance resulted. resulted. Savings Savings from from other types of —1 liability ’’ ' policies included in the package could not be determined since broadened in some cases, while peculiar not circumstances be determined since made coverage was circumstances the continuance of auto comprehensive andl_r liability insurancemadp with necessary the pany for a short period of time. Because of the success of the inital v~ ...a same comPark Forest expected to repeat the system the following year with furth, ----- .1 venture, refinements in the procedure and bid forms. ler I From time to time this News-letter has advocat, place its insurance on a competitive basis. No r~ :ed that ,a municipality basis.in spite of the fact that County stirred a hand to competitive change its ways, municipality in Luzerne ways, in erable savings could be realized. The pressures insurance r~ *—of 'local " v.xcxt considwere too heavy politically to change to a procedureofthat has been tried, pressures local insurance agents and proven to be economically feasible a and practicalthatThas ---- ’ been tried, tested, procedure continue to pay as much as — and practical. Local officials still practical, 60% more for the total ’-surance item in the budget than warranted. the total in, Municipalities often "pay excessive premiums for ed," the 1956 Municipal Year Book stated. Only 12 per .... affording municipalities use competitive bidding when buying the fireprotection insur; per cent use competitive bidding for general and motor ’ xcent of the reportinsurance. In recent years, the calling for competitive bids on r~ rance; 25 surance has increased, but the acceptance of the idea has not been vehicle public liability municipal inidea Recently the Luzerne County Housing Authority washas able _.i widespread. te Luzerne C than $ 800.00 on its insurance through competitive bidding on lta insurai Wilkes-Barre has been able to show has be< to save more around" whw ’ MUNICIPAL EMPLOYES PE'J IP EMI-.: SYSTEM The 1959 session of the Pennsylvania General ABBembly modernized the Municipal Employes Retirement Act by integrating it with Soo.al Security, by providing options for paying for prior service, and , in gen­ eral, by providing a retirement system that should be within the financial reach of virtually all boroughs. The $10,000 appropriation in the bill for expenses involved in putting the system into operation was deleted and, although the lav/ provides that the State Employes Retirement Board shall be responsible for the admin­ istration of the system until the required 250 members are enrolled, the lack of an appropriation has thrown the responsibility primarily on State Associations. Once the system is operating, i.e., after the required 250 employes have been enrolled, the administration will be paid for by the member municipalities not too exceed $10.00 per person per year. In the mean­ time, the biggest question confronting officials seems to be, "Where do we go from here ? " Local officials should obtain preliminary cost estimates for participation in the State Municipal Employe's Retirement System. In this, there are two factors involved: (a) cost of current and future service, (b) cost of prior or past service. On the basis of sample actuarial studies, the municipality's cost for current and future service can be fairly accurately pinpointed at between four and five percent of the payroll. The determination of prior service is much more complicated, however, and can be determined only after individual actuarial studies for each municipality have been made. The complicating factors are the options which a municipality may choose in paying for prior service benefits and the vast extremes in the age and length of service of employes from municipality to municipality. This study for prior service cost must be paid by the municipality. In addition to the cost of the municipality's participation in the retire­ ment system, officials will, of course, want to know the employe's con­ tribution. The system was designed so that the employe's contribution and the municipality's contribution would be about equal. This fact may be used for estimate purposes. Also, the actuary, on the basis of his sample studies, has informed us that a figure of between four and five percent of pay may be used for the younger employes and that an older employe's con­ tribution may be as much as eight percent of pay. �!X NO. 5, WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA., MAY 15, I960 TRAFFIC OFFICERS TRAINING SCHOOL vol- reprint The twentieth annual Traffic Officers Training School will be held at the Pennsylvania State University, University Park, May 9-20, I960 The course is designed for traffic and other police officers, Private police officers having traffic duties may also enroll, Both new and experienced officers are eligible. The registration charge is $ 35.00 and includes instructional mater­ ials, the get-acquainted session and the final banquet. For complete details and program, write to; Conference Center The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania. ’ " THOUGHTS FOR TODAY" This article is'^5 reptiniHrom an article by Victor Roterus, director, Office of Area Development, Business and Defense Services Administration, United States Department of Commerce, in the February I960 issue of "Maryland Municipal News." There are, in effect, a number of ways in which municipal officials can assist economic development activities being carried out by both public and private organizations. 1. Realistic zoning ordinances which take into account the space and lo­ cation needs of industry and recognize industry's right to protection from encroachment by incompatible land uses constitute a prime responsibility of local government for attracting new or branch industrial plants. There is no longer any excuse for the old unlimited custom of allocating the seem­ ingly useless, the marginal, and out--of--the--way tracts for use by indus­ try. If the <cigarette industry ever succeeds in making man think for himself, the -J government will be looking for a new source of revenue. The modern boy scout helps an old lady across the street by slowing down his convertible. PUBLICATION This News-letter, published monthly as a community service, originates in the Institute of Municipal Government of Wilkes College. Notes and in­ quiries maybe addressed to Dr. Hugo V. Mailey, Institute of Municipal Government, Wilkes College, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. 2. Zoning controls alone are not always sufficient for setting aside ade­ quate land for industry, especially where suitable land is scarce. In com­ munities where this is the case, land must be purchased and reserved for industrial use, if not by the city itself, then by private organizations set up for this purpose. In the latter event, the community can assist by es­ tablishing a far-sighted tax policy on this land while it remains vacant. 3. Taxes otherwise should not be so burdensome as to discourage the location of industry, but neither should taxes be reduced unrealistically in order to attract a new plant. Tax concessions may sound fine as an initial gesture of goodwill, but alert industrial management officials real­ ize that the purpose of tax levies is to support essential public construction __ 2 tax privileges ----- 3 are granted to one firm, projects and services. If special residential uses will have to foot the bill, or other firms, businesses, or 1----------else public services will be reduced to the detriment of all plant operations and the functioning of the community as a whole. Responsible firms stand ’ 3 and ready to pay their share of' taxes a.— ask and expect no special favors which naight injure other <------- elements -------------- of the community. 4. Local officials can cooperate in providing the basic data needed by development groups to inform industrial prospects of area resources for industrial growth. Accurate, complete, up--to--date information is es­ sential for area development leaders to use in pointing out why industry I �representatives should locate a plant in their community. Inadequate or incorrect information has proved to be sufficient reason in the past for an otherwise interested industrial prospect to look elsewhere for a plant site. 5. By comparing the cost of services which each land-use type receives with the amount of taxes it pays, official sources can do much to inform the community how industry unlike much residential development, more than pays its way. Unless the community comes to appreciate the importance of industry to the local economy and learns how industry can contribute to over­ all community development, it will prove difficult to gain public moral and financial support for economic development efforts. Public officials, through their expressions of confidence in local programs to gain new industry, can contribute to a favorable business climate in their communities. This will be noted favorably by visiting industrial prospects, especially if it appears in the form of an attractive business district, well-kept residential areas, and clean and uncongested streets. Most communities must make a survey of area resources if they are to embark on a program of industrial development. The Office of Area development has prepared a simple form for industrial surveys for small towns entitled Industrial Location Facts. This publication outlines the kinds of information which should be collected and indicates how the data obtained should be presented for use by industry in appraising a community as a plant site location. In its bimonthly periodical Area Development Bulletin, the Office of Area Development keeps community groups and public officials informed on new federal programs and helpful information sources, new government and private publications about planning and zoning problems, case studies of the ways medium size and small towns have successfully met planning and economic development problems, and the new techniques for com­ munity improvements. NON-DEBT REVENUE BONDS FEDERAL AGENCY SERVES AS CLEARINGHOUSE ON COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROBLEMS Municipal officials may obtain information and help in their economic and community development activities from the federal government. In particular, the Office of Area Development in the Business and Defense Services Admin­ istration of the United States Department of Commerce was set up to work with the states and to serve as a kind of clearing house on information on smal1 town and community development problems. Local groups usually want two kinds of assistance--advice and suggestions on how to obtain more jobs and information about federal aid for community improvement efforts. These in­ formation needs are met in large measure by the Office of Area Development, especially through its publications. officlu^IONS which can pr°vide ASSISTANCE FOR MUNICIPAL Federal Activities Helpful to Communities, for example, describes in summary form 45 federal programs and services of help to community de­ velopment efforts, such as advance planning grants, loans for public facilities> aids for water supply and pollution control, small business loans, and vocational rehabilatation aids. Area groups interested in obtaining more jobs and activities may find helpful the Community and Area D< stimulating business This checklist points out a whole series of actions ’ M velopment Checklist, in the country have taken to create new jobs and busin. _____ communities _— which various details, for instance, the various steps a community can take to enter theIt -Mess opportunities. industrial development field, to provide services to existing industries, and to set up a retail and service trade development program. Since the Beam v. Borough of Ephrata case was decided, bond counsel throughout the commonwealth have taken a good hard look at non-debt re­ a number number of facets of such bonds with which all venue bonds. bonds. There There are are a bond counsel are in agreement,. The following propositions outline the principal area of agreement: Non-debt revenue bonds do not violate constitutional debt limitations. Non-debt revenue bonds cannot be assessment bonds or in any manner be made payable out of assessments. The revenues collected from the im­ provement financed by non-debt revenue bonds must be administered by the municipality and not be any trustee or agent. In the case of boroughs, the rates or charges for the use of the improvement must be sufficient to provide a depreciation reserve and a reserve for future improvements. In order to have the minimum effective pledge, the municipality must segregate specified revenues from the improvement and must use them only for pur­ poses properly related to the improvement and the bonds. No general tax moneys may be used to make up a deficiency in the revenues from the pro­ ject. Debt service during construction provided for in the financing may not exceed an amount sufficient to cover the debt service for one year. Nondebt revenue bonds are not legal investments for trusts. Non-debt revenue bonds may not give a receiver the right to take possession of or to operate and maintain the improvement. The bed--rock security behind a non-debt revenue bond is less than in the case of a general obligation bond or an au­ thority bond. The limited areas of doubt in which bond counsel are not yet satisfied that they are in complete accord are principally two: whether bonds may be sold at private sale. Whether any protection other than the naked promise of the municipality may be injected into the administration of revenues. �WINSTON-SALEM INCENTIVE PLAN 6j An incentive plan for refuse collection crews in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, is saving the city about $ 30,000 per year in pay­ roll costs. The new plan, in effect since September, 1958, provides pay on the basis of a 44-hour week with the men working as long as the collection actually requires. Over a full year the work week averages about 38 hours. Seasonal fluctuations bring it up to 44 hours before Christmas and for a few weeks in the summer and as low as 36 or 37 hours in the spring. As reported in Municipal South , the program was based on careful study and layout of collection routes, purchase of 25 refuse collection vehicles, and closer supervision. Savings have been effected through elemination of personnel on certain routes and elimination of overtime pay. VOL- WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA. , JUNE 15, I960 IX NO. HONORABLE GENEVIEVE BLATT Secretary of Internal Affairs Genevieve Blatt suggested at the Eighth Annual Dinner of Local Officials of Luzerne County that local governments provide the variety of services demanded by people on a cooperative basis involving two or more local governments. "If you in local government don't solve the problems, the problems have to get solved, and they will be solved in some way. There will come a day when people will get impatient and will ask the State or Federal Governments services. to provide the necessary services." PROPERTY TRANSFER TAX Thirty-two communities in the county now levy a 1% property transfer tax, with addition of four last month: Newport, Plymouth, Dallas and Huntington townships. The tax was authorized by the legislature about six years ago and since then the towns have in­ creased their income by proceeds from this tax. Persons register­ ing property transfers at the recorder of deeds office at the Court House pay the transfer tax there. The money then is distributed among the taxing authorities. step higher and away from local government is to increase "To go one costs proportionately. The distance is that much increased and the degree of local control is that much lessened. Turning responsibility over to State or Federal governments is more expensive, less efficient, and less democratic. "Consolidation and merger is impractical because it does not take into account that people have strong loyalties and the ties are too strong to be surrendered willingly." "Legislation permitting coop eration has been on the books of the Commonwealth since 1943. It is disappointing to learn from a recent survey that this power on the part of local governments has not been very much used. The Department of Internal Affairs can assist you to use the tools that have been put on the books for you. Your legislators can even amend the laws if that is what you want so that you can better explore these tools. I believe it truly would be worth your while to try. It is the only solution that is at all feasible at the beginning of the decade of the 1960's." CT "THOUGHTS FOR TODAY" Two can't live as cheaply as one-- but in June, who cares? Often a man can switch from a blonde, j head, and still be going with the same girl. to a brunette, to a red- PUBLICATION This News-letter, published monthly as a community service, originates in the Institute of Municipal Government of Wilkes Col­ lege. Notes and inquiries may be addressed to Dr, Hugo V. Mailey, Institute of Municipal Government, Wilkes College. WilVrPennsylvania. a. v - CERTIFICATES AND AWARDS ■ 1 official rials receivedOfficials certificates and awards at the11, More than 100 municipal on Wednesday, May Eighth Annual Dinner of Luzerne County Local Otticiais commis I960. Training certificates were given to 9 eonneilmen and township commxs sioners for completing the course for Borough Councilmen and Township crb tor completing Wilkes-Barre Police Force for completing Commissioners; 26 members of the WiiKes Dane the Basic Police Course; 29 school directors for completing the course tor School Directors; and Z5 local officials lor completing the and Zoning Course. Th, last course named was given by the Institute of Municipal Governttient for the first time. �Service Awards were made to 18 local officials for public service local governments. These awards have been a feature of the annual dlnner3. The Public Service Institute of the Department of Public Instruction, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania co-sponsored the courses with the Institute Municipal Government. Members of the Institute staff who instructed the of student officials were Edward Heiselberg, Director of Planning of the Luzerne County Planning Commission; Walter Wint, member of the Wilkes-Barre Department; Stuart Veale, Business Manager of the Hazleton School District; and, Dr. Hugo V. Mailey, Director of the Institute of Municipal Government. Contributions were made to Dr. Eugene S. Farley, President of Wilkes College, for the continuation of the work of the Institute of Municipal Govern­ ment. The following made presentations: Mayor Frank Slattery in behalf of the City of Wilkes-Barre; Clem Falchek for the Luzerne County Township Commissioners Association; William Sommers for the Luzerne County School Directors Association; John Mizin in behalf of the Luzerne County Boroughs Association; and Arthur Smith, in behalf of the Luzerne County Township Supervisors Association. Philadelphia reports an expected savings of $20,367 through the use of 100 compact cars in 32 city departments including use as police cruisers. cars in. 32 National Institute of Governmental Purchasing reports that purchases The cars for all governmental uses is spreading. Other cities recently of compact small cars include: Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Lincoln, Nebraska; purchasing New Jersey; and Wichita, Kansas. Newark, 1- MORE ON MALLS Two city managers, speaking at the 12th annual management institute at the University of Michigan, praised their new downtown malls. They were Clarence Elliott, Kalamazoo, Michigan, and Russell Rink, formerly of Toledo, Ohio. Rink said that Toledo's 100-day mall received much favorable attention including visits from many officials in other cities. A permanent mall, to cost about $100,000 is now being considered. City Manager Elliott said that business in Kalamazoo had increased 23% since installation of its permanent mall and that 18 permits have been taken for remodeling business establishments. GOOD IDEA Volunteer firemen are summoned by a system which rings 70 telephones at the same time in Garden City, New York. The fire dispatcher, on receiving an alarm, picks up a special telephone on his desk and dials, simultaneously ringing phones in the homes of 70 volunteer firemen. The firemen get the calls on their regular phones using no special equipment. MUNICIPALITIES AND SMALL CARS Many municipalities throughout the country have been experimenting in the use of small cars for municipal transportation. Richmond, Virginia, has had 20 Volkswagens in use for nearly two years and reports an initial cost savings of $229-325 per vehicle and an average operation cost (routine maintenance, gasoline, lubrications) of 2.3£ per mile> " Of the 350 passenger cars in Richmond's fleet, only police and fire appear to require the size and power of the standard American or large cars," says Richmond. TAX ON RACE TRACKS The great furor that has been aroused all over the State by the enactment of the Harness Racing Law has naturally raised the question as to how this will affect second class township taxes under Act 481. If such a harness track is located in a townshipj the township could, under Act 481, establish a tax on admissions to the track. In view of the fact that most of these tracks will be located in townships of the second class, this can be of great importance to such townships. ACT 527 Act 527 (S.B. 1078) adds anew section to the County Code (Sect. 1770.1), whereby new construction after September 1st may be re-assessed upon request of the County Commissioners, subject to the right of appeal. Property so added to tax duplicates shall be taxable at its re-assessed value for the proportionate part of the fiscal year. PUBLIC RELATIONS Burbank, California, has introduced the small replacement for motorcycles in checking overtime Nash Metropolitan as a following advantages: lower operating costs (2.4£ parking. The city lists the price, no hazardous riding bond required, more protection fro: vs. 2.9^), lower purchase transportation for two persons when needed, and lower radio m bad weather, costs. Monrovia, Calif, recently held a special public relations course for all Members of the police department. The 10-hour course lasted three weeks, with three two-hour sessions held each week during working hours . Lectures ^ud discussions were held on public relations, appearance, bearing, the Officer s Private life, dipl am a ry, prejudice, conversation, writing a citation, voice and �manner of speech, demeanor in the courtroom, and attitude toward co testifying. Results have been gratifying. Complaints on treatment of have dropped off sharply, and the policemen themselves have developed spirit of public service. 26118 VOL- RESIDENTIAL FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS Fire alarm systems have been installed in some 300 new homes and apartments in Quincy, Massachusetts under a 1958 ordinance making it mandatory. An alarm system which is set off by high temperatures costs between $60 and $75 installed in a five-room house. STATE RETIREMENT SYSTEM On March 7, I960, the Borough of Sellersville became the first municipality in Pennsylvania to pass an ordinance placing all its eligible employees under the State Municipal Employees Retirement System. This municipality of 2,500 population was the first to pass an ordinance and officially notify the State Retirement Board of its action. The Borough chose to offer the option to elected andper-diem employees on whether or not they choose to join the system. The council also voted to provide complete benefits for all prior service of their employees, the payment for which will be spread over a period of 30 years as provided by the law. A toted of 250 insured persons is needed to put the system into operation. Inquiries can be directed to the Pennsylvania Local Government Center, 2415 North Front Street, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. AGE OF SPECIALIZATION Alton, Illinois, expects to save money by signing a one-year contract with the lowest bidder for all tir e purchas es and services and tire service calls. THOUGHTS FOR TODAY Babies are angels whose wings grow shorter JULY 15, I960 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA. IX NO> 7 ZONING DECISIONS y The State Suprem'e Court decision in the Cresko case can be viewed in the light of other such decisions handed■jdp.wn by the highest Court in Pennsylvania. It is to be noted that this decision involving a local matter is consistent with a general philosophy of the Court. Zoning represents one of the most common examples of the exercise of the police power possessed by local governments. It is the division of a municipality into districts and the prescription and application of different land use regulations in each district. The restrictions must not be unnec­ essary and unreasonable on the use of private property. They must bear some substantial relation to public need or general welfare. Over the past year or so, the decisions of municipal boards of adjust­ ment have fared better in the Supreme Court than in the lower courts. The Supreme Court has tended to agree more with the boards than with the lower courts. It seems that up to May, I960, the Supreme Court agreed with the boards of adjustment in nine of the ten variances appealed to it. It would appear that in some instances the lower courts have had trouble with variance requests as a result of forgetting that zoning law primarily involves purely statutory considerations rather than the general equitable considerations which may be more important in nuisance cases. It is doubtful whether local boards have a better grasp of legal principles than do the lower courts. It is their nearness to the municipal legislative bodies which has certain social objectives in mind that has been the factor giving the boards a better record. On the subject of variances, the Supreme Court has restated that they can be granted only when unique circumstances produce unnecessary hardship. Such hardship must be a hardship relating to the property itself rather than the person of its owner. as their legs grow longer. Some men work hard and s, money so their sons won't have the problems that made men of their fathers save . PUBLICATION This News-letter, published monthly as a in the Institute community service, originates kes College. Notes and inquire6 may be addres r. Mail ey, IInstitute of Municipal Government. Pennsylvania. In the Klein Zoning case (395 Pa. 122), where the home owner sought to enclose a front porch contrary to front yard limitations in order to provide an additional room for his wife and son who had respiratory ailments, the variance was refused on the ground that personal hardship is not sufficient. The barber in the Gold case (393 Pa. 401) was also denied a variance despite his argument that he needed a small barbershop in his home because he was too ill to work regularly in an outside shop. There is no doubt that the �lower courts were influenced by the personal hardship involved. Neither does economic hardship justify a variance. Some of the 1 fraternity would call this "profit hardship". The requested conversion ;8ai single-family dwelling to a three family dwelling was refused in Spadar of a o v. Zoning Board of Adjustment (394 Pa. 375) because inability to make 8>^*®ate£ profits out of property will not justify a variance. Similarly, where a chemical warehouse had existed as a violation in a residential district for several years, a variance to validate it : was refused despite the absence of an escape clause in the lease in Updylite Corp. Phila. (394 Pa. 645). The Cresko decision seems to fall into this category of case when the opinion of the Court is closely analyzed. "Business operators persist in believing that a variance can be justified by an opportunity to make money or conversely that it is an abuse of discretion to deny them the opportunity. Such preoccupation with commerce is not at all what we mean by a variance or by the kind of hardship which justifies one. A deviation from the letter of zoning ordinance, to escape the stricture of being actual rezoning under the guise of a variance, can be allowed only when the difficulties and hardship are sub­ stantial and of compelling force. The owners knew the situation when they bought the land. They deliberately took their chances. " The prospective loss of money from the applicant's pocket are not broad enough to justify the idea that all kinds of economic hardship are sufficient evidence for a variance. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court is loathe to command a legislative body to rezone even where environmental changes subsequent to the original zoning create a need for rezoning. In English v. Zoning Board of Adjustment (395 Pa. 118) where the applicant's dwelling was located close to commercial and institutional used in a blighted mixed-use residential district, the Supreme Court would not permit the variance of a beauty shop in a home which the Board of Adjustment had granted. The Court stated that the legislative function does not pass to the Zoning Board, although the temptation may be great to re­ zone by variance. The Supreme Court made the same kind of a statement in Schecter v. Zoning Board of Adjustment (395 Pa. 310) - "a general rezoning of an area of land cannot be accomplished under the guise of a variance. " In Tidewater Oil Co. v. Poore (395 Pa. 19) a iproposed petroleum tank farm on 62 residentially zoned acres located between the properties of : two other oil companies zoned for industrial purposes was ... not permitted by the Supreme Court. Only local legislative determinatioi the land. It could not be done by the granting of a lun could change the use of variance which the lower court had done. It follows that neither the Boards of Adjustment nor the lower courts Can substitute themselves fo* ________ jr the local legislative bodies elected andI represent_____________ the people of a municipality. k NEW DWELLING UNITS Despit® a loss of 46,492 in Luzerne County population since 1950, the umber ^113 of dwelling a loss units in the County increased by 3, 339 in the same period. Tbe census report on housing units disclosed there are 115, 239 dwelling units in of dwelling units census report on Lc:027 are occupied and 8, 212 are unoccupied. There the County of which 107, wereCounty 111, 900 dwelling in the 1950.means This means an increase of of which 107,units 027 are ____County ___ _ in This an • - be noted that by comparison, the increase in 1950 about 111,900. 3% over 1950. It ■■should should be noted that by comparison, t„_ over 1940 was about 6%. Wilkes-Barre has the 3% over the highest highest number number of occupied units followed by Hazleton, Kingston, Nanticoke, Hanover Township, Pittston, Plymouth 1940 was Hanover Township, and Plains Township. Wilkes-Barre also leads in unoccupied dwelling units fol­ lowed by Lake Township, Lehman Township, Hazleton, Bear Creek Township, Nanticoke, Ross Township, Butler Township, and Newport Township. It should be noted that some of the political subdivisions showing unoccupied dwellings are considered summer resort areas. WHAT'S NEW COURTDALE - The Borough Council voted to approve a real estate transfer tax ordinance imposing a one per cent tax on the transfer of real estate, t e tax to be used to raise additional money needed for street improvement without raising the property tax millage. PLYMOUTH - The Council awarded a five-year contract for garbage and ash collection. WILKES-BARRE - A five member recreation commission is under consideration by the City Council. The proposal was made by the Wyoming Valley Play­ ground and Recreation Association and Welfare Planning Council of the United Fund. It has been suggested (as has been heretofore in this NEWSLETTER) that recreation be a governmental function and therefore tax-supported. PLAINS - Luzerne County Court has directed that assets of the Township Police Pension Fund consisting of 15 annuity and endowment insurance contracts be transferred and paid over to the Board of Commissioners to provide pensions for police of the Township. WRIGHT - The Township Planning Commission is presently conducting a survey of the surrounding areas for a suitable site for refuse and garbage disposal managed as a sanitary landfill. SHICKSHINNY - The Council has adopted the I960 budget and approved a tax rate of 21 mills, unchanged from previous years. LE - The Pennsylvania Supreme Court upheld the annexation of 550 acres of B land in Hazle and Sugarloaf Townships by the Borough of West Hazleton. K MOUNTAIN - Representatives of Dallas Borough, Kingston Township and alias Township met to discuss the possibility of making a joint survey regarding costs of joint sewage disposal facilities. RNE COUNTY - A total of 38 municipalities or school districts have imposed a 7o tax on real estate transfers. In most cases the tax is paid by the grantor and in only 3 cases is it paid by either party. �POPULATION SHIFT A trend to suburban living is indicated in the 19^0 population figures f0. Luzerne County. The County suffered a population decline of 46, 492 sinCe >r t the last Federal census in 1950. At that time the County had a population of 3^' compared with 245, 749 in the census taken this year. While the County ’ 2<1 suffering a drop, 25 communities within it registered gains ranging from*a 58 in Buck Township to 1, 122 more residents in Fairview Township. On the hand, 48 communities had population losses ranging from 3 in Laurel Run °th tQ ei' in Wilkes-Barre. The Back Mountain region showed increases for a c— of 3, 106 persons. Communities which suffered losses include: Nanticoke Plains Township. Hanover Township, Jeddo,, -----Kingston, Larksville, Swoye ---------------------------------------r ,--------6-v—, — —owoyersvin ' trj------------3—m_ tiTjn ’ • Edwardsville, Wilkes-Barre r” Township, West Pittston, Wyoming and Exeter *' WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA. I960 IX NO. 8, VOL. HOUSING CODES pe*J . , the potential of housing codes ’ , as in most.of the nation, have adopted housing regulations Tn Pennsylvania, realized. Few municipalities 1— has yet tofewer be ' enforce them effectively. Virtually all of those communities sanitation regulations relating and even enacted minimum health, safety and because they are »a necessary condition that have dwelling occupancy have done so 1----------in urban renewal. to for federal financial assistance ACT 481 enforced housing code is an excellent A properly balanced, rigorously , but for the preservation of mity improvement, vehicle not only for commui every type of municipality rangc residential values as well. This is true for one still in the process of develing from the aging, built-up community to Under Act 481 and its amendments, taxing districts are limited in the amo^ of revenue which may be raised under the provisions of the law. Currently, municipalities may levy no more than the equivalent of 15 mills on the assessed value of real estate, while school districts may levy, under Act 481, no more than the equivalent of 12 mills on the market value of real estate. Although the millage equivalent is smaller in the case of the school district, the basis is market value as opposed to assessed value in the case of the municipalities. Obviously, then in a county with a low ratio of assessed value to market value, a borough could be nearing its limit while a school district, which is collecting the same amount, may be quite a bit under its limit. opment. In order that it may accomplish its objectives, however, there must be a recognition that housing code enforcement is only a single vehicle. vehicle, And building code, or any a housing code, like zoning, subdivision control, a other tool for community development or preservation, is not without its limitations. INSURANCE The maintenance of a hazard-free structure; the installation and upkeep of necessary facilities and equipment for safe, healthful and sanitary occu­ pancy; continuing provision of the amount and kinds of living and sleeping space essential for decent human habitation; the prevention of overcrowding and over-occupancy of the dwelling unit - these are, in general, the purposes for which housing codes are enacted. The minimum provisions are appli­ cable to both to achieve initially the construction of safe, healthful, and sani­ tary structures, the community must rely on adequate building, plumbing, electrical, and allied codes. To realize a good residential environment, a comprehensive community plan would be necessary. This plan would be implemented by zoning regulations that prevent overcrowding of land and con­ trol population density; by subdivision requirements that promote a sensible neighborhood pattern and the installation of adequate improvements; and by a capital improvements program designed to provide needed facilities. The City of Clio, Michigan lost its municipal insurance when it was cancel­ ed by the Hartford Company of Hartford, Connecticut. Such cancellation is a rare thing. The notice was given to the City when it was termed a "poor risk" by the Company. The Company cited 5 accidents over a 3-year period which involved Clio police cars. THOUGHTS FOR TODAY Middle Age is that time of life When you don't care where your wife goes, juit so you don't have to go along. You can cure a woman of almost any common illness by mentioning that her symptons are signs of advancing age. PUBLICATION This News-letter, published monthly as a community service, originateS in the Institute of Municipal Government of Wilkes College. Notes and inQu^1 may be addressed to Dr. Hue^ v ax-.'i— T- .... Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylv; AUGUST 15, To conserve or enhance the character of a neighborhood, violations of the various traditional codes and ordinances must be curbed. , Salvaging declining neighborhoods is no simple task. Preserving above - �LIABILITY standard neighborhoods is much less difficult. But reliance of the fine most resolutely enforced building code, zoning ordinance and ,subdivisi0 ’ regulations and on the most comprehensive program for maintaining and improving public facilities and services is not enough to do the total job A means must be utilized for ensuring that the condition and quality of existing high-grade housing in sound neighborhoods will be preserved. And where environmental improvements are made, a tool must be availa^| Le so that any substandard properties that threaten the future of a revitalize neighborhood can be compelled to measure up to the renewal pattern. The are the proper functions of the housing code - a co -partner '--- 1 'in- community preservation and in neighborhood improvement. JOINT PURCHASING An increasing number of governmental units are ]purchasing cooperatively with nearby governments according to the National Institute of Governmental" Purchasing. In Florida, 12 cities have won lower bids on such items as cars trucks, radios, gas, oil and grease by buying together. In the first two and one-half years of joint purchasing, the three original cities in the agreement saved nearly $35, 000 compared to prices paid on the same items purchased earlier by each city individually. Only some of the materials needed are bought cooperatively. Savings must be expected to surpass the added expense of buying together. On such items, the needs of all the cities are totaled and single bid is let. Any of the cities can reject the low bid, as it could in letting on its own. In Kentucky, Louisville, Jefferson County, the University of Louisville, and the Louisville School Board, and several districts and commissions in the area have been purchasing together for 6 years. The Louisville Local Gov­ ernmental Buyers' Group operates a warehouse from which members may requisition goods and holds meetings where purchasing information is ex­ changed. Savings have been made on purchasing light bulbs (29%), tires (5%)> gas and oil (10%), antifreeze, coal, dairy products paper towels, and first aid equipment. Through regular meetings, purchasers have learned money­ saving information. Earlier this year, Alabama's governor ordered all school and charitable institutions of the state to purchase through the state. Savings of between $2 and $3 million were estimated by the State Board of Finance. About 350 units of local governments in Pennsylvania do some purchasing jointly. Are there Valley a— xi -------- any -------in • ’Wyoming «>• • _ ” " y or in Luzerne County? PE. FIRE CO. , _1_ 1------ fire company" status of whether an organizaJu.i is a "volunteer ’ 1 Act depends on what it ■ an organization the meaning of the Workmen's 204x— of the Pennsylvania Workmen’s Compensation C. The • r does, according to Official Opinion No. 2 21 . >n should not be effec---_ to Official Opini' within ,artment of Justice. An ordinance of nonrecognitio the activities of a municipality An ordinance actually . to defeat the intent of legislation _ nwhere of thet„ ordinance. Only in the event intent of legislation Dep; accept the services of this volunteer actually contravene the language tive dually contravene itself would actually refuse offered, to a and prevented this company from city ' " that the when they were c-U__fire department in fighting fires, would fire company < with the municipality Jof the volunteer fire company. Such actual coop>erating 1 be an actual nonrecognition : < of police lines or by court action. In the there ’ to assume that the city is benefiting 1 be made either by use refusal -? can of such measures, it is proper absence ccompany. the assistance of cl the fire " --------irom t— . utilized the services of a volunteer fire company, Where the city hasits duty to afford the firemen the protection of work­ the city cannot ignore men's compensation coverage. Therefore,, it is the it is the opinion opinion of of the the department department that an organization en­ gaged in the fighting of fires is a "volunteer fire company" within the pro­ visions of the Act of 1939, P. L. 566, as amended, if its services are whether or not any act, ordinance or actually accepted by the municipality, other official pronouncement of the municipality states that it is not recognized as a volunteer fire company. If the company is no longer regularly engaged in fire fighting, it is no longer acting as a volunteer fire company and, therefore, its members are not entitled to workmen's compensation coverage. LAND MAPS The I960 census figures for Luzerne County show that most communities lost residents while many of the suburban and rural communities gained. A change in real estate valuations can also be expected. Back Mountain and Mountaintop communities have shown increases in population and also increases in new dwellings. This new construction will be reflected in the assessment figures of 1961, as many of the new units are picked up by the field workers of the Reassessment staff. Municipal officials interested in assessment data can check on land in their municipalities by requesting maps from the Board of Assessors. In this way, communities will be informed of the uses to which land is put, and the adoption of zoning requires a mapping program which many communities cannot afford. nominal cost. These maps can be provided by the County at a �SEPTEMBER 15, 19& college, wiekes-barre, pa. bophow without bonds law WILKES A municipality may borrow as much as it needs in the sense that there is no monetary limit stipulated if the population is over 2 500. The origi Act 299 of 1959 did limit the borrowing to $15, 000, but a later amendment which was passed during that session eliminated the ceiling altogether fOr municipalities over 2, 500 and established a $25, 000 ceiling for municipali with a population of less than 2, 500. The Act does set forth other limits, however, and the use of the phrase "as much as we need" should not be inter preted literally. The stipulation that the amount borrowed must be paid back* in 5 years, one-fifth each year, is certainly a limiting factor. The borrow^ under this law must fall within the 2% constitutional debt limit and must be sj yOL NO- 9 fordfoundation economy based solely tried to make the transition from: an industries. The adjustment This area has economy based upon many diverseThe constructive efforts of upon mining to an i of view, and new faces. ’, as a community college, requires time, new points Wilkes College has participated, In order to coordinate and the past must continue, of this area to improve its conditions. sumed the full responsibility in every effort existing community efforts, the College as Foundation for funds Application would have to be made to a strengthen evident that assistance was necessary to embark on the projects. for three projects, certified by the Department of Internal Affairs. Money borrowed under this law must be used for capital expenditures for municipal improvements and equipment. APARTMENTS FOR RENT When the last child in the family married and left home, back in 1890, z„, the average wife in the United States was a widow. 'Today, , because of earlier ______ marriage and earlier childbearing coupled with increased longevity, when the last child leaves home, the average wife and her husband still have 14 years of life together. IX I That, in a nutshell, is why there is far more demand for housing - usually rental apartments - near downtown in our cities than ever before. Couples whose families have grown and who want to live within easy reach of stores, restaurants, theaters and libraries, are creating a demand for housing in the centers of our cities that simply did not exist a generation ago. And because , longevity will continue to increase (and so will traffic problems in suburbia), experts agree that the current trek back to the city will probably gain consider- , able momentum in the decade ahead. when it became cv: The Ford Foundation is a non profit foundation which offers funds in the field of research and public education on broad social questions of an international, national, or local nature. It has generally offered its funds to those individuals or organizations which seek out the problems of society. The Fund has been will­ ing in the past to provide money where new thinking is called for. Some of us who considered the problems through, dreamed that by a stroke of fate, Wilkes might be a lucky recipient from the Ford Foundation. It was, therefore, with high hopes that Admiral Harold Stark, Chairman of the Board of Trustees at Wilkes, and Dr. Eugene Farley, President of the College, set off for the Ford Foundation headquarters in New York City. The presentation by these two energetic leaders was excellent and the reception was favorable. In tnUwut°f ^9t°’ the F°rd Foundation announced that $150, 000 had been assigned ment 'and I Research Center, the Institute of Municipal Govern­ ment, and Labor-Management Citizens Relations. THOUGHTS FOR TODAY The only job where you start at the top is digging a hole. A husband who is busy as a bee may wake up to find his honey gone. Expressions of genuine gratitude from local government officials since this news broke have been manifold and it is only fitting that this widespread surge of appreciation be passed along to the Ford Foundation authorities whose under­ standing of our problems made the grant a reality. The Institute of Municipal Government sincerely and heartily joins the local officials in expressing gratitude. PUBLICATION This published monthly inis News-letter, iNews-letter, published monthly as a community service, °riginatfrjeB i in the Institute of Municipal Government of Wilkes College. Notes and inqul maybe addressed to Dr. Hugo V. Mailey, . — o_ . . Institute of Municipal Governmen Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. The program of the Institute will be expanded with the grant funds, Greater assistance will be offered to all public officials. The Institute will gather a library of inf. ormation relating to local government. Classes, clinics, and conference will be increased. : A small advisory and consulting service will be maintained that the '• classroom instruction can be made more effective. �REPRINT De.J»h; lice and fire protection, zoning, education, libraries, recreation and other • t from an editorial - "City and Suburbs: M-irer, dated Aug.s. 21, 1960. matter5Cooperation should be promoted not only between the city and suburbs but uburbs themselves. A paradox of suburban life is that ----residents among the su ----’ > as good neighbors at the individual level are indifferent wh0 pride themselves at the municipal level. The lack of liaison between some contiguous neighbors and townships is appalling. boroughs One , <-• „ainq in the suburbs have wrought revolutionary Explosive population g end of the Second World War. They changes in the face o meri in the series of I960 Census reports -— A long, hard look at a map of the Philadelphia Metropolitan Area should convince any observer that the maze of political boundary lines drawn in the 18th and 19th centuries doesn't make very much practical sense today. Borough and township boundaries do not join together people of common interest but divide them. County lines do the same. Suburbs have flourished not as the result of aspects of the Nation's population growth _ When these reports on various ' are compared and analyzed, one inescapable truth stands far above all the —e rest; The predominant unit of economic, social and cultural life in America is no longer the city, the small town or the rural county. It is the metropolitan area a central city surrounded by suburban satellites that enjoy self-government and guard it zealously. organization but in spite of disorganization. I Nearly two-thirds of the country's population growth in the last ten years was in the suburbs. And nearly two-thirds of Americans today live in metropolitan areas. All but one of the five U. S. cities with more than a million inhabitants lost population in the last decade but every one of the 22 metropolitan areas with more than a million people registered substantial gains in population during the same period. city and the suburbs. AMEN (This is the only comment that the Institute of Municipal Government is willing to make. ) These statistics mean, in summary, that America's rapid growth is con­ centrated in areas around cities, namely the suburbs. PITTSTON What problems does this population revolution portend? Dr. Norman R. Ingraham, Philadelphia Health Commissioner, discussed some of them at the ninth annual State Health Conference in Harrisburg the other day. He cited the vital need for city-suburban cooperation on matters of public health and noted seven specialized fields in which cooperation to some degree already has begun in the Philadelphia Metropolitan Area. His list included I mosquito control, air pollution control, stream pollution control, garbage dispo:isal medical care, water supply and sewage disposal. Ph-lP/^teW°Fthy aS theSe Sma11 beginnings are, small beginnings we believe the people of <^’re^ldl ' jdud1 °‘ suburban cooperation. the immediate and not-so-distant future. i Public health is only la ki, ! °ne phase of the need for c— is another. P_ u’_ihe safety is still another. SpecificaUcooperation. should join force -ly, the city tation system. Thp0 pro^lde an improved and better coordinated y e might consider closer cooperation and health Economic iburb 5 and the sul mass transp° r consultation on We do not subscribe to proposals of wholesale annexation by the central city. It seems to us, however, that political subdivisions of the metropolitan area, while preserving local autonomy, could unite in a kind of metropolitan federation with limited and clearly defined authority. The idea is worth study both in the I Pittston City has embarked on its first Urban Renewal Project called the Central Pittston Urban Renewal Area. It embraces approximately forty (40) acres and extends from the Fort Jenkins Bridge to Oak Street on the westerly side of Main Street. The plan calls for the construction of a new one-way highway which will traverse the central business district; the construction of five (5) off-street parking areas; the extension of William Street (a major thoroughfare); the clear­ ing and redeveloping of sections of several commercial areas on Main Street and the rehabilitation of a residential section of the city. The gross project cost is estimated to be about $2,790, 000.00. With formal presentation of the contract the Pittston authority now will borrow < up to $2, 163, 048 for the project. The Federal Government will pay $1, 710,277 of the —- project cost with the State and city to split the remainder equally. about^6 4°-acre project in the heart of downtown Pittston affects 120 properties, U ^ree-fourths of them residential and the balance commercial and vacant lots. area is from Fort Jenkins Bridge to West Oak Street and from Main Street to S(lUehanna River. �^.cc^utc (facttiy TteuA'-tettei One of the improvements will be a new road from Fort Jertdn, Bridge paralleling Lehigh Valley Railroad and behind the business district : to lnterSect South Main Street al Columbus Avenue. The new road wiU be one. way Sn'“cct with Main Street one-way northbound. Five parking areas will be < the rear of Main Street business places in addition to a commercial at< south end of the development. William Street will be extended to the new road. Oregon Heights section, at lower end of the development, will be b rehabT by the residents on a voluntary basis with some 1loan assistance from the Ultated authority TAX CONCESSIONS f WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA. OCTOBER 15, I960 PUBLICATIONS ' ( | I "If a community meets such special requirements, inquiry moves into the area of economic and social conditions. The interplay of these factors must be assessed carefully. In the forefront of your deliberations is that you are committing your company to the expenditure of millions of dollars and a long, long stay in that com­ munity, 11 Mr. Cresap explained. The Westinghouse president said that the check list of criteria for picking a new plant location includes: 1. Electric power - "Is it , a new ample, dependable and reasonably priced?" 2. J-1----' ' reasonably priced?" are the rates fair - is the turnover low?" 3. Communications Labor supply - - "Is "Are it adequate there ade- ; ’ ' ____ er low? " 3. re air;iArail and and highway highway links larger cities and market centers?" 4. Site links with ’ with larger citiesaccessible and market sites reasonably . lineT? w'Are ’nre SlteS reasonably priced? Are they to centers? highway and railroa” "ccd? Are they accessible lines? Will gas. wa I pv , *„7" ..1 gas, water and sewer lines and ----- .J a good road serve the property- THOUGHTS FOR TODAY Financial headaches ar» x j pockets. re bad - severe pain extends as far down as the pants grape that h;‘as had too NO. 10 [ Adequate natural resources, location and good social conditions attractive to companies than such lures as tax concessions, a leadir are more [ ,n£ industri; declared. Mark W. Cresap, Jr., president of the Westinghouse Electric C. ialist I I which has eight manufacturing and distribution facilities in the Greater -- ^orp., ■Baltimore area, in addition to cautioning American communities seeking new industries not | to overstress tax concessions, outlined a typical check list of the "wants of industry The community with a realistic, sound and equitable tax structure that indicates stable financing of government services will be considered more seriously by indus-l try than one which offers special tax advantages to newcomer industries, he said. A raisin is a yOL-lX many worries. I The Bureau of Municipal Affairs recently released two publications that . , a wealth of information for all locals . Act 481 of 1947 has been a Pr d s0Urce of revenue for local governments. It has also caused many legal ^°oblems • The most recent study of this Act--The Legislative and Judicial P lopment of Act 481--includes much of the material of the earlier studies f 1950 and 1957, combined with amendments made to the Act by The General Assembly since 1957. This study also includes the decisions of courts pertaining to the Act. Retirement for public employees has recently been a subject for lively discussion among local officials. The Bureau has now published a revision of an earlier study—A Guide to Pennsylvania Municipal Retirement and Pension Laws--which includes many of the changes in the laws since the earlier study. Local officials will find the Question and Answer Section in Appendix I quite informative. TRAILER PARK They have become "big business. " Investors are taking a good Iook athem. No longer are these parking facilities for house trailers abandoned spots behind a row of billboards . Most of the new ones offer electricity, gas, sewers, cement slabs, laundries, recreational areas, and some or the luxury types even include swimming pools. Average rentals are $30 to $50 per month. Luxury lots rent for as high as $150. Average costs for land and improvements vary, but $1,500 to $2,000 per trailer space would not be far from median. Average vacancy rate the nation over is 7%. Turnover is mlrequen., oe^ause most tenants use these trailers as more or less permanent homes. Owners °f such parks expect a net return of 10% on their over-all investment, and a return of their capital expenditures for improvements at the rate of c.- for 20 years. Some recapture 10% a year for 10 years . Trailer parks need zoning and regulation. More than 3 million people now live "on wheels.' Best parks provide 3,000 square feet per space, and can be made a pleasing Part of the community. PUBLICATION This News in thee Institute m°nthly as a community service, originate® ^stitute of of Munic^pa^C Mr ’ may be addressed to Dr ^ v’TT °f Wilkes ^ege. Notes and inqui^ ssed to D: Wilkes Wilkes-Barre P^116/’ Institute of Municipal Government, Wilke College, JOINT PURCHASE Bom local municipalities completed plans to suggest to their respectix e S°verning bodies the joint purchase of a $25,000 road paving machine. �Representatives from Falls, Bristol, and Middletown townsh' ’ and Bristol Borough, all in Bucks County, agreed during a Regional Committee meeting, to seek approval from their respective bo ^°°'P"‘% councils to jointly purchase the machine. ards an^ bigh-grade hot or cold mix material. It has a rotary dryer with a screw-feed type charging hopp>er , 100 gallon capacity asphalt tank with self-cleaning volusphalt measuring system, pugmill and heating system. This machine metric at. is tractor mounted and s ells for about $3,000 f. o . b . plant. (The American City , February 1959. P- 189). Milton Berkes, Falls board of supervisors chairman and < co ope ration committee chairman said the joint purchase of the huge device5 at an approximate cost of up to $25,000 would solve one of the miunicipalitieg greatest road maintenance problems . A SPLENDID IDEA "Information Please" is the title of a booklet or publication to be issued quarterly by Lower Southampton Township, Bucks County. Volume I, Number 1 is now in our possession and indicates a splendid sense of responsibility to the general public on the part of this Board of Supervisors and a very comprehensive method of keeping their citizenry informed as to the activities of the township . WATER AND SEWAGE There is no sales appeal in sewers so most developers put in septic tanks, says Edward T. Thompson in the December issue of Fortune, The average home builder does not realize that up to 95 per cent of the water that enters a house must be carried away. Five or ten y:s_. years later, the owner is stuck with sewer cost that will be far higher than if ------1 originally planned. (Georgia Local Government Journal, February 1959, p. 13) FINANCES AND TAXATION ( This newsletter, fourteen pages, is crammed full of pertinent information about the township and its operation that would be of value to all citizens and taxpayers and if it is to reach all these citizens quarterly as is planned, it will unquestionably provide the best of relations between the Supervisors and their constituency. I It is a splendid example of good public relations and a few copies are available in your State Association office for other Townships who should be interested in such an activity, as this can serve as a good example of what many Townships need in this field. Collusive bidding on city or state purchases has lessened in Texas. A new state law, aimed at discouraging identical bidsbeen , c and special districts to award the contract by lot when, all orders cities, counties, (Public Administration Bulletin, June 30, 1959). — Lil b'ds are the same. A TYPICAL COUNCILMAN WEARS TEN HATS STREETS New and lower curb designs should be c* construction, since the modern cars have such r‘ considered when planning street modern that many car doors will not open if the curb height :uch restricted ground clearance not open (Public Works , January1W> - ”if * the January 1959 > p • 7). : exceeds six inches . Blast furnace s ’ slag provides c~ ,°r COns*-ructing high' excellent and lasting non-skid properties Jiway or street surfaces, American Road " Builders' Association, according to a report from th® with those of other aggregate types, the Where slag surfaces were compare in showing higher slag pavements were always superi coefficient or friction, Wlth Kentucky with the exception of those covere rock asphalt, where the two — Bulletin No. 241, 1959, American Road Builder: were about equal. (Technical ----- ■•s' Association). Mixing asphalt patchii economically by a new, Ing material can be portable, low cost accomplished easily and lne which will produce The typical city councilman wears ten different "hats" in the administration of his position. Arthur W. Bromage, professor of political science and a specialist on the problems of local government at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, discussed this fact at a recent Institute for Mayors and Councilmen at the University of Michigan. ■ The ten roles which a councilman must play confidently and expertly include: 1. Legislator--He I a o xproperty ‘by zoning " must regulate and building and housing regulations and exercise control over persons by ordinance. 2. Financier-Although in most municipal governments, the finance officer prepares the budget, the councilman makes the final decision. J e tell the people that municipal government is a bargain when it is compared with the price of rampant crime, death by fire, spread of disease, and Juvenile delinquency. �3. Employer--The councilman is responsible for all ernpl city. He must see that they are adequately paid and that the ert^ees °f a provided with decent working conditions and fringe benefits . P1°yees are VOL- 4. Constructive Critic--Administrators are not perfect- the in a bureaucratic rut. When this happens it is up to the council^/ Can get complaints to high administrative officers who can work out the lan 6. Administrator—The councilman is not alway; s the policy maker; sometimes he has to decide on certain matters such ; as the issuance of licenses. At the route of the trouble in the urban areas is the fact that public officials have not caught up with the tremendous technilogical development which has taken place in the last fifty years . In the last fifty years , we have had new inventions all the way from the automobile to rockets to the moon and yet the urban areas in their patterns and organizations have not changed at all. The same functional pattern still exists. Cities have not adapted themselves to the automobile age. 7. Intergovernmental I ' , — Policy Expert--The councilman has to decide, for example, whether to sell water services to fringe areas. He also is asked to appear before the state governing bodies to L__ -J represent his city's viewpoint and to make policy which determines the relation of the city to the federal government. The automobile has come to be used as a means of mass transportation. Instead of people riding streetcars, subways, buses, or trains downtown, they now try to drive their automobiles; and our cities are simply not built to handle the number of automobiles that it takes for everybody to go downtown in his own car. It isn't the automobile per se which causes the trouble, it is the misapplied usage of it for mass transportation in heavy built-up areas. The automobile is also responsible for urban sprawl and suburban scatterization. 8. Public Relations Man--"Don't wait until a problem arises and then douse the fire with water," Professor Bromage advised. "Have a positive program and try to foresee problems before they become critical. " 9. Fundamental Law Man--It is the charter amendments if the old charter councilman's business to recommend city's progress. reates a serious problem and binds the 10. General All-Purpose--This includes all of his other duties ’ ^(jying bl^s' attending ceremonial functions, making speeches, and reading an THOUGHTS FOR TODAY Some women say they could have they never pleased anyone. rried anyone they pleased, evidently a short guy them never to have loved a tall. PUBLICATION ’3-letter, r----of Municipal G.overnmenXf wn>OrnmUnity service> originates e8e' Wilkei • Mailey Insf--^8 College- Notes and inquir Pennsylvania 1 °f MuniciPal Governmen • NG7?..'ZEE? 15, -965 Downtown areas of cities and large boroughs are in trouble if they cannot restore their past vitality. It is clear the statement is a conditional one and e condition is that cities and larger boroughs engage in forward working, the ereeative integrated planning. The restoration of downtown areas can only take place through effective implements of such planning and not by superficial measures . for equipment, for example, must be in such a form that the council-^6<1Ue3t3 councilm; an can see that the city gets the best value possible. t° have loved WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA. are cities in trouble? 5. Buyer--The councilman, who is probably one of the biggest bu It's better jX NO . 11 I Most urban areas are building bigger freeways to handle the growing auto traffic. This has been carried on with the investment of billions of dollars during the past ten years . But isn't this a murder plot against our urban areas ? The murder method is that of slowly poisoning a city by invasion of foreign particles into the blood stream in increasing doses. These particles in the form of automobiles and trucks can not be absorbed by the urban body and, therefore, cause serious diseases. The plotters are assisted by 5th columnists within the city who--by facilitating automobile traffic through widening of streets, one-way traffic, construction of gigantic garages—see to it that the poison is spread in the heart area of the city until it attacks the tissues of the most Important urban cells . mi 5 accessible are compactness cohesX^nesV.^dTwntown buildings are level to make room for more and and , 1*4.1 Trirlav niore (cars, we destroy these qualities. Today, more of our urban areas --~le q tremendous , , . . i by resembL parking lots made inefficient me y the island of buildings �which remain within them. The result is that our downtown rareas a ate such a nerve-racking environment that people are not going doW] ; be - ■•'ntown , used to. They are avoiding the downtown area. as th,ley 6 Freeways can never present a complete solution to an rurban area Private automobile transportation, even with the largest amount —i of fr ’""■len,. eewjay construction, cannot solve the transportation problem for any lar, §e area. -r must be done about the slums. Once these steps arc taken than the something of the downtown core to auto traffic and its opening up as landscaped posingand courts become a choice and valuable step. uiai15 I number of cities have attempted just such ambitious projects, among A Stamford, Connecticut; Patterson, New Jersey; Rochester, New York. them: - NATIONAL VIOLATIONS REGISTER Some experts in this field suggest subsidies to mass trans ties because these facilities move people and not cars or traffic 1 & X°'n facili. auSe moving people should be the primary objective in the first place ’ Victor suggests a new type of metropolitan organization that he calls th” Gruen of urban planning. He begins by building from human beings to S fcelluiar f0. 'I'm then a group of family units, and then to a small communitv a ■community. A these cellular forms of communities may then form a bigger °f --i a bigger one whlch which maV be a town, but, each of these cellular forms or commn communities as a definite unit and should not flow into the others He f^3. ought to tO remain of the future should arrange green ’ He feels that the cities separations8 between of the cellular forms and should not allow the citi^tolT betWeen each °ne ----endless suburban deserts. U -j to 1 be be converted into I part of 1961. There are approximately one million operators licenses revoked annually, of which about 250,000 are for driving while intoxicated or for violations of the motor code involving loss of life. Initial contacts are to be made with the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators for establishing proce­ dures and operations for the new unit. The program is voluntary insofar as the States are concerned, but it is expected that those participating will be able to reduce or prevent the granting of driving privileges to persons whose licenses have been revoked in other states. Conversion of the present pattern of our cit ] CltieS neces^ry. comparatively little effort into the kind of C°Uld accOmPHshed with of the present tools would be used to a Pattern that he suggests . Some ways. highways, and park,. “'V°coTr: such as freeson?.!,poiut o,T We a" now building these he meXtted in *e shortest XSlmply * connect two points of apaTtaU1ctainS that we are disrupting e ' f rnan’ner- hn building freeways, If we k'T* °ff h°mes fr°m their scho Cornmunities , often cutting them 'mes from their t0 Provide 7reeWayS t0 encircle o/th 1 tH®ir shoPPing centers. encircle the the cells c traffic wav!1"6611 areas as we alreadv dr>°r 6 COmmunities in such a way as «e simultXSyd^.d°.? And what see^s^ Slmultaneously creatin Ofb' Parkways > then while creating instead of flowin m more °re important to him hi i• “tL 6 desirable buffer between units. flowing mto into each b m 13 sthat that we could form urban units which, °ru®n ls probably each other, are (. c early defined and separated. Victor Whlle he does no^ow di mbered for hi. does "maul" in ldea "the downtown maikl." Used merely as a dlSOWn the ", merely ■ ice. Accord** 6 d ° eS feel that it: is noW •XVe °nly if r ■ been done firs^ h.im’ 1116 ma^ wU1 be suggests Private *nd Public trane-1 :er accessihn',. Before a matfrl can be >P roads "detainer1 bad°Wntown areas by . enci*eling a COre M A O VI /-<---- J '-'Aft d-Tg^ p Provided. and imm asuis" must be provided. Also before the '■“Lown canT^ adJoining the loop roads downtoe revitalized effectively pjARRlSBURG - A National Register which will list the names of motor d ivers whose driving permits have been revoked for driving while intoxicated violation of the State's motor code resulting in the death of a person will be established by the U.S. Bureau of Public Roads. Secretary of Highways Park H- Martin has been advised by the U. S. Bureau of Public Roads that Wendell G. Earners of Preston, Idaho has been named director of the Register. Public Law 86-660, approved in July, I960, requires the Department of Commerce to establish such a Register which is scheduled to be in operation the latter I NANTICOKE The roof of a house at 28 North Walnut Street, Nanticoke, was removed today signalling the razing of the first property by the Nanticoke Redevelopment Authority as part of its Market-Broadway Redevelopment Project. Specifications for razing of 10 to 15 additional properties for the second contract have been approved by the Housing and Home Finance Agency regional office at Philadelphia, according to word received by Stanley Yantz, authority chairman, and Alois Bohinski, executive director of redevelopment. The authority now owns 28 properties with 12 others under option. These remaining parcels will be negotiated for during October after which final plans °r rebuilding will begin. A total of $1,688,825 has been allocated for the Purchase of properties . �rfct -dtc^ruie authority has spe The Federal outright gra for a a“X‘$33* to issue families regional office. by the i nt $582,500 for land and buildings , and $350j000. The Philadelphia regional O*PPli ff- ed office in Washington has 'le iCe ;has VOL- Apaym“tof t957;75,£or “OV?8 ^location payments als0 haB be“ I I poL force, lire department and zoning commission. The district would Mve, Sharon Farrell, Hickory Twn., Sharpsville and Wheatland. The plan win to the Pennsylvania League of Third Class cities next month for approval then to the State Legislature. Each of the five communities would retain its own government and taxing bodies. In order to have a sound budget program, certain requirements should be met. Strict conformance to the legal requirements is a necessity; complete and accurate accounting and good departmental records of work performed and work unit costs permit realistic estimates; adequate budget forms insure uniformity of estimates; adherence to a carefully prepared time schedule reduces emergency meetings and agreement on a long-term program of capital expenditures reduces strains on the debt limit. PHILLIP R. TUHY Phillip R. Tuhy has been added to the Institute of Municipal Government as instructional assistant. He will also teach classes in the political science department. Mr. Tuhy, senior planner for the Luzerne County Planning Commi­ ssion, will assume his duties on December 1. Mr. Tuhy is well prepared by education, background, and experience to join the Institute. He is a graduate of Valpariso University majoring in political science and also a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania with a major in governmental administration. During 1956-1957, Mr. Tuhy was assistant borough manager at Downington, Pennsylvania, where he conducted a research program for the community. He has also been associated with the International Cities Manager Association in i e variety of capacities. The Institute of Municipal Government at Wilkes ege is happy and delighted to have Mr. Tuhy join its staff. THOUGHTS for today 5°m' Pe°Ple ,h“k hod himself. moral, whM they, re " wake up and DECEMBER 15, I960 As the year draws to a close, municipal officials are, or should be, involved in the preparation of a budget for the coming year. A good munici­ pal budget can accomplish a number of things: it establishes control over public funds; it is a plan of action for the immediate future; it assists local legislators in making policy decisions; and it informs the citizen of the oper­ ations of the municipality. Sharon City Council ha. approved a plan that would provide a . lngle single , Id lira department lor live communities. Under the plan adopted £iry“tShenato Valley Metropolitan District would be created and have^'" I WILKES-BARRE, PA. municipal budgeting ■ i! collEGE, ij cTNGLFggLKE, FIRE DEPARTMENT [ I N°‘ 12 WILKES Tleavi-lett&i comfortablemerely urn I The first step in the actual preparation of the tentative budget for the year is to make detailed estimates of the amounts required for the various functions of the municipal government. I A workable and balanced budget requires a careful study of expenditure and revenue trends of the three or more preceding years. These trends should be analyzed in the light of the following questions: (1) What new public services will have to be furnished during the coming year and how shall they be financed? (2) Should salaries and wages be adjusted in accordance with the trend of living costs? (3) Is debt service increasing or decreasing? (4) How does the outstand­ ing floating debt compare with that of other years ? Fixed or mandatory expenditures should be computed first in the preparation of the municipality budget. This includes items such as debt service, repayment °f temporary loans, and so forth. Next to be considered are the estimates of Proposed expenditures submitted by the various municipal departments. With specific expenditures set down, summary totals can be made. himself famous he must wake up a .PUBLICATION This News-lette n the Institute of Munichm/n^ monthly as a community service, and inquir be addressed to Dr H G°^rnment of Wilkes College. Notes Govern 1116 eS College, Wilkes.B,Ug° V‘ Mailey. Institute of Municipal re- Pennsylvania. originli5 The next step is to estimate receipts for the coming year. As with expendi­ bles, receipts should also be analyzed: (D Are the yields from the taxes on real estate and occupations, millages being equal, rising, declining, or reilnalnbg stable? (2) Can general property taxes be increased if necessary? (3) If what other sources of tax revenue are available? (4) Have the best tax �,, (5) Are miscellaneous revenues, Suc, b«” ““'rice charges. grants from the State or eonnt ‘ ^8e delinquencies and tees, service rising, declining or remaining sl " and from fi ne3 ,al estate on son-real , improvements be financed by special ass taxes ■ i extent «»P“ ,rformation „( down, it is possible to estima.S'esSs (6) To what With this sPecific eC • „ year. the ments ? available for the coming diable for the revenue f the total of expenditures and the information on re ^venue A mere glance at t municipality can proceed for the followi trends will indicate w revenue policies by relying on the same ”'lng Year without SignTConssibly a slight upward or downward adjustment in millrev a enu " e A relatively small group of people worked against incredible odds in its attempt *-° establish a planning commission in a city which had been carefully reserved in inertia for some sixty years by the same political party. Any change of the status quo could only mean a disturbance of the powers which ^rere were entrenched and which intended to remain so indefinitely. No one faintly familiar with the history of Philadelphia need be told that the city administration of those days was hardly to be called progressive. Most of the councilmen were openly skeptical of the need for "long-haired planners , " as the local press described them. Usually, the es i, * thorough review of the entire budget-should receipts, mis should an increase of revenue be sought? services be curtailed, or snu Since its formation in 1943, the Citizens' Council and the other citizen agencies have reviewed just about every major planning proposal for Philadelphia, to ensure that the finished plans not only represented the best solutions tech­ nically > but also took into consideration the citizens' desires and dreams. It is at this point that local legislators are forced to make important decisions- They can judge the adequacy of municipal operations; review the efficiency of work methods; restudy organization and personnel patterns; and compare borrowing with a pay-as-you-go plan. This information should be The Citizens1 Council organizes and sponsors activities in which the citizen may participate in the planning process at several different levels--in a neighbor­ hood committee, in a larger geographic-area organization, or in a city-wide advisory group . sources, with po y nditureS are considerably in excess of available made available by the chief administrator. Budget making should be regarded as a year-round process by the oper­ ating departments . Budgets can be improved through the compilation and use of general background information and the advance outlining of significant policy matters. In order to facilitate the estimate of work programs, cost and work units should be developed and standards for the cost and work units should be established. This would call for a continuous program of management research. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION (A Reprint) By Aaron Levine r ... maior strength of planning in Philadelphia has been the strong support persons- ®a^ersJliP- businessmen, neighborhood leader s , professional participate i t^6 C^zen leadership are interested and to some degree “ Co™ SP “°1"S pr°"“ ■ planning proposals , ind«^ the new C nro£ram enS1Ve P^’ the Z °ning ordmanc e, and even the six-year zoning ordinance, six-yea Capital P; - rogram now receive an — 1intensive citizen review that few cities nroVi QC P total comm^’ This lack of true presentation of all major . < c°upled with an inad, major segments of the of citizen involvement ■equate budget fo:r staff services to ensure continuity ' makes "citizen■ participation in planning" a practic . m°re devoutly to be evo"“y 10 ... than In general, neighborhood improvement associations meet monthly to discuss local planning problems or proposed capital improvements. Speakers from public agencies are always ready to meet with them. Last year, the Recreation Commissioner alone addressed more than one hundred of these evening meetings. He was able to learn at first hand the neighbors' ideas on the type of recreation development the community desired. At the next level, the Citizens' Council has used a "town meeting" format to bring together representatives of many organizations within a fairly large geo­ graphic section of the city. They hear the Mayor explain briefly the general problem of providing public improvements for the entire city, and the Director of the Planning Commission outlines the specific projects scheduled for that area. These talks are followed by direct questioning from the audience. Usually, the commissioners of health, recreation, streets, or water are present to provide more specific, detailed answers . At the city-wide level of citizen participation, there are advisory committees that work with most of the public agencies , helping to formulate policy as well as to advise on technical aspects of the varied programs. It is the continuing and intensive involvement of the citizen at many levels of city planning which is peculiar to Philadelphia among major cities. It has produced concerted citizen support for planning in Philadelphia-support which has permitted the City Council to approve the passage of every major planning proposal brought C befo —ore it during the past seventeen years. ever to be discovered. Philadelphia parti SOrnewhat somewhat moi-e fortunate than most cornin^11^ ! a full-f^j011 US plannin8 process goes back to e ged city planning commission had bee * i ✓ 55840 �n and industrialists in Philadelphia are delphia Housing AsS°CiaBure’au of Municipal Res earch-Pennsylvania ECo Budget Committee, theplanning, the Old Philadelphia 0*°^ Council League, the Citizens Digtribution Center, and the Philadelphia j el°P, ment Corporation, th are relatively new nonprofit k triH Development a specific planning and development purpo^S o rg am z avion a Civic agencies and a-also obtataed^a^s^, of “ere are leading staff members of the educational IS They have not retreated to their campus shelters, shutting out the downti ■stitutions :own com.' munity. The high degree of citizen participation in planning in Philadelphia is furth 1 by the existence of a ready vehicle for the citizen viewpoint in a Planning Com-^ I rI i1 I1 i' mission established at the outset because of citizen pressure and1 a city governing which is extremely sensitive and responsive to citizen opinion. The visitor to Philadelphia often inquires how it is possible to induce busy men and women to volunteer their limited time and effort for this unpublicized citizen activity. After all, these people receive little public recognition, have no fancy letterhead bearing the city seal and their names , nor can they distribute expensive documents with their names imprinted. fl I ji Why do they participate in civic agencies ? It is because these men and women have come to realize that their ideas and recommendations are taken seriously by the Planning Commission, the city administration, and the City ouncil. They have seen their recommendations considered and frequently epted and, even when the public officials have not immediately endorsed their r.flects c'L® P“bUc policr in thoughts for today The best way to get a war*- °U your hands is to marry him. Marriage ■cvLTin1'5 *Pa" =° tataed so that they can't be separated, often mi . PP site directions, yet punishing anyone who tries to come between them. PUBLICATION published monthly as a c community service, ^Oaaddress.dtT1”10' Hu^’v°‘ Wilkes College? Notes and tai' ^es College. Notes and ‘“'"C^.WUke.-Barr. ■ Malley, Institute of Municipal Govern!”®- Pennsylvania. I i ��� Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Luzerne County Newsletters and Institute for Regional Affair Newsletters, 1952-1975 Subject The topic of the resource Political Science; Luzerne County; Institute for Regional Affairs; Wyoming Valley Description An account of the resource A collection of newsletters created by the Political Science Department at Wilkes College from 1952-1975 for Luzerne County and later the Institute for Regional Affairs. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Political Science Department (Hugo Mailey) Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1952-1975 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Type The nature or genre of the resource Newsletters Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Luzerne County Newsletter, 1959-1960 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Political Science Department Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1959-1960 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Type The nature or genre of the resource Newsletter https://omeka.wilkes.edu/omeka/files/original/1c633ad0e633d76eb233f859a460313b.pdf 9f81287ff22a9b629441611018ea36ac PDF Text Text ■ aa ■ !: ■'V' .■• • '? •■ £> a ■ v-a.-<a;a<,; :■ \ .,■ ■4' ■ j ■;>•.'•,'jf. ■" ■ -r- ■ -■-?■ a- ■ : a •‘•.a ■■/•■■***•■* ' ■ .4^a ■ : a.. , ■ "JW s ‘>ri j.j.d ;iU„‘ r :'J! i ■a a. 'a ■■ «a „fl .a ........ ■ aa ,--v wwm111111"'/''..aAa '■ la-va aws® acaa ■■■.- ■■■■" at ssaif ■ a - a Lv'-xW-.’ ill,.I.,1, , , :liaa^;ll.--'/ aa;' ■«" > ■■ <a" .a > ■ aa ��.BARrE' ff.c.MS W^ES T5 4<n P+L*? )9S« c.) co^ Jjo-1 ..di­ Cot nI ths two o^tions, Luzerne Developr -,nt montns ... organiza. c°unt>'United Community ortune ,being Luzerne County therefore, United . It might, be the opp .being. might, therefore , the placeItand purpose of these agencie:s - one s o mu the the place and purpose "tody, and other, a citizen group. Because local of ■.::Bdcastconcerning Lj other,the a two groups , the poor 1 icerning the number of qu ^purpose of this article is to answer a i ■Risked. Let us begin with planning. Planning is essentially a method, by which foresi i'jmthedevelopment and redevelopment Of communit -■“■public and private, will not be overlooked. he time is right now to set this area’s "broken "Henb0I mes like no zoning, house-afire, subdivisions prevent this area from being as k. as secure a place to live, pleasant, because one man 's fact a s we kr ^owi^witho*?011161 man'S Park or- y is ant lrt8t lth°ut growing pains, it's the While ' hpl?“ Pa: °ugh a ■^e tn -r, Wellconceiv 8„, letns ■f, 0 Prev ent, and. wel] • Ch°ols t- tKat Pla „ o pia gu e Us . or eT Vn ^tl ■ S ’ 3-nd Pla We mParts ysrounds of u smaie ’ and oth 8e Probl :!'V re Park! ygrttth°“gh' eSS , ahd its 6«i<6 techni entof’>'Cy ' d<*ll; s but ^USs (do th,•6 n la. st-n . ra.th_ r �e,^ * VOL-VI1- NO. 1 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE Pa JANUARY 15, 1958 LCPC AND LCUCDC In recent months two organizations L mission and the Luzerne County United CommunitTnAv'l1COUnty Plannin8 Com- sassx The primary purpose of this article is to answer a number of questions which are frequently asked. u cn Let us begin with planning. Planning is essentially a method by which foresight can be brought to bear upon the development and redevelopment of communities, so that future needs, public and private, will not be overlooked. The time is right now to set this area'S ’’brok^sb°^ , which if Y knit (broken bones like no zoning, house-afire, su ^isw c^enient, as not remedied will prevent this area from being as pj fee We healthful, as profitable, as secure a place another man’ stench, must bother with planning because one ma , While the towns in this one man’s thoroughfare may be another man s Par • . that follows the valley seem to be growing without growing pains, growing that hurts. 11 executed planning It is possible, through a ^^^^lev^ate, or program, over a period of time to preve we ■ entirely remove may list poor street many of the worst problems that plagU®^ gr ounds, and ^J^ANNED COMseparate systems, lack of schools, parks, and p problem: UNP evils, they are, in reality, all parts o Munity DEVELOPMENT . .. The planning process and its techniques do not ’’ °blai“8tyay“ ,o spand mor,! ,ax dollars b“* the ph the Sreatest efficiency and lasting benefit fr ysical development of the community. each dollar spent for 4717'? �arethe nottown necessarily solvedbe °f a town near limits cannot - - 7 residential area adjacent municipality, by action of a town alone. of a plgg y dificulties. In an attempt protected from the helP “bX e^etea to permit planning Joint or ct„opera«>« pl lefislatio” >>»= ths ago, the County to solve these problems ‘ r“TaSJa county. Severa " me County a larger area,• -----sucb— step forward by the establishment of Luz and econoers took a commendable • • >ms All the planning proble: Planning Commission to deal with matters relating to the physical • --minded citizens. "Preparing" and ' d civic 'maintaining'1 th< ied an' ie plan reof the public in order to i forr*1' the coop,eration 1 insure understandiring and support successful program seeks far greater 'q'uir6S -- participation of th Any -■ie public than called for by legal procedures. for it. dnimu 111 the m: Therefore the Luzerne County United Community Development Con- ference. mic growth of Luzerne County. Because the responsibilities of the LCPC cut across all the func­ tions of local governments in the County, it needs a qualified technical staff. This 9 member commission has the responsibility of developing a master pian for the County, which must be comprehensive in the sense that all physical elements are studied and planned together as related components of one general plan. completely master ’ would standAlittle chance developed of approval and plan "J7 lcb the public took no part quate in many ways . The number one Do in planning T probably be inade. of the public by a definite program to "pub^ ^t^^0 and by continuing to keep the public informed This tt rneeds and objectives the LCPC, because the Conference is a broad bas C°nference can do for stituent membership leads to every citizen in the Cou whose con- Civic spirit sometimes breaks out in acute "projectitis. " Much Much time and effort are thrown into single projects which overlook the principle of first things first. Planning determines the logical sequence of improvements, and prevents careless decisions like those of a man who buys whiskey and speedboats before life insurance and adequate food for his family. A county planning commission is not the alter ego for a county parking authority, a county sewage authority, or a county urban renewal authority. These are typi­ cal capital improvements that properly belong on the borough, township, or city level. This Conference composed of member organizations interested in planning, has been created to cooperate with the LCPC in the development of and' to encourage in the implementation of the a master plan i -----' 1------- -----------of c *the ’------components ■— projects as urban redevelo^meL^Te^nlpr°gress is beinS made in such jects for community betterment. ciation with the redevelonm t ’ Panning agency works in intimate assoform the studies that lead to agency charged with that purpose. It may perwidening of a road, locating evelopment■ In any case, whether it is the for parking, the planning aaen™ P°o1, buiIding a bridge, clearing land hensive plan. A quickie crash \ Seeks to have it coordinated with the comprefor a particular phase of Dian„-P a™lng Pr°gram done in order to secure funds and ignores one of the most ™ * particular part of the county disregards LANNING CANNOT BE DONE^VE^ ~°n'tS of Planning - THE WORK OF OVERNIGHT. Local officials i — will find that the LCPC will stand to advise them on many °f their caPital improvem, —lents projects. At all times throughout of the public must be sought by th> the process, the interest and PartlC1latl. Be' cause of the broad function of the ie technicians developing the master P -n_ LCPC, it needs the combined judgm ■ plan. For the local councilman, commissioner, supervisor, or school director, there need be no fear that either the LCPC or the LCUCDC will usurp his power to enact ordinances. It has been and will always be in him to en These two groups will merely guide public capital improvement progr that you, the locally elected officials, can get the credit for sponsoring pro­ McKeesport plant turns TP ASH INTO FERTILIZER, rnment and industry Approximately 5 00 ^^Ke^port, PennsylVan^arketable fertilirecently assembled in the City of M trash into am America, Plant which is designed to change garbage Qrganic Corporation 2er. The plant was designed and built y nsylvania. 247 Fort Pitt Boulevard, Pittsburgh pulveriza- The company describes the process < liy - Hon" and reP°rtS . a of time ranging from enzrnes, or "hotiermentatw 1 „„„ ' Orin the refuse into a dry granular fertilizer in a pe^ °woodc„ boxes, >» dry granular fe reCeive giasS’ 4 daYs to 21 days. The plant is designed to 1-Caas and easily processed refuse. Jiotlplus �the refuse into a loading dock. A c — Trucks discharg^ * magnets which remove COnveyor bel most - - of the belt carries the refuse of the coveyor belt allows eXcess u metallic material. refuse leaves the magnets. The refuse then ■Ruor « be drained away a«« £ grindero pulveri„ pasSes through a pair pulverized refuse is inoculated with en 'which t:“ZSfX»Xd .rea. In Ike fermentation area ies ™°”XmlX degrees F. to 175 degrees F. during the trans formation ‘re8 1 Period, Xr the decomposition cycle has been completed, the refuse ,s transfer^ . The portion which passes throughthe^ to a hopper and fed across a screen. The portion which passes through the VOL.VII- N°-2 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA- FEBRUARY 15, 1958 CLASS screen is bagged for sale, and the remainder is returned to the grinder fOr reprocessing. The plant in McKeesport is designed to receive 140 tons of refuSe daily. The cost of the plant is approximately $350, 000. The company is cur rent­ ly offering to build plants under two general proposals. Under the first proposal, the company builds the plant on municipally owned property, which the company leases for a period of ten years. At the end of the ten-year period, the property reverts to company ownership. The municipality delivers the garbage and trash to the plant and pays for the disposal of the garbage and trash. Under the terms of the second proposal, the company furnishes a complete plant which is ready to operate and which is paid for by the municie mLlniciPality then leases the plant to the company and delivers all privilege tTaSh t0 the P^ant- The municipality is not charged for dumping The following communities are represented in the borough officers and commissioners course; Dallas, West Wyoming, Luzerne, Larksville Swoyerville, Laflin, Hanover Township, Sugar Notch, West Pittston, and’ Ashley. Approximately thirty students are attending the class LECTURES Police of the following municipalities have been attending the traf­ fic lectures for police: Ashley, Danville, Courtdale, Exeter, Forty Fort, Hanover Township, Kingston, Milton, Nuangola, Palmerton, Plains, Watson­ town, Wilkes-Barre, West Pittston, and Wyoming. Subjects discussed are "Traffic Flow", "Drunken Drivers", "Re­ vocation of licenses" "Stolen Cars", and "New Traffic Legislation.1 THOUGHTS FOR TODA Y When a stenographer halts dictation, the chances are bound. TRAFFIC she is spell­ , It is the little things that count, for they are the ones that quickly multiply into big ones. .PUBLICATION This , ews-lettfer, P fished monthly as a community service, ori* dates in- th, -le Institute Municipal Government of Wilkes College. Notes and inquiries i— may be addre .er”' ssed to Dr. ment, Wilke. Hugo V. Mailey, Institute of Municipal G° ---as Colle ge’ Wilkes-Barre, • Pennsylvania. Board fr Parking on both sides, hour of g of green light side, has a carrying capacity of 1,100 vehicles per capacity is increased Parkingg removed entirely from the street, this carryi thirty-foot street to 1, 600 ’’ vehicles per hour of green light. Taking one-way and ! n°W considering one-way traffic movemen s, 2Q() vehicies; one-way with1 Parking on both sides has a practical capacity o parking 2,400 vewith^Parking on one side 1,600 vehicles; and one maximum carrying hicles. These figures simply serve to point /^veto be done in the communiCapaCitY of a street and what will eventual y can be expected in the tie® in order to move the heavy volume of tra reseeable future. �ordinances equire that proposed ordinances be read Manymn successive counC^unicipal Clerks, Fort Smith, taken. aloud three3‘T National Institute o clerk> is trying a VQice_ ’ ArkanSa. According t0 t conserving the eae 8rdinance aloud once at a meeting, re. •s. in the interest of The clerk reads tn next two council saving practice the ordinance. cords it at the same time, andp thus filling the requirements Better still, give each councilman a typed copy of the Proposed or. dinance and dispense with the two subsequent readings . The York City Parking Authority, the York City Planning Com­ mission, and the York Redevelopment Authority are jointly planning a project for the removal of "cores" of three square blocks on the perimeter of the downtown district to provide space for parking plazas, which will accomodate 1,000 cars. The blocks which have been surveyed for the proposed plan are located between Beaver Street and Pershing Avenue from King Street to Col­ lege Avenue, between Queen and Duke streets from King to Princess streets, and between Queen and Duke streets from Philadelphia Street to Gay Avenue. The estimated cost of the project is $85, 000. COOPERATION Pride'. Suspicion1. Fear'. 7" These are the real obstacles to any solutions of metropolitan problems. There ---- a are methods of intergovernmental cooperation available now. 0,16 method is the communities Can car not OnlY get together^1 a®reernent» whereby a number of ", With another and bnv °r * J°int undertaking, but one community may contract i Much of the chaos °S and duPiication now ervdces which it could not itself afford. eliminated. ng among communities would be The .8 the General Coon. injPortant power that Pennsylvania municipaliti66 h General i ’•“«e.n..yJo,„7nPet;:‘‘"fL”'Act,' any two or more muni *ayjoin thi could undertake alone :e alone. SPEED ZONE The State Highway Department has found 191 illegal speed restric­ tion zones and 69 illegal extensions of speed zones. YORK INTERGOVERNMENT A T Under other laws, counties ctr own and operate airports. Thev 168’ bor°ughs and , can enter into agreements for the r Unite in establiShi °WnshiPs may jointly joint purchasing and for recreation. InterZ^^ of s^er system'6 They " -edin services such as water, police J *sdlcti°nal agreement ’ f°r pr°te^onper’ j —;r?osal. Act 481 also permits joint aX’ mitte’ ,vied under this Act. events for the collection disp< le\- orrnance of any functions which each of them In most cases the illegal restrictions were found to be warranted, but not necessarily for the speed desinated. Most common are 25 mile-anhour zones where Department standards would call for 35 mile-an-hour zones. In some cases, illegal 35 mile-an-hour zones are found to meet the requirements for the new 40 mile-an-hour zones. The 1957-1958 General Assembly authorized establishment of 40 mile-an-hour zones. Recommendations are being made by trattic person i in the Department's 11 districts to raise the speed restrictions in some legal mile an-hour zones to 40 mile-an-hour, and in some legal 25 mile an hou 35 miles an hour. The Department also is receiving reports of speed OK .Ke cancel these restrictions. years. Recommendations are being made to can TIMING rning is important when dealing with the public. Why, for example, ’--r or summer when business chang ge a street to one-way operation in la^e Pmove drives away business? A is falli Hing off and merchants can claim that t kes the change in the fall when busitown 1 avoids unnecessary trouble if it ma water rates in the summer when the nes8 is jimproving. Similarly, why raise the rates in winter when use is low. der*and for water is high? Instead, change �WHAT'S NEW? HANOVER TOWNSHIP - Commissioners have provided a police to which police will contribute 5% of their salaries 6 ^ensf( °n tinue in service if they so desire. ' p>°fice : fund 7 el Can. ASHLEY - The borough council will have about $5,000 less revenue tHan in 1957 due to a drop in coal valuation. levy. WEST WYOMING - Pay increases have been granted to borough employees DURYEA - The borough will finance the $18, 000 Canal Street restoration project with a short-term loan. DUPONT - The council intends to operate on a $21,000 budget with a 19-mill levy, LARKSVILLE - An told ” ’bond issue of $11, 500 may be retired this year if the council can ■an cut expenses. PLYMOUTH - The NO. 3 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA- MARCH 15, 1958 had FORTY FORT - An examination for police to set up an eligibility iist wiU be conducted at town hall. EDWARDSVILLE - A tentative borough budget retains a 17-mill VOb.VI1 tentative budget has been set at $156,297. NANTICOKE - The ! city has been notified by the State Health Department to appoint < a qualified health officer, such as a doctor, undertaker, nurse,etc. in order “rd~r to meet the state directive. LCPC The true function of the Luzerne Cou formation of and continuous development of the oV „ ng C™ission is the carrying of various elements of the plan into effect?/ C°mprehe^ive plan, rhe ating governmental agencies. The Planning Commit a matter for operexisting governmental structures must look to and h plans and advises; the advice to a large degree if the work of the Plan • &uided bY such plans and turn on the effort invested. fanning Commission is to pay any re- The Planning Commission when established and staffed at a regional or county level also becomes the logical agency to develop for specific communi­ ties those specific planning phases required regarding major rehabilitation pro­ jects. For the community undertaking such projects the County or regional planning commission with its basic information and knowledge on the overall area provides a competent and the least costly agency with whom to contract for pre­ paration of many elements of the "workable program" required by federal agen­ cies for federal aid in such rehabilitation projects. Other elements of the OALIAS - The tentatr Ve bud^et Provides for $4,500 WILKES-BARRE - toward a playground. habilitation projects. The City wiH advertise for bids for temporary repairs to the dik< thoughts FOR TODAY Before you've passed for the future. y°ur prime is when you should prime yourself kerofthec®,h”«= medicine when you're run down or get the license numPUBLICATION This News ginates in -letter, published monthly as a community ser? teS and 1 the Institute of Mi x inquiries j GoV®r may be addressedMunicipal to Dr. I"Government of Wilkes Collegement. WilkeV ’ -3 College, Wilkes-Barre, Hugo V. Mailey, Institute of MunidP , Pennsylvania. does not obviate the The existence of a County■ need for local commissions in the ci ie . men(}ations made by opment or execution of broad land use re by local planning mission will rest with local governments^^ Commission help serve to keep The local commissions working with f 0£ ^e situation. the County Commission tied to the rea TOWNSHIP ASSOCIATION - Township Board of Commisl of Hanover Townships Association of Stephen Yanoshak, chairman sioners, First Class was elected president of the I Luzerne County. �{f. elected- First vice president, Clem Falchek Of ew Association. ATHENIAN OATH "We will never bring disgrace to this our city by any act of dishonest or cowardice, nor ever desert our suffering comrades in the ranks; we will 7 fight for the ideal and sacred things of the city, both alone and with many; We will revere and obey the city's laws and do our best to incite a like respect in those above us who are prone to annul or set them at naught; we will strive un­ ceasingly to quicken the public's sense of civic duty. Thus, in all these ways we will transmit this city not only not less, but greater and more beautiful than it was transmitted to us. " Newly elected officials might ponder this oath that the officers of the ancient city of Athens took. FIRE PROTECTION <• t ■1The Natl0nal Board of Underwriters fixes standards for fire proZ d°n ,aClllties lncluding the number of pieces of apparatus necessary. These few comm Z-£enerally considered to be maximum standards and are met by lew communities. The Board fixes the standards of the distribution of fire companies according to the table below; Type of trict Mercantile or manufacturing Closely built residential Scattered residential Engine Company 3/4 mile 1 1/2 miles 3 miles the municipality^^ town^f^ nn/5 P1US °-12 multiplied by the population of - town of 7,000 the '°°° the Papers necessary Jould be 1,57; be funded out to tw^ f neCessarV would be 1.89. Obviously, these figu w° full pumpers. Fire companies should have two suppiies f , ially good in reserve A service of 7 to 10 yea°s °ne in use and one e9u‘ from fire hose if cleaned and dried ™ , not distances where fir, hose has ut'/ TXT1”'1m ”ore, should be 6 use. There are of 6,000 to 7,000 people have a maximum of 10,000 feet of hosZ7’ communities Hydrants should be able to deliver 600 gallons per minute, with a t more than 2 1/2 pounds in the 1 ' a„dtotaIloaBofnoim » loss of not the street and main outlet, Hydrants should be placed with 5 pounds between L ' consideration of their possible use as ireflected in the hazards of the locality more than 400 to 500 feet long J are inefficient and a source of delay. Hose lines IS YOUR TOWN OVERPROTECTED OR UNDERPROTECTED? ARE YOU SPENDING TOO MUCH OR TOO LITTLE MONEY? WHY NOT CHECK YOUR BUDGET AND SEE. RIGHT OF WAY SIGNS The Department of Highways this year will experiment with "yield right-of-way"' signs to determine their effectiveness as traffic control devices. If the signs prove effective, before they become a permanent traffic fixture along the Commonwealth's highways the General Assembly will have to make provisions for them in the Vehicle Code. Yield right-of-way signs are used in other states to eliminate unnecessary full stops for vehicles entering a main highway from a subsidiary road. The signs are triangular in shape and each side is 30inches. Letters are black on a reflectorized yellow backgound. -right Locations for the signs will be non-.0~ angle intersections where visibility is good and where traffic volumes on the main and subsidiary roa e tight enough to permit smooth merging of traffic. "BABY" STREET SWEEPERS f pf of a. ’'baby” street Municipal officials have found that the chie as streets and between sweepT’er ls the abiHty of the sweeper to maneuver oa aa^°erican p^ic Works Parked all the refuse and litter As?so - cZ • arS Where the larger sweepers do not i . ation reports that although the sweeper can r 13 curb miles that a rrnan with a broom can reach, it can approxima 2.5 miles per day. Perday, Va ’ a Stance which compares with a human sw machine weighs Q Vattachment sucks up debris and keeps do™ <>«'• f.200 Pounds and can carry 700 pounds of waste. �ACT 433^ , r borough council or five percent of the electorate Upon petition -. 1 Zw order the wards in th. borough abolished the court of quarter of seven eou^cilnren at large, initial terms of „fIice of th shorten the terms of the incumbents and to call for the election of seve councilmen are eleXn°of three or four members in alternate years, for tWo regularly allow year terms. VOL ■ VII. NO. 4 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA. APRIL 15, 1958 DINNER When the court decree abolishing wards is made after a primary election th. nonilnati.ns for the newly created at-large Conner! may be made by APR 211958 Sixth Annual Dinner for Luzerne Countv T oral nrr; ■ , May 5, 1958 at the Wilkes Commons. Join in the fun and's^ XVeHow the political party committees. Monday Act 433, approved July 17,1957, (section 2) amends sections 601 and 602 and adds sections I817 and 818 to "The Borough Code", effective September 1, 1957. officials receive awards . Make your reservations with the Institute at VA-44651 FIRE MENACE CHECK PATROL CARS One-man patrol cars are used in 85 per cent of United States cities over 10,000 population for regular patrol work according to the 1957 Municipal Year Book just published by the International City Managers' Association. Of 1,137 reporting cities, 245 use one-man patrol cars exclusively, and 720 cities use a combination of one and two man patrol cars. Nearly twothirds use one-man patrol cars on all three shifts during a 24-hour period. The State Justice Department has ruled that State Police fire marshals may inspect a building suspected of being a fire hazard without the obtaining of permission from the owners. The ruling, drafted by Frank P. Lawley Jr. , Deputy Attorney General, said the inspection, however, must be conducted at a reasonable hour. The State Police cannot use this act as a vehicle to search a dwelling or other building for stolen property or other contraband . The purpose of this act is to prevent a fire menace. THOUGHTS FOR TODAY Any one can do more than he thinks he can, but that's usually less than he thinks he does. If the building is suspected as a fire menace, the inspection would not violate the constitutional prohibition against unreasonable searches and seizures. Specialization has reached such a state today that patients have to learn to diagnose themselves before they know which specialist to call. HOW DO YOU DO LT WRONG? Just to make sure that crime doesn't pay, the government should take over and try to run it. Don't go after tax delinquents. They are voters, Don't encumber appropriations accounts. publication This News-letter , ginates in the Institute of Munir’ rnont^1P as a community service, ori^qU.lries may be addressed to 'pal J}overnment of Wilkes College. Notes and en ’ Wllkes College, Wilkes Ba' HUg° V’ Mailey> Institute of Municipal Governnarre> Pennsylvania. C.P.A. His prices may be high, but he _ Always buy from the local merchant, ^ys taxes. better than a council c°mmitte e To heck with centralized purchasing- what the needs are? �Levy special assessments? out of the general fund. improvements plicates You can't win friends that way. pay fQ ----- idle funds in short term government notes . Don't invest your Besides, the federal government is a poor risk the bookkeeping. — y-r a greater number of administrative fim^iciPairty ainicipalities of higher standards in such a 10nS' (3) the enforcement ie need for highway construction and other c^>T sewage disposal, ‘Provements occa-’ the growth of municipalities and annexed terrr by 1 option of certain fields of taxation by the state to th”16 ~'s and (5) the pre-e exclusion of muniCipalities- X- (4>th: com. individually as you need it. Otherwise you'll have t Buy every item for bulk storage. keep inventory amid provide Let department heads spend their full appropriation while they have it. Who knows what tomorrow will bnng? Forget the budget after it is adopted. It's not worth the paper it's printed on. Don't bond employees who handle money. Most people are honest. Avoid modern mechanical equipment to increase efficiency. You might have to cut your payroll. All these costs have pyramided until many municipalitie s are having difficulty making a budget, concludes the .Bulletin. Several considerations are mentioned. (11 CiHac *. and more realizing that state laws related to taxation are antiquatXnTt\rt°re another look should be taken at the debt limit which was established many years ago; (2) that property is not fairly assessed for taxation purposes; (3) that addition­ al sources of revenue must be obtained for municipalities; (4) that certain state taxes and revenues should be shared with municipalities; and, (5) that the fis­ cal relations between state, county, and municipality must be studied and co­ ordinated. FALLEN LEAVES BRING PROFITS IN CANADA Don't tag parking meter violators. You'll antagonize the shoppers. Why budget for capital improvements? Bond houses need your business. Always select the lowest bidder on a contract. He may not be responsi­ ble, but he's sure cheap. Don't keep cost records. You've guessed right in the past, Haven't you? Why set aside money for emergencies or contingencies ? You can always borrow at a reasonable rate. Vote " Yes for services, 'No for taxes. You'll get reelected. Fallen leaves cost a dollar a bag in Toronto, Canada, and there are more buyers that bags. The leaves which litter the city in the autumn, block gutter and drains and harass the street-cleaning department are now carefully composited and treated for some 80 pounds of fine leaf mould, the best humus obtainable. Previously collecting and hauling leaves for disposal in dumps outside of Toronto had been a considerable expense for the department. Now this expense is fully compensated by the production of a sa P^duct. Also, the Toronto park department has available at no charge all the humus d needs for city parks and gardens. BUDGET PROB LEMS news that budget headaches. No o nati°n's cities and suburbs grow, so do their Below is 8ome f‘thNo one as ound the alleviating potion to this situation either. —« City Bulletm <■ Causes of rising costs are 1 listed by the Bulletin as (1) for more and more (1) the the public public derTia municipal services,’ (2) the imposition by the state upon the 3 conveniently located about Initially Initially the the leaves leaves are stored at six pointsand early spring the leaves to minimize hauling time. During the winter station as time and available moved to the central leaf-mould processing e^Pment allow. ., ar PUBLICATION This News-letter, published monthly as a the Jnstitute of Municipal Government of Wil es °‘ may b, addressed to Dr Hugo V. Malley. &>»•■“" of ^ilki ea College, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. ity service, originates °. Notes and inquiries Municipal Government, Municipal G< M“ �WHAT'S NEW? WILKES-BARRE - City Council has some $15,000. authorized an urban renewal survey VJt NO. 6 *ILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA. c“«»g MAY 15, 1958 \rOT* „ made in a damage suit against the township as a re­ PTAINS - Settlement was made in s suit of an auto-fire truck crash. EDWARDSVILLE - The police department will continue the policy of curbing the nightly visits of ef out-of-town teenagers teenagers.. Council and police are Wpt their way to approving a police pension fund. on KINGSTON - Council has agreed to regrade a sanitary sewer in the Third Av enue section. FORTY FORT - All meetings of community groups held in the Town Hall have been cancelled due to damage to part of the building. SWOYERVILLE - The street department has completed the pumping project in the community. LARKSVILLE - Boro tax rate has been increased 1 1/4 mills to offset loss of coal valuation, for a total of 2 3/4 mills. PLYMOUTH - The boro has lost approximately $50,000 due mostly to decline in adult population. The burgess and the chief of police are deadlocked on certain parking restrictions. • -i-Si WYOMING - Council is considering zoning in order to plan its future growth. THE DINNER On Monday, May 5, 1958 at a dinner in the Wilkes College Comm 8CerXdateslof°Attainment for completing a prescHW AoTrs^Xledto as"Xl performing better their duties and functions. In addition, 19 local officials were re Warded with a Service Award by the Political Science Department of the College for their untiring efforts and lengthy service to their communities. This is truly a demonstration of the teamwork which exists between higher education and local government, between the academic gown and town. The teamwork exemplifies an increased awareness of the general usefuless of colleges in American life. Town and gown teamwork for the betterment of Luzerne County seems certain to grow stronger. The Institute of Municipal Government, only one small part of the College, will continue to lend a hand toward that betterment. Time was when the ivy tower was not for the local officials. Although some of us of professorial rank wrote monographs, theses, and books on municipal problems, we were told by local officials that we knew nothing about local governmental problems when we attempted to promote the town-gown relationship. While the objective of bringing more college students into politics merits Praise, the surest way for people of this nation to safeguard local home rule is by bringing more local politicians onto college campuses. DURYEA - Approximately half of the adult population pleads inability to pay per capita taxes. NANTICOKE - The C" ’ „ making arrangements to remove the trees near the library to provide parking f0 „ >r the new library. thought for today them. Most books are forgotten within a year, especially by folks who This occasion was a real tribute, though a small one, to the wo °cal officials of Luzerne County are doing. Don't stop learning. Come J°in as more. It p is ■ the only way that you officials can learn to provide your comm tllat whole. tome atmosphere that makes it attractive. CERTIFICATES borr°W About the only rich people who rich are boxers. really wake up and find themselves f the Public Service Institute, Present J Fred H. Miller, Acting Executive Director o EUen McGrady and Mary sie certificates to Michael Kilcoyne, Hanover ° Craze and George Sobeck, LuzerneeVnSki’ Laflin; John Elko, Larksville; Wi ia™ Notch; Howard Baird, Robert * StePhen Gavlick, Swoyerville; John Wooten, g eiskerger, West Pittston; BuhmPbeU’ Max Lake» Carl Rosencrance, eo blo> JohnMizin, Ted Pawloski, Joseph Wyoming. �AWARDS n, d service awards as follows: Henry Hug» V. MaileyP”3'”“ s.Ha„y Keiser, tire truck driv„ NescOpek, ll years, councilman for 10, man, W years, Ernest Kehl, burgess justice of the peace for 6; Attorney Lr 17 years; Joyce Kearney, P Gallagher, Newport Township Solici. l4 years, presently assistant Rocconi, Plains Township, three years of director or.eco.nt, “d'“‘“'h councito.n. 27 year,; Rep. William Curwood, service; I. J- Hosey, collector of Shickshinny. councilman, burgess, and tax co John Jarzenbowicz, Sugar Notch councilman, 12 years; John Mizin, West Wyoming councilman, 9 years; Albert F. Maier, White Haven solicitor, ; 23 years; George Clark, Wilkes-Barre street engineer, 50 years; Arthur W. Evans, Wilkes-Barre sewers engineer, 50 years; Edward J. White, Wilkes-Barre con­ troller, nine years; Jack Dempsey, Wyoming Burgess, 12 years. -We cannot do local planning but we can mesh into it. You will be „ted to know that we are working ' , are in continuing contact with the inters' ' ^cipal and regional planning agencies in’ many regions. Through our new muni' Jfice Planning and Research, we will expand our contact with your planning ,nCies and with those throughout the stated °Ur d wi* those throughout the state." ol age' " That is, of course, we will mesh c our efforts with local plans and will exontacts with planning agencies i_f there c _j are local plans, in existance or pand °ur and if there are active local, county and regional planning commisin the making, work with.-" gions for us to "Iwe repeat, do local plann'officii objectives if tried we to. cannot You, that is, local miSS °Ur sta^-wide Highway for its lack of advance planning and its aloofne/J? “ PHSt derided the State &s trom local plans." "Now hat we have made our move, you must be prepared for our co­ operative march forward. I am greatly pleased to hear that Luzerne County has now established a Planning Commission. You, in the boroughs and the town ships should have your local planning agencies to do your detailed local planning within the framework of a county plan. We will do our best to tie-in our highway plans and programs with your local and county plans. " "We need you and you need us. Let us go ahead together for the better­ ment of this region. " GIFT Alan Bare, President of the Luzerne County Boroughs Association, and tep en Yanoshak, President of the Luzerne County First Class Township Associa- TESTING ju“. begl^g ‘he that this ntay he HENRY D. HARRAL are determined ’ to <— 21 cr™qonwealtl1 objectives in the field rd^nate our highway programs with other ;s in the fields < ' gionai°n’ flood control, and the like. w° Uldustrial development, conservation, reand the like. We pressedCthUnty munici pal plans for their th *Te determined to fit our efforts into reunicipal plans for SS* a“ir master pi-plans for land ’ocial and public housing “= -u and re8ional programs^^K^6 W1Sh tO inte8rate our hlghwayS Q”.d regional s«Ppl,L ' '>C',, streets, =« taduX,°f “b“ °‘ 7 d of waste disposal „ U8trial development, of recreation, of to assist local civil The 1. M. G. has Just ~ service commissions. In addition to e p examining. This latter is civil service ordinance, I. M. G. will a so o Wch has for more the ye in cooperation with the College Guidance en Rehabilitation, State ° done testing for: Admissions, Bureau o^ocatw^ Determmation, for the Blind, Bureau of Rehabilitation: S°C1*al Hospital, Nesbitt, Wy 8^ Nursing applicants for the Wilkes-Barre Commercial and Inda g {or Valley, and Pittston Hospitals, Private c Linear Inc., e as Miners National Bank, Deposit and Sav g administration of G. high school e<nnval— tbrouvh the adm U-S. A. F.I. examinations. ! service. I. M. G. offered Plains Township was the first to avail itself of th t, and a personality test. A full ren^0^6 and ft-re exams, a mental maturity test, .. may better be prepared that it to ann^°,rt Was made to the Plains Commission so th8e applicants for jobs. �SECTION 701 Federal Guide to Urban PlaimngA of Commerce. VOL. VU NO. 8 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES- barre, pa JUNE 15, 1958 Bureau of Communi y master plan, financed by the Section 701 fOr The deXTsm^ould stifle the flash-in-the-pan ideas which ofteboroughsan owns P^ become political footballs. Under this Section, £ :n Pop 0% of the'costVor assistance will be paid by the borough and 50% by the federal L S°vern. ment Boroughs and townships need not contribute their share in hard cash either, Any administrative or technical service that local employees can contribut. •e count as the local share. As an example, there is an opportunity for a town to receive a $10, 000 survey for perhaps less than a 1000. The logical consultant for the performance of such individual communi ty surveys would be the Luzerne County Planning Commission. It will be fully equipped with technical personnel to do the work. Moreover, local recommendati ions can be integrated with a County Master Plan. Covered by the surveys under 701 are land use analysis, economic study, traffic study, and a community facilities study. Uniontown, Emmaus, State College, Springfield Township and many others have done it just this way. Planning in Pennsylvania communities as come o age. ese are all "down-to-earth" -- — --------- 1 communities communities which which see a better future with e™se ves as a result of expenditures of local time, energy, and funds teamed with federal grants. 57 To those r-——— *-any communities in Luzerne County (names censored) that Planning, zoning, etc. are too expensive, it , -1 can be done quite economically if you will contact Donald Livingston, Regional Supervisor, Bureau of Community evelopment, Scranton Office. REPRINT article is a reprint from the Local Government Newsletter published by the This Institute at the University of Pittsburgh. We"ve got it made, " said Councilman Green. "Looks Looks as as it if another another new new shoppine a j -4-n v v 4. , J^OOKS square center is going m. And it will be a beauty-half a million dollars, 600,000 600,000 i feet of sales area, We have three shopping centers within <a mile radius of this one, but this will top them all. Perfect location, landscaped, buffc Jer strip,best design I've seen." "What does your planning commission think of the proposals, " someone asked. "Planning commission? If we left this sort of thing to them, we probably wouldn't have any centers at all. They're good fellows--don't misunderstand me, but some­ times they are fuzzy headed. They would recommend against a zoning change, if the developer couldn't prove the center was needed to serve the piople in the area. They would actually cut us off from all that tax money. " "How much tax money? " "With assessed values at about 50 percent of market value, that means we would add $250,000 to our assessment rolls. With a nine mill levy, we would collect about $ 2250 a year in real estate taxes alone. Add the earned income tax from e center and we'd be in good shape financially". ” t a red cent "But most of the stores would be incorporated and you can tj:ollect (yes, that's coLectHoVpXcXaXy Cifh SCrant°n iS receiving $8 0, °00’ 000 ■Thoughts for today ThXbeVt wlyhouteisaliled fl°°r flushers • y °Ut 18 always through. I .publication Thls News-letter, nri2i»ateS m the Institute Published monthly as a “^Municipal G - community service, ° ° ^vernment of Wilkes <College. Notes and inquirl Hug0 V- r U°Hege, Wilv~ Wilkes”.Bar MaUey, Institute: of Municipal Government’ ’ . pem,yl- ~ to D'h:- from a ccorporate profits, " observed a member of the group. "Besides , a lot of wage tax. You'd be Jhe emplOyees . —> would live in some other community levying a freky to’ collect $2000. " "Your'e not , are you? n sneezing at a couple of thousand extra dollars W wha* about the expenses? installing traffic lights because of a new *tra Police How about costs like these . --- s during rush hours. We had estimates made by experts, said the councilman. "Their figures 47177 § I �change would give us a lift ta: even figured what x wise BegideSj if worst comes to°Ur ^ta?^ estimated gross of two would be if we on a mercantile tax. J tQ this what we'd take and a half could abvayeSaJi we coulild get about »o potential. . All of our centers Ornthe milll°nenters and youcan -.an other center v apPreC^did at first maybe, but t ry to find a parki, _ J are much as they ?„ making money-n°tSo how can we lose • trig space sometime. of the group. I'm no market analyst ■reed the zoning differed ^the revenue-'..-expenditure P considered^ , t the area residents • ping facilities and determine the f0 I "’’ated, regional facility with a number Trst’ in the retail stores in any area. The ’ x guspect a good part of it is in existil maybe the market is big enough to make sure ? Besides , I can show Itlg have been badly Hurt by a ne„ Besides , a’number of exf.ting,hat tove shut down-even though the market Jacility..Md some retlilers a profitable share of the total busme.s, one's going to lose," P°Pp * u tast so much money to b P but there 3 spending sornewh > people are gaining population a “Svmore“tori. « have been th CornPetin have been, " is little h areas nters °nveruenCe Have been atelV solutions to day-to-day riddles that con/', Ut these ProbU iice can be advanced only if there is a fWn- c°nmiSsi*S re^r, and within which they can be tested. And ... arnew°rk of posif. ners< and supers b e community plan--to express for the fonT PurPose of LP°licies ^dohj°rS c opment policies, together with the meansT RECENT seemed big enough to give all the r "There seems to be a kind of 'Gersham's Law' that (can be applied to competing shopping districts, " he continued. "The better center tends t_ J_. ----- .3 to drive out of business the ones that are not so good. I'm not in favor of stiffling healthy y competition, undrestand. But I think we have a community investment to protect too. What are we going to do with the established districts ? If we set them go to pot, we're going to end up with the mess of commercial slums . What happens to our tax revenues and out expenditures then?" And so the discussion continued. The gentlemen's sta emen tiine. . For of interesting questions, but most of these can be saved for anot. e raise a qnumber £ now, it's enough to say that on second exposure, the tax return a v denied, proposed center begins to lose much of its glitter. Yet, if the prop at least some of the existing centers may remain over-crowded. ° zone be subjected to pressure to permit ribbons of extentions of commercia^,^ facility, along the highway, or alternatively, to permit the erection of a new un can even at the risk of causing one or more of the older centers to fail, h°brnargina^ argue that it is a purpose of zoning ot limit competition or to portect ably business, although—and quite appropriately-----zoning ordinances inva 6 fUtUre a System TPrehensive nSfor ^ing them out ^vel. council manager developments According to a January 1958 publication of the International Managers Association 104 municipalities adopted the council- manager plan inl957. Only five cities abandoned the plan. Huntingdon, West Virginia (population-86,353) was the largest city to adopt the plan. Referendums on the continuation of the manager plan were held in 24 cities and voters in only seven of these cities decided to abandon the plan. Nevada and Tennessee enacted laws during 1957extending to all counties the opportunity to appoint a county manager. California now leads with 179 places unde^^e ^^^p^ptpulation -50,0000 Rnnsylvania ranking fifth with its 86 places, ris and Sewichly Heights being the largest municipality being operate un e* copulation between 50,000 (population- 679) being the smallest. Of the cities 47% of all the and 100,000, slightly over 50 % have the Council8 between 10,000 and 25,000. cities with populations over 25,000, and 41% o a r. _ Councilor Commiss.on There are more Council-Manager cities than eit er governed cities in the population group 50,000 to 'It in restricting competition, amd certainly are not unlawful becau 2yPRKMEN'S COMPENSATION NOW COVEgj-A^S^^ So what1 s the answer? center be Should the <— granted or ■ ’ application for the proposed shopping Ieast there is S’1°u'd it be denied ?" no easy answer. There perhaps is no answer, at But there A comprehensive plan, sure is a moral. of the area, would have maj" u“"g sl“di«= U Possible to °f population and edonomic prosp evaluate the adequacy of existing insurance workmen's workmen s compensation By Act 71 of the 1957 GeneralL As‘s®uxiJary police- ’,J b®ieS rtunicipal ece auxiliary police. coverage gas been extended to me u mpinsation for 1 trainingdved while ernPloyees are now entitled to receive anCy ca s, townships r activities. r calls , engaging in officials duties, answering man---y borong To •' 3 have ybor° ugbs though. the law was amended a year auxili ar^ P° aviod confusion not as yet changed their policies to me the Act r Qrderarising. a reveiw of and keep problems of non-compliance present ■workmen's compensation cov seem �'i AUG! 1958 keeping v .. ctream pollution was cited citea as as a a major factor keeping water . Tnesafrom locating in the economically distressed coal counties t^stnes from loc of the state Fish Commission °f Pennsyi? aTthe^ixthannual clean streams conference called by the Pennsylvania .Speahing X. of Commerce, stressed the need for more research to solve the provle] pollution created by acid water flowing from mines into streams . tfOk- Vll. NO . "New industry will find it difficult to become established in the aareas heavjjy polluted by mine acid, particularly if they require relatively cleanproces Our generally fine transportation system may make it possible for them 3S waterSi t0 irnPort raw or semi-finished materials from other places, but the watermnof .local, sources . ,," r come fr, '*0111 ror years it's been a well-established custom in Britain 1Or the contractor to furnish five years of free maintenance on all hot-mix asnhalt surfacing jobs.. But, recently England's municipalities have shown a marked tendency to demand nya --month maintenance guarantee. The reason’ Modern asphalt pavements are now expected to give maintenance free service well beyond the five-year for 7 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE are expected TODAY ^cX:rxn:i yrepaired; y ui soul is irreparable, if C°i!ege deSree does not lessen the length of *t only conceals it. yourears. JULY ■** Ms News-.u^ ;letteL Published monthly as a r__. niay 5e community service, originates in *ddre*sed to Dr 1 Govej— Wilkes Wilk.s Colle ■_Hu g0 V> j Ue®e- Wi]kes ‘ 8e- Notes and inquiries -Barre, pe 1 histitute of Municipal Government, e. Pen, nnsylvania. “-'Xi 15,1958 LOCAL TAXATION County, this study has more than the usual meaning of eyXa"“'X“'= Because of the dependence of local government finances upon real property, assessments should be uniform, equitable, and a relatively high ratio of market value. Uniformity and equity do not need explanation. Relatively high ratios of assessed values to market values are desirable because assessed valuations are the criteria upon which local debt limits are now based. Market values furnish a more realistic basis for the calculation of debt limits and tax revenues than do assessed values . There is one qualification for this , and that is , assuming that the increased revenue is for more adequate services and not to maintain the present inefficiency in local governmental services. If the personal property and occupations taxes are to be retained, it is imperative that their administration be improved, leading to not only an increase in monetary returns, but also to more equitable taxation. The problem administration collection of this kind of tax has plagued many municipalities in this area. _ Further diversification of the tax base is needed in municipalities whic "uted taxable property resources . Two possible methods of diversification are. greater use of the taxing powers granted by Act 481, and (2) coopera i dements with other local units in an effort to stretch resources. The later m provifdVe"Xxxxy Xro£ actiM —SEBLICATION pA own operations, especially since this whole area in Luzerne County is making a valiant attempt to attract industry and thereby recover some of the lost 35 000 people who departed since 1950. BRITAIN THOUGHTS ' iT'f Actuate faulty FT!-THY STREAMS “XXXX81081 “8 meani"8' in be *° P»Y «<>r il they acted alone. Advocacy ot the latter 01 this NEWSLETTER . T’k ed in the study was 5,000. Based on this Cr r- -• e Mnimum population of boroughs us County were usei;d: Forty-Fort, -x Edwardsville, Plymouth, Kingsto: eida> the following boroughs in Luzerne 'a;,West Pittston, Exeter, Ashley, Larksville W°y^viue’; ’ Luzerne, and Duryea. the 177 boroughs reporting m a caarket value per capita table is used to r �the State. This basis is useful in that it gives some indication °f the of the boroughs. relativ <Ugb On a table showing market value per capita, Forty-Fort and Rranked as average, and all others are either below average, lOw> o (Plymouth, Swoyerville, Luzerne, and Duryea). This not only reflert ry T<>Ware depressed condition of the area, but it is also an indication of the re i the eco„ capacity of a community to offer governmental services , important t ^^ial industry(such as schools, sewers, etc.) ° attractjn low gxeter forty F°rt Alow burden of taxes per 410,000 market value is always a favorabie f in a municipal financial profile, and a high burden is always an favorable fa *Ctoiir It may not necessarily follow that when the burden is low the t0r' is great, or that the service is of superior quality, or that it isCa ' Pacity to Kingston ministered. Alow tax burden could also attributed to the 1 rendered. Larksville The borough tax burden in Swoyerville was f found to be low, average in Luzerne, Forty-Fort, Exeter,, and West Pittston’ and below Kingston, Plymouth, and Edwardsville ------ It was average in and above average in Ashley Duryea, it was labeled high. • Bi Larksville and below average in Forty Fort1 dlStriCt taxes is about the same Luzerne Plymouth The t Swoyerville Again, it niust be stated that indie •cate that r--_ Services are is of‘ -;igh quality. rendered to Borough \ed f°r tOtal taxes’ Forty-Fort, average " ’ Kingston classified rage Wlth Ashley labeled as very high. average tax burdc en does not necessarily residents and indust: -cry, or that when rendered Market valUe per capita Ashley Borough taxes low above Daryea average very high School taxes County and Instition taxes Total taxes very high high very high high average high Edwardsville low average high above average above aver3^ above avei^e per capita average average low School taxes taxes below average below average average high average below average average very high County and Institution taxes average average Total taxes average average above average average below average high very high below average above average average average very low average high above average above average very low low above average below average average average average average West Pittston below average below average It is important to remember that no one community stands alone in an area, They sink —< or <swim together. No one can call itself "lily-white". People and industry not attracted to a a particular particular town town as as much much as as they they are are to to a region or an area. yOr us here, the Greater Wilkes-Barre area or Wyoming Valley, or better 8tiU> LuZl erne County which progresses or decays. And that picture is not en COuraging Improvement is not only advisable, but necessary to survival. Without gating or he study c — appraising the quality of the service, the communities as a whole in ^an not afford to offer or render many governmental services, and those re rendered cost too much in many instances. ZONING The Bo-rr. T_ ^ging ig a £• uSa °f Crafton in Allegheny County °lstrict,, lve-acre tract of land from "Residential District D " to �nraiseworthy for its frank approach than for -- more prais a manner owner of a commercial buildi; case argue argw the appellant in a case protection against competition b^g p. commercial district , he is determined; 1S a new concept concern in a new area. This , as f not entitled to protection against ' P.in “ yll. NO. 8 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BABRE, pA yOB- AUGUST 15, 1958 nose of zoning, lhe appe* by means of a zoning ordinance. ACT 52 b determine the amount of payments to be paid from U The formula used2 to cities, fuels tax proceeds to <-------- boroughs, towns, and townships for road, street defined to fix the population base as the latest available offic^ bridge purposes is c---------the first day of January in the year the cencus figures "determined on or before 1 money is to be paid to the municipalities.," The basic formula for determining the amount ’ able to individual municipalities from the total available allocation now reads’ "Si pay. of this allocation divided by the total miles of public roads and streets which are tained by municipalities, multiplied by the number of miles in the particular muni ' i plus four-tenths of this allocation divided by the total official population of the mun' ' ' ” alities as of January first of the year in which the money is to be paid to the municip alities, multiplied by the official population for the particular municipality as of January first of said year. " ACT 193 rough council to remove the manager at their pleasure. SEPTEMBER MEETING The September bi-monthly meeting of local officii officials r——— , titute of Municipal Government will be held on Wednesday Cp.M. in th, Wilkes College Co™. Mr. E<1 ---ay, Septembe: sector ol the Luzerne County Planning Com„ission, will speak m rules prepared for the Commission. This meeting will be held in conjunction with the Luzerne County United Community Development Conference. A dinner will pre cede the meeting scheduled at 7:30 P ,M. This is the third such meeting, two others having already been held at x±azleton and Pittston. Therefore, every city, boro, and township official in Wyoming Valley should make an effort to be present. Proposed regulations of the Planning Commission will apply in every municipality in the County which does not now have such regulations. Whenever a municipality does not adopt subdivision regulations, the County becomes the author­ ity to act and set minimum standards on the subdivision of property. Since very few municipalities in the County have such regulations, the County regulations will apply in almost all of the 73 units of governments. Land developers in every com­ munity must then abide by the County Planning regulations or suffer the penalties. So that local officials may plan with the County Planning Commission the development of their communities , a series of these meetings have been scheduled throughout the County. Therefore, every community in Wyoming Valley should be represented at this third meeting . POLICE COURSE THOUGHTS FOR TODAY Behold the turtle: He °f the fact tbhere EaS been a Srowin8 demand f0r thetbaeSa1rCsPs°ellctedOnX officers for progress only when he sticks his neck out. It takes le wrong. the me to do something right than it does to explain why yon did K PUBLICATION J-nis News-lpttQ the uslitute of Municipal c* Polished >— ■■ . as a community service, originate9 to Dr. Hugo WHk. es College. Notes and inquires may b qege' W*lkea-Barre, Institute °f Municipal Government, WilkeS C° thelr fn hat many communities have within recen Y p.lblic Service Institute ■ ;rfor«s. Thelnstitute of Municipal Government and the] PubllC this FaH. hay. cou ranged f ° r SUch a course to be of f ered at WilltBS o e g th the ri ghts, duties, The Pr°cedurpe 1S lntended to give police an intimate acq^n^ics will be considered are the n S’ and techniques in police work. Some o atldPatrmeiU1Sylvania Penal Code, types of crimes, crimin a Week f ’ ^rearms , self defense, first aid, and traffic■■ nrocedure, observation meet once . In probabili- 171 there 24 Weeks > running concurrently with the o accommodate police irking be botb a day and an evening class m or ded to those who 8UCCeXunerent shifts. A certificate of attainment will be Y complete the course. �To maintain a uniform outward r vehicles is identical. The sirens" equipment on ta.H the are mounted in the spare tire welimThnted Under tb' e hoods of the cars radio s bumper. Revolving dome-type red liphV^1111^ are damped to the 7 ofthe rear the edge of the windshield. 8 are mounted on the roof left inches 12 i- peter keblish, elected State President of t P .Tare™06 a>a*i,e Township in Allegheny County. Mr ^s, succeeding Walter Bybee ° ohnWordowski and Thomas Hoban, both Hanover T follows in the footsteps o in the state presidency. In his own town ship Commissioners, five years and chairman Qf ' eXteri°^ lisl> ' — - in the front seat and with a r*r ' - Safety belts ^^ded sunvisor. The cars have safety-sure brakes f rUment panal end safeidded sun visor. The cars have safety-sure brakes, bodies. The station wagons havei a large hauling the^65’ hauling3 capacity c useful on many occasions occasions .. The The "Safety "Safety Patrol Patrol Cars" Cars" will will patrol patrol a total^Z^Ol 05 ship, he has been a c . three years . He was also the President of the of Commissioners for class Townships for one term. Luzerne County Association of First U ‘Sy square miles. COOPERATION The most unique arrangement in intergovernmental police cooperation exists among the boroughs of Wyomissing, Shillington, West Reading, and Spring Township. MUNICIPAL BOND SINKING FUNDS The 1941 session of the General Assembly enacted a Municipal Borrowing Law which was designed to provide financial advice and guidance to the political subdivisions of the Commonwealth. The statute concerned itself with such fiscal activities as: borrowing of money; the authorization, issuance and sale of general obligation bonds; and the maintenance and utilization of sinking funds. The statute also imposed certain responsibilities and duties upon the Department of Internal Affairs. All regular policemen of Spring Township, Shillington, and West Reading have been appointed members of the police department of Wyomissing. The ordinances of the four municipalities provide that all regular police are authorized to accept appointments as police of the other three units. The police of Wyomissing are paid $1 a year by the other units of government. The Municipal Borrowing Law directs the Department to make an examination of the certification of the certification of proceedings for the purpose of (1) deter­ mining whether the contemplated debt is within the constitutionally imposed limita­ tions, and (2) whether the proceedings are in conformity with existing laws . If the Department finds that the proceedings are in accordance with the Constitution and law, it shall, within twenty days after the receipt of the proceedings, approve and notify the municipality or authority of this fact. This type of cooperation could well be adapted to many other areas both large and small. Savings could be tremendous. Where several municipalities use a patrol car each to cover their juridictions, it could well be that cooperative action might reduce the total number of cars necessary. NEW APPROACH TO HIGHWAY SAFETY new idea for the mmunitiesin eastern Delaware County are sponsoring an entirely a contribution to Z The P^/a completely new idea and Perty, and loss of life ’tV endeavor to reduce highway accidents, loss of pro lieve that the use of unifo 6 members of the participating police departments betraffic laws will greatlv JT’ COnsPlcuous vehicles , and the strict enforcement o g^atly aid in attainment of this goal. Low sleek the 60^"'1 ’ ' ' _____________ wagons colors of the I^iocalSetrCo ’ painted white with lettering in green, - 5 hign ■» 4. »p0‘uc“ “7 C0lunci ““ , On the front hood in letters six inches nuh1' ber of the depart™ ’ °n 1116 rear of each car is the name and telephone to wH‘ch‘ft. car belongs. On each front door is the blig I Of course, the law stipulates that if the Department, for some reason or other,' (bsaPproves the proceedings, it shall, within twenty days ter . 77 them, C®rtlfy itS disaPProval to the issuing body. The Municip °r*° funds direct ■> Departaeut o£ to ‘H« of these , m,ltniClpalltles • For this Purpose, the Depar m financial and other Or °ther offic -- :er of any municipality to furnish copies o an amounts of out^ents showing the conditLns of such sinking funds and the amounts^, of maturity. There is standi) ~lng debt. together with the rate of interest and dates . . • >n obligation is reamS( H ‘O Mlev. that the purpose of the inspectionWaccurate and to p 1 ’ * sure that the law has been obeyed, that all^aeeoun Show ought to be on hand bal? '■"’Penly. and that actual funds which th. hooks s.............. are Qhand. �a bond report for ...iployed by the Department's field zhich will enable the Department to So duties to inspect been prepared as they cl----the soundness ■H.Q sinking fund. VII. be retired; and amoun;pa _ £und at time of inspection_ items as: earmngs of deposits, date amount of princi i-Z8 IXXVSX0” £ determine whether ^ bonds s d .1 Xdul. and whether th. bank balances agree with those reported by th. In the 1957 session of the General Asstembly ” laws were enacted which . nificantly enlarged the power of cities of the third class second classes, to build up reserves for futur^capital etp^nXrVs first and Boroughs already had such enlarged powers under an act of 1955. More specifically, this recent legislation expands a power which these units of government, along with all other municipalities of Pennsylvania have possessed since 1943. In that year the legislature authorized all municipalities to create special funds for post war use. The purpose for which these funds may be used is broad, embracing both capital outlays and current expenses, but the means by which they may be built up are most restricted; only used appropriations and year-end general fund surpluses may be placed in them. In other words, the funds must come into being, not by plan, but by fortuitous circumstances. The expanded power now accorded to boroughs, cities of the third class, and townships, enables them to "appropriate moneys from the general funds to be paid into the capital reserve fund or place in the fund any moneys received from the sale, lease, or other disposition of any. .... .property or from any other source unless received or acquired for a particular purpose. " Obviously these units of government have practically a free hand in building up their capital reserve funds. THE MILWAUKEE PLAN Under the Milwaukee plan, motorists who park on the street overnight are assessed to pay for street parking facilities . The Milwaukee Police Department sells permits for the overnight parking privilege at $4 a quarter - $16 a year. The car cowner parks his vehicle on different sides of the street on alternate nights. On1 even-numbered days, he parks on the even-numbered side, and on odd-numbered days , on the odd-numbered side. This permits clearing of both sides of the streets after snowfalls c ' ' , of which Milwaukee has many in the course of a winter The Wisconsin city, which has a population of about 700,000, adopted the foTurnin^itTs'fTr^off-streetn frOm the overnight parkers m the overnight parkers to provide parkino faciliti ■ ^ar Revenues from this tax may be applied only from parking meters ln ^esidentlal areas. In downtown Milwaukee, revenues pay for „ldcity parking lols and THOUGHTS FOR 1 s”re . TODAY to g« off o„ the ... toay ta!k, bat wrong foot is to step on somebody's toes, gives itself away. -PUBLICATION * “* ' be addre. College This News “-Ipfi- as a community community service, service, origin* origina^ ’’ Wilk . H“8° V"“I'WUk- College. College. Noles Notes tmd and inquiries inquiries ™te-Ba„., PMn,y^.;Ins“ute of Municipll Government, Wilkes SEPTEMBER 15 ( 1958 RESERVES FOR CAPITAL EXPENDITURES appropriate local official. It is e«P«cted that th. answers submit edIm response to these inquiries will enable the Department of Internal Affairs to fulfill its legal obligations. The field force has been instructed to make a random survey of municipal sinking funds. The field personnel will make their investigations in various unspecified political subdivisions in the Commonwealth. When an inspection has been completed and the sinking fund has been found to be in order, the public will be appraised of this. s NO. 9 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRe pA I On the expenditures side, the restrictions are greater than those im Posed by the Act If 1943 . As the term "capital reserve fund' indicates, expen 1Cures ir °m it may be only for capital purposes, more particularly, for the constr , from rPurchase,■ ■» replacement o£ or addition to municipal buildings. “W™”*' other capital assets. ’• This restriction ,s ta.d ery, motor vehicles or laws. 111 the laws lor cities of the third class and townships, t * ..specift.d the capital reserve funds are further restricted to t e capi ase time Of the creation of the fund"; but a proviso perm rqe^ocai legislative lOj •. aPital expenditures other than those initially sped ie purposes have beb°dy by ■ cOrn a four“fiths vote declares " that the ongina Parp^tionshave arisen... ... ?ln mapracticabl Practicable, inadvisable, or impossible or tha for wWch the fUn, lcd1 makes makes ntbor morhi+ol Anditures more urgen other capital expenditures " Was created." 5 borough law is silent, As to the administration of the funds, the b95^. expressly entrust this th,e 1957 d towns townships -ws for cities of the third class and 1 P law �local legislative body that is , to the councilmen, in the r: Cities, th e ? suPerJ jssioners ^at the X” S 1- •°”sh‘p‘ °'h‘LeivCe°ted, ■■.hall »' invested in securities de8ig; lnated by money in «». funds, fQnd. of municipalities . law as legal investments - ' A-.r t0 which it applies . F provements on at payborrowing forr cap jd - I xx- basis. In the past about their only escape from t0 finaI1ce them directly out of annually reCurring capital outlays bTnoTwi’th major non-recurring ones. In a small community, moreover, most capital outlays Jail into the major non-recurring category Even a new fire station rnav be a major improvement for a borough or township of less than 10,000 in­ habitants and the financing of it may be beyond the community's current revenue capacity. Now, however, borrowing for it is no longer the only alternative; it may be financed by saving for it, that is, by building up a capital reserve fund. Secondly, this legislation will enable local governments to change their financial status from interest payers to interest receivers . When a co immunity borrows for a public improvement, it must pay interest on the debt as well as pay the debt. When it acquires the improvement directly out of current revenue, it avoids paying interest because it creates no debt. When it saves up for the im­ provement by creating a capital reserve fund, it not only avoids borrowing and the payment of interest, but it actually earns interest on the savings until they are needed for the improvement. It is not urged here that capital reserve funds should be used as a subethods of financing capital outlays or even in particular situations for any one of them. They should be regarded rather as another method now . available for capital financing. Each local government must act in the light ? 1 S 0VT circumstances. If a community has a large but callable high interestth^to8st! ?kltm°Uld Obviously be wiser for it to speed the reduction of that debt has no d=bt n \ * Capital reserve f“d. On the other hand, if the community serve fund as a H n0n"caJ-la^e debt, it would do well to create a capital re­ debt reduction TBp ^°i a^leac^ faster than it could by relying solely on ed £" 1 comm““tyto face a business depression » with “d capacity and ample capital reserves. capped t0 receive the'sewlt SEWERS iS °ne laid underground without any trunk sewer read/ ge Produced by thi ed sev/er -ie properties to be served. The capp ■ -e the streets are paved., is plugged at its 1 laid^ d and put into service when trunk sewers a/T'J P°int’ and stands is be °Penie ready ' ,ed by the capped sewer must have a second dis™//?0 The Parties to be serVo' f the sewage produced until trunk lines rearH L facilltY constructed to to care < ach the capped line. ta^e Should a municipality a to iniM1 a develops, develop provements to be made at his expense befo„ U, laad Xieil'”'” “ .HWiroP Has the municipality the right to include Lroved”” capped sewer requirements in its regulations ? [„d,ubaivis.°n The answer to the second question is ‘ not settled at the moment. A part of its answerr is in the response to the first question. For the ...e present, this can be said right to impose capped r~ aS to the municipality's 1. sewer requirements. Marple Township, a township, of the second class in the Philadelphiaia region, has required capped sewers, had them installed, and has been upheld in the ,has 1— court actions attacking its provisions. The advantages of capped sewer requirements loom quite large to a munici­ pality experiencing rapid growth. Needed extensions of the municipal sewer system can proceed in an orderly, non-explosive way. Sewer extensions can be geared to an orderly financial program within the resources of the municipality. Capped sewers are laid before the streets of a new development are constructed. The requirement of j capped sewers may constitute for the municipality one of the more potent of its "de­ velopment timing regulations". Capped sewer requirements serve in some small mea| sure to regulate the geographical sequence of development. To secure these advantages, a municipality assumes obligations. It must | press toward the earliest possible extension of its trunk sewers to the point of con| nection with the capped sewers it has'forced to be constructed. It may later find the | planning, financing, and construction of the trunk sewers quite distasteful or burden­ some, And while the municipality could probably not be forced to fulfill its committ1 ments, still it would face moral condemnation, particularly from the residents of I ‘he new subdivision. The municipality may be accepting some responsibility for the I unused sewers. Water may collect in them; sand or dirt may clog the idle pipes, | may separate joints and disrupt the lines. The burden of some rehabilitation mayface the municipality at the time of future joining. a single I *tallation. . ,The added de Payments, and he has geared the size affect greatly the fi—a.ia| aSSessment for sewers, on the other hand, is 1 e gQ ^at it is common ’’anciai t0£iMhnrrangements Of newhome Purchasers. ThlS/SJ° Extension eventhough though ‘hey r me°wners without sewers bitterly oppose rec°gnize the benefits which sewer connections would give their properties. �-par to have much to offer to the requirements apP public interest with little L use cipality which iy priva^e harm done to any ■oval. receive c<•ourt apprl «>■ “pi,ed 5ew"s VOL- VII. NO. 10 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA. , OCTOBER 15, 1958 p .M.L.F -A. The 1958 dates for the with any other meetings of in. cers meeting will be Friday and Satur■ay, Coun^locaVgovernment officials . Plan to attend. are able to determine, terest to Luzerne C-_ COMPETITIVE BIDDING Boroughs and townships may make contracts or purchases in amounts not in excess of $1,000 without advertising for competitive bids (the ceiling Was formerly $750). Contracts and purchases of certain categories of maintenance work, services, patented items and insurance continue to be exempt from all ad vertising and competitive bidding requirements. THOUGHTS FOR TODAY The greatest glory of a freeborn people is to transient that freedom to their children. Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity. PUBLICATION vice originateS This Newsletter, published monthly as a community s an( j inquiries in the Institute of Municipal Government of Wilkes College. Note ent, Wil^eS be addressed to Dr. Hugo V. Mailey, Institute of Municipal Cover College, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. PAVEMENT CUTS Today our municipalities are faced tn directly attributed to the mechaniaatio„ of tlle s” ieh?/ P"»lem, which these problems is to reduce congestion in public t we live’ One of In regulating our streets , we usually consider theS COntrolling their use to take into consideration the subsurface traffic SUTface traffic only, and fail Because the facilities carrying the traffic under our streets are VAa vi«« many municipalities either are little concerned with them o, hare enacted ineffective regulations to control the use of the public's streets This failure to exercise proper control leads to practice which cause serious damage to the roads, inconvenience to the public, and the needless expenditure of munici­ pal funds. Action on the part of local government officials to regulate the installa­ tion or repair of underground facilities is necessary for proper control The most efficient way for a municipality to regulate an activity is to require permission to be secured before any action is begun. Usually, permission is granted by the issuance of a license or permit. Since municipal streets are public property and their maintenance and care are the direct responsibilty of the political subdivision, any opening or excavation of a street should be allowed only after a permit has been issued. Except for street openings made by utilities owned or operated by the municipality and for pavement cuts made in streets maintained by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or county, a pavement cut will contain such a control. Municipal utilities are granted exemptions irom the p mit requirement because they are government operations. In these cases regulations , such as a permit, are not necessary and any intern con t_ Thred over such operations can be developed and effectuated by other means, p fcularly through administrative organization. ! to assess these legitimate Should the political subdivision desire against a utility, the assess­ Charges, such as restoration and inspection costs, c_-x or by the creation of a working can be done by periodic interfund transfers fund. and for enforcing street opening permits e of the muniThe responsibility for issuing ted in the officer in charg the other Provisions of the ordinance is ves �cipal highway departmen ganiZationofthemum tor operation. Depending upon1 the administracive Visibility might be delegated to thee or, respoi. - se. administrative official. cretary, manager, eng and restoration costs are Permit fees, inspection charges assessed time the municipality grants the inst the permittee and ,d payable at the t—. Permits. amount appropriate for it to charge" agai P should determine the < . , .. , . . . , , Each municipality i of the permit fee finally established should be enough to • How. - reimever, the amount subdivision for any a<dministrative expense incurred in issuing burse the political application and permit form. and processing the Other financial provisions call for the permittee to provide a main­ tenance bond and to furnish a certificate of insurance indicating that he is ade­ quately insured against liability and property damage claims. For those munici­ palities who adopt the alternate restoration provision, the ordinance requires the permittee to post a performance, rather than a maintenance bond. These insu­ rance and bond requirements are considered essential if the objectives of a street opening ordinance are to be accomplished, particularly as they relate to the pro­ tection of the public's interest and the protection of the borough or township from any financial loss. Adequate insurance coverage by the permittee will afford pro­ tection to individuals and properties that might be injured or damaged while the work authorized by the permit is in progress. The municipality also is protected against any tort claims that might be filed against it should damages or injuries result from the work. Bonding requirements are now considered an important aspect of any public works activity especially in those political jurisdictions in­ terested in securing a guarantee that work authorized by them has now been per­ formed in accordance with their plans, regulations, and specifications. Inasmuch as the size of pavement cuts will vary, the amount of the maintenance bond and insurance coverage required should reflect the danger or hazards involved and the cost of repairing the opening . BOX SCORE, Major 1958 National LegislTtL ^^Affectin Local r ^-=2«£2overnment bill house SENATE STATUTE Housing-Urban Renewal (S. 4035) Rejected Area Redevelopment (S. 3683) Passed Passed Passed Vetoed Urban Planning Assistance (H.R. 13466) Sept. 6 Died in Committ. Community Facilities Loan Program (S 34971 ee Highway Construction (H.R. 9821) ‘ ' Rejected Passed Passed Federal Airport Act (S. 3502) Passed PL 85-381 Passed Vetoed Passed Mass Transit Loans (H.R. 11816) Sept.2 Died in Committee Mass Transit Study (H.Res. 231) Killed in Rules Committee Water Supply Act (S. 3910) Passed Passed PL 85-500 Water Pollution Control (H.R. 13420) Killed in Rules Committee Civil Defense (H.R. 7576) Passed Passed PL 85-606 Passed Pilot* (RFC Properties) (S. 3677) Passed Passed PL 85-579 Passed Pilot* (S. 967) Died in Committee " (both Houses) Technical Amendments Act (Police subsistence) Passed Passed PL 85-866 (H.R. 8381) Excise Tax (Local Government Tax exemption) Passed Passed PL 85-859 (H.R. 7125) Pass through (of tax exemption to shareholders) Died in Committee (H.R. 8702) Commercial Bank (underwriting of revenue bonds) (s. 2021) Died in Committee Tax Avoidance (S. 6) in ' ' Committee Passed Tax Withholding (H.R. 6745) Killed in Rules Committee Hospital Construction (Hill-Burton, 5-year 5-year extension) Passed extension) Passed Passed PL 85-680 (H.R. 12628) Public Health Education Grants (H.R. 6771) Passed Passed PL 85-544 Juvenile Delinquency (H.R. 652) Died in Committee (both Houses) Surplus Property (H.R. _____ ______ 5460)f Died in Committee 5-year Census of F . ' ' "FT. " ' Died in Committee ---- Population(H.R. 12414) ’‘'Payments in Lieu of Taxes tensions of proposed openings . After a Permit is issued e street opening. Inspects W°r^ begun, the municipality should be vigilant of th. ensure compliance with °ne means of control available to a municipality to daily in" imBortance of tb/^ Pavement cut ordinance and regulations. Recognizing the n °f the opening x 11?Spectionfunction, the ordinance saggests a (’ 1 - iso! and a final- ins—•„ bef„re thePe"“Ss by the superintendent or one of his — en made and backfilled0 1SSUed a certificate indicating the opening has be (continued in accord^ng to specifications. am the nextiSsue.) THOUGHTS FOR TODAY el8e has Research is to see what everybody else has seen, and think what nobody Thehbig shots are only the little shots who keep shooting. tha PUBLICATION community service, originates News-letter, puliblished monthly as a Notes and inquiries may _ College. ... — Municipal of Wilkes r e of r ‘ Hugo V.Government Mailey, Institute of Municipal Gov't., Wilkes College 'essed to 5'Bar ’ Pennsylvania. This MheI^stitut �WHAT'S NEW? I LARKSVILLE - A 25 mile speed limit has been posted along Route 11 bet-,, en VOL. TO. NO. 11 ston and Larksville. WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES.BARRE, pA., NOVEMBER 15, 1958 WYOMING Avenue - The burgess insists that the one hour parking regulations along Wy0. be enforced. '*ning uts to have for its road program next ^mer K its 1958 and$20,000 1959 allocations. Dy AVOCA - The council expects adding together il~ PLYMOUTH - Council is still stalemated on whether to oil and chip Or completely resurface borough streets. DALLAS - The burgess and the chief of police are making a study of traffic control in the borough. LARKSVILLE - Council is considering a junkyard ordinance, though rather belated to control present conditions. PITTSTON - The council my create parking authority to look for ofx street parking facilities. DUPONT - Council might look into the possibility of a town center. HANOVER - The board of commissioners is now considering the addition of a patrol wagon to the equipment of the police department. NEWPORT - Because of the part payment of the township's biggest taxpayer, many projects such as paving of streets the township may forego. EXETER - Council has obtained about 6 acres of land to be used for a sanitary land­ fill. -LAINS - Township commissioners are awaiting approval from the State H g Department for permission to post speed regulations. NANTICOKE - Despite the loss of 44% of Glen Alden's taxes, t e City is ending year in sound financial condition. EDWARDSVILLE - A new the Narrows. on sev/er line will be constructed for the shopping center pavement cuts (CONTINUED) Backfilling operations must be done in th therefore, prior notification of the intent to backfill PreS?nCe of an inspector, intendent. For major street openings or excavatin "c be glVen to the superthorized to provide a full-time inspector on the sV’ ft Superintendent is auprotective measures to guarantee compliance with mectftcXnT’tvSUCh or openings could be inadequately backfilled result! ■ lcatlons> the excavations which probably will settle and cause damage to the Jsmrtt U\Stable sub8rade with the objective to protect the municipality from anv finan keepinS imposes all inspection costs upon the DermittPO c ? ncial loss, the ordinance the time the permit is granted and are based on'cost schedule 7 at superintendent. schedule developed by the Any street opening will inconvenience some residents or members of the traveling public, but it is not realistic or sound to prohibit all pavement cuts. The enactment and enforcement of proper regulations will do much to minimize the incovenience. The ordinance should regulate the dimensions of pavement cuts; require access to private driveways; mandate the use of barricades, lanterns, and other safety devices; limit working hours; make the permittees responsible for cleaning streets dirtied by the flow or deposit of excavated materials; and au­ thorize the superintendent to attach conditions to any permit as may be reason­ ably necessary to prevent property damage or injury to individuals. Notifying abutting property owners or tenants of a proposed pavement cut is another suggested means useful in minimizing the inconvenience and re­ ducing the number of complaints. ...... Generally, ' " the occupants ■ it is who properties are subof they abutting are the ones most adversely affected by street ope™^ .f’the occupants are inject to the 1 noise, dust and other inconveniences . ahead by covering fornaed of ; a proposed opening, they can pr®pare automobiles, by delaying the °utdoor jfurniture, by finding a place to par necessary to lessen the Haling o£ - ' new shruberry, and by doing ^^routines • "■« of the: street opening on their norm KINGSTON - Council action pool is still on a bond issue for a town hall, a garage and a pending and uncertain. COUP i DALE - The council approved the repair of the fire company receiver and its relocation from the borough building to th the fire truck drivers. radio mo(nit°r residents of ' b . of new streets, pavement cuts should To conserve the paving sur ac the payment of a penalty Prohibited in them except in emergencies o �-sment is on a sliding scale based , nf the penalty assesss street the greater the charge. charge ■ The atreet, « ,he of the Street, .... upon the age t ■ PSS municipal authorities, utilities, and m the interest of fanmess, make repairs or change in urners should have an opp° .g repaired or improved and bepr°PertL°urface installations before a effectively control openings in new Jheirthe penalty charge is assessab^-^Lity take whatever administrative steps misht be ”ade the6penalty assessment. . d authorities usually are not required to furnish Because utilities an faciHties beneath the streets, most munici. ™PtS.Xd”fh™.XXdequ ‘tely informed aboutthes.subsurfaces true. information about installations can hinder the Damages to existing underground facilities effective control of pavement cuts excessively large openings frequently will often will occur or unnecessary or be made. A comprehensive street opening control program requires that a muniknowledge of subsurface structures. Utilities and authorities cipality have some £ must submit a set of maps showing their underground installations and file, per­ iodically, corrected maps when their facilities are enlarged, relocated, or abandoned. Through the use of these maps a municipality will be able to advise a permittee of the location of the underground facilities existing in the vicinity of his proposed cut. The permittee in turn can take the necessary precautionary measures to protect these installations. The maps also will prove useful to the munici­ pality when it plans to improve or repair a street. As the municipality will know the utilities and authorities maintaining subsurfaces installation in the right o way, the task of notifying them of the proposed improvement is made much easier. often leaves the abandoned install wner nor the municipality usually m ^emove the old pipes or other re^ocates its underground facilities, it pdace beneath the street. Neither the t0 g° t0 the exPense of opening the street Pens^^oTthT^ f°r yearS Without XXe/thThe abandoned facility may restreet's v ot^er hand, installati rnun^c^Pality sny trouble or exX,'.“ '» eoUapse and cause the subdivisi°n' financial burden which rightfully show —1 underground - ..... structure. Abandonsid in­ to t>e USe 8rade settlement■ or other trouble are removed at the expense of the owner when the jf the owner refuse, the rstreet is repaired or improved, municipality is authorized to remove facilities of this type and to bill the authority or utility for the —i expense. Although a pavement XX? ‘d ’ >!>« orderly maintenance of existing streets, yp of ordinance does not purport to con trol or regulate the installation of underground facilities in streets of newly developed tracts of land. A pavement cut ordmance is not a preventative measure To satisfactorily regulate subsurface .. ' installations, a municipality should adopt a comprehensive program - one that is < -s concerned with the control of facilities in existing streets and with the installati, don °f facilities in new streets. This is particularly true if the political subdivision jurisdiction has undeveloped jurisdiction x_, tracts of land. A review of existing subdivision regulations should be made to ...on regulations should be determine whether they adequately regulate the installation of l ’ *1-- ’ ■ underground facilities. Any municipality which has not as yet adopted regulations g-s governing the development of land should consider it imperative to take immediate _N_ie action. WARNING SIGNS Warning signs shall be used for the purpose of warning traffic of hazardous conditions either on or adjacent to the highway. Warning signs .re­ quire caution on the part of the motorist and generally call for a reduction of speed. Adequate Warning Signs are of great assistance to the vehicle operator and are valuable in safe-guarding and expediting traffic. The Pennsylvania Department of Highways has prepared a Manual of Regulations for official traffic signs to which all local authorities should refer. All Warning Signs must be erected in strict accordance with the regulations set forth in this Manual. If Warning Signs other than those listed in this Manual are required, the approval of the Secretary of Highways shall be obtained be­ fore they may be used. « Shape. Warning Aii;;- t8e" a— ■AJ-1 signs Vance Warning Sign which is circular; the arg and the Advisory Speed Sign which is square. has a whate background with a black messag fellow fa:'ackground Clearance Sign, W-228, Warning signs have a message. All signs with a with black border and sym * are signS which have only few e--irn e^\i°ns are reflectorized. These exceptions danime significance such as: School, Park Entrance, etc. sUch --- "Qi' with the exception of a few signs All Warning Signs shall be 30"x30 Where Church, School, Hospital. V---------hazardous conditions warrant the use �(faulty Tte&b-tettvi, of larger Warning Signs, the appropriate sign »e »l«ged to the desired ^proportion to the standard srgn. Since Warning Signs are placed primarily for the protection of the . nnt acauainted with the road, it is very important that thought be'giWen to their location and erection. Although this Manual specifies the distance at which signs shall be placed in advance e hazards there may be Stances where physical condition, will require different distances. Trial conditions runs should be made by day and night to determine the most effective location and erection characteristios for each .ach installation. installation In cities where speeds are relatively low, Warning Signs shall be placed nearer to the point of hazard (150 feet to 300 feet) than that specified for rural —’ highways. • 'u, where parking is restricted, In rural and residential districts than 6 feet and not more than 10 feet Warning Signs shall be erected not less tL~r the roadway. The center of the sign shall not from the edge of the pavement or of the roadway. be less than 42 inches above the crown districts, where parking is frequent, In residential and business the center of the sign is not less than 8 feet Warning Signs shall be erected so of the pavement and the edge of the sign above the top of the curb, or crown 12 inches back from the face of the curb. adjacent to the curb is not less than All signs smaller than 4' x 6' shall be placed 90 degreeis to the This position roadway. Larger signs shall be angled away from the roadway.. Ti approaches will prevent the occurence of a glare on the sign as the motorist m it, but will not reduce its reflective qualities. Warning Signs are mounted on single Channel Bar Posts. Oversize VOL. VII. NO. 12 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA., DECEMBER 15, 1958 TAX LOSS Fourteen communities in Luzerne r mise reached between the Glen Alder Corporation affected by the comproa reduction of approximately 23% in coal land a™ UZerne County permitting period. The 14 communities will lose an j3*™6”1 valuati°ns over a 2 vear 1958. In addition about $40,545 will be lost b^H? $173,298 in tax receipts for trict. y he County and the Institution dis- Some of the communities will have to take drastic measures to cur­ tail expenditiures or else increase tax rates to make up the losses. In a number of communities where the Glen Alden holdings are relatively small, there will be little effect on the total structure. Hardest hit as a result of the assessment valua­ tion will be Hanover Township. The coal holdings amounted to over $15,000,000; the reduction in assessment is about $1,700,000. This reduction is assessment valuation that the commissioners will suffer a loss of $24,000 in tax revenue. Newport Township stands to lose about $11,800. Other communities which will stand to lose tax revenues are Edwardsville, Ashley, Nanticoke, Plymouth, Ply­ mouth Township, Sugar Notch, Warrior Run, Wilkes-Barre, Wilkes-Barre Town­ ship, Larksville, Kingston, and Laurel Run. The decree by the Court will be final unless any of the 14 communities file exceptions to the compromisesettlement. Warning Signs, that is, 4' x 4', or larger, shall be mounted on two or more WARDS OR AT-LARGE Channel Bar or wooden posts. THOUGHTS FOR TODAY Keep skid chains on your tongue. Always say less than you thin what Make promises sparingly and keep them faithfully no matter it costs you. PUBLICATION , oriThis News-letter, published monthly as a communi y j<jotes ginates in the Institute of Municipal Government of Wilkes Co ^^uniCipal and Go' inquiries may be addressed to Dr. Hugo V. Mailey, Institute o vernment, Wilkes College, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Once Once more more the the question question of of at-large at-large or ward representation has come up for discussion. This time it involves Edwardsville where petitions have been circulated to eliminate wards. Hearings are presently in progress with a vie t ^commending a solution to the problem. It was not too long ago that the borough residents witnessed the reduction of councilmen from 14 to 7 at tie urging o residents. Since the question has been 116 raised in the future, it might e wi °i the two systems. ti ght rec ently and1 will no doubt advantages and disadvantages �. of councilmen. Ward System geographicalLdiSXe minorities some chance of otbaining ----------------- - insures a 2. possesses the merit of g1 representation. tprS and enables one party to obtain 3. promotes integration1 among seats in the council. majority of an effective working personal relation between creates a more intimate : 4. the ward system and his constituents. the councilman voter with a shorter ballot. 5. provides the to know more about the candidates who s election> 6. enable the voters At-Large be eliminated. Motorists can still make the t two existing signals from an island set up fo/tT ’ bUt at a point nearer the true for those motorists making a left turn fro^T" ’ The same w°uld be over the bridge. °m South River Street going west The report continues to state that the moved because they have caused unnatural mo Present S1§nals should be rethe experts that the side mounted signals shouldTe Ur is the claim of PROGRESS borough wide total of votes to count in deter1. does permit a party's mining election results. 2. does not lend itself to 3. affords the entire body of voters to exercise effective control over the council as a whole. 4. does not narrow but increases the field of available candidates. 5. raises the sights of the councilmen beyond the narrow confines of the ward. 6. does not allow slight changes in the comparative voting strength of competing parties to cause drastic alterations in the complexion of the council. In 1956, of the mayor-council communities over 5,000 population, 37% were utilizing the ward plan; another 25% were using a combination of the ward and the at-large system; and 38% relied entirely upon the at-large system. With a few exceptions, commission-governed cities used elections at large. Among council­ manager cities, only 13% used the ward system ; 11% employed a combined system; and 76% elected councilmen at large. It is significant that the at-large reform goes hand-in-hand with the manager adoption. While many in this area have been working hard for the Anthracite Expressway, its proposed route has been condemned by the officials of at least one municipality - Wilkes-Barre Township. The plans call for running the route directly through the heart of the township. Four roads or streets which now pro­ vide access to the Township will be blocked off leaving only the tunnel at North­ ampton Street as a means of entrance. The proposed route will cut off a grade school from a large sector of the Township, rendering it practically impossible for students to reach the school without traveling a long, dangerous, and circui­ tous route. Any future expansion with Ashley Borough and Sugar Notch is com­ pletely eliminated. Many recreational areas will be inaccessible. The plan will also mean the forced removal of several existing commercial establishments. The moral behind all of this is quite clear. When communities do not plan for their growth, someone else sure does. And except for the voice of the County Planning Commission, what other agency has an outline of future development? It is never difficult to mesh the plans of the Turnpike Commission or the State Hishway Department with those of a community's planning commission. This presupposes that the community has a blueprint for its future development. THOUGHTS FOR TODAY TRAFFIC SURVEY Don't wait till the time is ripe; it's apt to be rotten. bXre’ *ecommends a vastly chTnee^?604 Plan’ prepared for the City of Wilkes- pronSe' recornrnends four cJ eatment for the W5st Market-River Street stalPmoPat?? and a chan8e « traffic nnellZi”S islands to guide vehicles in their that the pl SlgnalS With overhead and^5 Substituting the two existing pede- rangernenm7Uld Pr°Vide amPle space 7 e~m°unted signals. The report states ment Xo tr PresentlX exists, it an "Gaining the same basic lane arPedestrians £U^r-shaPed islands eachd’ drawing of the proposed treat­ tiers to brid built on ^e bridge a d tW° to permit crosswalks for Street, co2 gVrfaffic headed eithe/ owPP?aCh- TheT -ould serve as physical t0 the Space betwee^,,North River Street or South River shot!" enqent from the bridge 1Slands and the curb. The s would g ° North River Street, now in use, cutting left turn moy3 Discussion is an exchange of intelligence; argument is an exchange of ignorance. PUBLICATION This -‘ST This News-letter, published monthly ln the Institute of Municipal Governmen titute of Municipal Governm ^y be addressed to Dr. Hugo V. Matley^^t ^kes College, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. �Problem. Two billboards «“r uct'd a favore/r11 appr°po of the federal highway 4-4 i •t, . n billboard ,,,1'“"“^ ressional action to eliminate n dollar federal highway program. change.In ? e placed witl,regUlatiOn of the Federal n ™ln a scenic are Commerce Department no as six signs mTetCh betW' een two miles and f‘ cboser fhan two miles to an interbe at least be put l’ UP. Farther than fi rn^es fr°m an interchange as many lati°n. By com1]6 ap3rt- The : new rule will 6 mjPes fr°m an interchange signs nwst C““d'ib"“Mt«»aX“’eStat' Wil1- entitl^? if the State adopts the regu' -Estate hih f° eXtra 1/2 of 1% in the federaJ ePartment of ssemhlv • e-P°wer of th. the^X Qr the inte: p6Ss ;rstatehC’ayscseni_ >, c L|'^zerxig running through its area. AcWays a billboard control measure The State wil1 have tO Or purchase scenic easements. qc may not become "billboard alley9 al°”g ��. I - . ■ . . . . ■ . Hl ! ■ ^;v|| i-1 •:■:’■ III r ; i . -.. r ':■' ■>. 1,1 ■ B'i !' t ■ ■ w>‘ 11 B I .. . ;■ • ' ■ "4; ■ ■ ■ ' ’ ■ . � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Luzerne County Newsletters and Institute for Regional Affair Newsletters, 1952-1975 Subject The topic of the resource Political Science; Luzerne County; Institute for Regional Affairs; Wyoming Valley Description An account of the resource A collection of newsletters created by the Political Science Department at Wilkes College from 1952-1975 for Luzerne County and later the Institute for Regional Affairs. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Political Science Department (Hugo Mailey) Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1952-1975 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Type The nature or genre of the resource Newsletters Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Luzerne County Newsletter, 1958 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Political Science Department Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1958 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Type The nature or genre of the resource Newsletter https://omeka.wilkes.edu/omeka/files/original/649f85bfdce5f93ef7d1b5a4317f1eb3.pdf cbd148e8acda82197df19077b1fd82bc PDF Text Text ��ARCHIVES JS Pm \/. (a /<?s7 «•/ vol • VI • NO- 1 wilkts COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA. JANUU THE ANNUAL REPORT (continued from the last issue) Following the introductory part should be a brief summai enacted during the past year. Important ordina ^oUdoni^asiVd'b'y the governing body, and new state laws of imp be embraced in it. The citizens1 interest in services is probably greatest w: to those which affect him most directly. Thus, a major portion of tl report should be devoted to a description of the municipal services ; and a summary of the activities of each service for the preceding ye the report should touch on the following topics at this part; 1. The activities carried on by the city to promote and p] health of its citizens . ., The scope and variety of recreational activities spons the municipality. “ Welfare activities and the relative welfare responsibi county state, and the federal government. 4. C Current housing conditions in the community. 5- The amount and character of crime, the success of t 111 S01vin g cases, their work in crime prevention, and traffic safety 6. A summary of the fire protection facilities and fire p: ^easu:res. tbe Servic — rendered in connection with construction anc °f streets , ces sewers and street —J sewage disposal, refuse collection, street . Ughtin. agon the r^i=?Unt each utility operated by the municipalit 9. Discu 1OnShlp with Privately owned utilities. th.lese f 10 • LibrariT °f educational facilities and activities in t ry facilities available to cities and trends in th ’'•lilies. ». Municipal r the Bal ance services available 1to ’business and industry Agricultur re with Industry Prog gram in Mississipp �r;C-’VES J* J S ‘KI P4L? v, 6 /?i'7 VOL ■ ci VI N0. 1 WILKES COLLEGE, - ^7- THE ANNUAL REPORT (continued from the^Tissue) Following the introductory part should be a brief Important legislation enacted during the past year. In,p„[an, ord ’t tl" elution, passed by the govern,ng body, and new stele law. of import sh0«,d be embraced in it. . , The citizens- interest in services is probably greatest with reference to those which af>ect him most directly. Thus, a major portion of the annual report should be devoted to a description of the municipal services available and a summary of the activities of each service for the preceding year. Generally, the report should touch on the following topics at this part; 1. The activities carried on by the city to promote and protect the health of its citizens . 2. The scope and variety of recreational activities sponsored by the municipality. 3 Welfare activities and the relative welfare responsibilities of the city county state, and the federal government. 4. Current housing conditions in the community. 5. The amount and character of crime, the success of the police solving cases, their work in crime prevention, and traffic safety programs. 6- A summary of the fire protection facilities and fire prevention Measures. 7. Services rendered in connection with construction and m ' of streets sewers and sewage disposal, refuse collection, street c earn treet lighting. - ’ r the municipality and a An account of each utility operated by statement °n the relationship with privately owned utilities. city use 9. Discussion of educational facilities and activ td trends 10. Library facilities available to cities and ‘hese kciliti , those es. 3 and industry, e.g. 11. Municipal services available to busine under in Mississippithe Bala nee Agriculture with Industry Program �.. ities of the secretary should be described. The work of Th\ suchas ordinance drafting, advice to departments, frarni the city attorney’ suits also should be indicated. Purchasing and perSonnel 8 contracts, and rpvieWed, and any other agency function summarize practices should be revi Where ta municipality has a r-Pension plan, as in the an actuary' must determine whether case of Wilkesthe present B&rTe' Psnsion fund is solvent. HARRISBURG While other municipal services touch citizens more often, few haVe more direct effect or leave a more lasting impression for good or ill than L financial operations of city government. Finance, therefore is one of £e most important phases of government activity to report. At the same A $30,000 „e announced by the * amount ol local Lrhnical services >n time it is no doubt the most difficult. and development of the area, which includes Harrisburg and ten surrounin'g™ communities in Dauphin County. n"lng The common practice of including in the annual report the complete auditor's statement for the fiscal year does more to discourage the citizens from reading and understanding the activities of the municipality than any other single factor. Finance should not be given a back seat in the report, but, conversely, it should not occupy three-fourths of available space. Further­ more. municipal officers may not reasonably assume that all citizens are trained accountants or have a knowledge of accounting principles; they should strive rather to present the city's financial condition in clear, concise terms that any layman can understand. SOCIAL SECURITY Municipal pension fund members in the city of Wilkes-Ba rre will decide on social security as soon as a referendum is authorized by Governor Leader. The 1957 budget allots $14,000 as the city's share if the federal plan is adopted. The procedure to be followed in cases where a retirement system already exists is explained by Anthony F. Chernefski, Director of the Bureau of Social Security for Municipal Employees in the Department of Labor and Industry, and the November speaker at the local officials' dinner. Policemen and firermen covered by a retirement system when social security is adopted for other m municipal employees are excluded. Many c ouncils have found it advisable to convert such already existing retirements plans into that may arise if the funds grant to the Regional Commission of Greater Harrisburg Urban Renewal Adminis,tation Th<j grant,pllns plus „ and funds . »,11 be used for surveys, s.udles, preparat.on of a comprehensive regional f J It seems that progress in the Greater Wilkes-Barre area is a bit slower. SCRANTON The redevelopment program will be discussed by officials of the city and civic development groups. A cross section of public opinion is sought on redevelopment plans. PITTSBURGH The State Commerce Department has granted the Urban Redevelop­ ment Authority a $500,000 state subsidy for two slum clearance projects to be divided between the EastLiberty Area and Manchester District on the north side. Grants will soon be received from the Federal Urban Renewal Administration. TRAFFIC OFFICERS' TRAINING SCHOOL Penn State's 17th annual Traffic Officers Training School will heldMay 6-17, 1957, at University Park. The course is designed for traf ic an '■’tber police, including private officers having traffic duties. t. Among the topics for the event will be dealing with the: pu , Among the topic ^hips between judiciary and the police, uses of radar, tr Pennsylvania Vehicle Code, accident investxgaHon Civil bnuatl°n °f tra«ic safety schools, traffic engineering, the F engaged ia emergency work &y eXClude from s°cial security those employees eluded or both excluded Lik empl°yees on a fee basis- either both must be inclass and not by single indiy-dW1Se’ With other employees, they are covered by y Act, administration, and enforcement policy an ac i 43301 �5* WHAT'S NEW? ril ordered the annual payment of $100 to each of three SWOYERVILLE - Council ordere fire departments. LARKSVIL1E - The borough has ambulance. vl NO yOL- Vi‘ 2 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, pA. FEBRUARY 15, 1957 accepted full responsibility for the community THE USE OF SALT ;t of borough employeejs for a $500 a year increase was KINGSTON - Request hearing has been scheduled for council- A public ] made to borough L. section from residential to light industry. of re-zoning a the purpose has been established under Act 600. PLYMOUTH - A police pension fund the increased need for the nation's already"Ivercfo’X HghX'tTovfd. fOT the safe and exped.t.ous movement of increasing; numbers of vehicles under all weather conditions, has acutely focused attention on the methods employed to maintain streets tree of ice. FORTY FORT - Council will investigate complaints about sand and gravel pit in the borough. LUZERNE - Efforts continue between this borough and Swoyerville to open Chapel Street. NANTICOKE - Meter collections for 11 months of 1956 total $12,484. WILKES-BARRE - Pay increases of $400 each were granted to policemen and firemen. CHRISTMAS TREES A sanitary landfill will bring Christmas trees to Havana, Illinois. A 20 acre-site will be turned to profit making. The completed fill area will be planted to Christmas tree seedlings. THOUGHTS FOR TODAY There is no idle gossip; all gossip is worked to death. the hot dog - h feed/^indSite^ ir n°WeSt PUBLIC iTIQN ginates in the PoH^Tcal ScU PUbllSb®d 1monthly as a er-’ Published community service, oriquiries maybe addressed toTr Department D"Partment of Wilkes College. Notes and in­ TT y/jLlC u8 g°° v. dent, Wilkes College, Wilkes-Barr n Mailey, Mailey’ Political Science DepartOdrre, Pennsylvania. One of the most common methods used to keep traffic moving in cold weather when snow and ice cover the streets is to provide a gritty surface to let the vehicles obtain traction, and for this purpose cinders and sand are generally used. Neglecting for the time being any discussion of corrosive action, consider some of the following characteristics of these abrasives. Cinders are bulky and their use is restricted by economics to the immediate vicinity of their source. They lack uniformity in size and must be shoveled from trucks by hand rather than distributed by a mechanical spreader. They are lightweight and easily blown from the street by strong winds such as those that usually accompany a snowstorm. After the thaw, many of the cinders eventually are deposited in the catch basins from which they are laboriously and expensively removed. Finally, the use of abrasives in a continuing storm results in the build-up of a thick ice mat as each layer of sand or cinders is in turn covered by a new layer of ice. This mat tends to break up at manholes and catch basins and leave deep holes and ruts which are dangerous traffic hazards. Most Most of of the the objections objections to to the the use use of cinders apply also to the u Being£ a much more uniform and compact material, sand is y °t sand. £ advantage usually is nullified dlstributed --- y by mechanical spreaders butbut thisthis advantage usually is nu 1 le by the 7 tendency of sand to freeze. To prevent freezing the san mu mixed with chemicals (usually chloride salts): however, there Riding objections of ultimate deposits in the catch bas.ns and the bn.ldmg the up Of an ice mat. (first article of a series) �STAN DARD_ BRIDGE_PLANS CERTIFIED MAIL Borough secretaries should not indiscriminately use certified substitute for registered mail when registered mail is required a recent opinion of the Pennsylvania Department of aJustice. mail as a . that certified mail does not provide notice toTk 6 according to not delivered to the addressee and therefore does° opinion is based on the fact the sender if the mail is i._. the security necessary to conform to the statutes. not provide Act 97 of 1955 authorizes the use of certified mail in place of registered mail for notices demanding appearance at summary proceedings involving violations of the Motor Vehicle Code. Act 503 authorizes the use of certified mail for notices stating^ that municipal liens and claims have The State Department of Highways . n of bridges, for standard bridge planscan ha-now expedite the constructl t The time-consuming process of .ve been developed by the designing individual bridges eliminated. The first part of the plans „ contain elaborate details suitable for °nSlsts of thirte en drawings which fifty-five drawings of all types of stand56 bridf" ges. Part 2 consists of structures include spans from 20 to 80 frd Structures• Bridges in the standard reinforced concrete T-beams, steel I b reinforced c--— •” "slab, J concrete stressed concrete. All spans have at C°mp°site I-beam and ..J prethe use of an alternate in the event of mate ? °f the above ‘/Pes which permits been designed for roadway widths of ?8 4n t shortage-. The Th spans have 68, and 84 feet. been revived. In accordance with the ruling of the Justice Department, certified mail maybe substituted for registered mail for these two types of notices only. All other notices required by law to be sent by registered mail must rait - - e—.o immediately and placed in the hands of constructin 1 be available construction or replacement of damaged or destroyedTrTdgVs^17 lmmediate continue to be registered. LEGAL RIGHT TO USE A GUN John Gallagher, assistant District Attorney of Luzerne County, stated at the first lecture of the Crime. Detection Series that the use of force by police officers and the type is determined by the exercise of good common sense which is free of malice and emotional excitement. As a general rule the law states that shooting is never permissable to arrest a person, even if the accused will escape, when the offense is only a misdeameanor or when there is only a suspicion of a felony. In Pennsylvania a police officer may only use a gun in making an arrest for a misdeameanor if the resistance offered by the accused endangers the t-rlife or i-----y--------at._ ... ma cause serious bodily injury to the officer. In other words, the police officer can only use- a gun in self defense. When felonies are involved, the rule is different. The police officer may use a gun if necessary to make an arrest or to prevent a felon from escaping. Care should be exercised to make certain that a fact been committed, and that shooting is reasonably necessary felony has in to effect and arrest. Suspicion of a felony is not enough. A felony must L„ be committed, and it was absolutely necessary to kill to prevent an escape. SPEAKER The Luzerne County Local Officials will hold a dinner meeting on Tuesday, March 12th at 6:30 P.M. at the Wilkes College Dining Room. The speaker will be Mr. James B. Rinehart, Township Administrator. He will discuss Act No. 655. SURVEY Parking studies in 14 major American cities revealed that 36* of cars parked downtown are by those on business errands and 26% by workers. Shoppers comprise 22%, those on trips to medical offices, schools and restaurants make up 11% and the remaining 5% are persons on pleasure trips. PARKING authority (4^e«;apXp'd»gt°-B0"“Bh �•£“$e'we County what^s_ne2L? have filed reports t o . Supe r v i s o r s T OWNSHIP a n d open six streets. KINGSTON lay out the Court to t for 1956 e s ta meter fees and fines parking PITTST ON blished a n e w high. il transferred funds from several Coun c: SW0YERVILLE^rtments and payment of bills totaling tment $11, 7 56 , 3 6 . The Burgess was authorized to appoint :another KINGSTON - school crossing policeman at Rutter and Chester Streets. of residents are interested BACK MOUNTAIN -. A number broad planning program and are willing in a Lgional plannin g commission. to support are LARKSVILLE DUPONT Council agreed to abandon 1,110 feet of road the 7th War d . Council is contemplating the construction sewage lines in the borough. Coal land and building s WILKES - BARRE in assesed city valuation. HANOVER dropped of $968,610 The contract between the Township and the Glen Alden Coal Co. for care of the streets was filed with the Courts. WHITE HAVEN' - Council reappointed Carl Jenkins to a fi've-year term on the municipal water authority- ASHLEY - A tentative budget provides for all employees. for a wage increase PUBLICATION This news-ietter , published monthly as a community service, Department of Wilk-' Originate;s in the Political Science addressed to Dr w es College . Not es and inquiries may be aft' ment* Wilkes ColleU8° V‘ bailey Political Science. Dep 8e’ Wilkes-Ba rre, Pennsylvania. yOL- VL NO. 3 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, MARCH 15, 1957 THE USE OF SALT Another approach towards solving this nrnhkm • from the street by chemical means snow ™""E and ice (rock salt), calciumi chloride (pellets), or a mixture of the two. These chemical-Is melt ice by reason of heat which is generated when they go into solution. As a particle of hemical starts to dissolve its weight allows it to penetrate deeper into the c the ice layer until it reaches the pavement where it spreads underneath the ice breaking the bond between the ice and the pavement. Rock salt is considerably cheaper than calcium chloride (pellets) in most areas, which accounts for its more widespread use. Calcium chloride appears to remain effective in melting ice at lower temperatures than sodium chloride, therefore mixtures of rock salt and calcium chloride (pellets) are reported to be used during severe winter low temperatures when rock salt alone is ineffective. Snow removal and ice control operations vary according to the type of storm and temperatures prevailing during the storm. Salt spreading, plowing, and snow removal are used as circumstances require, to keep the snow from freezing. Much attention has been given to the real and imagined effect of salt used in snow and ice control on the outer decorative and under-body surfaces °f automobiles. The enamels and lacquers used on automobiles today are relatively unaffected by salt used on the streets to melt ice and snow. Only when the finish is broken in some manner, allowing the brine solution to reach t e underlying steel, will corrosion start. Once started, the corrosion will spread under the paint in an directions from lb. break, «nsi»g a„ »sigHtly .ppearanc.. ®'”ks In the paint film can come from gravel thrown up from the road, or io ’’"■Pie. on doors which strike other ears or objects when s»«. “P'-J”/” on doors which strike other cars »lso be caused h„ fits of oart. on the car such as hoods, trunks, e caused by faulty fits of parts on Mouldings. (continued on following page) �BILLS AFFECTING LOCAL GOVERNEMENT ""BEFORE GENERAL ASSEMBLY which retain water, snow or salt solution Pockets or crevasses also make the finish more susceptible to corrosion, for long periods of time wars of this for some time and have been taking steps Car builders have been aware in design, these pockets or water traps. For example to eliminate, by changes fenderi..an—integral part of the body, the trap formed by by making the rear fender an i been eliminated. The use of phosphate coating Las joint of rear fender to body ■acticed ha by practically all manuafacturers of motor prior to painting, as ■at now pra_. deal to minimize the spread of rust under paint films cars, has done a gre. when a break occurs. Evidence accumulated in the General Motors study over the past five L..t on automobiles in cities where years shows that more corrosion is evident . As an example, in a recent study 58% of salt is used than in other localities. cars examined in Detroit (where salt is used) showed corrosion along chrome model in Miami (where no salt is used) mouldings, while only 35% of the same . -r. . This in spite of the fact that Miami has showed corrosion at the same spots of rainfall and much higher relative humidity than more than double the amount c. Detroit. A recent 1953 investigation indicates a greater increase in failure of the surface finish at the gravel reflector on cars in Detroit when compared to those in Washington and Miami. The gravel deflector was the point examined since many cars have eliminated the fender welt previously used as the point TownshiPs ' 1 Officials names r<eported to Bureau of Municipal Affairs limited to sworn Bill number Hous" ---- 1----- - HB 161. ----se, passed finally. Senate, - . officials. • inal Authorities MunlC P reports required to be rendered to Department of Internal Affairs Fin*ally. DOWN Bill number - HB143. House, passed reading three times, anjUamended since introduction. " Senate, - . roceeds allocation formula population base revised to be the latest FUelffta?al cenSUS • Bill number HB 162. House, passed finally.. Senate, - . CONVENTIONS Pennsylvania Association of Township Commissioners Wernersville, Pa. , June 12-14. ’ Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs, June 26-29, Philadel- phia. SURVEY to examine. Another portion of the automobile vulnerable to the action of salt is the decorative chromium-plated parts, such as bumpers and trim. There appears to be an increased deterioration in appearance of chromium in those States which use salt in road de-icing compared with States which do not. Considerable interest has been expressed on whether use of de-icing salt had any deterious effect on telephone and electric utilities. The effect on utility cars and trucks is the same as on private vehicles on public streets. The utility vehicles are protected by undercoating and usual maintenance procedures. Corrosion of some parts of steam lines is caused by salt seeping into manholes; however, w parts that are easily replaced are still made of steel because thus far it has not been economically justified to employ more resistant material. Other parts which are more expensive to replace are made of stainless steel. In some applications, such ; as valves in manholes, steel plate hoods are placed over the areas to deflect thi ie drip from the manhole opening. 11% of the traffic in business districts are transit vehicles; 12% are trucks; 34% are taxis; and 43% autos. Wiping passenger autos from the central district would not solve the problem. GOOD GARDENING PVs, plant Hue ot peas: prepared- process. — politeness, and prayer. Next to them plant three rows of squash: squash gossip, squash criticis: >m, squash indifference. faithful; let us be unselfish; let us Then five rows of lettuce. truthful with be loyal; let us love one another; and let »» b‘ op („ ctarch; turn up '»■«' No garden is complete without tur determination. a smile; turn up with a new idea; turn up with Good advice for local officials. (second article of a series) �WHAT'S NEW ? Council is presently discussing the construction cf sewage lines VOL- VI- NO. 4 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARREj pA ApRui5. DUPONT - for the entire borough. WILKES-BARRE - The total assessed valuation in the city for 1957 is $312,329 less than 1956. DALLAS - The borough secretary, Robert Brown, declined an increase i salary. a master plan --------- . Supervisors> are considering drawing up FAIRVIEW TOWNSHIP of the tool of planning. for the area, making use t LUZERNE - Council has e p*8’ THE USE OF SALT Referring to underground elects cable, salt gets into the cable ducts and, if the voltage differential is Und 1/2 volt, it will pull salt from the ground to the cable where corrosion tb occurs. These cable cannot be flushed as the Telephone Companies do h ” sheath when the cable is "hot". ’ ecausej of possible damage to the ordered a teenage curfew for the borough. warned of the rutty railroad crossings. PLAINS - The police have EDWARDSVILLE - The Borough has granted an increase of $300 a , ear for all salaried and hourly workers. BOOKS Two excellent books on traffic problems are Turn Controls in Urban Traffic and A Volume Warrant for Urban Stop Signs. Both of these are published by the Eno Foundation for Highway Traffic Control of Connecticut. THOUGHTS FOR TODAY More people are voluble instead of valuable . Money may talk, but it never gives itself away. PUBLICATION This News-letter, published monthly as a community service, originates in the Political Science 1Department of Wilkes College. Notes and inquiries may be addressed to Dr. . Hugo V. Mailey, Political Science Department, Wilkes College, Wilkes-Barre, ' Pennsylvania. In general, however, the problems of tK "f street railways coupled with a greate^useo? Xn^rlsiv^ and a good duct flushing maintenance program have materially reduced the effect of street de-icing salts in causing corrosion troubles to Telephone Companies. The wider use of impervious asphaltum compounds in street re surfacing is suggested as a step in the right direction to keep salt from entenng the ground and lowering soil resistivity. An investigation of 116 lane miles of pavement built of air-en­ trained concrete showed no scaling or disintegration after 12-14 years of service. Adjacent concrete slabs built of the same material but without air­ entrainment scaled up to 100% of their surface. It would appear that the con­ crete would reduce the adverse effects which take place after the application of de-icing salts. Apparently the use of salt for de-icing is not considered as being detrimental to asphalt surfacing. of various cheC ’ aS 136611 written and published pro and con on the value the corrosiv which, when mixed with salt, are purported to reduce ProduCe and = sa^’ In the past few years, those companies who r°sive action36 cornPounds under various trade names to inhibit the corhave inden sa^> have been vitally interested in learning their value and □pinion of thep117 studied their use with salt in various cities. It was the ^°ubtful val 6 “ e~^c^n8 Committee that the use of inhibitors in the salt is of 18 s°me e -j6 *n Pr°^ecting the exterior appearance of automobiles, but there to corf1 6nce ^hat certain inhibitors may reduce the weight loss <of -- metals (continued on following page) �; etotothe strength ofand The importance of good o "highways - s a’r be economic spent in improving The mileage factor f0 This is a $2 reduction from last^^^^g the mOn forty-eight states into one our nation is well established,. Vast sum extending the network of roads> that intXure serves to dramatize the depend, cheduled expe leS in commerce, industry, sovereign nation. This sc— on motor v<= ence that our way of life places cipalities in the state. The populati due the incj. y 18 $298 Per . the 1950 census. One-quarter or 25/ ^Ctor « $1 14^®^ mil®age in^ e> by the local officials for new construct * Y^r's ^cZ^^ based 0^' following year's total allocation is redu°n; * 25% is * *Ust be Used Non-use means not. only that the allOc^Ced by the amount USed' penalized by a decrease the following UpSes' but theX^ t0 25%- and agriculture. d antages of a dry pavement over a Many of the economic a2)viously, it is of prime importance intangibleeasy access and movement to slippery pavement are that the people of a city have roads thataP^bulanCes, but how much money is saved policemen, firemen, doctors an r r such emergency services cannot be esalways open tor s al by having the t... streets ... The Township Administr< of the State Highway Department regards a two inch roll with bitaminous as inches is considered maintenance. If new construction. Less than two it is new construction; otherwise, it i/ Hnd chips raises the type of road, maintenance. Ordinarily, a four-inch stone base will qualify as new construction. Less than that is not. While no state money may be used for curbing, it is possible that drainage pipes might be new construction. timated. h, lareest single losses is that caused by employees One off the large * ^TSQn 30 minutes late> bein,lg late for work. Based on 590,000 per icy day or r-----the total loss of work would arno tM s approximately $55 million per year (averug -a shoppers find it stores, the sale of merchandise drops Under definitions set forth by the Townshin Ad ■ ■ $760'000 p"day ”$2t million per year. used prior to state aid. If a community has an increased mileage, a new map^and Form 990 must be filed with the State Highway Department by Decem- Trucking companies are directly affected by icy weather, being slowed down to half their regular operating speed. This results in their Iosin ‘g about $200,000 per day or $7 million per year. The great savings in having a dry pavement a short time after the snow has fallen pays off in lives saved, less damage to property, better flow of traffic, and an overall economic saving to all citizens . While many local officials Auditors in the Highway Department may not be aware of it, a Board of the municipality. The State may seekaudits the expenditure of the funds by a return of the money if it has been illegally spent. Public safety through the safe movement of traffic should be the paramount compelling force in any choice of de-icing method or material. (final article of a series) allocations Act 655 provides an inc Municipalities °f $30 annually, pre ease *n *-he motor funds allocations to Million a year. The r“strictiVe fart 10US a^ocations were limited to $18 ^allocations]bas been removed °tt COrnPelling municipalities to match Uted °n the basis13 of mileage and 40<y nder t^le Act, 60% of the fund is distri ° °n th® basis of population. DOCUMENTS t The documents that the Bureau of Municipal Affairs hopes to desr°y are as follows: !• Annual reports of Pennsylvania local tax collectors for all years except the past three. In other words, in 1957 this would include all reports up to and including 1953. • Annual municipal budget reports for all except the present year and the past two. The reports which will be kept for 1957 will cover the years 1955, 1956, and 1957. (continued on following page) �Aci^uie & WHAT'S NEW? vO^- ’ --1 sued by a lumber company for darnaE The boro has-->been employees shaft used for when waste exploding water anddynamite sewage. to unM °Ck DUPONT caused by boro an old mine tL- WILKES COLLEGE, W1LKES.Barre MAY 15, 1957 W 2, Council ordered 100 shade trees to be planted in the boro. DR. WILLIAM FORT Council operate the boro on a 17 lightin^ mill .nd -1/2 mills will of the total being for street 6 f°r ^57, swoyerville S* forty C■ SEYLER Excerpts from remarks r ’ by - Dr. Seyler, Deputy Secretary made of the Department of Internal Affairs at th ' County Local Government Officials held 6 Fifth Annual Dinner of Luzerne on May 9 , 1957 2 ai.d - - The city will replace NANTICOKE nickel program. VI No. 5 its penny parking program with a l-'-mile of the City's five miles of str rted traffic Hnes WILKES-BARRE - A half ­ from paint to plastic as soon as the leather will be conveipermits. "the kinds of decisions local officials reach on j police and fire r,e collection, condition of streets and other faCiUtif us Sr ba more than we realize." matters affect most of us tar "Solution to the problem of financing local government lies in making the necessary constitutional and statutory revisions so that local governments can do some of the things themselves which they now leave to authorities . " thoughts for today Egotism is the art of seeing things in yourself that others "Only by doing this can we guarantee that happy combination of responsible government with efficient government, the goal to which we are all dedicated. " cannot see. The trouble with telling a good story is that it reminds the other fellow of a dull one. GRADUATES DOCUMENTS (continued) Congratulations to the class memhers o< eUss for completing the prescribed 6-session cou aUon It is the hope of struction can only be measured in terms o reflected in the the instructional staff that the information ea work. Congratulations 3. Annual municipal financial reports for certain years up to ten years' For example, the reports for the years 947 to 1956 will be kept during this year. In addition, re- iqI7PaSt new attitudes that the secretaries take towar to Thomas S. Richards of Forty Fort; y Harvey O. Nielsen of Laurel Run; Harold m °f Hanover; Mary L. Slesinski of Laflin; 11 d George Sobeck of Luzerne; and, John Mulhall an ston. P or every fifth year will be kept indefinitely. We will, 1940 andVgs'66^ ^nanc^^ reports for the years 1945, menfc • won T*16 Department did not receive these docu­ ments m 1930 and prior. the earliest report which k evelW Year> as new reports are received, eing kept will be discarded. ACTS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY PUBLICATION • This News-]ptf gmates m the Political Scien’ Pld>lislled monthly as a community s ervice> 9 >nes maybe addressed to n Department of Wilkes College. Notes H • Hugo V. C°Me. Wilke, - __________ =- Mailey, Political Science Pennsylvania. Reese of Kingston: of Moscow; Andrew Garber T Paculavich and Roy Speece of West Pitt- °ri' ■nt, 27- Council organizational meeting deferred if first Monday is a holiday. (3rd class cities) �MUNICIPAL Report assembly j- ances may be filed in court with either and highway °rdrinoads affected. (2nd class townships) Act 29 - Road survey of r°ao a draft or a d judgments authorized to be revived, reduced, or (tax collection) Procedural lapses Act 18 - Each year for the past five, the institute at PtS ration into one large unit the only solution for increasing Is consolid viceS? jf consolidation was opposed in the past, costs of governmental XT understand it, or because the solution was not was it because people 1 merely a piecemeal expansion largely bepaUtable? Isnot economic development? Does annexation really a p°ii,e word £or extrem'! eentralization? Is not finance really the bottleneck to cooperative action by groups of communities? Cannot, therefore, per capita costs be reduced by joint purchasing? Do not authorities created by towns effect economies? If the main objective is to reduce per capita costs, can not this be done by functional cooperation and not geographical annexation? Aren't the differences in tax rate and assessment real obstacles? Why do merger groups always aim to annex the "better" towns rather than the "liability" towns? Is it not a whole area that attracts industry rather than just one municipal unit? Does not cooperation of any kind overcome the psychological barriers? If consolidation is a long range solution, which is highly de­ batable, why not look for short range remedies? Would not technical help be of greater value for the short range? What assurance is there that a consolidated area will ....1 1require less police when local police forces are undermanned? Wherein is c;. .3 consolidation a savings when towns now are permitted to turn their functioi .on over to the state for free? Wouldn't taking it back mean t’ expenditure of money which people in the merging units do not now pay?,..If . te highway aid is on a population and mileage basis, w°uld consolidation mean more state money? Does consolidation necessarily ™ean ^Proved services or *s ^at a preconceived conclusion or assumpt1 antagonism? If the central city already fur' Protection on a c — contractual basis to a neighboring town, how' “11»nsolid.ti„nredu„tli( -he cost to the neighboring town? X”'xx* f ^Sc-ralReX This contest is again in full swing, C’"X: Is July 1st- Winning entries of othe6r X"" ‘T is July 1st- Winning entries of other ent t etter. No No community in Luzerne Luzerne County has 7 b Seen by calling community in THSs c'“'aa good begininng. “"'y haS submitted an e„Jy. a good begininng. ■3" annually submitted to , ,.Sworn and appointed officers A" 12 ’ BM«» •' A£,“rS "" “ to ' include constables. (officers) SOMESEARCHING^I^TIONS CONTEST POLICE OFFICER The State Superior Court has ruled that a police officer can of traffic at any time < " change the flow now w L11Ile in ln an effort to relieve heavy gerous travel conditions. In a case before the Court, a motorist appealed action of a policeman who had prohibited him from making right turns which ordinarily would have been allowed. The Court stated "although ’ traffic may ordinarily be controlled by signs or signals, the motor vehicle code recognizes that unusual conditions may require the intervention of a trained officer; and, it is therefore provided that at the direction of a peace officer, a motorist may lawfully disregard the direction of a traffic signal." REDEVELOPMENT The State Commerce Department has allocated $200,000 to the Oil City Redevelopment Authority and $208,000 to the Scranton Authority. In Oil City the money will be used in one of six areas for the clearance of blight in the heart of the city. The Scranton money will be used to restore as a public park the East Scranton area damaged by the 1955 hurricane. In both cases the State funds will match funds to be provided by local and federal agencies. FIREMEN'S FUNDS P) Local firemen's relief fund associations were under , rUHng that their accounts and reCOrfdvSfXsheareUofthe 2% tax On General. Most of the associations qualify q,irance firms. ThfreiniUrns collected in Pennsylvania by out-of-state fire in ruling made on April 12 overrules a 1941 department decisio . �Ur supermarket VOL- rs of property adjacent to a proposed shopping VI. NO. 6 WILKES COLLEGE, Wilkes-barre, Pa center JUNE 15, ■g Center that a of increased traffic, of flood lights, of heavy trucks etc and claimed that their intrusions on a residential area would constitute a nuisance . Chief Justice Horace Stern closed his decision favorable to the shopping center in the following language: "The large grocery and provision markets or super-markets have become an important feature of suburban life, indeed an almost in­ tegral part of every suburban community ever since the exodus to the sub­ urbs that took place following the advent of the automobile; they have re­ placed for good or evil, the former pattern of small stores dispersed through out the neighborhood. To hold that such supermarkets in a residential neighborhood are nuisances per se, no matter how carefully and properly they may be operated, would be to deny the residents of such communities the advantages and convenience of shopping that housewives obviously find in them. " WEST WYOMING A report of the commissioners appointed by the Court of Quarter sessions of Luzerne County to determine whether or not West Wy­ oming should be divided into wards recommended that "the interest of the inhabitants of West Wyoming will be best served" by not dividing the borough into wards. THOUGHTS FOR TODAY If your wife wants t ' to learn to drive, don't stand in her way. Smart people get what th. .aey earn and wise ones earn what they get- PUBLICATION This News-letter, gmates in th, -he Political Sciei'nee ne m°nthly a« a <community service, °r’ Quiries may i~- be address Sed to Dr. °f Wilkes College. Notes and inWilkes C Coll, -liege, WilkesJ-Barre, Penns yly'a^^67’ Political Science Departienti 1957 MORE Other than a federated , commission acting in an advisory y’ d(Wta r»Di„ , consolidation? Aren't the Mountaintop the rieht „o»? isn't it being suggested in the ^2^“^ X”' How does consolidation solve a central city' Or decreased assessments? Or fleein s traffic problem? g comercial establishments? Isn't pooled services by a number of communities a practical method of stretching the tax dollar ? Wouldn't communities in Wyoming Valley do well to consider the course of the Sherrango Valley T’ " Regional Planning Commission representing two cities, three boroughs, and _J two townships? Do not common problems require merely area planning which re­ quires merely cooperation? Doesn't the joint authority transcend political boundaries? How does consolidation free a larger city to embark on capital improvements when the merging units may have already reached their debt limitations? Since the population of cities has increased about 14% while fringe areas about 35%, where will the bulk of expenditures go under consoli­ dation? Isn't metropolitan planning the ready made device to overcome Provincial! sm? What's happened to efforts to bring Central Valley communi­ together on 1’ that basis? And what about a joint sewage treatment project? 2 by joint --i r- Side communities partially solve the fire protection action? Wasn't the vocational school problem solved by JOlnt action without --i effecting the identity of any community? SERVICE AWARDS Congratulations to the following local officials who have given faithfi’ul ervice * ~ ’ Elin er Luchetti, tQw*; Ha Urry S, 'cureman, Kingston; Andrew Natt, Laflin; Evan o toEXr;zc^ �serviceawards (continued) to Stanley Janowski and Frank Marcinkowski, rf Nicholas Keller, Nuangola; Thomas Run; C.«rg« K"’“prt'"e' ’ piston’ John Wasmanski, Plains; Walter Garril\;r;ntv ’ Sugar Notch; Louis Alsandra, Yatesville; Kehoe and Leo Grace Mc ‘h^’fjeWellyn, West Pittston; George Dennis, son, Shickshinny; RUn: d William Jones, Wilkes-Barre; John Hana- ’ Lloyd, ““ n*'"™West Wyoming, Eth Township;11 steve han, Wilkes-Barre ACTS OF Act 45 - Controllers or trea• THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY surers’ office when vacant to be filled only terrn; vacancy unfilled by city council ■=-» Acts ,, and 83 - Contracts and purchases allowed without advertise6’ ments for low bid if for no more than $1000. (boroughs, 1st and enforce its ordinance against unlawful parking OPEN PUMPS The Public Health Council in the Health D has added a new section to the sanitary code oTthT NeW Jersey , dumps as hazards to health. The only method of disposin' open and garbage is by sanitary landfill or incineration bish, .ns USe> rub' Such a law may not be long in ctoming in Pennsylvania, f0r such a regulation is necessary to make „ -xx J a community attractive. Now is the time for Valley communities to explore a joint landfill or incineration project. The Public Services Committee of the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commerce explored such an undertaking several years ago, but there was no one who had the vision to foresee problems a decade from now. This is another area that the County might explore. Witness Delaware County or Bucks Codnty. See News-letter, February 15, 1954 and Octo­ ber 15, 19 54. 2nd class townships) Act 71 - Auxiliary police provided worKmen s compensation coverage, with minimum payments prescribed for those self or unemployed. WECHSLER v. PHILA. 1955 A municipal corporation is not liable to an action for damages for the non exercise of discretionary powers of a public character. A muni­ cipality is not liable for failure to enforce an ordinance pursuant to per­ missive authority. In this case, a city ordinance, which provided that no operator should park or stop any vehicle upon any sidewalk, was held to be passed under a discretionary and not a mandatory power. There is no legal duty on the part of a municipality to light its thoroughfares or streets, and it cannot be held responsible for a mere insufficiency of light. trnrv The Plantiff contended that the city was inegligent in permitting — r obstructinn th”13-/1 °n a driveway leading to a gas service station, partly driveway as 6Wa|k’ and causing a shadow to fall upon the edge of the see the different l^ "i ° Wbicb tbere was not sufficient light for plaintiff t0 evel into which she stepped. Woodside that the City wyashnotUlUbi°rf C°Urt °pini°n written COMBINED FIRE AND POLICE Three cities in different part of the country will be added to the 32 which combined the police and fire departments. Dearborn in Michigan, Fox Point in Wisconsin, and Freewater in Oregon will have one service unit. Police will carry small firefighting equipment in their station wagons. The strongest argument in favor of such a combination is that it makes for a higher degree of administrative efficiency. CHANGING SHAPE OF METROPOLITAN AMERICA Rates of population growth in metropolitan areas have declined between ]' 1900 and 1950 due to the stability of central cities, but that■ sa growth occurred areas hav,e been growing rapidly since 1920. High rates of o grow as far as 1.thirty-five ____ z_xxvc XX1XXCD miles xxuxxx from the center of the central city in five to ten mi/ decade. The peak rates of satellite growthi are still in a for the previous two der=/adlUS from city centers, where they have been ccades. (continued on following page) �VOL- VI. NO. 7 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE> pA JULY 15, 195? CHANGING SHAPE OF METROPOLITAN AMERlc total area populations have grown most as well as have also grown slowly. Howeve Satellite central cities 1 cities, the higher has been the slowly in areas where -th rates of central in their satellite areas. Higher the lower the growl 'th taking place proportion of growl ind in widely spaced metropolitan areas, due p were four.'’ that produced highest growth rates in the growth rates ! factors time, satellite growth has been the haps to the same .... At the same areas (those whose central cities Western regions, •nd ched metropolitanin the Northern region, perhaps for^6 greatest in bund, apart.) and : less than fifty miles similar reasons. Analysis shows that rnetffopolitan areas near rivers have grown the least, and areas away from water locations, the most. How­ ever, the greatest satellite satellite growth growth was found in areas whose central cities bounded on lakes and oceans. The most rapidly growing kinds of satellite areas were found to be those located near highways, re­ .-liuEu Library SOME MORE QUESTIONS JUl 5 1957 If the central city has shown no inndevelopment, won't consolidation mean that a *tl°n ‘toward planning or rebasic problem to jack up the population of a c > wil1 suffer? — •’ Is the are moving from the city or is the problem Clty becaus e the people area with a view to making the area a more ° P ,for the <development ’ of an How does consolidation meet future needs? q raCtlVe place- -o work and live? with fundamental economic and social factors^ planning concern itself" ‘ Pereas consolidation does not? ociological city? social centers, larged by consolidation, becomes ataost a. large a" X”’lyif, the city, en- etc. be reioc/ud placing those located near intra-area railways. These findings c ould perhaps be correlated with the age of the central city. THOUGHTS FOR TODAY Honeymoon: the vacation a man takes before going to work for a new boss, An American is a person who isn't afraid to bawl out the Presi­ dent, but is always polite to a policeman. publication This News-letter, published monthly as a community service, originates in the Political Science Department of Wilkes College. Notes and inquiries may be addressed to Dr. Hugo V. Mailey, Political Science Department, Wilkes College, Wilkes - Barre, Pennsylvania. Will consolidation improve street layout? Does consolidation de­ termine the design and location of buildings if the central city is not now zoned? If towns merge, what happens to zoning in those towns which have it? Will educational services be improved? Or will insurance rates be reduced? If the two most important factors encouraging a fringe area to want to become annexed are sewage and water supply, and the city provides neither, what are the basic factors making for consolidation? • -11 p Nashville,consolidat Cincinnati, Why not follow the pattern of Louisvi ion has Cleveland, Denver, Easton, and others? ^hy been as the result of been consummated on any large scale, i a Isn't it significant t Hat of the state legislature (Atlanta - 82 sq. gUte laWS did not retbe four largest annexations in 1952 took p ace? Toronto p a Quire direct approval of the annexed dwe ’ r annexed n t it strange that most surveys indicate that newly .head areas ^ay not Pay for themselves in the years immediately al — assuming the servic es are furnished now? ^ENT; it CONCLUSION BY MANY STUDE^ seems unlikely that consolidation Hiet: r°Politan •n areas in the forseeable future. approach used in m y �TnGgZHER FOR SEWAGE DISpOSAL _bs_woRK cityandsubuR; the big ogre to its fringe municipalcity is not always The centerthe helpful brother. This is exactly what has happen^' ties; it is, at area. in the Philadelphia , municipalities in metropolitan areas to work together ed u>r for The need problems has resulted m many forms of •n the solution of sewage disj’ ’ Contractual services has often Xerative effort. Joint received the publicity that the authority been used, though xt • hbors can work together. All that is necessary has. A core city and its b the common good operating in an atmos is officials with a genuine desir outside the political field to"'a 5ider„£ ..uspiciou. ■;uspici°nfree < negotiati coninducted in an ;Ons atmosphere There is no one pattern for the aoiution of reeimal o£ the transportation problem of a reBio7 7gl°nal Pr°blems The complexltryc of a region, for :umb to the simple device of contractual examPle, could contractual hardly 5 t the „ , fact that suburban fringe municipalities freely neg°tif rmge ' ated. But the easily and quietly with a metropolis, the cor/ ? °Und H P°^ible the core to work ‘ well for the ultimate solution of’ even the toughesTp^^;681011' bodes v----- thoughts for today phere free of suspicion. w Township wanted sewers to serve its closely de­ Lower en of century. But it could not construct veloped areas as early as tne a sewage treatment works. Negotiations for a cooperative solution were successfully con­ cluded In 1902, an ordinance was passed to provide for the connection of certain sewers to be constructed by Lower Merion with certain sewers of No matter how happily- a woman may be married t her to discover that there is a nice man who wishes she werVnoV^ P1^568 Spring is wonderful. Recently a farmer and a golfer were seen doing their plowing together. GIFT Philadelphia. Evidence that the arrangements thus made were satisfactory to both parties is found in the execution of similar agreements for additional connections in 1904, 1924, and 1927. In 1922, Cheltenham Township entered into an agreement with Philadelphia by which the latter accepted sewage from this Township. There followed, then, a number of agreements with other munici­ palities and extensions of agreements in effect. Drainage areas have no re­ gard for municipal lines and brought into the picture municipalities that have no direct physical contact with Philadelphia. Just as the City had to plan for sideTtT areaS ?!y°nd itS boundaries- so the bordering townships had to con“P ThL situation is re- Pities whitrXXcT"^1116"6^ neighbors actually deal « or under negotiation cover munici­ Agreements between Philadelphia and eight of its John Jarzenbowicz, ]President of the Luzerne County Boroughs Association, and Peter Keblish,, President of the First Class Township Association in Luzerne County, each presented to the Institute of Municipal Government of Wilkes College a check so that the Institute may continue its work of offering instruction and information to local officials. The College, through the Institute, offers local government officials quite a varied program, and all because the College feels that it is a part of the community. Although the College does not intend to ask for the support of this program, g-fts are more than welcome. Both Pitt and Penn have Institutes that have .een heavily endowed with grants so that they may carry on their work with al government officials. w. If you local officials know of financial angels looking for a worthColl f>r°2rarn to underwrite, you might advise them of the work of Wi of ln the local government field. There is no better investment an Ta wfln§ t0 raise the standards of performance of local officials, wno, the I' are most receptive to aid and instruction. sewage of 18 suburban municipalities. It is not to be r dlsagreement . E>°te^ aR neg°tiations are contrived without as to terms. best ba: party has the responsibility to strike the rgain he can for his nicipality. But argument has always been P°in LANDFILL “Periate a ’hat does it cost a medium .U. ei«7 - >«.Mass. Samtary landfill? A Citizens Committee in New (continued on following page) �■ landfill WILKES COLLE^^rr; " (continued) yOL- VI. ----“-- —-J A’ AUGUST 15, i957 did com. id dispose of its garbage-j and refuse at the rate Of to change to the landfill method was The City ton. Initial purchase of 3 pieces of basic equipment. Tbeg 45 l/2@ Per mpro^mately $50,000 for t a 15_cubic yard capacity scraper and a hydrau. tractor, a »1. 126-horsepower tr j reqUired to work at the site would be were a mounted shovel. Per . lie tractor for the equipment ■nt and a sup 2 operators ■■'X? Ci,y URBAN PLANNING totaling The State Commerce Department has sought approval for contracts to -baa f°"r ■ FALL MEETING AUG 2G1957 The September meeting will be held on Tuesday, the 24th, at h Wilkes College Dining Hall. The dinner jmeeting of local officials’ win t Called at 6:30 p.m. The discussion for the -3 meeting will center around ^MUNICIPAL ,LIABILITY and , .. INSURANCE."" The speakers will be Howa rd Kennedy former aoltc.tor of Wilkes-Barre, and lb. (ollowin representatives from the Greater W.lkes-Barre Association of l„sj„„ Agents: J. F. Sallada, J. Williams, and S. Graham. meeting will be the boro of Ashley. The host for thi- The contracts: Titusville $15,000; State College $10,000; Cumru Township in Berks County and Marple Township in Montgomery County, each $3,000. The Commerce Department, in a Federal-state program, admini­ sters planning services for the urban programs. It supervises the spending of funds appropriated by the federal government. WOW! ! ! ASwiss student, after touring America, had certain criticisms to make. He said we have bad food, slow mail, dirty cities, and inefficient garbage collection. One writer, commenting on the visitor's reactions said it makes it even more clever of us to have become a great nation in spite of all these shortcomings. ^PUBLICATION originates in the Political s'’ PU^Rsbed monthly as a community service, mquiries maybe addressed?6^6 Department of Wilkes College. Notes and ment’ Wilkes College, Wilke° r"’ Hug° V" MaileY> Political Science Depar S-Barre, Pennsylvania. PLANNING The University of Pennsylvania will receive a $410,000 grant from the Ford Foundation to improve education of city planners throughout tt}e country through the development of teaching methods and materials, a research professorship, and the exchange of ideas with practitioners in urban problems. Under the Department of City Planning, there will be instituted a five-year program for the preparation of such materials. Dean Jose L. Sert of the Harvard School of Design has announced that Martin Meyers on has been appointed the first Frank Backus Williams Professor of City Planning and Urban Research, and Director of Harvar s "ew Center for Urban Studies . Meyerson was formerly at the Umversi y o Pennsylvania. Funny! Strange! If Wilkes can't have a grant, nora chair, about a s_. stool. And maybe some few interested people w o vision. learning J is free. Is that too much? All that it require' tq TINKER. Jv O tto think about it has passed us by. IT IS NO r;vjai, IT IS TIME more glUe 'J' J —> and adhesive tape. The Public Square is °R SURGERY. OF ’■— WHERE IS THE MASTER DOMING VALLEY - OR IS 1IT the redevelopment PLAN FOR LUZERNE COUNTY... UPPER E- �pedestrian fatalities PLANNING IN LEBANON NO ill join with the American Automobile The general pubhc Township, Luzerne, West pittf. ston, . Hon in saluting Nantic Swoyerville for going through 1956 with, -lout Xrfs*. Pri”Sle' UE” Newport, end West Pittston are n,»comer8 “^.ttisn ^X-e“«ords ranging iron, two to s.x years. the list* 0 ., 1 . rr , rnnntv towns that were cited are not off the beaten The Luzerne C pass through Luzerne daily. Nanticoke path. Thousands of carsis a city and a large cen other communities have r clean for the twelve months pulation> adding to its accomplishment. The problems, but they managed to keep the slate KINGSTON Th traffic recommendations presented at the Kingston Council meetin. by the "teens' traffic committee and the police committee were Zted io' a W-dV period by a r.solut.on of the Counc.l. Parking will be eliminated on both sides of Pierce Street, from Tioga to the North Street bridge, during the period. All left turns at intersections of Rutter Avenue and East Dorrance Street will be prohibited for the 90 days. Parking also will be eliminated on the south side of West Union Street between the DL&W tracks and Wyoming Avenue on a trial basis. COUNTY At the end of 1956 the Regional Planning r n, obtained approval for a grant of $31,000 from t^ nT ?ion of Lebanon Count y ^istration for general planning work in the Lebanon! RcncWal Admjsupervision of the project will be provided bv thMetropolitan Area. Technical .unity Development of the Pennsylvania Department -le' Bureau of Cornna’ Commerce. used for preparation ol City cportion of the county. nern The project includes; analysis of trends in population growth, the economic base, financial resources and capacities of the local communities involved, the extent and location of neighborhood blight, the housing market and resources, building trends and construction methods suited to the needs of the municipalities; the study of physical characteristics and existing land uses and preparation of a land-use plan; the preparation of standard building and housing codes, zoning and subdivision regulations and plans for their coordination and enforcement; and the preparation of a major thoroughfare plan, a community facilities plan for location of public schools, parks, playgrounds, and other public facilities; and a public improvement program and financing plan. The project also calls for preparation of reports for the dissemination of information to the public. ACT 358 SOCIAL SECURITY ENDS Approved July 10, 1957 July 1, 1957, was the last day for Pennsylvania counties and other This act amends the police pension act of 1956 (P.L. 1804) applying to boroughs and townships>, as follows : Section 1 -The act now applied to boroughs and townships with three or more policemen rather than eight or more, as formerly. Pension funds must provide for disability and death benefits P ovisions of such to be determined locally, however. ) Section 3 ■The minimum period of service for retirement that may be provided in an ordinance is reduced from 25 to 20 years. Section 5 actuarT is made permissive rather m^ber th maximum of 8 per cent is placed on ’ he minimum remaining at 5 per cent. than mand^XT °a contributions local government units to commence social security coverage p g combination with the local retirement systems, if federa coverag t0 include back years. f The federal social security law requires that c °r retroactive coverage must be executed by the state ag cne,P°litiCal subdivision, not later than December , tT^8 Can be signed, certain formalities must be met state laws. red onPbehalf of , before federal and 31 inclusive. from July 1 to DecemXte The t There are only 184 days ; only four days to negotiate the necessary • in which these agr- ° ^0-day notice periods leave dements ^division's initial This is the absolute minimum pe gu -_ • can be accomplished. Consequen ""“"ocement of its plan cannot be later than �yOL- VI. wilkes-barre> pA SEpTSMBER1Si BORO bulletin trrient Snow plows and cm department of any political subdivision „ of the of Highways or for the highway Commonwealth must be equipped with at leastt one flashing emergency l—a:imp ‘rent State inspection before it will pass the curl x-— requirement. The Pennsylvania State Ass • Borough Bulletin as the official publication of the T B°rou8hs bas acquired «, issue, Vol. XV., no. 7, is really the first’^ ^oeUtlo,. „ £* Clean A. Marburger as Editor. Boro officials ought "a'^ITwith The lamp, which must be red, is to be used only during an emergency, and must be of the type approved by the Bureau of Highway Safet formative material in it. In Luzerne Countv 13 h 1 themselves of the i Association - Ashley, Avoca, Dupont, Durye’a members °f the State ' ston, Larksville, Warrior Run, West’H^zlXn WeTput1?’ F°rty King- The law requiring the lamps was enacted in 1956. The law also provided that any vehicle in the Commonwealth used for repair or eme purposes may be equipped with no more than one warning lamp of the s ° and White Haven. On the Executive Committee of Stat °n’ West Wyoming, bowich, councilman from Sugar Notch is the renreo ! Association, John JarzenAssociation. At present there are 33 counties nr fr°m Luzerne County type as inclement that required for snow plows trucks during weather. This type and lamp is to distributing be used onlynon-skid in connectiV^15 repair or emergency work while the vehicle is standing still. 1011 Wtb of boros. Other officers of the Luzerne County brancha C0Unty associations Fort, vice-president; John Mizin, West Wvomina Bare’ FortT West Pittston, secretary; Harvey Neilsen, Laurel Run^T^urer Private owners of vehicles which are used by state or local highway departments as snowplows or cinder trucks were especially reminded of the new mandatory lamp which must be of a type that will cover a 360 degree area and will flash a red warning no less than 60 times a minute nor more than 120 times a minute. THOUGHTS for today It's unbelievable how many ugly rumors get started in beauty s day. When a person always puts off until tomorrow, nothing is don PUBLICATION This News-letter, originates in the Institute of MiPublished Vicinal „■ onthly as a community service, inquiries College. Notes -s may be addressed to Dr. overnment of 7Wilkes ’ 7 D epart! * -tment, Wilk, College, ‘Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. ' "Tikes US° V. Mailey, Political Science P BOROUGHS TO SHARE RADIO Kingston and Forty Fort Police Departments will use the same wave length for broadcasting police calls with the installation ” "n At the present time Forty Fort has not received its ra 10, tcen°^ transmitter broadcasts the calls for both boroughs. Later on wen y communities. goes on the air, both signal will be heard m crmsers of thtwo^ This will insure rapid communication between the two dep co-operated for many years when any help is neede - : channels are because Fortapproved would have becoming scarceThe for arrangement broadcasting o an to wait some time to get a separate wave length. 1Emergency calls in Forty Fort now are placed by telephone to Kingston. Possibility another borough may be placed on the same wave Edw ardsville may have a radio installed. ’ �PLANNING c for existing industry all out to attract new industries into their Many cities g° existing industry gets little attention in future planni result in plants moving away. ng. Yet in some cities area t costly - f°r “ may This can be cost y have growth problems like the entire econo Large businesses . 7 manufacturingr and more sales, plants take on more ernmy. With exPandingmanXd loading facilities and parking, and often want to - ' need °t s^. cramped for room, room, they 1 ployees, have need ffor a crampe d for make plans to shift to increase their presen sp P ___ ’ __ in Detroit Detroit found the City already had lost 97 another location. A recent surv y some 9,000 workers. plants employing s----- ,bat this exodus the Detroit Planning Commission has To coml in the city to be occupied wholly by industry. All resileXXts'winireXm’at'ed, and streets will be redesigned to take up only hllf as much space as formerly. Rebuilding in the area with modern one-story plant facilities will be encouraged. Provision will also be made for lots of automobile parking - for workers - and zoning will call for minimum land coverage. Included in Detroit's plans for holding existing industry are certain areas to be developed primarily for small plants. The planning engineers found that many of the smaller manu­ facturers were swallowed up in the larger industrial districts. They also had trouble with deliveries and their personnel had no place to park. One problem in Detroit, as in other older cities, is the fact that wide areas in the city used for plants have become industrial slums. It is anti­ cipated that current redevelopment plans may help find a cure for this business blight. TRAFFIC LIGHT governing units such "eta^.y °f H1ghways. Permits are issued only to local not pay for the lights or in st Vl b°r°Ug^s’ and townships. The department does installati Application ffor traffic lights are forwarded to local governing officials when th, ieT ask for thenT^Tn are forwarded to locai gOVC7saW Partment Traffic Division receives The Department Traffic Division receives Trart- i ” °nS each year 1116 De Traffic Division must conduct , sur’™1’61’ ab°Ut one-quarter are reject®.-^ Specifi*d for a traffic • conduct a vey to determine whether the interse S1gnal meets the —e requirements. buO H-Pplionfi m recent years, the Department h for actuated type traffic signals instead off; ± ' PPeduPisSUanCe of per^■ tS ■’ Hghts avoid much vehicular and pedestrial tlme signals. These actuat'kWds of traffic movement problems. RequlremS t", adaptable to jnany follows : actuated signals jn urban areas (population, afe as more than 5,000) ; -section of an important street, vehicle volume ai At an inter ^>ng that important average at least 750 vehicle. a„ ho„ f„ s'treet must < ——* s of an average day. ,mbined vehicle and pedestrian volume from the side str? t 2, The col— or streets must average at least 7 5 units an hour for the same eight hours one vehicle speed exceeds 20 miles an hour on the principal 3. The average ,roaches to the intersection. F lpai street app In rural areas : 1, At an intersection of an i principal highway must average at least 500 vehicles of an average day. 2, The combined vehicle-pedestrian volume from the side highway or highways must average at least 50 units an hour for the same eight hours. 3, The average one vehicle speed exceeds 20 miles an hour on the principal high­ way approaches to the intersection. For standard fixed-time signals in urban areas, vehicular volume entering the intersection from all approaches must average at least 750 vehicles an hour for eight hours of an average day, and the volume from the major street should average at least 500 vehicles an hour. In rural areas, the respective figures are 500 and 375. \ as those that operate part pretect^S SX P-—-X industrial plant entrances time for recommended specific requirement. These signals are recommc ---- by the engineer after ----- investigation. TIME FOR REAPPRAISAL -~~r on the Who is to say Are there too many local government ------ thetl.number basi<= Are there too many local , tion .between survey No one. That there is a ey and study? Noone. lat£oni . A recent ad of„re m"Surv ”6"48 ’"d attractions of industry is purs sp culaU. in communities of aments and attractions of industry is pure ’n th, New York Tjmes wQuId indicate thatindustnes locate less 11 TOO, 000. Why consolidate then? �f 6governments produces inefficiency, , relationship here requires If the big number !died without consoli that can be remei prove, too. . tHe . structure of entirely government that needs Furthermore, n°study And that is different, entirely diff, Lrvice that require ,g only logical t.p Sservice mac kind o is the logical approach study. K 13 * ture.. This 'ach ach useonly d in in Allegheny Allegheny Countyto byour the of a used Count. apartfr°7e problems. This This was 11 P heny County. Functions and services was the _ . and serv|ce Valley wid P Commission o g th could better be r-- j»^tder to Xre used: performed at coald n,ore sa,isfactoriIy be by "services soul-1 * through c«»P««l>”T"t‘/‘b"™es‘Xh“oul'l Perf°rmed adequately be administered carried out at the County level. Where is there talk of merger or consolidation? The Com­ mission started with no preconceived ideas or notions but concerned itself with the facts and with how the problems related to the growth of the County could best be solved. Let us study s' the problems . Let us not be blinded by a particular remedy because we ---know ./ no other. THOUGHTS FOR TOD A Y A gold-digger is a woman after all'. H you must kill time, VOL- vi. NO. 10 WILKES COLLEGE WILKES-BARrE) pA OCT°M»IS, „5, One of the chronic problems ; associated with municipal income taxes is the collection of delinquent accounts,. Approximately 600 Pennsylvania jurisdictions tax earned income by virtue. of authority given them by Act 481 of the 1947 General Assembly. There is no > compilation of the delinquency rate in these political subdivisions, but the : rate is high enough in some to cause concern among local officials. by a private firm under Borough contract. USly had been performed P Under the new system the collection of the Dormant tax is under the direct supervision of the Borough Manager's administrative assistant. This man is a trained professional municinal emniAvo As such he is less subject to the temptation, which sometimes besets a private collection agency, to let the difficult cases go. His primary . t0 increase the Borough's revenues, and, t.t^s “ seeks ways of improving the collection system, those who have not bring in new taxpayers, catch up with delinquents, and registered. you might try working it to death. publication This News originates in th, ofMinicinA1blrShed m°nthly as a community service, le Institute t_ and inquiries n be addres cased to Dr p.°Vernment of Wilkes College. Notes Partment, Wilk, -:es Coll,ege Wilkes R,r‘ HUg° V‘ bailey, Political Science Derre, Pennsylvania. By the very nature of bis -“““X v.- toThthe municipality, the private collector often cannot achieve private collector ded for dinate the entire tax program, whereas the P £requently 1S nee do little more than collect. This over-all Pr effective tax administration. The technique used by Dormont is effe Tiency rate is applicable in many communities. w°rds , °f Mr. Stuwe, "The best collection resu People are employed by the municipality to a mi § decrease the delinbelievesinthat, in the achieved when compe en its oWn tax." (continued on following page) �de.ltnqufnLwage-tax accounts ------------------- (continued) Dormont found that thorough and vigorous attempts to LcCOntact delin, quents were needed. In going after non-payers the Borough checks3 every re_ cord that is available to it - the Bell Telephone street directory, rswimming pool passes, voter registration, newspaper items which mention Dor —* rnont residents, lists of school children registered in the schools, and oth — -• simi. lar records. In addition, a street file has been assembled which p-Permits the tax office to keep track of all moves from the Borough, and thus ’ t0 fegis. ter new occupants as soon as they move into the Borough. experience to lend weight to s ' t° °^*C^a^s' contention The that Dormont wage taxes can best appears be administered by compel employees. The municipality is in a favorable position which municipal held by a private collector. Collection is only one of several J'ai’ely be countered in the administration of a municipal wage tax It Pr° lems enin light of other problems, and it is the governing bodv wh^r^1 be PUrsued with those allied problems. ' already deals TAVERN KEEPER RESPONSIBLE The Supreme Court of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania recently ruled that a tavern keeper who had served beer to a minor was responsible for an automobile accident in which the youth became involved after leaving the tavern. The court reversed a decision by Honorable Arthur P. Bretherick, Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, Dei Delaware County, in which the proprietor was absolved of liability for the accident. ’ 'L'21~i a m - C S*°n "as unanimous and the opinion written by Honorable Michael before the accident the youthT^K JUStlCe °f the Supreme Court, noted that extent that when hp1^11^118 "intoxicating beverages" at the tavern to such behind." departed from the hotel, he left sobriety The Supreme Court based its decision on an Act of a^. reswhich provides that persons furnishing intoxicants shall be hel C1 8 drin king19 54 , ponsible for injuries to persons or property in consequence of sue TELEPHONE FIR F alarm systems According to the experienc :e of a number of c " , .... ystem, which is installed and “!*"■ ‘he leased lel. maintained by local teleph phone s ovin£ to be the quickest method of < getting the fire is Pr The basic feature of the new system is which does not require a coin deposit. a conventional n on-dial teleph°ne’ fed aluminum box with a self The phi water'?r°°d own line to fire headquarters, -closing door andlOne r is installed in a no lock. Each box is conneC the syStem is still in service; this was If one box _ __ out of order, the reSt^he traditional alarm boxes, in which a glass r~ ofgoes not true the older -** style alarmgive a signal, are so constructed that3when must be broki;en and a handle P«ueu one is out of order, on the same circuit won't work either, the other boxes o The telephone reporting method gives the person calling the opportunity to tell the exact location of the fire, whereas the telegraph alarm can only indicate the location of the particular box, and the person who gives the alarm must wait to direct the fire apparatus. False I alarms have been far more prevalent with this older type of signal, according to the association, , because the temptation for some passerby, usually juvenile, to break a glass and pull a handle has frequently brought fire engines roaring out to find a deserted alarm box. With the telephone alarm system, as soon as a person wishing to report an emergency raises the receiver, a light flashes on the switchboard at fire headquarters , giving the number and location of the call box. At the same time, an alarm bell sounds until the call is answered. Any number of calls from any number of boxes can be received at the same time. two th’ d emergencies today are reported by telephone. In fact more than lr s of all fire calls in the average city are received over home and busines s telephones, the figure in some cities is as high as 90 per cent. FLYPAPER OF SUBURBAN ROUTINE n a recent book state Authors Bonnie Prudden and Dr. ^J^^y of the wheel.• that iwheels have replaced muscle. Consider wheel from the i ^oin nilly,■ the child is forced to rely increasing y muscle in born, ■ to th, point where it has virtually s»ppla»« a . Iben graduates here i to there. He starts out in the carriage, �—■ OF SUBURBAN ROUTINE FLYPAPER (continued) VI. NO. 11 WILKES COLLEGE, yOL- WILKes-barRe> Pa NOVEMBER t0 the school bus and family car. He seldom walks if he can help it. child today, caught in the flypaper of the subIn short, the average ,d looks . urban routine, sits, rides, and COUNCILMEN AND Hasn't this philosophy helped to change the functions and services of municipal governments? boroughs association committee named to present a slate of officers to The nominating are: Dr. John Biernacki, Ashley council president; serve for the coming year Wyoming councilman; and George Weiskerger, West Theodore Powloski, West Pittston councilman. WHAT'S NEW? FORTY FORT - Members of Forty Fort Police pension fund have petitioned the court to dissolve the fund and distribute the assets of $51,000 among members. EDWARDSVILLE - The town's assessed valuation took a sizeable jump with the purchase of 15.3 acres of land along Northampton Street by Triangle Shoe Co. for 68,000 dollars. KINGSTON - Parallel parking is under consideration for Kingston Corner s. LUZERNE - Street expenditures run less than $10,000 in this borough. ASHLEY - The Health Board has been dissolved and the health service taken over by the State Department of Health. THOUGHTS FOR TODAY Marriage is an institution that offers only on-the-job training. COMMISSIONERS <Tis said that "A man's judgment is not better th;ian his informati the Montgomery County Recorder on." This in • It is from this article that the following bit of advice is taken; "If you officials bring uniformed < ’ • opinions to your chambers, you act unintelligently and really let your constituents down, • On the other hand, if you take the trouble to look into a matter, to get the fac'ts'then ---- you are in a position to make much wiser decisions." 1. How may zoning help solve such problems as t ' ’ mining, trailer strip camps, used car lots, junk yards, billboards, and overhanging street signs? 2. Are there any standards based on population for the number of policemen a municipality should have? 3. What authority does a municipal health officer have? 4. What municipal jobs have a special contact aspects? 5. Should capital improvements be taken into consideration in estimating expenditures? Can newly elected councilmen answer these and other quest satisfactorily , ?’ If not, there is a place to garner information. Some modern girls turn a man's head with their charms and his stomach with their cooking. PUBLICATION This News-Ipttp-r ki • i_ ginates in the Institute of m’ ,U' 1Slled mcmthly as a community service, oil­ inquiries may be address Government of Wilkes College. Notes and ment. Wilkes College, Wilk p HUg° V' MaileY> Political Science Departes-Barre, Pennsylvania. “ph 3 •" >»d 1/3 old members ought to make tor an enthus.aat.e class. attend the - - . officials are welcome to Both old and new:■ly elected local public ( rharee The Public Serfree of charge. training course . The class is open free �■ rv Assessed or Taxable --------- --- Valuation»<uuc. ValUSupP°rting Det>t: Sinkins Fund for General Self' pebt- c commissioners COUNCIU^KNJ^ certificates to those completing the course. will grant vice Institute the course will be mailed in the near futur e to all information on the course 1- Make arrangements now to attend thi -- d newly elected councilmen. s ten ifficials. 1 course for local officials. session coux = ^ MUNICIPAL have a place - - ?0Sft":Xw t^^e^m^^es;:S securities ’ Important things for him to consider are the character of the debtor, debt statistics, ability to pay, type of debt, tax collections, operating experience of the user, and ratings. As a commercial banker places high value on the character of the individual or firm applying for a loan, so the investor investigates the character of the public borrower whether it is a state or municipal unit. Here are some of the questions he asks in his own municipal quiz programs: What is the history of the borrower in meeting past obligations? Does it have a balanced or nearly balanced budget? How does its debt position com­ pare with other cities of the same size? Nor can the character of the debtor be determined solely from financial statistics. There are highly important economic, social, and politi­ cal questions the investor considers. First, the f municipal unit issuing the bonds ought to be a well established community • witha a stable population. Location, natural resources, transportation, type t of local industry, banking, public improvement, schools, facilities for water supply and sewage disposal - all are factors which contribute to the , economic climate which, in turn, determines the borrower's ability to pay. The character *n be d°ne where ids are bon<‘ the utility revenues or taxes to meet only a D " taxes but primari. ly from ,i only such portion of utility debt is prop^ly^ucHbl' of the debt service; le from total ,nded debt. bon­ Only sinking funds for general obligations <’ should be dedu, ded to ascertain the net debt as self-supporting debt has already be, ien deducted from total bonded debt. bonds Assuming that the investor feels that municipals Nett Bonded Bond, ’ 1Ne of local government is also examined. all sortie or l ” of the°fo^0CbVe lnvCHtor “tarts with the offering circular. Under ; investor ln determine -ag the tax will appear figures that help the or Potential and debt „r the issuer: Actual c: Ful1 In the debt statement in circulars there is usually a reference to erlapping or an additional debt against the same same taxable taxable property overlappingdebt ----------6—-a me There are usually two, frequently three, and ---- I occasionally occasionally five five or more muni­ cipal units, that have authority to tax the same property. When for example, the city, county, and school districts issue bonds and levy taxes on the same property to pay the respective bonds, overlapped debt and taxes are the result. Whether the overall debt and tax burden is in reasonable rela­ tion to revenues or not, helps in judging the municipality's ability to pay. A rule of thumb for judging the ability to pay is the following: the net overall or general debt plus overlapping debt should not exceed 10% of the actual or full value of taxable resources, and the amount required for annual debt services should not exceed 25% of the total net revenues. ’— — --------The form of some> attention. One _ debt and its purpose —deserve * of the most reassuring features in municipal finance policy is the almost uni ­ reassuring features in form practice of serial maturities, with the bonds usually maturing wi in practice of serial maturities, -------t e probable life of the improvement financed by the procee s. y ^asSuring? There are three reasons. (1) Serial maturities if y Perly balanced, mean that the municipality won't be ^-^fnaXTerTar111' pal Payments at 'one time; compelling necessity-of soundltleS eaCh year under §ood and bad condltl°nS °rises about the proper ■ ’ i arises Proi Pr°Cedure debt retirement; (3) No question arise ectl°n and suitable handling of sinking fund monies monie . (first of two articles) �WHAT'S NEW? advisement the request of the SWOYERVILLE - The council took under newly purchased fire truck in part Fire Department to house its used by the community ambulance. of the town hall now KINGSTON - Richards was selected to fill her councilman Mrs. Walter A. d term following his resignation. sewer line on Newport Street was started extension of the NEWPORT - The because many more homes are contemin the rear of the homes plated in the area. r- - Cxty ofhcxals officials have decided to proceed a curb inWILKES-BARRE street> althoughwith $1> 300 o£ the stallation project $6,100 project is still owes by the abutting property owners. DUPONT - Because of the need for additional water at the Airport, the re­ sidents of the airport area will have a larger main through their area. VOL-VI- NO- 12 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA. DECEMBER 15, 1957 MUNICIPAL BONDS Borrowing in anticipation of bonds was r;— - ■ responsible for much embarrassment to municipal units in the early 1930's when i ~ _.i refinancing could not be done and there was no other provision for the payment of the no.es .'..J maturing notes. Borrowing in anticipation of taxes should not cause special concern unless it is in —’ ?_ la an ex­ cessive amount. Before 1930 students of municipal credit paid scant attention to the matter of tax collections. But the depression of the 1930’s proved that while "nothing is as sure as death and taxes," the collection of those taxes is consider­ ably less certain. In many cases reduced collections resulted in unbalanced bud­ gets, heavy short-term borrowing against delinquent taxes and fiscal embarrass­ ment . I DURYEA - Council has received an appropriation from the State for the re­ pair of Canal Street which was damaged during the 19 55 flood. KINGSTON - About half of the Kingston streets are in the State Highway system. LUZERNE - Officials of the boro and Swoyerville have taken the first steps toward opening Chapel Street. Today, therefore, tax collections are watched more carefully. The in­ vestor watches, for example, the pressure exerted on taxpayers by means of penalties for non-payment. These penalties range from 6% annual interest on un­ paid taxes to a flat percentage penalty on the due date and up to a 25% annual interest charge. Naturally the collection experience varies considerably. Where penal­ ties and collections are considerably low, the budget may on occasion carry an overlay item calculated to raise the total tax levy sufficiently so that a determined Percentage of collections, say 80%, will produce the sum to meet budgetary needs. THOUGHTS FOR TODAY When it comes to singing, some women have what is known as a kitchen range. ^!.:’Saable reason some people get lost in thought is it is un- In order to determine the trend in tax collections, the investor nee s a record of from three to five years. Progress in collecting delinquent taxes is noted as well as the result of current levies. Six questions about a municipal bond: 1. Is the municipality which is issuing the Sowing population and well diversified indust y. -NATION ginates inquiries : , .. ’ ' ... . ■ ori"r ~ * monthly as a community service, and -"^rnment of Wilkes College. Notes Depart" . '' * *^ailey, Political Science C-T •'«, Pennsylvania. bond well established with 2. Is the character of tl of debt payments? 3. Has the municipality a sound history �4. is the municipally effective in its treatment of delinquent tax- , Prial maturities of the proposed issue so balanced that 5. Are the s*rl toQ many principal payments at one time? I not be faced wi tbe bonds general taxes as opposed to the city wil! 6- IS ^andTre the general taxes free from restrictive limits in special assessments , and a •vice? providing for debt ser^- traffic lines payers? to the p, ^ond is doubj sideration byabove an i questions r~- are all "Yes" If the answers investor for inclusion in his portfolio, less well worth cons.----(second of two articles) ACT 194 TERMS OF OFFICE OF SECRETARIES AJXD TREASURERS Borough secretaries and treasurers are no longer to be elected every biennium, but, along with all other officers and employees appointed by the borough council, are to have indefinite terms of office subject to removal by the council. Act 194, approved June 20, 1957 amends section 1001 and clause I of section 1005 of "The Borough Code", 1947 P.L. 1621, as amended by 1951 P.L. 1026 and 1955 P.L. 710, and repeals sections 1115 and 1120 thereof, effective September 1, 1957. ACT 359 AIR RIFLE SALE, TRANSPORT OR DISCHARGE Discharge of "air rifle" (including B--B guns and ^^an y public place hots) "from or across any street, sidewalk, road, highway, or public lan or persons under except on a properly constructed target range", sale of the same gbteenyearS the age of eighteen years, and carrying of such by a person under crim* of age unless "unloaded in a suitable case or securely wrapped V-t’cal subdu'd0'0 made criminal offenses. "The provisions of any ordinance enacted by any P° sub— which impose greater restriction of limitations in respect to the^ sa e berein defin d - ----------------and Purchase’ use or possession of air rifles as herein ‘ --3 act. " an *s imposed by this act shall not be invalidated or affected by this Motorists often wonder why traffic lines are not painted on new or surfaced highways as soon as the construction crews have completed their tasks. The answer is that the white paint should not be applied until the solvents in the various^ blacktop mixtures used for surfacing have -----------6 dried out. This requires ' ' or 4two, ””~ Jdepending J'-C upon . the weather. The drier and warmer the require a week weather, the faster the surface is "cured. ii But most surfacing is done during the summer or late spring and early fall, a time when line painting crews are busy on their annual repainting chore. It is uneconomical to detach paint crews from their scheduled work to paint new surfaces . The result is that most new surfaces are painted in the fall when the paint crews have completed their regular work. ASSESSMENTS FOR NEW SEWERS The consequences of a failure of municipal governments to control and set standards for real estate development are often not apparent until some years after the development has been completed. Health, sanitation, special assessment, and standards problems as they affect the community and indivi­ duals are exemplified in the recent case of Vendetti Appeal, 181 Pa. Superior Court 214 (1956). Vendetti, owner of property abutting Montpelier Avenue, Millcreek Township, Erie County, appealed from an assessment for construction of a sewer on that street in 1951. He contended that a privately constructed sewer built in 1924 was dedicated and accepted by the township and, therefore, the abutting property owners should not be burdened with costs for the new sewer. The facts which form the basis for this contention are as follows: adopted the old In summary, Vendetti contended that the towns ip " i of sewer rents, sewer system by: (1) operation of the system, (2) collection i from other parts of the town­ (3) use of part of the old sewer to conduct sewage 1 -- . road. 8hip and (4) taking over Montpelier Avenue as a public f 43901 �The township, for its part, claimed that a private conv which included the sewer lines shows that the township had not adonof i9system. This non-adoption by the township is further proved, the t the °Id 9 claimed, by an agreement of 1942 between the then owners of theer>°WllSbiP the township which included the stipulation that any new sewers 1VisiOn and the township would be regarded as an original construction sented other documentary evidence in support of its position The6Ct°°' nStrUCtedb Vnship pre^ The court gave, a negative answer to the question of whether a tOW] public utility by virtue of the above set of facts ' ship acquires or adopts a j nle of lawbeen is that when a work of local public • The general PJ^has once constructed the abutting utility, such as a charged with the cost of any subsequent reconstruc- ........................... there is further benefit. However, the test of the liability tion or charge even it further repairs to an existing local public of an abutting property owne replacement thereof is municipal recognition utility or for the recons o(.rl,rtion The controlling consideration, or adoption of the ongina con intention. This intention may be shown by an X-l o^i^crXZthe construction or by acquiescence or adoption." There are still some municipalities in Pennsylvania which, because they do not enforce health, safety, and welfare standards, leave themselves and their residents open to the unpleasant conditions and undesirable litigation exemplified in the Vendetti case. No community or resident can afford to be complacent about holding to standards sufficient to protect their lives and their investments. thoughts for today t women try hardest to hide what they don't have. In one i— P , explorers of outer space have a bright future. They will never run out of - space to explore. publication This News-letter puhr ginates in■ th, -ie Institute of Municiu rnontBly as a community service, oriinquiries ,? i—ay be addressed to d/ °°Vernment of Wilkes College. Notes and ment- Wilke8' College, Wilkes-RaT. Ug° V‘ MaileY> Political Science Departre> Pennsylvania. �i. �� Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Luzerne County Newsletters and Institute for Regional Affair Newsletters, 1952-1975 Subject The topic of the resource Political Science; Luzerne County; Institute for Regional Affairs; Wyoming Valley Description An account of the resource A collection of newsletters created by the Political Science Department at Wilkes College from 1952-1975 for Luzerne County and later the Institute for Regional Affairs. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Political Science Department (Hugo Mailey) Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1952-1975 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Type The nature or genre of the resource Newsletters Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Luzerne County Newsletter, 1957 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Political Science Department Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1957 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Type The nature or genre of the resource Newsletter https://omeka.wilkes.edu/omeka/files/original/0df8ddca165de0b750612fc8ffd03e75.pdf 40771c5c3a635f71c8afb955a1a1ec12 PDF Text Text ■ ’ ;■ ■ d . 0 1 • ■ '■ ' ;© S -.. -■ , » . ‘..aa ■. w. ' a.I; lie 111. 1 111B1> 1 ■ • ri I ©a■i a ■" ■' ■ ■ '•■ ... ■ ' . .' ■ . ■ ' ■ SSal.' S -./•;•■' . •.,/'./?/; /• . u/V-' . .. Si - ■<'./•■ < ©1 < ' - '- aaa;: ; aa ; ■a ■ Sa S..aaa<SsSS ; . ; • ■ a; ;••' B' • \ , <•; n/ <*v>' . • ,' . ' ' ! s.Sllil'1 . j j ? saa»ssn. ■ '< as®a . '■' - 1©1© 1 ©iiaiiia '1101i BIS 5 ■te ' gta11© <•;.©©<■ . . sll|l liilS y - a l©© ‘ •i-h- s«: ■ < ;®iSii l«r Ills ill® i aii-i ■bi'-Hii 11® ; 'a 11' ' ;1 ^ajasg ■ < ■</.< as©' <■: ■ all; S :1&'SSA- IWiSKliS ;asSsss' SaSssS;aasaS'la 1 ■ n illlBBlB> ? • ■ ® ’ - ■ ■ ■' -nnjj-iijj . . 11 I I . o . ‘ ..■ i . <■; w ©;.. 'i i- \ as» lima • ■s ■ a ; --s iOlB jl ' • \ ". . '©1©©S1 J . ■" ?Saa' 1 ■ lag b» ai ■ aaS© ;'. a aa f ■ :n.n, ' • . f in a ■ .■■ ��I I LIBRARY WILKES-BARRE PENNSYLVANIA �P4 wilkes-barr WILkES c.y Ok v’ NO- i plains TOWNSHIP have 3.dopted a.n 11 point Plain! commissioners ‘f‘the’township. It is noteworthy that the township . betterment of the wjth development and the progr '^her Zlley-->towns . Albert Janerich, new presic with the u towns . Albert all°_ resident7of the State Association, has offered t of the State are points 1 and 2. The ? LookP Of special interest cial interest the value of planning in the future development of th< Wilkes-Barre found that the appointment of a new pl necessity. If only a few more communities and cou: planning. Ona cooperative basis, the greater Will many problems . Point 2 of the 11-point program ai authority to sewer the whole township. This again h '»their te considered a good place to work and live for vision. xvc.. PENNSYLVANIA ASSOCIATK Joseph Gallagher, Newport, Legal Counse , Committee; Francis Connors , Hanover , Municip Gallagher, Newport, Legislative; Anthony J- Vest. Andrew M. Grivner, Wilkes-Barre, Department o Grivner, hnerich, PlainsD. . Hugo V. Mailey, Wilkes Plains; and Dr. WERE YOU BORN POLIT A man may think that he washes is ,, lnstinct. T— * *"Y YT e fl f**) But ask anyone who ’’knew him w vl8n°rani ce. We gain knowledge by training an it is hard to teach an old dog new trie all our lives . Only °the thi rs c°urt; sm>°oth8 8 ls neCes sary. 4 aUit ®y. just a° s Ur r. ow* Paths . ] This is to reali Every taxpayer s or hat. n^uch i 4s ouras he 'vould’ receive if he ernPloyer ! �fa .dcif&ute (faulty WILKES COLLEGE, rot- v, no- 1 WILKES-BARRE, PA. JANUARY 15, 1956 PLAINS TOWNSHIP Plains commissioners have adopted an 11-point program toward the betterment of the township. It is noteworthy that the commissioners find their welfare bound up w.th the development and the progress in betterment made in all other Valley towns . Albert Janerich, new president of the Board and third vice-president of the State Association, has offered his constituents a New Look. Of special interest are points 1 and 2. The Plains solons fully realize the value of planning in the future development of the township. Only recently Wilkes-Barre found that the appointment of a new planning commission was a necessity. If only a few more communities and county could see the value of planning. On a cooperative basis, the greater Wilkes-Barre area could solve many problems . Point 2 of the 11-point program anticipates the creation of an authority to sewer the whole township. This again is a necessity if the township is to be considered a good place to work and live. A bouquet to the Commissioners for their vision. PENNSYLVANIA ASSOCIATION James A. Otterson, President of the Pennsylvania Association of Township Commissioners, has appointed the following local people to committees: Joseph Gallagher, Newport, Legal Counsel; John C. Wordoski, Hanover, Steering Committee; Francis Connors, Hanover, Municipal Employees Retirement; Joseph Gallagher, Newport, Legislative; Anthony J. Vestyck, Plains, Membership; Andrew M. Grivner, Wilkes-Barre, Department of Internal Affairs; Albert Janerich, Plains; and Dr. Hugo V. Mailey, Wilkes College, Publicity. WERE YOU BORN POLITE? A man may think that he washes his hands or says "Thank you" by inborn instinct. But ask anyone who "knew him when." The truth is, we are all born in ignorance. We gain knowledge by training and example when we are children. And while it is hard to teach an old dog new tricks, we can go on becoming more courteous all our lives. Only one thing is necessary. This is to realize how much courtesy toward others smooths our own paths. Every taxpayer should be treated with utmost Courtesy, just a8 much aB he would receive if he went into a retail store to purchase Suit Cjjc nat. T-T ’ i f He is our employer I 42826 �abatement progress t of stream pollution in the Susquehanna P' River in abatement Program places that section among those in Pr T ” h ” ci~» 1 Basin under the which givej evidence of the successful promotion of tha> various areas ot the State F. Mattison, Secretary of Health and Chairman of the program, Dr. Berwpi 1 • minted out. Sanitary Water Board, L— • has p< ■ i pollution abatement in the upper reaches of the "Although the advance in that made in the downstream areas, " Dr. Mattison to t... basin is not comparable ■’ • communities in this section may soon add an that the stated, "indications are the record of anti-pollution progress being made throughout important chapter to t— Pennsylvania. " The records of the Sanitary Water Board show that as a result of the program T of 64 sewerage projects, all of them to serve in abating pollution, have beenWIlt and put in operation or placed under construction on that watershed. O'' the number of projects 55 are new sewage treatment plants to provide treatment of the wastes of municipalities for the first time. All the sewage from those source had always been discharged without any treatment to the public waterways. In addition to treatment of the sewage a considerable amount of industrial waste is also treated in the plants of those communities in which industrial establishments are located. In addition to the new sewage treatment plants built and placed under construction, three existing works have been enlarged to provide greater capacity and a higher degree of treatment. Six of the projects provide sewer connections through which the sewage is discharged from one municipality to the treatment plant in another community for treatment under an agreement made between the two municipalities. It is estimated that the cost of all the projects exceeds $30 million. Included in the total number are sewage treatment plants built at industrial establishments, public institutions as well as by municipalities . On the industrial side much progress has also been made in providing facilitie for the treatment of wastes to abate stream pollution. In addition to the industrial establishments for which arrangements have been made with the municipalities for t-e treatment of their wastes, many industries have built their own treatment works '■‘■r--'t-d that on a Statewide basis industry spends at least as much in ln^ 01 treatment of mill and factory wastes as is spent by municipalities for 8ewage treatment plants . Ine progress made under this r program shows definitely that to increase in* popuiation and grow industrially it is i not necessary that we make open sewers o our streams. In fact were gross pollution of the streams permitted to continue we would soon go into a -cline for there would not be sufficient clean wate r to meet our needs a short time. SEWERAGE CASE INJUNCTION An injunction granted June 3 by the Lycoming County Common Pleas Cour restraining Loyalsock Township in that county from permitting connections to ' made to the sewer system until permits for the extensions to that system have procured from the State Department of Health, was lifted some time later by t court under agreements and stipulations made with Deputy Attorney General Robert J. Trace and Thomas Wood, Lycoming County State Attorney, and cour for the parties involved in the injunction. Mr. Trace represents the Sanitary Water Board which directs the Clean Streams program and authorizes the issi of sewerage permits. In addition to restraining the township from permitting sewer extensions to be made the injunction also restrained the Susquehanna He Co. , Fred Tebbs and John Bubb, land owners and builders, from making any i connections in the area involved. Prior to the lifting of the injunction applications were made to the Sanitary Water Board by the township for permits for the sewer extensions and those p. have been issued. Under the agreement by which the injunction was lifted the township was to select an engineer to prepare plans for a sewage treatment w< and construction of that works to be started immediately the plans are approvs the Sanitary Water Board. The court will retain jurisdiction in the matter ant State shall have the right to ask for reinstatement of the injunction if the propt and schedules of work are not adhered to. Monthly reports of progress are to submitted to Mr. Trace. REPORT ON TREATMENT FACILITIES The Sanitary Water Board has directed the borough of Carlisle, Cumberl Co. , to make a study of its sewage treatment plant to determine what improve are necessary to provide efficient complete treatment of the sewage. It is ah required that the borough submit a report of the study and detailed constructs plans covering the improvements that must be made. The action was taken as a result of a report made to the Board by the Bui of Sanitary Engineering of the Health Department, of extensive studies made i the plant. PUBLICATION I'his News-letter, published monthly as a community service, originates « I olitical Science Department of Wilkes College. Notes and inquiries may Whi l!88cd to Dr. Hugo V. Mailey, Political Science Department, Wilkes o 18-Barre, Pennsylvania. �abatement progress Le in abatement of stream pollution in the Susquehanna River lean r— —“ Streams Program places that section J 1 amon g those in ie State which give evidence of the successful p Promotion of •wyn F. Mattison, Secretary of Health and Chai that -irman of the ard, has pointed out. advance in pollution abatement in the upper reaches of the rable to that made in the downstream areas, Dr- MattiSon s are that the communities in this section m may soon add an to the record of anti-pollution progress being made ~~ thr°ughout f the Sanitary Water Board show that as a result of the prOgrani age projects, all of them to serve in abating pollution have n operation or placed under construction on that watershed rojects 55 are new sewage treatment plants to provide t treatment inicipalities for the first time. All the sewage from those source scharged without any treatment to the public waterways . In nt of the sewage a considerable amount of industrial waste is plants of those communities in which industrial establishments he new sewage treatment plants built and placed under existing works have been enlarged to provide greater capacity ■ of treatment. Six of the projects provide sewer connections ewage is discharged from one municipality to the treatment nmunity for treatment under an agreement made between the that the cost of all the projects exceeds $30 million. Included are sewage treatment plants built at industrial establishments, s well as by municipalities. g facilities 11 side much progress has also been made in providing industrial wastes to abate stream pollution. In addition to the i.. ’' ' js for vhich arrangements have been made with the municipalitie , ____ . 4- xi '---jatment works ir wastes, many industries have built their own tre<-.—-□n a Statewide basis industry spends at least _t as ~ much in by municipalities for lent of mill and factory wastes as is spent 1 , ants. j mm lade under this program shows definitely that to inert-' industrially it is not necessary that we make open s^t-nue it were gross pollution of the streams permitted to C> to a decline for there would not be sufficient clean However, we must guard against laxity. We have still a long way to co to bring all major pollution under control and even when that shall be done the ilishments will soon be wiped out if we curtail our vigilance even for a accomplishments short time. SEWERAGE CASE INJ UN C T ION An injunction granted June 3 by the Lycoming County Common Pleas Court straining Loyalsock Township in that county trom from permitting permitting connections to be restraining uuai. county made to the sewer system until permits for the extensions to that system have been procured from the State Department of Health, was lifted some time later by the court under agreements and stipulations made with Deputy Attorney General Robert J. Trace and Thomas Wood, Lycoming County State Attorney, and counsel for the parties involved in the injunction. Mr. Trace represents the Sanitary Water Board which directs the Clean Streams program and authorizes the issuance of sewerage permits. In addition to restraining the township from permitting sewer extensions to be made the injunction also restrained the Susquehanna Homes Co. , Fred Tebbs and John Bubb, land owners and builders, from making any sewer connections in the area involved. Prior to the lifting of the injunction applications were made to the Sanitary Water Board by the township for permits for the sewer extensions and those permits have been issued. Under the agreement by which the injunction was lifted the township was to select an engineer to prepare plans for a sewage treatment works, and construction of that works to be started immediately the plans are approved by the Sanitary Water Board. The court will retain jurisdiction in the matter and the State shall have the right to ask for reinstatement of the injunction if the proposals and schedules of work are not adhered to. Monthly reports of progress are to be submitted to Mr . Trace. REPORT ON TREATMENT FACILITIES The Sanitary Water Board has directed the borough of Carlisle, Cumberland Co. , to make a study of its sewage treatment plant to determine what improvements are necessary to provide efficient complete treatment of the sewage. It is also required that the borough submit a report of the study and detailed construction plans covering the improvements that must be made. The action was taken as a result of a report made to the Board by the Bureau of Sanitary Engineering of the Health Department, of extensive studies made of the plant. PUBLICATION This News-letter, published monthly as a community service, originates in Political Science Department of Wilkes College. Notes and inquiries may be ,lf dressed to Dr. Hugo V. Mailey, Political Science Department, Wilkes College, Wilke S-Barre, Pennsylvania. �(faulty ACTS OF THE 1955 GENERAL ASSEMBLY BOROUGH CODE - Act 197 (HB 656) Increases monthly compensation paid to councilmen in boroughs with populations from 5,000 to 10,000 to $50, and in qL boroughs over 10,000 to $100. FAIR EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES - Act 222 (HB 229) Prohibits in municipal and other employment such practices as requiring information relating to age color, religion, national origin, ancestry and race, use of "quota" systems, and publishing discriminatory help wanted ads; creates a State FEPC; provides penalties. HOME RULE TAXES - Act 186 (SB 459) Clarifies aggregate tax levy; eliminate notice of intent and publishing of ordinances of reenactment; requires short notice stating existing tax reenacted; authorizes budget revision to reflect additional receipts. MEETING PLACES - Act 18 7 (HB 1078) Authorizes school boards to permit use of schools as meeting places for public bodies. WHAT ' S NEW ? 2 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA. EE] OF FORD CITY VS. FORD GIT' ____ POLICE DEPARTMENT In the Court of Common Pleas of Armstrong County, Pennsylvan Number 212. June Term, 1955. Complaint in Mandamus. The plaintiffs, policemen of the Borough of Ford City filed this mandamus to compel the Borough Council of Ford City Borough tn in them in accordance with the contracts of employment After the action was instituted the parties by stipulation agreed u case stated. The question for decision is whether the borough policer in accordance with the resolution of the borough council, are required make use of a time clock when going upon duty and when reporting off The burgess of the borough notified the policemen that they would be s if they complied with the resolution passed by the council. LARKSVILLE - Boro officials intend to operate with one less police officer this year. PLYMOUTH - Ashes and garbage collection will be continued through 1956 even NANTICOKE - Licenses will be required of all truckers engaged in collecting garbage, refuse, or ashes. KINGSTON - Building permits for more than $1,200,000 in new construction and improvements were issued. PITTSTON - During 1955, the city constructed a new garage for the storage of equipment of the street department. WILKES-BARRE - Tax free property in the city has reached $32,757,515 representing a figure that is 40 per cent as great as the t".— total evaluation for the city--$82,500,000 THOUGHTS FOR TODAY Visitors always make us happy--some when they come, others when they gc While the sun shines, much hay can be made, too, from the grass under other's feet. that gro* It is agreed that if the court decides that the requirement to use t clock is not an interference with the authority and duty of the burgess, plaint should be dismissed and the plaintiffs ordered to use the time ci the manner set forth in the borough council's resolution. If the court that such requirement is an interference, then an order shall be enter recting the borough to pay the policemen's salaries in full without tim< records. The single question presented in the case is whether this require r the resolution is an interference with the duties and authority of the bu and beyond the power of the borough council to enact. The Act of Assembly specifically states that after the appointincut borough policeman the burgess of the borough shall have full charge' ai trol of the —a police force and shall direct the time during which, the pla< and the manner in which the chief of police and the police force rihall p their duties . T* it is the duty of the burgess to keep some ie the time when Undoubtedly the '-'-j policemen arc on duty. The controversy here seem* the manner rin which such records shall be kept. II 1* argued that the I rnosf .1 efficient manner is in the use of a time clock, There in this 7 argument. rt onic Ini However, we are confronted with the dlllh c°uncil T seeks to < nit y th.it th. make one of the duties of the polit omen n clock. It is i i.i l> t ng mu <>| Record s is a clear, under the Act of Assembly, tli.it the making duty clearly I" "1* fore within the authority given Io the buig« »« apparent It I 4 that the bo �lcts__2£ THE 1955 GENERAL ASSEMBLY . x iq7 (HB 656) Increases monthly compensationi paid to ,DE - Act .------ c a a ■« zx populations from 5,000 to 10,000 to $50, o„d in ■OL- V, NO. 2 nin boroughs v 3Ver 7o 10,000 to S $100. 000 t0 100' a . x 222 ??■> (HB 229) Prohibits PRACTICES- Act .. in municipal . g YMENT L-----employment such practices as requiring information igion, national origin, ancestry and race, use of " ° relatin hing discriminatory help wanted ads; creates a St quota" systems* penalties. ate FEPC; TAXES Act 186 (SB Clarifies aggregate taxr levy-’ ellrnina r itent and- publishing of 459) ordinances of reenactmenttes ing existing tax reenacted; authorizes budget revision tQ1"08 Sh°rt reenacted; authorizes budget revision to reflect receipts. ° re Eect - Act 187 (HB 1078) Authorizes school boards to permit use as meeting places for public bodies . lCES WHAT ' S NEW ? - Boro officials intend to operate with one less police officer Ashes and garbage collection will be continued through 19 56 even is may be earmarked for creek projects . Licenses will be required of all truckers engaged in collecting 'efuse, or ashes. uilding permits for more than $1,200,000 in new construction /ements were issued. uring 1955, the city constructed a new garage for the storage of of the street department. E - Tax free property in the city has reached $32,757,515 ng a figure that is 40 per cent as great as tthe — total ------- evaluation '--$82,500,000 thoughts FOR TODAY ways make us happy--some when they come, others when they & un shines, much hay can be made, too, from the grass that gro^ :et. WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, POLICE DEPARTMENT OF FORD CITY VS. PA. FEBRUARY 15,1956 FORD CITY In the Court of Common Pleas of Armstrong County, Pennsylvania Number 212. June Term, 1955. Complaint in Mandamus. in mandamus to compel the Borough Counci^o^F^CH^Bor^u h^ them in accordance with the contracts of employment g ° Pay After the action was instituted the parties by stipulation agreed upon a case stated. The question for decision is whether ' the borough policemen, in accordance with the resolution of the borough council, are required to make use of a time clock when going upon duty and when reporting off duty. The burgess of the borough notified the policemen that they would be suspended if they complied with the resolution passed by the council. It is agreed that if the court decides that the requirement to use the time clock is not an interference with the authority and duty of the burgess, the com­ plaint should be dismissed and the plaintiffs ordered to use the time clock in the manner set forth in the borough council's resolution. If the court decides that such requirement is an interference, then an order shall be entered di­ recting the borough to pay the policemen's salaries in full without time clock records. The siingle question presented in the case is whether this requirement in the resolution is .3 an interference with the duties and authority of the burgess and beyond the power of the borough council to enact. borough doT Assernbly specifically states that after the appointment of a trol of the 1C,eman the burSess of the borough shall have full charge and conand the m ^Orce ant^ shall direct the time during which, the place where, and the their duti^nne3" Wb*cb tbe chief of police and the police force shall perform their duties. the time 6k' Undoubtedly it is the duty of the burgess to keep some record of the policemen the mann when a P°Hcemen are on duty. The controversy here seems to be niost effj * wb^cb such records shall be kept. It is argued that the best and ^ost efficient : this argUClent manner is in the use of a time clock. There is some force to a argument. c°uncil rn^n^‘ However, we are confronted with the difficulty that the borough clock ° one of the duties of the policemen making use of the time fccorda ip/8 C ear* under the Act of Assembly, that the making of proper time fore apn a duiy clearly within the authority given to the burgees. It is thererent that the borough resolution of February 7, 1955, encroaches upon �’fically given to him, and therefore is void the powers and of no In the performance o arisen ia chpre is a wilful dereliction upon the part a remedy 1 . The law provides formance of his duties. of the burgess in the per. SEWER authorities A group of banks headed Mellon National Bank Sanitary and Trust Co arranged a $100-million loan by to the Allegheny County Authorft^^ hSS loan, "unique in the history of authority financing, " will be repaid th The sale long-term bonds in athe nextinterest four years. Under r. i arrangementof the authorityauthority expects to obtain lower rate on '-'ii sale of Mi bonds than it would at present. ne PAYMENTS TO MUNICIPALITIES Approval of the parent of $3,426,612 in the eighth installment to mnniei palities under Act 340 was announced today by Secretary of Hrghwaya Joseph J. Lawler. Act 340 was approved in 1953 and provides for disbursement to cities, boroughs, and townships which file State Expenditure Reports for the period December 31, 1954 or their State Fund Budget for 1955. Fifty cities will receive $813,684.21; 866 boroughs will receive $544,051.58 and 69 First-Class Townships will receive $182,724.05. The largest amount $1,886,152.71 will be paid to 1448 Second-Class Townships. Townships and Payments were not approved for 76 boroughs; 3 First-Class 50 Second-Class Townships for failure to file the required reports, All of the cities qualified for payment. the proper way to start revising the t3vHe said of the property in the county. He said th' Pr°gram is to take inventory regard to urban areas and by using aen'l^hotogrlXTr"8' >: an particularly in rural areas . WATER POLLUTION CONTROL A water pollution control act was passed j-- by the Congress j giving the Surgeon General of the Public Health Service authority t > prepare comprehensive . 3liminating or reducing the pollution of interJS” ------ a programs xcuubxug vxxc puxxuuon oi interstate waters and waters. tributaries ford eli itary condition of surface and He thereof is improving the san sanitary surf,. * underground ----------------------------------... ---------° ^rface and underground and irriPrto enCOurage cooperative activities by the states, enactment of uniform direc compacts between states for prevention and control of water pollution. laWS’ . £ any state or interstate water pollution control agency, he may Upon r q recOmmendations to any such agency, municipality, or indusmake survey trial plant. Small grants are authorized "to states and to interstate agencies." No grants are provided for construction of any sewerage treatment plants. A water pollution control advisory board is established consisting of fifteen persons, eight representatives of federal agencies and seven others to be appointed by the President. Of the latter, one must be an expert sewerage engineer, one must be a person who has shown an active interest in the field of wildlife and rec­ reation, and, except as otherwise determined by the President, there must be one representative of each of the following: municipal government, state govern­ ment, county government, water suppliers, affected industries , interstate agencies, and agriculture. Certain enforcement powers are granted to the Surgeon General to abate pollu­ tion of interstate waters which endanger the health or welfare of persons in a state other than that in which the pollution is discharged. THOUGHTS FOR The funds are diverted from the Motor Fund and are specifically used for highway purposes in the municipalities. TODAY Be thankful if your life is somewhat of a grind, it keeps your good points getting dull. AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY _nedSteps recently by James to readjust tax A- s Patt Gnt systems on a county-wide basis were outLuzerrtrn^nt Com^erce,' Co^? ChUf °f T^hnical Division, Pennsylvania County Loca, Redevelopment Bureau, at the meeting of Aeaoctation at Wukee College dining hall. People living in our large cities today are confronted with two problems -where to park and where to jump. PUBLICATION the Politi-N?Wa"letter > published monthly as a community service, originates in In ,!?!I?A <*------ n_glUe!t,iOn8' Paterson stressed toward the close of the session ,olitica addre8aed t Science Department of Wilkes College. Notes and inquires maybe tax assessments should be- a technical and business-like matter and not a P1 ^ilkes-i} ° ^r" Hug° V' Mailey, Political Science Department, Wilkes College, ------one. rre, Pennsylvania. �■OL.V- NO- 3 ACTS OF THE 1955 GENERAL WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, ASSEMBLY PA. march 15, 1956 WILKES-BARRE traffic THIRD-CLASS CITY CODE- Act 23 (SB 171) Provides that no employee be suspended more than one time for the same violation; permits appeal to court 90 days after suspension. Act 129 (SB 193) Authorizes issuance of non-debt revenue bonds for sewer system improvement; bonds seer d by pledge of sewer service charge. Act 177 (SB 508) Provides that d ment heads submit to Director of Accounts and Finance, instead of KA ~ quarterly financial statements to be consolidated for report to council y°r ’ THIRD-CLASS CITY CODE- Act 254 (SB 457) Provides for appropriation by such cities to official police pension funds of a sum sufficient to meet the requirements of and maintain the fund. Act 207 (HB 1173) Permits con­ tributors to the police pension fund to withdraw their increment contri­ butions if they leave the city's employ or if they retire before becoming entitled to any service increment. UTILITY COSTS- Act 252 (SB 156) Provides for the payment of the cost of removal or change of public utility facilities of political subdivisions or municipal authorities in state highways . The city of Wilkes-Barre has put into effect a 60-day test of a parking ban from 7:30 A.M. to 10:00 AM. week days on central ci to relieve the congestion in the busy early morning hours when heavv traff city. Temporary signs have been placed on parking meter,7 the following central city area will be included in the narV L °T motorists- The inner and outer circles; Market Street from River St Public S9uare, nue; Main Street from Union to Northampton; South WaVhinp^T371^11^ to East Northampton; South Franklin from West Ma rk <- c* gt fr°m West Market the block. The only vehicles permitted to park will >7 reet to the middle of less trolleys and trucks making deliveries 1 CabS’ buses- track’ The plan copied from the City of Albany is intended to eliminate all day parking in meter zones, give truckers an opportunity to make deliveries and to make it easier for people to get to work in cars and buses. Cars parked in the prohibited area will be towed away at a $5.00 towing charge. A traffic court for violators of the parking regulations has been set up for a 60-day trial period ban. Mayor Luther F. Kniffen has stated that so far the plan has worked very well and that the general population has been most cooperative in relieving the city of the early morning congestion. PLANNING COMMISSIONS MUNICIPAL AU 1HROITIES- Act 185 (SB 456) Provides that an Authority's service may be contested before court of common pleas . Act 212 (SB 455) Requires approval of municipality, instead of PUC, before Authority can acquire facilities subject to PUC jurisdiction. VEHICLE CODE- Act 97 (HB 1365) Authorizes magistrates to send notices of informations by certified mail as well as registered mail. Planning commissions maybe established by all types^of^ci^subdi^^g counties, cities, boroughs and townships . In addition, an}.n nal lanning civil subdivisions, subdivisions, regardless of class, may unite in forming commission. The commissions composed the governin b S,S^°n3 are corn posed of a small group of citizens appointed by to the local 7 ° ^be P°Ntical subdivision and act in an advisory capacity localw legislative Originally, the 6or Public ®lslaNve body. body. Originally, the enabling enabling acts acts emphasized emphasized planning planning Was r S . ’ suc h as streets, schools, hospitals and recreation areas . Soon it rea ized t at private developments of all types were affected and that the location musing, industry and commercial centers could mar the growth atld development of — a community. �, enactments frequently implement the c ------- -*■ that the concept The latest legislative all matters of public concern, whether they be physi? field of planning includes . esthetic. cal, economic, social or even planning Commission to anticipate natural and. normal It is the function of a them, Planning is a continuing nd provide guides for dealing with them. happenings ai contain elements of elasticity. process and it must of Planning Commissions is nine persons in the case of The membership of cities, boroughs and townships, The terms of counties and five in the case provide continuity of purpose and objective.• The memoffice are staggered to ; thpv may mav employ such consultants as they U but they deem nebers serve without pay, within their financial limits. Cities have the authority to exercise the cessary w*.---------planning function in an area extending three miles beyond their corporate limits. ACTS OF THE 1955 GENERAL ASSEMBLY poration petitions from a majority in each portion where a proposed borough is in more than one township; requires annual association convention to be hels in Pennsylvania and fixes convention expenses; fixes maximum fines for failure to file auditor's report; authorizes creation of reserve funds for anti­ cipated capital expenditures; provides for advertising notice of intent to enact subdivision regulations and authorizes such ordinances to be adopted by ref­ erence. Act 266 (HB 1763) Extends to 30 days the time payment for property purchased from boroughs. Act 282 (SB 520) Provides a procedure for repeal­ ing or amending existing ordinances in the course of a codification. Regional Planning Commissions are primarily concerned with those commu­ nity problems which have no respect for municipal boundaries . In addition, this H0ME RULE TAXES - Act 276 (Sb 757) Validates until end of tax year, those cooperative type of commission may have definite economic advantages. What deed transfer tax ordinances, adopted prior to June 28, 1955, in conflict with several communities may not be able to do separately because of cost limitations the Act 60 requirements that tax be paid by transferor. may be feasible by a joint arrangement. The powers, duties and membership of such a regional commission are determined by the participating civil subdi­ PLANNING - Act 265 (HB 17 51) Authorizes the merger of the Allegheny County visions . Planning Commission and Traffic and Transit Commission. BRIDGEPORT PROPERTY TAXES- Act 283 (HB 114) Changes the procedure for appeals from assessments by property owners for the payment of taxes pending appeal and for refunds due as a result of appeals. Act 267 (HB 1707) Eliminates in Allegheny the prohibition against assessment of new buildings in process of construction. The Sanitary Water Board has requested the borough of Bridgeport, Mont­ gomery County, to issue non-debt revenue bonds to finance the construction of additions and improvements to its sewage treatment plant to provide a higher degree of treatment and greater capacity in compliance with orders issued by UTILITY COSTS - Act 252 (SB 156) Authorizes the State Highway Department to the Board to the municipality a few years ago. Because the community did not change municipal utility facilities in state highway projects, and to enter into comply several years ago the Board took its case to the Montgomery County agreements with municipalities for sharing costs of such changes; authorizes Court, seeking a writ of mandamus. That court decided, however, that a writ the PUC to determine cost allocation if agreement cannot be reached. (Cor­ would not be issued, pointing out that the Board had not requested the Borough recting description of Act in December issue.) to procure the funds necessary for construction by issuing non-debt revenue bonds in accordance with the provision of an Act of 1935. The State appealed VETERANS PREFERENCE - Act 230 (Hb 740) Extends civil service preference the case to the Supreme Court, but that Court sustained the decision of the counto veterans of armed conflict. y court. The request now being made to the Borough by the Board is is accor­ dance with the provisions of that Act. THOUGHTS FOR TODAY nf th rhe request 10r issuing the bonds also states that provision for the payment or charo ercSt a"d princlPal of the bond issue be made by imposing a sewer rental I just want you to loan me enough to tide me over until something unexpectedly or charge, winch is also authorized by the Act. turns up. PUBLICATION 8 letter- Published monthly as a community service, originatesi in the Political Scienc •^ Department of Wilkes College. Notes and inquires may be addressed to Dr. J" 6 , ’ bailey, Political Science Department, Wilkes Colleg0' Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania? There once was a man who called a spade a spade, until he stumbled on one inthe dark. �WHAT'S NEW? city officials will soon decide whether to WILKES-BARRE - Wilkes-Barre ’ float a bond issue of $300, 000 or more for such items as a new s~ swimming pool, heavy motor equipment, assessment maps and bookkeeping machin —les . L. V. NO. 4 WILKES COLLEGE, LUZERNE COUNTY -- The County Lonmu^wu^s ------------------V Commissioner are presently consider’ g r..’----- ■•"J reassessment program for the whole e— county. the costs of a. comprehensive 1956 total valuation - realestate, coal and occupation a J The county's 1 ' ’ under the 1955 valuation. r°Ppecj $565,232i ' DURYEA - Two women ---Mrs. Julian Jackson, councilman, and Mrs. Jennie Barlik, secretary---will have pre-eminent roles in the borough's local government. LARKSVILLE - Sergeant Stanley Piekanski was advanced to Chief of Police at a recent reorganization meeting. FORTY-FORT - All officers, patrolmen and other borough employers were re­ appointed at the reorganization meeting. WYOMING - Attorney Emanuella Falcone is the first woman to be appointed sol­ icitor for any Wyoming Valley community. NANTICOKE - The Mayor's office reports a gratifying response to letters re­ cently sent out requesting property owners to repair and improve dilapi­ dated sidewalks. SWOf ERV ILLE - The council has made it more inviting for persons at the Town Hall by installing modern sanitary facilities . resurvey. The engineering engineering firm firm would would locate locate a plant site to care four communities. The rate would be adjusted so that the joint plan ’ would be less for each municipality than it would --------be —; if each community operated its own plant. APRIL 15, 1956 Zoning is primarily concerned with controlling the various uses of land and is one of the major powers for implementing planning. It is a means to an end and not an end in itself. To achieve its maximum value in service to the community it must be a part of and based on comprehensive and continuing planning. All civil divisions, counties, cities, boroughs and townships, have the authority to use the zoning powers. By nature zoning is technical with exten­ sive legal ramifications embracing both statutory and case law. It is widely known as a "legal tool" of planning. Reduced to outline form the following are the purposes of zoning: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. EXETER - The council has abolished the Board of Health and turned the commu­ nity's health function over to the State Department of Health. a PA. ZONING BACK MOUNTAIN - Many residents of the area feel that the time has come for paid fire truck and ambulance drivers. UP-RIVER COMMUNITIES - Agreement for a joint sewage disposal plant was nearer it was reported at a u recent meeting of the Public Services Commitee of the Chamber of Commerce. T u»i. x xwo-^*** • . It was also reported that Pittston, West Pittston, Exeter and Wyoming have agreed to put up $1,000 pro ra WILKES-BARRE, 7. 8. To promote health, safety, morals or the general welfare To lessen congestion in the streets To insure safety from fire, panic and other dangers To provide adequate light and air To prevent the overcrowding of land and avoid undue con­ centration of population To facilitate adequate provision of: (a) Transportation (b) Water (c) Sewerage (d) Parks and playgrounds (e) Other public requirements To conserve the value of buildings and land To encourage the most appropriate use of the land throughout the civil division. These purposes to be accomplished by: 1. Regulating the height, number of stories, and size of 2. 3. 4. 5. buildings and structures. Regulating the percentage of lot that may be occupied. Specifying the size of yards, courts and other open spaces. Controlling the density of population. Regulating the location and use of buildings, structures and land for trade, industry, residence, agriculture, or other purposes. �division may be divided into dist In 'raming a zoun.b dinance, a All regulations must be unifo,?0 ts of ' shape and size as zoning may be°rdeemed best, district may differ from thosj ^for may bc each district, but the regulations in one ln an. FOURTH ANNUAL DINNER Plans are being made for the fourth ann„=i local officials. This dinner has annually been h the Luzerne County be enacted only under special proceduDining Room. No definite date has been set a. „ 7 the Wilkes Colle8e ■ u res. A zoning can d ted t0 recommend to the local Ordinances for be forthcoming in the near future. Remember announcement wiu must first be PF ning commission may act as c°uncii ficates will be awarded to those who have comni e adleS are lnvlted- Certizoning c3mnliX?ed regulations,ust hold advertised public hearings. a and to those who have completed the health offf/ & * COUncllmen's course ,M var>»«s Pr-->P°* commis31011 ™ dationS, the council must also holdAfter made to those local officials who have given unst /T8*/ WiU be Th' s its recommen —1 adver. to their communities over a long period of time '"n"8 7 °ffthelr time and efforts the Commission maxe these latter awards should be forwarded to the PolitSlV' th°Se deServe tised public hearings. soon as possible. 6 Polltlcal Science Department as be advertised by reference to the approved map Zoning ordinances and regulations ax-’-other. I S are followed in changing zoning regulaGenerally the same procedur • ^the directly affected area object to a change, ;. If 29% or more of those. 111 i.. ^sually required for its authorization. tions a larger majority of the c ACTS OF THE 1956 GENERAL ASSEMBLY FIRST CLASS TOWNSHIP CODE - Act 301 (HB 874) Increases to 15 mills the maximum tax rate for general purposes and to 5 mills the additional tax that may be levied with court approval. Proper administration of the zoning ordinance requires a Board of Appeals gr Adjustment. The preparation of a satisfactory ordinance usually requires HOME RULE TAXES - Act 300 (SB 7 58) Permits municipalities to designate experience and technical training and professional guidance. The ordinance whether transferor or transferee shall pay deed transfer tax. should not only forbid certain types of development, but should also encourage the type of development which the community desires . It should be a positive rather than a negative force. Above all, the zoning ordinance should be based on an accepted community plan. SALT SPREADER The city of Wilkes-Barre has decided to purchase eight salt spreaders to be usee in the spreading of rock salt to melt ice and snow on central city streets Rock salt was spread by hand this last winter to determine the cost factor whe w°Hhared With Cinderin8‘ Since the results were satisfactory, the use of sa •tmu.d and the city will purchase mechanical salt spreaders. PUBLIC BUILDINGS - Act 287 (HB 738) Authorizes boroughs, cities and coun­ ties to furnish rooms in any public building to the American Gold Star Mo­ thers, Inc. , and to ladies auxiliaries of war veterans organizations. VEHICLE CODE - Act 312 (HB 445) Requires drivers on non-divided highways to stop when approaching or overtaking school bus picking up or discharging passengers; on divided highways to stop when overtaking and slow to 15 mph when approaching; to slow to 15 mph when passing school bus parked at the curb to pick up or discharge children at school. THOUGHTS FOR TODAY Science says the mocking bird can change its tune 89 times in 7 minutes. We know of several who will regard this record with en\ y. Work is better than play - to those who love it. ST. CLAIRE The Fed T «al Government t Attorney has taken‘ stePs to recover - ’ hrou£h office of Federal District in 1951 forr the purpoSe of Drf. 030 $^600.00 made to the Borough ctile town's sewage disposal ok lng F^ans y°r the construction of an a1 comP1® lite Fede IV/n's G°Vernnient is nri, Although the addition has not been seizure the to' WuniciPal property attem?ting to recover the loan by nC u<ding fire engines and police cars • «< st. CIf PUBLICATION . thlv as a community service, originates in This News-letter, published month!) Notes and inquiries may be the Political Science Department of W 1 u ’ .ence Department, Wilkes College, addressed to Dr. Hugo V. Mailey, Politico Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. �WHAT'S NEW? " -imissioners passed the 1956 budget v’ PLAINS - Plains Township Comi ,'"hich despite the protests of more than 125 tov/n , a $7.50 per capita tax ' ------ --------- *' resi. NO. 5 WILKES COLLEGE, dents. js which years ago paid the bulk of the localtax NANTICOKE - Coal C°mPanie bill carry but 22% of the load today. LUZERNE - The town fathers are planning a storm sewer from Ch Toby's Creek to take care of the mountain water and prevent it fr Stfeet to into the lower end of the Borough. orn flowj^ EDWARDSVILLE - The Borough lost $880.00 in assessed valuation this year in. stead of gaining the thousands of dollars anticipated through the new ' buildin. development. WILKES-BARRE TOWNSHIP - The Commissioners have agreed on a1 budget of $44,971.67 that calls for a reduction of 1 mill in taxes. LARKSVILLE - The valuation this year is $104,189 less than the figure used by Borough Council in preparing the annual budget. The tax levy is 19 1/2 mills NlW i , 1956 mixes WILKES-BARRE, PA. MAY 15, 1956 1 x— LAND SUBDIVISION CONTROL The subdivision of land is essential to the general growth of almost every type of community and can be a great benefit if it provides proper living conditions for new residents and at the same time gives assurance of economic maintenance and service and a long-term addition to the community's resources. On < the other hand, poorly planned, poorly located or premature land subdivisions become 1------ 2 can L ----------j a permanent handicap to any community's growth. Counties, cities, boroughs, townships of the first class and townships of the second class, all have the power to control the subdivision of the land under their jurisdiction. This is an extremely important power. When land is subdivided the lo­ cal government has its best opportunity to influence the future physical pattern of the community. At the same time it can control the developing pattern of its public facilities, such as streets, surface drainage, water supply, and sewage disposal. ASHLEY - The Pennsylvania Department of Highway Engin eers has agreed to spend $21,900 for a new span over Solomon's Creek. Success in land subdivision control depends largely upon the recognition by public officials and by real estate developers that poorly planned developments are unnecessarily costly to the community, to the purchasers of the properties and to the developer. LUZERNE COUNTY - In the future ttemporary loans will be made only ■as needed for the sums needed, the thought bein^ g to save payment of interest: on mone) that was not being used but remained on deposit. In general, no road, street, lane, alley or drainage facility maybe op­ ened, constructed or dedicated for public use except in accordance with approved plans and neither the public officials nor any other public authorities may place or operate sewers, drains, water pipes or other facilities, or do no work of any kind on unauthorized or unapproved streets. DURYEA ■- Council " instructed its of roads — andJ sewers washed i , Engineer tto draw up tplans for the repl&cern.ent ' out by the flood of last August. DUPONT - The r18tate and a representative of council have agreed to Posted 25 mile —speed zone in the Borough. SWOYERVILLE for general tudy a The Borough will « c, Purposes 2 i/o r operate on a 17 mill tax rate for 1956 ’ 1/2 for street lighting. 141/ To fully employ land subdivision controls, boroughs and townships must enact certain regulations specifying conditions under which land can be subdi­ vided. Such a procedure is not required for cities or counties, although it is advisable. Counties can fine from $50 to $100, plus costs, for each lot in viola«on. Cities can fine not exceeding $300. Boroughs and townships can enforce a Penalty up to $1,000 or tow years' imprisonment or both. Cities are the only governmental unit which have extra-territorial auth­ ority. A city planning commission has jurisdiction over land subdivision ^tending three miles beyond the city limits, except where tins area of juris­ diction "may conflict with the zone of similar character connected with another Municipality. " �parking meters d that the parking meter is no longer pral it may well be conclul e. pennies and nickelslonger from tficant gadget which can pain n institution of great moment an ^^otodsts . It has become an A . meters and the revenues derived park„ ‘ ■ Bolb th. "'.J* * “portions and are likely to eo„ti„„e municipalities have rea ”»crease. The f rk”f„ facilities is constantly increasing. Con>mu. The use he number used <« „ ,Lir installation involve uncertainty and nity attitudes toward meter, befo ma change substantially. once lire “'“S’ »o While the bulk of the curb meters ' an_hour rate or its equivalent, there J?8' 8ti11 are tagged with the 5-centsthe part of municipalities to experiment an jincreasing willingness on desirable objectives. If the funds so deriv/a g w_Fh,rates wxu.erintoo^er accomplish derived, gram itself, are dedicated to alleviating DaX’ above °Ve the the costs C08t* of of the the meter meter procommend such efforts and to bolster th! difficulti^, there is much’t seems to be a developing tendency among m ? °f the Use °f meteT Th meter-fee schedules so that higher rates graduate their P^n. are placed on metered spaces that are closer m tn permissable time, or both demand than on those farther away. This ig the’generators of parkin', uable space should command the higher price ^"^-SXdprecis. — -e been tested. . r in many cities is an expanding enterprise; Because the parking; me: e m; and because it can be exceedingly because it is of an ’veI-a11 P economic implications - for all these reacomplex, if viewed in the light ot lodged in thoge sons the functions invo ve formed most expertly on the basis of merit or S”"’e’X because of political expediency or partisan pressures. , ®°°1 Sense' since the more val> an other things being equal. Dothe notgolden scoff any the lowly through flowlonger of the at pennies and parkin. nickel! ™ . “ may yet Pr°vide, "open sesane" for solution of the parkin. diffic„lr “ facilitates, the United States. 8 “1Cultles confronting cities in the ATLANTA ON REFUSE A vigorous tendency is discernible toward lowering fines for violation of parking meter regulations, and toward making it easier for motorists to pay whatever penalties are involved. Frequently, no sacrifice in the total revenue from fines results from such practices. The need for parking accomodations looms so large that any diversions of revenues to nonparking purposes is beginning to be looked upon as undesirable in the public interest, as well as possible contravening the legal justification for parking meter. Though much remains to be done, an increasing tendency is fnnrH i curb and off-street-parking facilities into a single legal, accomodat^ lnancial whole • An impressive quantity of off-street-parking xk ? _ °nS haS alfeady been Provided form parking-meter funds . Some of the largest cities j are among these. It is in this role that the parking meter can perhaps make its g e test contribution toward the economic and social well-being of the urbanized areas of the United States. que8tionable wisdom of the public pol- icy it engenders, the^oveme seems to be gaining momentum tion with that program not the “"’“•‘"i COmmercial advertising on parking meters dlfficul*ie8 have developed in connec- ”hiCh “ * Atlanta's incenerator actually turns up a profit of $75,000 a year. It does this through salvage and the sale of steam. The steam is used to heat most of Atlanta's downtown business buildings. The salvaging of old tin cans earns an­ other tidy sum. Scrap metal, such as discarded auto parts, bicycle frames, etc. is sold to the highest bidder. The incinerator ash has been found to be an excell­ ent base for driveways, parking lots, playgrounds and roadways. Little of this is sold, however, because of its usefulness in street repair and construction by the City. MUNICIPAL REPORTS Each year the contest for modern Municipal Reports sponsored by the Institute of Local Government at Pennsylvania State University grows in impor tance and scope. All communities know the value of a Modern Report. No commu­ nity in Wyoming V Iley has ever won or submitted a report in this contest. It might be worthwhile to look forward to participation in this activity. Write to the Institute at Penn State. The entry deadline is July 1, 1956. Remember the °ld maxim, "you can't sell 'em what you don't tell 'em. H hold. that the 8ervitude which may not lawfully 0 the owners of abutting property. It is cq_Uite ' aPParent that without regard tn meter may possess, it does effectively and u &ny other advantages the parking at the curb. In addition to assisting in the 8U atantially reduce overtime parking the parking meter increases L " ’ _ Parking turnovT/lt^6^ °f parking restrictions, second principal regulatory objective. T, at the curb. This constitutes ite that municipalities in overwhelming numbers ha e findings of this investigation reveal greatly by use of the parking meter. er“ ..ave found that turnover is augment6 e imposed without making compensaf 1 THOUGHTS FOR TODAY Wc suggest some new issue of postage a weeping stamp carrying a picture of tax Payer. are he won't know what you are y°u can always tell a fool, but the chances lklng about. �HOT-MIX CURBS t. c V Lil* wl -,rs, can be constructed I '' with or without gutte 'Vith a 4 is hot-mix. Their use i_ steadily on the increase. Asphaltic curbs, ‘ New placing machines now They heavy-duty asphaltic 21-wherever employed. mold the mixture into a varie 0,1 the give excellent service ied' with apparatus to i.. markably quick and much less y of market can be equippti of such curbs is rem; about 50£ to 70^ Per lineal foot. ®*peiu shapes. ConstructionCosts t WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, Pa range from a V., N°- 6 formerly necessary in curb c- The sive than concrete. C. fOU JUNE 15, 1956 -eluded the forms ’ • , a day. This type Coiis of ( truc. new machines havemore pre< than 2,000 feet of curbing bumb against it, abuse. When tires of cars or trucks ---tion adn can place J they d0 withstand heavy ai >als which cause rigid curbs to scale a, ■nd Pit haVe . Ice-melting cl' They require little or no maintenance. no harm. .. ROBERT H. McGREc.OR Asphalt,, CUrbdistinct advantage over any other type of v—on — a. asphaltic c_. no effect curbs. watterproof quality gives Trends in local government were outlined u v Director of the Bureau of Municipal Affairs in the n/V' McGreg°L Affairs, at the Fourth Annual Dinner of the Luzerne r °f Internal redevelopment held on May 21. Among the trends mentioned was the dT ? Officials for more and better governmental services The result citizenrF tlv exploring redevelopment to remake part of the City Nanticoke is presen y F m. City officials received plans and pr9. ment, with limited resources, has been hard pressed to ne f g°Vernunder the State RedeYJn7™tants with a view to replacing blighted areas with demanded by the public. The only choice in the face of fixed °rm 8ervices based on property taxes is to improve the operation. operating revenue SustriTlsRes and^arking areas. tettvt t?^ BRIDGE TRAFFIC A coordinated plan for changing bridge lane traffic flow to meet rush hour demands is in the discussion stage between Kingston and Wilkes-Barre. Such a change-the-lane plan must be endorsed by both communities on both sides of the Market Street Bridge. Permission of the State Highway Department is neces­ sary for the plan. Another step forward in cooperation. FIRE RADIO SERVICE Contract for a ^^^yn^y radio swarded by fire chiefs of seven seven West Side Communities tp„. Jhe sy.tm emergencies . Radios will be installed in one t ru<* in each of the ge® USed --------for r emergencies. •- ’ S_w°y Courtdale, Luzerne, ,er __ville, ..xt, Forty?/artiCipating communities: Pringle, Headquarters of West Side Mi" Mutual Aid will Kingston and Edwardsville. by the municipalities and Civil "Deft ---'ense 1 be ln Kingston. Cost will be borne The speaker listed a number of methods that have been tried in the effort to improve local government efficiency. Included among these was the increas­ ing professionalization of municipal administration - appointment of persons trained by schooling and experience. Acceptance of the manager plan is becoming more general. While 10 years ago only 36 communities were under the manager form, today the number is 75. Another major trend is the recent emphasis on long-range municipal planning and subdivision control. In stating that there are but a few municipalities that could not improve their assessment procedures, he also emphasized that this does not mean all taxpayers would be hit with the increase, but certain taxpayers will no longer get a free ride. Among Among his his closing closing remarks, remarks, Mr. Mr. McGregor McGregor expressed his desire to see higher wages for municipal employees in order to make public service more attractive. SALT duplication . , This News-letf.-. Published r origina^e6y nHuDePartrnentmonthly as a community service, ^yie^ f13 Cnll ~ -Ur . I of Wilkes College. Notes and llege- WiikeB.Barr Penn*ylvania Political Science Department, vs. CINDERS After trying salt on City streets has decided to discontinue the use of cm every spring is expected to be a tidy su f°r the whole program of snow remova ’ ter WilkeS"®arre savings in s*reet phased8 spreaders will be p �HEALTH. CERTIFICATES President of the Wilkes-Barre Board Of p Charles H. Min«r- F incipai health officer, presented certift •ftedby Edward J- Pug County who completed the Health Trainin g’ aSXht health officers in3 Board of Health and the p^.^8. Co^ This course was co-sp^ wilkes College. The following officers and Biology Departvennshak, Hanover; John Emanuel, Hanover; Louis certificates: John an Wilkes-Barre; John Wasmanski, Plains; £a H°O<^’ West Pittston; James Rule> COUNCILMEN AND COMMISSIONERS „ P princiP pal of the Service of the Dep att. Mr. Alfreds. Holt, nted certPublic ificates to nineInstitute local officials. The ment of Public Induction p^ co_sponsOred by the College and the class taught by Dr. Hugo . received certificates: George Astolfi, Public Service Institute. John Cefaiyj Ashley; Martin Gallette, Plains; Dr. John Biernac , ’ Kovalich, Newport; Anthony Kulikovs'. Stanley Scruitaky. Pringle. MERIT AWARDS Annually, the Political Science Department of Wilkes College Service Award to those local officials who have served their co™a Kni(fa fifteen years or more. These awards were presented to. _. Robert J. Wilkes-Barre; Edward Pugh, Wilkes-Barre, Principal Health O£t^e ’ Coun. William, Wilkes-Barre, Secretary to the Mayor; Joseph Jewell, a Q0Rectot cilman; Herbert Smith, Dallas, Burgess; Arthur Dungey, Dallas, ax CouncilLuther Nicholson, White Haven, Secretary; Clair Murdoch, Wyoming, port[ man; Thomas J. Williams, Laflin, Tax Collector; William Evans, °-d Havard Secretary, Board of Health; Emily Metcalf, Hanover, Secretary, micil®1811' West Pittston, Council President; Morgan Williams, West Pittston, ° De?af, Edwin Sites, Pittston, City Clerk; James Halford, Pittston, Public Sa ment; Dr. Daniel Robinhold, Forty Fort, Board of Health. CIVIL service eorboro SECRETARIES ? Tenure in office for boro co^ ’"° C°n,ention . secretaries will be an important facial 0 1sthe ^°a •c a ... ‘•ldb”' Some have the feeling that these appointed ° of tl-thoUgb ftccir; Sieves that the » ' and protection provided police. Another sc < ary should be appointed in the same way a of the stree0 (>' -tment is made according to Section 11 ■ B°r nt successor shall qualify." No doubt the L‘°C rioU0jy General Assembly will consider in 1957 very apP°^mentand^: the nure of boro secretaries. ACTS OF THE GENERA). ASSEMBLY DELINQUENT TAX SALES - Act 298 (SB 523) pPn • treasurers' sale to pay, in addition to am R®quires Purchasers at a part necessary to pay all taxes an ar™ °Unt of Purchase money or chase money; provides for the ’forteiturenofeqiia2 tO 25% °.f the pur“ fails to make complete settlement in the timSUC ,m°nies i£ Purchaser the money to be disposed of in the same ma ° manner Pr°vided, e same manner as purchase money. F!RE SALES - Act 324 (SB 780) Extends the provisions of the Act relating bankruptcy, closing out and fire sales to boros u relaUng it unlawful to conduct such sales unless licensed i WHS ^S’ maklng , • ■ r , licensed, in accordance with the provisions of the law, by the appropriate municipal officilas; pro­ vides for the payment of the license fee to the municipality of $25 permits appeals for the refusal or revocation of licenses by munici­ palities. FIRE WORKS - Act 325 (SB 842) Authorizes a municipal governing body, under reasonable rules and regulations adopted by it, to grant permits for use of fire works in connection with raising and protecting crops from birds and animal damage. PROPERTY TAXES - Act 371 (SB 832) Requires the appropriate county board to give notice to clerk or secretary of each political subdivision of (1) any change in excess of $300 in assessed value as fixed in the pre­ ceding assessment role, and (2) the value of any property separately fixed for the first time, whether such change or new valuation is made before or after an appeal to the county board or the court, fixes time limit for political subdivisions to appeal decision of the board or court to run on the day that notice is sent. BOROUGH CODE - Act 435 (HB 289) Authorizes issuance of non-debt reve­ nue bonds for altering, improving or enlarging sewer systems or sewage treatment plants, water works, and electric power and gas plants; re­ quires boros issuing such revenue bonds to adjust and, where necessary, to increase service charges to provide reserve funds for depreciation, future improvements and payment of interest and principal or indebted­ ness. _ EMINENT '.u 3 or actions .o cw of petitions DOMAIN - Act 430 /c (SB 53U) T imits theorfiling authority to a period of notice is served the owner of the affected prope “ proP" y - '■! the use of lands in coal Refuse disposal - Act 471 (hb 1593) Problbl . ,ermit is first obtained from the mining areas for refuse disposal unless P -State Department of Mines. �” Code - acx Act 456 (HB L _ Third Class City Loae wu 1809) SUBDIVISION CONTROL-ubdivision plan i8 approved by the plaimill| lg torr, 3 automatically are relieved’. fI.rorri ' p,«rides ,hat ", a„d mortgages 1 “ mission, purchases a . . __ t ---------------subdivision are freed from possible.encu^? “ability and all lots m the t fail to carry out his required improvement brance should the developer NO. ? /OL. V. ' Vilkss CollegeTH^^^ WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA. JULY 15, 1956 obligations. Boro and Township Codes - Act 459 (HB 1812), Act 458 (HB 181 n md Township Codes Act 460 (HB 1813) Provides the same for boros and townships ’ and TAX REFUNDS - Act 447 (HB 111) Prohibits the refunding of taxe fees that were inadvertently or erroneously paid a municipal’ °r ^CetlSe three years prior to discovery. Y more than THIRD CLASS CITY CODE - Act 415 (Hb 876) Limits hours of service for firemen to 56 in any one calendar week where the hours of day and night service are equalized. VEHICLE CODE - Act 389 (HB 844) Authorizes municipalities and school districts to use "silent policemen" within 100 feet of school zones, begin­ ning one hour before and ending one hour after school hours; prohibits use of such devices in conflict with any rule of the Secretary of Highways; authorizes Secretary of Highways, at his discretion, to determine proper location insofar as state highways are concerned. THOUGHTS FOR TODAY anh' CaUS y°“ * “ There once was a cowboy who wore only one spur. side of the horse went, the other would too. JU8t q“etly 'ake He figured that if °ne PUBLICATION te8 ------------------------ce This Ne —- • lews-letter, published monthly as a community serV1 inquirie0 th<= Political Scie' ^ilke» fessed to Dr.-nee Department of Wilkes College. Notes an ;HugoV. Mailey, Political Science Departmen , Pen»;yI, , Ivania THE ILLUSION OF SUBURBAN ECONOMY In the rapid expansion of America's cities in recent years, the problem of the urbanite has been to establish a home for himself at the highest social level in an economy in which costs are rising. Homeowners have desperately tried to get out from under the property tax load. It has been a fond illusion of many that moving into the suburbs will accomplish this. Actually, such a result is unlikely under the best of conditions. It is true there are a few ways in which savings in taxes can be made by establishing a suburban home. In the first place, if the core city is seriously corrupt and the suburb is not, a saving equal to the waste can be made. In the second place, very large cities suffer from increasing costs per capita. Beyond a certain point, cities lose any advantage of large scale opera­ tions and begin to encounter cost increases. In the third place, crime rates, health and slum problems, and welfare ex­ penses are all likely to be greater in the core city and hence more expensive. Lu, it may be possible to have the state and Lastly, by moving into the suburbs performed by the core city and borne by county perform the services that are i the core city taxpayers. The picture of large savings is likely to be illusory, however, and for many an increase in reasons. First, a move to the suburbs almost certainly means fire insurance rates. , bv location in the suburbs (advanSecondly, any real tax advantages cause -tauzed in the sale price and ----- -apitalized tages in the site value of land) tend to become^ |oses through jerry-building The buyer loses accrues to the seller and not the buyer. T ie uy building codes i- or skimping on building materials because of xnadeq no services. Many sub­ n nnlite way of saying Thirdly, low taxes is really a p hanites expect, In moving out of a city, about contamination and a urbs do not have all the services that ur worry at _ Th1 s c aU B e D a septic tank may be necessary. iation increasest, sewers may be necesfalling water table level. And, as popn ‘ tment in a iseptic tank aary. The result is a total loss of the n �Fourthly, services that they are available are likely be This means that are not likely to be to eithe amateurs. inexpensive. erf°rr ~ d by me r Satisf-^ctory a, _ y or Hhe’city but the suburbanite can be assured that they wiU thaase « 4 lnc^e Ld pace If one family is attracted to a particular Suburb, many ^iUbe, too.’ As population density increases, the need for urban servi, others increases Each new service must be paid for by additional taxes. r-- -ices Water and sewerage systems must be installed. Streets need paving Street Ughts must be installed. Urbanites demand many services. The discovery that these services must be paid for results ! in bitter illusionment to the suburbanite who had believed that suburban dis. Dving includ, the having of the cake as well as the eating of it. led CONTROL OF SIGNS It is unlawful to place any sign, banner, , or advertising matter of whatsoever on or across any public road or highway, or on or across any kind ture within the legal limits of any public road any strucobtained the written consent of the authorities or highway without first having responsible for the of such public road. rnaintenance »ZZZZZZpow" overhanging signs Other types of political subdivisions P^ers, discussed in an may regulate signs under general zoning earlier issue. garbage AND REFUSE DISPOSAL Third-class cities, boros, and townf’ . prohibit the dumping or otherwise depositin; ships have the power to regulate or or to prohibit the accumulation of garbage r ag garbage or rubbish within their ar Upon petition of the majority of adult taxable and rubbish upon private propertytownship which has been defined as a village, or contract for removal of ashes, garbage, residents of any territory 'sr*tb*?(jg ment sufficient to defray the cost of such removal. township supervisors may Pr°Vfi3e8i' or refuse and levy a per capita a ^phalt U) the/S Curbs and f CURBS and gutters gutters have four dii omical to construct ■ lact advantages over other type 1 construct; (3) they can be „ out 20% of the cost of otherW constructed much faster; ( <2) the* are eTsre eC°n01 8^r seX^ . SHADE TREE COMMISSIONS Third-class cities, boros, ’ and first-class townships may establish a Shade Tree Commission, which will have townships -1/e custody and control of the shade trees within the municipality. ■ exclusive The Commission may plant, remove, protect, and maintain shade trees along the . Any action on the part of the Commission must be published in one streets or more newspapers. The cost of any planting, replanting, or removal must be owner of the property in front of which paid by the the work is done. for the trees will be paid by the mun: The cost of caring icipality. In first-class townships the i Commissioimers are e-----or remove any trees, shrubbery, empowered' to cut, alter , or underbrush within the legal public street. Any wood becomes the p--- ' ' o_. width of any property of the abuttingj owner but must be removed from the highway within ten days. In second-class f townships the planting of trees along roadsides is encouraged by an abatement under certain conditions of one dollar of road tax for every two trees set out, by an allowance for every tree growing naturally by the side of a highway, 1 ' and by the imposition of a penalty for the cutting of such trees. Trees3 growing along uncultivated lands may not be cut down or destroyed without the consent of the abutting owner if they measure four inches or more in diameter and are beyond 1 fifteen feet on either side of the center line of the road. In the case of roads running through improved or cultivated lands, shrubs or trees may be cut or destroyed if the supervisors feel they interfere with public travel, and only after notifying the abutting property owner of the contemplated action. STATE ASSOCIATION OF BOROS State Association of Boros. Sectio , are authorized to organize 1 017 of the Boro the Code as amended Act 262 of 1955. The Boros of thec Commonwe interests of theby a State Association of Boros for the purpose o£ council and payment of Boros; any boro may join the association y mo delegates from the elected the annual dues. Council may designate one or meeting of the association °r appointed officials of the boro to attend t e a the procedure allowed which shall be held in the Commonwealth in acc eg incurred in attending the bY law, each delegate shall be allowed for i s . and returning from the Meeting $20 per day together with 8< Per ting shall not be more than three Meeting. The time spent in attending said thereto and therefrom. Each daya exclusive of the time employed in travei 9Uch reasonable dues as bo: *o becoming a member of the association ‘oro8 having a population o hii iay be fixed by the association but sue les8 than 1, 000 shall not exceed $15. �applications municipal fund Act 655, passed in the payment of $30, 000, 000 to of roads, streets ai._ 1 '’j . st session of the Legislature, provides f°r the V. NO. 8 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, -tor Li, PA. AUGUST 15, 1956 Fund. . rmula under Act 655 is identical with that used in •'The allocation tor i cent mileage basis and 40 per PrevioJS years. The money is^ {he Act specifies and that is how the Departiment P0Pulation basis. Tnat 15 ", 000 000 additional provided in Act 655 ■rnent has X’S’Xip.Uty. rural Ind urban, will receive more U i8 obmoney. -ouS Vears provided only $18, 000, 000 in State ' "Legislation inpm this to $30, 000, 000 a year. In addition aid to the municipalities. Act b municipalities, the Act eliminates the matching ----- 1 to increasing the amount for the ^Xs required the municipalities to raise p.ovf.ic which “J fully In the State program. ■■ $4, 000, 000 locally in order to pa p To qualify for the money each municipality is required to furnish the Depart­ rr.ent of Highways with specific information spelled out in the Act. These reports must be submitted to the Department's district engineers in charge of the area in which the municipality is located. They are then checked for accuracy and forwarded to the Central Office and thence to the fiscal offices for payment. The first semi-annual payment is due on June 1, the second on December 1. Municipalities which have not forwarded report forms to highway district engi­ neers are urged to do so promptly. LEGISLATION AFFECTING MUNICIPAL AUTHORITIES amends Section 4B (h) of the Municipal Act to Act 145 - remove any question regarding the fact Authorities that services of so an as authority, as well as rates, are under the jurisdiction of the Court of Common Pleas of the county where the principal office of the authority is located. Appeals are provided within thirty days after the final decision of the Court of Common Pleas. Act 633 - provides and authorizes the Department of Highways to enter into an agreement with a municipal authority for the sharing in the cost of any construction, reconstruction, or alteration of any sewer, water, or gas line due to any construction, relocation, or widening of any highway or bridge. If no agreement is reached, then the PUC will determine the cost to be borne by each party. Act 430 - limits to six years the period in which a person having any interest in land taken by an authority may petition for the appointment of a board of viewers to fix the damages. ASSESSMENTS thoughts for TODAY No man is remembered because he lived long. lived well. (Only some look it.) His chances are better if be The trouble with blunt words is that they have sharp edges. PUBLICATION This News -letter, .’ published monthly as a community service, . -eS the Political bcie addressed to Dr*'ince Depart: rtment of Wilkes College. Notes and in<^^ke9 Hugo V. ] Wilkes-Barre, Mailey, Political Science Department, CoW“ PennsypIvania. The 1956 figures of the State Tax ^X*et average, in the County, real estate is asse t fixed value. The market value for property in the Cou y V In 1954> $712,695,400 while the assessed valuation was se a is due to the the assessment was 36.7% of the market 0 hne the assessed valuation fact that the market value increased by $ > , resulted in some types did not keep pace, plus the fact that a loss mig of assessed valuations. ■ ,o8% about 3 1/2% higher than the average Generally, the State average is 39.8/o, in Berks County and Clear *n the County. There have been spectacu ar c lowest rate field County Centre County assessed its property while Clearfield was the highest - 75.7 o. high of 50. 2% in Newport to a low Assessments in the County range from a end of the ladder are such communi16.8% in Dallas Township. At the uppci 42826 �■ 1k s Barre, Ashley, Jenkins, Laflin> w Hanover, Wil* ' q{ the ladder are cornmuniti, arrior CODIFICATION Uke ^lip, N“ngO1‘' Sale”’ Kin8stonTLea ' Dallas Township, Da and Fairview. ACTS OF THE . MJ) A.^i.g boroughs with approval o£ the court to iniProve Act 98 (HB 683) *burial grOunds. and maintain neglecte A thnrizing payment for certain improvements in rm°nthly Act 142utoent°s8and further regulating the entrance of liens in the prothon, -aotary's office. Act 148 (HB 1469) - Requiring recorder of deeds in certain cases to report transfers of property to borough tax collectors. Act 266 (HB 1763) - Extending the time for payment on purchases of borough property. Act 282 (SB 520) - Regulating the procedure to be followed in enacting necessary ordinances in the course of preparing a consolidation, codification or re­ vision of ordinances. Act 531 (HB 1474) - Amends the Borough Code regulating the power of the borough to raise its annual tax for general purposes from fifteen to twenty mills without appealing to the court. retirement at half pay aftel XentvOlfSh P°hCe °f m°re’ age. P y twenty-five years of service and sixty years of Act 128A (SB 38) - Providing for payments by the Cornrn°nWeasewage treat**16” 1th to -municiP ties which have expended money to acquire and construct se a^es $3> ali' plants in accordance with the Clean Stream Program. ApPr j^uniciP”^ to the Department of Health for payments to municipalities an other authorities toward the cost of maintaining, repairing, replaci cent 0 expenses relating to sewage treatment plants not to exceed tw the annual costs. thoughts £QR today An c~ 0Ptimist ia a man who is glad he is not one "-3 credhoVs3'1 °f feeling sorrY he cannot pay his biH8< °f his A millennium is ■""'•tag like b”° «—• h. GENERAL ASSEMBLY a centennial, only it has more legs- recorded Did you know that pasting typed copies of ordinances or r in the ordinance book probably does not legally newspaperfo:clippings legally meet meet the the requirement ------ .or recording? Did you know that ordinances must be Properly signed and attested to? Municipal ordinances are in poor condition in tunate because ordinances are municipal legislating^ places‘ This is unforto the municipality and its citizens as state laws are^o th^ JUSt important Local governments cannot operate efficientlv and d ° 6 State and its citizens. „e u..d wisely ihrou8h c.,lt.^ "“Z™7 The condition of ordinances is largely a result of the failure of municipal oKiHa! t nize the importance of periodic revision and codification. ? 1 ° recog' Many ordinances become obsolete with the passage of time, the change in local conditions or the adoption of more recent ordinances on the same subject not expressly repealing previous ones. Some municipalities have been in existance for over 200 years and have an accumulation of all the ordinances passed during that time without modernization or codification. The solicitor may feel the lack of a modern municipal code most strongly, since he is asked to give answers to many questions based on local ordinances. He is confronted with conflicts between ordinances, between ordinances and the Municipal Code, and between ordinances and other state laws and regulations, not to mention overlapping and obsolete ordinances. He must find and study the relevant ordinances and its amendments. These may be recorded in several different ordinance and minute books and some may not be recorded at all. Mose citizens and even many municipal officials think the solicitor can take a quick look at the ordinance books and give the correct answer to any legal question in volving ordinances. Thus, many solicitors are unjustly criticized for not knowing the law of the municipality. t be held responsible for the confused Likewise, the clerk or secretary canno pxnected to perform his many condition of local ordinances. He should no * p weR His primary job, as other duties and codify and revise the ordina perly in the ordinance ^r as ordinances are concerned, is to,recordJa^e to interpret ordinances. b°ok. It is definitely not his duty or his p Periodic revieion oi ordinances U or Partially ineffective from a number at every session that may change the s amount of borough solicitors' bonds lbe law was recently changed to g*vt0[ the bond. existing orth”aU ly had to be ix the authority . Y ordinance, but amount �state laws and local ordinances Utl^8s frequently invalidate ed in the courts there is no way to be The courts is challengeCerUin the law or ordinance or legality- Some laws and ordinances have be:ei> in before being nullified by the courts of its consti tutionality or more b effect for a half century . 8 cattle fOL V< Changing conditions y-^aled just because it is no longer used, an or dj from running at large on There u nance is not automatically repe may, with unquestionable legal authority,’ decid/ always the risk that someone ---- » ordinance with embarrassing results. to prosecute under an obsolete uttijycr the various amendments in their r Hification involves more than pu parts of ordinances specifically proper places and eliminating> or1 and deleting those repealed repealed. It also involves■ aisca ;J ones or otherwise replaced by the inclusion bv implication or superceded by 1 ordinances are then arranged Of new and modern ordinances. and indexed according to subje - parts o£ ordinances are omitted, ordinances are put in the code. This reduCi »e —- — Indexing is very important since it largely determines the accessibility of the ordinances in the code. Each provision of every ordinance should be thor­ oughly indexed and cross-referenced under all conceivable headings so that even the new councilman can find within seconds the specific provision of the ordinance he is seeking. and rTd-7U^CiPa^tZ ShOald “d ^idX ord^nCeS- Solicitor> clerk, or secretary to revise " j°b f°r eXPertS trained in edifying, editing, for that of the municipal official^on locai° T attempt tO substitute their judgmen; times desire to keep cert-in r d1 1 ordlnances- Municipal officials somebut for which there is a t0 an °Utsider may seem unnecessa: biting the hitching of horsZ reason- For example, an ordinance prohimunities, yet there mav bp L /*e.es Would be obsolete in most Pennsylvania comsylvania Dutch area where & PartlCUlar need for it in a municipality in the Penntrade. The codifiers' job is t pe°ple horse-drawn vehicles come to town to harmony with state lavza reaniT 6 municlPal law consistent, modern, and in ) tin: codifiers are checked -nr^10ns’ and court decisions. Changes recom®^1 «ning body before being mco “ appr°ved by the solicitor and the municipal gov. incorporated into the municipal code. publication This News-;, better, published monthlv •he Political Scie: --nee Department monthly of WiiJ commanity service, or ^dressed to Dr ^US° V. Mailev D kes College. Notes and inquire60 Wilkes-Barre, blailey, Pennsylvan^ Z’ olitlcal Science Department, Wilkes Collet •vania. NO. 8 I. WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, pA> SEPTEMBER 15, 1956 ACT NO. 600 Principal Basic ProVi8ions This Act makes it mandatory for all boroughs and . apolice force of eight or more full-time officers to ♦"nshlps maintaining for their retirement. The retirement under snob = e0tabllsh a definite system minimum of half salary based on the average montKh provide for a five years prior to retirement. y earnings over the last To qualify for retirement, the individual officer must have attained the age of 60 and have completed a minimum of 25 years of service to this age in the municipality providing the retirement, In cases of less than 25 years of service to age 60, retirement is deferred to an older age by which time 25 years of service would be attained. The retirement benefits can be established and proved through the services of an insurance company, by the establishment of a self-administered plan or a combination of those two types of retirement planning. In addition, where Social Security is in effect for Police Officers, this coverage can also be a part of the overall retirement system. In the case where the system is entirely self-admin­ istered, the services of an actuary must be employed. However, when the planning is established through the services of an insurance company, an actuary is not needed as the insurance company serves in this capacity. provided the status of the police officer s emp oy Senate Bill 1019 which establishes the requiremen police officers. The qualifications are basically a ata stipulated hourly or monthly wage. T eJ™6™ than 5% monthly compensation; and when Socia hours and pay for full time mum of 40 hours per week monthiy not less ity ais0 exists, not less than on excess. The on the portion covered by Social Security remainder of the obligation is paid by the oro g an actuary. township as determine : municipality from taxes on foreign £ for purposes of pension, retirement, uaed as ugh follows: (I) reduce unfunded wi9e sii or township, and (3) reduce member pecified) may apply equally to member Gifts, etc. (unless otherw Payments by the State Treasurer casualty insurance company ^ability benefits of policemen shal Ability, (2) apply annual obligation Contributions. rnunicipal portions of future cos �When a fund is established under this the actaary borough u- Act, Act me Moxvugxxisortotownship shaU , ,:shed under this a > determine; tab is compensation^ ,nal members, (2) offset assets employ an actuary and fix his compensation. .nd to service for 8 un£anded liability, (3) unfunded (1) liability on account of prior transferred from any previous fund to dete fanded over a period not tn liability to be paid entirely by bor•°Ughbat ?or "future service". ontribution for exceed 25 years, and (4) annual cc Traffic Analysis Traffic Classification Traffic Density Maximum, per Per lane, lane, per day Daily Volume of Passenger Cars and Light Trucks* Light ASPHALT-PAVED STREETS 25 Medium • determining structure: estima. There are three basic steps in ^afftc. (2)pavement determination of the (1) support tion of the weight, volume ana yp selection of the design mix and thickness value of the subgrade or natur . V gervice u£e and quality desired based on the above two surveys and of the pavement Light Traffic Asphalt Pavement Type o o Single Surface « j Treatment u o k CO T3 O g h Double Surface Treatment s Road Mix ■O !S. 0 Q U o a x W Plant Mix 0 'H Macadam Asphaltic Concrete Medium Traffic Quality Cost Quality Cost Choice Choice Choice Choice 6 th 1st 6th Heavy Traffic Very Heavy Trail — Quality Choice Cost Choice Quality C Choice Ch 1st 5 500 25 Heavy Unlimited 250 Very Heavy Unlimited * Unlimited Single Axle Load of 6, 000 lbs. or less. BORO Selection of Asphalt Pavement Types for Different Densities of Traffic, as Influenced by Service Life, Quality, and Cost Factors Daily Volume of Commercial Trucks and Buses CONVENTION - JARZENBOWICZ The topic on the Borough's stake in industrial development really turned into a session on redevelopment. Since most redevelopment takes place in outlying townships, borough officials were urged to assist in planning for an entire area instead of planning just for the one community. One answer to the problem of shortage of industrial sites within a borough is to redevelop blighted areas otherwise suitable for this type of enterprise. State laws now permit a new land use under redevelopment which may be any­ thing that good planning calls for - industrial, commercial, residential, or any combination of these. 5th 2nd 5th 4th 3rd 4th 3rd 4th 1st 3rd 4th 3rd 4th 3rd 2nd 5th 2nd 5 th 2nd 3rd * 2nd 1st Cost choice for this t nd the ^lability Of’ 6th 1st • an area in Chester, Pa., Federal assistance already has been approv In New Jersey, which will be utilized in part for industrial ParkinS. Trenton, a coal-dumping and a twenty-six acre blighted residential section, adja. under which the storage yard has been approved for a Federa c p commercial and indusredevelopment site will be sold to private in 2nd 6th 1st 4th Cruahed aggregategariable’ dePendin8 uPon Redevelopment authorities are 1st C°' in Redpvpinnr^o-* t ->■The g there »»a declare ordinance or or re.oUlwn — . by „y oromance resolution that^ Th„9, the »n t0 function within the limits of the city 'action within the limits of the city thr0Ugh cooperati boro -^ participate in this PrOfa™ 'r°ughs can participate in this progra county comm regional planning. may a 9 ^^nt authority- " Planning. Boroughs Boroughs may also authority and work with the county r bor°agh may set up a redevelopment au thority • g to sct up individual �WHAT'S NEW? , nv nroject has been temporarily delayed nntil all property ASHLEY - The S°X“ and Waters DeS entry. creek project »' ,he S“,e D'Partment °f seen as all «U property property <owners ”™"s sign tha the "8hts WILKES-BARRE - Applications VOL- V. NO.10 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, Pa OCTOBER 15, 1956 of have been received from thirty men fOr NUISANCE ABATEMENT AND PRqtrcTion .. are becoming scarce and because indusKINGSTON - Because desirable lots Jiusual, a decline in permits for building trial expansion last year was i is expected. SWOYER VILLE - Resurfacing of some of the borough streets has been com. pleted. WILKES-BARRE - The amusement tax may yield $20, 000 less than budget estimates for 1956. FORTY FORT - The Council approved the construction of a storm sewer at a low spot on River Street. PLYMOUTH - Because of about $90, 000 in debts, the Council is considering the floating of a bond issue. WEST PITTSTON - Borough Council has started plans for the centennial celebration of the borough next year. EXETER - Council has asked its solicitor to prepare to seek an injunction against an ash cinder plant claiming that it is a nuisance. thoughts for today Those rare individuals who look down on their neighbors are on a bluff. usually living Children between 4 and 17 are at their and 17 the questions; and at 174 they know all the mental peaks. answers. At 4 they know all PUBL1CATION This Ni ews-letter, published the p<'olitical Science Department monthly of Wilkes---- .w addreissedtoDr. HugoV. Mailey, Political as Scie a community service, origina^e Wilkes-Bar. ,C°1}ege* Notes and inquiries re, Pennsylvania ince Department, Wilkes OF PUBLIC HEALTH Third Class Cities, Boroughs and Tow h' regulations prohibiting and requiring the removals authoritY to make vate grounds. Penalties are provided for non-comnlia nCeS on Public and priThe word "nuisance" is broadly defined and includes ,,nCe.Wlth such regulations, "dangerous conditions", "manufactures", "business" n°X10US"’ "offensive" or "weeds" prejudicial to the public health a’nd safety ^h "p^8"’ "structures" or Boroughs, and Townships of the First Class havP L of Health of Cities, mises and after due warning to abate and remove all P°Wer to insPect pre­ deem "prejudicial to the public health." rsances which they shall Supervisors of Townships of the Second Class may prohibit nuisances which are specified as accumulations of garbage and rubbish, the storage of abandoned or junk automobiles on private or public property, and the carrying on of any offensive manufacture or business. They also are empowered to remove any nuisance or dangerous structure on private or public ground after failure of the owner to do so. The obstruction of highways by the felling5 ^moVed" turning of roads is specifically punishable i S°durnpings of rubbish, glass or on notice given by the Township Supervisor • imprisonment, metal on streets or highways is also punishable by fine In the codes of Cities of the Third Class^Bo^rounder certain the First Class, the definition of "nuisance" is ex ay. The First Class conditions a public street or portion thereo , o a street or portion ot a a public street Township Law empowers the Board of Hea dure and on petition 01 a empowers street to be a nuisance, whereupon by Court P d< In the Borough Co Pr°perty owners the street referred to may e made by the council o declaration that such an area is « nUiSa:“iTedStby cZe'l. may P'"*™'X«p» B“t»ugh. In a city the Mayor, when author .£ nuisance. ‘ J o{ view„s to » P«‘ such find ,he proper to be a I!?r>y a"0 make a report to the Court,■ “^within sixty days. ' of the Publi, lc nuisance and the nuisance is not als0 made for the y of a Cityr rnay proceed to take action. Provisio declares sue passageway to to their pro/ay, alley, or lane if the Boar o owners to acce . a Publi -ic nuisance and if the right of prop " Common Pleas stating any property has lh' Court may appoint viewers from the County Csa8a8ew‘' Pttyi8 Protected. �MKTHODlorESTABUSHlNG A. Use of Insurance THE RETIREMENT SYSTEM Company Services B. Use of Self-administered System ■ for one person or any number of persons is providing a pension to q{ a sufficient amount to guaran. • iiv a matter of the accumuta amount of money required in any tee the pension for thelife of1 the^^^y^lled actuarial tables . These ? instance must be based on wha thousands of lives . The requiretables are the resu^.°^X same for both the insurance company and the self, administered plan. . and the sum of $1,923. for a ffemale. Therefore, taking the male ., monthly pension of $100. to his cre 1 r.is anticipated, this monthly inexample.■ , r sents a total of $16,7 50. Continuii aS an ng, if a group consisted of 10 repre coTe mployees, their pension commitments on the basis of $100. per month rnale? d a total of $167,500. •esents reprt AsSuming that both the insurance company and the actuary of the . t red system use the same figures, one major difference between sei)lf'adTnin^liods becomes apparent if an individual, or the group as a whole, and the accumulated funds are expended. Under such circumthe two 1116 lives too lon®insurance plan continues to pay the income without further cost 5tanCeSh’ Xf^administered plan requires additional funds. If-administered plan requires additional funds. It is interesting to note that increased lonaevitv ha • Sion costs over the years and such increases will continue 1.nCreased Pen' ffillbe 30 to 40 years before many pensions coming under’ a* day will retire, it is only common sense to establish a ref P S1°n Plan t0' guaranteed cost basis at the beginning, thereby assuring f “vZgX & Pension costs are primarily determined by the number of persons in­ volved in any pension group. The minimum number of persons in a group may vary according to the opinion of the actuary but in no case, according to the best of opinion, can any accurate prediction be established on less than 400 lives. be k-°”" -- - More attention should be paid to trends in pension cases since these benefits are chiefly future obligations. Life insurance companies employ the finest actuarial talent available and what has been their experience in predicting The insurance company establishes their requirements on thousands of lives and will guarantee their prediction. The actuary under a self-administered the amounts required to pay a life income? The following facts are based upon the average experience of the 30 largest U. S. companies. The figures shown plan cannot make an accurate prediction on a small number of lives and if and are not the selling price but rather the expected net cost to the insuring com­ when such a prediction is made, the mistakes or errors in the prediction are the liability of the group and not that of the actuary. pany and are for age 65 rather than age 60. er t^le insurance company funded plan or the self-administered funded plan deaths and termin'^.deaths and terminations . In most selfadministered plans, vance. The insuraince ’ company Diann,- & 10nS’ or credits are discounted in ad­ in both instances, it the discount is in C&n a^so de discounted in advance, but °fthe^-g from Jh^ct for the group, this simply shifts the actual costs <' ’ —J most likely be disaTtro” tHe plan tO a later date when a shift in costs would The best 1lype of planning ia tn a then accumulate the -r&dit as it occurs T,elterrn*ne the full cost in advance and ■ ■acti' cal way of establishiin8 a Pension plan wkrneth°d is the only sure and pr' certainties. h,'h eltoinate future financial un- Based on ?' actuarial tables covering experience on thousa which gives the lowest -t cost attainable, the insurance company actus example, that in order to pay an in retiree may live beginning at age ' 60, icome of $10.00 per month for as a male retiree must have a -111 find q£ live6 ng aS Amount required to pay a life income of $10.00 per mcnth, 10 years certain, to a male age 65 1932 1942 1952 $1,350 $1,503 $1,616 ^crease in cost over 1932 11.3% 19.7% computed the 1932 figure The best actuarial minds in the country who f°und tk iUC UeSt actaariaL minds in tne money to pay nn 4-4time 4*they rs x r really r o 11 V needed 11. the s, that at in 10 v years 11. 3 Per funds required benefit. At the end J10 more years, the addmo-l , can do I had in - ■ *— er cent! Why should any pension group Mterc?reased to 19% p lCr inc ’jr fo. itself against could protect It Height seem that the pension group a Single Premium Annuity conrisk on Cost of benefits by simply buying retires, passing the annuity ich employee as that employee i-- (continued page 4) �WHAT'S new? (or„e«P»H« cruiser and new police uniform s were FORTY FORT - Bids Council because only one bid was received. rejected by the itracted with an outside road conThe commissioners have con: of certain streets. plains for the improvement tractor , an ordinance controlling strip mining by ASHLEY - Boro Council passed ' requiring back-filling, and requiring a bond. setting time for blasting, A new ordinance would require property owners on a WEST WYOMING one third of the cost of construction. new street to pay an application to file for a Permit SWOYERVILLE - Boro Council approved for waste di KINGSTON - Street Department employees have completed the annual oil and chips on the boro streets. HANOVER - The Township has adopted a zoning ordinance planning commission to be presented to the commissioners for adoption. WEST PITTSTON - The Council has authorized the purchase of a two-way radio system. (Retirement System) Sin^ 1"SUranCe comPanY- The trouble with such a plan would be the fact that can est-bbT/'t-111-—"ulty COntracts have also gone up in cost, and no one haps individu-’°-Qll/-PnCe f°r SUCh a policy many years in the future. Pertee in advance the^c^Tth1111 P°11Cles are the onlY method which will guaran? - e o. the entire pension to be paid. THOUGHTS for k'»eaa.".ZXmed. 8r?rdfo'r a man to acquire a large vocabulary. All to step on somebody PUBLICATION This Nev- . ^-letter, ginates in the Political PubLshed m “^tinent^f a com munity service, Quirigg community service. onScie:nce ^ may be addressed to Dr Depart: . Wilkes " i^es College. Notes College. Notes and a— inCollege, Wilke . -Barre, •PenHugo V. j- Mail ey, Political Science Depart insylvania VOL- V. NO. 11 NOV 211955 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA. November is, i956 Wiles HORSHAM FIRE COMPANY This case is unique m that it has to d ■ responded to an alarm to fight the common enemv comPanies which other." With this statement Justice Musmano of the q UP fighting each vania began his opinion in a case resulting from thJ P.reme Cou^t of PennsylMontgomery County fire companies back on October q ToJ0" °f the truck« of two the opinion whether the building was destroyed bv th V are not told in untangled themselves, but we do know that the d/™/ . ,Whlle the C0I«panies lone exceeded $10,000.00. go to the Horsham truck a- The accident occurred at the intersection of Welsh Road and Butler Pike and the Fort Washington truck drove through a "Stop" sign at an allegedly high speed while the Horsham truck was entering at a reduced speed. The jury found that the driver of the former was guilty of reckless disregard of the rights of others on the highway, even though he had certain privileges under the Motor Vehicle Code. In upholding the verdict of Jury against Ft. Washington, the court gave some sound advice to firemen, as follows: must in effect lose their priority rights an e far as rights against each other are concerne . TODAY A sure WaY to get off on the else's toes. wrong foot is ~ I be quite strange to hold, rmeet at an intersection they as appellant's counsel argues that if two fire tru“ both have an equal right to be there, and if they P^ collide that is simply ible . The law is not one of the risks involved in getting to a fire as a is not merely to make s° fatalistic as that. The object of a fire truck s J Jdriver .g t0 ignore a show of rushing to a fire, but actually to ge through obviously imperi S •U elements of safety driving at breakneck .peedthe „b.le ob hazards, he may not only kill others en route, kct of the mission and not get there at all. fire companies. It may save yOl, Bl-ing this case to the attention of your 11 rr>oney. �FARMERSAKEACAINSTrT In hundreds of letters major portion of them are request ceived by the State Highway Department > or demands for improved highways. a occurs when some are pretty well 3atBu' the unusual sometimes letter from a farm wife in Bucks County. lSfi■ed ' with old style roads. Here is a "We live on a farm which has a <county road which so far has be en .... ........1 hear they are going to macademiz safe for our children to cross now we —‘26 it. It children for it has a hill and a driver can not see will be a death trap for our C— what is below and it could be a child. We almost live on the road and now the way the road is they still come down at 50 miles an hour and if it was mn c s. d g ize; ■oulZjust be impossible for them to stop in time. Why not leave the road the wi _ way it is and let our children be safe. If it is true that they are going to do it could we vote against it. They sure dont need to make this road of our's a speed way because the highway is only 1 mile from our little farm. "Please let me know what to do if they are going’to macAd«^, we have four families up here against it and two for it. " 1Ze for TRAFFIC SIGNS An increasing number of localities are iimproving „ their traffic signs with a "do it yourself" sign maintenance package. It enables workers to reflectorize painted signs and refurbish old signs with "Scotchlite" sheeting. The equipment includes a heat lamp, vacuum, applicator, and a variety of plain and reflectorized sign blanks and faces. Write: Minnesota Mining and Mfg.> St. Paul 6, Minnesota. ^™aldB£lopmewt industrial development ’ of interest in on th< th ?nited States today °Untn the m°St raPidly developing fields ment work " 10cal ^vel has been r n°W> the bulk of industrial developcommerce activTe related §rouP- On th^1^ °n b/ the local chambers of velopment C"’r“U>“atC industrial d.entered into th. worpUre. °f lndustrial dev.|SS" Even the federal government has Although some very little ill"13 °n the County 1316011 although on a limited sca", said that i— ..... Un '.^“''’‘derel^^'11 » general, however, it counties in th, “■•ed State,. Pm'« work is currently being earned on by WMN.p.w No inter„t? Such a situation is extremely unfortun,mate; for the county logically -3, which should in many instances be the is the area ,.u primary unit for such activity. should be especially true of counties in the ln the Middle And this Pennsylvania. __ .a Atlantic States, which includes The industrial development picture presents “ aF paradox; [ her of municipalities have little with wk.aaoxaa or... easily exploit the potential of theroom sparsely. SetH\ed eXpand -ttrwhi le the count^", expand, while the industrial development groups are the answer, a °f the counties Count °U1<1 wi.ty of Jobs: w" • A county organisation a^y 1. efforts devel 2. Co-ordinating Publicizing thethe county on of . national"",?""'" th. „«.ty. 3. Compiling a list of available industrial = .„ 4. Maintaining a storehouse of informal ’ ordinances, maps, water supply, tax rates, assessment Services’ zoni"g 5. Co-operating with the governing kr.A,, etC< ties in providing services to industry. 63 ° the countl"s municipal!. The time has come for counties in the United States to take cognizance of the industrial development in the interest of their welfare and that of the muni­ cipalities in the county. NOT,ES ON MEETINGS Class for magistrates meets every Friday evening. Class for probation officers meets every Monday evening. Class for Borough and Township Secretaries ** J^rne county Local Too bad many missed the October meeting of he L pennsyl. Officials with Clifford H. McConnell, Chief of Flood Con vania Department of Forests and Waters. rhprnesski Director of The November meeting “ with Anthony r.^nern.^ Bureau of Social Security for Municipal Employees ic, and »»»-mov.1- Th. date .nd The January meeting will be on i.--Weaker win be! announced. ------- PUBLICATION ’ ’ ' as a community service, originates This News-letter, published monthly of Wilkes College. Notes and inquiries may ’n the rPolitical Science Department c Political Science Department, Wilkes College, J^/ddr,?e^sed to Dr. Hugo V. Mailey, *lke8-Barre, • Pennsylvania �WHAT'S NEW? VOL. V. N 12 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA. DECEMBER 15, 1956 --- of Streets states that the rnewly adOpted WILKES-BARRE - The Director for street cleaning has received the heart schedule of streets 1_ — iy endorsement of all citizens and is working well. VliW ANNIVERSARY This issue marks the fourth anniversarv r u News-letter published for local officials. ADnr„ • Y he Luzerne County :il will borrow $10, 000 to pay curr^ ent expenses ASHLEY - The counc: out every month. The first issue of this NewsC°PieS are “ailed gram at the dinner for the graduates of the first cla r f°rm of a Pr°and township commissioners in December 19s? , borough councilman in 1952. • Only 35 copies were printed LARKSVILLE - The Mountain Road may be taken over by the State High. way Department in January. PITTSTON - Employees of the Street Department started re surfacing Frothingham Street. who have made this News-letter possible: Dr. Eugene S^. Mey Indtheloarf NANTICOKE - The Council intends repairing the broken sanitary sewer lines in the near future. of Trustees of Wilkes College; all those who are part of the "production" staffand the local officials who find the letter interesting and informative. NUANGOLA - Borough Councilman, Charles A. Jones passed away last month. Mr. Jones was among the select few in the first class of Borough Councilmen, who received certificates from the PSI and the Political Science Department on December 15, 1952. SPEAKER The speaker for the next meeting of the Luzerne County Local Offi­ cials will be William B. Wilkinson from Cayuga Salt Sales Service. He will be accompanied by Mr. Carl Warren, engineer for the firm. "Ice and Snow Removal with Salt" Subject: Monday, January 21, 1957 at 6:30 P M. Time: Luzerne County Boroughs Association Host: -RDS\ ILLE - The tax income from the Shopping Center on Narrows Road has jumped 400% in the last two years. Whereas the area was is asno Per acre 10 years ago, today the ground in the area is assessed at $20 per foot. TRAINING COURSE FOR BOROUGH SECRETARIES THOUGHTS FOR today The remaining three meetings of this training course Working for the public is rough - if you're a deserve the job, if you're not you can't get it. liar you <J°n a two Another way men learn to be °id 8'MOchild whoTte ‘ _oss. good losers is by trying to Wednesday January 16, 1957 teach Wednesday ebruary2Qj 1957 ARTHUR HOOVER Wilkes College CONNIE LIZDAS Wilkes-Barre Record ROBERT FREEBURN follow: "Improving Contacts With Citizens" "Finance and Budget preparation" HERMAN OTTO League Pennsylvania Economy (continued on page 2) 1 �located in the fore part of each ordinance : booh, is an alphabetical ind f this kind has twenty-six pages , one page for c each The typical index Entries are made on the appropriate alphab, etical letter of the alphabet ' •. This type of ordinance index is more suit. page in chronology ------is only one ordinance book than where there are tw ° or able where there 1 several books. the annual report The printed annual report has received increasing attention from municipal officials during recent years. The number of municipalities issuing annual reports has increased as urban population has spiraled and municipal activities have expanded. Although it is desirable that the following topics be included in the annual report, it is not expected that all of them will receive the equal emphasis or be reported in a stereotyped pattern. The size of the municipality, the scope of municipal services, and the number of municipal activities engaged are factors which dictate the content of the report. The report may, however, be divided conveniently into six parts; Introduction Legislation and general administration Municipal services "Managerial" and "Auxiliary" services City's finance 6. Planning municipal services 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. section are of prima ’■ arran6ernent< and attractiveness of the introductory factor in arousing the7 lmp°rtance and frequently will be the determining design and should emnh^-ei" ! interest- The cover should be of attractive cipality for a definite n ■ booklet is the annual report of the mum municipal buildings n^,?0 ° time’ usually a fiscal year. Pictures of have Proven to be e;fecdvpC°n8trUCtion8 - °r outline maps of the city or state eCtive cover designs. The introdrPM administrativ, ’-'rs in a^S° should contain a directory of nlUI\ary --/e office of outstanding th® £overning body, and a brief surrl. ‘n8 municipal eventBC a statement of -ens' rol ° • P&St year ’ A final desirable feature the citiz, v>ces affect the indgovernment, indicating how city ser ■Vidual in his PW,iCiW“ '• — everyday Hfe and how the individual can -—tent, (contii lnued in the next issue) TRAINING COURSE FOR BORottc-H SECRETARIES (continued) HOWARD KENNEDY, former "Municipal Liability. solicitor, Wilkes-Barre J. F. SALLADA Greater Wilk.s-B.er. As..ciltion of Agents PLACE: Harding Hall, Wilkes Colleg.;e, Room 201 TIME: 7:30 P M. to 9:30 P.M. INQUIRIES: Dr. Hugo V. Mailey, Wilkes College Wednesday March 20, 1957 INDEXING ORDINANCES It seems beyond debate that municipal ordinances should be in­ dexed to be useful to local officials and citizens. All major subject titles should be nouns, since these are usually usually the headings which most officials are likely to look for. Adequate indexing demands that a given piece of legislation be indexed under a number of different titles, i.e. , that there be ample cross references to the various categories of subjects contained in one ordinance. Naturally, if the index is to be useful, it should be kept at all times with the ordinance books. Users should be required to refrain from removing, misplacing, or defacing the index, or any card thereof. The full value of an ordinance index system can be achieved only if it is prepared accurately and kept up-to-date. A card index system can be expanded at will and, consequently, is the ideal system for perpetual main­ tenance. Old cards can be removed and new cards added. The index should be kept up to date by making the necessary entries in chronological order as each new ordinano^ _ _____ : ordinance ;is„ _passed. An ordinance index in booklet form is more difficult to keep.up m date th;ian the card system. If the booklet form is used, the indexing o finances will require ink notations and supplemental pages. card index of ordinances and secondEmphasis has been placed on a , other usable index systems arily r°n a booklet index of ordinances. ThereThe aremost common of these systems ‘n °Perati ion among Pennsylvania boroughs. ---- �WHAT'S NEW for $57,000 to meet payrolls will be sold. PITTSTON - A. bond issue DURYEA - Council and firemen of Germania Ho.e Company are disputing unpaid appr.prialion .7 $750 for new equ.pmenl. WEST WYOMING - A plan which would permit the ward election of councilmen is under consideration in the borough. KINGSTON - The extension of North Third Avenue from Pierce Street to Rutter Avenue is under consideration by the council. PLASTIC LINING Los Angeles is currently building a new trunk sewer, 10 feet in diameter and 4 miles long. It is being lined with a vinyl-plastic lining moulded to make possible its corporation as an integral part of the con­ crete pipe. The lining will protect the sewer against erosion by sulphide gas in the sewage. THOUGHTS FOR TODAY Married men are said to live longer, but it's the bachelors who always lead the singing at the club. husband's ®lectrocardioSrain is a device that lets a woman know her husband s heart can stand it if he carries out the trash. PUBLICATION This News-letter, published monthly as a community service, originates in the Political Science Department of Wilkes College. Notes and inquiries may be addressed Wi!i ° r D Hug° V’ Mailey, Political Science Departwent, Wilkes College, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. �42^26 Ut42te6 P4L9 !i '6 c.?'.-. Luzerne County News-letter. 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Title A name given to the resource Luzerne County Newsletters and Institute for Regional Affair Newsletters, 1952-1975 Subject The topic of the resource Political Science; Luzerne County; Institute for Regional Affairs; Wyoming Valley Description An account of the resource A collection of newsletters created by the Political Science Department at Wilkes College from 1952-1975 for Luzerne County and later the Institute for Regional Affairs. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Political Science Department (Hugo Mailey) Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1952-1975 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Type The nature or genre of the resource Newsletters Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Luzerne County Newsletter, 1956 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Political Science Department Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1956 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Type The nature or genre of the resource Newsletter https://omeka.wilkes.edu/omeka/files/original/2012c2b9b540c3fbe97a95d92b851b7a.pdf 2b921033c109eec126f4d1ed31197835 PDF Text Text ��9 4 RARY [LKES-BARRE NNSYLVANIA �G*’ - 1 ■ ■ - ' ?H . ■' C.l G 24 memottne C--^ mers will receive tber5 s their cer With the Christm3.s seas G&iS' tbeir al public officials who ce l°c nding of their duties Science Departmenr is to these public offic its P°litiC is facilities ceive The graduates xtfho wi-* William L- Ballxet A. Tony Barbose AlanH. Bare Ralph M. Brown Thomas A. Callahan. Brinley Crahall Michael Fasulka Andrew Garber Martha E. Hadsel David W. Hopkins John J- Jarzenbowicz Be st o . Local Luzerne F. communities r epr esen. -1 ortyFort, Kin.gst.orx, — =-• r e Township, Sugar _ •» o - c 1 me every 'N ednesday evet class considered a differ et Q>ketopics . considered, in tne "’lent, making of ordir § Of I Ionina. C^tV X,§ the -to L -O1 c es C s' :sPe- k 8itCt*nv re �Ul t VOL. I. NO. 1 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES -BARRE,pa. DEC.15, 1952 GRADUATION Tonight 24 members of the class for borough r~- ” councilmen and township --or completion of their work. ............... SO near> the awards are a fitting gift to those local public officials who ggave of their time in order to secure a better understanding of their duties and ’ responsibilities. Wilkes College, and its Political Science Department in particular," 1,7 > has been most happy to offer its facilities to these public officials interested in ------ -a sound local government. The graduates who will receive certificates are: William L. Balliet A. Tony Barbose Alan H. Bare Ralph M. Brown Thomas A, Callahan Brinley Crahall Michael Fasulka Andrew Garber Martha E. Hadsel David W. Hopkins John J. Jarzenbowicz Charles A. Jones Gustave C. Kemerite George Kotyk Joseph Lakus James J. McCarthy Grace A. McGinty Harvey O. Nielsen George S. Sobeck Peter Stusnick Gilbert W. Watkins JohnC. Wordoski Best of Luck in Your Official Capacity ! Local communities represented in the graduating class are Nuangola, Luzerne, Forty Fort, Kingston, Laurel Run, Courtdale, Hanover Township, Wilkes-Barre Township, Sugar Notch, and Edwardsville. Meeting every Wednesday evening at 8 o'clock in Room 202, Pickering Hall, the class considered a different aspect of local government each week. Among the topics considered in the 10 sessions of the class were structure of local government, making of ordinances, municipal finance, police and traffic, fire and building codes, recreation, health, street maintenance, waste disposal, and planning and zoning. „ „ TT „ v Mailev of the Political Science The faculty was headed by Dr. Hug> agsisted each week by a panel of I Partment at Wilkes College. He was *Penenced pers.ons especially competen ation. Among the visiting faculty were discuss the topic under considerLewis R. Crisman and John 37451 s �■B Morris; Robert Pickup, Robert Freeburn, and John Semski of the Pennsylvania Economy League; Penn Williams of the Police Department and Milton Jacobson of the Fire Department, both of Wilkes-Barre City; Police Chief David Francis of Kingston; Police Chief Herbert Woodeshick^of Hanover Township; Sergeant A. J. Wilson of the State Police; Edwin McLaughlin, fire underwriter; Joseph Kane of the Playground Association; Dr. J. T. Millington of the Pennsylvania Department of Health; Mrs. Charles L. Shaeffer of Kingston; Harradon H. Smith of the Pennsylvania Department of Highways; Robert N. Bierly, engineer of five Luzerne County boros; engineers Bernard Bush and John Yenchko of the Pennsylvania Department of Health; and Dr. F. A. Pitkin, Executive Director n ■t •’! ■ W J ■ ACT WILKE S-BARRE Proposed 1953 budget of Wilkes-Barre was passed on second reading by the City Council. Third and final reading will come at the Council meeting tomorrow. Calling for an expenditure of $1, 953, 660. 90, the new budget exceeds ■ the 1952 budget by $39, 850.82. Increase in the millage is . 34 of a mill, or an increase of 3.4 cents a year on each $100 of assessed valuation. ■ ■ i / , i 9 K I u.-* FEDERAL HIGHWAY AID !| In 1952 Congress enacted the Federal Highway Act, appropriating $550, 000, 000 for the next two years. The largest amount will be given for secondary road systems and smaller amounts for the primary highway system and urban street systems. To obtain federal aid it must be demonstrated that the proposed project will provide increased traffic safety. Local projects requiring the aid should originate with the local state highway department offi­ cials. Under Public Law 564, the federal government will now reimburse the cities for the cost of alterations to bridges over navigable rivers if they are made at the request of the federal government, provided the bridges are used for the purpose of carrying highway traffic. Local officials may thank the American Municipal Association for this step forward. FORTY FORT Forty Fort Council discussed the application of Social Security for boro employees. The matter was referred for study to the finance committee which is to report at the next Council meeting. I The finance committee reported it has been unable to find a means of granting the 15 per cent increase requested by boro employees but that it will reconsider the matter before the budget is compiled. NEW HIGHWAY Initial steps toward relocation of the Wilkes-Barre--Scranton Highway to bypass Dupont and Avoca and provide a modern approach to the airport at Avoca have been taken by the State Department of Highways. This has been confirmed by Bernard J. Harding, engineer of the Scranton District, State Highway Depart­ ment. Scheduled for relocation is the main roadway from a point near the Comerford Drive-in Theatre below Dupont, to pass through the area east of the airport and then over the Moosic-Daleville Highway. It is contemplated the 145 for HIGHWAY GRANTS Payments under Act 145, which authorizes $15, 000, 000 each year to local governments for road purposes, were certified on September 1, 1952. This Act provides for a $5, 000, 000 annual increase over the former total of $10, 000, 000 from the Motor License Fund. Formerly the allocation was on a mileage basis alone, in the ratio which the number of miles of streets in a municipality in any one of three classes (cities, boros, and townships) bore to the total miles of streets in these classes alone. Now 60 per cent of the allocation will be on the basis of the ratio which the number of miles of public streets in a municipality bears to the total number of miles maintained by all classes of municipalities in the State. The other 40 per cent will be divided on the basis of the ratio which the population of the municipality bears to the total population of all municipalities of a class. A boro or first-class town­ ship may gain or lose under this new formula. On the basis of the above for­ mula, Hanover Township lost $411.53 from its 1951 allocation on its third quarterly payment. Newport Township gained $1, 976. 65; Plains gained $450. 66 and Wilkes-Barre Township gained $267.93. of the State Planning Board. Approved on second reading also was an ordinance increasing the tax rate for debt purposes from 2. 66 mills to 3 mills on each $100 of assessed valuation. Revenue from this tax is for sinking-fund appropriations. First principal payment on the 1951 bond issue falls due in 1953. project will begin sometime next year and not be completed until 1954. Pay­ ment of property damage would be the responsibility of Luzerne and Lacka­ wanna Counties. SOCIAL SECURITY FOR LOCAL GOVE R N M E N T WORKERS (I v i ‘I Act 491 of the State Legislature permits Federal Social Security coverage to employees of governments on the local level. The Bureau of Social Security for Public Employees in the Department of Labor and Industry, headed by James Jamieson, the Director, will administer the set-up. The procedure set up under the Act calls for legal election by the municipality to come under the sys­ tem, submission and approval of a plan by the State, and the final adoption. �{faiatcf, not be covered. A municipality may under an existing system m^y eiective officers, part-time employee Employees cover emergency employees,^ provision is made for retroactive select not to and employees compensated on a fee BIireau of Social Security has mailed coverage without any interest paymen . reernent, sample ordinance, samto municipalities the Act, a sample ““ ® pie resolution, «l » booklet of information. VOL. II. NO. 1 LlOr'&>■ WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE,PA. JAN.16, 1953 GRADUATION WASTE DISPOSAL The Graduation Dinner of the boro and first-class township officials class was held on December 15 at Wilkes College. The names of two of the graduates were inadvertently omitted from the list of graduates: Joseph Matiskiel of Wilkes-Barre Township and William Brush of Laurel Run. So sorry, Gentlemen. is a relatively new thing. Sewage was an individual Treatment of sewage . introduction of the water closet around 1850. The matter in America untilconnected the later into storm sewers so that human waste was water closet was then dumped into rivers. While the problem of disposing of the sewage may have been postponed by many communities, modern society compels that it be disposed of in a sanitary manner. Failure on the part of a community to plan for eventual sanitary disposal of sewage can be a very costly mistake. The San­ itary Water Board, whose administrative agency is the Bureau of Sanitary Engi­ neering in the Department of Health, stands ready to assist a community in an advisory capacity on how to approach its disposal problem. While the Board is concerned with stream pollution wherever it occurs, it has focused its attention on those waters that are a source of water supply for other municipalities. Organization of an association for boro and township officials in Luzerne County was urged by Alfred S. Holt, Principal of the Public Service Institute, at the dinner. Organization of such an association would provide an opportunity for officials to discuss common problems. ■k Dr. Eugene S. Farley, President of Wilkes College, commented that good government is one of the essentials in attracting new industries to the area. He also asserted that strong local government plays a large part in the fight against communism since a constructive job in government creates faith in democracies. According to an article by Mark D. Hollis, of the United States Public Health Service, in American City, over $9, 000, 000, 000 has been invested in public sewage-treatment facilities since 1915. An additional billion has been spent on maintenance, not including operation. During 1949, municipalities spent over $277, 000, 000 to build 208 sewage-treatment plants. To help those public officials who are interested in understanding whole problem, the Public Service Institute has prepared a collection of readings just for the asking. Write to Keery McAmbley of the Institute for it. ON AN ASSOCIATION In regard to the formation of a County Association, Dr. Willard Hancock, Director of the Bureau of Municipal Affairs in the Department of Internal Af­ fairs, states that under Article XII of the Boro Code, Section XXX, boros and townships are permitted to join together in a County Association and pay dues. The Beaver County Municipal Association is composed of County municipalities. According to Article 3 of the Association's by-laws, "Membership. . . shall con­ sist of such municipalities in Beaver County, and such municipalities adjacent thereto as shall not have municipal associations, and which shall by resolution of their respective Councils declare their intention to become members of this Association. " POLICE TRAINING made afterYipts to raise ool * t- j ^^ith some local units, have police class on Wednesday afternoons ' \ Barre Pollce instructing a basic s m Butler Annex on the Wilkes College Campus. NEW PLUMBING LAWS PUBLICATION OF THE NEWS-LETTER pule Con'S'- . ■>■>*». “<> information. Wilke. College, Wilke'^B^re' pXylvM• j''Y’ Political Science D«P“tn,ent' -•1 v A proposed new public-health plumbing law for Pennsylvania is being studied by State Health Department officials, representatives of organized busi­ ness and labor, municipal associations and professional groups. There is a need for an orderly system of protecting public health as it is affected by the installa­ tion of sanitary plumbing equipment and facilities. The proposed measure would �,u-raouoo HIM. sja iSrio Uaz S12H uazT SuIutbj;4 J -^oiiod s^oidtua Haea sj “ jo 1 JoSpn^j ■laqjo jo X 'tiorj sb aping jo asoqj tJ’.'BA 3qj 3 S SOJ3B J3T JLJCBq maintenance of high plumbing standards on the municipalities, with the State acting in a supervisory capacity and generally only in the event a municipality failed to accept its responsibility. Requirements governing plumbing and house and building drainage in all cities, boros, towns, and townships are stipulated in the proposed law. Provisions are included for inspection of work, and enforcement of the law. The Department's officials and the local agents will provide for the examination, licensure, and registration of persons, cor­ porations, and authorities engaged in plumbing or house and building drainage. INDUSTRIAL Zoning, a tool to help to effect comprehensive plans, was devised to promote the best use of land and buildings. Its purpose is positive, not nega­ tive. The objectives are to stabilize property values, minimize congestion of traffic and people, encourage convenience and financial success and sponsor orderly growth. In the zeal of citizens to protect certain types of land use, other types--industrial--suffer . Industry was assigned the land currently used for industry, land deemed not suited for higher uses and land considered unfit for any use. The new approach in zoning is to treat industry as an equal member of the family of land uses, to anticipate the needs of industry, and to try to protect existing and potential industrial sites against the invasion of uses detrimental to industrial development. ar j-sqj. JI anSsaq inouooa ts auixii ZONING 1. Principles of industrial zoning are: Most communities require a certain amount of industrial development to produce a sound economy. 2. Industrial use should be considered equal to any other land use. 3. areas. Industry will continue to grow and therefore require larger 4. There is a need for reclassification of industry based on modern manufacturing processes. auSauV 3 5. ........... i of lands bearing a favorable relationship to Industrial potentialities transportation should be recognized. 6. Industrial zoning and highway planning pout JO jotunui 7. Street layout should be given ^OOf st 8. Industrial zoning can should go hand in hand. special consideration. be most effective when considered on a metro- politan basis. I zoning by compartments for zoning by I 9. Good zoning today substitutes laye r s. I �|Uaui,«duxoo Xq sajnjijsqns • sjbAbj Aapoj Stnuoz pooQ •6 t. 10. Modern-day industrial zoning is based on performance standards. 11. Zoning ordinances should be permissive rather than prohibitive. 'SISBq UBJIJOd gutuoz jBTJlsnpui aq ubo taptsuoo uaq/A aAtjoaJI3 lsoUI ppads ubaiS aq PI"°^ JboXbT jaaxjg •uotJBJapTsnoa guiuoz jBTJjsnpui ,uBq Pinoqs SutuuBTd XBMqSjq P^ ajqBJOABj b '8 'L ’9 3q pinoqs uotJBjrodsuB rj •pazitiSooo r BaTjT[Btjtiajod iBtrjsnpuj 'g SutJtBaq spuBj jo •sassaoord SuijnjoBjnuBtii >asBq Xrjsnpui jo tlOTJBOtJTSSBp^ IOJ pS9U B ST SWql Xrjsnpuj •£ aqjo Xub oj pnba parapxsuoa aq pinoqs asn jBTjjsnpuj 7 ajinbar arojaraqj Pur oj anuijuoo iiiav ■Xuiouooa punos b aonpoud oj b ajtnbar satjinnuiuioo jsoyq jsnpui jo junouiB utBjrao Industrial zoning is in a period of rapid change. Since Wyoming Valley is looking for industry to strengthen its economy, it would be well for every municipality to keep itself acquainted with all the implications and developments of modern zoning for industry. STRIP-MINE SITES Boro and township officials were told that the refuse disposal problem in Allegneny County may partially be solved through arrangements to use strip­ mine sites as sanitary landfills. The double advantages of land restoration and economical disposal were outlined in a report by the Pennsylvania Economy League made at the request of boros and townships. PUBLIC RELATIONS ’I etrjsnput jo saidtouiJd: -jnauidoiaAap iBtrjsnput oj rejuaurt jjap aqj jsuibSb sajts jBirjsnpuT pijuajod puB Suijstxa joajoud oj Xjtj jo spaau aqj ajBdiotjuB o; 'sasn puBj jo Xjtuibj aqj jo Jtaquiatn >npui jbbjj oj st Suiuoz tn qaaorddB aabu aqj, "asn Xub joj jtjun pus sasn raqStq roj pajins ;ou pauiaap puBj ‘Xrjsnput uoj pasn ibj aqj pauStssB sbm Xrjsnpuj • jajjns--jBijjsnput--sadXj uaqjo sadXj uiBjjao jaajord oj suaztjta jo jBaz aqj uj ’qjAAOuS Xjuapjo saaons jBiauBuij pus aauatuaAUoa aSninoaua ‘aidoad puB □tjjbjj rruinnui ‘sanjBA Xjradord aztjtqBjs oj bjb saAtjaafqo aqx '9ATJ sod st asodrnd sjj •souipjinq puB puBj jo asn jsaq aqj ajouioud bm ‘suBjd BAtsuaqarduioa jaajja oj djaq oj jooj b ‘Sutuoz DNINOZ TVIHISnUNI iq pua asnoq ro Sujqumjd tn paS-goua saijtjoqjnB puB ‘suotjBJod □ uotjBrjstSaj pun ‘ajnsuaaij 'uotjButuiBxa aqj joj apiAO-id IfTM. qq puB spiaijjo s.juamjjBdaQ aqj, ’/abj aqj jo juauiaaiojua pUB oj papnjaui ajB suotsiAojjj ‘zabj pasodojd aqj ut pajBjTKlTjs gUE SUA'°1 sojoq ‘saijia jjb ut a§BuiBjp Suipjtnq puB asnoq utujbao sjuauiajinba-g •Xjtitqtsuodsa.i sjt jdaooB oj panBJ ■saiinpdTn' 1U° A11EI3U3§ puE ^PsdBa XjostAjadns B ux Sutjon tsuodsaj aui* a” LU° SpiBpuE?s Sutquinjd qgtq jo aouBuajuiBtu 631 Su^d “I Baidpupd apr-auioq oj Xpopjs a «qp- If you tell the story and tell it plainly, you can produce community progress. That really is public relations. That's all there is to it. Your problem is to ap­ ply the techniques of public relations skillfully enough to anticipate the potential barriers of ignorance, misunderstanding, and prejudice, so they won't be flung across the paths of municipal progress. BUDGETS Budget time is reappraisal time. It is time to consider the adequacy of the various municipal operations. Comparison of a function's expenditures with those of other years, or with those of other municipalities, may provide some guide as to adequacy. Small appropriations may not be signs of economical opera­ tion. They might indicate inadequacy. Marked variations in unit costs from those of other years or of other jurisdictions are signposts to further investigations. Budget study should concern itself with a restudy of the organizational structure of the municipality. Can it be simplified? All the personnel should be scrutinized. Is each employee in the right spot? Can a better division of labor be made? Are employees being lost to private industry? Should changes be made in personnel policy regarding wages, vacations, sick leaves, or pensions? Will in-service training bring better results? Budget time is also public-relations time. The cit­ izen has the right of review and recommendation. The fact that few citizens take advantage of their opportunities is not necessarily a good thing. Perhaps the citi­ zen ought to be forced to view municipal operations on a broad scale. Better budg­ ets will result, and local government will be strengthened if the attention of all concerned is directed to the positive objectives of budgeting. �-$ 'tSAo IS 4 3HJ jo Hs-eo °°° 'or* uoo u’t PToioaa c. slspq sSuIabs' J aqj lU3pi, !Un dlW^oj llnsgj WHAT ' S d 9ABq O4 axH Jaq have decided to assign house numbers for the house delivery of mail where delivery will be set by the Post Office. ASHLEY - The Boro Council took action to pay the boro employees before Christmas. [ St J3MSOT aqj n 6 JsdH31{3 aq I ado aqj jH qooj qS3IJ v ptinoj spq diqsu/Ao,t, uorreqa’q ■e ‘apiud peoox ‘Bijjcaux 04 anp b ajBOipur laiaiph spjarj Aubixi aqj^ >aya apetu aq 4snui suoppisdo ayosu aq ppnoqs sjBSodoud aq4 > jo uopppposuoD uiouj jjnsaj: \oqs stsAjbub ynja^BO jj ut pajood aq 04 jqSno pus ubo 1040111 jo sqBdai puB Surat utjBajldnp puB jstdAj ‘uotjBJtj qj ajpu-eq 04 aiQ^ 3CL °’ 1OU SB SB saDiAias jo pjajj (TJTATJOB pUB ■UOTJBXaUUB jo uotjBpflosuo□ jsdTOTunui }° pTB UO p-Biadooo Xqa-zam PU1B aqj qoja1 ! 5 p XB4 aqj jo 3UQ Xq spoqjam 53>niM The road transfer between these two municipalities has hit a snag. The township will repair the road if both the road and the strip between the road and the township is ceded, while the boro wishes to cede merely the road, The matter of tax adjustment is also involved. NANTICOKE - "Hold that line” is the slogan of the officials of this third-class the establishment of a new schedule of fees for construction permits and the examination and licensure of building tradesmen. The new fees for building contractors, electricians, and plumbers went into effect January 1. DALLAS TOWNSHIP - Officers of the Dallas Township Board of Supervisors IOJ 93S ST uauurp 3qj. ^I-Ialaj'e0 j 'Ajutioq -J Suipa33oj.d SUHTcI >3{ood jo asn uapiAx WARRIOR RUN and HANOVER TOWNSHIP city. With the help of the Pennsylvania Economy League, Nanticoke City Council has seen fit to decrease its tax rate by a full mill. WILKES-BARRE - An additional $8, 000 revenue in 1953 is anticipated through TTT^ ‘OJoq’ Xu N F. W * LUZERNE COUNTY - The Luzerne County Commissioners adopted a resolution giving assurances to Federal authorities the county is anxious to join the Commonwealth and four West Side municipalities in beginning construction of the flood-protection dike system on the west side of the River by the spring of 1953. EDWARDSVILLE - The boro is considering social security for its 10 employees. It presently has no short-term notes and no bonded indebtedness. THE NARROWS - The Roadside Committee of the Chamber of Commerce an­ nounced that the Committee has embarked on a program of beautification for the Plymouth-Kingston Narrows road. Steps to be taken include enlist­ ing cooperation of adjoining municipalities in a zoning program, planting trees with the cooperation of the State's Highway Department, and increas­ ing the accessibility to the general public of an outlook parapet. KINGSTON - Passed an ordinance regulating openings or excavations within the public highways, providing for restoration of disturbed areas in the making of such openings. FORTY FORT - The Council has enacted a program of sickness and health ben­ efits for boro employees and has at the same time decided to hold the line on the 14 1/2 mill tax rate. SUGAR NOTCH - The Council has discussed with the boro auditors the possibility of hiring certified public accountants to audit the municipality's books, and it appears that the plan may be followed through. HANOVER TOWNSHIP - "Interesting Facts of Hanover Township" is available in the secretary's office. Officials have had plans approved by the PUC for electric lights at Oxford Street, Carey Avenue, and the Pennsylvania Railroad. P U B L ICATION Z ’ON *l! •1OA This News-letter for interested public officials of local governments jn Luzerne County is published as a community service,. It originates in the PolitPlease address inquiries to Dr. H. V. ical Science Department of Wilkes College.. 1 ------------Wilkes College, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Mailey, Political Science Department, �'juauqJBdaa aouajog ibot;tIOcI «XaTT~T„ ' rteu^-Cettei •aSanoo sasfiJM J° saqilAX saqpM 33 11 J ut ssa-ipp* aSB3kI Xjiunujujoa b sb uStjoJI -aoiAJas [nd pajsajaiux joj ja;;ai-SMaN srqj, sjbtotjjo ayjqi . VOL. II. NO. 2 3 jBaoj jo WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE,PA. FEB.16, 1953 Konvjnsnd -----q ;b s;q3n aTjjaaya f aq; puB ‘anuaAy Xbjbq ‘;aaj;g pjojxQ •aaijjo s,XjB;ajaas aq; aAOjddB suBjd pBq aABq sjbtotjjq • ({SUM01 isaouehjo s;obj dIHSMM.O.1 ------ TTnj 3q 8uj;saja;u Xbui uBjd I1( aq;- jBq; sunaddn BT ;t aonvu H sjob gupsajajuin -----■? o; s;uBjunoaaB !P„ P—-p - >q; qiiM passnasrp POOLED SERVICES One of the methods by which a number of municipalities may cooperate and thereby stretch the tax dollar is that of POOLED SERVICES. This form of municipal cooperation aids in the solution of metropolitan problems without consolidation or annexation. Pooled services could cover almost the whole field of services and activities, particularly where small towns are so small as not to be able to handle the services individually. Police and fire adminis­ tration, typist and duplicating pools, centralized purchasing, and central serv­ icing and repairs of motor vehicles are just a few of the types of services that can and ought to be pooled in order to effect savings. ~ “X?TOns ipiaap aun; buibs aq; IB SBq Pub saaXojdma ojoq uo; sjjja satopts jo uxBJgojd b pajaBua SBq ipunoQ aqj, - 1HO3: AI.-HO.il • -sSuiuado qans jo joj SuipiAOjd ‘sXBMqSyq apqnd e paq-rnjsip jo uoT;BJO;saJ .Baxa io sguyuado gupBjnSaJ aauBuipro ub passBj; - NOLSONIX " ; o; AjijrqissaooB aq; 3ut ,ajBig aq; jo uoijB-tadooa aq; q;y/A ,d 3m„oz . «< .aOTI«<PP™“ If careful analysis shows that actual savings or increased efficiency will result from consolidation of activities, then two steps are necessary. First, the proposals should be "sold" to the departments affected. Second, the plan of operations must be made clear. 1° «o.,Su. p aq oi sdais ’PBOJ smojjbn uopguT^-q^ouiXjcJ aq; uoj uiB-rSord b uo paqjBquia SBq aa;;TUiuiog aqi ;uq; paaunou jo raquiBqo aq; jo aaiJiuiuioQ apispBO-g aqj, - SMOHUVN SHI lapui papuoq ou Pub sa;ou uua;-;joqs ou snq Xpuasatd ;j ioj Xpjnaas jbtoos gui-iapisuoa st oroq aqj, - S'T'nASG'HV.M.GS •£96l J° Sujuds [1 jo apis jsaM aq; uo uia;sXs aqip uoTjaa;o jd-poojj aq; jo gaq ut saTiqadTOTunui apyg ;saxi -ruoj puB q;jBaAAUOTiituo3 :b st X;unoa aq; saT;yroq;nB '[Bjapajj o; saauBjnssB Sutato Pb srauoTSSTurtuoQ X;unog aujaznq aqj, - ATNIIOD SNUSZm & The many fields wherein it would seem profitable to join operations would indicate a wider use of pooled services than actually exists. This is probably due to inertia, local pride, and the need for formalized agreements. Mount Lebanon Township has found that joint operations have paid. A fresh look at the operations in your town may suggest pooling. Would it be cheaper? If the answer is "Pool!" then the difficulties are worth overcoming. • SBUIJSTJTqO qduia oroq aq; XBd o; uot;ob qoo; jTaunoQ ojoq aqj, - A39HSV ■aoTjJO jsod aq; Xq ;as aq IJTM. XjaATjap Flap asnoq aq; joj sraqtunu asnoq ugyssB o; papjaap aABq pjBoq drqsuMoj sbhbq aq; jo sjaaTjjQ - dlHSNALOI. SVTTVCI t ;u3a\ sjaqunqd puB ‘suBTaTijaaja 'sjo;;bj;uoo gurpyrnq L 'uauisapBi; guTppynq jo ajTisuaaq pun TioTi'BUTLU'Bxa aq; inj;suoa joj saaj jo ajnpaqas tabu b jo ;uatuqsTjqB;sa aq; UE SI £S6l ut anuBAar qqq ‘g$ tbuot;tPpb uy - 3'H’HV9_S3^irTI-^ui pnj b Xq b;bj xb; s;t asnajaap o; ;tj uaas SBq paunoQ noBaq Xuiouoog btubajXsuubj gqy jo djaq aq; q;T^ 'Ml3 ° sjbtotjjo aq; J0 uBgojs aq; st ..autj ;Bq; pjoH,, - 3D1O9I1NVN 'paAjoATiT osjb st ;uaui apaa 0; saqsT/A ouoq aq; auq/A aj tttm drUE PB01 U33M,3cl dIJls aq; Pub pboj aq; q;oq ajsuBr; pbo7aqT^1 SER S3HHBd!3IunuI H3A0NVH Pu^ NUTT Si 1VHM DINNER IN MARCH Plans are proceeding rapidly for a dinner of local officials in Luzerne County. The dinner is set for Thursday, March 26, 1953, in the Wilkes College Cafeteria. The graduating class of councilmen and commissioners will remem­ ber the tasty dinner they ate there last December. A special effort is being made to have every boro, township, and city represented. The speaker for the occasion will be Dr. Willard Hancock, Director of the Bureau of Municipal Affairs in Harris­ burg. His topic will be a timely one: "Act 145: Its Continuance or Modification. " CITY MANAGER (2 President Walter R. Unangst of the Quakertown Council stated recently that the savings in engineering consulting fees for a two-year period on a conservative basis would exceed $10, 000 since the town adopted city-manager government. Actual cash savings of over $75, 000 are claimed for a three-year period as a result of the boro assumption of all construction under the city manager. �report CONTEST Jod8„ .He --= COUNCILMEN AND COMMISSIONERS A— ness. The goal soug t y mjaht be understood by the average orderly and readable manner so that they migni g If you officials bring uninformed opinions to your chambers, you act unintelligently and really let your constituents down. On the other hand, if you take the trouble to look into a matter, to get the facts, then you are in a position to make much wiser decisions. Among the tools available are: Chrostwaite' s "Borough Bulletin, " "Borough Officers Handbook. " You can consult the Penn­ sylvania Economy League. You are invited to use the Wilkes College Library and the College facilities. You can learn from officials in other boros how they handle similar problems. You can attend the annual meetings of your own asso­ ciations. You can obtain data from the Bureau of Municipal Affairs in the Depart­ ment of Internal Affairs headed by Dr. Willard Hancock. The sources are numer­ ous. All you need is the desire. citizen. •’ ! citizen has a better knowledge of his Remember everybody wins when the Get busy now for next year's contest. The Wilkes College home-town affairs. of all the winners. Read them as a guide. The entry form Library has copies and three copies of the Annual Report should be mailed to the Institute of Local Government at Penn State not later than July 1, 1953. S A NI T ATION ORDER Rejection by the voters of a proposed $108, 000 bond issue has made it impossible for the Boro of Bridgeport in Montgomery County to comply with an order of the State Sanitary Board to construct a secondary sewage-treatment plant. Although the Boro complied with an order to submit plans, it failed to proceed with construction. The State's suit seeks to prevent the Boro from dis­ charging its sewage into the River. Since this is a test case, boros would do well to follow it. On the State's stream clean-up drive, Governor John S. Fine held out a hope to hard-pressed municipalities for State aid. A definite recommendation may soon come from his office. MAGISTRAL E S ' CLASS Interest still runs high in the class for magistrates conducted by Aiderman Francis V. Murphy. /A class of about 25 magistrates meets every Wednesday evening at Wilkes College. The State Association has launched another drive for legislation establishing higher educational standards, ----------- - A similar bill that would force members of the minor judiciary to take a course in legal instruction did not pass. 'Tis said that "A man's judgment is not better than his information. ii This is used by Robert Cameron in the Montgomery County Recorder, It is from his article that the following bit of advice is taken: PLANNING 1° The Shenango Valley Regional Planning Commission has been organized in Mercer County. It serves two cities, three boros, and two townships. Rep­ resenting them is an 18-member commission that will assist the localities in planning and zoning problems. Municipalities in this area would do well to look into Act 624 of the 1951 General Assembly which created the Metropolitan Study Commission for Alle­ gheny County. Section I of that Act states that the Commission was created in order to promote the uniform development of the 129 municipalities in the County and encourage these same to cooperate in meeting the problems attendant to the growth of the County. PARKING METERS Denver is experimenting with a device which resets parking meters when motorists pull out of metered parking spaces so that other drivers may not bene­ fit from unused time on the meters. The mechanism consists of a bar set into the pavement about midway in the parking space, parallel with the meter. A car pulling out crosses the bar, activating an electric impulse which resets the meter. LEGAL NOT ES PUBLICATION gram without affecting the riabt t e n 0 a disability and/or death-benefit pro- r.ght ,0 „„ive the state inButance tax money This News-letter for interested public officials of local governments in Luzerne County is published as a community service. It originates in the Polit­ ical Science Department of Wilkes College. Address inquiries to Dr. Hugo Mailey, Political Science Department, Wilkes College, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. �t.uzerne county WHAT 'S new in PUBLISHED BY WILKES COLLEGE Vol. II, No. 3 hiring of special police officers are included AVOCA - Additional funds for the in the 1953 budget. to reduce the boro indebtedness to a DUPONT - The 1953 budget will attemp EDWAR^VILLE^Th^proposed budget lists approximately $72, 000 for general operation and $4,500 for road maintenance. — -- Township and Wilkes-Barre officials have reached an HANOVER TOWNSHIP agreement on the installation of an ;automatic stop-and-go signal at Carey and Division Streets, costs of which will be equally divided. SWOYERVILLE - Council approved a budget that is slightly higher than in 1952, by approximately $1, 500. The 17-mill levy is retained. DALLAS - Council plans a new boro building either on the Harvey's Lake High­ way or on the Tunkhannock Highway. WILKES-BARRE - The Traffic Commission will be asked to approve for a trial period one-way traffic on two of the city's important arteries - Franklin and Washington Streets. NANTICOKE - The Pennsylvania Economy League has completed a survey of the finances of the city, indicating that the city's finances and credit have been placed on firm ground. HAZLETON - In 1950 the League published a comprehensive report on the Hazleton Police Department. In January, 1953, the League reassessed three of the proposals made relative to the Police Department's efficiency. PLYMOUTH - Members of the Police Department have agreed to deduction from their pays for Social Security, but are not certain whether they will remain enrolled (see the Boro Bulletin for Legal Opinions). LARKSVILLE - According to reports, the budget provides for about the same receipts and expenditures as last year. SWOYERVILLE - The boro solons are being urged by the local citizenry to adopt comprehensive building, zoning, and fire codes. FORTY FORT - No plans for major expenditures have been proposed. The State Highway Department and the Boro are endeavoring to reach an agreement T construction of curbing on its main street. UZEmNnE C0UNTY ’ The Commissioners have paved the way for more than DURYEA C Th117 Per diem employees t0 get Social Security coverage. be fnieJehS°i1Cltkr/dViSed the C°Uncil tbat the ^^ncy of auditor cannot oe tilled by that body. WILKES - BARRE TOWNSHIP The Township is one of the few that purchases its fire service from the CCity of Wilkes-Barre. NEWPORT TOWNSHIP - Inasmuch —i as the budget is $7, 000 lower than it was last year, no capital improvement k -i S are P^anned during the year. KINGSTON - The nronnspri r = inking fund^and'^vV^V/ 5'1?111 general taX leVy’ 1 mills for the / mills for the light fund. WILKES-BARRE, PENNSYLVANIA March 16, 1953 DON'T MISS THE DINNER The speaker at the March 26 dinner for local officials in Luzerne County will be Dr. Willard Hancock, Director of the Bureau of Municipal Affairs in Harrisburg. Dr. Hancock, a native of Plains Township, has chosen to discuss "Act 145: Its Continuance or Modification. " Act 145, it will be remembered, cut appropriations for such urban areas as cities, boros, and first-class townships and increased road appropriations for second-class townships. What should the basis for such appropriations be-mileage, area, population, assessed value of land abutting, relative indebtedness of the unit, cost of construction? Dr. Hancock may well have the answers. PHONE THE POLITICAL SCIENCE DEPARTMENT AT WILKES COLLEGE --WILKES-BARRE 4-4651--TO RESERVE A PLACE FOR THE MARCH 26 DINNER IN THE COLLEGE CAFETERIA. Cost of the dinner: $1.50. TOWN MEETING What to do when irate citizens protest, "We don't know what's going on at city hall" ? / c Many city officials have found a satisfactory answer in little town meetings, which put the personal touch into local government. Such meetings, held today in Worcester, Mass., .Kansas City, Mo., Portland, Me., and the Fifth Ward of Kingston, acquaint the public with what the municipality is doing and with what it can and cannot reasonably be expected to do. Thanks to the friendly spirit and in­ formality of the meetings, those who attend them speak freely. Says Portland City Manager Lyman S. Moore: "We feel that the neighborhood town meeting shows promise of becoming an indispensable element of the medium­ sized city in making democracy work at the grass roots." It is pleasant to report that the town meeting has been introduced to Wyoming Valley through Kingston Councilman Ralph M. Brown of the Fifth Ward, who makes use of the Rutter Street School. Well attended by partisans of both parties, his meetings have enabled his constituents to learn about Kingston government and have kept lim in touch with the problems of those same constituents. Town meetings are valuable for a variety of reasons: 1. They indicate that the local solon sincerely regards public office as a public trust. �2. They afford the official direct own ground. communication with citizens on their 3. They secure immediate governmental response to justified complaint 4. They test citizen reaction to projected programs. 5. They permit the solon to demonstrate the range of the municipal program in relation to size, cost, and time factors. WHAT'S NEW The taxpayers' associations that mushroom in every little town are conly the result of lack of insight on the part of local officials. If councilmen and ■—I com. missioners would regularly coordinate the resources of the community, renula report on social conditions in the area, and then plan and recommend with publi ' approval, their road would be considerably smoother. STREET CLEANING In Evanston, Illinois, a ban on all-night parking, alternately on each side of the street, has cut street-cleaning time by two-thirds. PARKING IN B U F F A L O Buffalo has granted tax exemption to buildings constructed, altered, and remodeled to provide off-street parking. The exemption applies only to general property taxes and not to special assessments, and is to run for 15 years after the completion of the parking structure. It will apply only to the building improve­ ment and not to the land. To qualify, buildings must have a minimum capacity of 150 cars. At least 75 per cent of the floor area must be used exclusively for offstreet parking. Exemption proportionate to the percentage of parking area to the total may be allowed. SERVICE CHARGE The municipality which sets up a refuse service-charge system should also set up an efficient billing and collection procedure. Boros and townships vary the billing methods. The more common billing methods a, vary generail with a discount for prompt payment; (2) separate are (1) separate bill, item on the tax bill or on the water bill. The m -2 ticket system; (3) an istrative overhead by combining the collection char unicipality can reduce its adminof cities send out bills on a quarterly or semi-annual basis ge with the tax bill. A majority holder's burden and to stabilize the working revenue of the to reduce the house­ municipality. i DUPONT - With the adoption of the 5 per cent tax on admissions, the Council will take half of the 10 per cent admissions tax already levied by the School Board. AVOCA - The Lions voted to purchase six wastepaper receptacles to be pre­ sented to the boro for proper distribution. FORTY FORT - A 5 per cent increase for all boro employees was approved by the Council; the ordinance excludes the engineer, solicitor, secretary, and burgess. WEST HAZLETON - A preliminary injunction restraining the Council from col­ lecting a 22-mill tax levy was obtained from the Luzerne County Court. NEWPORT TOWNSHIP - The Commissioners have adopted a supplemental ordi­ nance restricting parking to one side of the street on several narrow thoroughfares. DURYEA - Continuation of the road-repair program in the borough is promised by this year's budget, which includes $6, 500 for the project. WEST PITTSTON - The fire loss’ of $100, 000 may cause the Council to revise its budget which provided for a half-mill tax reduction and to restore the 17 1/2-mill levy. EXETER - There might be an inclination among the Council members to reduce the number of councilmen with a view to saving the boro about $1, 200 a year. HANOVER TOWNSHIP - The Commissioners conferred with officials of the Pennsylvania Department of Highways relative to a proposed new connect­ ing highway between Askam and the new state road at Sans Souci Park. LARKSVILLE - Because the Boro lost $75,468 in assessments for 1953, the Council must borrow $20, 000 for general purposes. WILKES-BARRE - Non-assessable property in the City, including both land and buildings, has a total valuation of $30, 653, 763. Tax-free property amounts to $19, 728, 729. It is noteworthy that the total non-assessable property in the City exceeds the Occupation, Real Estate, and Coal Total Valuation for tax purposes of every Luzerne County municipality but one--Hanover Town­ ship. EDWARDSVILLE - The boro lockup is in good condition, according to a letter from the Department of Welfare which complimented officials on its upkeep. ASHLEY - Ashley Lions Club has presented white capes to the police to lessen the hazards they face. KINGSTON - The Council is seriously considering the purchase of a community building. Several plans are now under consideration. LUZERNE - Council has instructed the boro engineer to check the mine subsidence because of the number of complaints. SUGAR NOTCH - Increased road work, as planned in the budget, will amount to several thousands of dollars. THE COUNTY - Luzerne County's assessed valuation for 1953 shows a net gain of $469, 746 over the 1952 figure, according to certified valuation of the County. There was a drop of occupational taxables of 804 in 1953, result­ ing in a loss of $90, 932 in valuation. There was also a loss of $1, 607, 360 in coal valuation for the year. The gain was realized in real estate valuation -- a gain of $2, 077, 106. �Wilkes College library THE THREE E ' S OF TRAFFIC CONTROL The Wilkes-Barre City officials are currently finding out something about the three E's of traffic control--engineering, enforcement, and educa­ tion. Engineers can spend months studying the traffic problem and prepare an excellent plan of control. Police can track down violators of well-conceived regulations. But if the public hasn't been educated or refuses to accept wellconceived plans, traffic snarls will never be straightened out. {famfy '7'lew4~lett0i H VOL. II, NO. 4 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA. APRIL 15, 1953 THE DINNER After several weeks, the Wilkes-Barre police find that the public has not adjusted to one-way streets. Some motorists still remain in the right-hand lane on one-way streets. The value of double-lane traffic is lost if both lanes are not used. Moreover, making a left-hand turn from the right-hand lane could prove mighty costly to the motorist. Some 35 councilmen and commissioners of the Wyoming Valley area attended the first bi-monthly dinner meeting held in the Wilkes College Cafeteria on March 26, 1953. Dr. Willard Hancock, Director of the Bureau of Municipal Affairs, de­ voted most of his talk to a review of proposed legislation affecting boros and town­ ships, emphasizing the measures allocating road funds. He pointed out that Act 145, which annually allocates $15, 000, 000 for road upkeep to cities, boros, and townships on the basis of mileage and population, expires at the end of this year. Present House Bill 650 would hold the line, whereas Senate Bill 344 would increase the annual appropriation to $20, 000, 000. Traffic problems have another aspect, too. Pedestrian regulations must be a part of the traffic code. The essence of pedestrian control is that the man who walks on the street is no different, in the eyes of the law, from the man who drives on it. Each has an equal responsibility to obey the law. Washington, D C had 499 pedestrian arrests in 1952. In an effort to reduce jaywalking, Philadelphia has hired nine professional models, attired in policemen's caps and carrying police whistles, to hand out fake traffic tickets to jaywalkers. A printed seal on the ticket states: "This ticket is phony but it is a fact you could have lost your life. DON'T JAYWALK. " sewage plans Communities in this area have at last shown that they desire to cooperate to solve their common sewage problem. Single-treatment works for each town is an extravagant waste of taxpayers' funds. Whether one plant or a half a dozen plants are needed can be decided only after a careful engineering survey, such as that being undertaken at the behest of the Chamber of Commerce. Area-wide planning requires cooperation. While awaiting the release of the survey by the engineers, official could be educating himself on the subject by reading’Dr. every public article, "Clean Streams, " in the quarterly publication of the Sanitary Water Board Russell Teague's and "Individual Sewage Disposal Systems," reprint no. 2461 of the Public Health Service of the U.S. Keery McAmbley of the Public Service Institute has prepared a collection of readings on the subject that can be had just for the asking. O Hosts at the dinner were Hanover Township officials: Gwilliam Williams, President of the Board; John C. Wordoski, Second Vice President of the State Township Association; Township Secretary Andrew Garber, James McCarthy, Stephen Yanoshak, and George Kotik. Entertainment was furnished by Arthur Thomas, himorist. Brief remarks were made by John C. Wordoski, Dr. Hugo Mailey, and Andrew Garber. Municipalities represented at this first meeting were Courtdale, Edwards ville, Forty Fort, Hanover Township, Kingston, Luzerne, Nuangola, Newport Township, Plains Township, Wilkes-Barre Township, and West Pittston. The next meeting has tentatively been set for Thursday, May 21, at the Col­ lege Cafeteria. The topic to be discussed will be "Sewage Disposal: How to Finance It." Make reservations now. It is hoped that every municipality will send at least one representative in order that permanent associations may be formed. TAX COLLECTORS Luzerne County Tax Collectors Association adopted a resolution calling for the passage of an act by the State Legislature which would exonerate persons over 65 from payment of the per capita and occupation taxes. PUBLICAT ION This News-letter for interested public officials Luzerne County is published as a community service, ical Science Department of Wilkes College. Address of local governments in It originates in the PolitMailey, Political Science Department, Wilkes Colb inquiries to Dr. Hugo V. ege, Wilkes-Barre, Pa. CITIZENS' HANDBOOK Citizens' Handbook, a publication prepared by the Bureau of Municipal Affairs and containing information concerning local election regulations and voting procedures, is now available at a very low price. �FINAN CING SEWAGE PROJECTS Financing sewage projects will be one of the problems facing the 15 municipalities when the sewage survey conducted by Albright and Friehl, engineers, is finally released through the Public Services Committee of the Chamber of Commerce. Financing varies with conditions to be met. The common methods by which a town or towns may raise funds in this State for the construction of such facilities are: > Authority management is generally strong and competent. Virtually all authorities appoint competent managers and often seek technical advice. Lacking taxing power, an authority must stand or fall as a business enterprise. The one important advantage to Luzerne County municipalities is that a joint authority would permit the local units to embark on a capital improve­ ment without regard to debt limitation or borrowing capacity tied to assess­ ments . 1. 2. Through General Obligation Bonds Through assessments using General Obligation Bonds in a revolving fund 3. By current revenue from existing sources or from reserves 4. By the creation of a municipal authority and the issuance of revenue bonds 5. By temporary loan 6. Through a privately owned sewer company SEWAGE AUTHORITY RATES Goldman, Sacks and Co. bought a $1, 300, 000 bond issue for the new Pottstown secondary sewage-disposal plant at a 1.96 per cent interest rate. Only York's rate of 1.82 per cent is lower, and it was secured by the boro officials talking personally to Moody and Company, municipal credit-rating organization. Cited were Pottstown's diversified industries, good labor­ management relations, sound financial standing, and efficient municipal government. MUNICIPAL AUTHORITY IN PENNSYLVANIA Practically all communities which have built sewage treatment works in compliance with the orders of the Sanitary Water Board have adopted the authority method of financing the project,. This is the youngest type of municipal instrumentality, born only fifteen ye.ars ago. A municipal authority is a special public corporation, whose obligations are payable solely from its revenues. Authorities have no taxing power. The authority owns a revenue-producing project under public control. Its business must be self-liquidating, and its corporate existence limited to fifty years. When all debts are liquidated, all assets revert to the incorporating munici­ palities. Some 24 functions may be performed by Pennsylvania authority, among which is the function of sewers, sewage systems, and sewage treat­ ment works. It is eligible for federal subsidies. Its bonds are tax exempt. They are subject to the same degree of regulation as a privately owned utility. The joint authority, worthy of consideration in Wyoming Valley, would transcend political boundaries. The authority has made joint action by several municipalities a reality. It functionally unifies local governments. The largest joint project, the Allegheny County Sanitary Authority, is an attempt to solve the sewage disposal problems for the whole of Allegheny County, including 63 municipalities. 7 1 The administration of the f ” ority is vested in a governing body or board, which in the case of a joint endeavor equal to the number of incorpi consists of a number of members at least than five. Membership in the rn i c ip al j. ties, but in no instance less no salary is usually given, Ca ar is usually deemed an honor and trust, and a burgess fill the post. en may not serve on the boards, nor may - The Sunbury Municipal Authority issued $1, 075, 000 worth of bonds at 2 1/4 to 2 3/4 per cent. The sewer rental charges amount to $20 a year or about $1.66 a month for each dwelling. The interest rate for $475, 000 worth of bonds issued by Danville will be 2.016 per cent. Sewer rental charge will be $19 a year. TRAILER HOUSING Municipalities should give serious consideration to the trailer problem. Trailers and trailer parks need regular attention in the public interest. They should be recognized in the zoning and building codes. A special ordinance should provide regulations for health and safety. And finally, some taxes should be levied so that the needs of permanent trailer families for education, recreation, and protection may be provided without undue hardship on families living in fixed housing. PUBLICATION This News-letter for interested public officials of local governments in Luzerne County is published as a community service. It originates in the Po­ litical Science Department of Wilkes College. Address inquiries to Dr. Hugo Mailcy, Political Science Department, Wilkes College, Wilkes-Barre, Pa. �I WHAT' S NEW VOL. II, NO. 5 CHAMBER OF COMMERCE - Four local units--Forty Fort, Wyoming, Kingston, and Plains Township--have already paid into a special account their proportionate shares of the funds necessary to conduct a Valley-wide survey of sewage needs. The proposed survey would consider groupings and construction as well as maintenance and fi­ nance costs. The 15 river-bordering municipalities have approved the survey as part of their joint approach to the over-all question of compliance with the State's Clean Streams Program. Letters from the Justice Department threatening local officials came as a surprise in the light of the 15 communities' attempt at a joint plan. EXETER - Boro Council ordered the sale of a boro motorcycle, a road truck, and the plate glass salvaged from the honor roll. Councilmen and Commissioners will hold-their second joint session at 6:30 P.M. on May 21 at the Wilkes College Cafeteria. The Honorable S. Cober Braucher, Deputy Secretary of the Department of Internal Affairs, will speak on the subject "Sewage Disposal and How It Can Be Financed. " Organization plans for next -year will also be discussed. The Boro of Kingston will act as the official hosts for the evening. Make reservations with Dr. Hugo V. Mailey as soon as possible. Telephone 4-4651. FORTY SECOND ANNUAL CONVENTION The boros of Pennsylvania will hold their annual convention at the BellevueStratford Hotel in Philadelphia May 27 to May 29. Plan now to attend in the interest of boro government in the State. It may yet be possible for the Luzerne County representative to sit on the Resolutions Committee. METROPOLITANITIS While the nation's cities increased 13.9 per cent in population in the decade between 1940 to 1950, the fringe-area communities grew 35.9 per cent. Today at least one-fourth of the population of the United States lives in the metropolitan communities. °SP W1U QSe a private road instead. cfve’^ eRRE ' TrmS fr°m BUreaU °f AsseBsment began April 1 to the CityLe;yeXiOta:SUre C°mPlete re^Strati- MAY 15,- 1953 THE DINNER FORTY FORT - In addition to approving a motion placing Boro employees under Social Security effective April 1, Council changed from residen­ tial and commercial to light industry an area bordering the American Stores warehouse property. KINGSTON - Council amended the zoning ordinance, increasing the number of signatures necessary for approval from 75 per cent to 100 per cent in an area 500 feet from the proposed location of a filling station. KINGSTON TOWNSHIP - Supervisors have been granted permission to install a four-post traffic signal at the intersection of Carverton and Church roads in Trucksville. The light, cost of which is estimated at $2, 000, will be operated by a push-button for pedestrians and a trip-plate for automobiles. NANT1COKE - The City's taxable valuation decreased $283, 263 during the past year, while the City's debt was reduced more than $64, 000. Bor­ rowing capacity has increased to $142, 479. Almost 90 per cent of the 19o2 taxes were collected. PLAINS TOWNSHIP - An agreement has been reached b Town hi officials vTh lnterests that trucks now using the Township roads near the WTT WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA. persons subject to REFERENCE depreciation of tLT/retl^steteT^ d° Pr°teCt ProPertY owners against "The Authority in Pennsylvania: Pro and Con, " by Tina V. Weintraub and James D. Patterson, is available in the Wilkes College Library. This 50-page booklet explains what special governmental "magic, "‘if"any, the authority in fact possesses. LUZERNE COUNTY - Adonic A Under consideration. highway will be submitted^Jr°adS &S & C°Unty £N T E R E S T IN G NAMES The Burgess of Narberth is " Sterling on the watch for the public's interests. ” Chain--no doubt one who is always I �RUBBER road Naw Jersey's first rubber road. Ole Hansen & So °asantville> began the job of laying a one-and-one-half.’ * four_and.0ne-half-mile stretch. About 6, 600 tons of highway in the State Highway De Work has starte contracting firm of meh rubber surfac * -.0.. The material with which the road i. ’ns p"«d i. a combination of ..ph.lt and ..r.-.e.U, a synthetic rabbet co„. pound made by the Naugatuck (Conn. ) Chemical Division nited States Rubber Company. The compound is being shipped in a hot mix stage from the plant in tank trucks carrying 3, 000 gallons of the material each trip. SOCIAL SECURITY The State Social Security Bureau is running into trouble trying to help some policemen and firemen already under pension systems qualify for social security coverage. The Bureau now has 15, 000 public employees covered in 384 contracts between the federal governments and cities, townships, boros, school districts, and municipal authorities, expecting some 70 more in the next several weeks. It is a difficult problem with third-class cities. They must have retirement systems for their policemen by law and the question whether they can abolish them is a legal one. The third-class cities code requires the State's 47 commu­ nities of that classification to setup pension plans for policement. Congressman George, Kansas, a member of the Subcommittee on Roads of the Public Works Committee of the House, feels that too much money is being diverted from road construction. His claim is that our whole highway system will break down under the transportation needs because the States have not the funds since the federal government is draining this source of revenue. Congress has authorized an increase of funds for highways to 575 million dollars annually for fiscal years ending 1954 and 1955. Under the two-year program, starting July 1, 1953, there will be 247 1/2 million for projects on the primary highway system, 165 million for secondary roads, 137 1/2 million for urban roads, and 25 million for the so-called national system of interstate highways. MINNESOTA ROAD REPAIR The Minnesota State Department of Highways has found three tools standard equipment in filling concrete pavement cracks. The paving kettle is followed immediately by a rubber-edged squeegee which wipes off the surplus bituminous material and carries it forward into the infilled joints. The squeegee has re­ duced the use of material by one-third. The third tool is a cone-shaped device that distributes lime, cement, or fine dust over the wiped joint. This eliminates pavement smearing and safeguards the fresh materials against removal by suc­ tion of passing vehicles. DEFECT IN STREET FEDERAL TAXES FOR HIGHWAYS There are 7 different federal taxes on motor-vehicle owners. The taxes and approximate amounts collected on each for fiscal yea'r 1951 are: 7 per cent on new motor cars and cycles 11/2 cents a gallon on gas 5 per cent on new trucks 5 cents a lb. on tires 5 per cent on parts and accessories 9 cents a lb. on inner tubes 6 cents a lb. on lubricating oils 1 pay more 1’ government. - t $653,363,451 569, 047, 960 121,248,890 166,424, 958 119,475,023 31,958,282 97,238,095 ORDINANCES AND LICENSE FEES • -> taxes C ’ - ------ -- ---- — V* JL1.J highway construction thr - —J general fund of the U. S. Treasury. Municipalities which have control over the streets are liable to damages for injuries sustained in consequence of their failure to use reasonable care to keep them in a reasonably safe condition for travel. Notice is an essential ele­ ment of the claim. It must be established, moreover, that the defect existed for an unreasonable length of time. cent of the states. Where a license fee is assessed, it must be in accordance with the expense of issuing the license and of inspecting the business. In the Case Commonwealth v. McFadden, it was held that an annual fee of $100 for each trailer camp, in addition to a permit fee of five dollars per permit per month for each trailer and for each monthly renewal, exceeded the costs of supervision, inspection, and regulation and constituted a revenue tax under the guise of a police regulation. �r je Library WHAT 'S NEW CHAMBER OF COMMERCE - Thirteen of the 15 River-bordering UhAMBibK ur „„„fT.arts entering into a joint survey on the sewage indebtedness to $940, 000-well below the legal limit of two per cent of the County's valuation, or a limit of $5, 262, 386 NANTICOKE - The new street lamps recently installed m the City s business district were turned on for the first time several nights ago, and made a most favorable impression. PLYMOUTH - Property valuation has increased during the last 10 years, but the loss of taxable persons gives the Town something to think about. The 6, 094 taxables this year is a drop of 224 from last year. DALLAS TOWNSHIP - The State Department of Highways has recommended installation of a traffic-control light as a means of reducing accidents at the intersection of the Harvey's Lake Highway and the new Lehman Road Expenses will be borne by the municipality. WILKES-BARRE - The new building code, on which builders, contractors and public officials spent more than a year, is nearly ready for adoption. KINGSTON TOWNSHIP - One of the problems facing local officials is the expan sion of the police department to afford protection to a rapidly expanding residential area. NEWPORT TOWNSHIP - Local officials were informed that the municipality is one of three whose application for Social Security coverage for employees has been approved at Harrisburg. Police are excluded. WYOMING - Zoning, playgrounds, and Christmas lighting are three problems requiring solution this year. HANOVER TOWNSHIP - The Commissioners have been giving serious thought to lights and guard rails along the new State Highway. PITTSTON - Parking revenue declined $519 during the first quarter of 1953 „ as_comPared with the first quarter of last year. X ffawn mo^V5 COOperating with the Town's biggest taxpayer, KInAtom «T m WhlCh provides an income of $6, 491 ing met’ers JeCt dlSCUSSi°n amonS local officials and merchants is park- VOL. II, NO. 6 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA. S. JUNE 15, 1953 C O B E R B RAUCHER Some 50 councilmen and commissioners gathered in Wilkes College cafeteria May 21 to hear S. Cober Braucher, deputy secretary of the Department of Internal Affairs, explain the authority as a means of financing sewage disposal. "Within the past decade, " Mr. Braucher said, "most municipalities have become sensible of their obligation to dispose of waste in such a manner as not to contaminate their water supplies, realizing nothing is so likely to keep industry out of an area as polluted water. " He pointed out the authority has come into favor because it can borrow as much as it needs to construct, operate, and repair a sewage plant provided it has the revenue to pay interest and retire its bonds. The idea of paying rent for sewers is a relatively new one, he observed, adding liens against those re­ fusing to pay their sewer rentals take precedence over mortgages. The presiding officer was William I. Martin, Burgess of Kingston, which boro served as host for the evening. Other local units represented at the meet­ ing were Luzerne, Laurel Run, Nuangola, Courtdale, Wilkes-Barre, Hanover Township, Wilkes-Barre Township, Forty Fort, Sugar Notch, Newport Township, West Pittston, and Kingston. COUNTY UNIT NOTE wn °GOn=r °r later U Was bound to hapnen- Wltllam Jr. Shou]d he be r the burgess of Morrisville is -J as Burgess Burgess? JLP B LI C A T IQ N This News-letter, DrUHCal S.CrienCe DeP^rt^ent originates in the Dr. HugoV. Mailey, Political S College. Send notes and inquiries to ^rre, Pennsylvania Scie: —nee Department, Wilke, College, Wilkes- PUbl'’«ldW V Decision by representatives of about a dozen boros to form a county association was reached last May 21 at the dinner meeting. Ralph Brown, councilman from Kingston, was elected temporary chairman while Roy Speece, secretary of the council from West Pittston, was named temporary secretary of the organization. Appointed to the executive committee which will meet on June 17 to draft a set of by-laws were John Jarzenbowicz, Sugar Notch; Alan Bare, Forty Fort; Brinley Crahall, Courtdale; Fred Balliet, Nuangola; George Sobeck, Luzerne; and Thomas Callahan, Laurel Run. Suggestions for organiz­ ing the association of boros were furnished by D. William Arndt of Berwick, secretary of the Columbia-Montour Boros Association and member of the exec­ utive committee of the State Boros Association. �ATT RACTING INDUSTRY "Attracting Industry to Cities" is the title of a very informative article in the May 1953 issue of the National Municipal Review. The article a re­ print, was written by Dr. Lawrence Durisch, authority in the field of municipal government. Many times it is not such primary factors as availability of markets, raw materials or labor supply that determine where a new industry locates, but rather such secondary considerations as local government services. Local leaders have centered their attention on municipal financing of industrial under­ takings or subsidies. The State Legislatures of Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, and Tennessee have passed legislation to permit community financing of new in­ dustry. This spectacular endeavor has its proponents and opponents. Some of the latter hold this method of attracting industry obscures the real role of local government, which role is to create a place where people can work and live. The most important part that local government can play in industrial development is to perform well its regular functions of government. Here are some of the services that industry considers important: property protection, including both fire and police; public schools and facilities for em­ ployee training; public health; hospital facilities; housing; local transportation; water and electric utilities, those publicly managed and those privately operated; recreation; and planning and zoning as they affect the availability of industrial sites and the convenience of industrial areas. Examples are mentioned: One town was told rather bluntly by an industry which located elsewhere: "There is nothing wrong with your town as an industrial location that a good city government would not cure. " Few towns realize com­ pletely the value of being known as a good town in which to live and work. Adequate services of local government do not in themselves insure initial or continuing < success in industria! development. They do, however, constitute the most lasting which local government can extend to industry. - inducement ------ ------------ NON-PROPe r t y tax the HomTlUleTax ^a^ oVherXeT0^^ reVENUES 1947 Legislatare PaSSed * s known as the Mtax-anything" law. A number of factors dictated it: S passage at the time, most important of which was the fact that the State wished curtail subsidies to local governments. Another important factor was the generally low r— property assessments around the State, which are about 30 per cent of market value ---- J throughout the State. It ought to be noted that the law kit has been used to t finance new acf S not reduced real estate taxes, rather —1 tax assessment? L°Cal governments still have not done anything about local C L E V E L A ND'S ANTI-JAYWALKING DRIVE Cleveland police have been presenting roses to good drivers and free cigarets to careful pedestrians in that city's drive to rid the city of jay-walkers. On the first day of the drive, 218 tickets were issued to jaywalking pedestrians, and 14 motorists were cited for failure to yield the right of way to pedestrians. ACT The The The The 145 from the $12,000,000 and the $3,000,000 cities received boros received first-class townships received second-class townships received $3,080,017 2,247,650 632,515 9,039,808 $14,999, 990 This allocation was on a basis of 60 per cent for road mileage and 40 per cent for population. This fact increased the appropriation to second-class town­ ships, which contain 45, 000 miles of road, whereas other units combined contain about 13,500. UNIFORM LAW FOR TRUC KERS A special committee of the Council of State Governments has recommended enactment by the states of a uniform law to assure more equitable payment of highway-user taxes by operators of heavy commercial vehicles in both interstate and intrastate commerce. Such a law would apply to heavy vehicles with a gross weight of 18, 000 lbs. or more. BILLS SIGNED BY THE GOVERNOR H. 383 - Giving townships additional powers in relation to streets, State highways, sewers, public squares, and abutting properties. H. 384 - Requiring local taxes under "tax-anything" law of 1947 to be re­ enacted annually. H. 703 - Changing provisions relating to effective date of laws affecting budgets of municipalities. PUBLICATION This News-letter, published as a community service, originates in the Political Science Department of Wilkes College. Please send notes and inquiries to Dr. Hugo V. Mailey, Political Science Department, Wilkes College, WilkesBarre, Pennsylvania. �JUL 2 1 195~ WHAT 'S NEW ? approval of annexation by the Boro of a 2.2 acre section CONYNGHAM - Court ? was asked in a petition filed with the Court. of Sugarloaf Township KINGSTON - The problem of c. cost of collection of ashes is presently being dis. ASHLEY - Only 38 properties were turned in to the county this month for unpaid taxes, fewer than last year. DALLAS - Citizens of the Boro have realized the need for a more systemized parking program for the area to insure success of all enterprises in the section. PLYMOUTH - The bond issues proposed by the council will be redeemable with­ in two yars, purpose of the bonds being for emergency work, which has not been provided for in the annual budget. SWOYERVILLE - New street signs were placed at all intersections in the Boro. LUZERNE COUNTY - County officials voted more than $200, 000 for land damages incidental to improvement of state highways in the county, but at the same time they expressed annoyance at the prospect of these costs becoming per­ petual as the state continues to expand its highway system. PITTSTON - The City has an accumulation of $423, 402. 97 in back taxes, most of which date from 1952. EDWARDSVILLE - Reports have it that the C’ty fathers are planning an ordinance to prohibit dumping within its limits. WILKES-BARRE - The City contemplates the purchase of a <coin ' machine ' ' ' designed. to assort and count all types of mixed deposits accurately at a speed of 500 coins a minute. The machine will be used to sort, count, and package the millions of coins taken from the parking meters. HANOVER TOWNSHIP - The commissioners have undertaken a road-improvement ,, program and have asked the cooperation of motorists. " -Q-^INC- - The council is considering a paving job for a new proposed housing project. CSVILLE More than three mills of the Boro taxes this year are ear-marked tor bonds, interest, and old bills. doublf wbT?efSt«e ^lghway Department will not object to the painting of tion= on 1 6 ra 1C UneS ° n the mail hiShway if it will improve safety condi- VOL. II, NO. 7 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA. JULY 15, 1953 VALUABLE PRODUCTS RESULT OF POLLUTION ABATEMENT Treatment of wastes by industry, required under the Clean Streams program, has resulted in many instances in the reclamation by industry of valuable products which formerly were discharged to the rivers as waste. In other instances, com­ plete surveys of the manufacturing process resulted in changes which decreased the volume of waste, causing a lower expenditure for a waste treatment system. Other industries found that they could install systems for the removal of waste material from the water used in the process of manufacture, recirculate the cleansed water for re-use and thereby cut down on water consumption. In many cases the recirculating systems have eliminated the stream pollution problem en­ tirely as the solids settled out of the water are removed to dumps. Some concerns have stated they are actually making a profit on the products they formerly discharged to the streams. Outstanding on the reclamation list are the finer sizes of coal which are recovered from the silt from anthracite breaker water. In the past, many tons of silt were discharged annually to the waterways. This has been stopped and in the de silting process the finer sizes of coal are re­ covered for which a ready sale has been developed. Some coal operators have stated that they are realizing a profit on the coal they formerly sent down the streams as waste. In some other cases sale of the recovered coal brings suffi­ cient return to pay for the cost of operating systems. One steel mill installed a modern flue dust recovery works costing $516, 361. After deducting the cost of operation of the plant and the cost of sintering the re­ covered ore dust, the plant showed a profit of $580, 636 in the first yar. Imme­ diately a shovel was placed in the stream and 15, 000 tons of dust previously depos­ ited on the stream bed were recovered. In another instance, a manufacturing plant recovered 4, 000 gallons a day of low grade ether, used in the process of man­ ufacture, which had been going down the stream as waste. There are many instances in which closed systems have been installed which not only permit the use of the water over and over, reducing the charges for water, but have also eliminated the pollution problem. However, in most instances pollu­ tion abatement brings additional costs to the operation of the industry, which points up the fact that preventing pollution must be placed in the category of any other pro­ duction cost. �SUBDIVISION CONTROL (first of two articles) new ^tensions er location o * nl,__ose water mains, and sewers. °PWnt with schools, public buildings and shopping areas, Pfop. complete subdivision regulations must be c In concerned sidewalks The suitability of the land for the proposed subdivision should be the first consideration. Topography and soil types should also be considered as they affect desirable circulation patterns and population densities. "Gentlemen: "I am very pleased to be able to report to you that all of the fifteen Wyoming Valley communities have now paid their proportionate share of the cost for the proposed survey of the waste disposal problem in our area. "Seven of these communities have also executed and sent in their signed contracts. If you have not sent in your contract, will you please take steps as are necessary to have it executed and returned to me as promptly as possible in order that we may proceed with the survey. "It is very gratifying to have this demonstration of cooperation by Wyoming Valley communities and my sincere thanks and congratulations go to all concerned. II BILL 418 A classification of streets is necessary. Local residential streets (residential service streets) are those providing direct access to residences and serving a com paratively small number of dwellings. Secondary streets (neighborhood feeder streets) are those serving only neighborhood traffic and which connect service streets to each other, to local facilities, and to major traffic streets. Primary or major streets are those connecting district centers, serving large volumes of through fast-moving traffic and which are preferably located outside the boundary of neighborhoods. The circulation pattern for a new subdivision should conform generally to the over-community plan. Provision for the extension of major streets into and from adjoining areas should be required, while local service streets should discourage through traffic. If the proposed subdivision is adjacent to a primary or major thoroughfare, provision should be made for necessary future widening. If dead end streets are used, lengths up to 600 feet are generally considered acceptable, provided the street is wide enough for two lanes generally of traffic considered unobstructed except by occasional parking and provided there is a turning space with a diameter of at least 80 feet at the end. Where minor streets near each other open into oppoterseSctiols° 77StreetS’ they should be made to coincide, making for fewer ines than 800 ee^ icbb man ouu teet. 8 al°ng 8treetS should not occur at intervals of W Y Q M IN G VALLEY SURVEY Below is a ( copy of the letter QI June 18 f 18 the Public fift Servi,lCeS <"'on'lrnittee of of theJune Greatp^u? 1 C” A‘ Von Stein> Chairman of to the Creati a units that have joined in tv Wllkes’Barre Chamber of Commerce­ survey on sewage disposal. Third class cities in northeastern Pennsylvania have joined with the Pennsyl­ vania Home Rule Association to urge enactment of House Bill 418 to provide for more equitable distribution of the State Motor License Fund to counties, cities, boroughs, and townships. Under present law and legislation proposed by the State Highway Department the money received by cities, boroughs, and townships amounts to only 7 per cent of the Motor License Fund available for construction, repair, and maintenance of streets and highways. House Bill 418 would provide a 75 per cent distribution to the Highway Depart­ ment and a 25 per cent distribution to municipal units based on population and miles of roads. Such distribution, it is contemplated, will mean a two-mill saving in taxes. The Highway Department has now amassed an unspent balance of $410, 000, 00 in the Motor License Fund. Under the bill, part of this would revert back to the mu­ nicipalities. Bill 418 would base refunds on $350 a mile and $2 per capita. Bill 650 would keep in force the present formula by which the State makes gas tax refunds on a basis of $123 a mile and 45 cents per capita. Table Showing Increase under Bill 418 City Wilkes-Barre Hazleton Nanticoke Pittston Now Receives $45,018 23,648 12,268 8, 705 Under Bill 418 $183,381 92,832 49,444 35,575 Increase $134,032 68,001 35,847 26,002 PUBLICATION This News-letter, published as a community service, originates in the Political Science Department of Wilkes College. Please send notes and inquiries to Dr. Hugo V. Mailey, Political Science Department, Wilkes College, WilkesBarre, Pennsylvania. �I '1fcw4,~letten WHAT'S NEW ? PLYMOUTH - Salaries by departments presentt an interesting picture indicate inp ____ and more on revenue other than property taXe that the Boro depends more KINGSTON - A suggestion to to council that Second and Third Avenues be made On referred to the Boro's traffic committee for study an^ way streets has been 1-. recommendation. EDWARDSVILLE - Council has passed an ordinance denying permission to establish a trailer camp along the Narrows Road near the new developrnen(. plot, feeling that the revenue from a trailer camp would be low. DUPONT - Boro solons are studying a plan that could increase the Boro area five times its present size and double its real estate valuation. ASHLEY - A $20, 000 bond issue has been sold to Butcher and Sherrerd Invest­ ment Company at an interest rate of 4 1/2 per cent, the highest in many years. The money will be used to fund a floating debt, purchase a new fire engine and ash truck, and improve streets. KINGSTON TOWNSHIP - Plans are being made for improving safety on the long stretch of wide roadway through the community. PLAINS TOWNSHIP - The commissioners are pondering an ordinance regulating the installation of oil burners and requiring a permit for installation. WILKES-BARRE - City Council is considering an ordinance providing for an annual license fee of $5.00 for every coin-operated machine except cigaret machines; and another under which stock and food brokerage firms would pay an annual license tax of $50. 00. LARKSVILLE - Volunteer firemen have asked to purchase and install a fire alarm siren since the alarm at Loree No. 5 is not dependable due to working conditions. STO,, Attorney Joseph F. Saporito was named mayor of Pittston to fill the unexpired term of the late Mayor John J. Allardvce AN°IfVOIN!HfPC Commissioner John C. Wordoski has been re-elected 4 LUZERNE C0UNTYO-LTheScXttSllOC1'atlOn ClaSS TownshiP Commissioner ment owe the . °ller s rePort shows that 26 local units of govern ' h““‘y $4?' 6t”■8, ,Or with road construction and tor Wyoming, wh.lc /hj lowe7“’ h‘ a"°"nt " $24’ 813' ” STATE HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT -Th "<= Y Av°Ca Sch°O1 District‘ $2, 500, 000. 00 to repair the J* 18 preParing to spend more than pair the road between Wilkes-Barre and Hazleton. VOL. II, NO. 8 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA. Cgege Lib® AUGUST 15, 1953 AUG 2 4 1953 MEETING Local officials will hold their first fall meeting in Wilkes College Cafeteria September 23 at 6:30 P.M. It will be recalled that at the meeting May 21 repre­ sentatives of the boroughs decided to form a county association. Copies of by-laws worked out during the summer by a committee headed by Ralph Brown of Kingston, temporary chairman of the projected association, and Roy Speece of West Pittston, temporary secretary, have been sent to every borough secretary in the County and will presumably be discussed at the organization meeting September 23. It is the earnest desire of the by-laws committee that every borough in the County be represented. Commissioners of first-class townships are contemplating a similar organization. They, too, expect to make progress at the September meeting. Reservations may be made through Wilkes College, VAlley 4-4651. SUBDIVISION CONTROL The first specific subdivision standards to be considered are those relating to street or road alignment. Curves should be designed with botl vehicle speed and sight distance in mind. A good minimum center-line ra.— for curves on primary roads is 500 feet; for secondary roads, 300 feet; and for local service streets, 100 feet. Sight distances should be 400 feet for pri­ mary roads, 200 feet for secondary roads, and 100 feet for service streets. The controlling factors in street grades are safe descent, type and volume of traffic, and weather and pavement conditions, A maximum oi six to eight per cent is recommended for residential streets, Grades up to six per cent are allowed on major streets. .A minimum, street grade, usually five per cent, will assure adequate drainage, Intersections should be approached on all sides by levelling areas. Local Officials Remember--. Some people grow with The quickest responsibility; others Way tO lose swell. audience i8 to be the whole show. The fellow who slaps you on the back something. tnay be trying to make you cough up Many pavement widths are possible. Ten feet is usually considered the minimum width for a lane of moving traffic, with 11 and 12 feet for higher speeds. The standard width for a lane of parallel parking is 8 feet. The mini­ mum width of pavement of a one-way service street with two parking lanes should be 26 feet; on a secondary feeder street, 36 feet. Standards for intersections should prohibit the junction of more than four roadways, require right-angle intersections along major streets, and pro­ hibit service-street intersection angles of less than 60 degrees. �FOR BETTER ROADS HEARST PLAN ,e General Assembly of the State of Illinoi consideration to the Hearst plan for bette1S Called Up0 Not long ago the is that the Federal Government should return1 r°ads- T? Congress to give every c tIle the state 6 essence ofnecessary the plan i_part _L of the $2 billion collected from highw H funds be used for immediate improvement of the national inte Users. the all or to any system, which comprises those streets and roads considered .rstate highw and defense. By temporarily relieving the states of the respo^^- t0 °Ur eco? ing the interstate system, the plan would pump a tidy sum into ^lbllity for network and release state funds for other highway work ° hat Strategic r^' Thousands of tests were made of the soils underlying the road, the gravel base material, and the asphaltic concrete surfacing. Owing to this rigid construction control, it should be possible to observe the "behavior" of different sections of the road under different truck loads. The Idaho test is part of a nationwide attempt on the part of highway engineers and the highway transportation industry to develop factual information on which to base design of highways intended to carry heavy truck loads, to guide legislators in their effort to draw equitable tax laws for highway users, and to help truck manufacturers and operators to determine reasonable and efficient vehicle operating sizes and weights. M U NIC I PAL BOND MARKET RECREATION PROGRAM Smith the NATIONAL MUNICIPAL According o an article bv Wade moreS.and moreindifficult to market lowREVIEW municipal^1]ei' XrOvements. The Index for the month ending May 14 interest bonds f P cent as compared with 2.03 per cent shows an average interest cost ot r for the same period in 1952. Back in 1945 Luzerne County received several bids offering to take the bonds for one per cent; today the interest rate has risen to four per cent. Where as in 1942 the city of Wilkes-Barre had to pay but 1.25 per cent interest on the bond money it borrowed, the present rate is nearer four per cent. Electric City banks bad to take Scranton bonds to keep the City solvent--and at 3. 5 per cent. In the June, 1953 BULLETIN of the Department of Internal Affairs, 14 approvals for bond borrowing were listed as having been granted--one city, four boroughs, three school districts, and six housing authorities. The highest intere rate was found in the school-district category, while the lowest average rate was the housing-authority class. The borough of McAdoo had to pay three per cent ir terest on the small amount of $14, 500. interest° iexi6tlnS debt at higher ' over> that the new Federal policy of reXX,' T* al‘ oTbor "SI certainly herald a rise i« terest rates'. oritlefl‘-which, by the WlnE”be 11 authority or governmental. Dlf h„ come m Bond Buy.,',7T W"' in “se before the rise in 1»to an end, I™ • Index indicate, that “he era of cheap money W ASHO ROAD PROJECT °* Malad’ Idaho. will soon begin Prelir"ad the will soon begin p National Government . UC “traffic conditions. Eleven Western states , ^00ociation, the Truck T-r- ? co°peration with the Automobile Manufacturers n„ tests under controlled^01 V soring the project ssociation, and the petroleum industry. are There is a reason why this item was not written for one of the spring issues of the NEWS-LETTER. If it had appeared immediately .prior to the be­ ginning of summer, it would have conveyed the impression that a recreation pro­ gram is little more than a vacation fill-in for school activities. Certainly such a notion is not within the broad outline of ideals in the field. An all-inclusive recreational program operated on a 12-month basis should be provided for all--regardless of race, creed, or color. Recreation programs should offer considerable freedom of choice. Indi­ viduals of all ages enter into recreational activities to satisfy an urge from within. Public interest can be aroused by any group or individual aware of the recreational needs of the community and determined to improve the opportunities presently af­ forded. Each community should survey its available areas and facilities for a comprehensive indoor-outdoor public recreation program. These areas and fa­ cilities are the basic tools without which community recreation cannot succeed. Lack of immediate availability of perfect spaces and equipment should not delay the institution of the program, however. Intelligent, well-trained leadership will always take advantage of anything that presents itself. As a matter of fact, the success of any recreational program depends to a greater degree upon the quality of the leadership than upon any other factor. It should be demanded that personnel in charge of recreation have professional train­ ing and personal qualifications comparable to the training and qualifications of personnel in a public school system or a public health or welfare department. PUBLICATION This News-letter, published monthly as a community service, originates in the Political Science Department of Wilkes College. Notes and inquiries may be ad­ dressed to Dr. II. V. Mailey, Political Science Department, Wilkes College, WilkesBarre, Pennsylvania. �» SEP ] 8 1953 WHAT'S NEW revenue^ The mid-year operations report also shows that tax collections t ^e first half of 1953 are up, whereas departmental earnings are down ED WARDSVILLE- The new shopping section along theNarrows Road may ne. SEPTEMBER 15, 1953 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA. VOL. II, NO. 9 cessitate the vacating of business properties along Main Street--a situation which may result in a loss of assessments for tax purposes. A Council com­ mittee is looking into Social-Security protection for all salaried employees. LARKSVILLE - Borough officials are concerned about local residents who dump SEPTEMBER MEETING ashes and garbage on public thoroughfares in violation of a Borough ordinance DALLAS - The Council met with the School Board to discuss equalized assess­ Local officials will hold their first fall meeting in Wilkes College Cafeteria ment. Although the Borough may be in good financial condition, the Board, September 23 at 6:30 P.M. with West Pittston as host. Speakers for the evening badly in need of funds, has requested that assessments be equalized to increas will be William Sword, Herbert Morris, and Charles Von Stein, all of the Chamber its tax income. of Commerce. Mr. Sword and Mr. Morris will speak on the "Place of Local Of­ HANOVER TOWNSHIP - Road jobs are progressing. Patching, installing of curb: ficials in Bringing in Industry, " while Mr. Von Stein will bring the group up to date and oiling will be completed in the near future. on the sewage problem in the Valley. PLYMOUTH - Revenue from parking meters and fines is playing an important part in helping the Council meet payrolls promptly--without borrowing thousan Remember that this is the organization meeting for both boros and first class of dollars before current taxes come in. townships. Every boro and township in the County should be represented. WILKES-BARRE - The non-assessable property has a total valuation of $30 millii with $10 million in land and $20 million in buildings . The increase of several For reservations, call Wilkes College, VA 4-4651. millions in assessments during the last 10 years has been cancelled out owing to the necessity of removing from the tax books, during the same period, a lik< SANITARY LANDFILL amount of property as non-assessable. SWOYERVILLE - Four full-time employees were placed under the Social Security Act. The people of the West Side have come to realize that the old method of dump­ ing refuse into a depression can no longer be tolerated. The Wilkes-Barre incin­ ASHLEY - The Council has authorized the purchase of new fire apparatus and the erator has offered a temporary solution to the problem, and an incinerator operated preparation of specifications for a new ash truck. SAFETY HONORS - The National Safety Council has cited 10 Luzerne County coni' jointly by all West Side communities would certainly be one method of refuse disposal. munities for tholing 1952 without a single traffic fatality. They are: Hazleton, Another method, successfully used by San Bernardino, California; Oneonta, anticoke Plymouth, Ashley, Edwardsville, Forty Fort, Luzerne, Swoyervill New York; and Cheyenne, Wyoming; is ihe sanitary landfill. In Pennsylvania, the West Hazleton, and West Pittston SUPER ROAD - A bill of importance to this area has been considered by the State Lower Bucks County municipalities could readily conquer this problem by accept­ Legislature. ]It provides for the construction of a connecting link with the Penn ing a plan offered by the Planning Commission and the Pennsylvania Economy League. The landfill operation would require the cooperation of all 22 local units in Bucks. sylvania Turnpike pi ce from Harrisburg through the anthracite region. Since sanitary landfills are cheaper than incinerators, West Side units might inves­ EIRE SCHOOL - The cornerstone of Pennsylvania's new fire school at Lewistown tigate and study the idea, that is, if political differences or individual jealousies can was laid August 6. Operated by the Public Service Institute of the Departm®" be forgotten. of Public Instruction, fire fighting--the8C?°O1 ha8 a CMric^m including every aspect of Basically, the operation consists of digging a trench, dumping all trash and cepted. Instruction wilinbe°oCOntla8ratiOn8 caused bV atomic attacks ^fire' garbage into it, and then covering it up. Technically, there are certain refinements men retained by industrial esUblishX's66' Paid firemen> necessary to make the plan work. President oy^e^’t^1?”88101161 Herman C. Kersteen was elected third v'c The operation calls for a trench 6 feet deep, 10 feet wide, and as long as National Association of County Officials meeting in Boston. desired--preferably on submarginal land. Disposal trucks dump refuse at one end �Pac^ covered. sufficient to handle the refuse from 10, 00n ground is the area has been filled, it can be used <0, "'*'"“ °”' “twoofyear s"after Two years " 10^0 recreation field, or similar project. About six years later it recreation field, used for building purposes. The system.. w.thmod.f.cat.ons can al8o be used ,o reclaim low or swampy land, thereby creating more saleable acreage. San Bernardino is using this method to correct erosion and re-rroute the Santa Ana River into its normal channel after the course was changed'"'Ya bfi00d Trenches on this project are about 20 feet wide. Dirt excavated from a new ditch is used to cover the one which has just been closed. The City provides a combined collection service for garbage, rubbish and debris which makes for compaction at the fill. The housewife no longer has to separate papers and tin cans from her garbage. Enclosed sanitary compaction trucks, which are washed and steamed, are used. Continuous burying and bull­ dozing of debris has completely eliminated rats and fleas. Oneonta dumps into a sanitary landfill operated by a private contractor whc is subject to regular inspection and supervision. An International tractor with a two-yard Drott Bullclam shovel is the only equipment used. The tractor compac refuse as it is dumped and immediately covers it with six inches of earth. After substantial area is filled, the tractor tops it off with two feet of dirt. The town fathers were quick to recognize its usefulness for refuse disposal when it aided in transforming a rat-infested swamp into a good, neat landfill operation, The Huber machine is also used to spread asphalt cold mix in paving streets. No wonder the city manager doesn't miss the county assistance which the town formerly received. THE COLLEGE AND COMMUNITY PROGRESS Although every college exists primarily to provide education and to sponsor research, it is also a community institution bearing all the responsibilities the fact implies. Community affairs have an impact on the college even as the devel­ opment of the college affects the community. This interdependence las yet to be fully recognized in Wyoming Valley. During the past year, however, local officials and the Political Science Depart­ ment of Wilkes College have taken real strides in the right direction--witness the publication of this News-letter, the classes on the Wilkes campus for police, magistrates, and councilmen and commissioners, the bi-monthly meetings at the College to bring officials into touch with authorities on local government. The PSI classes will be repeated this year (phone the College for details), and institutes for local officials are being planned for both the fall and the spring. Much remains to be done, of course, but the enthusiastic activity of 1952-1953 proves that, together, College and community can do it successfully. LEGAL NOTES Not onl}, were 20,000 rats evicted after Cheyenne adopted the landfill methc but the city discovered a new gravel deposit on which it draws for street-grading A trip by the West Side solons 1to ’Highland Park, New Jersey, to see a san’ itary landfill in operation would be most — 1 rewarding. And it's only a short ride. A Lower I Science Department ------- 1 at the College. TRAC TOR .L-MaINTAINER - bulldozer 2, 6°°), purchased a tractor-maintainera rubber-tired tractor with a a versatile machine. A Huber maintainer, it 18 bfc-deonthefrontaBoth^i Bothblades ”” blade mounted under the body and a ades are hydraulically operated. N°t only can the machine be ln laying waterlines, USCd for street work, but it also proves u8 e(j. ’ as trenches and ‘hen backfills after the lines are in6 The Honorable George C. Corson declared invalid and void an ordinance passed September 17 by the Lower Merion Township Board of Commissioners barring part of Montgomery Avenue to trucks and buses shunted off the Schuyl­ kill Expressway. The township contended it had the power to enact the ordinance under portions of the First Class Township Code concerned with public safety, public .health and cleanliness, and general powers. Greyhound charged the ordi­ nance was so vague, ambiguous, and inconsistent as to leave reasonable doubt as to its meaning. The Judge ruled that the power to pass an ordinance designating certain streets for travel by through buses cannot be found in any clause of the code, and if given, then only by implication. He further stated the Township's position that the ordinance came under the public health clause is untenable, The effect of through buses on the health of the Township is infinitesimal. PUBLICATION This News-letter, published monthly as a community service, originates in the Political Science Department of Wilkes College. Notes and inquiries may be addressed to Dr. H. V. Mailey, Political Science Department, Wilkes College, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. �WHAT'S NEW? . between the school board and members of WEST PITTSTON t°iated swimming pool, cor" sting about $49 may decide on the c h school stadium. 00o-oo, which will be built e 1 composed of businessmen and banke PITTSTON - A citizens c0™ deficit budget which runs to about $30, rs Win VOL. II, NO. 10 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA. OCTOBER 15, 1953 °00. oo committee will work on traffic. LAKE TOWNSHIP - A two-way radio system is the next goal of Harveys Lake WILLIAM SWORD NANTICOKE - The onderst.Hed police department will require the services ol Le and possibly two additional full-time patrolmen to eon form to the „„ state law which gives the police of third class cities a 44-hour work W(?ek. HANOVER TOWNSHIP - Commissioners will protest the Pennsylvania Railroad Company's request for another extension of time for installing flashing light signals and automatic gates at the Oxford Street crossing in Lee Park. Bi°ds are being sought for the purchase of a new fire truck with federal-stat assistance covering 50 per cent of cost. NEWPORT TOWNSHIP - Local officials are satisfied with progress being made along the Robert Street hill prior to its resurfacing and its becoming part of the new route between Nanticoke and Glen Lyon. WARRIOR RUN - Agreement by officials of the Boro and Hanover Township of­ ficials for annexation of 73 acres of land by the Township relieves the Boro of a road maintenance burden it was unable to support. A decrease in boro revenue prompted officials to strive for such an agreement. PLYMOUTH - The police department is presently putting on a safety drive for motorists and pedestrians. EDWARDSVILLE - Main Street merchants are interested in parking meters to regulate traffic and make room for the traveling trade. DUPONT - Council is aware that the proper solution of the police problem is forn tion of a full-time police force, a solution unlikely to be reached on a $19, O' budget. SWOYERVILLE - Council is awaiting shipment of fire alarm station boxes for use in the community. EXETER - Through the cooperation of council and the officials of the mower plant, KINGSTOnXorT^F^ surfacing. .. _.„£ ... er West Side communities abandoned the Narro"1 Road dump in Edwardsville, declared a public health nuisance by state in spectors, Kingston officials official signed an agreement with the Sgarlat Estate, Forty Fort, for dumping p-— purposes. Citizen protests enjoined Kingstonpt­ ficials from dumping there ___ , Kingston '?'* “H~*tiil hav e the Wilkes-Barre incinerator In the meantime, temporarily uses find a new dumping ground. ’. Other West Side communities PLOUGH TS The way to succeed is FOR TODAY to keep your head up and your overhead down. The best place t° find a helping hand is at the end of your own arm. About fifty local officials from seventeen municipalities were in attendance at the first fall meeting of municipal officials at Wilkes College. William O. Sword, chairman of the Committee of 100, stated that most important in obtain­ ing new industries is the need for sites of at least two and one-half acres. Im­ proving these sites is as vitally important; Although the Committee can't always meet the gimmicks of the South in attracting industries, unified support and co­ operation of local officials can enhance the Committee's success. Jack Conway, secretary of the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commerce, stressed that co­ operation among municipalities is sorely needed. Present were Hazleton, Dupont, Nuangola, Ashley, ship, Laurel Run, officials from Wilkes-Barre Township, West Pittston, West Wilkes-Barre, Nescopeck, Hanover Township, White Haven, Kingston, Luzerne, Courtdale, Edwardsville, Newport Town­ and Forty Fort. LUZERNE COUNTY BOROUGH ASSOCIATION Councilmen of Luzerne County have organized a Borough Association, the twenty-fifth such group in Pennsylvania, following the bi-monthly dinner meet­ ing at the Wilkes College Cafeteria. By-laws, under preparation since last summer, were adopted and officers elected. The local group which now com­ prises thirteen boroughs will be affiliated with the Pennsylvania Association for Boroughs. The following are the elected officers: President First Vice President Second Vice President Secretary Treasurer State Representative Ralph Brown, Kingston, Councilman Thomas Callahan, Laurel Run, Council President Alan Bare , Forty Fort,Councilman Roy Speece, West Pittston, Council Secretary Harvey Nicken, Laurel Run, Council Secretary Elwood Jones, West Hazleton, Solicitor Directors elected were Wilson Smith, Nescopeck; John Gallick, Dupont; Gilbert Watkins, Laurel Run; William Thomas, Forty Fort; John Mulhall, West Pittston; Luther Nicholson, White Haven; Brinley Crahall, Courtdale. Board members from Nuangola, Ashley, Kingston, Luzerne, West Hazle­ ton, and Edwardsville will be chosen at a future date. �new legislation Act 340 - Total appropriation for highway allocation has been increas ri 15 to 18 million dollars, 14 million to be divided on popm^ fr°tu per cent) and mileage (40 per cent) and 4 million in the Matc^ <6° Act 31 - Taxes under the tax-anything law must be renewed yearly and milst filed in the Bureau of Municipal Affairs. Act 86 - Sales to political subdivisions or to authorities are exernnt new sales tax. er the Act 118- Fines levied by justices of the peace must be turned °Ver to borough or township treasurers on a monthly basis. PENNSYLVANIA STREAM POLLUTION This state continued to lead all others in 1952 in the number of sewage and industrial waste treatment plants, according to Wastes Engineering. The survey states that 804 sewage treatment plants and 392 industrial wastes treat­ ment works were built in the country. Pennsylvania accounts for 83 and 124 of these systems respectively. California ranks second, followed by Texas, Wisconsin, and Florida. On industrial waste, this state is followed by Michigan and Wisconsin. In Pennsylvania 43 of the plants under construction are to serve populations of less than 5, 000 people. The 83 plants are designed to serve a population of about 2, 500, 000 people, and the total cost is placed at more than $60, 000, 000. Act 245 - Additions to real estate subject to local property taxation are k trailers attached to land, trailer parks, and parking lots °USe The decided trend is toward joint treatment projects, both nationally and in the state. The Allegheny County Sanitary Authority is the largest in the coun­ try--comprising Pittsburgh and 63 other municipalities in the area. There is a A?1 68 ~ Persons are permitted to hold both the offices of Secretary and Treas. possibility that 3 other units might join. In addition, many industrial concerns urer in boroughs of less than 2, 000. have entered into agreements with the authority. Ac£69_- Powers and duties of the Recreation Board in first-lass tow are refined. urst-ciass townships Act 49 v This project entails the laying of 66 miles of intercepting sewers varying in size from 2 feet to 10 1/2 feet. The plant will treat 150 million gallons of wastes a day, serving 1,400, 000 people. This act provides that a person person appointed to fill a vacancy in the office of Commissioner, Controller, In the southeastern part of the state 3 authorities comprising 27 communi­ and Treasurer serves his predecessor' ties are building plants. The Darby Creek Authority is made up of 10 local units. unexpired term of office. RAW GARBA GE New headaches for local officials ailed vesicular exantheura. In SDite are f observed because of a hog disease imposition of strictp te of — an expenditure of $3, 000, 000 and the P ki ■ states, the nation-wide epidemic o<^citi„oftheOnite “a5s feUe°d bHealth Service estimated that 40 per cent Therefore, the Federal r t eir garbage to swine without disinfection. up on the health laws pG°Ve^merlt *nd n many state governments are tightening tl>e feediag 0[ „ncooked e™«rl'a„ia has jjoined about a dozen states in forbidding garbage to hogs. / to swine feeding anH I ~ s Act 55, approved June 19, 1953, relate "a11 garbage be tho dlsPosal. g be thoroughly heated — Section 10 of the new law requires that to at least 212 ° F. for at least 20 minutes. TheTT ha,t lh' Act in the . -- not too distant future. e Miles Horst will issue procedures under th continue their Until then, Present operations. garbage collectors and feeders c In addition to i— ■ squiring that all firms „ garbage from others M -^Uation of cJ^Xanimal feedinp ’ persons. or corporations rec eiving , , ■’*t garbage tbe new law permits the reThis featur —*e was iincluded 8arbaSe conf collection uded to provide a "• CtlOn by ma nicipalities (Section ZB)Person. ■ • fulfilling the cr ° Provide a "just & Confront contract. ii" JUSt re turn on the added expense to the return FINANCING MUNICIPAL IMPROVEMENT Writing in the Constructioneer, Maurice J. Fleischman, city manager of Long Beach, New York, states that more ways must be found to finance im­ provements needed by suburban communities. The one thing that local officials can do is to make as many facilities as possible self-supporting and self-liqui­ dating, fixing the charge high enough to provide the necessary funds. The sewer rental charge was set at 100 per cent of the water charge with the hope of reducing it to 90 per cent shortly. In the meantime, the sewer fund pays all operating and maintenance costs as well as interest and amortization of all sewer bonds. The three capital improvements--incinerator, parking lot, and sewer--are all expected to be self-liquidating. Long Beach has found the advantage of quickly amortizing indebtedness. Compare this: The cost of financing at 3 per cent a million-dollar 30-year proj­ ect is $413,250, while a 5-year project only costs $85,860. Therefore, to save costs all bonds have been callable at the city's option. Sound financial practice dictates that these calls be exercised when possible. �wha_tHJ1^L? a ^/Unance adopted by the commissioners pits HANOVER TOWNSHIP - An 0 ng of signs, banners, etc. , on polP esr°hib . -3 along the posting, painting playgrounds. streets and alleysi as ordinance every property owner within a KINGSTON - Since un d gas station mlist grant permission, those 500-foot radius ?? shouid grow in value with the passing of time stations now in p the city dump used f NANTICOKE - Fire controls have been sen r r gar. bage and refuse collected by city equipment NEWPORT TOWNSHIP - The tax collector reported 94 per cent collection of 1953 VOL. II,NO. 11 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA. NOVEMBER 15, 1953 ayp s WYOMING - Councilmen are still pondering the necessity of a zoning ordinanj DURYEA - Borough council has promised financial aid in the construction of a community swimming pool. SWOYERVILLE - Council ratified the program of the State Highway engineers to resurface the Back Road. PLYMOUTH - An ordinance to control salesmen and solicitors is under consid. eration by council. EDWARDSVILLE - Council will open bids on a new police cruiser. DUPONT - Operating on a small budget, the Council is now heading toward a year-end surplus. AVOCA - The State Highway Department has approved flashing lights at Plane and York Street intersections on Main Street. PITTSTON - Five of the seven recommendations made by a special survey con) mittee will be given a 60-day trial. WEST WYOMING - There appears to be some talk on the merging of Wyoming and West Wyoming boroughs, which have existed as separate entities sinci 1898 when the West Ward (W. W. ) broke from the larger borough. WILKES-BARRE - The City finds itself $20, 000 in the red on revenue estimate from parking meter, amusement, and salvage income. THOUGHTS FOR It's the little things that worry us. tack. TODAY You can sit on a mountain, but not on a PROBLEMS FOR THE NEWLY ELECTED COUNCILMEN 1. How may zoning help solve such problems as strip mining, trailer camps, used car lots, junk yards, billboards, and overhanging street signs? 2. Are there any standards based on population for the number of policemen a municipality should have ? . 3. What authority does a municipal health officer have? 4. What municipal jobs have special contact aspects? 5. Should capital improvements be taken into consideration in estimating expenditures ? Can newly elected councilmen answer these questions and others satisfac­ torily? If not, there is a place to garner information. The Political Science Department in cooperation with the Public Service Institute will again conduct a course for councilmen and first-class township commissioners. The first News -Letter published by the Department contains the details of that FIRST GRADUATION. All municipal officials are invited to attend. It is our wish to limit the class. A proportion of 2/3 new members and 1/3 old members ought to make for an enthusiastic class. Plans are to begin the course in January. Details will be mailed to all councilmen and commissioners during the latter part of November. The did the same thing yestel daybragglng aboQt what he is going to do tomorrow REFUSE DISPOSAL PUB LIC A T ION This News-letter, published monthly a, in the Political Science as a community service, originates 'es VO1 College. Notes and inquiries tf1 ' be addressed to Dr. H ?VrePtrtment of Wilke. Wilkes-Barre, —-cnee Department, Wilkes C° The Northeast Division of the Pennsylvania Economy League has produced a condensation from a detailed survey of refuse collection in Lower Bucks County. The League notes that the complete survey report will be made available to the League members and public officials upon request as long as the supply lasts. This Department has made its single copy available to the councilmen of Kingston and Forty Fort. There is a great deal to be said for sanitary landfill. According to a re­ cent issue of Engineering News-Record, about 225 acres of waste land that had �. claimed, much of it for park pUr will be re become lit of municipal improvements begi -r County way, local mits of govern^, method to heal strip mine scars. The e3< C01 the 1. Protect public health--reducing opportunities for insects to spread disease from their breeding places and reducing water born- disease through pollution of streams. 2. Reduce fire hazards--removing combustible wastes that add danger to property and increase fire-fighting costs. 3. Reduce stream pollution--effecting savings in water treatment costs. 4. Conserve land and materials--unifying operations which permit the salvage of disposal areas and lead to the more economic use of land. 5. Improve community appearance--disposing of waste materials which are offensive to the eye and nose, detract from land values, lower the living quality of a community, and limit the ability to attract sound growth. ' c°n. irton is a notable e::xampleWEIGH AGE? „The Man" in County Bloughs -It has been said that Youth is the Age of Folly; Middle-Age, the a of Frustration; and Old Age, the Age of Futility. That there is truth in saying, anyone with reasonable powers of observation can testify. "Since most councilmen are middle-aged, we would address our re. marks to that period of life. Sooner or later everyone of us finds himself' frustrated. Needs that are clear to us are not recognized by others. Something that should be done cannot be accomplished because funds are not available. Personal antagonisms and personal ambitions clash bitterly and good projects fail because of them. Fatigue, laziness, indifference, and sheer childishness all play their part in defeating our proper ends. "What can we do? We can change other men's attitudes but slightly. We can change the world's not at all. B ut there is one thing we can change and that is ourselves. We can accept the fact that we are partly to blame for the conditions which exist. Have we been arrogant, discourteous, or careless Are our projects really sound or were they not thought through as they should have been? Have we really understood that other men have the right to disg with us and that there are times when they are right and we are wrongtesvkW^mUSt Sdmit °Ur mistakes and substitute modesty tor arrogance, c" dlsc0Qrtesy, a„d ears for careles3ness "If we i ’ll only do these things, our projects will more fre<^Uertr^dle come to fruition and we will be far happier and far more useful men-^ the Age Age will then bee of Frustration."i me th6 Age of Accomplishment and will cease SOCIAL Economy of operation is a second important objective. This means getting the utmost value out of every tax dollar. Changing conditions and technological advances dictate constant appraisal. Basic assumptions must be periodically reconsidered. Are pre-collection regulations adequate? Should the special collection vehicle replace the truck? Have collection routes been adjusted to meet changed conditions? Are there damages to equipment? Is the cheap dump really cheap in the face of dropping land values? Has storm water infiltration reached such a volume as to warrant some reconstruction of mains ? Adequate and efficient service is bound to create good public relations, a third administrative objective. The following promote public acceptance: prompt handling of complaints, attention given to the appearance of men and equipment, campaigns to enlist compliance of regulations. Both social and administrative objectives must constantly be re-examined to determine governmental successes or failures. OBJECTIVE S OF WASTE C O L L E C T_L2-S- From time to r . nY forms of waste (sew ^°ca^ Units of government ought to appra that are:collected. DiSDOQa8e’ garbage> rubbish, ashes, and street c°me a imunicipal functiOn large quantities of waste material tives are = varied; ’ No longer is it an individual matter. There are three administrative objectives in addition to the social objectives. The first objective concerns the adequacy of operations. The number of people, population density, topography, climate, soil conditions, and nearness to other communities affect collection and disposal. Although adequacy of operations cannot be measured among municipalities, it is meas­ ureable for any given locality. the bes) , ^ec' PUB LIC AT ION This News-letter, published monthly as a community service, originates in the Political Science Department of Wilkes College. Notes and Inquiries may be addressed to Dr. H. V. Mailey, Political Science Department, Wilkes College, Wilkes-Barre, Pa. �- -_ wimes bum WHAT'S NEW? STATE HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT - Construction of Route 780, known as the Dupont-Avoca bypass, will directly affect owners of twenty homes and fifteen other properties, all of whom lave been notified to vacate by April 1. PENNSYLVANIA SUPREME COURT - The City of Wilkes-Barre is not liable for personal injuries sustained by an individual who falls on a generally slippery construction of either a street or sidewalk due to the presence of ice and snow, accumulated as a result of a natural cause. BACK MOUNTAIN - Local governments are increasingly aware that zoning is working in the new residential developments, thus enhancing property values. Led by Jackson Township, other units may prepare ordinances already in use by real estate developers. LUZERNE COUNTY - The commissioners are considering a plan to air-map the county as part of an over-all tax program, since the idea proved successful in establishing boundaries. NEWPORT TOWNSHIP - Local government is being operated at $13.69 per $13.89 resident, one of the lowest per capitas reported by theatfirst-class townships in the state. During the last year local indebtedness was reduced by $13, 000 to a total of- T$71,578. •PLYMOUTH - The old dump in the borough „ i is being used temporarily until facilities can be found f for disposal of ashes and garbage, since the Narrows Road site le was closed. HANOVER TOWNSHIP - Employees have made sewer repairs that have the municipality little--adjacent property owners purchased 1 cost the commissioners provided transportation for five workers, the pipe, a Department of Public Assistance project. This is NANTICOKE - City Council meeting as a board of taxes cided to retain the present tax valuation of the new 1 assessments de­ and the next five years. The plant is owned by the Nanticoke McGregor plant for Barre Industrial Fund. City Council and the Fire Chief are and W ilkes to have several unlicensed junkyards closed. cooperating DUPONT - Because traffic is expected to increase through town proposed highway, many citizens feel that the borders of on thethe 1 new should be enlarged through annexation to make room for drive borough ping centers. e-in shop­ LARKSVILLE ----- —I - Council does not have much m---•construction after money for improvements and old accounts, even with a 95 new cent tax <collection.paying salaries and d old per JACKSON TOWNSHIP - * ------- ’ - Alarmed by increased dumping of waste materials in addition " * ’21—-i to abandoning of pets, garbage and other acted an ordinance supervisors have enKINGSTON - The path was to end these nuisances. cleared by council for a new real estate development , by passing an ordinance VOL.II.NO. 12 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA. DECEMBER 15, 1953 FIRST ANNIVERSARY This issue marks the first anniversary of the Luzerne County News-Letter published for local public officials. No one could lave imagined the trials and tribulations in putting out the informative sheet--no local news, broken typewriter, delay everywhere along the line. Although some issues were late in reaching you, the presses rolled on. It is appropriate then, in this issue, to give a word of thanks to those who have made this News-Letter possible: Dr. Eugene S. Farley, President of Wilkes, who saw a need for the Letter; James Foxlow and his successor, Dale Warmouth, and the Public Relations staff; Miss Beverly VanHorn, who does the typing; Mrs. Hugo V. Mailey, who did much of the mailing for the earlier issues; Mebane Off­ set Printing Co. ; the first graduating class of councilmen and commissioners, who lent encouragement in this publication. LUZERNE COUNTY BOROUGH ASSOCIATION Bert Husband of Kingston and John Stein of West Hazleton were added to the Board of Directors. The position of executive secretary was created at the last meeting and Dr. Hugo V. Mailey was elected to the post. The Association plans to invite those boroughs that have not joined to send delegates to the next meeting, January 21, at the Wilkes College Cafeteria. The speaker will be Daniel Bailey, Township engineer of the State Department of Highways. His topic will be "Allocation of Liquid Fuel Funds. " STREET OPENINGS Erecting barricades is a common practice when streets are out or being repaired. Protection is left to the judgment of the foreman. Lanterns may even be used. Pedestrians thus appear protected. But how about the motorist? How can traffic hazards be minimized? The cooperation of street crew and/or public utility is required, with a general plan of operations worked out in advance. The reporting of all work proposals should be made to a single agency which would schedule work to assure minimum interference with traffic. industry to residential. rezoning the West Bennett Street area from light Los Angeles has developed such a coordinating group and a training pro­ gram to teach workers how to handle excavations with a minimum of interference. Here are some suggestions from its training handbook: �excavated dirt to a boards (wooden retainers) to confine 1. Use toe the excavation. narrow pile close along the curb, place excavated material on the 2. When excavation is near over the gutter for free drainage flow. curbside, after first boarding 3. 4. Park work equipment where it will interfere least with traffic. Recent statutes have tended to benefit the individual tort claimant rather than to grant protection for municipalities. Many claims today are based on defec­ tive sidewalks. Three steps might be taken by every local unit to alleviate the danger and still give partial protection: Haul away excavated material at intersections. Work could be scheduled at off-peak traffic: hours. A four or five-day job should be started on Monday, not on a street that carries heavy week-end traffic; si ■r out paving projects. Kansas City Thursday. A number of cities carry <— one-day one Sunday. Baltimore repaved fourteen resurfaced five blocks downtown on one Sunday, blocks of a major street on a Sunday. Plan of barricading must precede the start of actual work. Each job must be studied as to the street's physical features, grades, obstructions to sight, movement of pedestrians, and the type of work. Warning equipment must be carefully placed. The preferred color for barricades is yellow, striped with black. Two red flags to each barricade placed at a height of 5 feet are recom­ mended. The kerosene bomb torch is preferred for night warning. The red lantern should be used in neighborhoods where children play. The effects of one avoidable accident and the bad public relations caused by interference with traffic should interest more local officials. ANNUAL REPORT Fourteen communities were given awards in the Second Annual Modern Municipal Report Contest sponsored by the Institute of Local Government of Pennsylvania State University. Not one of the fourteen winners came from Luzern County or northeastern Pennsylvania. The F ’ niC\DeP“tment WiU again Send for c°Pies of the winning S-.^! reports. Together with last ^ar's collection, the reports can be obtained at the Wilkes College Library, Local officials should giive thought to municipal reporting. Now is the time to prepare the 1954 report. 3 P'S OF TORT LIABILITY We are■ living in a claim-conscious period municipality (can be held liable in damages are ’ The torts for which any spread over the entire field of municipal activities, Firemen, policemen, members of f 1 garbage collecting and service squads street cleaning, s are potentially guilty of • negligence. 1. Prevent--the obvious danger spots by repairing defective sidewalks, unsafe buildings, and other places where accidents might occur. 2. Provide--protection by taking out insurance against liability, If the insurance policy has been cancelled, you can provide self-insurance or partial self-insurance. 3. Prepare--legislation that provides greater means of protection. Examine local laws. Join with other communities for greater efficiency. BOROUGHS BUILD JOINTLY In an article by John Bailey in this October's issue of The American City, local municipalities can learn how to get a sound dollar's worth of street main­ tenance by pooling equipment specifications. The boroughs of Edgeworth, Osborne, and Senichley in Western Pennsylvania have laid out a high-grade, large-scale, cooperative road building program. First, managers of the boroughs agreed on common specifications for materials for sealing their streets, using RT-9 tar and limestone chips which are specified by the Pennsylvania Highway Department. Then, they worked out a schedule so that equipment would not be needed in different communities at the same time. Finally, they agreed on a plan to purchase new equipment which would be used jointly. Senichley did its work first, using a truck, driver, and stone spreader from Edgeworth. Edgeworth and Osborne followed, using Edgeworth and Senichley men and equipment. After the work was completed, rental of equipment was com­ puted and adjustments made. Because the three boroughs are purchasing their tar from the same company on a bulk purchase contract, future prices will be lower. Cooperation is paying off for all three communities. Joint efforts are not always easy for they require much tolerance and work for all concerned, especially elected officials. They do, however, offer a solution for overcoming the disadvantages of making improvements in smaller communities where citizens do not wish to consolidate or federate. �s College Lfarary .£wf0uce. (faittly rubberized asphalt - 7 an asphalt street with a natural New York City plans to determine how A test strip, the second in New rubber content will withstand heavy traffic. Three years York City, was laid on First Avenue where truck travel is heavy ago, the City laid a trial surfacing for heavy passenger-car travel, Results VOL. Ill, NO. 1 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA. JANUARY 15, 1954 obtained were excellent. WHAT'S NE W ? KINGSTON - Trailer camps will not be permitted in areas zoned as residential. NANTICOKE - Council is expected to adopt the 1954 budget, containing no pro­ vision for any raise in taxes. PLYMOUTH - Parking meter revenues have dropped because of either vandalism or mechanically defective meters. DUPONT - Council is willing to offer land to veterans' organizations to erect a memorial for servicemen. PITTSTON - The city is considering half-hour parking for a nickel. ASHLEY - Temporary loans amounting to $30, 000 were retired at the regular monthly meeting of the Council. THOUGHTS FOR TODAY Some people are like blotters. They soak it all in, but get it all backwards. A dime is a dollar with all the taxes taken out of it. PUBLICA T I O N This News-letter, published monthly ac as a community service, originates in the Political Science Department of Wilkes tt v College. Notes and Inquiries may be addressed to Dr. JHugo ’ V. MaHey, Political Science Department, Wilkes College, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.’ BAILEY ON ALLOCATION OF LIQUID FUEL FUNDS The January meeting of councilmen and commissioners should be a- most interesting one. The speaker will be Daniel Bailey, Township engineer of the State Department of Highways in Harrisburg. His topic will be "Allocation of Liquid Fuel Funds. " The meeting is scheduled for the night of January 21 at 6:30 in the Wilkes College Cafeteria. Reservations can be made by calling the College. The number is VA 4-4651. PURCHASING FOR A SMALL TOWN If municipalities are experiencing a declining tax base, local public officials ought to explore all possibilities for more efficient and economical administration. One method of saving is to improve purchasing procedures. Do you purchase in a hit-and-miss fashion, with little evidence of ef­ ficiency of operation? Do you have inventory control? Or must you postpone work until supplies are ordered and received? Do you use tests and specifica­ tions to determine the quality of the purchases? The borough of Dormont, Pennsylvania saved much through systematic purchasing. An analysis of more than 22 items purchased since 1946 was made. For each item, the quantities purchased during the year, unit prices, vendors, and other data were determined. The quantities purchased each year were com­ pared with that year's work-program and in this way the requirements for the current year were estimated. After stock was inventoried, the quantity to be purchased was determined. Specifications were drawn up and distributed to vendors selling to the borough. Requests for bids were publicized, especially in AMERICAN CITY. Newspaper advertising is ordinarily the least successful since it does not cover the greatest number of suppliers. "T----- Standard bidding blanks were mailed to all vendors. The vendor was re­ quested to fill in the unit price f.o.b. shipping point and the unit price f.o.b. Dormont, and to stipulate variations from specifications, if any. Quotations were requested on a standing order basis only. The borough agreed to purchase the quantity of each product desired as it was needed, with payment to be made after delivery. If any item was needed in less quantity than anticipated, the bor­ ough agreed to fulfill all purchase commitments over a two-year period, the vendor agreeing to hold the price over the two-year period. I �In the year 1950 alone, the total savings amounted to $1, 042.45 or 14 per cent of the estimated cost of the year's purchases at 1949 prices. Systematic purchasing as practiced by the borough officials of Dormont is one way to get more for the tax dollar. Together with pooled services and pooled purchases (suggested in the December and February issues of the Newsletter), local of­ LEGAL NOTES The following case is reviewed to illustrate the failure of an attempt to aintain the character of residential section without the assistance of a zoning in: ordinance. ficials might realize tremendous savings. Menger v. Pass, Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, May 21, 1951 TRAINING OF FIREMEN IN PENNSYLVANIA Pass, appellant, purchased a piece of vacant land in Harrisburg, on which he proposed to build a tourist court, At the time of purchase, November 1949, there was no zoning ordinance or building restrictions prohibiting motor courts. Now that Pennsylvania has one of the finest fire-training schools in the United States, this state ought to lead the nation in the reduction of fire losses. This goal can only be realized if local government officials encourage interested firemen to attend this school, open from April to November. Make plans now to attend the Annual Firemen's Training Conference at Lewistown during the month of August. In his main address at the cornerstone laying last August, Alfred S. Holt of the Public Service Institute stated that the school was an outgrowth of the programs conducted by the Institute since 1938. The 1946 Annual Fire School marked the beginning of a program of "learning by doing, " featuring training under actual fire conditions. It was the success of this program that prompted the firemen of Pennsylvania to sponsor legislation for erection of the permanent Fire School. In August 1950 a building permit was issued for the erection of the struc­ ture, on Front Street, a multi-lane highway along the Susquehanna River . There are only three non-residential buildings on Front or Second Street. All dwellings on Front are single-family structures and those on Second are both one and two family dwellings. The fair market value of the majority of the residences in the neighborhood runs from $10, 000 to $75, 000. In March 1950 the neighboring property owners filed their bill of complaint, stating that a tourist court in a strictly residential neighborhood is a nuisance per se, and hoped that an injunction be issued enjoining the erection of the motor court. The proposed use of the land was restrained by the Court of Common Pleas. The tract on which the school is situated is about eight acres with a training yard of more than five acres and will accommodate over sixty students. The Ad­ ministration Building will be a two-story modern brick fire-resistive building and will include classrooms, pump laboratory, fire apparatus room, offices, library, locker room, shower room, and maintenance shop. The Fire Training Building will be a modern fire -resistive multiple story yarranged ---with provision for combustible hatches, panels and trap doors in floors, ’walls, and roofs. The building pls ar>ri p— J-------- • '' will consist of three sections: sections: manufacturing manufacturing plant, plant, mercantile building, and a home. The training training yard yard will for teaching teaching hydraulic hydraulic and and pump opwill have have facilities facilities for eration, oil and gasoline tanks for f-Drill space will be available for —‘ testing and extinguishing flammable liquids, minor extinguishing practices. In reversing the decision, the State Supreme Court stated that a tourist court is not a nuisance per se. "Such assigned reason respecting the operation of proposed auto court is obviously anticipatory, conjectural. . .. . Such suggested or predicted results are neither inevitable nor likely. Should, ---- 1J however, such legal business be improperly conducted and become a nuisance in fact, its operations can be restrained. " " ---As far as local officials are concerned, these two sentences aresignificant: "When owners of real estate in a residential area desire to preserve their neigh: secure appropriate zoning ordinances borhood in an unchanged condition, they must In the absence of zoning ordinances or re or be protected by building restrictions.. L. -■ real estate in the area and use it for any lawstrictions, any citizen may purchase 1----------ful purpose. " The course will change each week so f that training can be offered in all areas of fire fighting and fire prevention. There is •3 no tuition cost. TRAINING COURSE Old and newly elected local public officials are welcome to attend the new training course. The class is open to both elected and appointed officials. This ten-session course is free of charge. The Public Service Institute will grant certificates to those completing the course. THOUGH TS FOR TODAY An off day is something that usually follows a day off. Prejudice is being down on / something which you are not up on. �^cc^entte. TleM^-Cetten. WHAT'S NEW? initiated action to insure all LUZERNE COUNTY - The Commissioners have loss by robbery, burglary, and employees handling public funds against VOL. HI, NO. 2 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA. FEBRUARY 15, 1954 BOROUGhIsSOCIATION - Bert He.band ot Kingston and John L. Stein of West Hazleton were added to the Board of Directors of the Association. HANOVER TOWNSHIP - The commissioners received a recommendation from the Chief of Police that overnight parking could be eliminated by opening several community parking lots. NANTICOKE - Bond issues floated in 1939 and 1948 for a total of $158, 000 were wiped out recently, leaving only three bond issues outstanding. 1949, 1950, and 1952. PLYMOUTH - Local officials have been notified that twenty-seven of the borough personnel have been approved for Social Security. EDWARDSVILLE - Local officials, though disturbed by reports that the new busi­ ness section along Narrows Road may be annexed by Kingston, have resolved not to lose any ground to its neighbors. KINGSTON - The borough now owns fifteen acres of land east of Rutter Avenue, part of which may be used for the construction of a new warehouse. DALLAS - Council members are unanimous in lending every effort to ease the parking situation along Main Street. WEST PITTSTON - Vehicles and equipment of the city street department will be housed in a centrally located site in a plan to reorganize the street depart­ ment for greater efficiency and economy. WILKES-BARRE - Assessed valuation for 1954 shows a decrease of $201,841.00 o=XX°ai XXX b'ins"coal landB “d NEwp’oRTTo-wXr px b: xx-x ibe Me™Tg;ve:x.mi::xrs,b‘v'1.r“'ived a check f» chased for the X (.vinlX XX °' tht" H" ■>“- DANIEL A . BAILEY Daniel A. Bailey, Chief Township Engineer of the State Highway Department, advised local officials at the bi-monthly meeting that matching money refunds from the liquid fuel tax for 1952 would revert to the fund un­ less the subdivisions submit projects for road maintenance or improvement before the end of the year. He stated that 25 of the 33 boroughs in Luzerne County have not submitted projects to claim their shares of the 1952 funds. Municipalities have 3 years in which tp claim the funds. Unclaimed 1952 funds for boroughs in the county amount to $8, 353.27. The largest un­ claimed amount is allotted to Swoyerville---- $793.21, the lowest amount to Laflin---- $54.24. Within a few weeks, Dr. Hugo V. Mailey of Wilkes College will send all the pertinent information on matching fund grants to local officials. COUNTY GOVERNMENT Practical knowledge about government can very well begin down on the local level. A knowledge of the functions and powers of the officials will help responsible citizens assume their civic duties. Various types of local governments exist in Pennsylvania. Local units of government do not have inherent powers of their own; the power to create the local units rests with the state. Provision for powers and functions of local governments can be found in the charters issued by the state. The power to contract or extend these functions of local governments rests solely with the state. The responsibility for the operation of local government, however, rests with the officials elected in the respective communities. publication This News-letter, published monthly a; Department of Wilkes WTkSedB° PolRicMSc ge’ Notes and i Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Science• Department, Department, Wilkes Wilkes College, The principal administrative area in England was the county. This same unit became the important governmental area in Pennsylvania colonial govern­ ment. Today, county government lies between the local units and the state it­ self. The county has a large field of powers and functions delegated to it by the state. As the smaller units relinquish many functions to the counties and as the state creates more powers for the county governments, these areas of govern­ mental control are becoming more significant every day. one. to the municipalities is a complicated The relation of the county government joint interest in the construction of roads. Both units of government have a �3 are elected, yet they make the classes of counties the tax assessors the county commissioners who pay them. valuation of taxable property or in are divided into classes, ranging from The 67 counties in Pennsylvania Luzerne, Delaware, Lackawanna, Montone to eight, based on population, gomery, am'd ~0'^ “a" X. 43 ar. in the last three classes. Ten counties in th. state are in th. eighth class where the population .s less than 20, 000. Although most of the counties can be classified as rural it does not mean that the population of the state can be classified as such About 2, 000, 000 of the state's 10, 500, 000 live in Philadelphia, the only first-class SIDEWALK CASE The following case points up the re sponsibility of municipalities in regard to sidewalks: In Tauber v. Wilkinsburg 309 Pa. 331, the Supreme Court of Pennsyl­ vania held that the negligence of the borough was clearly established. In the case, trucks passed over a sidewalk, breaking the flagstones. After replac­ ing same, crevices varying from one to four inches remained between the flagstones. The borough filled these crevices with mud and ashes. Since the plaintiff was not guilty of contributory negligence, she was entitled to recover. Note to municipal officials: Repairs must not have defects. county. The classification set up is useful for the legislature. Pennsylvania's Constitution prevents the General Assembly from passing any special legisla­ tion for particular counties. Therefore, when the General Assembly passes a law, the law is applicable to a class of counties. The Legislature does not enact laws that pertain to Luzerne County alone, but to third-class counties. SOCIAL SECURITY A total of 753 government units in Pennsylvania now have social security coverage for their employees, according to Richard H. Wagner, Legal Adviser of the Bureau of Social Security of the Department of Labor and Industry. Among these are 266 boroughs, 34 first-class townships, 25 cities, and 35 counties. About 60 of the 753 had retirement systems and repealed them About 250 cases are pending for approval. It should be noted that December 31 1953 was the deadline for making coverage retroactive to January 1 1951 This date apphesm applications received in the New York regional office and not at the state INCINERATOR The Delaware County Commissioners recently created the Delaware County Incinerator Authority to build one or more incinerators to dispose of rubbish and garbage. The participating municipalities will pay a proportionate share of the cost of the operation, based on the poundage of garbage and rubbish disposed. ADEQUATE HIGHWAYS Last year General Motors conducted a national better highways contest in which more than 44, 000 essays were submitted on the subject, "How to Plan and Pay for the Safe and Adequate Highways We Need." Below are some of the remarks of the winner of the West-South Region, Judge Walter L. Pope of Arkansas. The answer. . . is in form of a command to us; and it is divided into three parts: If your employees are now covered by social security, it is time to reappraise the payroll to see if your municipality is carrying "hidden pensioners. Social security could be the that the olrLtp j ®ett^n8 young people to enter the public service. TNow ’ • f» h i: nOt h‘Ve l° *>' “> '>■= payroll, it is time to be selectives. in hiring personnel. } vania Municipal EmpSyets RetTremelrAlt^a^ed^01^3 government is to compete with private i d 1. The development of an efficient nation-wide administrative tool to determine and fix standards and designs of the nation s highways. PennSyl“ passed some Vears ago. If local d SOme and attract workable base for a sound supplement social security. a statewide basis something sri,y p“idXatlract a “ir -ha" °i The generation of an informed, aroused, and fighting public interest. 3. The provision for a dependable and steady supply of funds to be fairly and equitably expended. "We are told by experts that $32 billion should be used during the next ten years merely to correct deficiencies as they exist today. The Federal Govern­ ment is collecting in excess of $2 billion annually as excise taxes on gas and fuel, and the sale of vehicles, parts, tubes. Yet, the Federal Government appropriates only twenty-six per cent of that for road construction. The contributions fall far short of present-day needs. The average motorist pays at least one-third of a cent per mile tax to the State in which the road traveled is located. A road with 4, 000 vehicles a day earns about $4, 800 a year. �W H A T ' s NEW? to the West Side Visiting FORTY FORT - Council approved a donation of $100 Nurses Association. of 1932, peddlers with a license are PLYMOUTH - According to an ordinance liable for fines. Snherolite lamps recently installed on VAVTTCOKE - The one hundred new bpnerom h some streets provide 25 per cent more brilliance without an increase ln KINGSTON - The borough is seriously considering health and death benefits, □ver and above federal Social Security, for about sixty employees. ASHLEY - Local officials are considering installing a traffic light at the inter­ section of Hazleton and South Main Streets regardless of the attitude of the State Department of Highways. WEST PITTSTON - Borough fathers still have a pay hike for employees under consideration. LUZERNE - Despite a big pile of unpaid bills, council plans a two-mill cut in the real estate tax levy in 1954, lowering the millage to 19 mills. HANOVER TOWNSHIP - Commissioners state that reconstruction of the,Oxford Street crossing of the Pennsylvania Railroad represents a tremendous improvement for the sector. PITTSTON - Due to a budget slash, the City Street Department reduced its personnel. AVOCA - An increase in taxes is being considered by borough fathers as they began work on the 1954 budget. THOU GHTS F OR TODAY One of the smallest packages we ever saw was a man wholly wrapped up in himself. left to”“Pr shoulder., there'. „ot much room VOL. HL NO. 3 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA. MARCH 15, 1954 METROP OLITANIT1S Suburbanitis or metropolitanitis is not a new disease. Political scientists have poured out millions of words on the subject. All that we have ever accom­ plished is a world's record for words. Since the end of the war, people everywhere have expressed a desire for better parks, schools, playgrounds, sewerage systems, underground garages, and other services. Any success in realizing these desires is bound up with the problem of metr opolitanitis. A metropolitan area can simply be defined as the outward movement of people from a large city forming satellite communities each with their governments. The reasons for the disease are not hard to find. First, the motor vehicle, high speed lines, and inter-urban railways have decreased traveling distances. Second, the central part of a city becomes overcrowded making it less desirable for residential purposes. This overcrowding is followed by an out­ ward movement to get away from the effects of urban congestion, noise and dirt; to obtain more favorable living conditions, or opportunities for outdoor life. Homeowners and businessmen who locate in the fringe area seek a reduction in real estate costs, lower assessments and lower tax rates, and freedom from building regulations and other restrictions. Generally, business and profes­ sional people are the first to move into these "bedroom” municipalities. Third, industries seek more space and low-priced land to set up demount­ able, one-story factories in case of enemy bombing. PUBLICATION This News-letter, published monthly as a community service, originates in the Political Scie: -ence Department of Wilkes C~iic> Notes and inquiries may be addressed to Dr. Hugo V. Mailey, PoliticalCollege. Scie 1 mce Department, Wilkes College, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Now, what are the effects of such a movement, both on the central city and on the fringe municipalities? In time, the key city eventually suffers a loss in population. The central city also experiences a decline in the valuation of taxable real estate. The migrants who continue to work or shop in the city pay little or nothing to offset the decreases in revenue from lowered property values. Important elements of the population in a metropolitan area lave withdrawn from the politics and government of the central city by moving to the suburbs, so that while there is greater citizen participation in the outlying areas, the city has lost its professional and business leaders. To the outside world, the population of the citY as listed in statistical reports might be misconstrued as the population of the area, with the result that new industries do not consider the area sufficiently ex­ tensive . �The „.a — “U essential PLANNING ASSIST A N C E with the growth of new larger metropolitan area of which it is an inte. on as if it were not relate o hi high standards of service, not only gral part. It is often -P-^^^s"t the same job in a congested area,' Most of the municipalities of Montgomery County ; are too small physically and financially to justify hiring a professional planner, With population density and land use pattern controlled by borough and township 1 zoning, the County Planning Commission is to furnish technical assistance. X-X" zrLns “e exiunce of several layers of goveram.nl in metropolitan areas creates co„(,' sion, overburdens the voting population, and adds to governmental costs Many of the localities on the fringe are unable to maintain the kind of service that the urbat) Rapid growth in outlying areas means that added facilities must be pro­ vided by municipalities. These facilities include: H dweller in the modern world requires. Although some of these communities do provide adequate service, many suburban places become a potpourri of residences, industry, and vacant land. Lack of any planned effort to solve common problems leads to governmental chaos and bad public relations. Most of the metropolitan communities find themselves nearer this anarchy today than is generally realized. 1. The provision of adequate roads: <additional ’ ”“ local streets, improved major highways, and more road maintenance. 2. The provision of necessary services: public water and sewer systems, garbage and trash collection, street lighting, and fire hydrants. 3. Administrative expenditures: inspection and licensing. 1 9 5 3 LAWS AFFECTING LOCAL GOVERNMENT 4. A total of 2,490 bills were introduced in the 1953 session of the General Assembly, 622 of which related--directly or indirectly--to local government. Of these, 133 were passed by the House and the Senate. The Governor approved 122 and vetoed 11. Act 1 45 - Whenever the annexation of territory in a second-class town­ ship to a borough, city, or township is desired, a majority of the free-holders in the proposed annexed territory shall petition the borough, city, or township, requesting the annexation. ’ The petition shall be accompanied by a fee of $ 150. Act 376 - The annexing community must pay: 1. 2. 3. 4. Value of all roads improved within five years Cost of sewers of the past fifteen years Pro-rata share of all facilities Pro-rata share of all value for buildings Act 63 __ " Salaries for members class townships shall not exceed half tv, Zoning Boards of Adjustment in firstexceed half lhe .meant pa.d tQ the commlss.oneps Act 214 - Whenever a vz~ViCi“hV; “• om“ °f “V political subdivision is filled by appointment ■ me appointing authority shall give notice of the appointment to the County Election Bo’^d? Il i Additional schooling: more complex school administration. More complex legal controls: viding a sound tax base. zoning and subdivision regulations pro­ A purpose of the program is to help provide these additional facilities at minimum cost and maximum efficiency. The County underwrites the program with no charge to the municipality. The only cost to them is for the material directly involved, such as reproduction of maps, aerial photographs, and sim­ ilar items. A member of the County office is assigned to work with the local planning commission. The technician gathers, interprets, and projects such basic statistics as population, school enrollment, industrial employment, and assessments. However, before the actual study can begin, basic maps, includ­ ing topography, street, building location and sometimes utility maps must be completed. No municipality can be considered as an isolated unit; the technician must relate it to the neighboring townships and boroughs, as well as the County. The map information includes: 1. Natural land features: featuring topographical characteristics and emphasizing the storm drainage and sewerage service areas winch will offset residential and industrial growth. i na t H Act 266 - Municipalities, ' • except in cases < ' °f misconduct, while —-ase activities, shall not be liable f JUry tO Pers°ns or damage to ’----M for the death of nor in_ property as a result of their ----- z performance of duties. Act49. vacancy of in fir by the Court of Quarter sp commissioner • Vacancy in th'e 3haU ba IiUed ‘"ll" shall be fiUbd by J y tne township '•> c°mmissioners or Con’ engag^rM~crvil Defen 5. increased police and fire protection, 2. Existing land use: illustrating the present use of land including areas”set aside for residential, industrial, commercial, recreational, and other uses. 3. 4. Land suitable for development: Suggested plan: municipality. this is a composite o( map 1 and 2. a general proposal for the ( �It is the responsibility of the local planning commission to sell ' the plan to the citizens. As a result, the final comprehensive plan represents local ideas and sentiments. VOL. HI, NO. 4 is but one tool to carry out the recommendations The power of zoning Also available are housing, building, plumbing, electrical, and of the plan, Since these powers rest with the municipality, it must enact, other codes, rewrite the zoning ordinance or any other legal control. revise, or WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA DR. April 15, 1954 TEAGUE WHAT 'S NEW ? WYOMING - Building construction during the past few years, particularly in the Third Ward, will be a major factor in holding the assessed valuation at about $2,500,000. EDWARDSVILLE - Borough council has agreed ori a type of parking meter that will accept pennies, nickels, or dimes. KINGSTON - The tentative budget adopted by council provides no specific amount for wage increases, although some increases might be granted. WEST PITTSTON - The council is considering setting aside $1, 003.83 for road construction in order to get an equal amount from the State Highway De­ partment. PITTSTON - The city's taxable wealth showed a sign of recovery this year for the first time since the depression. It has returned to the $8, 000, 000 figure. HANOVER TOWNSHIP - An ordinance res „ --------stricting the future installation and use of oil burners is being considered by the Commissioners. NANTICOKE - The increase over past years' parking meter collections shows that strict adherence to the parking regulations is working. Only 42.9 per cent of the 1953 estimates was collected during the first six months of the year. PLYMOUTH - The council seems to have solved the problem on Main Street with the installation of meters, meters, but there is still much 1 to be done before satisfactory relief is provided other thoroughfares. FORTY FORT - Council took final action on the 1954 budget, year's 17 mill tax. retaining last publication This News-letter, published monthly as a community service, originates in the Political Science Department of Wilkes College. Notes and inquiries may community service, originates be addressed to Dr. Hugo V. Mailey, Political Science Department, Wilkes Col­ lege, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. ... hi. •tatement that 104 municipalities 1„ Allegheny County have banded together m regards to the sewage problem. Approximately 55 officials attended, representing 12 towns. Township served as host. JOINT W ilkes -Bar r e ENTERPRISE What are some ways to avoid the near anarchy existing on the local govern­ ment level? There is one thing that must be recognized, and that is that nothing can be gained by promoting antagonism among people no matter where they live. Therefore, an intelligent approach is necessary. A complete cure must be out­ lined and planned for. But, if the opposition is overwhelming, there are approaches which will lead to the long-range solution. One means of alleviating the difficulties of metropolitan areas without chang­ ing boundaries or governments is through the joint cooperative enterprise. Several forms of intergovernmental cooperation are provided by Pennsylvania law. be it One is the joint enterprise set up for a speci■al Durpose,’ved in water 1943, supply, permits sewerage system, city hospital, or any ot , townships to cooperate through third-class cities, boroughs, incorporate overnmental functions relating to joint agreements -while exercising their regu ar go agreement may inpublic health, recreation, zoning, and municipa p i property, and allocation ■■ eimploym.n, of Joint personnel, purchase ot personal prop. elude of costs and ---- 1 expenses. Ac. 94 of 1,45 extends the »Hgi»l act » joint agreement to employ and retain planning tract for professional planning services re s under their or consultants, and to confour mentioned functions. i �City Law permits the city to enter into Section 3240 of the Third-Class nuudeipailties io build and ""““lu.J'shaU £ oint agreements with other i------- _ . from each joining H j of one member joint board consisting The member municipalities may incur or the endeavor. established to operate but not exceeding the constitutional limits. their indebtedness increase t----Law permits boroughs to enter into such joint Section 2120 of the Borough agreements as mentioned above. BUDGET I • s a detailed financial plan for the coming fiscal year, setting The budget• is forth an<,d balancing proposed expenditures against anticipated revenue. If ex.enditures exceed receipts, the budget is unbalanced. When a budget remains P' out of balance from year to year, the result is an accumulation of floating debt which will have to be funded through the issuance of bonds. Section 1305 of the borough code states that a budget shall be prepared in January. The tentative budget is often times prepared by a Finance Committee. Another type of cooperation is the rendering of service by one unit of gov­ ernment for others, usually on a contractual basis. The Pennsylvania Legislature authorized Allegheny County to build incinerators and other disposal facilities for the numerous municipalities within its bounds. Wilkes-Barre already does this in some measure. Section 3248 of the Third-Class City Law permits third-class cities to furnish sewerage facilities outside the city. The city may not, however, extend its system outside the boundaries where sewerage facilities are furnished by a private company or by a municipal authority. Budgeting must show a realistic approach, but as the law now stands in Pennsylvania, this is probably impossible. For the first six or eight months of the fiscal year the functions of borough government must be financed from sources other than the current taxes. This is because overdrafts are prohibited by law and taxes are not billed until after the assessment roll has been received from the county. This makes it impossible to send bills before June, and with the two-month discount, taxes may not come in before July or August. Section 2130 of the Borough Law permits boroughs to exercise this extra­ mural power in order to supply sewerage service to places outside the borough limits, so long as there is no conflict with the rights of a sewer company or any other borough. A third type of cooperation, not used in Pennsylvania, and based on the principle of mutual aid, involves the exchange of services by the participating units of governments. A mutual aid plan may be set up to fight fires, involving placement of fire forces under one coordinator. While there exists joint cooperation between two or more units of government in a metropolitan area there is no joint operation of any municipal function over the whole area. The actual number of arrangements is small in proportion to the opportunities that Pennsylvania law affords, The desire to cooperate is not sufficiently strong, and difficulties in reaching an agreement are great. Cooperation is, however, a valuable means of of overcoming overcoming psychological psychological bar­ riers and jealousies that divide communities. Functional cooperation is the road of easiest grade into the complicated field of metropolitanism. tionalXerTX'^ WJOming ValleV XXXX t PrOblemSraising,Taxes. oAssefsZU "TT do well to explore the idea of funcLUZerne County municipalities ought to . Instead of munities would do well to cutdT Degg?lg the State to raise the debt limits, the coin thereby stretching the tax dollar^ Wouldn't ITighXP°°ling their financeS amount if they joined hands and operated neighboring communities save a tren^ they cooperatively provide recreational activitfe! atXT SySt6m? C°Uldn,t vines at much lower costs? PROCEDURE 1 Some method of raising funds must be found. Many boroughs carry over surpluses from the previous year to take care of part of the requirements. In other words, boroughs aim to show sizeable year-end cash balances. This can be done intentionally by underestimating revenue and overestimating expenditures. The cash balance at the end of the year, amounting sometimes to five or six mills in a middle-sized borough, is misleading to the public. It ought to be explained to the people that the money is planned to finance municipal functions during the early months of the next year, In reality the annual tax levy is used to finance current and future operations, If overestimates of expenditures and underestimates of revenue are grossly exaggerated, the budget lacks a realistic picture. Several miunicipalities in Luzerne County use this method. Some towns receive funds from taxes other than real estate. Many towns resort to temporary borrowing. There is no question of the right of council to negotiate temporary loans in anticipation of taxes. All such loans must be re­ paid from the first moneys available from current taxes. Temporary borrowing is usually done by issuing a tax anticipation note to a bank or an individual in ex­ change for cash. Many boroughs or towns borrow from local banking institutions, but there is nothing in the law to prevent a borough from borrowing from an indi­ vidual or from a bank beyond borough limits. CITY MAN AGER PLAN A total of 1, 146 cities and counties in the United States and Canada were Using “ the ---- council-manager c form of government as of last March. Maine ea s Wlth 117 places. Pennsylvania is in seventh place with 55. Tota popua 1 ln the United Stat.:es covered by the plan runs to 23 million, w i e c°vered in the State. �__ _______________ ' WHAT 'S NEW ? VOL. IH, NO. 5 city building code is progressing WILKES-BARRE - Proofreading of the new have high hopes that the long awaited better than expected and officials now code book will be ready by April 1. ash containers set out for the ASHLEY - Officials urge residents to cover for possible vacancies in the fire and police departments has been scheduled. SWOYERVILLE- - The borough contemplates spending $13, 151 less this year than in 1953 with the mileage the same at 17 - 15 for general purposes and 2 for Sec. 501 of the Third Class City Code raises an interesting problem in regard to Wilkes-Barre and Kingston because of the provision---- "any borough having a population of less than 10, 000. . .may become annexed to any such city . . ." According to the Borough Code, adjacent boroughs may consolidate. Coun­ cils of two or more boroughs may enter into a consolidation agreement. If ten per cent of the registered voters of each borough request such an agreement, council must try to reach an agreement. If the councils cannot reach an agree­ ment within sixty days, "the Court.of Quarter Sessions shall cause an election to be held in the boroughs; " The procedure to be followed in annexing adjacent territory to a borough follows the same pattern: ten per cent requirement and referendum in both areas. Money doesn't make you happy; it only quiets the nerves. ’ : action A second obstacle is the difficulty of obtaining favorable popular fear of increased taxes. The on the plan. The fringe area opposition has a £.---- --- ------To be successful, greatest resistance usually centers in the wealthier suburbs, -oney nowadays isn't a miser; he's a wizard. PUBLICATION This News-letter,published __ monthly as ■o"Sei'nc' DePa«"iv™tWIikesi‘c°>?”“nity service’ originates Department of Wilke >' * T. ‘ V. MaUey, po^" ,C’U'S'- Notes and Inquiries ma, cience Department, Wilkes Col- 2 - 1954 Unfortunately, territorial annexation is the most impractical of the methods because of legal difficulties and because of popular objections. The usual process for annexation involves some combination of majority vote in the area or petition by a percentage of the fringe residents or property owners, followed by the passage of a city ordinance or majority approval by the city voters. THOU GH T S FOR TODAY s-Barre, Pennsylvania. May 15. l< Ma- The oldest of the remedies to solve metropolitan problems is annexation or consolidation. At first thought, it would seem that the best means to overcome political disunity would be to extend the boundaries of the central city into the suburban fringe area. the light fund. LUZERNE - The Borough council has decided to purchase a new police cruiser. EXETER - The council has under consideration a proposal that the tax levy be reduced 2 mills. DUPONT - The borough will purchase a new truck for the street department, according to the tentative budget. LARKSVILLE - An ordinance regulating the installation of oil burners has been adopted. NEWPORT TOWNSHIP - The new highway through the township has caused com­ missioners numerous problems concerning pits bordering it. NANTICOKE - "Prudent administration of purchasing, together with budgetary controls is paying dividends, " Pennsylvania Economy League announced. WYOMING - The tax ordinance provides for a 14 mill levy. WEST PITTSTON - Council will investigate complaints that vibration from a plant is causing damage to homes. AVOCA - Reported objectionable in the budget is an item for the purchase of a new police car. 5 The man who saves WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA? METROPOL I T A NI T IS PLASrTOWNSHIP - A competitive exam to establish a civil service register ■ fty_____ , voluntarily from the fringe area and not movement for annexation must come central city. city. Tlie Tlie fringe fringe area area must recognize some gain from the ’ the central as iillustrated ” in the following instances: Burley, Idaho, favore ann x ■ ■ lower its fire insurance rates. Eugene, Oregon, favored annexation when it special districts was greater than the °und out that the total tax rate paid to In Pennsylvania, Parkside borough conneil annexedI city tax rate. <• f-tip latter community were ottc rookhaven when the property _ ... _/ owners of the latter c chil_ ^Wage facilities. Inc ______Pennsylvania communitie , other dren en to better schools has also been offered as a reason. �U- • o-nt i not as academic as it first appears. This is that extrenie centralization would prove as undesirable as extreme decentraliza_ extreme cen advisability of the new arrangement would be open m question. Can’one metropolitan government furnish all of the sery. ices needed in the whole area? There is some doubt that it can. There are some problems that are of metropolitan concern ana therefore require cornn solution. There are other problems that could be handled by the individual local governments. Big city government over the whole metropolitan area could be remote and impersonal. Local problems might receive inadequate consideration. This NEWSLETTER has consistently 'nsistently pl.1 tion on a functional basis. Couldn't this be theT*interg°vernmental cooper*. West Side? ginning of something for the MEETINGS May 14, 15 --- Municipal Manager's Association, State College June 17, 18, 19-----Township Commissioners, The history of annexations is largely one of piecemeal extensions of the central city boundaries. This piecemeal expansion on the part of the central city lags behind social and economic development and the population increases that occur. Actually, annexation never really catches up. BONDS For years, local governments have waged war against the attempt of the federal government to tax municipal bonds. The House Ways and Means Committee just recently made another such attempt, mainly because some local units in the South were issuing bonds to encourage industry to locate with­ in their limits. Northern municipalities claimed this could have been the first step toward taxing all municipals. The State Association of Boroughs and the Luzerne County _ record against the Committee proposal. ~ . unit went —-i on Many Luzerne County local units _ indicated their feelings in written communications to Congressman Edward Bonin and Committee Chairman Daniel Reed. SANITARY LANDFILL Kingston, which has been dif" sposing ofingarbage incinerator, has terminated its agreement favor ofat the Wilkes-Barre ---------- - *■ The site is located on the former Lutes estate belowofthe Church Streetmethod, its own landfill former Lutes estate below the Street dike. Kingston can claim the distinction of being the pioneer in Church the area, onto ofoperate being the pioneer project. in the area. It is hoped that West Pittston can soon -----begin a similar I begin operateproject. a similarPerhaps project. West Local public officials are invited to inspect the to Kingston Side inspectplan the involving Kingston project. Perhaps West Side towns could work out a cooperative several projects, ing. an involving several oroiertc It's worth expi°r C-OQP E R A T IQ N Fire company officials of Wilkes-Barre because of the Ai seven West Side ... .. .oioiae communities, including operative system of fighting fires, rmory, have laid preliminary plans for a cocouncils for approval. Cooperative ■es. The proposal will be presented to local under Pennsylvania law in an impressiveProposal will be — .a action of one — another is possible one tvr>o type or in an range of ^nicipal functioi '____ -jns. Bedford Springs June 28, 29, 30 -----State Boroughs Association, Pittsburgh ASSESSORS SCHOOL The Allegheny County Board of Assessments is sponsoring a ten-week course of instruction for assessors. General C ' laws ' relating to assessments, techniques of arriving at a fair and equitable valuation,, preparation of records, use of maps, methods of assessing personal property and occupations _s and other phases of the work are included, The school is co-sponsored by the Public Service Institute. T R EA TMENT PLANTS The second largest joint venture in the field of antipollution is located in Delaware County under the Authorities of Central Delaware County. Total cost of three projects is $7, 000, 000. This project serving twenty-seven mu­ nicipalities is second to the Allegheny County Sanitary Authority comprising sixty-four municipalities. It is this sort of set-up that Wyoming Valley officials ought to study and inspect. Borough and township officials heading westward next month for their annual association meetings might inspect the Allegheny project. BOARDS of ADJUSTMENT CAN MAKE OR BREAK ZONING in the zoning The Board of Adjustment occupies a m ,essential beenposition prepared, it cannot scheme. No matter how well an ordinance .de {or every possible situation be perfect or complete enough to foresee an p in his book, ZONING, that might arise in the community. Edwar . of injustice. No zoning stated, "The strict letter of the law may be adaptation of the spin ordinance standing by itself can provide for th J J tment, in Pennsylvania the law to each exceptional case. " The Boar need for flexiin many other states, is the agency provi bility. �. - -.._o of finances indicates that at least seventyPLYMOUTH - The general picture annual expense goes tor salaries and wages. five per cent of the z----NANTICOKE - According tn to a a p P. E E L D report, the. total debt has been reduced . for debt service was cut from five to fOUr by $102, 740 while the tax rat VOL. HL NO. 6 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA. JUNE 15, 1954 I DINNER AND A WARDS mills. ASHLEY - The council has received state approval for three traffic lights. ’ i a decline of $49,691 in valuation, 343 less LARKSVILLE - County figures show 122 additional taxable properties. adults, but 1-----KINGSTON - The council is considering taking over the maintenance of the dike system. DALLAS - The borough and Miners National Bank are studying the advisability of a municipal parking lot. WEST PITTSTON - There is some sentiment to elect councilmen by wards in­ stead of at large. DUPONT - Excavations for the new highway will mean shifting of playground equipment. State Highway Department has agreed on $7, 500 in land damages. WHITE HAVEN - The Northeastern Turnpike feedways will compel the borough to relocate its playgrounds. NEWPORT - Taxes collected from property owners are not enough to pay the cost of police protection according to a breakdown of budget figures. HANOVER - Permission will be granted by the state for the installation of the proposed control ----program at Willow Street as soon as a one-way parking ordinance is adopted. WI“Rp“g„Lhe —— on a Good Manners Behind the to tie in with the national campaign to make courtesy the code of the road. PUBLICATION This News-letter, rnonthly as as a a community service, originat in the Political Science published mc.in.niy Department- of Wilkes College. Notes and inquiries n be addressed to Dr. Hugo Wilkes V. Mailey, Political Science I lege, Wilke Department, Wilkes C°P s-Barre, Pennsylvania. > The second annual dinner of the Luzerne County local government officials was held on May 12 at the Wilkes College Cafeteria. The 125 who attended ‘hadI a gala time. Prominent state and local representatives turned out out for f— the — affair, and Gerard B. Gilbert, assistant to the Chairman of PennIvania Turnpike Commission, was the main speaker of the evening. Certif­ icates of attainment were awarded to the following local officials: Stanley J. Atcavage, Wilkes-Barre Township; John Karmilowicz, Luzerne; Robert J. Sarsfield, Luzerne; Richard H. Morgan, Luzerne; C. Everett Sharkey, West Pittston; Frank Danilowicz, Wilkes-Barre Township; Ralph Brown, Kingston; Stanley G. Folek, Wyoming; J. Howell James, Kingston; George S. Sobeck, Luzerne; John Motsko, Plains Township; George Metcalf, Wyoming; James R. Llewellyn, West Pittston; John J. Karlo, Ashley; Thomas J. Reese, Kingston; John L. Stein, West Hazleton; Luthern D. Nicholson, White Haven; Anthony F. Siepictowski, West Hazleton; JohnC. Wordoski, Hanover Township; Alan Bare, Forty Fort; William A. Garber, Hanover Township, and Oscar Sipler, White Haven. A Service Award Certificate was offered for the first time by the Political Science Department. These certificates were given to t ose oc officials who served 20 years or more for their respective munic p The following received awards: Plymouth, George Trebilcox ( ) an Cooper (28); Newport Township, John Riodan (28); Ashley, eorge c Plains, Joseph Poczatko (22); Wilkes-Barre Township, Frank D-ilowicz (20), Hanover, Andrew Garber (20); Wilkes-Barre, Oliver Pr^ca (?0V West Walker (49); Laurel Run, William Brush (20) and Fred J. Kingston 20), West Pittston, Andrew B. Jones (23); Forty Fort, Lewis R. Crisman , • _ vvere ^4.3-yor Among the chief executives in attendance at to B jones of West Luther M. Kniffen of Wilkes-Barre, Burgesses Petroski of Edwardsville, Pittston, Oscar C. Sipler of White Haven, C e and Joseph Troynacki of Dupont. 2.22Lp e mned garbage cans announced that The Geneva, Alabama, sanitary d p taggecf and mgarbage cans that become unserviceable w have 15 days arked "Dis­ in which to approved for Garbage Collection. " Owners * garbage can must be of 1;eplace them. A recent ordinance speci . rust and must have a lid that steel or v,ariciles. will fitt metal construction that wi no It also requires that the can have �GOVERNMENT PENNSYLVANIA local CONFER En rr 3 of municipal ■ations “officials ------------ traveled --veiect separ, Because individual associat * oi u>uu*v*i" arose {or integrating the efforts ate need arose for integrating the thfifTe«X8oC uP- ^^^ittXto^th^oXing organizations to join 'of a to. 'nimissioned Association, Towns p Directors Association. There was Township Supervisors, and tn Conference would deal with these general agreement at the first administration of delinquent taxes, areas of common interest ass the General Assembly, functioning of relationship between local gov subsidies. Each association will state agencies in local matters, and state I contribute $50 to the Conference treasu y. mber of successful authorities in operation in Pennsylvania is The 11 the authority is a workable solution to the financial woes of many evidence that to the financial a half dozen communcommunities, A joint municipal authority chartered by Jy a half dozen a combined project on a business-like basis with greater „ement thereby saving the taxpayers -likegreat basissums with of ; money. ities c ould ope ..tinuity of manag k . s great sums of coni PARKING The alibis that some people can offer for traffic violations sometimes deserve a better reward than mere fines. with mighty eloquence. “ "° to parking in -«»«, " he argued METROPOLITANITIS The judge fined him $1 instead of $2, The bottleneck in cooperative action is many times financial, The sewage problem is a good case in point. How can funds be found? The following are a few ways to finance such a project: (1) general fund revenue, (2) spe­ revenue, cial assessment, (3) issuance of non-debt revenue bonds, (4) municipal authority. r The Pennsylvania Municipal Authorities /' Act was first passed to permit municipalities to get federal funds. It was later amended to increase permit getting for waterworks. In 1945 the entire act was rewritten. -d The in the funds crea The increase have in thefound crea- j tion of sewer authorities is mostly due to the fact that municipalities that this device has solved many problems of financing projects. The authority combines the advantages of public ownership and pri^ business management. It is a special type of public corporation whose * pOinted limited to 50 years. It is managed by a board of at least five mem ers o£^ce. by the incorporating municipality or municipalities for staggered terms municipalities for Municipal authorities are financed by they are retired out of revenue 'Y revenue bonds, so-called because liquidating. Bonds issued are derived from a the project financed. They are self' ment or valuation of property. independent They have iof the tax base which is the assesspower of the municipality or municipalitiesno effect on the statutory borrowing is placed directly on those who use the 3 wldch form the authority. The burde11 service. , . , , There is no field liable for the way by which the municipalitie afe the Purchaser payment of either- interest or f s or their taxpayers can be s■ of the they, r The real investors L1.J authority bonds. It is principal. municipaiitj, es, who assume the risk. risk. The The only check is assume the bankers. , , and not the citizens of tbe --s the investing public °r The soundness of any authority depends on a carefully chosen bo' skillfully designed by engineers, and a bond resolution or on aAuditin; cpetent bond counsel or investment banking group. rd Plan5 resolution certified public accountant and a statement sent to the municipalities, indenture drawn by cortl also provided for the protection of the holders of the hnr-Jlg must be done by a of the’bonds?Cipalities- Auditing is INTERSTATE ROADS Over the entire Federal-aid system of 672, 000 miles, State Highway officials report that 2. / 3 of the roads are "below tolerable standards." This means that 424, 000 miles of busy highways are out-of-date; 84, 000 bridges are unfit for high speed traffic. It is estimated that to bring this federal-aid system, alone, up to current needs, thirty-five billion dollars would be needed. ZONING DECISION Its ruling was handed down in the case of a resident of Chestnut Hill, who ssought permission to construct a property which lacked nearly 700 square feet of space to meet the zoning requirements. II A economic cl ^S^°n a zonlng ordinance which divides our• people into social or e-fathers, our historic '“lopment asses Is contrary to the spirit of our founding f_ develc-■ "Th/ and our legal and patriotic institutions,, "" the Supreme Court ruling added. birthright of liberty and our Amerway of ijf Ord3nance flies in the face of our Li ican II 1 e, and is interdicted by the Constitution. c The 1 gal battle opened when a Philadelphia resident .sought a permit from ^Pringfieiji t nship to build a home containing 1125 square feet of floor space. That area i°s Zoned AA residential and calls for homes with 1800 square feet of floor sPace,’ so he was refused. �Ufa WHArS_N^Vl kingston *hiS spring " - Th. -p— Wilkes College Ltay M, B54 ('wuty RUt,er to eliminate a curve. on ordinance governing oil burners DUPONT - Council passed on first reading VOL. in> NO. 7 studying ways and means of improving HANOVER - The commissioners are the municipal dump. WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, Pa. JULY 15, 1954 COUNCILMEN AND J P NANTICOKE - The city is planning to use rock salt instead of ashes to provide The offices of justice of the peace and membership in boro council are not incompatible, hence a J P can also serve as a member of council. This was the decision in Gregory v. Johnson in a Mercer County court decision in April 1954. better traction for motorists next winter. LUZERNE - Council authorized purchase of a pickup truck after many bids were received. WEST PITTSTON - The boro has joined the ranks of those municipalities that have eliminated the post of boro health officers and turned the duty over to the State Health Department. « PLAINS - A resolution was adopted by the solons to prohibit strip mining within 100 feet of occupied property. WILKES-BARRE - Only $81,242.48 in uncollected 1953 property taxes were returned to the county's tax claims bureau. LUZERNE COUNTY - Despite adverse conditions, 94 per cent of the property taxes were paid. The plantiff was elected to both offices in Mercer, Pennsylvania in Novem­ ber 1953 and asked the burgess to administer the oath of office, which the burgess refused to do. The Court stated that the statutory list of incompatible offices in the Constitution of Pennsylvania does not specifically include the offices in question. It was contended, however, that the office of J P is a county office within the meaning of Article III. The county offices are listed in the Article and J P is not mentioned. No statute in Pennsylvania refers to a J P as a county officer. There are a few cases where courts may have indicated that the office of J P is in the nature of a county office, but only within the meaning of a certain few statutes. After reviewing these few decisions, the Court summarizes by saying that the office of J P is not a county office within the meaning of the General County Law, and that therefore both offices may be filled by the same person. WYOMING - Council has authorized an option on about eight and one-half acres of land. BORO HEALTH SWOYERVILLE - Authorities are t endeavoring to divert funds from one department to another to remedy certain —i water conditions in the boro. LARKSVILLE - The contract for weekly collection of ashes and garbage has not been renewed. ASHLEY - The council has made arrangements for labor in the Department of Public Assistance. PLYMOUTH - Council is looking for fina level the spoil banks. ■ , ncia aid to fill local stripping holes and This department has a model resolution suggested by the District Medical Director of Luzerne County that can be used to permit the Department of Health ~ to take over the administration of health laws within a municipality. The reasons or such action on the part of the local officials are: first, the decrease in tne ax exPenditure in the particular municipality; and second, the providing ° £the town of a trained sanitary inspector under the supervision of the strict Medical Director in the County. Wh /1 11118111 be interesting to note that Conyngham, Laurel Run, New C°l Haven, West Pittston, and Dallas have taken this action ^-^ms since they^j haVe reP°rts that Wyoming, Luzerne, Avoca have been sen LI CA T I QN This Newr ’ in the Political Scie be addressed to Dr Hug° V. Mailey lege, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. pol-t originate5 I) ”rvice’ Collegge. Notes and inquiries rna^ 1 Science Department, Wilkes C° e c°nternplating action in the near future. o[(. A coov .. .... . .ailing the Medical Director's C0Py of this resolution may be obtained by calling the °r the News-letter at the College. 1 �MOTIONS ORDINANCES AND use ordinances, resolutions, all by-laws and motions, j The council may 1 to distinguish between these classes, as it is not the laiu is frequently difficult : and result that is controlling. guage but the purpos .... action of council and therefore becomes An ordinance is a for®al legtSXVto^heOenxefcutOive for approval. Not so^’ ' local law. As such, in a boro it g ordinance may be adopted at a sin. a first-class township or third' be advertised in advance. The actual ordigle meeting. Some ordinances m alg The ordinance transcribed into the nance is the one that is signed y According to Chrostwaite' s Boro Law, , ordinance book is not the actua ^st be by ordinance: (1) those specif, there are three classes of acw permanently affect boro affairs and remain ically directed by statute, ( ) acti?ities where the legislative character or in force until changed, an ( ) . or the size of the boro, expenditure may depend upon local conditions or the A motion is a device or means used to express the will of council. It is used to adopt ordinances and resolutions. It has no binding force or permanent status. It is also used to pass on reports and petitions. A resolution is a more formal act of council used especially for administrative action. Resolutions may even be framed by non-council members. If the resolu­ tion is legislative in character, it has the characteristics of an ordinance. It thus becomes difficult to distinguish between the two. If legislative, then it must be presented to the executive. In an early Lancaster case, the State Supreme Court implied that a resolution should not bind the city beyond the term of the officer en- , forcing the resolution. This points up the fact that resolutions are many times special and temporary in character. A by-law is usually employed in determining the administrative activities of the local government. It cannot bind succeeding councils. If a by-law is to be ig- ( nored by the council creating it, full notice should be given to officials and to the public. Sometimes there is some doubt as to which of the first three should be used. If doubt exists, an ordinance is preferable. ] not estopped from treating the subject matterBy adopting an ordinance, council is if in fact, the subject matter could have been as though it were adopted by moti011’ covered by motion. olitician does notidea waste his head a pretty clear of his whattime the butting public will standagainst and what nThe aS ■ tute^g •• He be iieves in a cause or a movement which his people oppose viostone wall there is no use tilting with windmills, so he simple waits until it won' t. l£ he he knows rather than waste his strength in what he knows cannot lently> qimate has chang . the cl— SUC'ceed. "This does not mean, of course, that he changes his opinion nor does it mean that in matters of overwhelming importance he may not stand out against L crowd. It does mean that for the most part, he waits for a favorable oppor tunity before he plunges into the middle of a brawl. "The reformers and other special interest groups have little patience with this procedure and they cannot understand that a politician is the representative --not the master--of his constituents. If he fails to remember this, he soon finds himself a "has-been" who is no use to anyone." STATE AID FOR SEWAGE PLANTS As of last April, a total of 124 municipalities and authorities, which have expended money to acquire and construct sewage treatment plants in accordance with the Clean Streams program, have filed applications with the State Secretary of Health for payments from state funds. The individual project for which funds are requested range in cost from $4,570 to nearly $14, 500, 000, the latter one of the three sewage treatment plants in Philadelphia. The cost of the projects reported is $49,633,311.35. The Bureau of Sanitary Engineering establishes eligibility in some cases and in all instances authorizes the exact amount to be paid. treatment 1 6 neW s *-afe-aid law, municipalities which build or acquire sewage state-aid. cost of co P antS are to receive annually an amount not to exceed 2 per cent of the taining reSa^U^^°n £r°m s*;aPe funds which are to be applied to operating, mainlature pro replacing, and other expenses relating to the plants. The Legise $2, 000, 000 for payments to be made during the present biennium. that the m -Hre Con^nu’-n8 appropriations by future legislatures, it is pointed out plants. TonbCiPa£i£ieS COll^d receive payments matching in full the cost of their in °peratio iT f°r payment, municipalities must have their treatment plants rnade y December 31 of the year preceding that year in which payment is to SOME thoughts ON POLITICS article on PoUtics^0™^ C°Unty Rec°rder DOG-GONE of May 1954 corneg thig interesting "Some wise man once defined Politics as is much food for thought in this observation. 'The Art of the Possible, ' and thef 8ahitaI016 .eC^de d to garba spongy6 cans from Paris, Texas. The Junior Chamber of Commerce ^ere^ about both a y C°nditiona ancT^^6 Sa^e dog-proof containers in order to improve attached°d "Tth a hook 6 aRPearance °f the city. The canine-foiling device is sim, id and the can l®ht, a 0 side. Tb^f6 and bar driven securely into the grouni .nd level, keeps the lid on f)r°vide<s => c- 1S eePs the can above the groui.2 1 ’ a foundation. �WHAT'S NEW_? done to boro streets by the heavy ‘ent. DURYEA - Improvements to Foote Avenu system, have already started. an important link in the boro' s r<M VOL. HI, NO. 8 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA August 15, 1954 WESLmplX0N JXr'pXct Installation of neaX sewers comp^Tonfs IheToro ^ge nei^ aring -Jej PARKING AS A FACTOR IN BUSINESS to house machinery and equipment. KINGSTON - Council has purchased another property on Church Street near the ' acreage recently acquired for a warehouse. NANTICOKE - The city is planning to purchase a city sweeper to replace its 193b model. WARRIOR RUN - Discussion continues toward a consolidation of the boro with Hanover Township. WILKES-BARRE - Installation of permanent traffic line markers to replace the present painted lines looms as one of the major traffic control steps to be taken this year. It will mean a saving of $9, 000. HANOVER TOWNSHIP - Hereafter, two cards will be used in the tax: collection system. The commissioners have levied a 10.5 mileage, plus a $3 per capita tax. THOUGHTS for today If your knees are knocking, kneel on them. Why is it that the less a man knows, the longer it takes him to tell it? publication the PolkSicT17c'ieentct^DePDUbl.1Shed monthlY as a co­ community service, originate s i*1 addressed to Dr. Hugo °f Wilkes College -r be Wilkes-Barre, ’peXvanUailey> P°Utical ^e• Notes and inquiries may Wilkes-Barre, Department, Wilkes College’ The Highway Research Board has gathered extensive factual material on park­ ing as related to business activity. Studies indicated that the attitude of retail shoppers toward downtown shopping is largely conditioned by the advantages of greater selection, ability to perform several errands on one trip, and cheaper prices. The disadvantages of downtown shopping are difficult parking, crowded conditions, and traffic congestion. The advantages of suburban shopping in con­ ditioning shoppers' attitudes are proximity to home, easy parking, and more convenient hours; while the disadvantages are limited selection, limited types of business establishments, and higher prices. Two tentative findings are that families with children are more inclined to patronize local shopping centers, and that higher income groups shop more often downtown than those in lower economic brackets. There definitely is a tendency toward suburban shopping, although the draw­ ing power of the central business district is still strong. The majority of the trips are generated within two miles of the shopping center. The maximum draw­ ing power of the suburban shopping center seems to be about five miles. REPRINT From the NATIONAL MUNICIPAL REVIEW of June, 1954, come these words of wisdom by Dr. M. Nelson McGeary, professor of Political Science at Penn State and councilman since 1951: "A councilman has to learn to roll with the Punches. Punches are as inevitable for the councilman as are boos for ball umpire. There's no question that all councils make some mistakes or w ic they deserve censure. But it's the snap criticism, from persons w o are wi 1 to form judgments on the basis of only a little evidence, that the counc.lman must learn to absorb and still maintain his resiliency. "Presumably in every municipality, as in ours, there are some c^lzJ{nS Wh° umably in every municipality, as : start with the that anyone willing to run for counci is —e premise premise willing to he's P^ger._may not be a that bad anyone oJ_.bQt at least a man with some -t^n- Sjmd and will, when he finds an opportunity, maneuver t ings Sometimes, of course, this suspicion is justified. I 1t s generally We ^ight as well give up democracy as a bad job. Fortunately, �y-vpENDITURES FOR PUBLIC HEALTH IN LUZERNE COUNTY himself with "A councilman must cover .3 same time the unfailing darts, but at the tractive critic becomes insensitive to constsign of a good co tions. Perhaps it is one at night pondering occasionally to lie awake alate himself th^h^ aseful opinions and sugg^ n if his conscience forces him comments of a disgruntled Population Expenditure $ 76,826 $ 55,072 0. 717 35,491 10, 502 0. 295 20,160 4, 600 0. 228 15, 012 2, 200 0. 145 $147,489 $ 72,374 0.49 $ 15, 051 $ 10, 681. 00 0. 709 12, 541 2,680.32 0.213 Newport Township 9, 347 2,300.00 0.246 Wilkes-Barre Township 5, 267 480.00 0. 091 $ 42,206 $ 16,141.32 0. 38 $135,637 $ 16,381.00 0. 12 Boroughs $325,332 $104,896.00 0. 32 Total Wilkes-Barre Hazleton citizen. " Nanticoke RED STOP SIGNS Pittston National Safety Council records show that during the last 10 years 40% of all fatalities in urban areas have occurred at intersections, " and -----1 ■>'*'* 12% of _r all occurred at intersections. The standard safe­ fatalities in rural areas have guard has been the yellow stop sign. It has had its chance. Per Capita First Class Townships Red, in traffic circles, always has signified a complete stop. The red stop sign was recommended last June by the Joint Committee on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. The recommendation was for reflectorized white STOP let­ ters and reflectorized red background, so that the sign will be brightly visible both day and night. In the city this sign may be seen at night for the length of a city block; on the highway, with lights on high beam, for a quarter of a mile. ( Hanover Township Plains Township . PARKING VIOLATION An envelope-type parking ticket is used in Norwich, Connecticut. T e 0 parker simply places his one dollar fine in the serial-numbered business rep y envelope and drops it into the nearest mail-box. The nature of the offense, license number, date, and time appear on both the portion of the envelope re tained by the officer and that given to the offender. A STREETSWEEPER IS NO PLACE FOR A DOG Athens, Ga. -With Picking the advent of aa ne^ leasil law in Athens, even the mechani up dog new leash law in Athens, cal streetsweepers are streetsweeper got f 6 City Engineer said recently that a small dog barked at a known to the driver, was swept - into the di <t° C^°Se to the rotary broom and, an-ior, pointed a COrnpartrnent. Later, a small boy appeared at the City incinerati said, "You've got my dog." The surprispr)11 aCcuainS finger at the driver and eno“gh, there was the dop0^**017 °pened the dust bin of his sweeper and sure e-„ covered quickly at• the —' S1ght of his master dlZZy but sti11 alive- The pup reaad we*t home with him. PUBLICATION Thia News-letter, published monthly as a community service, °r the Political Science Department of Wilkes College. Notes and inqairiiginates & addressed to Dr. HugoV. Mailey, Political Science ~ may beg| Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Department, Wilkes College’ Personnel Municipalities Wilkes-Barre 20-4 part-time medical health officers, 1 milk inspector, 1 food and meat inspector, 6 sani­ tary inspectors, 1 nurse, 2 clerks, 4 labora­ tory technicians 3-1 health officer, 1 dog catcher, 1 plumbing Hazleton inspector, 1 dairy inspector Nanticoke pittston Total 1-1 health officer 1 25 �1 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA. personnel (Con't.) VOL III, SEPT. 15, 1954 NO. 9 4 - 1 health officer, 1 assistant health officer meeting OF LOCAL OFFICIALS 1 secretary, 1 plumbing inspector Hanover To«m“P plains Township mcements of the fall meeting of local government officials \ for annoui College. Interesting and informative speakers are being Watch ,{d at Wilkes Suggestions are welcome as to topics and speakers. to be hel for the year. lined up THE COUNCILMAN I eMefot P»H=e is health officer Newport Township Wilkes-Barre Township I » 8 Total Boroughs Total Personnel . Ludwig, executive secretary of the League From C. C cipalities, comes of Boards of Health, 33 health 43 _ 10 secretaries officers i 76 WHAT'S NEW? WILKES-BARRE TOWNSHIP - Six township officials attended the State Asso­ ciation meeting at which Joseph S. Matiskiel, former secretary and now tax collector, was honored with a meritorious award. a view to conWARRIOR RUN - More informal meetings have been held with to accompli3*1 solidating with Hanover Township. A program designed this end is in the making. ASHLEY - The council is using three men certified by the DPA for various chores about the municipality. HANOVER TOWNSHIP - John C. Sordoski, commissioner from Askam recently elected president of the Pennsylvania State Association o ship Commissioners, received a meritorious award at the recent m ing at Bedford Springs, Pennsylvania. NEWPORT TOWNSHIP -Attorney Joseph Gallagher, solicitor, was elected one of three members of the legal counsel staff of the State Association Commissioners. John J. Riordan, commissioner, was formerly president of the State Association of Commissioners. of Minnesota Muni- this bit of advice: vital in determining city individual council members are ;—>d councilman and "The attitudes of The good councilman should be a gooi government policies, should demonstrate a respect for the t._ right of others to -e that his lanjudicially minded. He expressing his own point of view he should take care should be courtemoderate and restrained. The councilman's demeanor sdiffer, isand in t a sense of humor , reflecting an inner dignity, and he should not be without guage 5 of men holding public and a spirit of tolerance. It has been said that the attitudes < ous It should set an example office are often a reflection of general public attitudes. I---attitudes of those whom they and stimulate educational efforts to improve the trued as a lack of courage but represent. The middle course should not be cons for the peaceable compromise rather the great virtue of democracy. It provides suppression of one by the between differing parties, rather than the forceable other." Sound isn't it? T RAFFIC p rQBLEMS 13 is intended '3, the Conference on Traffic Problems in municipal!the problems of congestion and parking i.. Sponsored by relieve Penn State responsibility for to suggest ways to 1 - • meant for persons who have some vehicles. Among ties. The Conference is gestion and providing space for motor local officials. r are traffic engineers and other . in 1938 and the relieving traffic cong those included in this category / a Traffic Engineering Seminar is sponsored by This conference was preceded by1950 and 1952. The Conference j the Department and the f Traffic Engineering Institute in 1 ' : of Local Government, October 7 and 8, the Institute of Public Safety, Institute Conference dates are °f Civil Engineering at Penn State. C �STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ~ LU ZERNp FIRE INSURAN C E ANNUAL EXPENDITURES plan P£RSQ]\[i Ml District Office Public Health Nurses Tuberculosis Control Venereal Disease Control Maternal and Child Health Dental Health Vital Statistics Crippled Children $ 39, 866.00 37,400. 00 36,169.00 3,960.00 15,487.00 6,480. 00 5,500.00 $144, 862. 00 9-1 physician, 1 SeniOr grapher, 7 sanita*y aSt Si %. ants sist. 11 - Nurses 9-5 part-time C}inicians, 4 , 3-2 part-time clmicians ] < 18 - 1 full-time, 17 clinicians 9 - part-time dentists 20 - part-time registrars registrars 2 - part-time clinicians 81 Jones, men Wilkes-Barre P ub]■ Safety Dire Public Director, a plan William wherebyD.selected from the Bure ctor 1hopes to work out vania Fire School at Lewistown. These m °f Fire wiU be sent r’- to the Pennsyl—‘ ized instructors for other members of the T W1U then Tualify ‘to to serve as specialing as instructors at the State school would °f Fire- The fi^ * ----conduct classes and drills for the member ’ rP°n return to dutv h men qualifyfire .rations. member. of the be the eight City Do otherwhy communities Luzerne County th6 Valley-wise, couldn't a in cooperative plan behave deveR thouSht? Thinking worked out later. The agreement by localities to aid h Details could be might be a starting point. A minimum of effort toward^ °ther.in case of fire maximum results in civic betterment. cooperation could produce GLEN ALDEN SCHOOL HEALTH PROGRAM Checks have been issued by the Glen Alden Coal Company for $667, 106.23 in payment of township, county, and institution district taxes. These payments were made to Hanover and Newport Townships. Later in the year, the Company will turn over to the same township school boards $797, 000. 16 Third Class Districts 48 Fourth-Class Districts School Nurses School Doctors Dental Nurses, State Clerks $ 91,664.12 44,112.00 22,448.25 4,229.25 3,610.00 54 67 62 Dentists, 54 Assistants 22 REGION FUNCTIONS Engineers Office Industrial Waste Laboratory Nutritionist Dental $ 8,000. 00 3,000.00 1,000.00 1, 000.00 1.000. 00 8 1 8 1 1 $ 14> 000. 00 19 total “ engineers, 3 stenograph^1 “ engineer 1 bacteriologist, 7 11*' 7 assist ass - nutritionist - dentist SKID RESISTANCE Skidding is not a pleasant experience, but it is not the principal important cause of accidents. Skidding cannot occur unless a car ‘J of control. It takes place when the frictional resistance between goAe.rnme^n tire is exceeded. The tire companies in their adve^^^complete studies of educating the public in respect to tire design. S . one of the - •have been -a made on the non-skid ed by also best known 1 o------ the Highway Research Board. when, summed up show very clearly tv~' high-type . -~that asphalt surfaces built to modern designs frictional ---- 1 resistance possible. TAX LEAFLET $326. 107. 00 359 sh ■ One-Page tax leaflet has been distributed by Mt. ’ t to home!‘0W‘"S a breakdown „( the property tax bill to indicate the tor services and projection rendered by their city government. �WHA T 'S NEW ? PITTSTON - A bond issue of $178, 000 was passed by City Council * " * -o be used to pay for storage of City-owned vehicles, to erect and to purchase new equipment. The r*>yi,' a City ' 8%, NO VOL. III, PLYMOUTH - Operating revenue comes from various miscellaneous sour, as delinquent property taxes, licenses on pin ball machines fines, ■ meter collections, and amusement taxes and service pole tax This money : suPPle. ments property tax revenue. Not yet permissible under Pennsylvania statute, the federated municipality would consist of a government of limited powers allocated to it by the member munici­ palities in the area. The municipalities would give the federated government jurisdic­ tion over only those problems of regional significance. Since local powers cannot be relinquished to higher levels of government without consent, governing bodies would allocate powers on an optional basis. NANiICOKE - The new sweeper will cost the City between $8, 500 and $9, 500. for street resurfacing. ASHLEY - Council has passed an ordinance providing for the installation and regulation of parking meters. Each local unit would pay its share of the cost of joint admimstra ion a unit would retain its own taxing power. The metropolitan government mig nue bonds to finance self-liquidating projects. - Boro Council voted to borrow $3, 000. plains township - The commissioners sion from the County court to float approved a resolution to seek permis "unfunded" debt. a bond issue is of $15, 000 to fund the NEWPORT TOWNSHIP . The °ad “'Provetnews. commissioners are planning on spending $11, This New News-letter, publishedofmonthly a < the Political Science Department Wilkes as Colle; addressed to Dr. Hugo V. Mailey, Political Scieicommunity service, originates 1P Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Se. Notes and inquiries may :nce Department, Wilkes CoHeg ’ OCTOBER 15, 1954 A federal plan of government has been put into effect for a part of London. Government in New York City and its boroughs resembles this plan. The federated idea was attempted in Allegheny County in 1928, but the required two-thirds majority vote caused its defeat. EDWARDSVILLE - A $40, 000 bond issue 'will "" be floated by Council for a new fire engine, resurfacing, and curb repairs. WILKES-BARRE - Amusement tax r----budget estimate u7n“Ue is not exPected to hit the $100, 000 —-J since only $36, 402 was collected in the first six months. PA. Some problems are of metropolitan concern and therefore require common soluproble: Other problems, however, could be handled by the individual local governments tion. federal plan, based on the principle of national and state governments, is a comThe 1 iromise between centralization and decentralization. It is a reconciling device. P] HUGHESTOWN -■ Council ~ ” and the buyers still remain deadlocked after eight m0 f over the boro's budget. « * F WEST PITTSTON WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE METROPOLITAN! T IS KINGSTON - Council awarded a contract for curbs and gutters on North Goodwin Avenue, costing each property owner approximately $200. DUPONT - Council signed contracts 10 ’ st of members from The governing bod, of the bej"tlot athen the ' the fringe area than regional elections. Y <»n6e area woold control the metropolitan ment, depending on pop ,Ue, »' “ nt for vote to each participating municipality, rega the suburban communities to join the federati ? yes, in the sense W ould the that the tax doll; federated municipality save the ^^J/^stancey suppose thatjvery gurn appropriate ore Municipality , ar would be stretched to do mor . the one government Works and p - on the West Side removed from its budge its funds into a central body. oa ? With this lupooled mi —ip sum than each municipality separate yit Tii . . three are most significant. A'«>°u8h the re are numerous advantages to this plan, resent local officials * the Plan Preserves the identity of local governments. P �e ^problem, become regional. tremely important and relatively new phase of budgeting 1, long.r„„ An eXMovement budgeting. This type of budget is the bridge between long” - iinpr , .ning and realisation of those plans There is a lot of difference beL„ nital caP1L . 7 « ” planning and a positive program for realization of those plans. To be range pt- _ '^principal barrier to realize .on of long-range plan, is „„„ey, and th„e long*' sure, th • formula whereby a capital budget produces the money. The necessary is no’ ^^ore apt to be raised, however, in a community possessing a sound longfund8 are^ai budget as a program for its plans, than in a community without such range capi prograin‘ ’ „ ,he people of metropolitan areas want the best possible administrr ation, . la be thinking along such lines. Metropolitan services would be more they 2 ec°n< ^d efficient, duplication would be eliminated, and home pride would not be p‘ land-fill Officials of several Luzerne County municipalities are again plagued with th problem of dumping. In the Mountain Top area people are advised not to dump gj ’ bage anywhere. Presently, officials are looking for a suitable dump. Public resen ment against dumping has again built up in Forty Fort. Officials in Nanticoke are”' considering the land-fill method. Just one year ago this News-letter suggested the land-fill method, recently adopted by Kingston and West Pittston. Again, this News letter recommends the adoption of the method, but with one added suggestion. It might be wise for the officials of many municipalities to explore the location of several land-fill sites. propos device which ensures mat no project win oe undertaken without ing th^’consideration of the need and priority for that project in relation to other ■■ 161,63 t Hasty and ill-advised action, perhaps at the behest of some pressure PI J can be avoided. Long-range financial plans can be made for raising of the fundf needed for public improvements. In many cases, cities have succeeded in shifting to pay-as-you-go financing for all or many of their capital improvements, with consequent savings in interest costs. The sites could be located in places that would accommodate the maximum pop- ‘ ulation and expenses could be shared. Outlying townships should be brought into the P ratlve P^an because later "dumping" by cities and boroughs only serves to ioinfcoXe !-rUr^1 element- Garbage disposal today in Luzerne County requires a garba? is available for riding -Ive this problem alone. The survey on Pennsylvania Economy League for Lower Bucks County Leag, Six years it the period of time commonly spanned by municipal capital improve­ ment budgets. The budget presents a definite program for the first year, with identi­ fication of other projects programmed for the second to sixth years inclusive, and perhaps listing additional projects contemplated later. After consideration, revision, and adoption by the Council, the first year’s program is completed. A year later, anew budget is developed which reconsiders relative priorities of the various pro­ jects, and again proposes a program for the first year and for the second to sixth FIRE years inclusive. insuranc E write After,StUdie8 ab°*t 500 i municipalities, the National Board of Fire Under­ of def . t00k place fire of deficiencies. The folloling . items'were aS8igning ' Points Water Supply Fire Department Fire Alarm Police gilding LaWs Hazards Structural Coi editions 1, 700 1, 500 550 50 200 300 700 5, 000 Some authorities recommend that the capital budget should be incorpo a single document with the operating budget, so that the two may r®c^1V® . submit consideration by the Council. Under our circumstances, it is pro a y^ d> e capital budget as soon as possible after the operating bu ge a naideratjon as , ere 18 no important disadvantage in such separate submission °ng as the financial planning of the two is carefully coordinate . for capital improve • 3 can be elimmated fr be Clty g j;fficult city,» school school district, district, and and county county so that "t tto achieve, howev°m the a88regate tax rate. — is politically difficult intergovernmental "S^c8<xi.c tax rate. This objective is po 1 'will likely be attained, if at all, only after gro Co°PeraA 3-tion over a long period of time in other areas of o activity. ac ^nt8°by\^most eOSt/desirable esirable ob Jective is °°rdinatedJaV^^ objective is C coo: �WHAT ' S NE W ? EDWARDSVILLE1 -to’the treasury for passing theXd™’^’ XrX” R»d. Parking problems seem to have been solved by . °rists . 011 the of meters. nI NO. 11 KINGSTON TOWNSHIP - Groups in the Township feel that somethi be cut expenses in order to keep within the $5, 000 budgeted for p naust p do^to , ~~ Prote, KINGSTON - The Burgess has instructed the police to hand out tickets fOr parking. WILKES-BARRE - Based on collections for the first four months, inco ing meters and traffic fines will fall about $20, 000 short of bnHrroirOln path for 1954. get estlrnates The man OF THE PANEL .-What Local Governments Can Do To Aid Industry in the Anthra > n the subject discussed by a panel at the Municipal Officers Meeting atp! f011" Was ,er8ity on October 1, 1954. Below is a summary. g Penn State Uni- ■ today oars does not have much time to rock Wh° thinks himself a buddii Lng Senius is often a blooming nuisance. publication SUMMARY of equitable assessments. Moreover, local officials must exercise prudence with the tax money, much of which is provided from coal. LUZERNE COUNTY - Officials the year's liquid fuel ta: ._r lved_$220, 000 from the State treasurer as half of However, officials are lx i refund. Lastw ’Year the County received $452, 867.05. concerned since the meeting the $778, 000 - —- amount in tax refunds is far from spent on roads, damages especially with the growing costs of land connected with the State highway program. thoughts FOR VOL Communities in low employment areas might take steps to nurse the j -"King Coal. " Local officials can help to reduce the tax load on coal lands by TsysteL ASHLEY - Residents may expect the appointment of a delinquent tax collector because may expect the appointment of approximately 1,200 adults have not paid personal taxes for the past year. The fen, °W who continues the boat. Pulling on the NOVEMBER 15, i954 — Suggestions offered by the panel can easily be divided into two r groups. In the first to be found those aimed at nursing the basic industry-coal — . In the second group are are those proposals that deal with inviting new industry into the region the PMSibility °f usln8 WEST PITTSTON ■- " Borough credit is rated high, as indicated by the fact that the borough's bonds —J sold for only 2 1/2%. ■ WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA. Port- This Nev/ 8 - °htical Scier- -letter, published monthly ■nee lO Dr TJ ur- Hugo V. i Department of Wilkes College C°5lrnunity service, originates in tb\i '-’.ley, Political Science ^6nrisylVania.• • ’Maih Depar. °teS and inquiries may be aa< ent> Wilkes College, Wilkes -Barr' Ordinances banning the use of oil may not necessarily be an asset to the coal indus­ try. Such ordinances are predicated on the idea that the single use of coal is space heating. A revitalized leadership in the coal industry has recognized that new uses must be found for coal. Survival of the coal industry depends on experiment and research into new uses of coal. Oil banning ordinances could prevent the attraction of new indus­ tries which utilize oil in their operations. Shojild such an ordinance exist, a concession will have to be made as an inducement to bring the industry into the area. The result will be embarrassment to both the industry and the local officials, and wonderment on the part of the local populace. In attracting new industries the following factors are important: floor space availa le; floor space that could be offered to an incoming industry as a result of new financrJ’ *raTned labor supply; proximity to markets; services offered <-----by local governments; w material supply; utilities; community attitudes; taxes. ("yu • ^ti/781y> local officials can do little or nothing about some attr‘ *ed * Preceding paragraph. And, by the same token aboa4h8 ^dU8try is to succeed, local officials must concern , ch they can do something. For, many times it is no *Vailability Of nsideraK * markets, raw material supply > or a traine c°n8id, a rations as -3 local governmental services that determin of rA Coihhier, 'er of the panel representing an industrial fund ce stated quite frankly and firmT the considerations gram aimed at prog -mary factors as but rather such . re new industry locates. �taxes or lower assessment, in attracting industry Such action is lllegal the concession is unfair to industries already established in the community °hlyj’ ginal or shoestring enterprises demand such favoritism. It is unlikely that the Pennsylvania local government th£ take pride in the community. •glatures of Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi ...have made ’“Xte permit community financing of ne „ . A * point ’ eg.ee passed „„ legislative proposals for Pennsylvania A ^member of the panel supported .ylvania might create a state-wide indu,. Suggestion, however, was area could borrow money to be used for ft, XtX°~ Ofthrough htdustrial buildings mdustrres , ,-Kr.ritv which a depr for new ;„j 11<5tries I, [ Such a loan would be repaid over a period of years. CONFER ENC E Pennsylvania. ---- ---the very existence' •tone. In the beginning, Ju9t pass ed its six-month . its purpose was misrepresented in some ° the Con^ence was r against ratification by some of the member " and inHuenc e‘ precarious bemil63' -—: was brought to cause ■levying state associations legally participatin’ ®anizati°ns. Today we find all six bear These groups are; tax-1 State Association of Boroughs League of Cities of the Third Class County Commissioners Association Township Commissioners Association Association of Township Supervisors State School Directors Association The most important part that local government can play in industrial development is to perform well the regular functions of government, Some " of ' theservices r? ' that industry considers important are; property protection, public schools, 1 hospitals, housing, local transportation, water and electric utilities,, recreation, planning A constitution was adopted that formally created the Pennsylvania Local Govern­ j ’■ j and zoning as these would affect land sites. The role of local go, ment Conference consisting of three representatives from the above six tax-levying government in regard to these responsibilities is being overlooked by a more spectacular r: associations to meet periodically to discuss problems and adopt policies in the areas one --that of subsidizing industry. of tax assessment, delinquent tax administration, relationship between local govern­ ment and the General Assembly, functioning of state agencies in local matters and One town was told i-ll rather bluntly by an industry that located elsewhere that, "There state road subsidies. is nothing wrong with your .• town as an industrial site that good city government might not cure. " T _______ Few towns realize completely the value of being known as a good town in The first subject discussed by the Conference was the 1951 Assessment laws which to live and work. There being a unanimous support for them, a program to aid in their a op ion approved and as an initial step, a series of newspaper articles were proposed for the A member of the purpose of publicizing how the laws were to operate. The articles were pr p ^nici_ sources to furnish adequate se SUgges£ed that local government does not have the re­ the contents analyzed. It was the consensus that by adoption o t ese aw , local government r~ would reappraised emanded today« A proposal was offered that if found,. Unequal distribution of taxes > palities will have their financial conditions impr^by XXX'XXX and taxation> resources might be and the recovery of taxable wealth not now accoun a and unfair assessments, does make if anthracite region resulting from unjust will appear in future issues of this News-letter. and at low unit cost. 1 lcull f° provide adequate services efficiently Not to be overlooked as c as a prerequisit, Cooperation with the Ghambe ___ - ”—; attractin§ industry is community attitude. ■ BASIC EQUIPMENT imerle ;r of Com: lished betwi een the Council and the Chambe->er sn ! S8ential Better liason could be estabindustries. i are few in number, The essential items of equipment for building asphalt sur Local governments do wish toj czz cnnr> at l°cal °«icials could prepare for neW but industrial fund officials forget that budgets for compaction; ey include only some device for application of asphalt an a roller ro —- =LSPerate o£fering services to industry, tures. Perhaps a member of the C' ; °r ^ed-in-place work there is required in addition some kind of mixing blade. Council should^ prepared in advance of the expendimittee specifically to keep his Council info: uncil informed & placed on the industrial fund coms or diesel Rollers have steadily improved over the years. The ^^^per steadily improved over the years, n evelopments in attracting industry, day. In addition, It was the consensus of the p— has greatly greatly increased 11111 roller can operate practic­ increased the the yardage yardage a a given l tranL'-'Missions ance in Harrisburg or Washington, “XU si panel that local ghave been greatly improved so that thatt a a _axled roiier es to concentrate have been greatly improved so industries if the real role of local L governments should not beg for as si® p y at full Local officiala „_______ , Tt provides intensified of the power at all speeds. The T1’" purpose comose tne -Place where ; xtra ] — - people can work and live. government is notwill be successful in attracting a high area is enc on the middle axle where obscured--that is, to create a I Cothpr.ession. The purpose of the pneumatic The purpose of the pneumatic-tireface i--- texture Prod, Uce, immediately after construction, used to obtain a very dense surface, i re9uir e Years of normal traffic to achieve. 8Uch as required on airfields. II f°rf I �WHAT'S NEW ? NEWPORT TOWNSHIP - The Township's excellent financial conditio have enabled the commissioners to sell the municipality's $22 Cr®dit r VOL. PLYMOUTH TOWNSHIP - An ordinance adopted by the supervisors proh’b’ collecting or abandoning junked autos or other vehicles on public or in the Township. P °r private I EDWARDSVILLE - The value of the new shopping s' ---center along the Narrows Road felt for the first time this year by Boro will be ---- CCouncil. ”. Ten new properties are $75, 908 or $3, 500 in revenue. valued at ^aced bill boards in the Boro will be WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA. DECEMBER 15, 1954 WINDSOR SWOYERVILLE - The Council approved a resolution to borrow $5 000 “ •»HeipMiWg( taxes and liquor license money. DUPONT - Advertising firms whi to pay an annual tax on each. NO. 12 required ■■ PLYMOUTH - Residents have urged the Council to recommend action to the State or Federal Government in removing stripping banks and voids. William Windsor, Executive Director of the Bureau of <? • Employees, discussed the changes in the Social Securitv 1 SecuritV f°r Public of local officials. The Act now permits the coverage ofp bi-monthly meeting an existing retirement system, except police and fireme P*°yees in Positions under employees must vote in a referendum set up under the T° become covered, the The Director reminded the officials that a 6% intere SUpervislon °f the Governor, for every day that the account is delinquent Mnnie S 1S assessed on municipalities of the month. “nquent. Monies ought to be turned in by the 10th The rush to get OASI coverage for municipal employees is over, and with approxi­ mately 50% of eligible municipal employees covered by contract, the system is now running smoothly. Occasionally money is sent directly by a political subdivision to the Director of Internal Revenue. The federal agency cannot grant coverage to any WEST PITTSTON - A reminder was given given the public by the Council r egarding enforcement of the building permit ordinance. NANTICOKE - Some Street Department personnel are benefits. already drawing social security DirectortOof Internal the money^ however, ^nd sometimes itThe is difficult eventsRevenue be madewill withkeep the Harris In order to get coverage for municipal employees, it is necessary that arrangements^ burg bureau. No application for coverage nor paym benefit records> however, EXETER - Council members feel that same for 1955. processed by the bureau at Harrisburg. A emp are maintained by local Social Security offices. 'e presently at 20 mills will remain the PLAINS - Towns hi----- --- dp residents have urged the commissioners ordinance Patterned after to enact a strip mining .• one used by Old Forge. - PARKING METERS Lewisburg has parking meters such There is anadditionto the meter that is 1 tenth meter for the violator to place his ■ s any other municipality in Pennsylvania. qUe' A small metal box is attached to every time allowance, the enforcement fine. Where the autoist has overstayed his instead of a ticket. The violator °fficer places 3 an _ drops it into one of the metal boxes, ,^. Vel°~pe on the windshield of the Places the fir»P f_, 1 W 1UUD HiC 1.VX S/«. •"*" ticket written out. on y nominal, into the envelope an -• Only if th| -ae violator fails to make his deposit is a f PUBLIC ATIQn This News-letter, published i—* Political Science Department of Wilki to Dr. Hugo V. Mailey, Political Monthly Science AR a Pennsylvania. College, Denart service’ originates in th«■ , 68 and inquiries may be addre nt« Wilkes College, Wilkes -Bar* ’ I Mr. Windsor stated that there are 1, 343 has anow providing OASI coverage for some or all of their employees. • ions, 1 staff of 43 auditors who must check the quarterly reports of these su -------------- .. For that reason it has been found necessary to require that reports be submitted s directly 10 days after the end of the ^rter, instead 30 days as is the case when remit g^ ~' to tbe internal reve.Tnent of Th•--------------------------------------------------------------------nue department. thewhich to process the reports pay to th f This 1S gives ®^Ves his bureau onl only 20 days in and to pay to thet federal depar tions ‘‘Harns eral internal revenue department the amounts due in the aggregate. rly - idual Williams exc stated that all persons in covered c°^ em positions ployees are covered and that no f e P°sitions of3 1OnS Can be made. Part-time employees continue to be a problem, but exceptions can be made. F and golicitor ^esult Of a secretary, treasurer, engineer, and solicitor were now covered as a ins of secretary, treasurer, engine . employees. |Oyees. Other part-time employees n°t cover tT® tO COVer essential or important rating cover- essential important emp y of. ... ‘Cti°nsa onV ’ hto °Wever A personorwith two jobs, both which are covered, must pay covered, however. dedu, ded b°th Salaries- The $4200 maximum will apply on each. However, he can both salaries. clailrrn the-.3.<•<’ on Uction paid on his combined salary in excess of $4200 as an income tax ourse, all employees have to be real persons. An engineering firm could credit/ ' ------- > ““ 'amplen°‘ be ,classified as an employee, f°r �BOORSE V. MASS SPRINGFIELD T O W N S H IP s There is one thing that cities such as Wilkes-Ba A municipality is immune from liability for torts of its employees in of performance of a governmental function, unless a right of recovery is e r * c°urs e granted by statute. A municipality is not liable for a tort committed by aeXprer /sajy tort committed b' cer who was not acting within the scope of his authority. In this case a P°^Ce In this case, ! °ffi. racing horse was discovered by two policemen to be in a helpless conditi^ le helpless r~ 2; leg wedged in a culvert near a public highway. The policemen shot the h one notifying the owner. The policement were not acting within the r------36 without scope of their authorjtv since the horse was trapped on the neighboring township's side of — the — j line and the policemen were outside the geographical limits of their township. If they had been On their own side, they would not be liable because they would be engaged in the exercise of police power in removing a traffic hazard or obstruction on the highway. cities centers, downtown iot be widened to transport more traffic and uceritcann< bethat expected in view ci the these probie ms areas c.used are pouring into central city ? by can 1 cars RETIREMENT SY STEMS The Local Government Commission will undertake a s. study with of municipal pensionxj-rcLL p and retirement systems. Laws will be analyzed and compared practices 1 of other [ systems. The study will be the basis for recommendations to the Legislature, study is most important in view of the recent changes in the Social Security law. This f STATE ROAD GRANTS many municipal!Altogether, 466 boroughs, there any in Luzerne CoLnty? ? thlrd-class cities have faHed to apply for funds. Are I Ouster of a borough ccouncilman for non-at the proceedings was given non-attendance nenJi OpP°rtunity to dpf a^Ce at meetings where no notice Ouster proceedings are Courts the Statute must b WaS afforded, is held to be iWl decision of the Supreme regular mee ° Pennsylvania in 8Jl 8trictly construed. Thia was the attended only two rr special and n° sPecial m & the fact tllat the councils211 i meetings and three With°ut "«■« not ^3. 6! lagS * ouster was effected to hto and The! '5eci. ioa reeted on and the no factregul t8hatar to explain his absence. a» opportunity being accorded W ' PUBLICATION This News-letter, published r" Political Science Department of Wilke monthly as a c— DePartm, ’ to Dr. Hugo V. eMalle-" community service, originates ■’ '-Lis c hiailey, Politi) College. Notes Pennsylvania. be addre^ L LCal Science and inquiries may L- DePartment, Wilkes College, Wilke0' Slte °f old °nes. Streets Ck °f facilities for the many A number of remedies have been suggested. Central city parking garages ought to be halted because they only channel more traffic into an already congested area, perhaps each city should build parking facilities on the perimeter of its central dis­ trict in the slums or marginal areas where real estate values are low. From another quarter comes this advice--the removal of all parking facilities from central city areas, thereby speeding taxicab, bus, and through traffic. It has been stated that existing offstreet parking facilities would accommodate visitors unacquainted with perimeter park­ ing facilities. It may be that in the next five or ten years American cities might ave o vate automobiles in the central city areas. There might not be any room vehicles that will be on our streets by I960. P . n Transit Associs-tion Another suggestion that was recently X^rtaTon-the bus, the streetConventicn in Pittsburgh was greater use o i„_„er cities transport as muc a car, the elevated, and the subway-which in the la. g ig a necessity today. Withf>0% to 80% of the working population. Mass ran truly a city's life bloo . — Highway Department, According to an announcement by the State 20 fi^Li°Se u°ad gTantS tOtaling $365> 761‘ 65- transit out it most cities of great size would wither awa_ ’ been shipping boys for civac times in the past, inter-urban railway sys em consistent public opposi leaders. Traffic congestion combined with tax public transportation systems^ against fare increases have caused headach®S tJe trolleys." Such a campaig Y cities a drive is underlay to -get back on is speededup. not induce riders to use the busses and tr°Dey lations to give mass tramn Probably will mean drastic changes in tra matter of civic duty, ben they Priority. People will use public transit no buggea and trolleys on y °f convenience and preference. People wi automobiles. lnd the service preferable to the use o between the auto- in dec.dtng be. „„ It should be clear that expense is not a primary d with cost, 1 and niaintenance Mobile and public transit. If the citizen is concerne atttOrreagonably le3S? The ’mobile several miles through the city att considerable cos atl<i th, -ien pay to park it when he could ride to use ansWr. er is found in convenience and time. fast ride, f^tch to and *a flow n°” c. °f llea in -J public transit only if it gave comprehensive planning with g' CaPital sufficient to provide rapid transit �w||||wv £*”«ULU| J Arenac WHAT'S NEW ? .0. - Tie council is planning to purchase an ash spreader to .:e presen: equipment. ‘ent VOL. council may legislate a five-day fortv k cers c: :he police force except ranking officers. ’ Y‘h°Ur week III, NO. 11 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA JANUARY 15, 1955 aU SEWAGE HANOVER TOWNSHIP - Ten pieces of property were listed in a aEST recent tax sale notice> PITTSTON - Borough police have been instructed to halt any new construction * if a building permit has not been secured from council, KINGSTON - The landfill communities. Sewage may be defined as the liquid waste of a comm > from toilets, baths, sinks and other plumbing fixtures in COnsists of wastes certain types of manufacturing and industrial plants - and ■ ngS; some wastes from off from the streets and other surfaces that result f “ S°me communities the run­ operations. U1CS trom storms or street-flushing program attracts attention from officials of a TREAT M E N T number °f other NANTICOKE - Much favorable comment has been heard about the In this State orders are being issued to many cities and towns to require their L an abandoned mine stripping. installing treatment plants to take care of this community waste. If this is necessary, then the questions arises, "What is there in sewage that is objectionable?" or "Why should it be treated?" The answer is fairly obvious in that, first, it is objectionable in appearance, dirty gray water with bits of paper, feces, garbage, decayed fruits, and other useless and discarded materials. Probably more important than its objec­ tionable appearance, though, is the danger it presents as far as public health is con­ cerned. Water is an excellent carrier of typhoid fever, various forms of dysentery, and cholera. If a person with any of these diseases discharged feces or urine into sewage which is untreated and passes into a stream which is the source of a water supply for a downstream town, some unsuspecting and innocent resident of that down stream community may be the victim of one of the diseases mentioned. True, this possibility is fairly remote in most cases, but with adequate treatment it becomes almost non-existent. City’s new landfill in PITTSTON - Income from p- ’ Parking meters totaled $23, 312 40 This was more than doubled —J over last year. ^-40 for the first ten months. I ! 1 Untreated sewage has a detrimental effon to the v°^ s°p£ecIaUy warm of water which receives it, especially if the receiving body is sm decomposes rapi Y» waste may f°rm charged. The organic material in the s g The solids i decomposillg solids weather, with the production of disagr "sludge ban s surface an Actionable deposits on the bed of the s or soap ’»>' 11 oxygen in the A build up on the bank of the stream an g deeompo unsightly seum. Also, as «>e ■•’earn is depleted, and if used up ’u{£lc* a9Uati, °{s°rne ( d°^tle3s “ ar ‘ ” e ,tream Jnd is not one wh>c‘ will rtobjections little or no ’ \-T The treatment 1 of most process ■»£, ,he primary r ‘heae 'OniPlex ——2i„t»o — ta the Urge? . position. ---» odors and nuisance CTn°o“ »ut the pnH«““!“ “-JL. In A MU bpr°cessea__ ___ ,__________.___ r_____ the secondary process, e Prevented and secondary treatment will be needed. �5. Check at manholes excessi 617 diluted sewage groundwater infiltration or for storm-water ’ r°of, or cleav- ’ This may indicate u tear-water connections. 56 Without < the sewage is oxidizi 1.13 secondary secondary oxidation oxidation is is carried is depend dependent uThe degree to which this carried is Upun local ditions and these are usually taken into account when the engineer de si. Lgns the Briefly, the units found in most sewage plants are the foil • a,lt. -g4er 71 desi-POtl gns the PS- used in many various combinations: Primary treatment--bar grit chamber, Inhoff tank, primary sedimentation, sludge Check manhole forare repa check manhole stops to masonry see It they soS'*?"1’' the f„st line 6. seating of manhole covers. The grade of X check Counting On 7 &nd tbese COrnihin7ybe --dosing tanks, trickling filters, activated sludge, secondary XnfctJ Chlorination may be an adjunctive feature of either primary or r—„• secondary treat. meat designed to reduce the content of sewage bacteria in water courses receiving treated effluents. In general it may be assumed that as an average, primary treatment affects about 35 percent of purification, and secondary treatment about 85 per. cent. These figures are approximate and subject to considerable variation in individ^i cases, according to local conditions and methods of treatment. ' essary, to stop excessive surface water or earth frorn’e"^7 ’* entering the sewer system. I The and most common of sewer rnnf S’ accumulation °f grease, grit. Rootscauses generally enterclogginn at faultyare joints from a single leader root which has penetrated the joint an/™ H USUally beSins the sewer until the branches from the leader fill the nine r™7 C°ntlnue inside charged into the sewer with warm water. As it cools t/o rease is usually dissticks to the sewer walls or develops into a ball around one^f hT S°lldi,ieS and . in the flow. Grit, such as cinders, ashes sand or m id e particles carried OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF SEWER SYSTEMS _________ I To maintain a sewer system properly, the first essential is a master map, together with larger scale sectional maps of the system. These should show direction of flow, exact manhole locations, sewer sizes and slopes, house connections, an o- .. cation of other utility services with relation to the sewer. The next requirement is a permanent record of maintenance and inspection. This should include dates of inspec tion, location of maintenance work, conditions found, equipment used, and costs. I Routine inspection of the entire system is most desirable to prevent trouble. M general inspection practice recommends the following schedule; sewers on flat gr or previously troubled by roots--every three months; sewers with which no di has been experienced--once or twice yearly-, main intercepting sewers--one to o times per month; inverted siphons--one to four times per month; storm-water ov flow s - - dur ing and following heavy rains. The following items should be considered in making a general inspection: 1- Check c’ manholes for g- : gasoline odors If signs are found °r presence of oil slick on sewage suiirfac6. ----- J inspect each —i upstream manhole until the source is located. 2. Check for unusual odors, some cases. such as illuminating gas. Use an explosimeter in 3- Check r-- ’ for r°r l°°Se 3e^r manholes joints sand, mud, and grit. Their presence may indicate brd>kel1 - —3 or sewer —’ pipe. 4. Check manholes for sluggish flc; solids. These may indicate obstructions °w> septic sewage, or accumulations of for periodic flushing. j o Ji6 ’ in the sewer, poor sewer grades, °r ? ularty in Hat materials gvades. This b„.d ...... where on these are washed in with the surface drainage thX may also enter samtary sewers through basement drains, through broken foi’nt. in the sewers, or from other sources, such as automobile wash racks. Flushing will remove minor deposits of material. Lines that are laid on flat grades and get clogged with grit or grease should be flushed frequently, perhaps as often as once every several weeks or every month. On lines with steeper grades it may not be necessary to flush as often, perhaps only yearly. Where odors are present at manholes , flushing should be frequent, particularly during the dry­ weather periods. The simplest method is to insert a fire hose into ^sewer^oXTes^ge deposits. This method, however, is not particui y . rubber ball such as quantities of water. Another method consists o m wer and placing it in a a beach ball or a volley-ball bladder to fit snug y in then placed in the sewer canvas bag or burlap bag with a rope attached. ba]q then allowed to and the rope held until sewage backs up in the man in tbe sewer, the presmove to the next manhole. When the ball hits an o between the bottom of the sure forces it against the top of the sewer, causing sewage flow is low, it may ■<«. and the ball. This washes the deposit out. Where a he necessary to add water to the manhole. As is now i control■ as it passes through the sewer. secured to it for roots from sewers. are avanauic available for removing __ -diameter sewers, A number i._ of types of equipment have been popular for the smallerbeen popular hazard of having to work Plexible sewer rods and cutters at the surface, and the L._ The se rods are pushed and turned in a naanhole is thus eliminated. �tfuwty 'JtewA-tettei MAR 3 al consists of adding copper sulphate to the sey, Another method of root remov; 'revention method. It cannot cope with severe . isidered a r.oot-p:' needed to kill the roots. It also does not — ’ ob str should. be con: w°rk too three weeks^are WeUOn since usually 1----“terals and branch sewers, however, two or three sewers. For 1. : Pounds the larger - - , abOve the root growth about once a -------year will do th ( fcopper sulphate placed in the manhole cleaning will not clear the sewer, it may be necessary r to use When flushing or L ball —.ciea g o , , • -1- Or a turbine ' or scraper pulled through the sewer by cable and winch, 3c°opf -type cleanin.lg tool. P ^~2iv7~no. 1 WTT.KES-BARRE, WILKES COLLEGE, FRIEL 1955 PA. FEBRUARY 15, 1955 R E P 0 R T Albright & Friel, consulting engineers, have prepared a v a5 M infiltration results from faulty sewer construction. It Most excessive. groundwater | between the manhole frame and cover; ventilation holes and has been traced to <openings x openings for handles on manhole covers, especially if they are located in the gutters; Open I ines ings between between the the sewer pipe and manhole brickwork, incorrect plastering of manhole brid, work, frost cracks in the crowns of manholes; poor pipe joints; diversion of natural under, ground water courses into sewers; improper sealing of plugs placed in the ends of lateral, or in "Y" branches; breaking of joints by dislocation of the bearing surface. One of the most common causes of excessive flow in sanitary sewers is the discharge of roof drains k or connection of street-surface water drains to the sewer. These prohibit such practices, 1 together with public education and vigilance on the part of the superintendent of sewers. Wilkes-Barre, and Wyoming. The report emphasized that only\y 3 of authority could a sewage treatment plant or plants be constructed % + Ing one of the three cooperative schemes proposed, $50 000 S S’nnn be saved by the municipalities of Wyoming Valley. $9^,000 would ------ n plant plant would would be be constructed constructed, on on the sites pres­ Under Scheme £1 one common ently Seirage Treatment The plant mtly contemplated for the the Wilkes-Barre Wilkes-Barre Seirage Treatment Works. Works would serve the entire valley of F^the^ 250,000 and TOUld would .+ cost or $20.36 dwelling Jiit?' tod^sXemf C 0St $16,562,058 0^20.36 & unit. Under unuer beneme per dwelling Scheme ^1 #1 all the communities, except Jenkins and Hains Townships, would he served by bv the plant which would also gpgo be t2 located at. the Wilkes-Barre site. The cost of construction would be $15,559,125; $1‘iliQ.125; the cost p_,d.u. would be $19.68. ■ 1. One plant, loUnder Scheme #2 two treatment works would be operated, $12,553,693 or $21.ok cated at the contemplated Wilkes-Barre site, would cost $1°,. ■J - -r at Hanp.d.u. and would serve 190,000. The other plant, already operating Scheme #2A is over Township, would serve 60,000 and would cost $21.96 p.d.u. Sch< ; and Plains the same as #2 except that it would eliminate service toreduced Jenkins to a...$11,536,362. The pumping costs are often a major operating expense. An efficient inspection a'nd maintenance program which follows the manufacturer's recommendations -will be helpful in holding these costs to a minimum. Another important part of the pumping station is the wet well. Out.bottom A one 11 The settled walls and of the well should be flushed daily to remove solids and grit whic be in the float and a half inch hose and nozzle are usually satisfactory. However, 1 Bar or tubes; they also should be flushed daily and scraped out whenever nec basket screen at pumping stations should be cleaned at least once ai y Townships. The cost of the Wilkes-Barre plant would be would- serve> the Under ^3 four plants would be constructed. Plant 1 2 would serve Plant Pittston area at a cost of $2,780,325 or $29-36 p.d.u. 1. 3 would be Plant Wilkes-Barre and vicinity with a cost p.d.u. of $18.76. J itimated at $23-00. .d.u. es' J1® Present Hanover Township ■works with the cost p.~._-- ,.d.u. Under anticoke would construct a plant of its own,, costing costing ?19. 1 P . and Plains Towa­ Scheme #3A Jenkins Township would not be served "“™ed by 1 1— by Plant 1_ Other maintenance items at pumping stations consist of removing wa ter accumulati . j0 not0115 daily from the dry well by operating the suction-valve of the sewage pump 1 ping sta' I have an automatic sump pump); plus the normal housekeeping measures nire Pr°” tion clean (both internally and externally); all equipment and materials t a , tection against moisture and fumes should be painted with the proper type O P ship would not be served by Plant 2. consider the advanUnder a cooperative example, under the tages of a cooperative project oyer savings. ’ ?For $19.68 p.d.u. as comitsf. own sewage treatment Plan, the communities would realize „nUr-b would be owners $19.68 cooperative plan the cost to Exe er sbructed i — Pared to $92.80 p.d.u. if the Borough Forty Fort hornwould be $23.60. v°rks. The valley-wide authority woul plant tfae cost v of the schemes P-d.u. whereas if Forty Fort bull would save money 1 ; for each municiJ-hus, we can see that each cS“*/airtlual overall ^vlng$19,172: and, un^cre adopted. Under Scheme #1A e saVing woul Pality would be $93,956: under ir > d®r #3A, it would be $61,238. Each community in Wyoming ValleyZ^ient plants, It is much easier, and also less expensive, to set up an efficient inspectio ^on't^ ndrnain'6 \I expensive, to set your up anfingers efficient inspection tenance schedule for your sewer system than to cross and hope y° a . trouble. The crossed-finger system does — not -j prevent trouble —it mevelv saves cross your fingers and hope you time when it is most inconvenient for not prevent trouble--it merely saves i you to correct it. I P U B Lie A T IQ N This News -letter, published Political Science T — monthly as ; ge rT!nUnity 8ervice, originates in the p Department of Wilk< Dr. HugoV. Mailey, Political Scie ■es Colle K • Notes and inquiries may be addressed Pennsylvania. ------- snee Department, Wilkes College, Wilkes-Barre, HHfVHN C mmuu a L ■ e Library ■j �N E W r W H A T assessed1 valuation valuation of all coal lands, tracts, proper^ the total borough of $5,^3,309. is less than 10/ of the Property propertv valuation. , The total in the borough1 $ equiP®sQuof a College know full weui it Perfectly clear Jth construct their oro s this sort attempted o STbickSSs ^d be economical for commune tii?!S treatment plant. There have been few projects^?0 o area_vri.de basis. In is one of the first obtL residents to forget petty jealousies and^L / valley-wise instead of community-wise. -> city anyone on open to a valuation is down to $^,37°,32O or about ’L's property Reduction in the triennial assessment may Borough ^.TTir _ The it was 30 S years ago. Mt amount . sizable 1----be a officials maintain that the overhead traffic lights are the pedestal type which stand on the 4 corners of an intersecn^-BARRE Special permission must be obtained from the state to install such ^safe/than -j - NOT ICE “w»naay, Pe'oruary 28 In the Lecture Hell at wllies tion. ! lights. College. LOCAL OFFICIA LS TO DUPONT - The MEET L The next bi-monthly meeting of the Luzerne County Local Government Offic­ ials will be held on Thursday, March 10 at 6:30 in the college dining room at Wilkes College. The speaker will be Dr. Willard Hancock, director of the Bureau of Municipal Affairs in Harrisburg, whose topic will be, ''Proposed Legislation Concerning Local Governments in the Present Legislation." Attention is also called to the fact that the Luzerne County Borough Association will hold its election. Very important business will also be pre­ sented before the borough association officials. Cards will be mailed in the immediate future. SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS INCREASE The new Social 65~and Securdtv an employee between 79 An+ raises from $900 to $1200 a year the amount snd lowers from 75 to 72 the aar,n and continue to collect benefits, °£J*e amount of earnings/^Thp'-no0 Yh?c11 benefits are available regardless aw-r V°rS and retirement benefits 5Lso raakes substantial increases in age monthly wage of $300. ’ ihe ta°le below gives the benefits on an Retired worker Retired Couple Widow & 1 child Widow & 2 Children widow & 3 Children Old Lav $ 85.00 127.50 I27.60 168.90 168.90 - nights department when theannounced bulldozerthat is not the in new operation/ city dump is not* or“W??c- street council expects to pay off the $2,000 bond issue by spring. lira from the state de­ is receipt of a check second half refund of • The county treasurer LUZERNE COUBTY $265,000 representing the s----icixG r of revenue for partment tax. of the part cl — state's gasoline the tax rate which is of increasing thinking seriously FORTY FORT - Council is now 17 mills. was reduced by 2 that the mileage all paid at the same time EXETER - Bills are mills. T H OUGHTS FOR TO DAY Most poor folks can resist temptations poor are usually Broke. tetter than the rich, spending of the way they are index The way ■people spend their money is an their lives. ’ ~ p U B L I ° A TI QN - original63 * immunity serviceInquiries , may be College This News-letter, published monthlysaJollege Notes and H the Political Science Department "tical Sei®1106 Department, Wilkes addressed to Dr. Hugo V. Hailey, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. 3* col— Increase $13.50 20.30 20.20 28.20 31.10 New Law $ 98.50 147-8° 147.80 197-1° 200.00 because the �on We ' VOL- lV> NO. 3 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA MARCH 15, 1955 TWO-WAY RADIO This slap-happy approach is intriguing, or falsity. Let's look at the record. Let us move to exaffiine its Representatives of seven West Side communities Km. . Courtdale, Pringle, Swoyersville, Edwardsville, and Lu g °n’ Forty Fort, to apply to the federal government for funds for a two-waV^Vi^6 makin® Plans This is an example of the joint endeavors in which vail ? m°blle radio system, join. This News-letter has always advocated cooperationC°mmUnitieS ought to make for efficiency and to stretch the tax dollar. It is 1 m°i?8 communities to schemes are the only solutions to the problems of shrint Car f C00Perative assessments. And now if the area eommun!”e“ Jan f" ,"8 "d low" radio system and also ban together for fire nroteeti ,1 purchase a two-way it ought to be a simple matte8 to solve t r' *8°’ tie. basis by means of an authority set up Jointly by the communities”' theTauJy. Take a family of 5 'which lives in a: an outlying community. time do they spend, in the great big Just how much __o city?? Each p------- ' p-nanA -----Person spend. Five times that number is 8k) hours per week at has the168 c* ‘ hour<T-TOnlr ~-L Ji - s a week to family. ttHow much does3 the city get provided theo-isposal -------’ of- that• time ■; 1 — of the ~ man works there? We can allow him 9 hours for 5 days a week. This figure a week. you include vacations, but let's be generous. T This figure is 1too high if assume that the lady of the house goes to town The twiceresult if U5 hours. Let's A hours on each trip. There is another 2 L~— t'.rioo a month to shop p and. spends hours a ? week, making U9 in 3 kids probably don't spend a total of 1 hour all. The .• a week there. they do, so we have 50 hours out of 8k). That's 6$ of the total r— thL_„. But let's assume devoted to the city, leaving 9k> spent at home. 1 time which is The ridiculousness i. of the term "bedroom trated betfr -ter. community" could not be illus- - Another joint endeavor into which communities might enter could very well be a solution to the refuse problem. Before long Kingston's landfill and that of several other communities will be over-extended. It would be wise for communi­ ties to ban together and on a cooperative basis with several second class townships set up several landfill sites that could be used 5 or 15 years from now. Of course, if the Luzerne County Commissioners should create a planning commission, a county survey of refuse collection and disposal problems could very well be made. It is for this reason and many other reasons that a county planning commission ought to be set up by the county. Planning as one of the modern techniques of community development will be discussed in a later issue of the News-letter. ALLOCATION OF STATE FUNDS ? 816.62 thatd can Luzerne County municipalities have a tota 1 ° f $81did not spen anybe of spent the under the highway grants. Many of the appropriates $18,000,000 eac state funds available in 1954. Under Act 34 W eS> municipalities may year to local levels of government for hig way p P matched in 1955 may apcarry over unspent amounts. Although the amountsjo^.^ f Pear to be small when accumulated over a Y For instanCe, Exeter municipality to undertake a rather extensive1 proje amount to $1,457.23 carried over from other Year®' gxeter is $2,289-92. hatched in 1955. The total amount aval a s available to the There is attached do this Ne».-le«er • communities in 1955, the unspent amo^ It wouid be well for Luze '■Ite total matching funds available or before they lapse. ""■hicipalitie. to consider using these funds . mX 1 �PrqPOSEDLEGISLATIONFOR legislation P boroughs Association of Boroughs adopted1 a number of resolutions at th Zed in the present legislature. Local offi^954 The State convention which itL h„pc3 hopes will be pass— • ” : a bill to raise the amount of th ■ t examine the following bills: of boroughs might e----- _ 15 to 20 mills; opposition to House bill #222 which 'i pro. real, secondi class should ough levy on i* estate^fr0™ "le township of- the 1 approve vides that t..— the — eferCo°rtownships t0 boroughs and cities; a proposed bill to 1 Permit in all annexations between local retirement systems and federal Social Security; a bill favor, tegration control by boroughs themselves of traffic signals in boroughs off state high. ing the ways. The The Association Association opposes opposes any legislation for a change in the fiscal year. The Association favors the repeal of the law exempting machinery from assessment from local government tax purposes beginning in 1956. A bill is favored legalizing silent policemen. The Association opposes House bill #173 providing for mandatory police retirement systems. The Association opposed legislation allowing burgesses the power to appoint and dismiss borough police. The Association supports the renewal of the act providing for $2,600,000 to municipalities for sewage treatment. be comPerning 1 body should be called a metropolitan commission It nro h this -- 'g°vi ^nnolitancommission could not levy taxes or revenue ’ provides that )“Sde'ing of its services or facilities and that it would not be aUowed to'e’^rX V governmental funct.ons except those specially designated to it by the pa "ci paling municipalities. The governing body of each participating m„„icip.lity would elect one representative to the commission, designate by ordinance which of its governmental functions that metropolitan commission would take over, approve the annual proposed budget of the metropolitan district, and assume a proportionate share of the expenses. s ?• HEALTH FUNCTION To date, the following boroughs have voluntarily surrendered their health du­ ties to the state Department of Health because they felt that a more economical and efficient job could be done in this field by the state health authorities than by local officials: Conyngham, Laurel Run, White Haven, Dallas, Avoca, Yatesville, West Wyoming, Hughestown, Nuangola, Exeter. If any community is contempla­ ting such action this department has a model resolution that councils can use. Cop­ ies are available upon request. PENNSYLVANIA METROPOLITAN BILL The increase in size and number of fringe communities and the growing de­ mands of citizens for adequate and economical municipal services have been singled out as the underlying causes of metropolitan confusion in Pennsylvania. The attempts of the multiplicity of governments in metropolitan areas to provide municipal ser­ vices result in governmental confusion because of limited municipal authority and other legal restrictions and in citizen confusion in their efforts to control the patch­ work of governmental units created to serve them. INSURANCE COSTS REDUCED BY COMPETITIVE BIDDING An experiment in Park Forest, Illinois (population 8138) last year in A plan embodied in Senate Bill 271 introduced in the 1949 session by Senator a wavout'nft®venson< Chairman of the Senate Local Government Committee, was the Senate bv aVT" o"" ®ov<!rni”ents and citizens alike. After passage in the LTtwo davl n °,a V°"' “ House Representatives during characteristic of th. H IOSt " Hon indicated 1„ the Hous“8 t2« ‘'giBlative corporation tl8 ernmental CitieS the that ins ~ can be The municipality combined "package" reduction : resulted, Savings fro™ other types of policies included ,n a»uffle a«ivity that is always although there was no islative sessions of 1951 and mco etropolitan Bill was not revived during the e8 arouse interest in the hill u ■ argelV because there was no organized effort to -.............. ^cethe many people in local government that the bill win be enacted numerous thanPeverTeforV^ 6^1716111 metrOP°litan & more complex and Such a bill would strengthen home rule because it would make it possible to ,rovide modern, efficient local government at the local level. Making local govern­ P: ment more efficient is the only sure means of curbing state expansion in areas of local concern. Local officials are urged to become thoroughly acquainted with the Pennsylvania Metropolitan Bill. Interested local officials ought to request copies of such a bill from their local legislators . 0 ’ r°ugbs, and townships as mun P 1 functions which the participating g e metropolitan district to perform- circum. deteidrained — ’ since coverage was broadened in some case I rehensive and liabilstances imade necessary the continuance of automo 1 tjme Because of the -sur^Z Sarnes a short period of time . ~ " "repeat the system this year *Uccess of the initial venture, Park Forest expects to i . further refinements in procedure and bid forms. publication Voluntary creation of carry on jointly govern™ units would voluntarily eive ' th nltv service, originatesbein community se This News-letter, published monthly as a Notes and inquiries may be ' Political Science Department of Wilkes College- Department, Wilkes College, *u?' sed to Dr- Hus° Mailey’ Polit es-Barre, Pennsylvania. �(faufy Tlecm-fatten WHAT'S NEW? EDWARDSVILLE - The budget for 1955 amounts to $71,275, retainin g a tax le. 17 mills, the same as last year. !Vy of VOL- lV’ NANTICOKE City officials has besen instituted, rePort that th.e municipality's ash collection program The ash collection program will augment the garbage collection —a system that was initiated a decade ago. WEST PITTSTON - The new 18.5 tax levy, an incr borough budget list, ease of a mill expenses of $86,132 calling for an °ver last year. FORTY FORT Borough taxes mills . The raise in the tax levy i^to 1 1/4 miUs this year» from 17 tO 18 1/2 the cost of repairs to a sewer line ° pr °vide approximately $8,000 toward provide WILKES-BARRE ar Forty Fort Cemetery. “ The < ‘ ■ C1ty's nickel-fed narf hours more in 1954 -I than in 1954 lng deters were in operation 5, 053 PLYMOUTH - The t.„tatlvcbud et 8 a ,o,al re'""“ °f w^.’«-80- budget mills increase re Provided byt5 " ““"C11 for 1,55 eliminated the I.8 8 1* “ vear 're? amusement tax '.'al is ast year and restor -sal.0CM ■'•stores th. whole rate of 17 mill.- Th' cut. WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA. APRIL 15, 1955 PROPERTY DAMAGE A COSTLY HIGHWAY ITEM V COURTDALE - The town solons instructed the Chief of Police to check illegal dump­ ing at the borough's dump. People from other communities who have been using the dump facilities of Courtdale were reminded that they will be sub­ ject to arrest and fined $100 if they continue to use the Courtdale dump. continue to use the NEWPORT TOWNSHIP - ] It might i ’ ’ -be possible for mileage in the t_... the commissioners to reduce the township by , 1/2 .2 rmill because almost 100% of the collections on 1954 taxes will be —a total estimated. Curtailment of a few thousand dollars expenses resulted in ----------- in a cash balance. NO. IV c* ASHLEY - Ashley Borough's tax valuation has been reduced i . $65,000, meaning a tax loss of $1,170 annually for the municipality. \ . The budget provide 18 mill tax levy and $5 per capita tax. s for a HANOVER TOWNSHIP - Other communities in the 1 valley lacking adequate g- ’__6, disposal facilities are welcome to use Hanover Township's garbage Township's dumping tract. Fees will be charged for the dumping in order to defray the taining watch on the grounds. The Commissioners raised the expenses of main.j municipal tax rate this year from 10 1/2 mills to 11 mills. APR ? ' ARKSVILLE - The 1955 tentative budget of Larksville borough ‘ 19 1/2 mills. The major headache of Larksville officials x stains a levY of is debt cause of a $200,000 bond issue floated some years ago. tesrViCe bThis debt takes more than 3 mills of the taxation. ServiCe -Property Damage" a phrase that doesn't mean much to th user is one of the most costly items in the Pennsylvania Hiehwav n highwa^ gram of rebuilding and modernizing the State's 41 000-ml & / Department's pro­ damage, which is the money paid to owners for the use J system- Property new road or to relocate an old, cost the State $12 922 41A 1 Which tO build a At the rate of expenditure for the first 7 mnnthe c r, aS lscaI Tear 1953 -1954. claims oi $9,266,718 have already been ,954-'’55 “ ^ieh neighborhood of $15,000,000. ’ expenditures will total in the Under the Constitution, the State is not retired to buy landnew rightof-way. It is empowered to secure perpetua easeme^^ claim, he is likewise property owner is fully advised of his rig so exac t date the Governor's 1 authorized the job. Then r advised that he must speak up within six years ro signature was put on the bulky bundle of documents w *c Hi hway Department, begins negotiations between the property owner an hnlldozer starts moving dirt. In certain cases the owner files a claim even be ore repressed far enough to Others, and they are in the majority, wait until wor Highway Department, 1 make a reasonable claim. When he does finally approac its vajues, and rebe finds the right-of-way expert knows more about his prop Placement —i costs, then he actually does himself. In the records of the Department, there is a st cet values. Right-of,niar rd jprice for everything, and the F Department's settlements must be on the asl® settle damage according way experts -.3 are not infallible and where negotiation whose technical stan fo the 1book. th. Seeretaryof Highways appoints an_appraby the courts- He makes lng in th. le community is recognized by real es a e Highway Departmen carefui p . -o-----■ . ... and at this juncture then accepts or down to ------rnina tion of the "damage <=ases with the property owner. A fair offer is ma perty ownersapEjects. If the latter, he can go to court, but m r-ent y^ oat of hi-wn Parently realize that no matter what he gets i a negotiated rather Pocket. Incidentally, 94% of all claims settle °Urt decided b; - oasis. with claimants receiving $53 3n/ In th. tde last four years 17,720 claims were settled ------t, More than 11,000 of these were for amounts less than $1,000, with <e7’210-04. of the highway system in urban atl half of these under $250. In the expansion c- — „ ,J several involving reLeas> h.°Wever, damage claims become rather expensive and smallest settlement on Cation of " entire plants have cost upwards of a million. e . �•™atPlv $2- The largest claim for $6,250,000 record was ... for app for about $100,000. Pending for „ttlraent e a tery company 8 ,'132 claims. In addition the Department ts ready to close 1, Of l^fy L 1955 are f Th- greatest number of pending claims is in District 8 (H -- for $3,439,309,^bUrg) “ This district also has the greatest number of construct^, which has 1,44911 Pr°^t5 (203) under way. neighborly COOPERATION In a move aimed at correlating the health activities of Wiiu D ounding communities, the city's Board of Health has invited np8’^”6 surr 3 and townships to use its local facilities. The citv tna cb neighboring boroughs 'unicipalities will also initiate a program to include training onJrsoneighb°5ing rnu,ussion of common health problems . Bowden Northrup, Wilkes Barr i di8‘ cannounced at the last local government officials meeting that mn • r councilman, be sent to neighboring municipalities on the city's move °rmatlon wiU HARTFORD TESTS REFUSE BAG City officials at Hartford, Connecticut, are testing a new method Of c°Hect. ing garbage that may reduce by as much as one-third the number of collect, :ors, as well as end the clatter of garbage cans. FRIEL REPORT A quick summary of estimated costs for construction of sewage treatment plants shows; The technique makes use of a new type high-strength paper liner for gark cans. The bag, which will not decompose even when thoroughly soaked, eliminates the need for the collector to haul the garbage can to the truck. For Edwardsville under Scheme 1A the annual cost per dwelling unit is $19 68 If Edwardsville operated an independent project the annual cost p.d.u. would be $21.08. The total annual revenue required if Kingston and Edwardsville set up an independent project would be $159,750. Under Scheme 1A the revenue required would be $124, 535. Use of the paper liner, which has been tested for four weeks by the city has permitted the reduction of test garbage collection crews from twenty-nine to twenty men. Engineers running a time study on garbage collectors have found that 12 bags can can be handled in 13 seconds as compared to an average of 13 seconds for each garbage can without a liner. For Plymouth the annual cost per dwelling unit would be $19.68 under Scheme 1A, with the total revenue required, $60,910. If Plymouth constructed an independent plant the cost per dwelling unit would be $30.46; the total revenue required, $94,273. The bags are said to reduce spillage, a problem with conventional garbage collections. An 8 -inch collar permits the bags to be tightly closed. can bp the old °f ,the Isn't it clear that some kind of joint project must be established in order to reduce costs per dwelling unit and also to realize a saving in annual revenue required to operate an independent project? questions is whether the bags, which now cost six cents each, ln Pflce sufficiently to bring the cost of the new method in line with The city has not yet made ; a decision to adopt the plan, but if it does, city refuse collectors who lose their inh personnel shor.ag.. X' bs would be absorbed into other city departments ^2Iertiseme_nts MORE ABOUT HOUSING CODES I ON PARKING METERS? delphia Comm^le^^ * °n its parking meters ? According j to to the the Pb Businessmen's Aq °Urt the answer is NO'. In the case of Chestnut Hill an ilid ’ a Philadelphia ord' Ass°ciation Permitting th °f PhiladelPhia> the Court declare J n>e'1 ters located along r’’:“ —. X ne lnstaUation of advertisements on pa^X City to a nr- °Urt held the ordinance to be "a divers vate corpOrati^nia n°r the Ch m ? rlphia " “- • £urth" -«■XJX° that ""XV highways where Perrnittlng h to ■ may grant a franchise t° Who have not CQr ® 0WnershrlP of the fee a Private USe o£ the sidewalks of theP er* tion fherej ,^nSented SUch uSe of_fee th in the he isidewalks is in the abutting 0 ni the ;3 and have received no comP "le sid^„ sidewalks What types of standards are set by a housing code that through their enforcernent will aid in the improvement and conservation of residential areas? They are tandards requiring the installation and continued maintenance of satisfactory water, a^ng> lighting, and plumbing facilities; the limiting of room and dwelling occupancy a ?revent °ver-crowding; the maintenance of dwellings in structurally safe condition, 1 the uP-keep of dwellings and premises in a clean and sanitary manner. Interested °cal officials can find more complete information about housing codes in the following 40 ,llcations: 1) Local Development and Enforcement of Housing Codes, available for ? a copy from the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, WashIngt< 25; 2) A Proposed Housing Ordinance, published by ihe American Public Health As . W Broadway, New York 19,~at 50« a copy; and 3) Th. Housing Code m thr Pittsburgh. Municipalities wishing to secure an object... measurement o( ia'^SSF^dilfcns may request th. assistance of the Pittsburgh Housing°Asso gran" “^ 306, ZOO Ross Street, Street, Pittsburgh 19.■ The Association ha. been officially - 'Jn’7 Suite 200 Ross Pittsburgh 19 ^«leathe t„hUS h‘ to make use °f nationally Mooring the Qu.lityof right g. the . .. n Public Health Association's Appraisal Method for Me_ ^aing. �DINNER The third annual dinner of the Luzerne -. m nment will be held on Tuesday, May 10, 1955 at the Wilkes I College Dining Hall, Offic ciais prominent guests have been invited. The speaker for r the occasion will b A H, -ist of Berwyn Mattison, Pennsylvania’s new Secretary of Health, The dinner e Dr honor those local officials who have faithfully served their period of years. Remember, too, that this is a coed affair. municipalitie Wiv Wives are s over a invited. WOTHERSPOON VS. SCHERMAN WillalSo VOL. jy NO. 4 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA. APRIL 15, 1955 REDEVELOPM ENT Ouster of a borough councilman for at meetings, where notice of the proceedings was given or an c non-attendance y -o proceedings m are cm to defend afforded no u-u to be •illegal. held ” ■ Ouster proceedings areopportunity penal penaland andthe the statutewas must be strictly is construed. This was the decision of’ the Supreme Court of of Pennsylvania in spite J ■ ' jreme Court of the fact that the solon attended only 2 regular meetings and no special meetings regular meetings and in 1952 and no regular meetings and 3 special meetings in 1953. The decision i_.l meetings in 1953. rested on the fact that the ouster was affected without notice to him and without opportunity being accorded him to explain his absence. -----i notice to him an THOUGHTS FOR the day Most of US know how to say nothing; few of us know when. The one thing more frequently opened by mistake than the mouth is the Pocketbook. PUBLICATION This bh ews-letter, published monthly 'h» Political Sei. ■nee Department of Wilkes ( as a community service, originates in to Dr. ... Wllk"’-Ba„e, p Hugo V . Mailey, PoliticalCollege. Notes and inquiries maybe 1 Science Department, Wilkes College, —insylvania. To date, redevelopment has not had much impact at the h. level. It may, accordingly, come as a surprise to learn th gh or township in all parts of the country are currently actively eneaf?ed in• "Umerous communities development. For a program that dates only froTmid-^^ °f considerable progress. ' ' "e record represents In our own Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, many localities are currently participating in redevelopment activities. Fifteen projects have been carried to the final planning stage in 9 different localities, including Beaver Falls, Clairton, Harrisburg, McKees Rocks and York, as well as Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. Other Pennsylvania communities will shortly begin detailed work on additional projects. Wilkes-Barre is considering such a program. The purpose of this extensive activity is toacco , the suthat bstandard 1’ h something prior to 1949 was almost impossible---the elimination an gome of our boroughs and blighted areas that mar so many of our ci ie qhantvtowns, spottily developed and townships . Such ■■problem" areas may consist of sha^.yt concentration in premature subdivisions, blighted sections of heavy P°P of outmoded commercial severely substandard structures, inefficient cong °™e sections, areas of heavy and industrial facilities, down-at-the-heel old resi e ^gd utiHties . Such problem tax delinquency, sections with deteriorated or poor y recently, there was I areas c constitute very costly community liabilities. Botb the necessary financial little thi •ie community could do in the face of this threa Federal redevelopment resourc ■ces and the legislative authority were lack gituation> first, by providing Program m and the companion State measures a ter dands in achieving a a workable e method for private and public enJerJ>J1 idfng extensive financial . Worthwhile community objective I assistance to help foot the bill. and, secon , States '2le kick~off for all the numerous local redevelopment programs5 was the United environment and the SubstS H°Using Act of 1949. This act recognized that the poor c r.pre.ent real thread toward housing and economic inefficiency of blighted areas A entire country. Title ----------------------------------------------------------community with localities I of thhealth and welfare of both the individual and the bothi thegovernment state law, the in Utlcjiee 'A' 0*' accordingly authorized the rrnina Federal Act te government such areas. An shment of ^dertaking operations operations designed designed to to eliminate eli provided such areas.for esta -/xvania elim inating bhghte^ sPe^ C]--Z Vania Urban Redevelopment Law of 1945, provided for as a later Oieceial authorities PrO men Assistance ig^ e Stat n. aUthori ties to cope with the problem oft eliminating provided State r. e measure, ----.. , „ j Assistance Law of Ivm P the Housing and Re eve haacial ’-1 assistance for the same purp �’ . to effective improvement of blighted areas mentioned above, was the cost, which, in terrn ’ ’ “dnrivate budgets, was prohibitive. Obviously it costs mOne anJ,P ,7 H area It costs money to purchase the buildings, e'"a ” ^the verge o' of collapse. It costs money to demolish buildings that have hi they are on1 the ve d ,to 0 install the utilities utilises and improvements ,. rnieg usefulness, an and ■ +li,, „„ farther econom.c »•« “ construction. economic useiu ___ BtT„rtinn. The cost of eliminating eliminatir- a- hh - - ,h H^considerable, so considerable, in fact, that theVn^t*'" that the'land* : in other words, is considerable, area, in other buildings and equipped with necessary improvements, nrnt ^‘prohibitive price tag. Private Private agencies simply cannot afford to pay such pti„5 agencies simply break even in their new building operations. operations. And mumcipal.t.es cannot afford the financial loss of placing a cut-rate price on the land---a price that reflects more accurately the real value of the formerly blighted land for a new and desirable use. The Federal and State redevelopment laws help cut through this dilemma by supplying funds to absorb most of the financial loss involved in redevelopment. While Federal grant funds must be matched on the basis of one local dollar for every two Federal dollars, the availability of State subsidy funds , which can be and are counted as "local" dollars, means that Pennsylvania communities can undertake redevelopment operation with very little municipal outlay and substantial municipal benefits. The methods and procedures for redevelopment in this Commonwealth are fixed by the Pennsylvania Urban Redevelopment Law of 1945. This act permits establish­ ment of a redevelopment authority in any of the State's cities and counties. The basic steps in undertaking a redevelopment program are few and simple. First of all, the "problem" areas, the areas that might profit from redevelopment, must be identified and tagged, at least in a preliminary way. Second, the different ’problem" areas must be scheduled for attention on the basis of the relative urgency of the situation in each. y. 'Maxi nr ■ " The It does utboritya d the laW requires that, as far as possible, such ‘ rebuilding be t>nd’ahed by pr^ate enterprise. ond redevelopment is not low-rent housing; the two programs are Se"d independent. Some low-rent housing may and often is required in di t on with clearance of a blighted area. But low-rent housing is just one C°nneCvarious re-uses that may find a place on formerly blighted land. A °f ^elopment area may be re-used for industry, for stores, for parks, for ^Xlots, for rental accommodations, for a civic center---in other words, ■y ^anyof the entire range of public and private uses. ■ : Third, any redevelopment operation must be properly related to existing and proposed development of both the immediate and the intermediate surroundings. Specific redevelopment projects must form a logical and desirable addition to the entire redevelopment area and to the entire community. Each specific project must harmonize with an overall scheme. Fourth, no redevelopment authority or any other agency can just tear down people's homes around them. If a borough or township and a county redevelopment authority cooperatively undertake a redevelopment operation, they have an obligation, legal as well as moral, to help provide housing for families inevitably forced to move to permit a desirable community improvement, in the form of redevelopment, to take place. And finally, redevelopment in a township or borough has to be a cooperative are partners. undertaking in which the county authority and the township or borough 1 ’ 5 must, at various e law specifically provides that the redevelopment proposals 8es> be submitted to and approved by the municipality. No county redevelopment j ority has the power, even if it was so misguided as to have the inclination, to and 6 3 t0Wnship or borough to accept a redevelopment scheme. The law requires, 8°od sense dictates, a cooperative working relationship. property, demolition of struct Schedule must be prepared to guide acquisition of type, form and placement of new con"^^^*"011 t Fifth, the land, when once reasonable price to private overall redevelopment pC. THEIR ASSESSMENT SHOPPING CENTERS AND Series) (1st of a and to contro^ tbe genera ^U^ed’ cleared and improved, is made available Pu ic interests for re-use in accordance with able, the work involved^tiliK11 HVe easy stePS. The tim ' easy steps. be consider' will S1mple scheme for « 111 be extensive but k ‘ solved may community liability and private enterprise t^17 redeveloPment is a fairly y th a■ community p e to cooperate in replacing a «-sset. ld opping center is a central point for buying family ne districts where enters in our American way of life are the downtown -tail chst^ e large d department stores are located. Thirty years ago cities, this has siness was conducted in these districts. Today, m r°Pped i to less than a quarter of the total. which had its The "Shop and Park" center is the outgrowth of hectic days lgs as a result of the depression of the 30 s. sales and smaller chants s°ught ways to reduce costs to cope with tan K �on help; they eliminated credit; they stopped deiiv_ profits- They cut down • v Was started and was an immediate success. The , y « Self-service , wer prices made possible by cuts in overhead, and she en service- oen ^d appreciated the - merchandise. More space was needed to display this -_J u>rror selecting her own -- sales area- and larger stores. stores. Since Since deliv ery wasrChandi«.se, and this required greater had to be provided for customer parking. And so the SUper^rket eliminated, space L jilliss College Library y lV NO. 6 VOL. 1V’ WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA JUNE 15, 1955 came into being ■ Shopping centers maybe classified into three categories accordi population: (1) super or regional; (2) average; (3) junior. A super up”8 t0 center requires a population of at least 100, 000. It should have an are i” least 50 acres. The major unit is a department store, preferably a br& RIVER ■Op' At the third annual dinner of the Luzerne County Local Government Official State Secretary of Health, Dr. Berwyn Mattison, stated that one of the”principal serv­ a popular downtown store. An average center requires a population of Its main unit is a junior department store or several chain variety store ’ center requires a population of at least 10,000 and its main unit is a S ' A junior supermarket. Successful centers are found close to junctions of main highways that are cross-currents of frequent travel and where there is some type of public trans­ portation. Shopping centers should be at least three miles apart, A new center built too close to a competitive center usually ruins the old one and seriously hurts the new one. They should be on land with good drainage so that shoppers will not get stuck in the mud. Adequate parking facilities are absolutely necessary, least three times as much parking space as selling space. There must be at Those shopping centers that are not successful can }place the blame m -poor location, poorly designed and unattractive shops, lack of public transportation, unpopular and inadequate merchandisers, and lack of adequate parking facilities Over-built centers willbecomeWayside Ghosts. Assessing a "Park and Shop" c*~" center is a real challenge. In order to arrive at a fair assessment for a "Park and Shop" should determine - ' of center, the assessor the building construction costs and the kind materials used, , Some materials have a greater permanency than others checked c* ere£ore ££le ^fe of the building will be longer . Construction should be < ’ . -..i "orsat i|Orne cen^ers are merely promotion schemes and are "jerry" built with materials to hold the cost of construction down. THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY No one agreeably occupied was ever wholly unhappy. Some folks' idea of a good time is going places and undoing things . APPLICATION This News-letter, published monthly addP°litiCal Sciei Coll' a. community service, addressedto Dr mce Department of Wilkes as Hugo V. Mailey, Political Scie. ege. Notes and inquiries may ^kes-Barre Pennsylvania. -nee Department, Wilkes Col POLLUTION | ices a community must offer to attract new industries is adequate disposal of sewage and industrial wastes. Dr. Mattison said that fifteen municipalities on the east and west side of the Susquehanna River are the only municipalities which dump raw sewage , and in one case partially treated sewage, into the River along its course. The clean streams program is not just a matter of community pride, but a public health measure and a program of economic rehabilitation. A sewage disposal plant, if properly designed, can serve the community and industry and obviate the necessity for a tremen­ dous expenditure of money by industries for their own individual waste treatment systems. Dr. Mattison declared his intention, "as long as I have anything to do with its administration, " to see that there will be "no relaxation of effort in this vital field of public health. The State Health Department will help wherever possible, but if pro­ gress lags, the Department will not forget its responsibility to protect public health. It is, however, the intent of the Sanitary Water Board that the program be vigorously pursued. " SHOPPING AND TH EIR CENTERS (2nd o f “a S*e ries) assessment A builder purchases a The assessor may come across the £oU°^nf ^atTact at the western endofft* hact of land at the eastern end of the city an The one is success u city. He erects the same type center on ea • The other requires in , __ compete for the shops. They offer premium rented. to secure tenants, and some of the stores ca , ------------- On the basis of his leases, mortgage of $2 million on the builde than one-half million the first. d°Uars. for each. Should the assessor Construction and land costs were the sa Pla.ce similar valuations on these properties ? the project. He should have - —. Insurance for this type of In many and savings bank, are the thes. gropertl ’"V- Their primary C ins Me ration i» �rases leases are assigned to the mortgagee to further secure the * f the’appraisal report which was the basis of permanent financing ^gage the assessor. The following stock clause will probably be a part of th -. rePort. ?' >» reliance has been placed by the appraiser on the capitalization of the st S ■■ of the property than on a cost estimate due to the fact that it is difficult lc°ihe improved value of this land. The community is so new that the value ” O■f *° "‘“'Oat. , -the land is not yet established. " , the neighborhood it will eerve, remembering thlt a successprimarily a merchandising promotion a ? that proportionate in ... size to t basic idea is kept in mind, a center will invariabi eC H ndar 'ly a realty is ful shopping center > a venture. If that tnl when real estate investment and be an unity given a proper valuation by excellent the assessor dded revenue highly success to the commi move people, The assessor should inspect the leases, if possible, and know thei terrms- He should note the terms, including percentage clauses on his records These sh°uld be followed by obtaining certified statements concerning the amount paid each year On these percentages. In some places buildings of this type are assessed on a r- "square-foot basis • in others, on cubical contents. Since the rentals in these centers are based on the area of the building, it appears that it is proper to value these buildings on their area, merchandising is concerned, it is immaterial if a store is twelve feet high As far as feethigh, so why penalize the taxpayer for extra height? However, since or sixteen a supermarket requires an unusually high ceiling, it should be assessed on a cubic basis. It is not an average store. The builder should furnish the assessor with the foot plans so that he can determine the area or cubage, which should then be checked with the actual construction when completed. In establishing the land value, f the assessor should have information on the sales price of the land, or if the land had been the market builder at forthe a number of years, he should know what it would have broughtowned in theby open time of its develop­ ment. The assessor should have the answers to the following questions: Was the land above grade? What did it cost to grade it? If the land was below grade, what did it o°st t° HU? If it was was below below grade, what was the cost to install piling or whatever loca be Isefrt 7eqUire “ 8UCh ca3es? Alao> the cost of paving the parking area should require in such It islAT™ likewise6 imp°rtant to classification -•of the of the land. had been any previous zoning 1 NOT VEHICLES (1st of a Series) | see a traffic mess in your community, it is only natural to ask, "What When you do to move all these vehicles faster?" Many communities have tried to answer can we --and failed. They have widened streets and built new thoroughfares, this question these expensive "improvements" overrun by the additional cars they attract. only to see t.. — warn us against trying to answer the wrong question. Don't start by Traffic experts and more vehicles. Ask, instead, how to move more and asking how to move more more people and goods. Vehicles are only a means to that all-important end. Ask how many people the streets have to carry--people on their way to work, to shop, to play. Ask how many tons of goods the streets must carry--goods being delivered to industries, to stores, to homes. This total volume of people and goods simply has to circulate readily through streets, or the city will decline. No city can afford to build all the highways which the individual car owners would like to have to permit them to go from their homes to their places of business. manv people from entering the To the extent that traffic congestion discourag decrease and business suffers, decrease downtown areas of our cities, the values of these ar entireiy offset the center-city The development of outlying shopping centers °es beconie so congested that they, losses. Many of these outlying developments quickly beco too, lose much of their convenience. Most of these "Park and Shop" centers the assessor has a value of $20 are on the outskirts of the city, Assam irg community, isn't he justified in per front foot on residential land in a given suburban shopping center ? setting a value of $1 per square foot on the land of the real estate values decrease and the tax of inadequate ,oad Because must be re.Uo ’c.led totransportation, othel areas oi the clty-a load that .property £»«>■■ must be reallocated to other areas cesa Prosperous districts must bear and are less able to bear an 30v or more ricts where volume is enjoyed. Many cities have recorde re uc The "Park a; .nd Shop" center Property which cost u on which a $2-million mortgage could be secured ° only $1.1 million place a higher valuati< creates a problem for the assessor. He cann the in. .on on the buildinj crease must be i gs than on their —reproduction cost. Therefor reflected in the land. ln ten years. The assessor is familiar not hesitate to express his c, with trends a and sales iin n his opinion if he is* ”” 8aLea his assessing district. center is being promoted for ; onvinced that a; proposed "Park amLd Sh°P rather than to fill the needs-•ofa the ccaU or to» windf that ■here of the soundness of the development, , —- communitv out and then move elsew —,ed ^e should °n the °ther hand« if he is convinc' centeX encourage the establishment of a c NO MOTOR deaths the honor roll of the ixiy Lhaw —ve won places on traffic fatalityTwelve communities in Luzerne County through 1954 without a single National Traffic Safety Council for going fatal traffic ^eads this area, Having gone through five years without a are: ^^Rst local communities not having — ' ... -----having g°ne a traffic death through last year Forty Port Pn* Nanticoke, Ashley, Edwardsville, Exeter Borough, Exeter Township, ’ reeland, Newport Township, West Hazleton, and West Pittston. L �WHAT'S NEW ? NANTICOKE - Motorists have asked the city fathers for an amber signal at Market Streets. Main and WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA. EXETER - The burgess has stated that dumping along the River must end yOL- LARKSVILLE - The assessed valuation has been slashed to $4, 379, g^3 council of $4,500 in anticipated revenue. ’ JULY 15, 1955 IV, NO. 7 dePMving N O TICES figured despite the building in the Narrows’211 EDWARDSVILLE - The —j in the offing for the coming year. Late in September Several important events are . with the regular bi-monthly meeting of the local a one-day clinic, in conjunction the subject of street maintenance. Films, slides, and officials group, will beoffer held all on tL. w those engaged in street street work panel discussions will will offer all those engaged in work an insight on this of local work " ■u-—~ win hp aiven to all boro, county, city, and important aspect of local work. Invitations will be given to ; section. KINGSTON - Council passed an ordinance accepting Woodland Drive located in the Taylor housing development. township workers to attend. LAFLIN - Because the police chief is not covered by liability insurance, the council has temporarily suspended him. ASHLEY - $65,000 valuation cut means a slash in income of $1, 170. is retained for the 1955 budget. Levy of 18 mills HANOVER - The commissioners have opened a stretch of land off Middle Road to other communities as a refuse disposal site. 4 on planning and urban redevelopment will local officials and also all civic groups interested Late in November a one-day conference be held. Invitations will be issued to .’ in learning about the value of planning! for the Valley. will be started in January. This Another class of township and boro officers an opportunity to acquaint 10-session course will afford newly elected officials will be awarded by the Public themselves with their tasks and duties. A certificate Service Institute to those who complete the course. COURTDALE - The city fathers accepted the auditors' report. DALLAS - A budget calling for expenditure of $29,344 has been adopted. THOUGH T S FOR the M OVE people, (2nd of a not^ vehicles Series^ ted in the present as well as finally interes districts be cleaned for It should be evident to all who are g of our busiest individual interests are the future welfare of cities that the str ar<iie ss of whose iaccepted as axiomatic, expeditious mass transportation flow, re^ ^egS this can be , ; and abnormal economic involved or whose toes are stepped decentrai.lization, cities will experience growing insta ' "'•ovide parking spaces for autos losses. 3 wisely • inal official9 to pr conceived or economically Frenzied efforts of many munic p tremendously in the past few years, become necessary in order to devote more are at least understandable, even 1 nO , go t e*ecuted. Because auto use has incr® storage of vehicles. As a result, curb parking m°re and more parking restrictions becoming a vanishing American custom, tarking is expensive, either in cost of ®tfeet space to movement rather t an buSy areas of many cities is ^a^reet p; of tax ratables when buildings are torn DAY When money talks, nobody cares what kind of grammar it uses. So few of us are perfect, but so many of us are impossible. PUBLICATION Political Science Department Vf'V'ik111117 & community service, originates ind Hugo V. Maney, pXu Jq C°Ue^ Notes and inquiries may be addrj PennSyivania. °lltlcal Sdence Department, Wilkes College, Wilkes-B* And yet provision of adequate 0 " Jultipie-fiOOr storage facilities or °'lVn to make parking lots . k loS6 �” -r communities, including Wilkes-Barre and surrounding Valle? Operatively developed such a plan for redevelopment and rehabilitation? 'itiee, c0°l Some.cities bananall parking onexample the mostthat congested streets hours. Chicago is outstanding curb parkin 6 dUrin§ busines in order for business to survive. Many other cities prohibft aIwaYs lie* arteries during morning and evening hours of peak vehicular o^ essary ^ain 7 No, they • dicate that only ^nnortion of the parkingevident in any business Surveys indicat . a..minor proportio: district can be taken care of at the curb. It therefore becomes ultimate solution is to prohibit all curb parking that interferes with traffic accommodate parked vehicles in off-street facilities . However, since and such off-street accommodations are limited by restricted space and high cost, it would b impractical to provide parking space for everyone who might desire to drive his auto every effort should be made to provide a transit service which will attract Therefore, more business people and shoppers, and thus reduce both the volume of vehi 1 and the demand for parking space. have not. MERIT AWARDS ■ Service were presented at the Third Annual Dinner of th. Luzerne t County Localawards Officials to those following; Warden Kimble, 30 Dallas, years; Allan Shepherd, Forty Fort ’; Michael 29 v.a Wais^t k Emanuel, Hanover, years; 30 Robert Williams, Kingston, 25 years Thomas 30 Callahan Laurel Run, 16 years; Casterline, Lau/elR^ 2] “ Laflin, years; Carlo Bontempi, Laflin,Harvey 15 years; Joseph Phillips Laflin 15a^’' QUESTIONS AND Gilbert Watkins, Laurel Run, 16 years; Peter Keblish, Newport, 16 years; Charles’ ANSWERS i What is community about? Planning is a form of insurance. As individuals, we plan for our families and for our old age, and of course everyall business r security, for i must have plans for its future. This same process of providing for the future of a community is called planning. Planning can help serve the older parts of c__ our communities and avoid past mistakes in the new. Planning is living insurance". J —---------------------------- , Uiweii _ , Wilbur, Newport, 18 years; Nicholas Keller, Nuangola, 30 years; Gus Kemerite, Nuangola, 25 years; Thomas Oliver, Plains, 16 years; Anthony Vestych, Plains, iu ______ _ __________ b____ ____________ ' ’’■---------------------NTmta-t,, 18 years; Martin x.xvx.x Munson, Sugar Notch, 16 years; Severino ’Pisaneschi, Sugar Notch, ’ * r — Tir__4. 97 Troq 16 years; Roy Speece, West Pittston, 29 years; Nelson Myers, West Pittston, 27 years; Lucius Eldridge, Wilkes-Barre,, 31 years; Thomas Evans, Wilkes-Barre, 22 years; Frank Goechel, Wilkes-Barre, 18 years; and William Boyd, Wyoming, 28 years. What does planning deal with? TRAFFIC All the factors which contribute to the orderly growth or evolution of community are part of the planning process. These include the use a improvements iof all kinds, both public and private. Some of the more of land and public improvements important are streets and highways, railroads, schools and playgrounds, parks, bridges, and floodwalls. Private development is controlled only in providing that the use and character and needs of their r----- spacing of buildings must be harmonious to the further public improvements.surroundings, and that provision be made for ] What is a Permanent signal installations cost money to buy, install, operate, and maintain. raffic Sentry portable traffic signals sometimes do the job as well. Although *“gged in construction, they can easily be wheeled into place by one man. These 1 can quickly be dispatched to widely separated localities by motorcycle trailer, signals creasing their usefulness to the traffic department. These self-contained thus inc...uvoillg LilCH U3C . ----------------x6xx.xxj can be kept in service for 18 continuous hours or 32 hours battery-operated signals The charger is housed in t e ase nf lntermittent service without recharging. ^bly and it i0 a gimple matter to keep the battery charged and the signal in good 8 3/«hng condition at all times. These lights are equipped with ITE dently. Th/8 lnCh diameter prismatic diffusing lenses. Each lens is illununa e_ Ihe «ver«ll height 1. 9' 2- and mounted on two 8„ wheel, with rubber cushion Ures. comprehensivie plan? A comprehensive ]_ ’ Plan is the guide or r-- SJX” fOr ‘he of the reports and i. serve this dev i 8 tlle Public PubUc faciliti. faciliti ’ anlaciPates the growth of the be revised as a °Pment- It must look ah/ ™e'ltloned above which are needed to icipated future needs cha* ° tO 25 years or more and should Doesanvt.,,____ cnange. any Luzerne community have any such pian? N°, they do not. D°es Luz er*e County hi Lave a c°mprehensive plan fQj. ^°' it; d°es not. SENTRY Ltion? development and re.kabilita’ J This equipment serves the traffic department in many ways, in In ease of fires and public gatherings, at daily peak hours, and on spo on. T H QU G H T S FOR today to a people or I, freedom isn't something that comes hr°Ugh wishing. enforcement is only as good as the citizens remains with a people merely want it to be. �WHAT' S NEW ? SWOYERVILLE - Council intends to make repairs to all of the damaged hi streets, using the street department in part of the work. acktop AUG 11 1955 NANTICOKE - City Council has received 150 new parking meters which WH1 be installed to replace broken meters . FORTY FORT - Council has under consideration its yearly donation to th pension fund. IV, NO. VOL- MOVE NEWPORT - Where possible, the commissioners are giving home owners an giving home opportunity to work out their taxes on roads, playgrounds, and sewer projects is being revamped by Council and PEOPLE, NOT (3rd of a Series) VEHICLES There has been a steady decline in the use of public transit except during the World War II years when the free use of the auto was restricted. Many transit companies have excess equipment, greatly increased operating costs, and a lack of revenue in spite of numerous fare increases. ’Viet enforcement of the State fireworks law “Si; AUGUST 15, 1955 Modern, powerful, streamlined transit vehicles do take a long time in getting passengers to their destinations. These vehicles are governed by the same traffic controls and regulations; are subject to the same delays; and travel over the same streets as the multitudes of autos which cause the congestion. Moreover, these vehicles must make additional stops along their routes to pick up and deposit people near their destinations, and must then wedge back into the moving traffic stream. LUZERNE - The municipality has engaged Albright and Friel to survey for the construction of a sanitary sewer system. NU“o;oThe b“Se“ WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA. Police ASHLEY - Third Ward residents dumping garbage along Solomon's Creek in Ashley are responsible for a serious local health problem. PLYMOUTH - The f representatives 8 three mill. of laxe.. Obviously, the crying need of most tran.it a total of $12,850 will be paid “Ze roL^antt EDWARDSVILLE - Coun T ' heavily traveled stXVimProvements to Hillside Avenue, one of the streets in the boro. “mm. coaU^" and parking problems would be materially reduced and tra much better service. y WEST WYOMING - Total coal and property valuations is at $1,030,237 for the boroQUESTIONS WYOMING - Council will contribute $3,000 toward the cost of a $10,000 fire fighting truck. How does FORT The council has officials with arranged a cconference — with Lehigh Valley Coal Coregard to RiVer Street subsidi -idence. plains - The commissioners have p .. to pay off unfunded debts contracted for Petitioned the Court to float a $20,000 bond issue ;unded debt] —* current operating expenses. AND ANSWERS planning and zoning help the average citizen? forty PUBLICATION This News-letter, the Political Science T published . r ' addressed, to Dr . Hugo . 1 ’ — ^onthly as DeV Partme ent of Wilk, originates in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. • Mail ilejy, Political1 c_- ®e’ Notes and inquiries may be enCe Department, Wilkes College' For the taxpayer: 1. It preserves the value of property. as to the future need of public 2- It provides more accurate information of .be costly mistake. of .be pa.t by gu«.„g new 3. development. ,0 obtain the most benefit from 4. It helps to direct public expenditures your tax dollar. :efi CollX^111^1? 8ervice- I 1 ith adequate and well-located or the resident: attractive community wi;. 1. It encourages a more against objectionable public services. environments 2. It protects his living <and working intrusion. �SALVAGING BITUMINOUS PAVEMENTS What is the relation of a Planning or nsiderable amount of heavy industrial traffic together with the increased volume of commercial and passenger type vehicular traffic Averyt c° ni imperative that a network of reasonably adequate highways for safe be provided. At the same time, there should be undertaken a K^leaiate b" fr reconstructing the network of primary roads to provide a which may be expected to care for immediate traffic demands and Zoning Commission to the city or county? 3 are the onlyact official concerned whole. They as < agencies ’ ’ '------- with th tutur•e of a Such commissions^ clearinghouses for all programs involving community as a vfuture needs. If most planning problems deal with a city, why is planning and zoning needed for adaptable to the strains the future demands are sure to create. 1 f’S °£ de6ign Wh“ I be _ 11 - central i, topography, and soils are typical of the northi of sand and sandy The glacial geology provides considerable deposits CUmatio conditio" ’ construction and well as some deposits of bank gravel suitable for base < United States. t, and in most Cost of producing these materials is moderate uXhs^l mtyZeWhen people live close together instead of on farms, many . There is a limited gravels as well as are limited to a five to ten-mile range. Th ~ officials surfacing of reads :11 worked out, so problems must be met. ’ j, and known deposits are getting pretty welareas haul distance methods of road maintenance. supply of graveeconomical \s;_ of more adequate base must practice ccc_WEIGHTS TRUCK construction e thoughts in the 3 has taught that There are some rather positiv Experience scd to accomplish this, The new law on truck weights permits the commonly used tandem axle semi-trailer adequate to carry the not always t courses and the methods used up to 60,000 lbs . and the single axle vehicle up to 22,400 lbs. It requires the mandatory 'acted earth grades are rticularly so when elastic soils This is par J properly drained and comp; — unloading of loads exceeding the limits by more than 3 per cent. The law also raises transferred to it through the base. are encounlitered. Highly p! over a loads that are trc.nsfc sharply the present flat $50 fine for overloading and sets instead a scale ranging from . tables and thawing; cv: ,r soils or high water of freezing hold the pring cycles extensive areas of poor $60 to $600 plus $50 for each additional 500 lbs. over 6,500 above the limit. -to .ervious layer combined with si are all factors and high water tables • s, deep frost providing an imp< : with free draining sand caj.pillarity dth high period of several weeks There is also a requirement that every truck must be equipped with emergency moisture in the thawed upper layers, and so’ of a sub-base the earth grade, and .1 , brakes adequate to hold it stationary on any grade on which it is operated. Another which cause plenty of trouble. The con ® r ( . ’ s over - 3 for water entering of loads change in the law extends to local peace officers, instead of just State Police, the right or sand gravel provides for greater distri u _ •ut-off plane and a ci general base failure that is to 'arrest on view'1 any trucker carrying an excessive load. the sub-base also acts as an insulation co constructed varying from 8" to or of extensive id varying and the cJ'-'^cter the earth by capillary action. On areas character of traffic , sub-bases are All money paid for overloading would be retained in the locality where; the offense due to poor soils in the earth grades , these of the failures is committed just as it is under the present law. How many communities realize 1 in depth, depending on the severity fines as a source of income? Do you check with your J. P. 's on this? a well-grade‘ expected to use the particular road. '3 for bituminous mate ;hed by using chloride, V mat6 is accompli fairly low percent of binder. By using calcium c>'compaction©/binder. By-ing Construction of the base in the base material adequate for complete SHOULDER material adequate STABILIZATION ;• 8ravel aggregate with a £---- ’ aced immediately on the completed base. •diately on grade widening and reditching the lsej£Possible to L retain moisture isti ®enera the construction procedures are: for u r°ad; scarifying the existing bituminous mats and ade Wiisalvaging the old surfacing, e as base aggregate material; placing and compacting all Paved hi ,°n81derable amount of traffic when wide trucks pass each other. (2> ing / and s sub-base material where ’ -enacting salvaged aggregate; placing 3" to 6" of additional the shoulder flS8 ’ e^e“_tbose sufficient width, there is the problem of main, sUl.fa w J compacting; and placing a hot mixed bituminous aggregate a county? s is tut tnt.1 “::^r»7ou" xxxxx I - XXX““°id 1 ““ird"u”™-is age : rut, particularly during springtime, and are ----------affic unstable under are suitable they show distress rs Bitumi a e for or light light traffic traffic roads roads but but under under heavy heavy tra 1 ^te only if a heavy base i^XTd" “ treatment shoulders Bituminous surface shoulderswill willprove prove adeq^ I chloride stabilized aggregate pavement edge. U maintenance given given to to the the surface. surface . A c &C er resi8ts abrasion and maintains the level 0 4 a 0.0 .,Tn‘ required; and co Ce ofspreading dense graded aggregate and heavy liquid asphalt. Processed base gravel �WHAT * S NEW ? COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PLYMOUTH - The town's firemen have requested council to provide for 3-dpni Uequate IV. DUPONT - The State Highway Department has agreed to place curbing and full width pavement on a three-block stretch of the Avoca by-pass . I i NEWPORT - Commissioners and Susquehanna Collieries are working on the elimination of a grade crossing and also the elimination of a large drainage ditch in the township. KINGSTON - The boro is considering a road along the dike from Pierce Street to relieve the traffic in the Market area. V EH IC L E_S NOT p E O P L E ,_ (FinaTof a Series) streets, street widening, traffic control, efforts have been made with a view Review past efforts such as one-way Let us look at the relative etc., and evaluate the benefit of each. These NANTICOKE - The mayor has announced that an old ordinance will be used to require property owners to make needed sidewalk repairs. to moving of vehicles and not people and goods, efficiency of various methods of moving people. PLAINS - By unanimous vote of the commissioners the 5% amusement tax has abolished. t°wnship are beset with the problem of finding a public FOR TODAY The greatest trouble found with the average man is that he imag little above the average. Your temper is one himself a of the few things that will improve the longer you keep xt• I ! th New8_ietter -2^iJ£ATl£N_ service, originates in ea-Barre, PennJ Mail«y, Political Sc^6' Note8 and in<luiries may Sylvania. aI Science Department, Wilkes College. CLINIC MOVE LARKSVILLE - The council is reluctant to abandon another boro thoroughfare to permit stripping. thoughts WORKERS 1 on Wednesday, September 28, 1955, in will be held Films, slides, and panel discussions will ; workers clinic A street College. 1__ a wealth of knowledge on how to perform the Lecuux~ Hall at Wilkes Lecture 1 of this region and afternoon sessions is free. In the bring to the street worker in Luzerne County will hold their first fall to theofficials morning to the i his job better . Admission Such topics as surface treatment, jrnment o evening, the local govewith the CLINIC. discussed. It is the expert opinion of those session in conjunction 1 , etc . , will be day spent at such a CLINIC will be much specifications, drainage one day spent at his routine duties. The t field that one iment street worker will assure better streets for in the street maintenance the worker than the more valuable to th. ---- 1 local govern! attendance of every local communities . WILKES-BARRE TOWNSHIP - A 5% amusement tax, effective August 1, has been adopted by the commissioners . dumping^ ^°r°^and RILKES S TREET PITTSTON - Police have been experimenting with control of traffic by use of the overhead traffic lights only. NO- 9 PA. SEPTEMBER 15, 1955 hour ssengers per lanein_P^ surface streets Capacity of a single in autos on elevated highways passengers on _face streets passengers in autos on 1,575 in buses passengers in street; cars in subway 2,625 passengers street; cars trains 9,000 passengers in subway local t trains 13,500 passengers in iress subway 20,000 e%P : in passengers of large 40,000 capacity in the 60,000 • inefficient 'ree”‘y’«"'dW a rapid eight-lane 1 Obviously, the private auto is quite -- bus Nine - - > that lumbers of people in restricted areas. full city imn ber 'v°uld be needed to move the same num! -5 trackthe same to one expre8 ® all the autos it unnec ransit line having just one local local and gained in : „sit , would make trans 11. line0 5.an carry all the people normally coni And since norm: of transit lines streets alleviatedThe use or build new would be °ck of street space. itreets )blem widen s 8Pend public funds to ' apace , this Pr° eQuire no street parking X n'°> �easy if ways c_ c°uld be zoning primarily for the protection of residential areas? And thi -is is Congesti0n t as used by the autos. IS I be tra tailored to fit local conditions . xvapid How to do this? IdeaS ™ iqtthe ffic flow many times. Public transittransit can be Rapid t lanes on highways can incr" at moderate cost. Traffic control studies have transit separated from competing tra current trend is to reduce parking, to speed studie been beneficial in many citie . the philadelphia patterntoby parking, up traffic. At least 20 oth®r in the mercantile area. Fringe parking posts -*• pattern b drastically restricting curb-p ^he downtown district have proved helpful in e Parkin, with speedy transit to and cities . parking controls have also been relieving traffic congestion prohibiting loading and unloading of commercial helpful in speeding traffic, su business districts . Arranging mass vehicles during rush hours g concentration helps transportation routes in conges e over c--------- " tremendously. Eliminating the duplication of transit lines cuts down ...i on transit vehicles. Using alternate stops for transit vehicles and p permitting ample loading zones will move people much faster. In some communities, staggered hours in community offices, stores, and industries have reduced peak traffic. And lastly, . and probably the most important, educate the traffic police to traffic give transit vehicles (which move the most people) the right of way accorded to ambulances and fire­ fighting vehicles. After some serious study, could some of the above, perhaps in a modified fashion, be applicable to Wyoming Valley. QUESTIONS AND No- Zoning is one of the tools used to Drn™ , well-balanced development of ail types of uses . It misses its goal if it ® existing residential neighborhoods. Industr ° 1 ? Pr -- °tects __ 3 the status quo of protection against absorption by other area^ are in co ­ need of equal industrial zoning in earlier issues of thi w?! the imP°rtan —ice of not be the step child of zoning. EWS-LETTER. Industry must SALVAGING BITUMINOUS PAVEMENTS of heavy type crusher. After crushing, the old blacktop as aggregrate with a top size of about 1 1/2" drops onto the grade, motorgraders can then move the crushed aggregrate towards the road shoulder and the process is repeated until all the material is crushed. This crushed material can be graded down to fines. Cost of scarifying and crushing will hardly ever average more than 85£ per cubic yard. ANSWERS What is Zoning ? grade as part of the base and add base grave o sand and gravel by tank wagons and the moisture can chloride, ............. ■ * Plenty -C.C. i. result. Immediately after the base is co p that adequati -■ Privacy are assured and so that overcrowding ma-y ’be avoided? The ™ zoning maps show where these use districts are located. Are a person's c— constitutional : ights violated when he is told what he may and may not do with hi. ■ -is property? One of the oldest laws of society restrains ]---- ' ~ that may be harmful or injurious to their neighbors or t- -— people from behaving in a way people. In 1926 the Supreme Court of the United States i.***Y“nnin*eto the of the that a reasonable control of land use is a normal exercise ol welfare z i affirmed the principle What is spot zoning? It applies to the establishment of a use district, is unsuited, to the adjacent neighborhood, usually a small one,t which property owner is at the expense of the f the general development of the communit The benefit of spot zoning to the values of nearby properties and ° may even be illegal. -ty. Spot zoning is impractical an < ® stained by using calcium condition will Th? average cost per mile Salvaging bituminous pavements doe save money. The aver e is $10,000 to $15,000, sometimes running a little higher depending on the density rcessfully handle traffic loads of 2,000 to °f population. Such construction canJu traffic iB heavy trucks. One added 4,000 vehicles --------------- per day where about 1 7 of service just a £— short period of £ eature of such construction is that roa time. THOUGHTS F OR Of all glad works of tongue or pen, the g check. I a man still has his appendix today are these: and tonsils, chances are Enclosed find he is a doctor. �WHAT ' S EXETER - Damage to two NEW ? Exeter streets has been reported to boro officials. VOL. IV, NO. 10 of $37.247.07 has been received from the State WILKES-BARRE - The sum Pension Fund. for the City Police FORTY FORT - Council has WILKES-BARRE, PA. OCTOBER 15, 1955 approved oil and chips for boro streets. STREET LARKSVILLE - Council accepted a bid to pave Nesbitt Street if the State Highway KINGSTON - Boro officials have purchased a new police cruiser and a new pick-up truck. B-B guns. MOUNTAIN TOP - The Park Committee of Fairview Township will raise funds to make improvements to the Park Recreation Center. SWOYERVILLE - Firemen in the boro have requested that the Council keep its promises and purchase fire-fighting supplies. Three films on asphalt were shown at the morning session. Asphalt is a versatile and waterproof road-building material, mixing well with crushed rock, sand or gravel at a minimal cost. The importance of following highway department specifications, especially Bulletin 25 concerning asphalt, was emphasized at this session. KINGSTON - The loss of coal valuation will probably not hurt boro finances measurably since it amounts to less than $1,000,000. WILKES-BARRE - Parsons dump is due to close because of the high cost of maintenance to protect neighboring residents from offensive odors and smoke. According to the advice in the films, certain measures should be followed in seal coating: (1) it should be determined whether the surface really needs a seal coat; (2) the work should be Gone in warm weather; (3) the old surface must be prepared; (4) the surface to be treated should be clean; (5) the mixture should be uniformly spread; (6) the mixture should not be overrolled; and, (7) traffic should be controlled. LARKSVILLE - Local officials expect that the outdoor movie in the Narrows Road area will add to the value of the land. KINGSTON - It is noteworthy that the valuation of the fifth ward - $14,460, 148, more °‘ L“"n" pri"81e' a”d Courtdlle -iB about 1/5 1 Jv8 NeW8’letter- puoiished monthly as a community service, originates in published monthly a may be College- CLINIC Donald D. Dagler, district engineer of the Asphalt Institute, discussed "Street Construction " at the morning session. The afternoon session featured thefollowing speakers; George T. Smith, Wilkes-Barre city street department; James C. Whalen, assistant district engineer, State Highway Department; Frank C. Witkoski, director of research and testing, State Highway Department; John H. Eigenbrod, superintendent of roads in Luzerne County. Robert AFarley, assistant chief engineer in charge of maintenance for the State Highway Department, was the main speaker at the dinner meeting. WYOMING - A boro ordinance has been passed forbidding the use of air rifles or PUBLICATION WORKERS The Street Workers Clinic held at Wilkes College <on September 26, 1955 attracted street workers from many local municipalities,. This was tie first time a clinic was held in the area. Department approves. STvX: WILKES COLLEGE, As regards bituminous road-patching, the following points were made: (1) mark an outline in rectangular form to make a neat patch; (2) sweep; (3) apply bituminous material (oil) by hand pump; (4) broom oil to outline of patch evenly; (5) apply chips and cover entire oil area; (6) brush back loose aggregate and spread with hand broom; (7) roll, compressing until chips are evenly embedded. At the afternoon session Mr. Robert Lurch stated that testing substantiates design for if designs are followed closely it is necessary to have tests. Testing appears to be expensive; since it is dead overhead, but it was shown that one-third of the cost of building roads goes for materials and that 2% of this amount for testing is "a small price for such insurance." �Mr all communities cannot afford to maintain a lab. Realizing that many smai the facilities of a nearby commercial tssting laboratory, it was suggested ae stion: that, on a cooperative basis, IXd. Mr. 11S“ 7cd;t*Xr Ind establish a stnall laboratory— for moratory several communities could g testing purposes. Such a co P equiP^entthe11 buy venture "would be an excellent investment, LAWLER SETS UP EMERGENCY MUNICIPAL UNIT Joseph J. Lawler, Pennsylvania's Secretary of Highways, has established a special unit within the Department to handle applications from municipalities {or financial assistance in repairing roads and bridges damaged by floods in » Northeastern Pennsylvania. Robert A. Farley, assistant chief engineer in charge of maintenance, will head the flood emergency unit. Mr. John Eigenbord pointed out that many small municipalities are ham. ipered because they do not have the money to purchase road equipment. In his estimation, small communities should purchase specific machinery, such as the payloader. The crawler type payloader, with a hydraulic controlled front end, can accomplish a number of jobs at a minimum of cost to the community. A lively discussion followed the speeches of the panel members. It It was was agreed that oil or any other additive should not be applied to a road unless the surface has some moisture. In other words, the surface of the road should be stabilized before the surface is treated. Itwas also suggested that shooting the surface with water, rather than putting on waste motor oil first, might be feasible. Engineers from other districts under Mr. Farley's direction will establish engineering procedures and standards for handling applications from counties, boroughs, cities and townships so that the emergency can be handled expeditiously. MAINTENANCE On the question of drainage, it was brought out that it is most important to get as high a crown as possible with good open ditches on both sides to keep the water beneath the surface. Also, there should be plenty of cross-drains , for a good road depends on good drainage. PRACTICES FOR CONCRETE PAVEMENT Although concrete pavement requires little maintenance, the little required should not be neglected. Prompt repair keeps cost at a minimum. To neglect maintenance is to invite progressive damage and expensive repairs at a later date. The same result may be expected from maintenance operations improperlyperformed. Even the experts could i to mix salt with cinders ess expensive. However, it was considered feasible does it require special Maintenance of of concrete concrete pavement is not difficult, nor properly supervised can qualifications or high high skill. skill. Untrained workmen who are carry out routine maintenance of concrete pavements. This A""duty di"eof the the main t.Farl'dy- the P""C‘Ple in good condition, The work nftK aartment iS t0 keeP the roads of Pennsylvania and ends when the road fs abandn H Partment be§inS the daT a -ad is completed TEe budget Of the department is $80,000,000 for two years, $9,000,000J of ?h $7,500,000 was spent 'for snow am°unt going for snow removal. In 1954 oval and the same amount is expected to be spent in 1955. Mr. T ' , stated. that the Farley lbs. of sodium chloride and. calcium chloride enance Department expects to use 13,000,000 'J; '‘ pointed out. that cinders are shorter in the e and 600,000 tons of cinders. It was of the state. emnK=> antbracite area than in any other part Furthermore,, it was f substitute fo .r cinders. As “ thit *s ”° acceptable regards the that while islag is a good abrasive, it is wh'f0 local officials were told undesirable fo. -jr use in snow removal. 6 &nd cannot be seen, making it , , should leave the Phase of maintenance must not be overlooked and all op „ surface irregularities Pavement clean, attractive in appearance an which adversely affect riding comfort and sa e y. the following classes of .placing broken areas or utility­ Ordinary maintenance of concrete ^rations: (1) sealing of joints to correct for settlement; (4) repairing resulting from accidents or Cuts: (3) adjusting the pavement 8sPills improper design Pills caused caused by by improper c „ or constru Utlusual conditions of use. t of broken areas or The replacement Let us limit our discussion to P^^’hould be made with concrete so that in appearance O^lity cuts, commonly calle 'P riding quality, an si the patch will be equal in streng the remainder of the paveme comparatively few . , is in good condition except tor needed it When patching is Concrete pavement —sPots should be rep;------ �t the earliest opportunity. If delayed, the broken are* is apt should be i Tarred by action of traffic. Temporary measures, SUch as to become! Treas with bituminous mixture, do little toward restoring the covering the broken pavement strength. V0L. IV, NO. 11 WILKES COLLEGE, WILKES-BARRE, PA. NOVEMBER 15, 1955 -broken area" refers to portions of the pavement which are broken into ■ too small to distribute the load to the subgrade without imposing unit nressures greater than the safe carrying capacity of the subgrade. Under this condition the broken portions of the slab become displaced and their surface is no a longer in the plane of the rest of the pavement. FIRST The shape and dimensions of a patch and its position in the pavement with respect to joints and edges have a direct relation to its ability to stand up under traffic. The laying out of the patch involves consideration of the existing pavement condition and the shape and dimensions which will best stand up under traffic. The selection and marking of the areas to be patched should be done by a qualified engineer. According to the position of the patch in the pavement and for convenience in certain design details which are pertinent to satisfactory performance in service, patches are classified into five types: (1) full-width patch, involving all lanes of the pavement, and usually constructed one lane at a time; (2) single-lane patch, involving the width of a single traffic lane; (3) exterior-edge patch, which is a patch less than a full lane in width, an edge of which lies along the outside edge of the pavement; (4) interior-edge patch, a patch less than one full lane in width, one edge of which lies along an interior edge or joint of the pavement; (5) interior patches, with all edges at least 2 ft. distant from any longitudinal or transverse edge or joint. Patches are usually rectangular in shape but triangular- or diamond-shaped t-K 6S have deen used with success to repair broken slab corners which are not and e eXtXri?r edge °f the Pavement- The sides of the triangle or diamond make more tin An a 10ngitudinal edge the slab which must be not less than 30 deg. nor longitudinal e/8’ at transverse expansion joints when the angles with t e ge must be not less than 30 deg. nor more than 45 deg. THOUGHTS FOR Some people are easily entertained. listen to them. The road to TODAY All you have to do is sit down and CeSS 18 fllled with women pushing their husbands along- -Lug LICATIQN This News-' -letter, addrP0UtiCal Sciei :m»r,t ^Hthly as a community service, oi*s community service, !nce Hepartr- .. 0 Wilkes College. Notes and inquiries Wllk--Barre, Pen, CoHeg —lnsylvania. :y’ Political Science Department, WilkeS ±?SSed Dr.. Hus° v. Maile. 1 CLASS TOWNSHIPS The Luzerne County Association of First Class Townships held its first annual conference on October 29- The conference was opened by Frank Danilowicz of Wilkes-Barre Township, chairman of the group. The officers elected were: John Matsko of Plains Township, president; Peter Keblish, Newport Township, first vice-president; Stephen Yanoshek, Hanover Township, second vice-president; Andrew Garber, Hanover Township, secretary; James McCarthy, Hanover Township, treasurer; Charles Wilkes, of Newport Township, John C. Wordoski, Hanover Township, and Joseph S. Matiskiel, WilkesBarre Township, members of the executive board; Joseph F. Gallagher, Newport Township, solicitor. NOTE The following people attended the twentieth annual meeting of the Municipal and Local Finance Officers of Pennsylvania at Penn State University on October 7 and 8; Frank Connors, Commissioner, Hanover Township; Hugo V. Mailey, Wilkes College; John C. Wordoski, Commissioner, Hanover Township; Stephen Yanoshek, Commissioner, Hanover Township; Thomas J. Reese, Secretary, Kingston Borough. L. O C A L GOVERNMENT COURSE Another local government course for councilmen and commissioners will be offered by the Wilkes College Political Science Department beginning in January. Information on the course will be mailed in the near future to all old and newly elected councilmen. Make arrangements now to attend this ten session course for local officials. As in the past, a certificate will be awarded by the Public Service Institute of the Department of Public Instruction to those who satisfactorily comp e e the course. J ANER IC H Albert Janerich, Plains Township Commissioner, was elected third viceJohn C. Wordoski, of this state association. Hanover Township Commission, is the retiri g p �In a second group might be placed th BOROUGHS Ralph Brown, Kingston Councilman and President of the Luzerne Count ■y Boroughs Association, has announced that the Luzerne County organization ■ wiU hold a very important business meeting on Thursday, November 17, at 7:30 P-m- in the Hoyt Library. All communities that are members of the association are urgedto have representatives at this meeting. URBAN in file cases for years . A third group of records cannot be destroyed be importance. Every community has them. The ori °f their historical which now stands the town hall, early ordinances IndT ground on of documents having historical value and should be"" ref!T71SSJ°nS examPles m oe retained and properly stored. REDEVELOPMENT The Political Science Department at Wilkes College will hold a conference on urban redevelopment on Wednesday, November 30, in conjunction with the bi -monthly meeting of Luzerne County local officials. The panelists for the afternoon session will be: John J. Grove, Assistant Director of the Allegheny Conference on Community Development; David M. Walker, Regional Administrator, Housing and Home Finance Agency, Philadelphia; Daniel Rogers, Chief, Housing and Redevelopment Division, Harrisburg. The speaker for the evening will be F. A. Pitkin, Director, Bureau of Community Development, Department of Commerce, Harrisburg. But finally, there is that vast collection of records, not falling into the above groups, that are valueless and should be destroyed to save space for the administering of other functions. These are records that had some value at one time, but have become useless because (1) the function for which they were created has become obsolete; (2) they have served their purpose and cannot be used again; (3) they have been replaced by more modern records; (4) a statute of limitations, or other legal standards have made them worthless. The legal groundwork to allow freedom on the part of local government officials for destroying useless records was laid in 1949 when Act 250 of the General Assembly was adopted. That legislation authorized the destruction of "• . . . records which are deemed valueless .... subject to the approval of the court of common pleas of the proper county." (Section 6.) All communities are asked to send representatives to the afternoon and evening sessions, Not only should councilmen, solicitors, and burgesses be interested but also members of planning commissions and zoning boards. RECORDS MANAGEMENT MAY HELP YOUR MUNICIPALITY SOLVE ITS NEEDS FOR MORE OFFICE SPACE records^t^ast861”6111 "the name giVen tO the Process of managing and controlling industry has recoXT^ lnSJituH°n « this country. For some tfmf, private management of its records'" C°”Servlng space by the proper control and that industry, on the averase artlcle in a current magazine, it was stated th. remaining XX!,'mC"W ,ht°» s.are 30% of Readers Digest, September 19541 ("D°n,t File »-Throw It Away, " the reason large industrial concern. enCeS of sPace savings of this kind is management programs in their i a lnterested in instituting records doing the same tLg. With" / ’ S—1 of °*r larger cities have been filing cabinets containing useless ? nsion of governmental functions, a room full of restored to office space for over S be PUt t0 much better use if over-cramped personnel. This is not written to imply that all of our public records are sp „overnmen wastersMany of our records are vital to the normal and efficient functioning ,ce eve ry In one group maybe classified those records that are necessary for rOy|9l operation of government. Assessment lists, tax charts, budgets, pay ^nts are applications for permits, police forms, purchase vouchers, and blue p cOrds 1X1 examples of records needed to run the typical governmental unit. Sue expenSe iiist be complete and adequate and must be properly managed to save endless filing and storage. in I act even though they may gntec®Ssary f° ! Just as important as a space saver is the process of microfilming those records having retention value. Microfilming, if conducted along practical lines, can result in the saving of considerable space by filming bulky records, filing the film for future reference, and the destruction of original records. The cost of Microfilming can easity be offset by the value of the space being made avaHable f°r other uses . Microfilming also serves to protect original records if they i° be preserved. to add however, that uncontrolled Records management people always hasten is no justification for Microfilming is unwise. Just because it saves, space sound practice for those records Microfilming all records . Microfilming is only a be maintained. Microfilming must Used infrequently, but for which a reference must be use is made. is not appropriate for records of which constant the problem by re might be an approach to The following general procedu officials. d First, visit an agency that has dealt with the m^htVe °ne there. A competent person in the field o recor might be the proper C<Msuited to learn the elementary principles involved and what g Pplication to your local situation. — r records in Second, survey your categories. historical , or current < :lassify them in either an effort to c. us eful, 4 �Third, when proper authorization has been obtained, destroy those records classified as useless. Fourth, develop an adequate microfilming program for those records adapted to it, a program that is a continuing one and follows a definite schedule. I DEC 2 2 1955 Wilkes Co VOL- IV, NO. 12 WILKES COLLEGE, 2 1955 WILKES-BARRE, PA. DECEMBER 15, 1955 Fifth, make a definite schedule for those current records to be destroyed when they have served their legal and practical purpose, so that the management program can be kept up-to-date. REDEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE Finally, attention m:ight also be devoted to the filing system for the historical and current records in order that they might be stored under a modern and efficient system. It is true that the task of operating local government becomes more complex. In many of our units the job must continue to be carried out by laymen devoting only their spare time to the job. They have little time left over for anything other than the essential workings of government and the practicality of devoting time to records is remote. To many other municipalities, however, the government function is in the hands of full-time appointive officials and they are the ones to whom this effort might devolve. If they accept the responsibility and do a thorough job, much good in the form of improved government management will result. A redevelopment conference was held at Wilkes College on November 3 0 to acquaint Wyoming Valley civic leaders with federal and state assistance available to help communities redevelop areas that have become community liabilities. Mr. Edmund Poggi, Vice-President of the Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commerce, served as chairman for the afternoon session of the conference. The speakers for the afternoon session were Mr. Hale Walker, Regional Administrator, Housing and Home Finance Agency, Philadelphia; Mr. John J. Grove, Assistant Director, Allegheny Conference on Community Development; and Mr. Daniel Rogers, Chief, Housing and Redevelopment Division, Harrisburg. HALE MONEY ISN'T EVERYTHING, YOU KNOW A high school principal, addres sing his graduating class, was extolling the virtues of our democratic system. He pointed out to the students the wonderful freedom of choice we have in this country, particularly in choosing our life's work. "We can be anything we want to be, " he said. "In free America, a street sweeper can become a professor--providing he's willing to make the financial sacrifice," he added. THOUG H T S The fear of ill is always FOR TODAY worse than the ill we fear. Some of the most disappointed people in the world are those who get what is coming to them. PUBLICATION This News-letter, published monthly as a the Political Science Department of Wilkes College, community service, originates in >nce addressed to Dr. Hugo V. Mailey, Political Science Notes and inquiries may be Hug° V. Mail, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsvlvan;-> Department, Wilkes CollegePennsylvania. I WALKER Mr. Hale Walker, speaking on "Federal Government and Redevelopment", stated that federal aid is given for planning redevelopment projects through the Urban Renewal Administration, a department of the Housing and Home Finance Agency. Stressing the need for regional planning in Wyoming Valley, Mr. Walker went on to show the various steps that must be taken by a region contemplating a renewal program. A local authority must be established. There, a survey and planning application would be prepared. This could be done by the city planning commissions and/or the city engineers or the city could even call in special consultants. This application is reviewed by the Philadelphia office and then passed on to Washington for approval. These are the preliminary steps for a grant-in-aid by the federal government to assist areas in planning redevelopment. The requirements for planning are: (1) a land use plan, showing the location ; of the land in the community; (2) a thoroughfare plan, showing the routes in the community facilities plan indicating the schools, parks, community; (3) a c such aspects of the community, possibly combined with playgrounds, and other public improvement program; (5) zoning ordinances and the land use plan; (4) a subdivision regulations. Before a region is given aid by the federal government, the area must have Before program. a region is Agiven aid byprogram, the a workable workable according to Mr. Walker, should consist of the following: (1) sound local health codes; (2) a general master plan workable program �■> redevelopment. A maximum of 30% was 1to ’be used J for redevelopment and 70% going for housing. The communities concerned could choose ----- --------- —to use the funds for housing or redevelopment. community development; (3) a basic analysis of neighborhoods, showing lor , o . /al an effective administrative organization to run the blighted a.rea.s , cll •, x1/ --that is, a way to enforce building and housing codes; (5) financial capacity to carry’out the program; (6) a program for rehousing displaced persons- (7) full-fledged community-wide participation in program. JOHN J. 1 GROVE Mr. Rogers stated that the state is trying to see the various situations at the local point of view. Certain areas throughout the state are proving grounds for renewal projects. Workshops and conferences are being held where ideas about renewal projects are exchanged. Mr. John J. Grove, speaking about "The Role of Urban Redevelopment in Pittsburgh's Community Program", demonstrated what could be done in building up old communities. Pittsburgh faced a crisis after the war. Because Pittsburgh was a dirty, sooty city and because housing was bad, it was becoming difficult for industrial firms to attract top managerial talent. Industries were not attracted to Pittsburgh. Industrial, business, and political leaders of Pittsburgh united into the "Allegheny Conference on Community Development. " The city first embarked on a smoke control program. However, it was in the field of urban redevelopment that Pittsburgh made outstanding progress. The Allegheny Conference felt that redevelopment should begin at the heart of the city which was in a deteriorating condition. After the central core was rebuilt and revitalized, redevelopment could be carried out to outlying areas. In 1946 an Urban Redevelopment Authority was established, composed of three Republicans, two Democrats, and outstanding community leaders, with the Mayor serving as chairman of the Authority. The Equitable Life Insurance Company of Nevz York surveyed the city and through its study found that commercial development was a possibility. But, before Equitable would invest in the construction of new office buildings in the core of the city, it wanted assurance that the office space would be occupied. The Allegheny Conference and the Authority secured 20-year leases from nine firms to occupy the space. Then, the Equitable Life Insurance Company agreed to be the "redeveloper" and invested some $43,000,000 in the redevelopment of Pittsburgh. Renewal consists of the following elements: (1) a degenerating area in which complete clearance is needed; (2) a fringe area; (3) an area which needs improvement, where the buildings are too good to be torn down. ACTS OF THE 1955 GENERAL ASSEMBLY BOROUGH CODE - Act 31 (HB 443) permits the typing, printing, photostating, and microfilming of borough records required to be recorded. Act 98 (HB 683) further prescribes the power to improve and maintain neglected burial grounds. BURGESSES AND JUSTICES OF THE PEACE - Act 105 (HB 1303) requires burgesses and justices of the peace to issue receipts for money paid to them. j A According to Mr. Grove, the role of the Authority was two-fold; land aquisition and responsibility for relocating the people who had previously lived in the area. Some 8,000 people were relocated in the Pittsburgh area . FIRST-CLASS TOWNSHIP CODE - Act 27 (SB 64) changes the date when lighting assessments become delinquent. Act 76 (HB 303) authorizes the reassessment of new buildings or improvements after the tax duplicate has been prepared and the imposition of taxes for the remaining part of the year. Act 78 (HB 869) increases and clarifies the commissioners' powers to deal with the collection and disposal of garbage, rubbish, and ashes. HOME RULE TAXES - Act 60 (SB 69) makes the transferor subject to the payment of any local deed transfer tax on real property located within the municipality regardless of where the transaction was executed; prohibits the levy of the ■ tax on transfers by will or interstate laws. Pbe central core of Pittsburgh which was once deteriorating is now an a ractive usiness district. Redevelopment in Pittsburgh also paid dividends 2'nCrieaS1"g the tax assessment value to $131,000,000. Mr. Grove emphasized contiTue^HelT^ revitalized the "flight to the suburbs" will "unity of nurnos ” Vrt, Plttsbur£h's phenomenal success in redevelopment to leXs " P SOHd CO°P-ation of industrial, business, and political REFRIGERATOR ABANDONMENT - Act 4 (SB 108) amends the State Penal Code by prohibiting the abandonment of refrigerators and iceboxes from which doors T have not been removed. REFUSE DISPOSAL - Act 100 (HB 871) permits municipal authorities to construct and operate refuse disposal facilities. DANIEL ROGERS M.r. Daniel Rogers, C’ ’ Harrisburg, spoke about the Division in s role in redevelopment. In 1949 a Housing and Renewal Assistlnce Law wase passed providing $15,000,000 for housing and L 1U TRUCK WEIGHTS - Act 70 (HB 1288) permits heavier weights, increases registration fees, and increases penalties for violations. r �REDEVELOPMENT - Act 33 (SB 135) eliminates the initial URBXN re^irernent of a redevelopment contract as part of a proposal; provides for aPprovai of local governing body before a contract can be executed- and pi, •**' - - • ___ a___ t_______ J i lrninates approval by the Department of Internal Affairs of redevelopment bond issues. VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANIES - Act 51 (SB 150) requires a referendum to replace a volunteer fire company with a paid one. NEW? WHAT ’ S NANTICOKE - Municipal receipts during the first nine months of 1955 totaled $183,969 or $8, 233 short of the amount realized during the first nine months of 1954. EXETER - The Burgess and the Council seem to feel that an additional policeman is necessary. PLYMOUTH - People are slow to meet their tax obligations meaning that the local officials must borrow in anticipation of taxes . HANOVER - According to the commissioners, the sidewalk program is showing amazing progress. LARKSVILLE - Boro councilmen are not yet decided on a selection to replace the Chief of Police, Joseph Mock, who was elected Sheriff of Luzerne County- WILKES-BARRE - The City fathers have passed a budget of $2,017,039-80, adopting a total levy of 18.50 mills, a drop of . 4 of a mill from last year's tax rate. THOU G H T S F OR TODAY No matter whether you are on the road or in an argument, when you see red, stop! can dime iSn,t entirely worthless, cap on a cigarette lighter. It can still be used to unscrew the filling BLICATION I This News-letter v. cal’ Science Depart 6 rnont^1^y as a community service, originates in the Politic-o Dr. Hugo V. Mail^ Wilk;es College. Notes and inquiries may be addressed- to e^’ ^°^tical Science Department, Wilkes College, Wilkes - Bar r e, Pennsylvanta I ��• . ■ :I' • ■ ■ - ■ ■ . ... � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Luzerne County Newsletters and Institute for Regional Affair Newsletters, 1952-1975 Subject The topic of the resource Political Science; Luzerne County; Institute for Regional Affairs; Wyoming Valley Description An account of the resource A collection of newsletters created by the Political Science Department at Wilkes College from 1952-1975 for Luzerne County and later the Institute for Regional Affairs. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Political Science Department (Hugo Mailey) Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1952-1975 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Type The nature or genre of the resource Newsletters Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Luzerne County Newsletter, 1952-1955 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Political Science Department Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1952-1955 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Type The nature or genre of the resource Newsletter