William Woodburn 
Jan. 8, 1994 
William P. Woodburn, 86, Of Parrish Street, Wilkes-barre, Died Saturday At 
Home.

3 Plead Guilty 
In Cocaine Case

Saturday, January 08, 1994 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 





Self-protection pays a nice bonus: self-respect &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Remember a number of years ago when Japan set its economic sights on the
West? &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Americans were pretty angry -- some still are -- that a huge chunk of our
national budget was being eaten up by defense costs, while Japan's defense, &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 thanks to the U.S., was minuscule, the cost of maintaining Japan's Self &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Defense Forces a mere crumb from its fiscal pieAs the United States was
sinking billions into high tech surveillance, advanced weapons systems and the
upkeep of military bases in Yokohama, Yokotsuka and elsewhere in Japan, the
Japanese were investing lavishly in R&amp;D to beat the technological pants off
the U.S. in the automotive and electronic industries. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The imbalance is still there, but it is not as striking due to global
political changes such as the dissolution of the U.S.S.R. and the end of the
Cold War, and Japan's agreement to help shoulder more of our costs in
maintaining their security and defense. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Why are we mentioning all this faraway stuff? Because a parallel in our own
backyard brings it to mind. Hazle Township seems to be the Japan of southern
Luzerne County. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 One of the largest townships in the county, it also boasts a shopping mall
and a collection of thriving industries. As tax bases go, Hazle Township's is
enviable when compared with Hazleton, Freeland and Foster Township. Yet Hazle
Township is without a police force and instead depends upon the efforts of the
state police and the goodwill of its neighbors. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Township supervisor Ed Dudeck says the township must look at police
protection "within the next few years." The next few years! Dudeck explained
that Hazle Township is paying off its debts, including a budget shortfall left
by supervisors in 1990. Hey, all our local governments have bills to pay. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Hazle Township's neighbor Freeland, 42 times smaller with virtually no
industry and a not-very-solid tax base, maintains a 5-person police force. The
Laurel Mall in Hazle Township flourishes to the detriment of Hazleton, whose
businesses are languishing, failing or defecting to the Mall as Hazleton's
Kmart recently did. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Police protection and law enforcement are fundamental to the vialbility of
any community and one of the primary responsibilities of its governance. For
the sake of its residents and for the satisfaction that comes with
self-sufficiency, Hazle Township should consider contracting with its
neighbors for police protection if it is unable to build its own force at this
time. Such an effort would yield a sense of safety and well-being and would
enhance the township's image in the eyes of its poorer but better protected
neighbors.

Self-protection Pays A 
Nice Bonus: Self-respect 
Remember A Number Of Years Ago When Japan Set Its Economic Sights On The West? 
Americans Were Pretty Angry -- Some Still Are -- That A Huge Chunk Of Our 
National Budget Was Being Eaten Up By Defense Costs, While Japan's Defense, 
Thanks To The U.s., Was Minuscule, The Cost Of Maintaining Japan's Self 
Defense Forces A Mere Crumb From Its Fiscal Pie.