`i'll Do Anything' Doesn't Do Everything For Its Audience

Aids Bills 
Stir Debate 
On Privacy 
State Rep. Tom Stish Says His 
Proposed Legislation Would Protect 
Health-care Workers, But Advocates 
For Those With Aids Say Confidentiality

By CLAIRE SCHECHTER; Times Leader Times Leader
 Monday, February 07, 1994 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 





WILKES-BARRE -- Organizers of a proposed Wilkes-Barre bank plan to open for
business in a North Franklin Street building now operating as a funeral home. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The First Heritage Bank and Snowdon Funeral Home have applied for city
zoning board approval to convert Snowdon's building at 64 N. Franklin St. to a
bank. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Variances are needed because right now zoning doesn't permit a bank
there," says Leon Schuster, city zoning officer. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The Wilkes-Barre zoning hearing board will hold a hearing on the
application Feb. 16 at 4:30 p.m. at City Council chambers. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 In December, First Heritage announced it had filed a bank organization
application with the Pennsylvania Department of Banking, the Federal Deposit
Insurance Co. and the Federal Reserve. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Organizers say the proposed full-service bank will be locally-owned and
managed. James O'Brien, former president of Hanover Bank, was named president
and chief executive officer, and about a dozen local resident, including
former C-TEC Corp. executives Andrew Sordoni and Charles Parente, have pooled
more than $12 million for start-up capital. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 If the bank gains regulatory approvals, it is expected to open for business
during the second quarter of 1994. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Harold C. Snowdon Jr., one the owners of the Snowdon Funeral Homes, is
among the incorporators and directors of the proposed bank. He could not be
reached for comment on Tuesday. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 However, Richard Snowdon, another funeral home co-owner, said, if the bank
deal is completed, Snowdon Funeral Homes will merge its Wilkes-Barre operation
to another city location at 617 Carey Ave. where Frederick &amp; Snowdon funeral
home is now located. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The company also operates funeral homes in Shavertown, Kingston and Forty
Fort. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Snowdon would not say if his company will sell or lease the North Franklin
Street Building to First Heritage Bank. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Plans for the First Heritage office include drive-up banking windows, a
handicapped access ramp and an automatic teller machine, according to the
zoning application. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The property has access to both North Franklin and South River Streets.

Zoning Board Approval