`48 Hours' Features Local Man 
Surgeon Originally From Larksville Performs Real Life Drama On Cbs Television 
Show

Anna Koslosky 
Jan. 1, 1995 
Anna E. Koslosky, 94, Of Sullivan Terrace, Dushore, Died Sunday In Towanda 
Memorial Hospital.

By MONTANETTE C. ROCKER; Times Leader Staff Writer
 Wednesday, January 04, 1995 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 3A 





TOBYHANNA -- The campaign to keep the Tobyhanna Army Depot from closing is
gaining momentum. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 At 10 a.m. Thursday, a blue ribbon task force of elected officials and
private individuals will unveil a hand-painted bill-board on Interstate 81.
The billboard calls attention to the possibility that federal budgetary cuts
could force the depot -- Northeastern Pennsylvania's largest employer -- to
close March 1, said Howard Grossman, executive director of Economic
Development Council of Northeastern Pennsylvania. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The billboard unveiling will occur adjacent to WARM Radio's offices on Vine
Street, Avoca. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "It's a sign that will receive a lot of viewing because it's off the
interstate," said Grossman, whose organization is helping the depot garner
economic support and avoid possible closure. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The Tobyhanna Army Depot, a military supply facility in Monroe County, is
being considered for possible closure by the federal Base Closure and
Realignment Commission, said Grossman. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The depot employs approximately 3,600 people, about 1,136 of whom reside in
Luzerne County. Depot workers repair, install, and maintain all ground
electronic communications systems for the U.S. Army. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The local facility contributes $413 million annually to the economy of
Northeastern Pennsylvania. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Corporations are being asked to contribute money to the task force for
projects aimed at saving the depot, and some employees have donated $25 each
to help pay for the billboard, Grossman said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Depot employee Robert Doyle, an optical instrument repairman and president
of American Federation of Government Employees, Local 1647, said the union is
prepared for the worst case scenario -- closure. Doyle said the union would
ask concerned residents to contact their congressional representatives, urging
them to keep the Tobyhanna facility open. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "On a level playing field, we feel that Tobyhanna can hold its own against
any base," Doyle said. "It's the unknown that makes the whole thing pretty
scary." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The commission either will close the depot, downsize it, or expand it.
Expansion could occur if the Army were to close other military depots and
transfer their work to Tobyhanna, said Wade Nelson, communications director of
the commission. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The 1995 commission, which has not yet been formed, will recommend to
President Clinton possible closings based upon their military value, Nelson
said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Tobyhanna survived past closures recommended in 1991 and 1993. About 300
bases nationwide have either been closed or realigned. The new commission will
consider the possible closings of 400 more operations, Nelson said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Denise Lynott, of Scranton, a management analyst and a 21-year employee at
Tobyhanna, said she is optimistic the depot will remain open. She said it is
the only depot that performs communications electronics work. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 But she worries nevertheless. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "This final cut will be the mother of all base closures, so nothing is
certain," Lynott said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 O &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 n a level playing field, we feel that Tobyhanna can hold its own against
any base. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Robert Doyle &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Employee &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Billboard Touts Value Of Tobyhanna Depot 
Local Blue Ribbon Task Force Aims To Convince 
Washington Planners That It Would A Mistake To 
Close The Local Army 
Facility

Billboard Touts Value Of Tobyhanna Depot Local Blue Ribbon Task Force Aims To Convince Washington Planners That It Would A Mistake To Close The Local Army Facility