Workers Search For Parts Of Body 
Missing Leg And Arm Of Body 
Found At Wyoming Valley 
Sanitary Authority Plant Not 
Yet Discovered

25 Suspected Illegal Aliens Rounded Up

By SAL BELLANCA; Special to The Times Leader
 Thursday, August 22, 1996 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 6A 





JENKINS TWP. -- Despite missing a crucial deadline, the township might get
a second shot at money to buy out property owners in the flood-prone Port
Blanchard section. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 At a special meeting of the Board of Supervisors Wednesday, township and
state officials told residents that the Pennsylvania Emergency Management
Agency had set a June 24 deadline for the township's application for funds.
Township officials did not apply for the money because they had been under the
impression that the township had to come up with 25 percent of the total sum
in matching funds. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; That didn't sit well with several of the 50 spectators who attended,
expecting to hear of the proposed government buyout of their properties on
River Road. Some said they thought the buyout was already in progress. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 However, recent efforts may resolve the dilemma. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "I still can't understand why no one notified us," said Board of
Supervisors Chairman Robert Zigmund. "Fortunately, there's hope that PEMA will
reopen our case." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Zigmund referred to efforts by U.S. Rep. Paul Kanjorski, D-Nanticoke, and
his office's attempt to have the case re-evaluated. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Although the congressman didn't attend Wednesday's meeting he did send a
letter to PEMA's director, Charles Wynne, concerning the agency's Hazard
Mitigation Program. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The letter states that Jenkins Township officials didn't apply for the
buyout grant because they weren't notified that the amount the township needed
to match dropped from 25 percent to 3 percent. Since that time the township
re-evaluated the program and concluded they could work with the new terms at 3
percent. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "There's no way we could match 25 percent, and now at 3 percent we can
start putting numbers together," said Zigmund. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Paul Maher, in attendance on behalf of Kanjorski's office, said he feels
confident that PEMA will reopen the township's case. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "It's unclear whether or not there's money available for mitigation but
plans for Port Blanchard can be reconsidered," said Maher. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 State Rep. Tom Tigue, D-Hughestown, attended Wednesday's meeting and
afterward listened to residents' concerns. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "Port Blanchard residents are deserving of state help," said Tigue. "Over
the years the village residents suffered during every storm and heavy thaw.
Hopefully now relief is on the way." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Port Blanchard residents spoke out at Wednesday's meeting, saying they
would favor a government buyout of their properties over other proposals, such
as relief money. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 John Dean, of River Road, pointed out that no county official was in
attendance to show concern. County commissioners were invited but their
designated seats were empty. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "Until January 1990 the government planned on buying out residents for $17
million. Then, in February 1991, Port Blanchard stopped getting mention for
any money at all," said Dean. "Doing things in the eleventh hour doesn't help.
This problem is over five years old." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Ray Yacabowski and Andrew Janiga are two Port Blanchard residents not happy
with county officials. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "If Port Blanchard is a problem area then why were the seats reserved for
the county commissioners empty?" said Yacabowski. "It's the same story only
it's 25 years old. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Yacabowski referred to the notion that several residents are tired of flood
cleanups and broken promises since the Agnes flood. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Buyout Might Still Be Possible Jenkins Township Officials Are Banking On Congressman Paul Kanjorski To Get Money To Buy Flood-prone Property