W-b Diamonds Shine In Debut Against Slamm

4 Players Hit Double Figures As Altoona Downs Hazleton

Sunday, January 11, 1998 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 1B 





Caller: Don't wipe out work of would-be Picassos &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 SAYSO &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Shame on you, Florence, for having the Girl Scouts artwork erased. I'm glad
you weren't around in the days of da Vinci and Picasso &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Again Mayor McGroarty is double-talking. He stated that he's undecided if
he's going to seek another term in the year 1999. He will definitely run. He
needs four more years for his pensionI'm calling about that great article that
Jerry Kellar had in about Daymon "Bo" Carroll, the Florida freshman running
back. I just wanted to say to all those people who think that the coaches of
the local high football teams are only interested in winning, and this shows
that this coach was interested in this young man as a person. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Here is a beautiful New Year's Eve scene in the valley of Wilkes-Barre. A
family parks their vehicle in a "Fire Zone" where it's clearly stated "No
Parking Fire Zone." As the family gets out of the car, a boy not more than 10
years-old protests vehemently, "Daddy, you're going to get a ticket. You can't
park here." The father says, "That doesn't mean anything, everybody does it
all the time." The mother says nothing. Come on people, what are we teaching
our children? &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 I'm calling about Wil Toole. You got an article in today's paper about his
cellular phone usage. Why don't you investigate how he ... &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Editor's note: You went on to make claims from the 1980s that would be
difficult to check out. You have any advice on how to prove them? &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 I was wondering if you could help or assist me in any way at all. And I'm
sure you will appreciate my problem. And I'm sure I'm not the only one that
had received a phone call this morning, Jan. 2 of 1998, at 3:20 a.m. starting
off, "We are taking a survey" and they went on to blow away about something.
At 3:20 a.m., you really don't know what they're talking about when you're
sound asleep. So press button number one if your answer is "yes," press button
number two if your answer is "no." I was wondering what or who can we contact?
... I'd love to call these people, I'd love to call them at home. At 1
o'clock, 2 o'clock, 3 o'clock, 4 o'clock. I'd like to wake them up all night
long even though it's costing me a long-distance call. I just tried calling
this number now and it was busy. Anything or any suggestion SAYSO would be
appreciated. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 In your Dec. 29th edition, I read with great interest Pittston mayor-elect
Michael Lombardo's new appointees. I was wondering if Messieurs Falcone,
Mecadon, Bufalino, Donovan and Shovlin, are Pittston residents? &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Editor's note: They are not all Pittston residents. Those who are not have
law offices in Pittston or have some other tie to the city. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Today is Saturday, Jan. 3rd, and I was just reading your SAYSO column
regarding the issues that the one gentleman brought up regarding the Plains
Township Road Department. ... I think there's a lot of serious issues
surrounding this road department should be addressed. Anybody that's walked by
the area by Eckerd's and saw the snow piled up, that should be one red flag
that tells the department's not doing their job. Many of the roads are plowed
really late, and these guys are getting tons and tons of overtime every time
it snows. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 I read your article in the Sunday paper concerning the Luzerne County
Courthouse alcoves, and I thought it was quite interesting, but I also notice
those same alcoves on the Dana Street Elementary School in Forty Fort and
often wondered what they were for. I wonder if any of your readers would have
any insight into this or would have just happened to be the style of
architecture at that time? &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Editor's note: The Dana Street Elementary School was originally built in
1924 as the Forty Fort High School. Sculpture niches were a traditional detail
in the classical architecture between World War I and II, said Carl J. Handman
of Eyerman, Csala, Hapeman and Handman Architects in Wilkes-Barre. By the
1930s, when art deco came into fashion, the niches disappeared. There wasn't
much use for them anyway, since sculpture went out of fashion in the `30s, he
said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 In reference to the Wil Toole matter in Pittston, I'd like to know why Ken
Scaz isn't being investigated for fraud? The man approved time sheets that are
obviously fraudulent. Why aren't they being investigated, and why aren't
charges being filed? &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 I'd like to know when The Times Leader is going to stop glorifying the
Kennedys and treat them as the trash that they are? We're tired of it. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 I'd like to hear what Mr. Mayor of Wilkes-Barre has to say regarding how
those keys from the meters were lost and found, also I'd like to know when
he's going to start enforcing the snow ban on sidewalks? Some of these people
don't seem to give a damn if they clean the sidewalks or don't. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 I'm calling about the NFL and local players in the NFL. Last year we heard
a lot about Greg Skrepenak and the Rocket and everyone else. For 10 years now,
Greg Manusky from Dallas has been in the NFL and playoff teams every year.
This year he's with Kansas City, if you didn't know, and he's a Dallas
graduate and you never hear anything about him, or profiles on him. You have
to watch ESPN or something else to hear about him. I was wondering why this
is? &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Editor's note: We have written about him in our weekly paper for the Back
Mountain called the Back Mountain Leader and in our main sports sections. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Yes, I'm calling about your hockey coverage, or lack thereof. It's already
established that this town loves hockey. We've sold 3,000 tickets for an arena
that hasn't been built yet, for a team that we don't know is going to be any
good. Why is there no hockey coverage? It's a little tiny section in the
scoreboard area. Let's get with the program here. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Editor's note: You're kidding, right? The Times Leader runs approximately
one-half page of NHL results every day, and is the only local newspaper to run
NHL boxscores. We also run NHL leaders, AHL and IHL standings when space
permits. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 I'm an avid reader of The Times Leader from the front page to the back
page. I like all the articles in there, and I think they're very rewarding and
educational. I'd like to make one comment, and that's in your financial
section. Have each and every mutual fund listing. I find it hard to go out and
try to find telephone numbers for these specific funds. Would it be possible
to add the phone numbers to each fund? &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Editor's note: Unfortunately, we do not have the space to list all of the
thousands of mutual funds now available. We list the largest mutual funds,
including those requested by our readers. Adding information to each mutual
fund listing (or stock listing, for that matter) would force us to reduce the
number of funds or stocks listed. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The best source of information on mutual funds is Morningstar, whose
reports provide a historic record of fund yields and a synopsis of where the
fund is expected to go. Phone numbers are included. Morningstar reports are
available in the Osterhout Free Library, 71 S. Franklin St., Wilkes-Barre. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 I just have a question, why are your newspapers delivered so tightly bound
in a rubber band, that it's almost impossible to straighten it out and read
it? &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Editor's note: Our carriers work hard to deliver the entire paper without
losing any sections. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 I see where Mayor McGroarty is giving away Morgan B. Williams Park in East
End to Chacko's Bowling. I thought that was a park belonging to the people? If
he's not giving it away, why doesn't he have it cleaned up? It looks like a
junkyard. Mayor McGroarty's father played baseball in Morgan B. Williams Park,
and it's one of the few places remaining where the citizens of Wilkes-Barre
can use it for recreation. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Editor's note: In a written response, Mayor Tom McGroarty said: "The
anonymous caller is misinformed. Morgan B. Williams Park is not part of the
Chacko's development on Wilkes-Barre Boulevard. As the caller is aware, there
has been some significant development in the area of Morgan B. Williams,
including the expansion of Wilkes-Barre Boulevard and the Chacko's
construction. Unfortunately, construction work has a tendency to create a
messy situation for the short term in exchange for long term improvements. We
can get the park cleaned up for the winter if the caller would like to provide
us with a list of the baseball games scheduled for the winter months. The city
of Wilkes-Barre maintains and supports 22 different neighborhood parks,
playgrounds and recreational facilities and has invested in major renovations
to improve the parks and make them accessible to people with disabilities." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Hi. I'm calling from Dallas. This is the third time I'm calling and I'm
still waiting to see my reply in your SAYSO column. I would like to say how
much I enjoyed the Christmas concert put on by the Dallas sixth-grade students
at the Middle School recently. They did a great job. Unfortunately, the
principal, Tony Martinelli, felt it necessary to put on a show of his own. He
was constantly interrupting the show. He was not content just to introduce the
band and choral directors and take his seat. If he was trying to impress the
parents, he failed. Many dads and moms commented after the show about his
inappropriate behavior. He even, to the audience's amazement, did a cartwheel
in front of everyone. Talk about an ego trip. Mr. Martinelli, the show was to
watch our sixth-grade children, not to watch you. Your actions were totally
inappropriate. At the spring concert coming up, please don't put on a
performance. Thank you very much. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Editor's note: Dallas Superintendent Gil Griffiths didn't attend the
sixth-grade band concert. But he was at the eighth-grade show, which Tony
Martinelli also announced. Griffiths explained the principal was only trying
to emphasize to parents that the band students work hard. "Tony's a real
positive person," Griffiths said. As for the cartwheels, they're a tradition.
Martinelli also does them for parents' night, to excite the audience. "It's
something to get them talking, to get a little energy," Griffiths said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 One of my children go to Wyoming Valley West Middle School over here, and
they tell me that there's kids right down the street here dealing heroin,
right on the street. I really think the police should do something about it.
The kids said the police probably know who it is, but they aren't doing
anything about it. So I think that this would be a good thing for you guys to
print up. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Editor's note: Here it is. But we think you would do more good by alerting
the police to what you know. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Can you possibly help me get closed captioning back on my TV? My husband
put a machine on my big TV for closed captioning and my small one is
automatically closed captioned. They're still having commercials, but no
closed captioning. What's the problem? Is it costing too much? Where can I
send a donation, although I use most of the brands that they advertise. I have
a profound hearing loss and even though I wear a hearing aid, I have tinnitus
and can't have the TV on too loud. Is anyone else having trouble? Maybe it's
my TVs. Maybe you know who I can write to? &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Editor's note: We suggest you contact the manufacturer of the closed
captioning unit you purchased or take it to a television repair shop. Or, if
you have cable service, try asking your provider for help. Service Electric
Cable TV Inc. will make a free service call to homes of subscribers having
closed captioning problems. Your difficulties probably stem from the unit, not
from the companies providing closed captioning. But if you'd like more
information about closed captioning, you can contact these organizations: The
Caption Center, 125 Western Ave. Boston, Mass. 02134 or the National
Captioning Institute, 1900 Gallows Road, Suite 3000, Vienna, Va. 22182. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 I would like to ask Mayor McGroarty why he would think that any town would
want to be annexed by the city of Wilkes-Barre, after the most recent
snowstorm? I've been in Kingston and Forty Fort and their side streets are
clean. In Wilkes-Barre, only the main roads are clean. It's now Friday, the
day after New Year's, and there's still snow and ice covering many of the
streets in the city of Wilkes-Bare. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 This is my third attempt to get these comments in SAYSO. I guess anything
that's not pro Penn State is off limits. After Michigan easily beat Penn
State, Scott Fertal, wrote a column with a headline that said in effect, "The
voters were very wrong in picking Michigan so low in the pre-season polls." I
called SAYSO at that time to say that perhaps they were also wrong in picking
Penn State number one. After the Michigan State embarrassment, I called again
it still wasn't put in. I'm trying again after the Citrus Bowl debacle. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 In answer to the SAYSO question in the column I read. How do they know
which deer are starving? The answer is, the deer hold up signs. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 I'm calling from Slocum. Today there was an item in the paper concerning
Slocum. I'm so glad that finally we're getting some coverage down in this
area. Most of the time it's Pittston and other places where we're not
interested. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 I'm calling about Jan. 2 paper. A person here says about killing a deer so
they don't starve. All I have to say to that person "use some common sense." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 I would just like to say to all the Penn State fans out there, boo, hoo,
hoo. You know everybody picks on us when Notre Dame lost. Notre Dame did this,
Norte Dame did that, but you know, sorry, can't have everything in life. Boo,
hoo, hoo, I guess you're not national champions. You were picked to be number
one, you were picked to be national champs. What happened? &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 On a recent trip to the Luzerne County nursing home at Valley Crest, I
couldn't believe that smoking is allowed in the hospitality shop. In a
facility run with taxpayers money, I couldn't even sit down to enjoy a cup of
coffee. And I'm telling you, the smoke was so thick it made me start coughing.
Now California banned smoking in public places and it was banned at the
Luzerne County Courthouse. Where are the state inspectors on this one? &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 I'm calling to sympathize with the caller from Exeter complaining about
Verto Cable paying every month to watch the same show on both channels. If you
think that's bad, you should see Service Electric. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 I've been trying to call since the beginning of the year to the Pittston
Township municipal building. There's never anybody there. I know they changed
administrations the first of the year and there's no one there to answer
questions about anything. What's going on there? Is this an indication of what
our services are going to be like under the new administration, God help us
all. I have a zoning question and I can't talk to anyone. This is a mess. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 When an athlete pukes on another athlete on an amusement ride, that's
newsworthy? &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 I'm calling about the articles written about the accident on Thursday with
the Jeep. I am a relative of one of the victims. His death is tragic enough,
you don't need to bring his run-ins with the law into the picture. Leave him
rest in peace. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 I have to compliment The Times Leader and the staff writer P. Douglas
Filaroski for his timely coverage in the Wil Toole ... act with the time
sheets and the cellular phone bill. This deceitful scam has to be investigated
further. Were the calls to Toole's furniture business, to Ken Scaz' barber
shop? &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 I called a customer service hotline recently and it said this call may be
monitored for quality assurance. Who in the hell monitors the monitors and how
are they held accountable. I think it's against the law in Pa. to record

Caller: Don't Wipe Out Work Of Would-be Picassos 
Sayso 
Shame On You, Florence, For Having The Girl Scouts Artwork Erased. I'm Glad 
You Weren't Around In The Days Of Da Vinci And Picasso 
Again Mayor Mcgroarty Is Double-talking. He Stated That He's Undecided If He's 
Going To Seek Another Term In The Year 1999. He Will Definitely Run. He Needs 
Four More Years For His Pension.