`new Pa.,' Same Leader? 
Ridge Announces Bid For Re-election

Airport Regains Use Of Its Weather System

Thursday, January 15, 1998 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 





SAYSO &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 After reading Ed Soltis' letter of Jan. 12th, I have to agree that the
mayor is greedy. I was at the ice rink the other day and saw Chris McGroarty,
the mayor's nephew, working as a skate guard. This job was never advertised in
either local paper. Chris' uncle and father have a combined yearly salary over &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; $100,000. They need money so badly that they would deny some needy,
deserving person this job. If they do, I suggest the mayor put a collection
box on the dozens of signs around town that boldly bear his name, and any
donation could be used to swell his bank account. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Editor's note: Gerry McGroarty, director of the Parks and Recreation
Department, confirmed that his 15-year-old son is a temporary winter worker at
the city's ice rink. The jobs, which run from November to mid-February, are
quite informal and not advertised, he said. He makes an effort to hire all
teenagers who apply for the minimum-wage jobs. The more applicants, the less
hours each employee works, he said. "He hired every person who applied for
winter help," McGroarty said, adding about a dozen teenagers were hired this
time around. "He did not get any special treatment, if that is what you are
asking." McGroarty is glad that his son, an honors student in 10th grade at
Meyers High School, wants work experience. "I think it brings a sense of
responsibility to any child to work." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 It looks like the taxpayers are going to get saddled with $100,000 for our
sewer hookup at that arena. Why don't they build $300,000 outhouses? Maybe the
state will contribute the money. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Nanticoke Area teachers, I just saw a segment on television about heart
operations, I guess that qualifies me to be a heart surgeon. Would you like to
be my first patient, or do I have to take at least one more video course? &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 I can't imagine what Mike Evans means when he says, "it's premature to say
who will pay for the sewer hookup at the arena site." Private citizens have to
pay for their sewer hookups, and the taxpayers had better not be stuck for
this bill. As for the Luzerne County Convention Center Authority, do we have
Luzerne County authorities created for every private enterprise which decides
to construct a building? Something better be done about this, before it's too
late. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 I think it's a downright shame what they're doing to Carolee Medico. I hope
she's strong enough to stand up to those courthouse phonies that have all
their families working there, and one hand shaking the other. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 I would just like to point out to the person complaining about smoking in a
building funded by taxpayers' money, that I and every other smoker I know are
taxpayers also. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 I'm calling about the article in Section B "A look back." Isn't there
anything positive in this valley that we could look back on instead of
something about the Ku Klux Klan? &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 I'm calling from Slocum Township and I'm very upset with those teachers who
expect to be reimbursed for their extra education. I feel if they want it, let
them pay for their own tuition or take a student loan like everyone else. The
taxpayers shouldn't have to be burdened with their extra costs for credits. If
this were the case, I want to go to college and to be a teacher. Let the
taxpayers pay for my education also. It's not right. They're qualified now,
and if they want to advance themselves, the district and taxpayers shouldn't
allow automatic pay raises on these terms only. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 I had seen my call regarding St. Jude's Ranch for Children, but the call
wasn't completed. The project that the youngsters made (of the cards) are used
for selling items and the funds are used for the children that are abused. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 As a citizen and taxpayer and war veteran of this country, I'd like to know
about that new emissions test that's scheduled in 1999. Why are we going to
get some kind of a test in 1999? How about fixing all these horrible roads
here in Northeastern Pennsylvania? &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Tom Bigler spends so much time on his obsession with consolidation of the
towns surrounding Wilkes-Barre, that I wonder when he finds time to do his
job? Today's column was the worst I've ever witnessed, and all because he
doesn't want private education and social services located in the city to pay
their fair share of taxes. Well, Tom, if they move out here we'll make them
pay also. It's coming, it's the future, as someone has already has said
"there's no free lunch." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 I'm calling in reference to the SAYSO article about the Dallas Middle
School. I find it very disturbing that whoever wrote that comment about Tony
Martinelli doesn't really understand the nature of school administration, nor
does he understand what Tony Martinelli is doing and has done for the Dallas
School District. He clearly goes far beyond the call of duty in helping
students, professionals, and for that matter, the community. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 I'm just glad to see a lot of the people in the Wilkes-Barre area are
waking up to the mayor, how he doesn't want to get involved with these people.
He's running from the senior citizens, he's running from people who asked to
see him about a crime. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 I'm calling in reference to an article I read on Sunday, Jan. 11, about a
proposed action by none other than Ted Turner and his wife, Hanoi Jane. It
seems both of these goofs want to replace our national anthem, because
according to them it's too bloody and warlike. As a proud Vietnam veteran, I
find this absolutely insulting, not only to my generation of veterans, but to
everyone who has ever worn the uniform of the United States. I anxiously await
an upcoming article by Mr. Bill Smith on these two traitors' proposal. Long
live our national anthem. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 This is for the Notre Dame fan who keeps calling in and heckling us Penn
State fans. I just have to say to him: At least Penn State went to a major
bowl game, even though they lost. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 I would like to know if you would publish an article in the paper, in
regards to our Crime Watch program which is just being started in the Rolling
Hill Mill section. We had a meeting last week, and of course Tom McGroarty was
one of the so-called speakers. I would like to know if there is any way
possible that these could be run without him jumping up, interrupting someone
else's conversation, not excusing himself, feeling that because he's the mayor
of Wilkes-Barre, that he has the say so in everything that goes on in this
area? &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 I'm calling from Springville, I would like you to know that I'm looking
forward to Pat Greenfield column's return, and wish her good luck in her
restaurant. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 I'd love to know how people survive trying to deal with Domestic Relations,
without absolutely going out of their minds. I've had a terrible time from
beginning to end for over three years now, and I'd appreciate anybody's advice
that would help me get money that is actually due me in a fashionable time
frame. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 I'm calling about the article in the Sunday SAYSO. A taxpayer from East End
called about Morgan B. Williams Park, wanting to know why all the junk is
there and why don't they clean it up, so the kids have somewhere to play
baseball. The answer from McGroarty: 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 t

Sayso 
After Reading Ed Soltis' Letter Of Jan. 12th, I Have To Agree That The Mayor 
Is Greedy. I Was At The Ice Rink The Other Day And Saw Chris Mcgroarty, The 
Mayor's Nephew, Working As A Skate Guard. This Job Was Never Advertised In 
Either Local Paper. Chris' Uncle And Father Have A Combined Yearly Salary Over 
$100,000. They Need Money So Badly That They Would Deny Some Needy, Deserving 
Person This Job. If They Do, I Suggest The Mayor Put A Collection Box On The