`super Conference' Needs Adjustments To Serve All Teams 
When The Wyoming Valley West Swimming Team Destroys Scranton Prep, There Is No 
Blood In The Water.

4th Suit Filed Against City's `impact' Team

Sunday, January 18, 1998 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 





SAYSO &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 I shop the Sunshine Market frequently, and I think it's such a beautiful
store. Something I'd like to know is, why are all those little shops in there
going out of business? They are so, so, friendly, and so convenient, and
everything's right there. I was just wondering, what's the reason for them
going out of business.'' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Editor's Note: Tony Colonna, owner of Sunshine Market, said only one shop
inside the Plains Township supermarket has closed. The store, The Chocolate
Store, was only open for the Christmas holiday. Colonna said other small
vendors will appear in the spot throughout the year. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Edwardsville mini cheerleading has come under a dark cloud. It is no longer
a children's organization. Their best interest in no longer a requirement. It
is who has the bigger knife and who can get it in the right person's back. My
daughters belong to this organization and they will never join again. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Editor's note: Attempts to reach an official with the cheerleading group
failed. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 I've repeatedly called the Plains Township commissioners office to get
something done about the roads, that Second Street in Plains Township. The
road, at this point, as of today's date, which is Jan. 9, isn't even passable.
The holes are so deep in there, it's been like this, and they continue to
neglect it. My question is, why? Why don't you get the money and fix the
roads? The taxes in Plains are very high, and I see no reason why they don't
fix this road. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 I'm calling in regards to the SAYSO of Jan. 4, they were talking about
companies who like to get rid of people with health problems. If you want to
check one out, I think you should really check out ... . &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Editor's note: The caller named a Wilkes-Barre company. If you would like
to pass along information about local companies that have terminated employees
with health problems, please call Business Editor Pamela Turfa at 829-7177
with specifics. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 I'm calling about Mayor McGroarty bashing the cops because they're asking
for a pension increase. I don't know if anybody took the chance to look at his
pension when he retires, but he'll be making in excess of $35,000 a year to be
retired. Most of his career in the city has been part-time. Twelve years on
council will be part-time work, yet he's gonna get $35,000 a year pension to
do nothing, where most cops who've been on the job 30 years protecting the
streets, will probably retire with a pension of $17,000 or $18,000 a year
which is less than half of what the mayor is going to be getting. And he calls
the cops greedy, he calls the Public Works people greedy. Never once did he
put in the paper what his salary is every year, what his benefits are every
year, what his perks are when he's gonna retire. Maybe somebody should look at
that, and then see who he calls greedy. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Editor's note: Shannon McNulty, the mayor's spokeswoman, offered the
following written response to several SAYSO questions about the mayor's
pension: The caller does not have his or her facts straight. The mayor, unlike
the senior police officers, must be at least 50 years of age to retire and
collect a full pension. Mayor Tom McGroarty started his career with the city
at age 20. He would need 30 years of service in order to retire with a full
pension. Mayor McGroarty served 12 years on City Council. He would need to
serve 18 years as mayor in order to get a full pension. That would be five
terms, which is virtually impossible. No Wilkes-Barre mayor has ever been
re-elected to five terms. The mayor is prohibited from accepting a position
with the city immediately after he leaves office. He has no plans to stay with
the city until 2012 when he would be 50 years old and eligible for a full
pension. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Senior police officers, including Mr. (Ed) Soltis, Police Benevolent
Association president, can retire at any age with 20 years of service and
collect a full pension. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 McNulty's response did not address the issue of a partial pension. He will
be eligible for one at age 62, assuming he retired after one term in office,
according to Laura Brace, the deputy city controller. Assuming he retired
after one term, he would receive 2.5 percent of his highest salary, multiplied
by 16 years of service. The exact amount is unclear because the mayor's
$63,000-plus salary generally jumps every year. However, he can not receive a
raise while any union contracts are unresolved. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 I was calling in response to the recent decision on the Nancy Smith case.
She's the police officer that was fondled by the supervisor there. I just
wanted to say, I can't understand in a judge's mind, if a man is grabbing a
woman in that part of the body, what else is it for except to make him feel
good. It certainly didn't make her feel good. And whose intentions were there?
If she grabbed him in the crotch area, I'm sure her intentions would have been
for the same thing, to please herself. I just can't understand a male mind.
... I'm absolutely appalled. But then you look at the females in the court
system, how they're treated with Carolee Medico. You look at Judge Lokuta
being set in the audience. You look at numerous suits in Luzerne County for
sexual harassment and sexual discrimination, and you know, we're in the 19
goddarn 40s, not in 1998. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 For the first time in many years we have some honesty and integrity in the
courthouse with the election of Miss Medico, but look at the treatment this
woman is having to endure. And what's most insulting, is when that Howdy Doody
commissioner, Mr. Crossin, makes a statement that "Medico wants to spend too
much money," when this character, Crossin, is the one that gave us a
25-percent tax increase two years ago, and has spent money like a drunken
sailor since he's been in office. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Editor's note: What do you have against sailors? &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 I was reading again in the paper the other day about negative remarks
against the veterans, and it's still hard on my mind to hear about this. I'd
like to repeat a few words a friend of mine once said before he passed away.
He said, "A soldier is a nobody, you heard what people say. He's an outcast
from the world, and always in the way. We admit there are a few bad ones from
the Army to the Marines, but you will find the majority are the best you've
ever seen. When a soldier goes to battle, you cheer him on his way. You say
he's a hero when in his grave he lay. The hardest battle of a soldier is in
the time of peace, when people mock and scorn him and treat him like a beast.
With these few words we close sir, we hope it don't offend, and when you meet
a soldier, just take him as a friend." From my friend that I served with in
the 94th Division, with pride and distinction, I thank you. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 I'm reading in today's paper Jan. 13th, about the "Racial taunts at the
game" where they said "Sweet Home Alabama" supported the Confederate South.
Well, that's a big joke to me, considering I've heard that song for years and
I never, ever, considered it to be that. The trouble is, why don't they start
ripping apart the rap music where it does say "white people." But, oh, is that
racist then? Different story. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 I would like to now, if any of our Luzerne County commissioners are
veterans of the armed forces, reserve type or have put their straight four
years in? It's just a question I have to have answered, and I know they won't
answer me, I've asked one already and I was told it was none of my business.
Maybe you might be told it's none of yours, but then we could assume that,
that certain individual didn't serve. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Judge Ann Lokuta has more class in her little finger then the sum of the
male judiciary in Luzerne County. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 I'm a student at Dallas High School, and in my opinion, teachers are not
only there to provide information, but to be role models. When the students
agree to follow a basic rule of "not smoking" in a public building, and the
teachers are smoking in the faculty lab, there's a problem. Maybe instead of
looking at the students of Dallas High School, we should start looking at the
faculty. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 I was appalled when I read the front page of Jan. 13th's Times Leader
concerning the ugly "racial taunts" at the girls basketball game between Seton
Catholic and Wyoming Seminary. As a graduate of St. John's High School, now
Seton Catholic, I can assure you that I didn't learn prejudice, racial slurs,
or ethnic slurs at that institution. The teachers at Seton were and are fine,
moral, dedicated educators. As a lifelong Pittston resident, I'm saddened to
consider for even one moment that perhaps prejudice has been taught not in the
city schools, but at home. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 I'm calling from Nanticoke, and I'm so concerned about alley racing in
Nanticoke. I happen t

Sayso 
I Shop The Sunshine Market Frequently, And I Think It's Such A Beautiful 
Store. Something I'd Like To Know Is, Why Are All Those Little Shops In There 
Going Out Of Business? They Are So, So, Friendly, And So Convenient, And 
Everything's Right There. I Was Just Wondering, What's The Reason For Them 
Going Out Of Business.'' 
Editor's Note: Tony Colonna, Owner Of Sunshine Market, Said Only One Shop