W-b Teen To Be Cited In Crash, Police Say 
Bear

2 Men Lodge Guilty Pleas To Taking Couple's $88,000

By GRACE DOVE; Times Leader Community Reporter
 Thursday, December 03, 1998 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 3A 





PLYMOUTH- State Rep.-elect John Yudichak wants Gov. Tom Ridge to veto a
bill that would increase the weight limit of trucks hauling waste coal and
ash. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The provision to increase the limit from 80,000 pounds to 95,000 pounds is
an amendment to a bill that would require all school buses to have sweep arms
that would automatically swing out during bus stops. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Under the amendment, trucks weighing up to 95,000 pounds would be
restricted to state highways and local roads. They would not be allowed to use
interstate highways. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 In a written statement, Yudichak, D-Plymouth, accused the General Assembly
of caving to pressure from "trucking and generating interests" that will
benefit from the amendment. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "In addition to significant roadway deterioration resulting from
95,000-pound trucks, the safety of children, other motorists and residents
will be placed into serious jeopardy since these trucks will travel roadways
that simply are not safe for vehicles carrying this extreme weight." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Yudichak said the "monster truck" provision would directly affect residents
of Nanticoke, Hanover Township and Newport Township. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Locally, trucks carry coal waste from abandoned strip mines in Newport and
Plains townships to a cogeneration plant in Northampton County, where they
pick up coal ash for the return trip to Luzerne County. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Some residents who might be affected side with Yudichak. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "This is totally insane," said William Kotch of East Kirmar Avenue in
Newport Township. "How in God's name can they put them on local roads when
they won't be allowed on the interstates? &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "It will ruin our roads. It will be a total nightmare for the people in
Upper and Lower Askam. The houses there are right on the road. The vibrations
will destroy them." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 For several years Kotch and his wife, Pauline, couldn't use their front
porch because trucks traveling in front of their home left a trail of red dust
that coated everything, he said. Although the trucks don't come through their
neighborhood anymore, Kotch said he hasn't been able to fully remove the dust
from his home. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Neighbor Ann Stewart lives at the bottom of a hill where East Kirmar Avenue
meets Roberts Street. "God forbid if a child were to run into the street in
front of one of those trucks. With all that weight behind them, they would
never stop." &amp;n

Yudichak Opposes State Bill Upping Truck Weight Limits 
Calling It The `monster Truck' 
Provision, Representative-elect 
From Plymouth Contends Vehicles 
With Waste Coal And Ash Traveling 
On Area Roads Would Be 
Dangerous And Destructive

Yudichak Opposes State Bill Upping Truck Weight Limits Calling It The `monster Truck' Provision, Representative-elect From Plymouth Contends Vehicles With Waste Coal And Ash Traveling On Area Roads Would Be Dangerous And Destructive