March 16, 1970

Delaware County Daily Times from Chester, Pennsylvania • Page 15

Publication:
Delaware County Daily Timesi: Location:
Chester, Pennsylvania: Issue Date:
Monday, March 16, 1970: Page:
15

M. I 0 2 Delaware County MONDAY, MARCH 16, 1970 INSIDE SPORTS 18-20 CLASSIFIED 21-25 COMICS 26, 27 State funds are sought for 1-95 lighting advantages Irish being JoeSharkey police car had come nowhere and was right iejiind me as 1 pulled over on Ibis one-way whereas the weddings are not. jslreet in New York City. Two It's the post-funeral dinner true, it is a fact that the funerals are conducted with a certain amount of decorum, young cops were sitting in the front seat. "Know you're going the wrong svay?" one of them, the driver, asked. "I just realized it," he was "May 1 please see' your license?" I produced it. Twenty-five dollars, I thought, as he looked it over. "Are you Irish?" asked the pop, reading the name on the license. iHe handed it back. Srpm't ba all bad," he said, pitting the patrol car in gear and driving away. I stood there with rny mouth open. THIS IS A true story and it' "is told now because, of course, Tuesday is St. Patrick's day, the day when people even remotely Irish get snortl'ull and contemplate how swell it is to 1 be a son of the auld sod. -Asi was shown to me in Manhattan that day, it occasionally pays to be Irish. There are some a advantages. One of those advantages is that you get to go to some really great weddings and funerals. It has been said of the Irish that the only difference between their funerals and their weddings is the corpse, and the fact that in the former the bar doesn't open until after the ceremony. While that it not literally that sometimes gets of i hand. I remember one in particular. AFTER THE deceased was "put in the ground" (as some of the less reverent relatives called it) everyone retreated to the family's house for a buffet dinner. Pounds of potato salad, boiled ham, American cheese, rolls, coffee and cake weighed down the big dining room table round which sat some 20-odd relatives, many of whom hadn't seen each other since the last funeral. Conversation was muted and stuffy. Finally, one uncle with a certain Irish fondness for the sauce could stand it no longer. "Where the hell's me- whisky?" he asked of no one in particular. He pulled at his collar. "Listen to that," a spinster aunt at the end of the table was heard to whisper, rather loudly. "And the body not even cold yet." But several others suggested a short nip would be in order and they smiled broadly when it was produced. "He'd have wanted it that way," said the philosophically. Soon the a i up, loosened, and the mood changed to a gay one. It was a fine tribute to the deceased. And that's one reason why it's nice to be Irish. You know that when you go, they're to throw you a party. Children 1 Letters To God Three Delaware County legislators are trying to get the State Highway Department lo assume the cost of installing, operating and maintaining si reel lights on the sectinn of Interstate 95 between the Delaware state line and the present terminus at Chester Pike in Eddystone. The state has been attempting to get local municipalities to pay for lighting expenses, and has approached Chester, Chester Township and Upper Chichestcr. Chester rejected the idea completely and Chester Township i i a have indicated -they are interested. Upper Chichester commissioners are considering lights for interchange areas because of the safety factor. Originally the state wanted local municipalities to. assume all of the costs, but a new department ruling in mid- January requested a municipalities share a operating and maintcnanc" costs, with the stale offering to pay the installation costs an inducement. State Reps. Stanley Kcslcr (R- 160th District) of Chester Township, and Thomas H. Worrilow (R-159th District), of Chester claim the local municipalities cannot afford the lighting expense and should not be required to pay it. They have enlisted the assistance of state Sen. Clarence D. Bell (R-9th District), of Upland in an effort to get the highway department to pick up the tab. Kester and Worrilow became 1 concerned about the lack of lighting on the i a following several accidents in December. The present stretch of 1-95 in Pennsylvania has been open for about a year and has no lights. Some portions in the Chester area have been open for ye.ars.^.,without The legislators point out that intersections in Delaware have been illuminated since rhe road opened there. Businesss in shopping centers in the vicinity of 1-95 and Naamaii's Road have helped underwrite the expense. Rosier and Worrilow wrote Slate Highways district engineer Paul Thomas last Dev. and requested lighting. Specific mention was made of traffic situation at major interchanges as Chichester Avc. and Market in Upper Chichester; Highland Avenue in Township; Flower Street, in both Chester Township and Chester; Edgmont Ave. and Chestnut in Chester; and the Chester Pike terminus, in both Eddystone and Ridley Township. They requested technical information so that they could include the project in the highway department's 1970-71 budget. Thomas replied Jan. 20 and suggested the municipalities pick-up the tab. The legislators said they considered it "extremely unfair to ask local municipalities to pay the electric bill for lighting an interstate highway." They pointed out that construction costs were split, 90 per cent being paid by the federal government and 10 per cent by the state. According to the legislators, Thomas claimed the local municipalities had rejected the proposal. Chester engineer Charles Catania, admitted that the city rejected it, but the two townships claimed they had never been approached. The legislators told Thomas Jan. 27 the townships had never been questioned about sharing the. cost, saying it was "an example of how local municipalities are steamrollered" when they are touched by major highway projects. Thomas replied Feb. 6 and admitted he had been in error. He cited the new ruling that would allow the state to pay installation costs and share operating and maintenance costs. The American Association of "state Highway Officials sets the standards for the lighting interstate highways. Kester and Worrilow told Thomas they felt the local municipalities be "sandbagged" even if they were forced to pay only half of the operating and maintenance costs. They claimed it was absurd for the state to expect small municipalities to pay the cost of operating and repairing some of the most modem and sophisticated lighting systems available for highways. In Feb. 26 Thomas informed the legislators that department does not have sufficient funds to light all interstate routes and limited- access expressways. He said his office does not have authority to alter the a i department policy. Casey vows to 'take off the gloves' TINICUM 'Auditor Gen. Robert T. Casey kicked off his Delaware County campaign Sunday afternoon for the Democratic nomination for governor in the May 19 primary election. a i before 700 Democrats at a cocktail party at Walbers on the Delaware, Cou world News tips earn prizes for readers News tips on a fatal 'accident, a shooting, and an attempted takeover of the Chester Friends Meeting House win prizes in last week's Daily Times News Tip Contest. The $5 first prize went to Patricia Oaks, 903 Flora Lane, Upper Chichester. for a tip on an accident in that township in which a woman was killed and her daughter seriously injured. I The second prize went to awl ings Tyson of 1002 Randall Upper Chichester, for a tip on a shooting at a Philadelphia Electric station in Lower Chichester i hospitalized one man. Tlie $2 third prize was won iby Mrs. Constance Costaldi, 515 E. 24th Chester, with her tip on the invasion of the i Friends Meeting House in Essingtbn, Casey referred to lis 1966 gubernatorial campaign against industrialist Milton Shapp, saying, "It will be a different kind of campaign tliis time. We are going the gloves. I am going to submit my credentials against Mr Shapp and let the voters make up their own minds." Casey.added, "We nominated a loser in 1966." Turning to Democratic candidates for the state legislature, he said, "Pick out the 1966 general election figures and see what Mr. Shapp did for you in your district, an I think you will find many time that he ran behind you." Casey, called the upcomin gubernatorial election "i historic election th next governor will be able succeed himself." A constitution change has eliminated the one term limit. "People are crying for ta- reform and tax justice, and i I am the governor you can sure they will have tax Casey told his audience. Asked his feelings on the spit in the county's Democrat! party over, the gubernatoria fight, Casey said, "I know Mr. Falcone has a commitment to Mr. Shapp and I promise both of them a fight in this campaign." Delaware County Democratic i Chester by persons identifying themselves as citizens of the of New Africa." Williams aids White sains a backer Daily Times Photos by BERT HODGE SIGN which once ushered children and adults to park's many rides, waits to he taken away. Requiem for an amusement center Chairman supporting Emani Falcone is Shapp in the jrimary election while minority bounty Commissioner Edward T. McErlean supporter. Casey passports for students Ridley Park GOP SPRINGFIELD U. S. Rep. Lawrence G. Williams (R-7th District) will participate in a Springfield High ceremony Friday. His appearance will precede the processing of passport applications for 150 members of the high school band; its Conductor, Luca DelNegro, and 11 other adults who will serve as chaperones during the band's trip Holland, to partifctpatc in the World Music 24-26. 'the money to finance the Band's first participation in international competition, its members have been working since November, 1969, on a variety of projects. These have included an old paper drive, car washes, and an unique program A tremor was felt from the political fault beneath the surface of the Delaware County Republican Party during the weekend when a Ridley Park committeeman announced his support of an independent congressional candidate in the Seveth District. The committeeman, F. Kirk Adams, who is also a Philadelphia lawyer, informed the party of his endorsement of Bernard H. White of Radnor via a letter to John W. Harper, Ridley Park Rcpuublican Committee chairman. White, a corporate attorney in King of Prussia, is attempting to wrest the party nomination from incumbent Lawrence G. Williams of Springfield, who is seeking his third term in office odd' job service which Hie! Williams received the have dubbed "Slaves for Din-ing Washington visit, Assistant Principal Thomas Gartside" brought the trip to Williams' a 11 i The congressman arranged with the Passport Division of the U.S. State Department lo dispatch representatives to the school as the siimnlcs'l way to process the district are not satisfied with Lawrence Williams. 'In the last congressional election, Williams received only 56 per cent of the total vote cast, when the Republican voters outnumbered Democrats over four to one. therefore, do not believe the endorsement of Williams by the Ward Board was in the best interest of the Republican Party. His primary victory could well lead to a Democratic victory in November (in the general election). It is unfortunate that in this election I believe my Casey said he planned another visit to Delaware County during lis campaign. The 38-year-old candidate and lis wife, Ellen, spent most, of their 90 minutes at the party greeting guests and talking to, small groups. Glenolden attorney Thomas Kimmel, Casey's campaign chairman in the county, said he was pleased with the large I turnout at Sunday's event. Casey and his wife were scheduled for two campaign appearances in the Philadelphia area Sunday night, Kimmel said. duty will conflict with desires of Supervisors. the Board However, in instance, I feel that the the of this will endorsement of the Delaware County Republican Board of Supervisors (War Board). He is a Ward Board member. In the letter Adams said. "In my opinion White makes an outstanding candidate congress. His work as chairman of the Radnor Township Commissioners has illustrated his fine leadership If White is elected, I think he will truly of the board is not i.n the best interest of the Republican voters, the county or nation." Harper failed to respond to a request forr a comment on Adams' action. White said, "I am deeply appreciative of Adams' and I applaud his courage and his desire to be truly representative of and responsive to the voters whom he represents. I have asked for the support of all the district's com- Clifton holiday CLIFTON Students at. HEIGHTS -Clifton Heights Junior and Senior High School will have a holiday Friday. The day will be used by the school faculty as an inservice day to prepare for the school's evaluation in the spring. Elementary students will attend classes as usual. Playtown Park sits silent as men begin to dismantle it By ED PELC Daily Times Correspondent MORTON There is an event, accompanied by squeals of. joy and quiet cries of ajiguish, that takes place here every year around Eastertime the reopening of Playtown Park on-Baltimore Pike. The occasion is viewed differently. depending on whether you're going to be paying for the rides or merely enjoying them. But this year there won't be a chance for any viewpoint, because the Park is closing permanently. One clay last week Playtow.n seemed desolate. The only people there were three workmen loading long metal rods onto a truck. That's the way it will be for the next few weeks. Trucks and a few workmen coming in ajid dismantling the park piece by piece, quietly sneaking off with the bumping cars, the roller coaster, the ferr.is wheel and Tilt-a-Whirl, working quietly perhaps not to attract attention and have 1,000 kids clamoring for one last ride. mittcemen and women and applications. i v'i a o. i 1 ci represent the people of our Philadelphia Passport district a Confident thai others asonl. inf charge, said this will is clear from an be stepping wrwnrd lo help my ho the largesl per i a 1 examination of recent election) candidacy, consideration" group results that a large group He did not seek the War processed hy his office. Republican voters of our Hoards' endorsement. Registrars due in two towns Delaware County roving registrars will be in Darby and Prosper! a Tuesday to sign up new voters for the May 19 primary election. They will sit from 2 to 9 p.m. at Darby Fire Companies No. 1 and No. 2, and at. Prospect Park Borough Hall on Maryland Avenue. Voters also may register from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Thomas A. Curran Building annex to the Media Courthouse. I A UK F.I riirhi-of-xviiy is il! a remains of nl' I i i once Playlovni Limiled. ALL ABOUND the outside of the park, the ground is deeply indented with ruts where the rails and ties of the Playtown Limited used to lie. The only track left is a short stretch within a tunnel along the old route where the train itself sits stranded and forlorn. Walking around the fcnced- in park, one. sees o.nly bare metal structures and wooden platforms, devoid of their cars, their boats, their planes, their children, their life. The orris wheel, even without its seats, is still somewhat imposing. The thought occurred that some Wildwood, boardwalk entrepreneur might purchase the barren wheel, as is, a.nd introduce it as the wildest ride of the century. What life is left in the park is enclosed within the long wooden building which in past had served as spare for the concessions and the arcade. Now the building is stuffed with everything that, has yet to be sold and carted off. The bumping cars sit. motionless and intertwined, in the death-like posture they assume at. the end of every rule. The pin ball machines noiseless and unlit. The basketball player stands at the foul line with his arms outstretched waiting stoically for the gods to drop a dime and hand him a ball so he can resume his game. A GYPSY FORTUNE teller waits in a dark recess of the building. A key, protruding from her side, turned silently and unveiled the inner sanctum. No voices spoke, air did not grow warm nor did the wind howl. There weren't even any printed cards or stacks of pennies inside the machine. Playtown Park has been reopening for eighteen years. Its amusements were miniature compared to what you might find at Hcrshcy or Willow Grove Parks, but, it provided many area children with their first, taste of amusement park life. And matter how small Playtown's roller coaster may have been, it still seemed to move at the speed of light and to round corners with little regard for its passengers. Herbert Youtie, owner and manager of Playtown Park, has been unavailable to answer questions, so one can only guess at the reasons for the closing and to what use the ground will be put, now. It seems like an ideal location for a little shopping center. The kids in Springfield would surely appreciate that. In any event the workmen will continue their operation of carrying the park off a piece at a time. For the children of Morton and other rounding communities, there will be no resurrection this ve.tr.