The Pocono Record from Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania • Page 13

Stroud Mall: Will it help or hurt downtown stores? (fDITOR'S NOTE: th. first of a Mrlei arlkloi looking at the exptcttd Impact of Slioud Mall on oxliling local and changei buil- and official are planning to prevent the mall from a i i buii- nettei.) By SHtRRIE Pocono Record Reporter STROUDSBURG If all goes as scheduled, local shop- pars should be able to stroll back and forth by next March among 45 stores, snack bars, banks, and two movie theaters in absolute comfort on the coldest, meanest, rainiest day. On sweltering summer days they can look forward to shopping all afternoon in air-conditioned comfort. Ihe dead of i they a a benches beside lush green plants. All that and more, compliments of the Slroud Mall.

When the mall opens on Rte. 611 in Stroud Township it will have the largest concentration of stores under one roof in Monroe County, Besides that, it will have free parking for 1,566 cars and will be open seven days and six evenings a week. Hess's department store is slated to open by Aug. 1 and developers hope to open the rest of Ihe mall by March 1978. Work is about completed on the building shell and interior work has begun on Hess's.

Paul Cohen, co-partner of Montgomery Development Co. of i the mall's developer, said the mall is designed to be more than just a place to shop. "We try to keep a square atmosphere in rnind when designing our malls," he said, which is why the central court area of Ihe Stroud Mall will be open for civic functions such as art shows, fairs and fashion shows. Monroe tries again for grants STROUDSBURG Monroe County should receive forms within a week to reapply for over $2 million in federal Public Works funds for expansion of the courthouse. The forms are being sent out by the Economic Development A i i a i must be returned by June 15.

Grants are expected to made by Aug. 15. I Work is progressing steadily on Hess's new store at the Stroud Mall and it should open by August. There will be a gazebo-type stage with spotlights in its dome. There will be skylights and lots of oranges, yellows and other warm colors to create warm feelings.

Cash registers be warm too, because the mall's sales goal for its first year of a i is about $25- i i a almost as much as all of East Strouds- burg'a 120 retail establishments brought in in 1972, according to the most recent i a a i a Economic Development Council of Northeastern Pennsylvania. East Stroudsburg's retailers had sales of $26.3 million that year; Stroudsburg's 203 retail businesses rung up 554 million; and Monroe County's 728 retail establishments had sales of $146.8 million. Cohen said he expects most of the mall's sales to come from people living within a 15- mile radius of the mall. But he said that doesn't mean $25 million would be funnelled from existing stores to the mall, because a lot of the money would come from local people who now shop in the Allentown and Lehigh Valley Malls who probably will switch to the Stroud Mall. Fred Bentetspacher, vice president for sales promotion and public relations at Hess's, echoed those sentiments.

He said Hess's Lehigh Valley and a a "amazing" amount of business i Stroudsburg area residents, based on credit card addresses. He said Hess's marketing information justifies opening an 85,000 square-foot store at the Stoud Mall without depending on touri'st traffic or population growth. Hess's expects to draw people from within a 25-mile radius of the mall a larger target area than the rest of the malls. Cohen said there is a definite need in Monroe County for an enclosed mall with conve- i a i and evening store hours. Most local merchants agree that those needs exist but said they are not considering relocating lo Ihe mall because they would have lo pay up to four times as much rent as Ihcy now for (he same size store and they would a i i store's interior.

Cohen said high rents are needed to support the mall's construction, maintenance of common areas and lighting of the stores and parking lot. The mall also will have lo pay about $77,000 worth of property taxes to the Stroudsburg School District. 510,000 to the county and 86.000 to Stroud Township, plus occupational privilege and earned income taxes. But he said Montgomery has had no trouble leasing stores because the high rent is offset by the increase in business from longer hours and more walk-in traffic. A lot of the success of malls is due to a retailing phenomenon in which (he more stores are in an area the stronger the drawing power of each.

Cohen said this phenomenon 'should also help i ness in downtown Stroudsburg after the mall opens because of the close physical proximity of the two. Tomorrow: Local feeling! about the mall range from fear to indifference lo en- Ihuiiaim, but most feel Main Street will survive. TH FOCOBO The Stroudsburgs, Pa. May 25, 1977 13 Is anybody asking? Can E-burg taxpayers afford hike? OM CUCDD1C A i i .1 programs are cut and the qual ity of education is lowered. The proposed increases would bring millage in Monroe to 68 and in Pike to 77.

That means the owners of a $20,000 home in Monroe County will be taxed $340, a $22.50 in- By SHERR1E SPANGLER Pocono Record Reporter EAST STROUDSBURG be The East Stroudsburg School Board gave tentative approval this week to a budget calling County submitted an applica- for a seven per cent tax ration for part of $2 billion btil crease, but whether most tax- missed out on the i payers can easily afford the crease in this year's taxes being ranked 48 when only 45 increase is anybody's guess. The a in i were funded. The Record tried i County will be taxed S3B5 The C9unty intends to use luck to get figures on East the money lo pay most of the Stroudsburg school district anticipated $3 million con- average or mean family instruction costs. The rest of Ihe come and property assessment costs will be paid with revenue values in order lo see. in dollars and cents, what most families will pay in taxes next school year if the school board sharing money the county has been saving.

Under a new funding provision. $4 billion will be avail- more than 20,000 applications for the money, however, according lo Howard Grossman, executive director of the Economic Development Council of Northeastern Pennsylvania. Grossman estimated a projects would receive funding. Guidelines for the i include a i school districts as well as local governments eligible for funding, all work is subject lo bidding and requiring all projecls lo i access for Ihe elderly and handicapped. 532.50 increase.

Bookbinder pointed out that taxes were increased by the same rate last year, but that no other increases had been made i the three previous years. He also said state subsidies make up only 15 per gives final approval to lhe pro- cenl of lhe budgel posed budget at its June 27 The proposed 54.85-million mcetin S- budgel, up S278.000 from Ihis There were no such figures past school year, will maintain and to be found not from school a Superintendent Robert Bookbinder, not from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Economic Development Council, or the Monroe County Courthouse. i a a school directors said they have no doubts the proposed 4.5-mill tax hike in Monroe Counly and 6.5-mill hike in Pike Counly will put a burden on some taxpayers. Bul they said a hike is unavoidable unless essential existing programs and staff without any increases or decreases. The expenditure increases will come mainly in areas that Bookbinder said are now out of the board's control.

a i a i 5177,000 for teachers' and non- i i a employes' salaries. This represents a 51,000 across-the-board yearly (actually nine-month) teachers' salaries, which will bring (he average leacher's salary to aboul $13,400. Other proposed increases thai Bookbinder said are unavoidable arc $16,000 for un- cmploymcnl a i a a by a new a $38,000 for hospilal and dental on care; $17,000 for social security and life insurance costs; S19.000 for the district's share of the Monroe County Vo-Tech and an estimated $11,000 increase in utility bills. Two of lhe nine school board members rejected the proposed One, I i Sommcr, said, "We (school board members) never got lo the point where we said, 'Can we afford Ibis lax Instead, we got lo the point where the adminislralion said no more could be cul from the budget." He said the adminislralion should decide whal the school district can afford first, then set the budget. Robert A.

Marsh, who is not bul is running for a scat in November, said he also feels the administration should look at its income then set a budget i i it. "We must live wilhiri our means -that means using more common sense," he said. Marsh said he feels the lax hike is too high and lhat he feels especially sorry for people on fixed incomes. William Luckey. the other director who voted against the budget, said the increase was loo high but lhat he doesn't know how lo cut the budget.

Developer presents fire protection plan I I I HILLS Shaw- The schedule calls For a nee Village developer Karl 200.000-gallon storage lank and Hope Tuesday night presented pipes to carry Ihe water lo increase in Smithfield Township supervi- fire hydrants 'in Shawnce Vil- sors with a schedule for installing a functional fire hydrant water system within six months. Four programs added United Way sets $235,000 goal STROUDSBURG United Way of Monroe County set its new monetary goal for this year and agreed to fund four new programs. The new goal for 1877-78 is $235,000. United Way raised $202,000 during its lasl campaign; fund raisers said lhat was Ihe first time in 10 years the organization approached its target figure. United Way will also add four "neighborhood project programs" lo its list of 11 local agencies that now receive funds from the organization.

The new programs that will receive funds are the public libraries in Monroe County, the county a a associations, Ihe Head Start Program and the New Beginnings a way House program in Echo new programs Lake. Ihe United Way a part of mandate to Head Start has a a i i list of 80 children, she said. The The United Way goal was in- bring all fund-raising appeals program not only helps chil- creased to help its member to one place," said United dren bul services parents agencies keep pace with infla- Way Execulive Director Bar- Neighborhood project pro- lion. Allocations Committee bara C. Maloney.

grams are not yet members of Cha.rman Gene Price said Sne a i al libraries United Way. Those agencies Tuesday after the United Way hout lhe cmm(y vvjl re that belong to Ihe organization oar ot Uircclors approved c( money. They have also arc; American Red Cross, Boy formed a associalion seek organization Irymg lo help 0(hcr snc sM Inc member agencies catch up with the cost of living and Mo "cy will also go lo Ihe Scouts, Burnley Workshop of the Poconos, Girl Scouls, Home Health Service, Meals run nuif gti lilt; eighl ambulance as'socialions keep pace from now on. usMiuiauuns. a a i A How much money each of Monroe Counly, and lo lhe "nrf the Voulh Em the 11 member agencies and i i a a payment Service the four neighborhood project Thc board a announced a programs will receive for 1978 lor alcollo cs volunteer workers' day picnic United Way decided lo fund will be held June 12 at Camp individual projects al New Be- Minsi, Pocono Summit.

i i be determined until November. At a lime, lhe agencies and programs will ginnings because alcohol abuse The 1977-78 campaign kjckoff pul in modified requcsls. They is a big problem in the county a parade through Strouds- nave already made their pre- and the halfway house is doing burg with floats, bands and liminary requests. something positive aboul lhe agency participants will be The reason for including the problem, she conlinucd. held Scpl.

5. The schedule was presented at the request of Ihe supervisors who two weeks ago heard complaints from the Shawnee Fire Co. Fire company officials had complained lhat unsafe fire i i conditions existed in the development and lhal several fire hydrants didn't work. Since that lirne. Hope met W'ilh supervisors and lo make several changes in the system, including an access road lo the Delaware River for fire trucks lo reload i a Otherwise i would have to rely on a pond a a i away for their water supply.

Supervisors scheduled an onsite inspection of the changes and river access point for i day afternoon. The board i two weeks ago to delay action on approving plans or revisions in a i a i water system was straightened out. Hope said Tuesday the work was part of Hie original plan but was never done because it wasn't economically feasible. These shops on Main Street, Stroudsburg, will soon be faced with competition from the Stroud Mall. 29 sign for space List of mall stores grows STROUDSBURG About 29 stores, Iwo banks and cine insurance company have made commitments to move into the Stroud Mall and several others are negotiating leases.

There are about 14 spaces still open. Louis Mcsbon, in charge of leasing for the mall, said most of those stores belong to national chains or are regionally-based. Local businesses which will open branches i mall i a i a i i i i branches arc Rca Derick drug store, Endicott-Johnson Shoes, United Penn Bank and Security Bank Trust, all of Stroudsburg, East Stroudsburg Savings Loan is considering moving to the mall and Karpe Insurance Stroudsburg, will open an office at the mall. There is speculation that J.C. Penney's will be the second department slore, after Hess's, in the mall.

The manager of Penney's Slrouds- burg store said if Penney's would sign a lease with tlie mall his store probably would be closed. Clothing stores that have signed leases with the mall are: Horn's Fashions, misses' sportswear; Ranch, young men's sportswear; Junior Colony, junior women's fashions; Firearms regulations violated SCRANTON A fresco gun dealer Tuesday pleaded guilty lo five counts of violating federal firearms regulations that i a a proper ledger entries for gun sales. Thomas Kreckman. 3D, the director of Paradise Shooting Center. Crcsco.

pleaded guilty U.S. Chief i i Judge William J. Nealon in federal court in Scranton. i similar charges a a i a dropped in a plea bargain bc- Iwcen his lawyer and the government prosecutor. Assistant U.S.

Atlorney Lawrence Kelly. Kelly said the false entries were made in ledgers from 1S72 lo 1976 and indicated that a "sold a particular gun lo a person when he actually didn't sell it to the person." The i a were rifles and a shotgun. The federal firearms violations are felonies a carry a maximum sentence of a $5.000 fine anil five years imprisonment for each count. Sentencing was postponed pending a pro-sentence investigation. Kreckman said Tuesday he regretted his mistakes and added that he cooperated with authorises as soon as they pointed out the violations didn't realize there was a i wrong i they read the law to me." he "I made a violation lhal I was riol aware of in Ihe sale of a added.

"1 gave a slatcmcnl of this fad a a i i a pleaded guilty to five counts." Lawyer elected HARRISBURG Atlorney Sidney L. Krawitz of Milford was recently elected lo the House of Delegates, Iho policymaking body of Ibe Pennsylvania liar Association. Fashion Colony, women's half sizes; Colony Three, misses' fashions; Foxinoor Casuals, i sportswear; Sigal's Country Corner, ladies' clothing; and Deb Shop, young women's clothing. Shoo stores to be located in the mall include Thorn McAn; Endicolt-Johnson Shoes, and Kinncy Shoes. Other businesses that will be in the mall are: Halo's Gemstones, handcrafted Kay Jewelers; Crown Jewel; Musselman's Jewelers; Piercing Pagoda, pierced earrings and jewelry; Greal Expectations and Holiday Hair, both hair slyling; and Roger's Vision Center.

Also, So-Fro Fabrics; Cargo Wesl i shop; Variety Photo; Walden Books; Matthew's Stationary Store; Listening Booth, an audio and iccord shop; and Organs and Pianos Plus. Food retailers to locate in the mall are: Old River Bakery: Italia Delite; and Stewart's Root Beer Drive-In (which has branches in Stroud Township and Tannersville). Dipper Dan, an ice cream store, is in the process of signing a lease. I Fire Truck accident blocks 80 POCONO SUMMIT A tractor trailer caught fire and crashed on the easthound lane of Interstate 80 Tuesday morning, spilling thousands of small jars of baby food and'closing both castbound lanes of the highway for more than 10 hours. The truck driver, George Hemming Jr.

of Wayne, N.J.. was not injured. The accident happened at 5:45 a.m. at the junction of Interstales 80 and 380 in Pocono Township. Slate police at Swiftwater said Hemming was driving east in the right lane of the highway when the truck's left front tire caught fire.

The rig a i and slammed inlo Ihe lefl guard rail Ihen balled against the guard rail along Ihe i berm. The rig's two diesel a ruptured and fire ignited the baby food and engulfed Ihe truck, according to Bob Bobbins i chief of 1'ocono Summit Fire Co. i hopped out of the 1976 Ford cab just in time, authorities said. The easthound lane of the interstate was closed until 4:10 p.m. Police diverted traffic west on Interstate 380, across lite.

940 to Rte. 611 and put the a i back on 80's easthound lane ai Ihe Swiflwaler entrance. Police estimated $70.000 a a to the rig. Accused of theft STROUDSBURG A Slroudsburg woman accused of trying to steal $205 in cash from under the nose of employes of Schrcck's Self Service Market, 1501 N. Fifth Stroudsburg, will have a preliminary hearing 7 p.m.

Thursday before District Magistrate Gracien Praetorius. Accused of theft by unlawful taking or disposition is a i l.ynn Doehler, 21. who listed her address as 193 a i Slroudsburg She was arrested last Thursday hy Stroud Township police after employes al Schreck's allegedly caught her with her hand in the cash register and $205 in her grip. Stroud Township police said a suspected accomplice (liveried ths cash register operator to another part of the store i the alleged theft a at about 7 p.m The suspected accomplice 1 has not been caught Doehler is in Monroe County a i in lion of a i Pedestrian injured STKOnnSRUHG An elderly Stroud Township man was i injured Tuesday afternoon when a car him while he was walking across the road in front of his home al 2flO Stokes Ave. Treated for minor head injuries at Pix-ono Hospital and released was John Houshcll, 74.

He was bv a car i by Adilie Stanley. 37. of 516 a i Stroudshurg. according In Stroud Township police Police said Hie accident happened al 3:35 p.m. Boushell was a i across Stokes Avenue toward his home alter having taken leaves and other lawn debris across Ihe slreet.

There was no discernible damage to Stanley's car. Smoke call STROUDSBURG Fifteen men wilt, seven trucks from Slrotid Township Fire Co. al 12:36 p.m. Tuesday was called the home of George Taylor, 2021 Wallace where a pot meatballs was smoking on a stove. Assistant Fire Chief Rick Staples said firemen removed the smoke with exhaust fans hut no other service was required..