The Gettysburg Times from Gettysburg, Pennsylvania • Page 28

6A THE GETTYSBURG TIMES, MONDAY, JUNE 11, 1990 Gettysburg Times Published daily, Monday through Saturday by the Times and News Publishing Company. Copyright 1990 18-20 Carlisle Gettysburg, Pa. 17325-0669 Philip M. Jones President Cynthia A. Ford Executive Assistant to President Donald W.

Fair, controller Judith A. Shuyler, circulation manager Robert B.J. Small Editor Timothy J. Doyle, night editor Traci A. Lower, news coordinator The Gettysburg Times, founded in 1902, continues The Star and Sentinel (1800), The Gettysburg Compiler (1818), The York Springs Comet (1873), The New Oxford Item (1879), and The East Berlin News (1880).

Winner of Associated Press and Keystone Press awards in 1989 As our readers see it After the Camp Hill riot Editor, Gettysburg Times: I am writing to you in desparate hope that you will publish an article in the Gettysburg Times newspaper concerning this matter. I have been a resident of the Gettysburg area all of my life, and am currently incarcerated in "Waymart" State Correctional Institute in Waymart. I was transferred to here from "Camp Hill" prison in late October after the Camp Hill riot. I would like to stress that I was not a participant in any part of the riot. I was only one of many people who were just there at the wrong time.

People who were not involved in the riot were shipped to Waymart, which is still particularly "Tairview" State Mental Hospital. The reason I am writing is because of the way inmates are constantly treated by correctional officers and other staff members, and the way that the prison is run. This is a "minimum security" prison, which has no fence surrounding it at all. We (the inmates) know that the people of society do not know how this place runs or the way we are being treated. We are hoping that you will print an article about what I am about to tell you.

Please remember that we, (the inmates) are all low risk offenders with short time. First of all, I will tell you about the prison itself. The Cells: have no electrical sockets, the air conditioning does not work, our mattresses are mostly musty smelling, stained, and have tears and holes. Each cell holds two people. The cells have big solid wooden doors, no sinks, no toilets or nothing.

It is only a room with two beds. If someone has to use the restroom in the middle of the night, they either bang on the door in hopes that a guard might hear them. If not, they have to urinate in gallon tin can, and keep it in their cell until the next day. As we all know, urine has a fowl odor, which smells up the small cells. The Cafeteria: is very small, holding about 40 people at a time.

The food is always cold, and we are given ten minutes to eat every meal. If we are late, we are issued a misconduct and sent to the "Restricted Housing Unit" better known as "The Hole." If an inmate is in RHU at night time, guards will choose an inmate at random, cuff him, take him to the basement, and take turns beating him. Then deny him contact, visits or phone calls until his wounds are healed. Phone Calls: We are only allowed one-ten minute call, every three days. At Camp Hill, we were allowed to have one-thirty minute call every day.

Showers: have four shower heads in a 6x10 shower stall. Considering these showers must be used by 120 inmates every day in a 2-hour period, it is always elbow-to-elbow. Camp Hill had single shower stalls, which we were able to use whenever we desired. Dormitories: hold 78 inmates. Beds are spaced only 2 feet apart, one bathroon, which consist of two sinks, two toilets, and four shower heads.

No TVs, and overly strict rules. We are given no space to hang personal laundry. If we have a clothesline, we are issued a misconduct. Education: No schooling whatsoever is available at any time to inmates. But yet, some people are stipulated by the parole board to further their education, get their GED, vocational training, or attend a drug program, which is also unavailable.

All other state prisons have schooling and vocational training. There is also no music room, which all other prisons also have. All other state prisons allow TV's, radios, musical instruments, street clothing, and have schooling of all sorts. The cells have nice beds, sinks, toilets, and necessary items to that nature. So, are you wondering why Waymart Prison is an exception? The answer is that the prison is not run by state rules and policies.

Guards make up their own rules as they want, which are constantly changing. The prison is run like a preschool for children. And honestly, I would rather be in a forestry camp or back at Camp Hill. I very deeply thank you for taking the time to read my 1 etter. Everthing that I have told you is true.

I'm not trying to cause trouble for anyone, I only want the people of society to know what is really happening in prisons because of the Camp Hill riot. And I pray to God that you will print an article about this matter. Again, I deeply thank you for your time. James A. Lowans Waymart, Pa.

Littlestown taxpayer shouted down Editor, Gettysburg Times: I am of one of the people who attended the town meeting at Littlestown about the raise in school taxes on June 6.1 would like to say that I'm proud of the citizens of our community takinginterest in it. I felt that the people there made their points about how the money was being spent and really looked into it before they came. What I didn't like was some of the anger that I saw directed at people who are hardworking and dedicated to their jobs. I don't work for Littlestown, and I never have, but I have worked as a teacher assistant. I think that they are needed because I have been there and I know what I'm talking about (I got paid enough to put food on the table and that was about it).

When I got up to talk about it, I was shouted down. I was the only person there who brought up the fact that this is for the children and I was shouted down by my fellow citizens. I don't appreciate that. I'm not saying that I agree with the pay raises that are being proposed, and I certainly think that the people footing the bill should have a say in it; but a lot of those people haven't been in a classroom for years. An older man was saying (from what I could hear) that his teacher had 40 kids in different grades and that she didn't get burn out.

He didn't go home with her at night and he didn't know what she went through. Children have a way of taking adults for granted. I do feel that unions are pressuring the districts too much. I would propose to the teachers that they drop their union (which they can do), or ask them to back off. Carol Herren Gettysburg Out of the past 150 YEARS AGO The Gettysburg Republican Compiler supports the following candidates for election: President of the United States, Martin Van Buren; Vice President, Richard M.

Johnson; and Senators James Clarke and George G. Leiper. Facts for the People of Adams County. The Gettysburg Star of April 7,1840, says of the Resumption Resolution (so called)- "This bank law we deem the most licentious which the mostbank-boughtlegislature could have invented." Now let it be remembered that every anti-Mason, Whig and Harrisonian in both Houses, who were present, (including Mr. Smyser) voted for this "licentious And let is also be remembered that 43 Democrats voted in favor of a resumption on the 18th of June next and only 45, of all parties, voted against it, so that a change of two votes would have turned the scale.

Our subscribers have no doubt perused the address of the Hon. Amos Kendall, soliciting the support of the freemen of this country in the publication of the "Extra Globe." Mr. Kendall is a host in himself. The TM whigs fear him. They dread his editorial talents, and well know the effect they will have in arousing the Democracy of the coun- try.

We hope the Extra Globe will be liberally encouraged in our county. Its perusal will amply repay the trifling expense incurred with it. "The excitement of composition," of which the whigs profess to make merry, they have good reason to guard against. Col. Blake and Dr.

Fauss will accept our thanks for the following information: "Agreeably to the Census just taken, East Berlin contains 416 inhabitants, of which number 196 are males and 220 females. Of the whole number, one male and two females are between the ages of 80 and 90 years." Died: At Erie, Pa. on the 22nd ult. of dropsy, Mr. John Shaner, junior editor of the "Erie Gazette," and formerly of this place, aged about 20 years.

On Monday morning the 25th ult. at his late residence near Taneytown, in Carroll County, Mr. Peter Slyder, aged 80 years and 10 months. Married: On the 19th ult. by the Rev.

Charles Weyl, Mr. Jacob Group, to Miss Rebecca Bender, both of Menallen Twp. On the 4th inst. by the same Mr. John Strouch to Miss Rebecca Camper, both of Menallen Twp.

On the same day, by the same, Mr. John Fulton, to Miss Mary Ann Sterner, both of Dickinson, Cumberland County. Jackson scenario has a crack in it Jesse Jackson, who has a way of popping up in the darnedest places, is now trying to act as sort of a mediator in the drug trial of Washington's Mayor Marion Barry. He has suggested that the government let Barry plead guilty to one of the misdemeanor charges and promise not to run for re-election. But federal prosecutors prefer that Barry plead guilty to one of the more serious felony charges, which would probably put Barry in prison, and make it impossible for him to run for another term.

I'm sure Jackson is motivated by compassion for his old friend, Barry. And that Jackson genuinely believes that his solution would improve racial harmony, since many blacks believe the feds have a vendetta against Barry. But I suspect that besides compassion and racial harmony, there's something else on Jackson's mind: a nagging worry that his No. 1 political project just might go "poof." As you may know, Jackson is leading a campaign to obtain statehood for the District of Columbia. He thinksitis a terrible injustice that the residents of Washington, D.C., aren't represented in Congress.

If Washington becomes a state, it will have two United States senators, just like every other state. Because of its large black population, it's almost certain that both senators would be black. And since Jackson is now a resident of Washington, it's a lead-pipe cinch that he would be one of the two U.S. senators. But first, of course, Jackson has to succeed in persuading much of the United States that we need a 51st state.

So how does Barry's drug trial figure in all of this? Let's consider a scenario, which is a Mike Royko very popular Washington activity. In this scenario, Barry refuses to plead guilty to a felony. And the government refuses to let him off with a misdemeanor. So the jury selection goes on and the trial begins. Let's also imagine that the jury listens to the government's witnesses and decides as Barry's lawyers will try to establish that the witnesses are a bunch of lying sleazes who are just trying to get themselves out of trouble at Barry's expense.

And let's also imagine that the jury agrees that the federal government was out to get Barry for a long time and finally used dirty, low-down trickery to tempt him into a trap. None of this is out of the realm of the possible. As any good trial lawyer will tell you, there's no way of predicting what a jury might do. So, the scenario goes, the jury doesn't trust the government's finky witnesses and they believe that Barry was being hounded. And the jury brings in a verdict of not guilty on all counts.

Or maybe not guilty on the felonies, guilty on one or two of the misdemeanors. Either way, Barry is off the hook. He can joyously claim to have been vindicated. And, having been through two substance abuse rehab programs, he can proclaim that his urine is now as pure as a newborn babe's. Therefore, the scenario goes, he is free to run for another term as mayor.

And, in all likelihood, he would win. So how does that torpedo Jackson's grand plan to become a U.S. senator? Well, it's one thing to persuade a jury that you are innocent. Or if not innocent, a nice guy who shouldn't be persecuted by the government. And to convince 51 percent of the local voters that you should be returned to the office of mayor.

But it's another thing to sell your innocence to a large segment of the population of the United States. Many people would be saying: "Hey, I don't care what that jury believed. The FBI got the guy on videotape puffing on crack in a hotel with an ex-girlfriend." Ah, human nature. Some people are always eager to think the worst. Many of them would say: "Maybe the jury didn't believe those witnesses, but I do.

If that guy wasn't getting whacked out on something besides martinis, what was he doing in two rehab joints all that time?" And then they would say: "Hey, they vote that guy in as mayor again? And they want us to make them a new state so they can elect two U.S. senators? Who are they going to elect to the Senate the guys who sold him the crack? Forget it." No, even with Jackson's considerable political muscle, if the trial ends with Barry walking and being re-elected, statehood for the District of Columbia will be about as likely as my sprouting a thatch of blond curls. Then? Well, Jesse can always try Puerto Rico. 1990 The Chicago Tribune The party is over After college is out and family ties have been renewed, there comes a time when the parent-child bond has been tested and all hell breaks loose. Then everyone decides that the idea of having the loved one home for the summer was a terrible mistake.

Most experts give the honeymoon three weeks from the moment the student was picked up at the airport to the hour the father yells at his child, "When are you going to get a job?" You can hear the confrontations all over my neighborhood. The other day I passed John and Lynn Minna's house and heard the agonized voice of a wounded mother. "I can do without boarders who sleep until 2 o'clock in the afternoon." "I read all night," came a coed's voice. "I don't need people in my house who read all night." "I have nothing to do all day long. Why should I get up early?" "You could work and earn some money for college." "The only jobs available in the newspaper are for Midas Muffler mechanics." "What's wrong with that?" "I'm studying political science.

It would only confuse me." Art Buchwald John Minna yelled, "You could help your mother clean up the house." The girl shouted back, "You're only saying that because I'm a woman." John said, "That's not true. I told your brother the same thing." "He knew you didn't mean it." Then I heard Lynn Minna's voice, "We don't have fights here when you're in school. Just because you have two years of college doesn't mean you can run roughshod over everybody." The daughter answered, "You wanted me to come home. I could have gone to Iris Goldstein's in Potomac if I knew it was going to be like this." John's voice: "Why didn't you?" Daughter: "Because she isn't there. She had a fight with her parents." Today in history Lynn: 'This is my house and I'm going to set down the rules." Daughter: "You're doing to me exactly what Joan Crawford did to her daughter in TVIommie John: "All the neighbors will hear us." Daughter: "I hope so because then they will know how you treat college students." "Go to your room." Daughter: "Does everyone around here talk in cliches?" John: "How much more time do we have until she goes back?" Lynn: "Two months, 14 days, 12 hours and three minutes." Father: "I don't think we can last.

Maybe we should go to Europe." Daughter: "I'm not going to stay here alone." Mother: "How would you know?" I decided that it was time to break it up, so I went to their front door and knocked. Lynn Minna let me in and ushered me into the living room where John and his daughter were sitting. Lynn said, "You know our daughter, Muffle. We're so proud of her. She's captain of the volleyball team and a joy to have at home." 1990 LA.

Times Syndicate By The Associated Press Today is Monday, June 11, the 162nd day of 1990. There are 203 days left in the year. Today's Highlights in History: On June 11, 1770, Captain James Cook, commander of the British ship "Endeavour," discovered or, more correctly, ran onto the Great Barrier Reef off Australia. On this date: In 1509, England's King Henry VIII married Catherine of Aragon. In 1776, the Continental Congress formed a committee to draft a Declaration of Independence from Britain.

In 1859, a prospector laid claim to a silver deposit in Six Mile Canyon in Nevada, a claim that later turned out to be the multimillion dollar Comstock Lode. In 1919, Sir Barton won the Belmont Stakes, becoming horse racing's first Triple Crown winner. In 1942, the United States and the Soviet Union signed a lend-lease agreement to aid the Soviet war effort in World War II. In 1947, sugar rationing ended in the United States. In 1963, Buddhist monk Quang Due immolated himself on a street in Saigon as a protest against the government of South Vietnamese President Ngo Dinh Diem.

In 1970, 20 years ago, the United States presence in Libya came to an end as the last detachment left Wheelus Air Base. In 1977, Seattle Slew won the Belmont Stakes, capturing the Triple In 1977, a 20-day hostage drama in the Netherlands ended as Dutch marines stormed a train and a school held by South Moluccan extremists. Six gunmen and two hostages on the train were killed. In 1978, Joseph Freeman Jr. became the first black to be ordained a priest in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

In 1979, actor John Wayne died of cancer at the ace of 72. Today's Birthdays: Broadcast journalist Lawrence Spivak is 90. Marine biologist Jacques Cousteau is 80. Opera singer Rise Stevens is 77. Author William Styron in 65.

Actor Gene Wilder is 56. Actor Chad Everett is 53. Former auto racer Jackie Stewart is 51. Actress Adrienne Barbeau is 45. Football quarterback Joe Montana is 34..