The Tribune from Scranton, Pennsylvania • 3

July 12, 1986 3 Steamtowns new GM sets throttle for Poconos Hart appointed; Lenehan elected to museum board The Tribune, Scranton, Pa. 1 local and national media the story of Steamtown Another hig problem Steamtown and Hart had to contend with was this years absence of steam-powered locomotives to pull the excursion trains on its 26-mile route to Moscow. Several steam locomotives were under repair since the end of the 19K5 rail season but the planning did not allow for the repairs to be done in time to open the rail season in March as was done' in 1984 So diesel locomotives had to be used for the beginning of the season in late April, disappointing thousands of riders Since March, repairs to several pieces of steam equipment have been completed and present excursions are under steam power Besides having steam and backup steam power for the excursions, Steamtown decided to paint its passenger coaches and other equipment with the famous maroon and grey colors of the By Dave Baum By unanimous vote Friday afternoon the board of trustees of Steamtown USA appointed John M. Hart Jr. as general manager of the worlds largest operating railroad museum.

The board also accepted the resignation of board member Ross E. Rowland of Lebanon, N.J., and elected city lawyer John R. Lenahan Sr. to the board. Lenehan heads the law firm Lenahan Dempsey, P.C.

The move to appoint Hart general manager came as no surprise to many. Three months ago Hart was named acting director of Steamtown, replacing James Gillespie who had become embroiled in controversy over the running of Steamtown and left the ost on March 20. Hart, a veteran newspaperman who served for 15 years as a reporter and later as an editor for The Scrantonian-Tribune has been on a leave of absence from his position with the newspapers since accepting the acting manager's role. Reached Friday at Steamtown office. Hart spoke about ongoing developments at Steamtown.

which are considerable. "I feel that Steamtown is a very, very viable part of the citys future and I look forward to moving the museum ahead and making it the definitive railroad museum in the country. was Harts first commment. "I really believe that Steamtown, while it is beset by economic troubles, will forge ahead and will become one of the major attractions in the Northeast part of the state. he added enthusiastically.

Some of the reservations Hart referred to included taking over Steamtown in a time of financial problems which came to the surface under Gillespie's leadership and threatened the museum's existence. The largest problem to confront Hart was $400,000 in accounts-payable. While Gillespie worked to obtain a $450,000 line of credit from the city and local banks to pay the bills, a furor developed over his actions. With Councilman Michael Melnick demanding answers, the issue came to a head March 20 when Gillespie stepped down and Hart was named acting director Since Harts acting appointment was made the financial operation has smoothed out" and while Hart preferred not to comment on monies owed by the museum, he did say "the situation definitely has improved considerably since March." Hart did criticize the marketing strategy used under Gillespie, saying, "we were faced with poor marketing output from last September through March which has affected us in reduced ridership The new general manager said his staff has moved quickly to get a dynamic marketing and public relations program underway which is tailored to our needs and has already shown results in regards to telling the fern Atty. John R.

Lenehan cars an identity well-known in railroading circles. Hart pointed out that his job when named acting director was to "make every attempt to have a (lass A steam excursion experience in Scranton this year and we have made that move Our predominant focus is to run a good McGee said he understood the stadium's funding was made possible by a change in state law which allowed the state to make grants to projects sponsored by other governmental entities Alberigi said he was somewhat disappointed that the governor had vetoed the county's request for $550,000 to improve grade crossings on the line owned by the Lackawanna Railroad Authority "It just makes the tracks a little bumpier." commented the com missioner who added the county and the authority already have a grade crossing program place The success of baseball during county to retire stadium debt quickly Grant will By Ray Flanagan We are going to continue the project as if we did not have the money, Lackawanna County Commissioner Ray Alberigi said Friday as county officials were trying to assess how a $4 million grant will affect their plans for building a baseball stadium near Montage. But Alberigi and John McGee, head of Northeast Baseball. which will own the minor league which will play in the stadium, said the state money will probably be used to retire the debt at an earlier date than planned. Current plans call for the Multipurpose Stadium Authority from BBB-minus to BBB bv Standard and Poors County officials met with both that rating service and Moody's last week to secure the best rating possible lor the bond issue The feasibility study issued last April also did not lake into account the recent reduction in interest rates which also will favorably influence the financial picture Alberigi said the county has still not received official word of the grant, but added he was not totally surprised that it had received the governor's backing "We've been in Harrisburg (pr two years," he said Now we have something to show for it Joe and 1 always fell that the project was very feasible.

Alberigi said, "but getting this $4 million definitely helps us "If they didn't stick with the project, there would be no $4 million grant." Bill Risse. the county's Public Information officer, interjected McGee said the $4 million will certainly affect the figures, including attendance needed for the stadium to pay for itself, but he would not speculate on how the county's contribution would be reduced He also said the financing will be favorably affected by an increase in the countys bond rating railroad and raise monies neees sary to become financially solvent and expand operations into this Poconos Speaking of Steamtown's luture Hart eagerly explained it was "full steam ahead" on those i Please turn to Page 7 i the 1987 season is almost assured since more than 2.2(io season tickets have been sold The fans will tie watching the Sc rant on -Wilkes-Barre Red Barons probably tie the Waterbury (Conn I Indians ol th Eastern League in new uniforms Northeast Baseball bought tliul franchise the AA league so that the stadium was sure of a tenant while the expansion ol majoi league baseball was awaited McGee has said he has assurances from the Philadelphia Phillies they they would move their AAA franchise from Portland. Ore to here, if more teams are added to the National League from the heart according to Detective George Murphy The detective is not related to the Murphy brothers The Murphys testified they let 1 the club at about 1 to a and encountered Boetti and hi-, brother Ronald arguing between themselves They testified one ol the Booth-said something and that lor some unknown reason David Boeth broke the bottle and went after Kevin Murphy At the same time they testified. Michael Murphy was fighting Ronald Boeth who was knocked out The Booths did not tell their version of the incident a tactic often taken by defense attorneys during preliminary hearings Patrolman Robert Golden, one ol the first officers at the scene said the Booths told him that they had been assaulted by 10 men outside the club Boeth to face trial in Murphy stabbing Cornerstone yields glimpse of history Kevin Murphy. 21, 1734 Brick testified Friday that he still does not know the reason why he was critically stabbed on June 14 in front of the D'Aqumo Club.

1256 Providence Road Murphy and his brother Michael. told their side of the incident in Central Court at a hearing for David Boeth. 25, 716 Eynon St who is accused of gashing Murphy with a broken bottle during the early morning scuffle After hearing their testimony. Magistrate Daniel Kelleher ordered Boeth held tor further court action on charges of attempted murder, aggravated assault and battery and recklessly endangering another person The incident almost cost ie victim his life because the downward thrust of the bottle into his neck partially cut a valve of the aorta, a major artery leading enable Board to float a $13 1 million bond issue by the end of the month, construction to start shortly thereafter and the stadium to open for baseball next Memorial Day Plugging the $4 million grant into the equation should mean significant savings over the 25-year term of the bond issue during which the total cost is expected to rise to $31 million. Alberigi and fellow majority commissioner.

Joseph Corcoran, have proceeded with the plan even though there was a strong possibility that the stadium would not pay for itself and require a subsidy probably in the area of $245,000 a year from general tax revenues been placed at the top ot the box were in bad decay. The newspaper and list of directors were found at the bottom of the box The church, of Greek Revival architecture, was the first Christian Science Church chartered in Pennsylvania Marnie Rees, administrator ol the Lackawanna County Library System, said the library bqilding is "hopelessly overcrowded" and the childrens and media departments will be moved over to the church The church was purchased tor $160,000 in 1985 The county library system has applied for a federal Library Services and Construction Act grant of $400,000 to make renovations to the historic building. Library officials are hoping the improvements can be made ithin a year The exterior of the church is made up of of masonry walls clad in white Indiana limestone Interior finishes, Rees said, include plaster and elaborate wood moldings There is a lower level with numerous windows. The main level is a large two-storied section which served as the sanctuary. The church was sold after the congregation waned through the years.

A Christian Science church study group was organized in Scranton in 1889. and the church was constructed as the congregation grew. Rees said both the church and library "are architectural gems, with the library modeled after Musee de Cluny, Cluny, France, which was the home of Kings in the 15th century. The library was constructed in 1893. When a new cornerstone is laid at the former church at a later date, library officials plan to put in artifacts from seven of the libraries in the system.

Barre; Roger Waddell. 25. ot Binghamton. Gerard DuBose, 27, of Rochester. and Susan Santione.

20. of Old Forge. Each is charged with criminal homicide, conspiracy, burglary, theft and robbery. District Attorney Bernard Podcasy said he wanted the defendants tried together in Luzerne County and would oppose motions for separate trials or to move the proceedings to another county. Myricks, Waddell and DuBose are jailed in the Luzerne County Prison in lieu of bail, -while Santione is held in the county Womens Detention CenteF By Robert Curran The 1913 cornerstone of a Scranton church was opened Friday in a suspense-filled ceremony, and although books inside the copper box were in a state of decay, a damp newspaper and journal were recovered The artifacts were removed from the First Church of Christ Scientist on Vine Street The church was bought by the board of the Lackawanna County Library System and will be used as an annex to the overcrowded Albright Memorial Library next door Library officials, church members and others looked on as two workers started to chip open the cornerstone at 1:45 p.m.

Twenty minutes later, they had the copper box out and used a circular electric saw to open it There were feelings of disappointment when the first artifacts were seen in decay Church members Beverly Shaw and Pringle Snyder, both of Clarks Summit, said a King James Bible was one of the items that had been placed inside the box in 1913. What was believed to be the Bible was badly decayed and unrecognizable. But a cover was intact on a Unity of Good Book and a Christian Healing book A list on paper of the church's board of directors from 1913 was wet from moisture but was able to be read. Also moist but intact and good enough condition to read was a copy of The Christian Science Monitor, Boston, from Oct. 11.

1913, which sold for two cents. Parts of a Christian Science Journal were also readable. The two workmen who opened the box. Joseph Nabogis and Frank Yanchus of Water Proofing. Berwick, said the copper box was tightly sealed but was not vacuum filled.

Items that had The Trihune JERKY PIKER ARTIFACTS EXAMINED A copper box containing a Bible, newspaper and other documents is opened Friday after it was taken from the cornerstone of the First Church of Christ Scientist, Scranton. Looking on from left to right in the foreground are Joseph Nabogis, one of the workers who opened the cornerstone; Marnie Rees, administrator of the Lackawanna County Library System; Beverly Shaw and Pringle Snyder, church members; and Brian Cali of the library board. Don't Miss This Sundays SCRANTONIAN JULY 13 Including The Following Supplements: PRICE CHOPPER 84 LUMBER IGA SHURSAVE SEARS PRODUCT MOVERS K-MART 4 FOR HOME DELIVERY CALL: 344-7221 (ASK FOR CUSTOMER SERVICE Scrantons Favorite Family Newspaper Murder suspects seek trial NOTICE TO RECIPIENTS OF CHILD SUPPORT (NON-WELFARE CASES) In 1984, Congress passed legislation that allows the Domestic Relations Sections to collect past due child support payments by intercepting the absent parent's IRS Tax Refund. We will be submitting to the Federal Office of Child Support Enforcement names and social security numbers ol parents who are delinquent in child support payments. This information is then passed on to the IRS.

If a refund is due in 1987. the money will-be sent to us to distribute to you. In order for your case to be eligible, the child support arrears on the court order must be at least $500. ONLY CHILD SUPPORT CAN BE COLLECTED, not Alimony or Spousal Support. The arrears must be owed on behalf of a minor child.

For this process, a minor child is defined as younger than 18 years of age as of December 31, 1986. We will submit your case (providing it meets the requirements) ONLY if you sign an Authorization Form. If you want to be included there are certain conditions you must be aware of: The fee for this service is $10.00. It must be paid before we will submit yourcase. There is no guarantee that any money will be collected.

If you have received public assistance in the past, any money intercepted must first be used to repay unreimbursed assistance. If a collection is made on your behalf, we have the authority to hold the money for six months before releasing it to you if it involves a joint return. You are personally liable to repay any collection which is paid to you in error, including any money which must be returned to the IRS so they can repay the absent parent's unobligated spouse. Any person wishing to utilize this expanded IRS procedure should contact hisher assigned Domestic Relations Officer IN PERSON at the Domestic Relations Office. Courthouse, Scranton.

PA 18503 WILKES-BARRE. Pa. lUPIl Four people charged with the strangulation of a 96-year-old retired bartender pleaded innocent Friday in Luzerne County Common Pleas Court. The defendants three men and a woman each requested a jury trial during formal arraignment before Judge Arthur Dalessandro. Hugh McGhee, who retired in January after more than 56 years as a bartender at the Westmoreland Club, was strangled with a belt March 17 during a robbery at his Wilkes-Barre home.

Charged with the slaying are Leroy Myricks, 32, of Wilkes-.