The Tribune from Scranton, Pennsylvania • 18

Tribune, Scranton, Pa. Friday, March 22, 1991- Traffic-flow improvements planned in Dunmore By Michael McLane TRIBUNE CORRESPONDENT modified. The island is all that remains where two railroad trestles once stood. The imposing structure was dismantled several years ago. Although Horutz had no specific timetable for when the project would get under way, he said the road work should last about a month.

The project is in Harrisburg and there is no cost yet because bids are out, said Horutz. Richard Carr, Dunmore borough manager, said that $12,000 from the boroughs community development fund will be be included in the cost of the project, with the rest of the money being allocated by PennDOT. The borough paid $15,000 for the island parcel of land several years ago, Carr said. The borough had to have title to the land before PennDOT would proceed with the upcoming work on the roadways. Carr noted that the land was sold to PennDOT for $1, with the agreement that PennDOT would perform all for making any improvements along this stretch of road.

Members of the First Ward Neighborhood Associa-. tion have complained to borough officials that the PennDOT study area is already too congested with traffic to allow any further commercial development. Plans for a proposed car wash and an office building in the Jessup Avenue area have been submitted to the Dunmore Planning Commission. Residents, as well as planning commission members, have voiced concern about what impact the added traffic volume would have along the ONeill Highway and Jessup Avenue. To improve safety along the busy stretch of roadway, a private contractor was recently hired and repairs were made to a blinking caution-light system.

Expected to be included in PemiDOTs ONeill Highway traffic study report are recommendations for an improved multi-pattern traffic-light system, as well as modifications to current traffic patterns. the necessary improvements to the busy intersection. 'When finished, this project will greatly improve traffic patterns, Carr said. At the same time, the appearance of the designated area will also be enhanced." During the road rehabilitation, Horutz said that traffic will be maintained along South Blakely Street and Cherry Street with no major inconvenience anticipated for motorists. Once completed, Horutz said the wider roads which form the major access route to Dunmore from Scrantons Hill Section will allow for better sight distance and smoother traffic flow.

Carr also said that he has been notified by PennDOT officials that a traffic study of the ONeill Highway in the vicinity of Jessup Avenue has been completed. A representative from PennDOT will be present at Wednesday's Borough Council meeting, Carr said. He will explain the contents of the study and the cost factor DUNMORE Motorists will be seeing a change to a borough landmark in the near future when the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation initiates a project to improve traffic flow at a busy intersection. According to Bob Horutz, PennDOT district liaison engineer, final plans for the reconstruction of Chemr Street and Short Street, where the roads intersect with S. Blakely Street, will begin sometime over the summer.

The construction plan calls for the realigning of the roadways, new curbing and sidewalks, drainage installation and resurfacing of the roads in the targeted construction area. Horutz also said that the island which sits where the three roads interconnect will be reduced in size and Hope and hard work may launch a church 1 4s i I t) i 1 1 'if 1 "III M1, r.ir i SZ' fj i if J-Sr A pleasant sight In the early days of spring Is a snow Lackawanna County line. Actually there has been very little fence that Isnt holding back any snow this one on a work for snow fences lately, as operators of local ski areas farm along Wilbur Road, near the Wyooming County can painfully attest (Staff Photo by Phillips Butler) I told them we dont want to compete. We want to do things ethically, he said. The processes of finding a place to open the church and finding people interested in joining are being carried out simultaneously by Troutman.

After about a dozen visits to Scranton, he said West Scranton ik probably the place where Faith Baptist Church will be located, although he hasnt found a specific site yet. Each time we came to town, we looked at different areas, and each time weve gotten a different perspective, Troutman said. Putting together a congregation, Troutman expects, will take a little time. The first thing is getting people who are interested. When you get the interest, then you find people who will be committed, he said.

I think there is a genuine interest on most peoples part to know the Bible. When we get at least four families who have, shown themselves to be genuinely interested, we will begin to meet and hold services, he added. Im not interested in numbers. Im interested in the quality. If our church has only 50 people, thats fine, as long as we can do the work that the word of God teaches.

And what if he cant find enough people interested in becoming part of nis church? 1 If we find that there is no interest and if we find there is no commitment, then we will look at another area. But I dont anticipate that happening, Troutman said. Right now, a lot of people are interested in knowing what the Bible says. Troutman said he is attempting to contact persons who may be interested in becoming part of his church through posters, newspaper ads and a telecommunications service. Its going to be a peoples church.

The people are going to decide if they want to come or not. And thats the best way to start a church, he said. The recent war, the ongoing national economic recession and other trying times the country has faced often lead people to seek answers from God, making this a good time to build a congregation, Troutman explained. People are looking. They are searching, he said.

Troutman said he hopes Faith Baptist Church can begin holding services here this summer. By Tom Kahriger TRIBUNE CORRESPONDENT Starting a new church in a strange place would probably be a frightening prospect for most people. But Dan Troutman likes challenges and, needless to say, he believes in what hes doing. A graduate student finishing his final year at Calvary Baptist College in Lansdale, the 28-year-old Troutman has been visiting Scranton frequently for the past month in hope of establishing an indepedent, fundamentalist, Baptist church in one of its neighborhoods. But of all the places to pastor a church, why did Troutman who grew up just outside Lebanon in the small community of Myers town set his sights on Scranton? There are 181 churches in Lackawanna County, but there arent many independent, fundamental, Bible-believmg churches here, he explained.

I dont want to build on another mans foundation. If there were 30 independent, fundamentalist churches here, we wouldnt come. He explained that Baptist churches focus their attention primarily on the We use the Bible as our sole source of authority for faith and practice, he sgid. Another reaspq Troutman picked Scranton is because of its size. He said he desired to preach in a place where there are a lot of people.

The apostle Paul went to the major population centers, where the people were, Troutman noted. He has always wanted to preach to a congregation, and last spring, Troutman sought out Calvary Baptist College founder Dr. E.R. Jordan for advice on his future plans. Jordan suggested Scranton might be a good place to start a Baptist church.

After a couple of trips here, Troutman and his wife, Dawn, made up their minds to give it a fry. Earlier this month, he decided to name his new church Faith Baptist Church, which is the name of a church in Lebanon where he has served as assistant pastor since 1986. In fact, the FBC in Lebanon is helping to support Troutmans initial church planting efforts here. Troutman also wrote letters to 10 Baptist churches in the area informing them of his intentions to start a new church and assuring them that he wasnt interested in stealing sheep. Expert: Satanism here, I (ciimwBwii but extent is uncertain uunmore North Scranton CHURCH SERVICE: First Christian Church, 2043 N.

Main will conduct Maundy Thursday services it 7:30 p.m. The public on March 28 at 7: BAKE SALE: St. Roccos Altar and Rosary Society will sponsor its spring bake sale in the church before and after the 5 p.m. Mass on Saturday, as well as the 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.

Mass on Sunday. Joseph Mangino is chairman and Rose Latrella, co-chairman. The Rev. Anthony Tombasco is pastor. PUC HEARING: A chartered bus to attend the Public Utility Commission hearing in Harrisburg on a proposed Pennsylvania Gas and Water increase will leave the Dunmore Borough Building this morning at 7.

The trip is being sponsored by council candidates Michael Carr, Pat Loughney, Dominic Verrastro, Paul Nardozzi and James McHale Jr. LIVING STATIONS: St. Mary of Mt. Carmel Youth Group will present the Living Stations of the Cross on Sunday at 7:30 p.m. in the church.

SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED: Sara Kelly, a student at St. Mary of Mount Carmel School, Dunmore, is the recipient of a full scholarship to Biship OHara High School, according to Sister Claudette Naylor, IHM, school principal. Partial scholarships have been awarded to Karen Hennigan, St. Anthony of Padua School, Dunmore; Jennifer Scagliotti, LaSalie Academy, Jessup, and Lori Jarosh, St. Marys Visitation School, Dickson City.

is welcome. Green Ridge SUNDAY WORSHIP: The Asbury United Methodist Church will conduct Palm Sunday services at 10 A coffee hour will start at 11:15 a.m. and choir rehearsal is at 11:30. East Scranton ATTIC SALE: The combined bell choirs of Myrtle Street United Methodist church will conduct an attic, basement and crafts sale on April 6, in the church basement, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Tables are available by calling 346-9911. Lunch will be served. CHURCH SERVICES: Petersburg Presbyterian Church will hold Palm Sunday worship at 11 a.m. A breakfast will be conducted at 9 a.m. Maundy Thursday services will begin at 7:30 p.m.

Easter Sunday worship will be held at 11 a.m. The Rev. David Wallover is pastor. WestScranton fl COMMUNION BREAKFAST: The Holy Name Society of St. Patricks Church will conduct a communion breakfast on April 28, following the 7:30 a.m.

Mass. Monsignor John M. Dougherty is pastor. By Borys Krawczeniuk, pownvalley bureau TAYLOR Rs hard to say just how prevalent Satanism is here or anywhere and how many crimes are connected with it, according to Allen Joseph. Satanists dont exactly advertise their existence.

That doesnt mean they dont exist. They do, and the best way to view them is to maintain a balance, according to Joseph, a Clarks Summit police officer. Dont dismiss them as ghost stories or fairy tales. But dont think theyre everywhere and blame them for all problems. Joseph, who has a masters degree in theology and is pureuing a masters in counseling, has also taken several courses on Satanism and done some research on his own.

He shared his knowledge with about 35 members of the Taylor Crime Watch Association Thursday. First of all, he said, realize that if you notice a neighbor practicing Satanic rituals, neither you nor police can do much about it unless a crime is being committed, Joseph saia. Satanism, as offensive as it might be, is considered a religion and is protected by the Constitution. There is no law against Satan worship, he said. We investigate crimes.

We dont investigate religions. However, in Satanism, crimes and religion sometimes mix. Joseph said there are generally three types of Satan worshippers: Self-styled ones who are not part or an organized group, but are heavily influenced by movies, books or symbols about the occult. Religious ones who practice their faith by going to Satanic churches, for example. These people are more secretive and more likely to commit crimes.

And sometimes theyre people prominent in their communities doctors, lawyers, judges ana, yes, police officers. Some of them are pillars of the community, he said. And theyre difficult to catch if they commit crimes and, thus, their existence is hard to prove. Obviously, if they are in those positions, they have an awfiil lot to lose by being shown to be Satan worshippers. Theyre not going to do things to bring attention to themselves, he said Cultists.

This group is much more radical, but also secretive. Theyre involved in violent ntuals, Joseph said. They use drugs, especially hallucinogens, in their rituals. They might use children to kill other children or burn dead or live bodies as sacrifices. The might use people in bizarre sexual practices or go as far as eating For example, Joseph told the story of one cult that ate the heart of a dead body because its members believed they could absorb the dead persons power that way.

Pretty bizarre, but people believe it, he said. Satanists often also do anything possible to desecrate Christian or Jewish symbols. If we want to keep the 10 commandments, they want to break the 10 commandments, he said. Their membership includes adults and sometimes children. Young people who get involved in Satanism do seem to fit a certain profile, Joseph said.

They are mostly white males, generally unnoticed, sometimes very creative, curious; of low self-esteem; from mostly middle- to upper middle-class families; have difficulty relating to people; are extremely bored a lot of the time, and are alienated from their families or religion. The most effective, although not fool-proof, way of preventing children from getting curious about Satanism is to avoid being hypocritical. iu we maim to be Christian or Jewish, whatever it might be, the most effective thing we can do is to have a religious belief that is for real, Joseph said. None of us live up to our religious beliefs 100 percent. Im talking about heavy duty hypocrisy.

When young people see that, they get turned off by it. Young and old are hungry for spiritual relief and Satanism has a strong sense of spirituality, he said. It also attracts people by telling them they can, do the things their religions say they cant do, he said. Although various factors might contribute to someone becoming involved in Satanism, the key to keeping children away from it is the same as keeping them from becoming criminals. I Tne best thing anyone can do is to have solid families, he said.

Solid I families are really the basis for a good community. Chambers exit from area will cost 69 regional jobs Chambers Development Co. Inc. has decided against opening a terminal to park and repair its garbage trucks on Keyser Avenue in Taylor aid will close its repair terminal down the road in Old Forge May 3, costing 69 people their jobs. Chambers spokesman John Shirvinsky said Wednesday that mine subsidence problems at the proposed Taylor site and a promise to Old Forge officials to close the terminal there are the reasons the company is pulling out.

The Chambers spokesman denied the company was pulling out because it was able to find someone to maintain its trucks ana haul New Jersey trash to Empire Sanitary Landfill for less money. Chambers, one of the nations largest trash haulers, takes trash to Empire from Morris County, N.J. It started repairing and parking empty garbage trucks at trucking company owner William Gilchrists terminal on Keyser Avenue in Old Forge early last year. That angered nearby residents who feared even empty garbage trucks would create foul smells and attract pests, despite Chambers officials assurances that wouldnt happen. The residents successfully pressured the borough council to pass a zoning ordinance amendment that would effectively prevent the company from using Gilchrists Old Forge site.

Chambers officials then said they would pull out of Old Forge because they werent wanted there. Last July, they told Taylor officials they were negotiating to lease land there owned by Gilchrist. The land only a few 100 feet from Empires entrance and about a mile north of the Old Forge site. The Taylor plan was slowed by a mine subsidence there. Shirvinsky and Bob Grant, another Chambers spokesman, said they didnt know exactly what happened after the mine subsidence developed.

And neither Gilchrist nor state nor federal mining officials could immediately be reached for comment. But Shirvinsky said the mine subsidence made the site unsuitable. The process of finding a suitable site was moving too slowly and we had to get something in place, he said. So, Shirvinsky said, the company hired Wills Trucking, a New Jersey firm, to haul trash to Empire and maintain trucks. Wills plans to use its New Jersey facilities so Chambers has stopped looking for a terminal site in Northeastern Pennsylvania, Grant said.

He said about 50 trucks haul about 1,000 tons of trash to Empire each day. Shirvinsky and Grant insisted the decision to leave the area wasnt made because hiring the new firm was cheaper. They said the company is merely keeping its promise to Old Forge officials to leave. And the Taylor site isnt suitable, they said. Shirvinsky said its Chambers philosophy not to go where it isnt wanted.

He made the statement despite the companys initial plan to stay in Old Forge over the protests of its residents. Its clear the closing will hurt the area, he said. South Scranton GAME PLANNED: Nativity of Our Lord grade school basketball program will sponsor a parents vs. coachesplayers game on Sunday at 1:30 p.m. in the school gym.

Admission is $1 for adults and 50 cents for children. Refreshments will be served. EXECUTIVE SESSION: The Young Adult Catholic Golden Age Club, Chapter 105, will conduct an executive board meeting on Tuesday at 6 p.m. at the American Legion, Willow Street and Prospect Avenue. Helen Miller will preside.

SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS: Three students from St. Mary of the Assumption School have been offered scholarships to Bishop Hannan High School. The students are Richard Grushinski, Colleen Kearns and Brian Stone. ROAST BEEF DINNER: Holy Name of Jesus Church will conduct a roast beef dinner on April 7, from noon to 6 p.m., in the church hall. Tickets will be sold at the door and take-out orders will be available.

Regional FREE TREES: Ten free Colorado blue, spruce trees will be given to each person who joins the National Arbor Day Foundation during March. The free trees are part of the nonprofit foundations Trees for America campaign. Colorado blue spruces were selected for this campaign because of their many uses in the home landscape, said John Rose now, the foundations executive director. Hie trees will be shipped postpaid at the right time for planting between March 1 and May 31 with enclosed planting instructions. The 6- to 12-inch trees are guaranteed to grow, or they will be replaced free of charge.

To become a member of the foundation and receive the free trees, send a $10 membership contribution to Ten Blue Spruces, National Arbor Day Foundation, 100 Arbor Avenue, Nebraska City, NE 68410. Orders must be received by March 31. I.