Standard-Speaker from Hazleton, Pennsylvania • Page 5

Hazleton Standard-Speaker, Monday, May 2, 1 988 5 Council briefs sit "ij ''Tesrj ct Keep the program West Hazleton Mayor Norman Getz, center, welcomes Mike, Others participating, from left, are Don Sklanka, store manag-Insalaco, third from left, and Sandy Insalaco, third from right, er, and his wife, Grace; Marlene Insalaco, Sandy's wife, and owners of the new Insalaco's supermarket, Valmont Plaza, West Mary Bollman of the Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce. Hazleton, at the grand opening open house Saturday evening. Insalaco's 10th opens at Valmont 1 1 .4 1 Applies for gran Hazleton is applying for a state grant to assist in getting a new industry to locate in the city. Last Monday, council unanimously approved a resolution to apply for an $875,000 Department of Community Affairs (DCA) grant, under the Housing Redevelopment Assistance Law, to aid an industry that wants to come into the Hazleton Commerce Center on the Heights Beltway on Hazleton Heights. Mayor John Quigley said the grant, if received, would be used as an incentive to get the industry to the park.

He said the firm, which would bring 100 jobs initially and as many as 300 to 400 in the future, is looking to build a building on a 15-acre site in the commerce center, also known as the Butler Industrial Park. Continue funding Hazleton City Council wants to see Luzerne County continue funding for a local drug rehabilitation program. Council approved a resolution asking the county to continue its support of Serento Gardens, a drug abuse treatment and rehabilitation center at 30th and North Church streets. The resolution stated the withdrawl of county funds for the center will "ultimately put Serento Gardens out of business." The city recognizes "the outstanding quality of the services provided, and the importance of the work performed by Serento Gardens throughout the past 18 years," the resolution read. Several councilmen said they wanted to see Serento Gardens continue its work.

"The Serento Gardens program is very helpful in the City of Hazleton," said Councilman Jacob Ripam. Councilman Thomas Marnell said he has first-hand experience working with Serento Gardens; when he was a city police officer. "They provide a unique and necessary service to youth in that program," Marnell said. "If a youth is caught drinking, rather than being prosecuted on the criminal charge, they go to the program. In my opinion, it is a worthwhile program, the type of program that should not be removed from the community." Get rid of records The disposal of Hazleton City records will begin with old parking tickets.

Last Monday, council unanimously approved a resolution authorizing the city to dispose of parking tickets issued prior to Jan. 1, 1987. The authorization marks the first move under a new city ordinance that follows a state plan to rid municipalities of records that are no longer useful. Tax adds, minuses The City of Hazleton will gain and lose money from adjustments in city tax records. Council last Monday approved two resolutions, one in which the city will gain $48.09 because of the reassessment of three city properties.

But the other resolution will cause the city to lose $7,559.08, because of abatements granted by Luzerne County on 14 other properties. Demo law okayed A new law requiring permits be obtained for demolition in the City of Hazleton has been approved. Last Monday, council gave approval to final readings of an ordinance that will require anyone performing demolition work in the city to obtain a permit, and to obtain at least $500,000 in public liability insurance for any demolition work. Applicants for demolition permits will have to present proof of cutoff of water, gas, electric and telephone service to the property being demolished. Demolition plans, including plans for water runoff and utilization of storm and sanitary sewers, are also required under the new law.

Any debris from the demolition will also require a Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources permit for their disposal. workers Hazleton City Council wants to continue a program to utilize criminal offenders in public service work. Last Monday, council unanimously approved a resolution to continue the Adjudication Alternative Program in the city. City Solicitor Elizabeth Dougherty said the resolution is virtually the same one council approved in late 1986, but changes in state law required the new resolution. Councilman Thomas Marnell said he didn't know if the city was utilizing the program, because some of the participants in the program "complained that they actually had to do some work." Marnell said if the program is used by the city, the participants should work.

"If the city takes offenders assuming they are in the program in place of a fine, then the (city's) administration has the obligation to make sure they do work," Marnell said. "You don't do them or the criminal justice system any justice if they don't work." Rec grant okayed The City of Hazleton has accepted state funds to assist in rehabilitation work at a city playground. Council last Monday approved a resolution authorizing Mayor John Quigley to execute a contract with the state Department of Community Affairs to accept a $53,000 grant that will be used in a $115,000 plan to rehabilitate the 12th Ward playground. Along with the state funds, money from the Hazleton Area Recreation Committee and the city will be used to refurbish the Elayground, including a new asketball court, new tennis courts and a play area for children. Fines increased Fines for violation of Hazleton City ordinances have been" increased.

Last Monday, city council approved final readings of an ordinance hiking the fines from a maximum of $300 to a maximum of $1,000, as allowed under new state law. Fines for violation of any city building, housing, property maintenance, health, fire or public safety code or ordinance, and for water, air and noise pollution violations, now go up to $1,000. Violations of any other ordinance carry a maximum $600 fine. Parking at fed Hazleton City Council is considering an ordinance to regulate parking at the former Federal Building on East Broad Street. The building, acquired by the city as a historic building, has been turned into the Luzerne County Courthouse Annex South.

Because of limited parking on the building's grounds, council wants to establish a system for regulating the limited parking for employees in the building. Council last Monday approved the first reading of an ordinance that would regulate parking on the building's grounds. Council president John Ford said a system using stickers would give city' police the authority to tag vehicles that do not bear such a sticker. However, Councilman Thomas Marnell voiced concern whether the city can regulate parking. Table vehicle law A law regulating the parking of large trucks within Hazleton City limits was tabled by council last Monday.

Council considered first reading of an ordinance that would ban the parking of tractor-trailers, trailers and "like vehicles" within city limits. The definition of "like vehicles" troubled council members. Under the definition, a "like vehicle" is defined as a vehicle with a registered gross weight of 6,500 pounds. Pickup trucks and recreational vehicles would be excluded. But Councilman Thomas Marnell questioned whether the defintion included "straight-body" trucks.

The definition must be clear, in order for police to enforce the ordinance, Marnell said. The city drafted the ordinance is response to a Heights resident, who complained about such parking near his home. "In an attempt to help one individual, we may find ourselves banning an entire class of vehicle," Marnell said. "What type of hardship would this create? We shoudl put more time into it (the ordinance) to determine the weight class." Contracts awarded Four contracts for road material were awarded by Hazleton City Council last Monday. All four were awarded to A.

Barletta and Sons Inc. The contracts, and the material to be provided, are: ID-2 asphalt material, crushed gravel, ID-2 wearing course, $14,875, and asphalt material, $13,600. 3T grand opening Sunday. heard the call, flocking to the store Sunday, and limiting traffic in the usually wide-open plaza parking lot to two lanes. Fourteen cash registers were set up to accommodate the crowd.

Future plans for the store include a drive-through window that will sell doughnuts and other baked goods. Diane Carson Escapee sought Pennsylvania Crime Stoppers is offering a cash reward up to $1,000 for information leading to the arrest of Diane Carson, alias Diane McCullough. If you know this person and-or where she is currently located, you are urged to call Crime Stoppers toll-free at 1-80(MPA-TIPS. Carson is wanted by the state police in Pittsburgh for escape. She was serving a 5- to 10-year prison term at the State Correctional Institution at Muncy for robbery.

In January 1987, she was transferred to a Women's Community Service Center in Pittsburgh. On Sept. 14, 1987, Carson was reprimanded for a conduct violation at the center, shortly after which she absconded. She is described as a black -female, age 40, with black hair and brown eyes. She is 5 feet 4 inches tall and weighs 120 pounds.

Crime Stoppers also offers cash rewards for information resulting in arrests of persons involved in any serious crimes or the capture of any other wanted persons. Callers do not have to give their names. train area By JEFF COX Standard-Speaker Staff Writer Someone who didn't know any better might've thought the open house at the new Insalaco's grocery store Saturday night was the opening of a Broadway show. Men and women representing numerous local governments and community organizations came to the store, at the Valmont Plaza, to see the latest in supermarket design. At least 200 people showed up, and saw a staggering selection of food types, stacked neatly along aisles and aisles of counter space.

"Beautiful" was the word most often used to describe the layout. "I thought they'd have more," joked Beaver Meadows Mayor Carl Fazio, who stood with Weatherly Mayor Rosebud Lep-pler sampling a buffet spread out by the Insalaco family. The buffet included such items as crab meat on toast, miniature hot dogs, kielbassi and a succulent roast. In front of a frozen foods counter, the Insalalcos set up a bar, complete with a bartender who prepared the crowd's favorite drinks. "The food looks like it was sculpted," said West Hazleton Borough Council President Morris Curcio.

But the emphasis was on the store itself. Crews had obviously been hard at work making sure everything looked perfect. Among those attending Saturday's event were West Hazleton Mayor Norman Getz, Hazle Township supervisors Andrew Benyo and Joseph Synoski, Con-yngham Borough Councilwoman VA offers toll-free insurance number Veterans and dependents with questions about government life insurance policies can phone a Veterans Administration insurance specialist toll-free from throughout the U.S. VA Administrator Thomas K. Turnage has announced that most insurance holders and beneficiaries now can obtain immediate service on address or policy changes, dividend information and other actions by dialing 1-800-422-8079 during normal business hours, 8:30 a.m.

to 5:30 p.m. EDT. Those callers whose records may not be readily available will receive a return call or written response. The phone service is made available through modern telecommunications that provide insurance specialists with instant computer access to premium date. Dividends for VA policyholders are paid automatically to those who continue to pay premiums, usually on the anniversary date of the policy.

No application is needed. More than three million veterans this year are sharing in the 1988 dividend distribution. MEETING POSTPONED The Hazle Township Senior Citizens meeting scheduled for today at 1 p.m. has been postponed. A new meeting date will be announced.

Juvenile in chase A 14-year-old Monroe County juvenile faces multiple charges after leading state police on a 40-mile chase through portions of Monroe and Northampton counties early Sunday morning. State police at Troop in Le-highton said the chase began at 12:30 a.m., on Shelter Hill Road, Polk Township, Monroe County, and went through Chesnuthill Township, Monroe County, and Plainfield Township and Windgap Borough, Northampton County, before ending 40 miles later in Ross Township. The youth, a resident of the Saylorsburg area, was taken into custody by troopers and charged with two counts of reckless en-dangerment, after he allegedly attempted to force police cars off the road at least six times. He was also charged with having no driver's license, speeding, fleeing and eluding police, underage drinking, and numerous stop sign violations. He was detained at the Luzerne County Juvenile Detention Center.

State police at Swiftwater assisted in the chase. into a car outside Insalaco's during quipped Yannuzzi's wife, JoAnn, after seeing the massive selection in the store. According to Sandy Insalaco, the store is his family's 10th, and this one is the largest. He wasn't very long on words, preferring to let the store itself do the talking. Area residents apparently Disorderly conduct Two Hazleton men were charged in connection with an incident along Alter Street in Hazleton Sunday evening.

City police said Robert Thomas Buff, 25, of 217 W. Birch and Thomas Robert Buff, 23, of 596 Alter were charged with disorderly conduct for allegedly being involved in an altercation on Alter Street, between Fourth and Fifth streets, at 6:25 p.m. Police said the men were charged due to allegedly threatening behavior, and the use of obscene language. Autos collide No injuries were reported when two autos collided at the intersection of Tamarack and Laurel streets in Hazleton Friday morning. City police said Judith Ann Durant, 240 E.

Beech was driving west on Tamarack Street at 11:50 a.m. as Alfonso Nicro, 76 Broad Beaver Meadows, was driving north on Laurel Street, when the autos collided at the intersection. The Durant auto had to be towed from the scene, police said. No injrjes No injuries were reported Friday afternoon when two autos collided at the intersection of Cedar and Hemlock streets in Hazleton. City police said Ralph Sallemi, 686 Garfield was driving north on Cedar Street at 1:55 p.m.

as Harold Gibson, 314 E. Broad was turning right from Cedar Street, to go west on Hemlock Street, when the autos collided. Any information on the accident should be directed to police at 459-4940. All replies will be handled in strict confidence. LCCC to A Groceries are placed Lynn Hedesh, and Hazleton City councilmen Arthur Smith and Joseph Yannuzzi.

"It's great to see they have the faith in this area to build something like this," Yannuzzi said. "And it's nice to see the people of the area come and give them such support." "I may start cooking again," Vandalism probed Hazleton City police are investigating acts of vandalism that occurred at a city health club early Saturday morning. City police said someone damaged the rest room at JD's Nautilus Club, along Butler Drive in the Hazleton Commerce Center off the Heights Beltway in Hazleton Heights, by using a sharp instrument to carve obscenities in the wall, and also to scratch the wall along the rest room door. That incident occurred at 1 a.m., and police believe it is related to two other acts of vandalism that occurred to autos parked in the club's lot. In one of those incidents, someone damaged an auto owned by Laurie Kancir, Beaver Meadows.

Vandals bent the auto's radio antenna, smashed the grille, and dented the rear quarter panel. They also smashed the windshield and damaged the roof of an auto owned by Joseph DeBalso of Hazleton. Police are continuing their investigation into the incidents, and ask that anyone with information on them call the police at 459-4940. All replies to this inquiry will be kept confidential. Underage drinking Two West Hazleton men were charged with underage drinking by Hazleton police Friday night.

City police said Paul Veet, 18, of 119 E. Oak West Hazleton, and Gregory M. Cussatt, also 18, of 501 N. Broad West Hazleton, were cited for the purchase, possession, consumption and transportation of alcoholic beverages after they were apprehended on the norm end of Wilson Street, near Broad Street, at 9 :45 p.m. Treated, released A Hazleton man was treated and released from Hazleton General Hospital early Saturday morning with injuries he received when his auto and another vehicle collided at the intersection of Boundary and Fourth streets in Hazleton.

City police said Robert Yanoski, 28, of 100 N. Cedar was driving north on Boundary Street at 1:38 a.m. Saturday as Edward Skokoski, 32, of 781 McKinley Hazleton, was driving west on Fourth Street, when the autos collided at the intersection. Yanoski was taken to the hospital and treated, and signed himself out against medical advice. Both drivers were charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, and Skokoski was also charged with reckless driving and a stop sign violation.

Both autos sustained severe damage in the crash, police said. Police Customized job training is designed to meet specific training and hiring needs of companies expanding or locating in Pennsylvania. The state pro-- gram provides grants to schools colleges, universities, vocational-technical schools, community colleges, high schools that work with companies to provide training for employees. "This program is a true partnership. Businesses, schools and communities combine to match needs with resources in a way that produces economic strength, both today and in the future," Casey said.

The state gives priority to applications for new companies, companies relocating from other states, companies in distressed areas and areas of high unemployment, and companies in areas that have been designated enterprise zones. The grants were among 12 approved in Har-risburg. Altogether, the grants, which total over $557,000, will create 259 new jobs and will allow companies to upgrade the skills of another 157 workers in 10 counties. HARRISBURG Two grants will allow Luzerne County Community College to train workers for 47 new jobs at factories in Hazleton and Mountaintop, Gov. Robert P.

Casey said. A $7,471 grant will be used by the college to conduct a training program for assemblers for C.W. Industries, a new company that has recently located in Hazleton. The grant will enable C.W. Industries, which manufactures switches and connectors for the electronics industry, to create 25 jobs during the year.

A $52,299 grant will enable The Quaker Oats Mountaintop, to create 22 jobs during the year. The college train employees to operate equipment used in making Gatorade, a soft drink. Casey said that the awarding of these grants shows that Pennsylvania means business. The governor noted, "It is another example of our creativity and commitment to bringing more and better jobs jobs with a future to men and women in every community of the commonwealth.".