Editorial

Independent Thinking

by Ruth Isenberg

When people begin seriously talking about third party candidates, it’s a sign that there is discontent with the Republican and Democrat parties. When politicians begin seriously talking about a third party, it may be reason to hope that our government is listening to those expressions of discontent.

Pennsylvania Senator Lisa Boscola, a Democrat from nearby Northampton County, attracted some attention recently when she affiliated herself with the Forward party. She intends to remain a Democrat, but wants to work with other politicians who believe in bi-partisan cooperation. Just having a politician say outloud that working with the opposing party is better for Pennsylvania than fighting any proposal the other party makes is refreshing. Particularly for those who follow politics online, the opposite reaction is the one to be expected. Conservatives demonize liberals, and viceversa. As a result, very little is getting done to solve any of the problems our country faces.

Independent thinking seems to be frowned upon by the majority of political leaders of both parties. And crossing the aisle to vote with the other party is condemned. Meanwhile, elections continue to create very narrow majorities. As a result, the lack of compromise translates into a lack of meaningful legislation.

This July 4 week is a good time to consider independent thinking—about politics, about candidates, about our own role in promoting the general welfare of this country. Third party candidates rarely win. Serious third parties and third party candidates may be able to generate the conversations and cooperation sorely needed just now.

On the front page of this issue is a photo taken after a snowstorm of the snowcovered pine trees in the back yard of The Journal property in White Haven. Editor Clara notes that as the pages were being finished, the temperature on the thermometer outside, in the shade, reads 82º.

The Weatherly Area School Board will go with a 3 mill increase this year on a vote of 7-2 cutting the proposed increase in half. It means an increase of $3 per $1000 of assessed value.

Ronald Sandt, who is now in the process of earning his principal’s certificate, was appointed as administrative assistant to former principal, now superintendent Peter McMonigle. Sandt will get a $3,000 raise.

At the same meeting, the Board unanimously rejected the CC Vo-Tech’s budget, which the WASB had asked to see reduced getting no response.

The School library will be open Wednesdays from July 7 to August 11, from 9 a.m. to noon. Lunch prices were increased $1 for elementary students, $1.10 for high school, and $2 for adults.

Anthracite Action, the AAU traveling basketball team on which 14 year-old Amy Sandt is a member, qualified for nationals by winning the Mid-Atlantic

The Lehighton Band will perform on July 11 at Eurana Park’s Bandshell. The event is sponsored by the Weatherly Rotary Club.

Lehigh Township received the long-awaited for check from Whitewater Challengers for payment of amusement taxes to date.

Movie reviewer Pete Chapla reviewed Michael J. Fox’s film Life With Mikey.

Carbon County and Nesquehoning Borough are now working out their differences towards getting the new prison project underway. The buy-in to the sewer plant, for example, will cost either $57,000 or $75,000, and there is a zoning issue.

Wagner Brothers softball team with their 14-2 record are champions of the Weatherly Area Girls Softball season. The Weatherly Area Pharmacy team came in second with a 10-6 record. Garber/Drasher Insurance’s team was 9-7; Zellners was 6-10 and Gerhard Roofing 1-15.

Dan Simon wrote about tennis. Phil Jeffries wrote a preview of the White Haven Festival Run slated for August 28.

A chili cookoff is a feature of the Hot Country Jam weekend at Big Boulder ski area Saturday July 17. Performing are Robin Lee, the Tim Gillis Band, El Dorado, and Hickory Rose.

Clara Holder wrote a review about her and Jay’s celebration of 41 years of marriage with a dinner at the Centre Bridge Inn in upper Bucks County and a lunch at the Inn at Washington Crossing.

From The Journal Issue of July 8, 1943 Publisher W.

C. Taylor

Last Friday, eighteen members, men and women, of a Philadelphia hiking club arrived here via the noon L.V. train last Friday. Laden with much trappings. They hiked out to Mud Run, some ten miles distance, where they went into camp over the holiday weekend. While here, they did much hiking, viewing the stone field at Hickory Run, and on to Split Rock Lodge.

This year, via the Star Route of the White Haven Post Office, mail is being delivered daily to The Salvation Army Girl Guard Troop at the Silver Springs Camp.

The Crippled Children’s Camp at Hickory Run National Park opened last Thursday, July 1st. The Girl Scouts came in on Monday for a six week period.