40¢
70th Year, Issue No. 24 USPS 248-700
JUNE 16-22, 2011 A General Circulation Newspaper Serving The Community Since 1942
SERVING BATH, CHAPMAN, NORTHAMPTON, NAZARETH BOROS; ALLEN, E. ALLEN, MOORE, LEHIGH, BUSHKILL, LOWER NAZARETH & UPPER NAZARETH TWPS.
$81,881,839 NASD budget for 2011-12 calls for .75-mill hike
By BILL HALBFOERSTER The Home News
PAUL ANKA sang his hilarious version of “My Way” as the Pa. Gaming Board chairman and Las Vegas-Sands chief operating officer Michael Leven listen. – Home News photo
Sands Hotel hailed as Part of casino’s success
By BILL HALBFOERSTER The Home News
Two years to the day that the Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem opened its casino, the new 302-room Sands Hotel had its grand opening on Thursday, June 9. More than 100 business and community leaders, state and local officials heard glowing reports of success at the former
Bethlehem Steel site that was transformed from a “Brownfield to a gold mine,” as the chairman of the Pa. Gaming Board put it. The addition of table games, and the fact that players can now spend more time in the casino due to the hotel, are factors that show huge increases in revenue for the
With two members absent, the Northampton Area School Board on Monday adopted an $81,881,839 general fund budget for the school year 2011-12. It is supported by an increase of .75 mills for a total real estate tax of 45.75 mills. The total tax structure looks like this: Act 511 Local Tax Enabling Act – per capita tax, $5.00; real estate transfer tax, 0.5%, and earned income tax, 0.7%. Section 670 Pennsylvania School Code – per capita tax, $5.00, and real estate tax, 45.75 mills. School Board President David Gogel said the budget was reduced by $3-million since April. “We made inroads on every item and need to continue to find ways to save money.” NASD Superintendent Joseph Kovalchik thanked all who assisted in preparing a fair budget. He said, “It has
been a difficult budget year. But it shows when we all work together collaboratively much can be done.” Business Manager Terry Leh thanked Rose Roberts and Kovalchik for working on the budget when he was hospitalized. The Homestead and Farmstead real estate tax reduction at $107.17 with an assessed value reduction at $2,342 was also approved. Gogel said 13,679 properties were approved at a total of $1,465,707. Graduation Ceremony In comments by the directors about last Friday’s commencement exercises, director Robert Koch said he was impressed by the good behavior of the graduates, adding that the students were in great support of each other. Gogel said, “Overall, the program went very well.” When he asked security officer Robert Peloquin, “How many beach balls can you carry?’ he
answered. “It depends upon the size.” There was one huge ball among at least 20 smaller ones the seniors threw in the air after getting their diplomas. Peloquin said he believed it was the largest, most behaved audience they’ve had at Stabler, estimated at 5,000 to 6,000 persons. Other Matters • Nick Politi gave a report for Northampton Community College, and director Jane Erdo suggested it would be a good idea for all new school board members to tour the college in Bethlehem Township, see what they are doing, and how the dollars are spent. • Mrs. Erdo, who was elected president of the board of directors at Colonial Northampton Intermediate Unit #20, noted the large attendance at the recent graduation ceremony for I.U. 20. • Seth Lisa was hired as the Continued on page 7
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Actions taken in short Moore Twsp. meeting By BILL HALBFOERSTER The Home News
Several actions were taken on Tuesday, June 7 in a short meeting of the Moore Township Board of Supervisors. Secretary-Treasurer Richard Gable presided in the absence of Maynard Campbell, who was ill. Atty. Scott Blissman was appointed the labor attorney to negotiate the police contract. John Becker of the Moore Township Planning Commission brought four items for the board to vote on: The Beil subdivision received an extension of time to December 31, 2011, in a reversal of an earlier decision to reject.
There was a rejection, however, for the Twin Ponds subdivision, due to lack of activity. A lot line adjustment was approved in another subdivision. And the 512 Industrial Park was given an extension of time. The road is finished in that subdivision and can be dedicated. All that is needed is tree planting. Robert Bealer was appointed a member of the Recreation Commission, bringing the total up to seven. It was announced that the electronic recycling would be held that Saturday morning, June 11, from 9 a.m. to 12 Continued on page 3
PREPARING to lead the Northampton Area High School Class of 2011 into the Stabler Arena for their graduation were (l-r) Erika Klemp, Jayde Hooven, Annie Zangari, Mary Dziadual, Stephanie Chlebove, and Melinda Mayer. (More pictures on page 16.) – Home News photo
479 graduate in Northampton High School’s Class of 2011 By BILL HALBFOERSTER The Home News
Northampton Area High School held its 110th graduation exercises on Friday, June 11 in Lehigh University’s Stabler Arena, with 479 seniors in the Class of 2011. Guest speaker for the ceremony was a former graduate, Paulette Druckenmiller Fritz, who has been a dedicated community leader in the Northampton area. One of 11 children, she graduated 43
years ago, and told how the first eight years of her education were in a one-room school house. Noting how her parents taught her a work ethic, she asked the graduates to turn and applaud their family members. She advised them to listen to their parents, study hard, but take time for themselves, get involved while in college or at work, be flexible but stay focused. “Go wholeheartedly in what
you want to accomplish,” Mrs. Fritz said, adding that they should “give back to the community, help other people, and take the time. Treat people like you would like to be treated. Surround yourself with positive people.” The graduates gave her standing applause. Seated at the other end of the arena were members of the Class of 1961. After each of them was introduced by Continued on page 4