1962 Wilkes-Barre Record Almanac Luzerne County in 1961 _______________________________________ Economic conditions in Luzerne County dimmed for the second consecutive year with both mines and industry showing a drop in employment despite industrial expansion of a number of firms brought here by Industrial Development Funds. Employment in the mines sank to a new low due to continued inroads made by two competitive fuels, natural gas and oil. Despite an Army order for 485,000 net tons of anthracite for shipment overseas, at year’s end there were only 5,200 men employed in the mines. About 114,500 were employed in the apparel industry at year’s end. Approximately 14,500 men and women in Wilkes-Barre labor market were unemployed at end of the year. Industrial Fund campaign for $1,500,000 to bring more jobs into the valley was a huge success with $1,702,076, or 114.2/3 per cent being pledged. New industries brought in during the year resulted in additional employment for about 750 persons. Fibrous Glass Products, wholly-owned subsidiary of Pall Corporation, started operations at its new plant at Crestwood Industrial Park in the fall. Leslie-Henry Company, toy manufacturer, remodeled former Hess Gold-Smith Company plant. North Pennsylvania Avenue, with potential of 350 jobs in 1962, Leslie Fay, Inc., opened its new plant along Dupont Highway in Plains Township. Kinder Manufacturing Company began manufacturing furniture in old Economy Stores Warehouse, North Pennsylvania Avenue. Kanarr Corporation expanded to begin manufacturing M79 grenade launchers in rear of 300 Market Street, Kingston, and Gamins, Inc., provided work for 140 in manufacturing women’s shoes in a remodeled plant on Horton Street. Viking Sprinkler Manufacturing Company started operations in Hanover Township. Metropolitan Wire Goods Corporation completed an addition to its plant in North Wilkes-Barre. County Commissioners adopted an operating budget of $2,987,041, a decrease of $52,918 from the 1960 budget. Unchanged tax levy of 9.2 mils was based on assessed property valuation $245,935,054, a drop of $6,604,041 from the 1960 assessed valuation. Large drop in valuation was attributed to assessment appeals taken by coal companies. Institution District’s 1961 tax levy was kept at 4.9 mills to cover costs of operating the new $4,000,000 300-bed Valley Crest home near Veterans Hospital and reducing the bonded indebtedness. Home was scheduled to be opened near year’s end. District’s operating budget for 1961 was $2,366,932. Expenditures for new local highway improvements by State Highways Department remained at low ebb with only minor resurfacing jobs and a few small bridges being undertaken during the year. Signs appeared brighter for 1962, however. About 120 Kingston Township property owners were notified to vacate by January, 1962 for start of reconstruction of Harveys Lake Highway. Construction of first section of Anthracite Expressway in the county was scheduled to get underway at year’s end in Plains and Jenkins Townships by No. 1 Contracting Corporation at a cost of $2,618,187. Start of Keystone Shortway in lower section of the county was expected to being early in 1962. Heavily-traveled North Street Bridge was closed July 12 due to mine settlement and reopened July 28 to await major repairs. Construction of $12,000,000 White Haven State School for Mentally Retarded Children got under way by General State Authority in late summer. United Fund Drive in Wyoming Valley netted $1,132,594 or 9b.8 per cent of the $1,194,855 goal. Wilkes-Barre started the fiscal year January 2 with a treasury balance of $14,007.62. Bonded indebtedness at beginning of the year was $1,550,000, an increase of $301,000 over the preceding year. A $1,000,000 bond issue approved by the voters in November, 1960 General Election remained unfloated at year’s end due to delay in advancement of Hazle and Lincoln Streets Redevelopment projects. A large street repaving project, contained in the $1,000,000 bond issue, was made possible through temporary bank loan of $300,000. The 1961 budget, calling for anticipated revenue of $2,477,804, was based on a tax levy of 23.72 mills an increase of 0.32 of a mill required for debt service. A $200 wage increase was granted to all city employees and in addition firemen and policemen each received $25 clothing allowances. Republican controlled City Council tightened its opposition to measures suggested by Democratic Mayor Frank Slattery. Mrs. Joan Evans was sworn on January 17 as City Controller to fill a one-year vacancy caused by the death of her husband, Tim A. Evans in December, 1960. Parking meter rates for motorists were doubled in January when council upped the fee to a nickel for each 15 minutes. City reverted to former rate of a nickel for 30 minutes on July 1 when the fee proved unpopular and merchants and motorists complained. Angelo Capristo was named police sergeant at start of year. Resignations were submitted by Detective Douglas Bart and Patrolman Raymond Mugford. James Kittrick was named Bart’s successor. Anthony Lazzaro was recalled to military service. Named as policemen during the year: Thomas Merlic, Anthony Skarnulis, Joseph Coyne, Thomas Humlin, Joseph Bitonti, Bernard Edukaitis. In the Bureau of Fire Deputy Fire Chief Jacob Lauer resigned at start of the year. He was succeeded by Edward Jacobson as first deputy. Capt. Edward Williams became second deputy chief and a third deputy fire chief post was created with Capt. Leroy Gates getting the assignment. Joseph Kunee and Matthew Hopkins replaced Williams and Gates as captains and John Livingston was named traveling captain, a new position in the department. Stanley Zenda was named fireman to replace Howard Wickkizer, deceased, and Frank Margalis replaced Charles Purcell, who resigned. Anthony Teberio died November 27. Harry D. Hess was named a fireman in December. Record breaking snow storms during the winder caused the city to exceed its budget by $20,000 for snow removal and salt. City traffic problems continued to mount. On recommendation of City Planning Commission, Northampton, Union and Jackson Streets were made one-way and a number of other changes including parking ban on some streets were put into effect all on a trial basis. Concrete traffic standards on West Market Street were removed and overhead traffic signals installed. “Walk” and “Don’t Walk” signals were first installed on Public Square at West Market Street. Parking Authority broke ground for construction of a $1,150,000 multi-level parking garage in central city for 450 cars. Miners National Bank’s $800,000 Parkade was opened for parking. General Hospital’s $3,000,000 modernization program was funded in late fall and Mercy Hospital’s reconstruction project continued. Boston Store wound up its multi-million dollar reconstruction program and Wyoming National Bank commenced costly modernization program. After being pressured by State Sanitary Water Board for 12 years to install a sewage treatment plant, the city was still battling the installation of the ground it would be a waste of money because of mine settlements. Federal government approved a grant of $2,816,760 for Hazle Street Urban Renewal Project. City Planning Commission office was established at City Hall with Edward Ball as the first director. _______________________________________ Transcribed by Joanne Case, January 29, 2009