Knock Your Socks Off Shoprite
Buz Whelan
The new Kinsley ShopRite opened Sunday morning at 8 and we went down for a visit mid-day. Big may not be the right word, but it’s a good start. You could park a blimp inside this cavernous 95,000 square foot extravaganza of groceries. It is huge.
I’ll start with pricing, since that’s what concerns many shoppers most. If you’re seeking bargains, you might be disappointed. Yes, they have quite a few opening week specials, but for the most part this is standard ShopRite pricing. They use the same flyer that most Pennsylvania ShopRites use. They have an additional booklet with specials and coupons for the grand opening period, but this store’s main draw isn’t going to be about price; it’s all about selection.
Opening day was like a food store celebration. Outside, folks were lined up for free pushcart hot dogs. Inside, uniformed employees carrying trays of snacks and hors d’oeuvres as well as cookies and tiny cakes circulated among the shoppers, encouraging them to take what they wanted. The atmosphere was surprisingly festive for a supermarket.
One of the big strengths of the store is sure to be its prepared foods. You can help yourself or be served, pay at the counter and eat in the little café area or take your food upstairs to an area that overlooks the shopping floor. There’s a Chinese section, with noodle and rice dishes, shrimp, chicken, beef and pork preparations, egg rolls, dumplings, crab rangoons and chicken-on-a-stick. Next to that is a Japanese area with all sorts of fresh made sushi packed up or made to order. There’s an American food section with barbecue and comfort foods that promise to vary by the day. Overhead is a large menu board announcing the 8 to 10 dishes that will be available on each day of the week. There’s also a wing section with varied types of cooked chicken wings.
If you like cheese, especially exotic hard-to-find (at least in the Poconos) varieties, you’ll think you’re in Heaven. They had any type of cheese I could think of, and I can think of a lot. Want blueberry Stilton? They’ve got it. How about chipotle Cheddar? Got that, too. Unless you’re a world class expert, you’ll find cheeses you never heard of. They even have a ‘mammoth provolone,’ so big it hangs from the ceiling and looks like it weighs as much as a VW beetle.
I thought the seafood was rather standard compared to these other sections. They have all the right stuff, the 10 kinds of salmon, the cod filet, the tilapia, the flounder, swordfish, shark and so on. Lots of shellfish, including whole cooked crabs and boxes of cooked crab claws. But if you’re seeking more unusual fare, grouper, Chilean sea bass, Gulf redfish, things like that, you’ll be disappointed. Maybe as time goes on they’ll become more adventurous, but for now they seem to be playing safe with the fish card.
The meat section was large and interesting. Pick a type of meat – lamb, veal, beef, pork, turkey or chicken and they have almost every variety. Take lamb, for instance. They had legs, whole and boneless, chops, loin or rib, racks, ground and more. Pork chops came in the standard cut, but the thick cut were more than an inch thick and quite well-trimmed. And there were many, many types of steaks and roasts in the beef section, all reasonably priced if not especially cheap.
The store was so mobbed we never got to the aisles. Wide as they are at eight feet, there were just so many shoppers each was a chore to navigate. So, we stuck pretty much to the perimeter, and still had a most interesting shopping experience. I’ll go back for a closer look at the aisles and frozen foods later in the week when the crowds may shrink somewhat. And I’ll let you know what I find.
To get to the new Kinsley ShopRite, take Long Pond Rd to Kuhenbeaker. Go left onto Kuhenbeaker and continue to the end, Rte 115. Go left at 115 and drive 7.5 miles. As you approach that mileage you’ll be going up a hill with a Jehovah’s Witness Meeting Hall on your right and then an elder care facility. At that corner turn right (the street has no name sign) and you will find yourself looking about ½ mile down the hill at the ShopRite building to your immediate right.
Don’t Forget the Good News
Lola Lauri
Like so many of you, I have been watching the Olympics. It is exciting, it is emotional, it is patriotic. The background stories are touching, the parents of the athletes are compelling as they cheer and cry. It is a welcome relief from all the bad news stories that we see everywhere.
In the newspaper business, there is a saying, “if it bleeds, it leads.” It is an uncomfortable truth that bad news is news, but good news is often forgotten. Millions of teenagers drove home safely last night. Hundreds of gas stations in our area were not robbed. No one killed anyone at the college campus downtown. One politician did not tell a lie this week. Hurray!
But it doesn’t make for very interesting news.
However we feel about our community, I think it is important to remember that it is still a wonderful place to live. There are still good and even great things that happen here every day. When we report on the struggles, the mistakes, the suspicious, it is because we want to make things better, not because we think that we are so buried in evil that we cannot be redeemed. Striving for improvement, ferreting out pockets of decay, bringing to light the bad is a way of showing love for one’s community, in the same way that filling a cavity is a way of respecting your teeth.
Unfortunately, we are all subject to anger and frustration. When we point to an injustice, discuss it and look for ways to improve it, and then nothing is done, or a course for its remedy is chosen that we don’t think is the best, we feel these things and sometimes react badly. We must remember that most people are good people, and most disagreements are over ideas, not over people.
For the most part, the ELA Facebook page has become a wonderful example of a place to discuss ideas, problems and changes without losing the respect that we need to have for one another. Without a doubt, some people are uncomfortable with the disagreement that happens there, but I am always excited to see ideas tested, challenged, and often modified after rigorous discussion, only to come out with a better, smarter idea in the end.
And, even better, we have guardians. These are those exceptionally smart, highly evolved members (we know who they are) who step in when things get too heated and remind us that we are talking to our friends, our neighbors and not just anonymous blips on a screen. They don’t ever try to stop a conversation, they don’t encourage us to ignore or hide from the problems, but they drop a tiny dose of calm introspection into a thread and we seem to magically go back to the discussion with respect and understanding. No one will disagree when I say that I have, on occasion, gotten carried away on Facebook (right?), but these guardians are always there, with a gentle word, a small piece of wisdom, to help me to take a breath and tone it down. Thank you to the guardians, wherever you are.
And now, for the good news –
The community center looks amazing with the new tile! I was in there, a few months ago, and the main floor was cleared of tables and chairs for an event. The rug was visible and I was horrified that, in a few hours, there would be dozens of children sitting on that filthy, stained floor. Joe Miller and the board, ex GM Gil Werner and new GM Allen Roth all worked together to get the bids, select the workers and tile and get this project done, and we now have a floor to be proud of, that should last for decades.
The maintenance crew has really been on their toes. They have trimmed trees around the stop signs, cut the long grass along the roads, and somehow managed to keep up with the mess and chaos that summer always brings to our community.
Have you seen the summer schedule of events? We have more activities this summer than I have seen in a long, long time. Car wash, basketball games, movies-under-the-stars, fishing derby. There are so many opportunities to get out and do something.
And on Facebook – Neighbors take care of stray cats, return lost pets and lost keys. They offer to help the sick and injured, they join to support charitable causes. Warnings regularly go out about traffic, weather, and other dangers that face us. Recommendations for local services and advice about home repairs can always be found. We share more than just politics and complaints, we are downright neighborly on Facebook.
That is good news.
Meet the Candidates: No Fireworks
by Buz Whelan
On Saturday, August 4th, candidates Bob Leon, Alex Leslie, Joe Miller and Margaret Fitzgerald sat for questioning from 10:03 am until 12:15 pm before an audience of approximately 50 of their neighbors in the bingo room of the Community Center.
If there was one characteristic that dominated the session it would have to be the absolute lack of rancor or disagreement among the hopefuls. In question after question, their answers essentially mimicked one another, the respondent often beginning his/her answer with the phrase, “I agree with..” followed by a reference to a previous response. They all agreed that teamwork and communication are good things. They all believe the Emerald Bar & Grill is an important amenity and should be kept open. They all like the new tile floor. They also agree that the board should try to get young people more involved in community life. And to a question regarding their potential response to losing the election each gave a variation on offering to continue to help the board and the association. There will be no sore loser here, if you believe the answers.
So were there any distinctions at all? Yes. To the question, “Should the board control the content of the association newspaper,” Margaret Fitzgerald said she preferred a newsletter that mainly gave information on what events were taking place. Alex felt strongly that the GM, under the watchful eye of the board, should decide what members read. Bob Leon seemed to avoid the question, saying newspapers were a dead issue, soon to go the way of the dinosaur. He believes the focus should be on electronic distribution of information. Only Joe Miller took a clearly contrarian view, saying he believed the previous arrangement with the Communications Committee making the editorial decisions was his preferred situation and that the membership deserved to know all that was going on, whether positive or negative.
On a question of whether emphasis should be on new paving or repair of currently paved roads there seemed to be some differences. Alex Leslie emphatically stated that we could not afford new paving. Joe Miller agreed saying that with our limited funds we should focus on keeping the paved roads we have in better shape. Bob Leon suggested we do some of each, though he did not offer an opinion on how to decide how much of each. Margaret Fitzgerald stated that she had heard promises of road paving year after year, often as part of five year plans, but still many roads go unpaved. She said she has hopes that a new 5 year plan might change that, and added that much of the damage done to roads is caused by school buses, and perhaps we should find a way to make them pay. The problem with that argument is that we lobbied for the buses to come into the community. The school district would be happy to pick up children at one or two stops on the edges of Emerald Lakes rather than have to pick up at the thirteen stops we sought.
Some of the questions were head-scratchers. One such was, “If elected, how would you protect the association’s reputation?” asked as if a directorship was a PR position. The candidates stumbled around this one, as if searching for some meaning in it. Bob Leon suggested that teamwork would do the trick, along with “using the lawyer.” Margaret Fitzgerald averred that the way was to “Be truthful. Don’t Lie.” Alex Leslie said he would use his common sense, keep confidential matters confidential, and further said, “You must know boundaries.” According to Joe Miller the method would be to “respect the chain-of-command and run the community as a business in the most efficient way possible.”
Another odd question involved private pools. Obviously perplexed the candidates all sought clarification. Was there a problem? What kind of pools specifically? Were we talking about all pools, in-ground as well as above ground and even the blow-up type? Alex mustered that pools are an attractive nuisance that must be fenced, but also that he was not in favor of them. He feels members should use the beaches and pools of the association. Joe Miller rattled off the specific height needed for fencing, but agreed with Al that members should use amenities. Margaret asked for more clarification before stating, “Well, I have a pool.” She went on to say that she complies with all safety regulations and the decision was and should be a personal preference. Bob Leon caused some laughter in the room with his unusually detailed knowledge of area personal pools. “If you Google Emerald Lakes,” he began and then went on to describe how many and just where in-ground pools were. He startled candidate Fitzgerald by describing her pool as in the backyard and not visible from the road. Judging by Fitzgerald’s reaction, the description was dead on. Leon ended his remarks on the subject by saying he believes in, “Live and let live.”
One curious and noticeable absence was that of the board secretary. Controversial Judge of Elections Carmen Broadnax was a no-show. There is no official requirement for the presence of the Judge of Elections at the Meet the Candidates event, but it is a rare break with tradition to fail to make an appearance.
Judging the Judge
Opinion
Buz Whelan
At the beginning of the July 28th open board meeting, President Alex Leslie made a somewhat cryptic reference to a previous candidate who ran for the board while not a member. He did not say who that was, or when or why it happened. He did, however, admit that mistakes had been made and that the board would do whatever they could to make sure that this would not happen again. But there are some very relevant details that he and other board members left out, that we think you need to know.
By assuming that this must have happened in recent years, (or Mr. Leslie probably wouldn’t have mentioned it at all) and knowing who has run for the board, all one has to do is check into Monroe County public records to figure out who is not (or was not) a member. According to property records, we now know that this candidate was the late Barbara DeGeorge. The records show that Barbara DeGeorge ‘sold’ her property to her son Joseph DeGeorge on May 12, 2005 for the sum of $1. From that day forward, she was no longer an eligible voting member or candidate for any association office.
Nevertheless, Barbara ran for the board in both 2009 and 2011. In 2011, even while she planned on running from the floor later in that same meeting, she acted as a registrant, registering voters and handling ballots before the meeting began, and all of this occurred under the watchful eye of her friend, her running mate (though they had not told anyone else this part yet), and Judge of Elections, Carmen Broadnax.
If there is one quality a Judge of Elections must bring to the table it is absolute impartiality. There can be no compromise with this. It is an attribute necessary for any member of a Nominations Committee or an Election Committee. And it is not enough to have a technical impartiality; it must be one of the spirit as well as action. A person in any of these positions must be especially careful to avoid giving any electoral advantage to a candidate or candidates. When it comes time to vote, they can legitimately choose one candidate over the others, but not one moment sooner. Does Emerald Lakes’ current Judge of Elections Carmen Broadnax meet this requirement? Let’s have a look at the record.
During the late Winter of 2009, GM Gil Werner was having problems with the swim coach. There were disagreements over exclusive indoor pool use and travel and other expenses. As the GM was preparing to call the coach on the carpet, as they say, he received an email from Carmen informing him that she was now the Administrative Assistant to the coach and all future correspondence should go through her. Of course, Mr. Werner rejected any notion that a member could come between him and one of his employees, but the relationship between the coach and Ms. Broadnax was clearly established.
As the Winter became Spring, Ms. Broadnax was confirmed as Chairperson of the Nominations Committee. Four candidates signed the intent to run/agreement to serve forms. They were: Millie Bishop, Barbara DeGeorge, George Haab and Joseph Olall.
To celebrate the season, the swimmers and coach planned an end-of-season banquet to which the swimmers and their parents were invited. Only two of the candidates for the board, Barbara DeGeorge and Joseph Olall, were invited to address the parents, both known to be friends and associates of the chair of the Nominations Committee. Mr. Haab and Ms. Bishop were not informed of the occasion. As chairperson of the Nominations committee, was this the way to “avoid giving any electoral advantage to a candidate”? Or was this a case of a chairperson’s bias informing her actions? Or was it just a coincidence?
At an early August board workshop last year (2011) the board of directors secretary Louise Leon, pointing to the fact that her husband had declared himself a candidate for the board, recused herself from the position of Judge of Elections, citing the obvious conflict of interest. I was present at that meeting and, over my objection, Carmen Broadnax was appointed as the replacement for Louise. At that time, Pat Galderisi turned to Carmen and asked her point blank, “Do you have any intention of running for the board?” Carmen’s answer was an unambiguous, “No.”
What happened at the 2011 Annual Meeting is now common knowledge. From 9:30 to 11 am, as Judge of Elections, Carmen and Barbara DeGeorge (along with others) were supposed to determine who was and who was not eligible to vote and hand ballots to confirmed voters. Carmen was also charged with examining the bids from those members who had decided to run, checking to see that they had met the necessary requirements before being approved for placement on the ballots. Remember, we already know that Barbara was not eligible to vote at that time, and that she was not eligible to run for the board. And yet she did both, under Carmen Broadnax’s watch.
Shortly after 11 am, Carmen informed the assembly that she was resigning as the Judge of Elections to ‘run from the floor.’ Then, before she sat down, she used her position as judge to address the assembly for more than 7 minutes, explaining why she felt the call to duty. Before she sat down, she then, astonishingly, appointed her own successor. Vice President Millie Bishop, acting as chair in President George Haab’s absence, made no objection. And as her final act, Carmen selected the volunteers who would count the votes in an election in which she was now a candidate, even though, by this time, she had officially resigned.
Later, during her 5-minute candidate’s address to the assembly, Carmen cited Barbara DeGeorge and Diane Caldwell, both also running from the floor, as her running mates. While all other candidates were limited to 5 minutes to address the membership, Ms. Broadnax managed over 12 in her two speeches.
When the matter of Ms. DeGeorge’s eligibility came to light in recent weeks, President Alex Leslie presumably decided that the matter was confidential, as no public discussion was held at the workshop meeting. At any rate, apparently the majority of the members of the board decided that nothing would be done and that Carmen would remain as Judge of Elections at this year’s annual meeting. Board member Robert Lauri, out of town on vacation, was not informed of any of this. However, from other sources, he did receive notice of the records showing the sale of Ms. DeGeorge’s house in 2005. From thousands of miles away, he began investigating these claims, which were eventually confirmed by Mr. Leslie. Mr. Lauri tells us that he was very uncomfortable with the board’s plan to sweep these facts under the rug, and that he spoke to Director Joe Miller, who agrees with these sentiments. They both asked Mr. Leslie to discuss this matter at the July 28th open meeting, so the membership could decide what actions they felt needed to be taken. Unfortunately, Mr. Leslie’s vague references to “mistakes” did not really make clear the extent of the problem, and so, these two board members are supportive of our efforts to keep the community informed.
What all this means is up to the reader. Do Carmen’s biases inform her actions and decisions? Was there venality here or just sloppiness? Did Carmen know that friend and running mate Barbara DeGeorge was not a member of the association? Should she, as Judge of Elections, have allowed Ms. DeGeorge to act as a registrant? Given her failures in this matter, should she hold the position again this year? And should our Judge of Elections be, as the saying goes, “Purer than Caesar’s wife?” Psychologists like to say that the best predictor of future behavior is past behavior. On that score, Ms. Broadnax just might have “some ‘splainin’ to do.”
Board of Directors Open Meeting summary – July 28, 2012
Buz Whelan
The board made several decisions at their July Open Meeting that will affect many residents. Perhaps the most noticeable will be the street name signs. Responding to member requests, the board voted to allot $3,500 for the purchase of signs so that every intersection will have a street name sign for each of the intersecting roadways. In some cases this will be the erection of a double sign, in others a single cross street sign will be added to complete the signage. There are both safety and quality of life issues in play here. In spite of the fact that most emergency vehicles rely on gps guidance systems, those systems can be mis-programmed or confusing to understand at times. The signage will provide visual confirmation of location. And for those of us who have had visitors get lost in our labyrinthine road system the signs promise to be saviors.
Also funded was the purchase of a 4 x 4 dump body truck in the amount of $50,000, to be paid for out of the reserve fund. This is for a brand new vehicle which was originally delivered to the dealer as a demonstration model and is fully equipped. Director Joe Miller found the buy and assisted GM Allen Roth in arranging the purchase. Normally, this fully-loaded vehicle would have cost far more. We had a mild past Winter in which the inadequacy of our plowing fleet was not severely tested. Should we have a more typical Pocono Winter this year, the truck will fill an important role.
Treasurer Earl Frank reported that we are under budget on expenses and over on revenue, but he cautioned that only 2 months into the fiscal year it is too soon to see any dependable trends.
In other business, the GM reported that the billboard proposal for areas along I80 and I380 is pretty much dead in the water since a needed zoning variance was turned down by the township. There was also discussion on the possibility of group-discounted water testing and this will be investigated. It was also announced that a draft audit report has been submitted by the auditor. Additional money was appropriated to complete tiling in the Community Center. To match the areas already tiled (main room, hallways and bar area) the board has decided to add the entrance foyer and the game room.
That’s the Way it Should Be
Lola Lauri
We spent our first full night home from our Roman holiday, jetlagged, but wanting a little fun, so we headed over to The Speakeasy Lounge for a couple of drinks and to catch up with our neighbors. It was “Oldies” night and Elizabeth Knecht is always a treat. I put on my black hot pants and tried to channel Raquel Welch as we glided out of the rain and through the famous brass revolving door. The bar was cool and dim and Catfish was behind the bar, cleaning glasses and chatting with the customers. Maria and Scott were there to greet us, looking tan and gorgeous, fresh from the Key West sun. Everybody, it seems, had gone somewhere in July.
I sipped a Captain and Coke as Catfish told us about his camping trip at a secret little spot somewhere north of here. His tales of fishing and “no one for miles” sound good after my crowded trek through Rome and Venice, and Bob and I vow to get a quiet camping weekend in before summer is over. Maria shows off her tan in a lovely teal dress that drapes low in the front and lower in the back and is held up with an impossibly thin strand of gems that trail over her shoulders and down across her back. Her hair is up and pulled to the side, looking a lot like the girl in the Speakeasy logo on the door. Denise is there, too, and her concession to the oldies theme is rolled up jeans, a men’s shirt and a scarf tied smartly around her neck. That’s one thing I love about The Speakeasy – everyone dresses the way they want to, and it all works out. I was dancing in my 5-inch strappy sandals right next to a hotel guest whose still-damp-from-the-pool hair and pink, fuzzy bedroom slippers fit in perfectly.
When we were all caught up, we headed into the dining room to grab a couch for the show. Buz and Kathy Whelan were sitting with the Leons and a few other friends, so we decided to join them in the first conversation pit. There were already pizzas and quesadillas on the table, but Bob and I decided to have Maria’s amazing shrimp plancha and, of course, those delicious, salty fries we can never get enough of. I look around, see friends, neighbors and tourists, all mingling and chatting excitedly, and I am reminded of how lucky we are, living here in the Poconos, a great vacation destination in its own right. As Buz has often said, “We live here, man.”
Elizabeth Knecht starts the show by walking down the aisle of the dining room in a lovely 50’s cocktail dress (she later tell us it was her mother’s) and a sweet little veil over her face, singing “Going to the Chapel”, and right away, we are all singing along. She is followed by her three “party pumpers” serving as her bridesmaids. She moves through so many of our favorite oldies standards that I can’t remember them all now, but Connie Francis, The Everly Brothers and the Shirelles were a few. The girls are dancing and the women in the audience are up almost immediately because, who can resist “La Bamba” or “The Hand Jive”?
That last one inspires Elizabeth, so she changes before her second set and puts on her “Sandy” costume – you know, tight black pants, a sexy top, and high heels. She calls up Bob to be her Danny Zuko and together they set us all rocking to “You’re the One That I Want.” Those of you who know Bob Lauri, know that he is a giant ham and it doesn’t take a whole lot to get him in front of an audience, and when it is the lovely Elizabeth that is asking, he fairly flies to the microphone. Naturally, they continue right into “Summer Lovin’.” Then Bob leaves Elizabeth to her amazing rendition of “Hopelessly Devoted to You” as Bob and I join a few other couples for a romantic slow dance.
As the night winds down, I look around and gather a few images to remember this night by –the youngest “party pumper”, Ashley, maybe 9 or 10 years old, asks a young boy to dance and he, too shy, hides his face in his dad’s shirt. The tourist, recovering from knee surgery, who shows us that you can still do the twist, even in a chair, if only you will try. Pink fuzzy slippers girl is cuddling in a booth with her honey. Bob gives Elizabeth a break and belts out “Teenager in Love” (he really OWNS that song!). And Buz Whelan, drinking chocolate martinis, calls out for Elizabeth to sing “Memories” which, of course, she does, and we all can’t imagine any night that could be better than this.
That’s the way it should beee-eee (wah-wah-wah-wa-aah!)
What is a “Judge of Elections”
What is a Judge of Election?
Judges of election are responsible for the administration of election procedures in the polling place on election day. They are in the position of ensuring that the election process is administered fairly and in accordance with our laws.
What are the qualifications necessary to be an election judge?
be a citizen of the United States;
be of good repute and character;
be able to speak, read and write the English language;
be skilled in the four fundamental rules of mathematics;
be of good understanding and capable; and
not be a candidate for any office in the election and not be elected committeeman.
What are some of the duties of Judges of Election?
to open and close the polls;
to be responsible for all election materials;
to ensure that only qualified voters are permitted to vote and that each qualified voter is permitted to vote once and only once;
to ensure that all votes are cast in secret;
to give instructions in the method of voting when requested by a voter;
to give assistance to illiterate and physically disabled voters;
to maintain order in the polling place throughout the day;
to tally the vote after the polls are closed; and
to certify the election results in that precinct.
(copied from the following source – http://www.co.mchenry.il.us/departments/countyclerk/Pages/JudgeOfElections.aspx )
August Scheduled Events (subject to change, call ahead)
August 5
1pm – Community Center – Do you like
August 10
Community Center Basketball courts – 1pm
August 18 2pm – Close the season in style! Kids
Annual meeting at the Pocono Mountain West High School
Alternate activities will be held at the same time on the same days if inclement weather presents.For more
information please contact Heather Kelly, at 570-643-3395 or call the Community Center at 570-646-8118!
Hello Emerald Lakes Members!
Welcome to the Emerald Lakes Free Press.
In response to the Emerald Lakes Board of Directors’ vote to seize control of the Emerald News, thereby attempting to silence the exchange of information, news, and opinions of its members, we announce the Emerald Lakes Free Press blog. I am Lola Lauri, former editor-in-chief of the Emerald News. Along with Buz Whelan, former managing editor, we pledge to use this page as place to inform and discuss issues that relate to ELA residents and their families.
Give us some time to get our thoughts together and if you have an idea or an suggestion for something you would like to see on this page, please leave a comment and let us know.
Emerald Lakes Free Press 