Nov. 15, 2010
By PATRICK E. LITOWITZ
plitowitz@ncnewsonline.com
The screams continue after a New Castle haunted house ended operations early.
Some performers claim they are owed money for working at “A Haunting in Cascade Park,” presented by Legends of Fear. The event’s operator countered that anyone who became involved did so as a volunteer.
The sides agreed, though, that the scare affair attracted few patrons. The venture was scheduled to run Oct. 21 through Oct. 31 and Nov. 4 through Nov. 6. It closed Halloween night.
“They were all told in the very beginning that it was a volunteer position,” Sharon resident Barbara Warner said. “Everyone got the same speech.
“We had hoped to give some type of bonus award at the end. However, there was no money to be made.”
New Castle resident Jim Kuhn, who headed security at the site, said the participants were promised money for their services.
“(Warner) had us listed as volunteers,” Kuhn said. “But when people called and inquired about it, she told them they would receive a bonus after it was all said and done.
“I was told $175.”
Warner posted two classified ads in the New Castle News. The first notice sought haunted house volunteers, while the second one called for actors. Neither announcement mentioned pay.
“I did it because it was money,” said Kristen Sipe, a sophomore at the Lawrence County Career and Technical Center. “I didn’t sign up to do it as a volunteer.”
Those involved were asked to sign a contract stating they had agreed to the rules governing the operation. The document did not state a pay rate. However, it discusses bonuses based on attendance and costumes.
“I certainly was not trying to be an attorney when I wrote most of that,” Warner said. “I was trying to get some specific points across.”
Warner said she hoped to issue payments from $100 to $125 to performers who appeared during the haunt house’s entire run.
“It wasn’t an actual salary,” she said. “It wasn’t a guaranteed payment.”
Warner said the event generated approximately $7,600 during the 10 days it was open. Admission was $12 for ages 12 and over and $9 for ages 5 to 11.
The haunted house’s worst attendance was Oct. 27 when $96 was collected. The best showing came Oct. 23 with a paid admission of $1,906.
“It was bad from beginning to end,” Warner said.
She said she was originally one of three investors in the endeavor. However, two partners quickly exited.
Expenses totaled approximately $16,500, Warner said. The city charged her close to $5,200 for the 10 days the park was used. Stephanie A. Dean, the city’s business administrator, said the bill was paid.
“I’m almost $10,000 in debt,” Warner said.
Kuhn said that toward the end, she started telling people it was a bust here and she couldn’t make any money. On Nov. 5, she met with approximately 30 people, which included Kuhn and Sipe, to outline the situation.
“She flat out told everyone that no one was getting paid for anything,” Sipe said. “I trusted this lady, and I figured she wouldn’t do that to minors.
“I was wrong.”
Kuhn does not expect any payments to be forthcoming.
“It’s the kids I’m worried about,” he said. “I don’t want the kids to think the workforce is going to treat them this way for the rest of their life.
“She put a sour taste in their mouth.”
Warner reiterated there is no money to paid out.
“My house is mortgaged. I have a $70,000 IRS lien against a $40,000 house. I have no income, and my car is leased.
“There is a used hot tub sitting in my garage they are more than welcome to.”
Monday, November 15, 2010
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Gabriel questions Union's actions
Nov. 9, 2010
By PATRICK E. LITOWITZ
plitowitz@ncnewsonline.com
New Castle has no interest in merging or sharing services with the Union Area School District.
The city school board will vote tomorrow to emphasize that point when it amends a resolution on a state-sponsored, nonbinding feasibility study.
The move would exclude Union from any scenario involving New Castle.
Nonsense, unprofessional and disturbing were some of the terms school board members and administrators used to discuss Union’s approach in rejecting a similar study.
“They’ve had two or three meetings, and they keep on hammering New Castle,” Superintendent George Gabriel said.
“Someone on that board needs to step up and say, ‘We’re talking about a feasibility study for merging county schools. We’re not talking about the quality of education delivered at New Castle.’”
A flier circulated throughout the township called for residents “to stop this study and save our community.” The handbill suggested the school district was in jeopardy if it moved forward and could lead to a merger with New Castle.
Union’ school board declined to participate Thursday in a 6-3 vote. During the debate, New Castle’s reputation was battered.
“Somehow, we became the focal point of this whole discussion,” Gabriel said. “We don’t belong there. We were sitting by, minding our own business ... and they approached us.”
Gabriel provided the New Castle News with an e-mail dated Aug. 24. It was signed by Union Superintendent Alfonso Angelucci and Mohawk Superintendent Kathleen Kwolek.
Angelucci sent the correspondence to Gabriel and the county’s five other superintendents.
“Some of our board members are hesitant to deal with possible objections by our respective community members, but feel that the study may provide us with valuable information to help us operate at maximum efficiency,” Angelucci wrote.
“At this time, we would like to know if any of you, through your discussions with your school boards, are interested in being a part of a joint feasibility study with Union, Mohawk, and possibly New Castle.”
Gabriel said he would not allow the district to be compared to some type of plague. He touted the graduates New Castle has produced.
“That’s because they got a good, solid education in the New Castle Area School District,” he said. “Our graduates will continue to make an impact in the future.
“This success does not come from the students of a substandard school system like the Union Area School District is trying to portray us.”
Dr. Marilyn Berkely, a member of the New Castle School Board, said Union’s handling of the matter was done in poor taste.
“The people who come into my office from Union think they’re totally right,” she said. “They have one nice street up there, and those are the people that complain.
“You’re cutting your throat. They bad-mouthed Mohawk a little bit, too. They didn’t want any part of them.”
Berkely said she also praises New Castle’s facilities as being the best.
“They said, ‘Yeah, but look who’s in them.’”
That prompted a reaction from another board member, Anna Pascarella.
“It’s called diversity. It’s what a lot of people need to be familiar with. Private sectors are into diversity.
“Universities and colleges are huge into diversity, whether you like it or not.”
Gabriel said he questioned whether the districts can work together.
“The unfounded attitudes and perceptions portrayed by these citizens indicate a lack of respect and support. I believe we can never, ever — based on what I’ve heard to date — generate any type of support or respect.”
By PATRICK E. LITOWITZ
plitowitz@ncnewsonline.com
New Castle has no interest in merging or sharing services with the Union Area School District.
The city school board will vote tomorrow to emphasize that point when it amends a resolution on a state-sponsored, nonbinding feasibility study.
The move would exclude Union from any scenario involving New Castle.
Nonsense, unprofessional and disturbing were some of the terms school board members and administrators used to discuss Union’s approach in rejecting a similar study.
“They’ve had two or three meetings, and they keep on hammering New Castle,” Superintendent George Gabriel said.
“Someone on that board needs to step up and say, ‘We’re talking about a feasibility study for merging county schools. We’re not talking about the quality of education delivered at New Castle.’”
A flier circulated throughout the township called for residents “to stop this study and save our community.” The handbill suggested the school district was in jeopardy if it moved forward and could lead to a merger with New Castle.
Union’ school board declined to participate Thursday in a 6-3 vote. During the debate, New Castle’s reputation was battered.
“Somehow, we became the focal point of this whole discussion,” Gabriel said. “We don’t belong there. We were sitting by, minding our own business ... and they approached us.”
Gabriel provided the New Castle News with an e-mail dated Aug. 24. It was signed by Union Superintendent Alfonso Angelucci and Mohawk Superintendent Kathleen Kwolek.
Angelucci sent the correspondence to Gabriel and the county’s five other superintendents.
“Some of our board members are hesitant to deal with possible objections by our respective community members, but feel that the study may provide us with valuable information to help us operate at maximum efficiency,” Angelucci wrote.
“At this time, we would like to know if any of you, through your discussions with your school boards, are interested in being a part of a joint feasibility study with Union, Mohawk, and possibly New Castle.”
Gabriel said he would not allow the district to be compared to some type of plague. He touted the graduates New Castle has produced.
“That’s because they got a good, solid education in the New Castle Area School District,” he said. “Our graduates will continue to make an impact in the future.
“This success does not come from the students of a substandard school system like the Union Area School District is trying to portray us.”
Dr. Marilyn Berkely, a member of the New Castle School Board, said Union’s handling of the matter was done in poor taste.
“The people who come into my office from Union think they’re totally right,” she said. “They have one nice street up there, and those are the people that complain.
“You’re cutting your throat. They bad-mouthed Mohawk a little bit, too. They didn’t want any part of them.”
Berkely said she also praises New Castle’s facilities as being the best.
“They said, ‘Yeah, but look who’s in them.’”
That prompted a reaction from another board member, Anna Pascarella.
“It’s called diversity. It’s what a lot of people need to be familiar with. Private sectors are into diversity.
“Universities and colleges are huge into diversity, whether you like it or not.”
Gabriel said he questioned whether the districts can work together.
“The unfounded attitudes and perceptions portrayed by these citizens indicate a lack of respect and support. I believe we can never, ever — based on what I’ve heard to date — generate any type of support or respect.”
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