Series II: Montage Mountain Water Crisis Files , 1969 - 1988
Series
Scope and Content:
From the Collection:
The Robert Wollensky papers, 1954 - 2006, contain a variety of research materials that Dr. Wolensky compiled from 1947 through 2006 of various local and environmental politics surrounding the Hurricane Agnes flood of 1972, the corruption of Dan Flood, the construction of Montage Mountain, Environmental Crisis, Local Politics,Wilkes-Barre Labor and Disaster Issues, Project Files. This research consists of photographs, newspaper clippings, annual reports, codesheets, numerical data, oral history transcripts, dissertation, correspondence, court case documentation, interviews, and Wolensky notes.
Many of the series have been arranged further into distinct subseries. Series I is arranged into seven subseries: Subseries I: Agnes Interviews 1972 - 1983, Subseries II: Newspapers 1972 - 2003, Subseries III: Court Cases 1972 - 1973, Subseries IV: Coding 1973 -1983; Subseries V: Committee Concerns 1975; Subseries VI: Agnes Information 1970 - 1994; Subseries VII: Dissertation 1973 - 1975; Subseries VIII: Politics surrounding Agnes (dates unknown). Research materials compiled by Dr. Wolensky were for his 1993 book, Better than Ever:The Flood Recovery Task Force and the 1972 Tropical Storm Agnes Disasters. This research includes oral history interviews, newspapers, and dissertation information.
The oral history interviews are primarily focused on flood recovery for neighborhoods and businesses in Wilkes-Barre, including those involved with the Flood Recovery Task Force (FRTF) and the Flood Victims Actional Council (FVAC). The bulk of newspapers in this series pertain to the 1972 Hurricane Agnes flood and specifically focus on community recovery, local politics, and the reconstruction of destroyed buildings. The court case here is (Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v. National Association of Flood Insurers, General Accident Fire and Life Assurance Corporation Limited and Zurich Insurance Company, James T. Lynn, and the United States of America) against the United States Government and insurance companies and their role in the clean-up with the 1972 flood. The coding sheets are the statistical analysis of data obtained through interviews. Wolensky’s dissertation, written for Penn State University in 1975, focused on local government and disaster relief groups following the 1972 Flood Recovery Task Force in Wilkes-Barre, PA. There is also a scrapbook filled with newspaper clippings that details the aid given to Wilkes-Barre to help struggling residents after the flood.
Many of the series have been arranged further into distinct subseries. Series I is arranged into seven subseries: Subseries I: Agnes Interviews 1972 - 1983, Subseries II: Newspapers 1972 - 2003, Subseries III: Court Cases 1972 - 1973, Subseries IV: Coding 1973 -1983; Subseries V: Committee Concerns 1975; Subseries VI: Agnes Information 1970 - 1994; Subseries VII: Dissertation 1973 - 1975; Subseries VIII: Politics surrounding Agnes (dates unknown). Research materials compiled by Dr. Wolensky were for his 1993 book, Better than Ever:The Flood Recovery Task Force and the 1972 Tropical Storm Agnes Disasters. This research includes oral history interviews, newspapers, and dissertation information.
The oral history interviews are primarily focused on flood recovery for neighborhoods and businesses in Wilkes-Barre, including those involved with the Flood Recovery Task Force (FRTF) and the Flood Victims Actional Council (FVAC). The bulk of newspapers in this series pertain to the 1972 Hurricane Agnes flood and specifically focus on community recovery, local politics, and the reconstruction of destroyed buildings. The court case here is (Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v. National Association of Flood Insurers, General Accident Fire and Life Assurance Corporation Limited and Zurich Insurance Company, James T. Lynn, and the United States of America) against the United States Government and insurance companies and their role in the clean-up with the 1972 flood. The coding sheets are the statistical analysis of data obtained through interviews. Wolensky’s dissertation, written for Penn State University in 1975, focused on local government and disaster relief groups following the 1972 Flood Recovery Task Force in Wilkes-Barre, PA. There is also a scrapbook filled with newspaper clippings that details the aid given to Wilkes-Barre to help struggling residents after the flood.
Dates
- 1969 - 1988
Access:
Open for research.
Extent
From the Collection: 13 boxes (6 letter boxes, 1 legal box, 6 oversized boxes)
Language of Materials
From the Collection: English
Series II: Montage Mountain Water Crisis Files, 1969 - 1988
Series II: Montage Mountain Water Crisis Files, 1969 - 1988 is arranged chronologically by folder date and contains research materials compiled by Dr. Wolensky on the building of Montage Mountain Ski Resort and its overall development. This research includes news clippings, correspondence regarding an application for governmental funding for the build of Montage Mountain (this correspondence is between Congressman Frank Malinzak, the Lackawanna County Commissioners, Congressman Charles Luger, and Engineer John M. Finn), editorial replies, informational pamphlets for water protection, water supply manuals, interview notes with president and CEO of Pennsylvania Enterprises Bob Jones, Pennsylvania Gas and Water Supply (PG&Ws) pamphlets and annual reports, and a paper by Glenn Gooch that focuses on the logistics of works by the PG&WS. This paper is of significance because it will allow researchers to understand the effect PG&WS had on the construction of Montage Mountain. The major themes seen in this series are local politics, Citizens Choice Coalition and the Pennsylvania Gas & Water Company’s concerns regarding the Montage Mountain construction, and the paper written by Glenn Gooch.
During the construction of the Montage Mountain a particular environmental group named Protect Our Water and Environmental Resources Inc. (POWER) took a strong stance against the building of Montage. Members stood against the Montage Mountain development particularly because of the risks associated with it such as the loss of land to developers, the increase in potential flooding due to storms, water contamination, and higher taxes for residents living in the area. All of these files are particularly helpful for someone who is looking to do research on the construction of Montage as well as the politics and costs surrounding the construction.
Series II is arranged into four subseries; Subseries I: Politics 1982 - 1984, Subseries II: Citizens Choice Coalition 1969 - 1988, Subseries III: Pennsylvania Water and Gas Company 1985 - 1987, Subseries IV: Newspaper and Gooch Paper 1977 - 1989.
Repository Details
Part of the Wilkes University Archives Repository
Contact:
84 W South St.
Wilkes-Barre PA 18701 US
570-408-2000
570-408-7823 (Fax)
ask.archives@wilkes.edu
84 W South St.
Wilkes-Barre PA 18701 US
570-408-2000
570-408-7823 (Fax)
ask.archives@wilkes.edu