A look back: April 24, 1979

Robert W. Betz, 547 E. Broad St., Tamaqua, was named to the Tamaqua Area School Board at a special meeting last night, succeeding John Martin, who resigned this month because of a corporate transfer.

Betz, who has distinguished himself as a proponent of the new Tamaqua Elementary School’s location near Yetten Circle, is a 1948 graduate of Tamaqua high. He has been employed by Sears in Pottsville for the past 30 years.

Betz spearheaded a campaign supporting the board and the district in its choice of location for the new elementary school, resulting in a petition bearing 600 signatures being presented to the Tamaqua Zoning Hearing Board and Planning Commission.