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THE HERALD

THURSDAY,JANUARY 11,1979

LAST WEEK IN CAPE MAY COUNTY

The City of Cape May is one of the few areas in the country where original Victorian edifices are preserved and actually used. Because of this, it was named a National Historic Landmark City. In other parts of the country, many buildings of this era have been allowed to deteriorate and have been torn down. We have watched in dismay as many of Atlantic City's landmark hotels have been torn down to be replaced by

modern edifices.

Cape May's wealth of Victoriana is not matched by financial wealth. It's status as a historical landmark puts restrictions on both homeowners and the municipality. The value of beachfront land on the Atlantic coast often takes priority over the intrinsic value of a slice of our country's

history.

Today in Cape May, there is a problem which may spell the death of efforts to keep the city’s traditional atmosphere. A Victorian dwelling on Beach Drive has become the first possible victim. The Historic District Commission recently gave an approval to demolish the Baronet, but the city’s Planning Board overturned the decision. If too many such structures are removed, it could be the end of the city’s designation as an historic landmark. This is a situation that goes beyond the people of Cape May and Cape May County. It is an issue that affects the entire nation. As old and often original

EDITORIAL-CAPE MAY NEEDS AN 'ANGEL'

buildings are torn down, they're replaced by dull commercial complexes or boring developments. Our links with the craftsmen of the past are lost. Belatedly, altruistic foundations and individuals have rescued segments of our nation's heritage. Williamsburg, Virginia was restored into a replica of the affluent colonial town it once was. Sturbridge Village, Connecticut, was made into a typical colonial New England village. Plymouth, Massachusetts, and Newport, Rhode Island, are being restored

and reconstructed.

Cape May Has advantages many of those other areas lack. It is full of original Victorian homes. It has something many other historic locales lack. It is memorable for the famous people who have visited it. Cape May was the host of presidentsLincoln, Grant, Harrison, Pierce and Wilson. John Philip Sousa led his band in Cape May. Henry Clay mourned the death of his son at the resort. Henry Ford

used its beaches to race his cars in the early years of this century. — Cape May must be preserved as a national landmark for future generations. It cannot be done by the city alone. Where are the public-spirited individuals and foundations who have salvaged other monuments of our national heritage? Maybe it is time to begin a national "Preserve Victorian Cape May" campaign.

VIEWPOINT

Each year when we watch the MUMMERS PARADE. we cannot help but marvel at the City's of Philadelphia’s indifference in exploiting its many positive features. Whether we like it or not, South Jersey’s economy is dependant on what happens in Philadelphia. A substantial proportion of our summer population comes from the Philadelphia area, and if money is scarce there, less will be - available to be spent in seashore resort areas. If any other city in the country - or the world - had such a spectacular event as the Mummers Parade, it would draw tourists from all over. Consider the number of people who attend the Mardi Gras in New Orleans, or the Rose Bowl or Orange Bowl Parades. The comparison between the plastic commercialism of most such events and the exuberant and enthusiastic displays of the Mummers is tremendous. Yet most of the viewers come from a radius of about 100 miles, and beyond that few have even HEARD of the Mummers. The Mummers deserve a better showcase than a once a year extravaganza on New Year’s Day. An imaginative and discerning program of promoting

Philadelphia's many unique historical and cultural features could bring people to that city - and perhaps many of them would visit seashore

resorts.

They should consider a warm weather demonstration by the Mummers to be held in one of the large open or closed areas in the city, which might also assist the mummers in paying for the magnificent spectacle they present to us. A well-advertised national promotion of such an event, combined with a reminder of Philadelphia’s other attractions could possibly change the undeservedly poor image the city has. Other cities have as much crime and as many other problems as Philadelphia, but they advertise their own good points. No other city has Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, Betsy Ross House, and all the restored development of Philadelphia. The Art Museum, Franklin Instihite, Fairmount Park, the Schuylkill and the scullers, Robin Museum, and many other sites make the city a natural tourist center. Many South Jersians have ties with Philadelphia, and know it needs revitalization. It has a great deal to offer. J. P. Cunningham

The season’s first snowfall gently brought 6 to 8 inches to Cape May County. Driving was hazardous Saturday morning, but rain and sun soon cleared the roads. Fog and rain completed the weekend ... In CAPE MAY, the Planning Board overturned the Historic District Commission to demolish a Victorian beachfront home, the Baronet ... In LOWER TOWNSHIP, Snow Food Products has discontinued clamming operations. Union clammers have been on strike since Sept. ...In CAPE MAY .COURT HOUSE, the MUA has asked the Board of Freeholders to guarantee 112 million dollars in MUA bonds ... In NORTH WILDWOOD, the state Department of Transportation will complete repairs on Beach Creek ridge in 2 months instead of 4 ... In SEA ISLE CITY, Public Works Dept. Supervisor Joseph LaRosa said insufficient budget allocations to his departmemt in the last few years have cut necessary services to the point where Sea Isle has become "a shabby looking town.”. ... In NORTH WILDWOOD, dredging of Ottnes Canal will begin on Jan. 15 and take 6-8 weeks ... In WOODBINE, the police department may have to disband for lack of funds to pay salaries. Federal anti-recession funds have been used in the past to pay salaries for 4 fulltime and 4 part-time policemen ... In CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE, Phil Sheridan told the Freeholders it would be a catastrophe to give local interests control of Pinelands development ... In RIO GRANDE, Felix Wuerker, 72, is one of only 4 NJ. farmers to receive the State Board of Agriculture’s highest honor for his distinguished service to agriculture ... In WOODBINE quick action by firemen and police prevented a fire at a book-manufacturing plant ... In UPPER TOWNSHIP School Board will seek state permission for a waiver of the cap law on its

1979-1980 budget ...

In Sea Isle City, officials have decided to use their own public works personnel to collect trash rather than contracting it out ... In WOODBINE, Borough Council will present a referendum to the voters on

whether the taxpayers should finance the local police department this year ... In CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE, the Freeholders voted themselves a raise from $9,103 to $11,000 ... LETTERS TO THE EDITOR -

THE HERALD IS HAPPY TO DO ITS PART Dear Editor: The Salvation Army completed another busy Christmas season in our service to OTHERS. Obviously without the help of your newspaper and as a result the response of the friends of The Salvation Army, our efforts would not be nearly as effective as they were. May I take this opportunity to personally thank you for the coverage which our organization received during the Christmas

season.

To all our gratitude and

appreciation. Thank you. Best

wishes in the New Year.

Sincerely,

Brigadier Eric Jackson

[picture] STRAIN A GNAT SWALLOW A CAMEL

HOW AM THINGS IN CLEVELAND THESE DAYS? PRETTY BAD ...

THE MAYOR IS HAVING ALL SORTS OF PROBLEMS SINCE HE WON THE RECALL ELECTION THAT'S ROUGH. WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOU WERE THE MAYOR?

I'D DEMAND A RECOUNT

NOW WHY DIDN'T I THINK OF THAT?

CAPE MAY COUNTY HERALD

Largest Circulation in the County - Oldest Free Weekly in the County Our Thirteenth Year Serving Cape May County P.O. Box 0 2789 Dune Drive Avalon, NJ 08202 Phone 967-3312 967-7209 Pubilshed every Thursday by the Avalon Publishing Company, Inc. Jane Ann Cunningham.........Editor & Publisher Frank G. Stone..........General Manager John M. Taman........Advertising Sales Mike Franco............Composition Bill Hendrixson.........Offset Photography Alan Eckert...........Graphic Arts Alan Eckert............Distribution Mike Franco, Peter Dunne Bill Sherman, Johanna Ludewig......Feature Writers (Subscription Yearly $7.00) Advertisements Tuesday - 5 P.M. Newt & Pictures. -C.M.C. Herald Deadline...Tuesday - 5 P.M. Classified Ads.................Tuesday - 5 P.M. Neither participating advertisers nor the publishers of the HERALD will be responsible or liable for misinformation, misprints, typographical errors, etc. In any issue. The editor reserves the right to edit any letter or articles submitted for publication.