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THURSDAY, APRILS, 1979

Opposes Judiciary In Any “T&E” Revision

Capital Comments

by

Assembly Minority Leader Janies R. Hurley More than seven years ago. a New Jersey Superior . Court judge ruled the state's method of financing its system of public education invalid, thereby setting off a chairt of events — in the courts and in the Legislature —which culminated with the enactment of the so-called "thorough and efficient” education law and the imposition of the state's first personal income tax to finance it. It took more than four years from the time of the originaf court decision for the "thorough and efficient” education law lobe implemented and it has been the subject of one controversy after another since that time. Now. it appears as if the controversy will reach the boiling point as the result of an announcement by the Greater Newark Urban Coalition that it has retained legal counsel to enter the courts in an attempt to overturn the law on the basis jhat it has failed to equalize spending for education and has fallen well short of equalizing educational opportunities for every school child in the state. These two points were.hf course, the ultimate goals of the new education financing law and it is the contention of the Newarkbased organization that they have not been attained over the past four years. The coalition has used statements and reports by state officials, including the Commissioner of Education, to support its charges. For instance, the Joint Committee on the Public Schools, a legislative panel, issued a report recently which revealed that, in some cases, the spending gap between socalled wealthy school districts and poorer school districts had actually widened in the past few years, rather than become more equitable. The Commissioner of Education, also, commented that the law had failed to equalize spending among school districts, primarily because the wealthier districts were ' granted permission to exceed the slate-mandated

spending limit while the poorer districts used increased state aid funds to slow the growth in local property tax rates, rather than spending the money on educational programs. The basis of the 1972 case, in which a youngster in Jersey City brought suit against the state, was that older communities, mostly urban areas,, were unable to match education expenditures by suburban districts because of the wide and growing disparity between property values. The suourban areas, for instance, with relatively little tax effort could raise significantly greater amounts of money than could urban areas which exerted a much greater tax effort. This disparity meant, according to the court ruling, that children in urban areas were being denied equal educational opportunity in violation of the Constitution. The "thorough and efficient" education law and the income tax required a state funding level of 40 per cent of the total cost of education as a method to equalize spending. The relatively brief

history of the "thorough and efficient” education law has been riddled with controversy, much of it generated by the Commissioner of Education himself, yet the Legislature has not taken steps to change the law or resolve the controversy . This failure, I feel, contributed to the decision of the Newark area group to opt for the court action, a rather drastic step. While I can understand the aim of the group, 1 am very reluctant to see the possibility of the judicial branch involving itself in the education funding issue once again. The last series of involvements included the court imposition of deadlines on the Legislature and —amazingly enough—a court order to close down the public schools until action was taken. If the “T & E” law is in need of refinements, changes great or small, or re-writing altogether, it is a task for the Legislature. It would be a serious mistake, in my view, for the legislature to adopt those changes at the point of a judicial gun.

Letters To The Editor Girl Scouts Say Thanks

Dear Sir: On behalf of Girl Scout Troop No. 215, I would like to thank the people of Avalon for supporting our Girl Scout Cookie Sale. A special "thank you” to Sullivan’s Department Store which allowed the girls to sell cookies in front of the store, and to the Rock’n Chair Tavern for serving Girl Scout Cookies with their desserts. Our 28 girls sold 167 cases of cookies (2004 boxes) and made $471.00 for their troop. A vote by the girls will decide how this money is to be spent. Six girls will receive certificates, patches, and posters from the Holly Shores Girl Scout Council for having sold over 100 boxes of cookies. Leading the troop in sales were Lynne Sponaugle - 300 boxes, Betsy Parrish - 169 boxes, Michele Anderson128 boxes, Susie Stobbart - 112 boxes, Donna Schulz - 111 boxes, and Cara Hudanich -108 boxes. An additional 11 girls will receive patches and posters for selling 60 or more boxes. They are:

Former Herald Editor Wins Seal Award

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Jane Ann Cunningham, former editor and publisher of the Cape May County Herald, has been selected the winner of the American Lung Association of New Jersey’s , 978 Christman Seal Award Contest by the Public Relations Advisory Committee for her December 28, 1978, VIEWPOINT column entitled, "New Year’s Resolution! Save a LifeYourOwn!.” The award was recently announced by Ann Robison, chairwoman of the selection committee. Said Mrs. Robison, "Our purpose is to encourage the highest standards of reporting by New Jersey mdeia on the prevention, control and treatment of lung disease which affects 47 million men, women and children, nationally. Since lung diseases such as emphysema are irreversible and develop over a long period, prevention is

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crucial. It is essential that New Jersey residents be as aware and informed on the various lung Hazards as possible and much of this education funnels through our press, radio, and television." Other entries submitted for the second annual Christmas Seal Award Contest were: Ms. Shirley Boardman. Today Newspapers, Wayne; Alfred Klimcke, Camden Courier Post; Ms. Linda Pepa Lally, Hammonton Hews; and Robert Steyer, Newark Star-Ledger. + + + Editor’s Note: Following is the text of Jane Ann Cunningham's awardwinning editorial, which appeared in the December 28,1978 Cape May Herald. Make a New Year’s Resolution to stop smoking. Life and health are our two most valuable possessions. No amount of money can buy them. Yet many of us are dangerously and recklessly jeopardizing our health and shortening our lives by smoking. We all know better. There are few smokers who are unaware of the possible hazards. Yet often it is not until a person has a heart attack, a stroke, or is diagnosed as having cancer that he stops. He is REALLY motivated then, but by that time it may be too late. Health Meetings A monthly meeting of the Board of the Cape May County Health Services will take place at the Public Library on Mechanic Street in Cape May Court House, April 9 at 5 p.m. The Cape May County Mental Health Task Force is scheduled for 7 p.m. April 10. at the main building of Mental Health Services. Both meetings are open to the public.

Rachael Schulz, Terri Ricser, Heather Rand, Tracey Yarborough, Charon Honer, Jennifer Rodgers. Jeanie Taft, Julie Haryslak, Nicole Gordon, Sara Jones, and Bridgette Lambert. Supports Bill No. 695 To: Honorable James R. Hurley Honorable Joseph Chinnici The members of the Van Dusen Men’s and Women’s Republican Gub of Cape May County, are circulating a petition throughout the county in favor of Bill No. 695, which states that both senior citizens and the handicapped should be provided with a $10 fee for all passenger vehicles within . any weight class. We request that you, as your county representatives in the Assembly, push for the immediate passage fo this bill. Franklin L. Halbruner President

Again many thanks to all of you who so generously supported us. Sincerely, Sally H. Stobbart Leader MDA Thanks Newspaper Dear Editor: Thank you for your support of .the Muscular Dystroty>y Association in the past. It is through the support and cooperation of the Cape l^ay County Herald, that MDA is able to provide to our local South Jersey patients any authorized orthopedic equipment and services they need at no cost to them. On behalf of our patients, our deepest thanks to you for your consideration and time. Your support will hasten the day when muscular dystrophy and related neuromuscular diseases no longer plagues mankind. Sincerely, Joseph Leso District Director

Why wait until you become stricken with a disabling or fatal disease? New Year’s is a time of new beginnings. Make a new beginning for yourself by resolving to make a better life for yourself and those you love by stopping smoking. The dream of all parents is to watch their children grow up, marry and have children of their own. Will you be around when your grandchildren begin toddling? Or are you exchanging that sight for a few cartons of cigarettes? What about your own children? If they are still dependants, are you happy to be risking their future without a parent by selfishly indulging in an expensive and deadly habit? You CAN stop smoking. The withdrawal symptoms of' ihis minor addiction are little compared to the pain suffered by those with heart attacks and cancer. And they are certainly less lasting than the ultimate withdrawal-death! Gas Rale Hearing Apr. 18 In Ocean City Millville - Cape May County customers of the New Jersey Natural Gas Company will have an opportunity to express themselves on a proposed new rate schedule at a hearing to be conducted by the Board of r Public Utilities in Ocean City. April 18. Assemblyman James R. Hurley, Cumberland-Cape May. said recently he had succeeded with the cooperation of George Barbour. President of the Board of Public Utilities, in having the hearing moved from Newark to Ocean City Music Pier. It will be held in the Solarium there at 10 a.m.

Oldest Free Weekly In The County

Our ThirtMnth Vaor Serving Cop* May County P.O. •<» O J7«* Dun. Drlv. Avalon, N.J. MM2 Pfcono HM112 M7-72M Publl.h.d Evnry Thursday By I ha taavrava Corporation Dorrall Kopp Idltor and Publlshar B"! Bharman tport, Idltor J. A. Cunningham laaturoWrltar Charyl Craw, rootura Wrltar Polar Dunna Columnl.t Charln, * lamay Columnl.t Charyl Craws Graphics Contributor Gall Carlno Advertising Graphics Buton Carr .. Compoiitor Now. A Photo. .V ... Monday-] p.m. Ad.artl.lng Monday] p.m. Clanlflad Advartl.lng Tua.day . Noon Subscription! — B7.M PM TEAR Nalthar participating advortlMr. nor tha publithar, at tha HtPALD will ba ra.ponUbla or llobla for ml.lnformatlon, mlaprlnt., typographical arror., ate.. In any luoa. Tha ndltor roMrvo. tha right to adit any lattar.ar art kin, urbwilttad tor publication.