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Thf Herald And The Lantern

Thursday,.luly 12,1979

Letters To The Editor

Wants Changes at Popular Bar

ToTht* Editor I am the Executive Director (t~ a Christian Social Service organization working with young sec vicemen stationed at Great Lakes Naval Training Center I have been visiting my parents who are par tners in a summer home located at 3M4 Third Ave , Avalon 1 have an interest in young people because of my ordination to that specific calling and an interest in the home in Avfelon. becuase it is my vacation spot and a source n( enjoyment and relaxation It has been now (or 35 years 14th-15th St. Beach Littered To the Editor: What has happened to the 14 15th Beach? It’s full of beer bottles, broken glass and paper cups We try to. pick up; but it is too much to expect of the average bather We deserve a clean beach. When are we going to get it? Let's improve conditions before someone is hurt A concerned Resident Avalon Avalon Home Tour Applauded To the Editor: Hats off to the Avalon Home Tour Committee of 1979’ The choice of homes was superb Many of our customers are still commenting about the tour, particularly the diver sification of the houses A special "thank you" to the various homeowners also for their participation in a very worthwhile cause Joyce Goode The Red Germanium Avfalon

For the past few years, however, there has been an increasing awareness that an establishment, that is situated almost across the street at 3fl01 Third Avenue called Jack's Place, has been a soufee of consternation and aggravation that causes me to act on my own behalf regardless of j(ny action or actions taken by others in this residential neighborhood. The argument for its establishment is not contested. Jack's Place is a continuance of a neighborhood bar and restaurant that has been on that corner for 40 years under a variety of managers. The problem is the conduct of the business, excessive crowds, excessive noise of the musical groups performing'excessive noise at closing, parking congestion on neighborhood streets, public urination and unseemly behavior of patrons upon closing. It is one thing to criticize, yet another to offersuggestions for Jack's Place managers to conform to community standards I am aware erf rAvalon's Resolution No. 79192, a copy of which has already been sent to you, but I want to tell £ou some items that should be considered a definite condition to their ABC license No 0501 33-004-001 • hereinafter referred to as ABC License): •Closing hours should be made* an exception for Jack's Place sinte the patrons are younger, drink more excessively, iplease keep in mind that I have been working with young servicemen for eight years and am well aware of the traditional habits of young people i and are a danger to themselves and others on the highways at closing. Accident 'reports can be obtained to verify this fact.

SH Women's Civic Elections

STONE HARBOR * A general election for all officers to serve for the coming year will be held at the July 17 covered dish luncheon Mrs Hilda MixsHI chairlady of ■the nominating committee will present a slate of nominees for the various offices This will be the first of the covered dish luncheons

for the month of July. Members and guests will hear a talk from guest speaker Mr. A. Williamson "Early American Cut Glass " Members will place on display a collection of their privately owned cut glass which the guest speaker will describe for the audience.

THE ENERGY DEPARTftAENI AlNAllY HAS A SOtUTION TO BEAT THE ARABS AT THEIR OWN GAME

I suggest a closing time be set a Midnight, even if for a trial period of 90 days, and see if there is an easing of problems with the noise anddistrubance. -More adequate toilet facilities should be installed to insure convenience for patrons. Public urination is not a moral problem, but is a disgusting social issue that can easily be dealt with. -The total number of patroas should be limited to the number that can be accommodated in a building roughly measuring 100 feet wide by 90 feet deep. It must be understood that this is the outside dimensions and does not account for the kitchen, rest rooms, bar, game area, or the package goods store. An inspection of the/ premise could determine the maximum numberXof patrons and should bo^et by fire safety officials in conformance with current standards for the protection and safety of patron^e -The/ volume inside Jack s Place is not for a non-patron to judge. However, when the music rendered is excessively loud within ear shot of a block surrounding Jack’s Place, then it appears that a constitutional issue favoring the residents around Jack's Place is raised. I contend that I can not regulate or control other's tastes or volume of music, but I can contest when my family, my neighbors. or myself are disturbed, sleep disrupted, and the demeanor of the residential neighborhood is shattered by what goes on inside, this popular night spot. I suggest further sound-proofing be made as a condition to their ABC License, which should include sound locks on entrances and exits. The noise levels outside is intense. but whenever anyone enters or exits, the noise is intensified and is a source of additional agrivation. -The present parking lot

m« SOVEREIGN STATE of AFFAIRS ■OVD A WOOD

fv S - Kv [■

a Jack's Place is wholly inadequate for current 1 levels of partonage at Jack's Place. To close off parking spaces, as they already have done by construction of a platform to the south of the present building, simply places an additional burden on residences for parking spaces The presence of two uniformed special police officers stationed outside the grounds of Jack's Placo at the closing hour could be an asset to the residences in noise control. This expense should be borne by Jack's Place since the need for this kind of law inforcement is coincidental with the business the manager operated. The Borough of Avalon does make selection and qualifications for such special police officers in their local Borough Ordinances. Rev. Ord. 4-10,

1969.

When, in the course of business, regardless of the kind of business, the peace and orderliness of the neighborhood in which that business is situate is constantly (disrupted, then it becomes the concern dfc those living near or around that business to have dialogue to correct the infraction of the breach of the civil rights of residents who are also the'taxpayers. Without your cooperation, the constitutional guarantees of residents in this Borough will be a constantly breached guarantee, will cause further aggravatidn, and I can assure you. continuing litigation. I assure you that I will continue to use my good offices and time in this matter pursuant to the conformity of Jack's Place to the requests of good neighbors (for forty years! that share Avalon with each other Thanking you in advance for your help and cooperation. I remain. Sincerely yours, Rev. Boyd T. Sylvester. Executive Director, Fishermen’s Wharf. Inc. Chicago, Illinois

CAPITAL COMMENTS By Au*mbly Minority Loodor

J a mot R. Hurloy

‘Direct Democracy' Reform

Dear Editor: In Article 1 the Jersey constitution

t "nil

New says

that "all political power is inherent to the.people...and they have the right at all times to alter or reform the government". However, the constitution fails fo ’include specific procedures whereby the citizen can exercise the fundamental voting rights of Initiative. Referendum and Recall. These are the checks and balances which prevent special interest groups or a political party from dominating the government by machine techniques to the point where they can, with impunity, block legislation or constitutional amendments desired by the citizens or can push through measures opposed by the citizens. Initiative, Referendum and Recall are often called direct democracy in that the citizens can act on important issues by petition without requiring the permission of the legislature and governor. The majority of states already have direct democracy provisions in their constitutions - some

The recent announcement by the Assembly majority party leadership that public hearing? will be held in August on proposals to institute a citizen initiative and referendum system in New Jersey drew a mixed reaction — delight that, at last, some action will be forthcoming, and disappointment because any favorable action in August would be too late for the Constitutional amendment to appear on the November General Election ballot. The sudden reversal of position by the majority party which has consistently refused to consider initiative legislation, was the direct result of the public pressure generated by a Republican Task Force which conducted three public hearings around the state on the proposal. The Task Force drew a good deal of attention at its hearing in Trenton. Lakewood and Morristown and brought into sharp focus the broad public interest in the initiative and referendum question. Obviously, the extent of the citizen interest was unexpected by the majority party and when it became clear that the issue was gaining momentum, a decision was made to announce the hearings in an effort to eliminate the build-up of public pressure which would surely result from continuing to ignore the matter. In announcing the hearings and scheduling them for August, the majority party spokesman! said the reason no action had been taken earlier was that the State Government Committee — the Assembly committee in which the bills have been lodged — was busy on other, more important legislation and did not have '-.ufficienl time to consider initiative and referendum

bills

In fact, the spokesman listed several proposals

which had been referred to the State Government Committee for action, including reform of the Civil Service system, instant voter registration, public financing for gubernatorial primary elections, equalizations of pension rights, and various amendments to the state's casino control law. Since the majority party offered the workload of the committee as the reason for failing to consider initiative and referendum proposals, it is altogether proper that their rationale be put to the test. Proposals for initiative and referendum were submitted on the Legislature's opening day. Jan. 10, 1978, and referred to the committee at that time. The Civil Service reform legislation was introduced in September, 1978. nine months later. The instant voter registration proposal was introduced in February. 1978. but since June. 1978. it has been clear that sufficient support does not exist and no action has been taken on the bill since then. The public financing of Gubernatorial primary elections was introduced in October. 1978. The pension equalization proposal was introduced in April. 1979 — 16 months after the initiative anti Referendum legislation — while the casino control law amendments were not submitted until May and June of 1979. Against this background. Bit is rather clear that the "argument that the committee has been too busy with other matters is a weak one, indeed, offered more as an alibi than a compelling reason. It is, of Course, heartening to realize that'the Task Force attained the goal it set for itself when it was created — opening, a public dialogue between citizens and elected' officials on this issue.

for more than 75 years. The experierice has been very good arid irtany reforms have been initiated this way. The recent property tax reduction in California came about through citizen action. So have election reforms, such as abolition of poll taxes in the far west and womfen suffrage at the state level. Experience also shows that voter turnout is much higher when citizens can vote on issues of importance. A number of resolutions have been submitted in Trenton to reform the New Jersey constitution. But these are being blocked by the Democratic party leaders who control the legislature by a 2 to 1 majority. We hope the Democratic party will stop denying the citizens their fundameqtal voting and place the appropriate constitutional amendment on the ballot this November. Sincerely yours, C. A. Haverly Executive Director Taxpayers Political Action Committee Keaming, N.J.

I .arKtttl Circulation In Thf County

lldrsi E rrf Wff hly In Thf County

Our Thirteenth Veer Serving Cepe May County P.O. Box 6 2719 Dune Drive Avalon, N.J. MM2 Phone H7-3312 967 7204 Published Every Thursday By the Seawave Corporation DarrBlI Kopp editor and Publlshor Bill Shorman Sports Editor Kathloon Cox Schaeffer Repofter J.A. Cunningham Feature Writer Cheryl Crews .V.. Feature Writer Peter Dunne.. Columnist Charles P. Lamey Columnist Cheryl Crews Graphics Contributor Gall Carlno Advertising Graphics Susan Carr Compositor News A Photos Monday—3 p.m. Advertising Monday—3 p.m. Classlflod Advertising Tuesday - Noon Subscriptions — 17.00 PER YEAR Neither participating advertisers nor the publishers of the HIBAID 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 submlttiMl for publication.