I’agelM)

The Herald And The Lantern

Thursday, August :I0.197D

, »»#*»»#»»»»»»»###»»»»»»»##»»###»##»»##»#####»###» CAPITAL COMMENTS By AtMMttbly Minority Loodor Jarnot R. Hurloy

Nearly all public attention with respect to New •Jersey s proposed new criminal . code has been focused almost exclusively on its more sensitive and emotional sections, overlooking completely thp rather heavy impact the new law will have on the state's penal system. A With the new law . scheduled to become operative in 16 days, officials of the State Department*of Corrections have been attempting to assess the potential impact and hve reached the conclusion that it will result in increasing the population in the already overcrowded prisons. While reluctant to estimate publicly what that increase might be, private predictions are that 200 • additional inmates is the minimum increase, with , some estimates ranging a good deal higher. The major reason for the anticipated increase in the prison population is a feature of the new criminal code known as presumptive sentencing, which sets a prison term range which a judge must use as a starting point. For instance. serious offenses carry a sentence range of from 10 to 20 years and the presumed sentence is 15 years, although judges would be given the discretion to increase or decrease that figure. This ' feature has the effect of narrowing a judge's discretion in • sentencing and raises the prospect that not only may 1 more individuals be confined. but they will remain confined for longer time % periods. In addition to the presumptive sentencing provisions, the code permits judges to.sentence a convicted mruderer to 25 years without parole; life imprisonment can be imposed, ''arid extended sentences can ,be ordered for repeat offenders or convicted organized crime figures. The potential increase in prison population may be offset some by a code provisions which will allow

BOYD It WOOD lh* SOVEREIGN STATE 0( AFFAIRS

Letters To The Editor Avalon Police Poised

those currently serving time to petition for release ora reduction in sentence if the code abolishes the crime for which they were convjcted or lessens the penalty for that crime. Additionally, so-called “victimless crimes” have been abolished while sentences have been greatly scaled down for others. While the number of inmates now in prison who might qualify for immediate release is very small, Department of Corrections officials seem certain that they will be deluged with applications for either release or sentence reduction, possibly placing a strain on the administrative capacity of the Department. The uncertainty with which the state is faced concerning the criminal code’s effect on the prison system is, perhaps, symptomatic of the entire history of the code itself. After it was originally approved, it developed that it was badly deficient i*a number of areas, the most prominent being reducing the age of consent for sexual conduct to 13 years. In fact, the errors — both of omission and commission -- - were so numerous that the Legislature recently approved a 111-page set of amendments — more than half the size of the code originally — in an effort to clarify it. Moreover, there has been great concern expressed that law, enforcement agencies have not had adequate time to prepare for the new code and many officers may be unfamiliar with the new provisions even though they will have to enforce them in little more than two weeks. Many of us argued that the effective date of the code should be moved at least six months ahead, if not an entire year, to accomodate these problems. Unfortunately, the suggestion was rebuffed by tbe majority party and New Jersey is about to enter a new law enforcement and penology period very ill-prepared, indeed.

Dear Editor:

We want to express our thanks to the Avalon Police Dept, and the men of the Ambluance Service for all their help on Aug. 20 on behalf of our dad - Edward Allen. Their concern and

prompt service was a comfort, to us in this emergency. We in Avalon are fortunate to have such dedicated men to serve us. The Lord FamHy

Avalon

Quilting Class Plaudit

Dear Editor: To the Borough of Avalon, N. J.: Thank you for your summer recreation llrogram for adults which included an excellent quilting class run by

Norma Reichenback. She was a good teacher and we learned a great deal and had fun. Elizabeth Collishaw (Mrs. Dwight) Avalon

Senior Citizen Backs Livingston, Wilhelm

To the Editor: An evening cruise sponsored by U.S. Rep. William Hughes as a fund raising event for Democratic ^Assembly candidates ' Jerry Livingston and Randy Wilhelm and for Freeholder candidate Frank Murphy was held aboard the 90-foot “Royal Flush” Sunday, August 19. As a senior citizen interested in legislative representation concerning the many problems facing the elder citizens of our assembly district, I was one of the lucky senior citizens invited as a guest by the candidates. During the cruise, which incidentally I enjoyed very much and shall always remember. I had an opportunity as did other senior citiznes to speak with the candidates and found them to be sympathetic to the meeds of the elderly in our district. They pointed out that there are approximately 13.000 elderly residents in our area*, and if organized could wield some influence on their own behalf. If senior citizens are to defend their interests in the community, they must participate in political activity just as other

people do. There are many problems facing our elderly, and they are decided in the political arena. Wilhelm, Livingston and Murphy are aware of this and ,ap&.willing to sijt with us^ffi explore our problemraith us. In my judgement, as a senior citlwn, we now have the opportunity on election day to achieve the leadership, dedication and most importantly the integrity so desperately needed by the elderly in our community. As our Assembly Representatives. Wilhelm and Livingston, and as our Freeholder of Dennis Township, Frank Murphy, they have pledged their support to the overwhelming defeat of those responsible for our great frustration and insecurity. If you are concerned and if you feel as I do, then I strongly urge that you as a senior citizen make a sincere effort to exercise your American heritage by going to the polls on election day and cast your ballot for these dedicated public servants. Randy Wilhelm, Jerry Livingston and Frank Murphy. J. A. Weber Washington Street Cape May

Senior Citizetas Meet

Dear Editor: It is that time again. Hope you had a good summer. The regular Monday meeting of the Cape May County Coordinating Council of Senior Citizens will have the September meeting at Public Library, Court House, on Monday, Sep-

Help For Disabled

MILLVILLE- “Help for the disabled, a part of the Lifeline legislation for the benefit of senior citizens is a triumph for decency and fair paly.” So said Assemblyman James R. Hurley today in commenting on the passage of Lifeline legislation by the New Jersey Assembly yesterday almost by acclamation. It was something of a personal triumph for Hurley who has advocated aid for the disabled for years. “No group of people deserve help more and , have had less meaningful i public assistance than the

7>l ,' V W ■

M liit USA' ni G«t You An Answer To

il You An Answ*f To Your QuMtion About In Th» MlddlG Eo*t As Soon As I Find Who's R«sponslbl® For It This WG«k..

Candidates Propose Energy Program

The Wilhelm-Livingston campaign last week announced a significant proposal toward solving South Jersey’s energy problems. If elected, Randy Wilhelm and JerryLivingston will jointly introduce bills for the promotion of alternate energy plants in South Jersey. The program will provide for construction and funding of one or more gasahol jfiants in South Jersey. Tjhe plants will be located /in economically depressed areas of the region so that their construction and operation will provide needed jobs. Since plants like these need crops to produce alcohol, farmers in the region would be benefited. If necessapf, the program would provide tax or other incentives for the growing and utilization of these crops. The program would also assist Rutgers, one of the nation's leading agricultural institutions, in developing crops which would give a high fuel yield while using the minimum amounts of fertilizers, pesticipdes, and other Substances presently manufactured from oil or oil derivatives. This program can have many beneifts. South Jersey would have an additional fuel source within a few years of the

construction of these plants. A new industry would be created, which would not only create many year-round jobs and an increase in a community’s tax base, but valuable experience in the economic production and distribution of these fuelds. Fuel produced in South Jersey will stay in South Jersey,

too.

In a companion program, legislation would be aimed at the study of and implimentaion of a long-term program to solve our solid waste problems. The appropriate State agencies would be directed to investigate the feasibility of requiring all solid waste disposal systems to convert as much of their solid waste into energy, fertilizer, or other useful substances. For example, organic wastes produce methane' gas when properly "digested". This gas is a clean efficient fuel which is a naturally occurring byproduct od decomposing waste. II can be used to heat homes or generate electricity. It is presently being wasted. Much of this waste can be made into fertilizer. Some fertilizers of this type presently sell for o er $6 per 50-pound bag. Sales could help defray the cost of produc' : 'm.

tember 3, at 10 a.m. Please have all the delegates from Cape May County attend. Bring your ideas on legislation we need for Senior. Hope to see you and bring the chapter up to date on legislation. Your Legislative Committeman Charles P. Sances

thousands, of .our citizens who are unable to work but who do not qualify under age and income restrictions. Hopefully the Senate and Governor Byrne will look favorably , on this humanitarian move,” Hurley stated. Under the Lifeline law seniors and disabled would receive $100.00 per year to help them with utility bills, with a prospect of an advance of $25.00 in the near future. An additional 60,000 handicapped households would benefit. The money would come from an increase in the tax levy on casino gross receipts.

LarRMt CirculMMNi In The County

OMe*t Free Weekly In The County

Owr ThirtMnth V#«r Serving Cepe Mey County P.O. Box O 2719 Dune Drive Avelon, N.J. M2tl Phone M7-2112 H7-7299 Published I very Thursday By the Seawave Corporation Dwrall Kopp Miter and PubIMmr Mil Sherman Sport, Miter Kathleen Cox Schaeffer. .. .1... Reporter J.A. CunnlnghanL. feature Writer Cheryl Cram...a Feature Writer Peter Dunne Column!,! Cherlee P. lontey Column lit Cheryl Crew, Orephla Contributor Oell Corine Advertl,lng Orephla Cerr Competitor New, A Photo, Monday—S p.m. Advertlilng Monday—1p.m. Claw!fled Advertlilng TueMay - Noon Neither pertlilpetlng edrertlier, ner the publisher, ot die HI,AID will he remomlMe or llehle for mUInfomietton, misprint,, typogrephlcol error* etc. In eny issue. The editor reserves the right to edit eny letter or ertklet submitted for publication.