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The Herald And The Lanlern

Thursday, October 4,1979

editorial

Letters To The Editor

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Chamber Continues Probe Of DRBA

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Oktoberfest-A Lesson

Ijirgrtl ClrculatlM OMnt Pm Weekly InTkeCwnty In Ttir Coonl.v Our Thlrtoonth Year Serving Cage May County

In Community Spirit

The success of Wildwood's l <v rrst Annual Bavarian Oktoberfest should serve an important lesson for all Cape May County communities. The Oktoberfest. as well as providing fun and frivolity for all participants. created an added and much needed spurt to the summer season’s fading economy. But. more important, it shows how the nature of an area that once practically foiled up its sidewalks after Labor Day can be transformed into an active and vital community, Concerned not only with the Venjoyment of its tourists, but tib residents too. Much hard work went into the carefree festival. Lou Lambert^ a promotsr of the Oktoberfest is to be commended for his hard

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woqk and determination to turn Wildwood’s traditional postseason decline amfnd. Cape May will make a similar effort with its Victorian Weekend Oct. 6B. Other communities throughout Cape May County should take the hint, roll up their municipal sleeves and get the ball rolling instead of early settfing down for a sleepy winter. The residents of Cape May County need not live for the tourist season anymore. The Wildwood Bavarian Oktoberfest has proven that. Attempts to liven up post-season activities may not be as comfortable and effortless as the traditional hibernation. but they're a whole lot more satisfying.

Bradley Offers

JEnergy Saving Plan

WASHINGTON - With broad bipartisan backing. Sen. Bill Bradley has introduced legislation designed to make American Homes far more energy efficient and have utilities absorb the cost sb Hut homeowners pay none of It directly The Bradley plan wa*' prepared to draw on research which found that new techniques could save Irom 50 percent to 70 percent on energy use in an average home A Senate Kncrgy Committee hearing oil Bradley's proposal is scheduled for Oct. 2 and the Senate Finance Committee has agreed to consider a lax crenit provision. Brad.Ivy estimated that : dll-scale application of his plan could produce savings of about 1.6 million barrels of oil a day within the next few years, and he said it would create a market for widespread residential conservation promptly Moreover, he said his proposal would accomplish these goals without imposing more financial burdens on homeowners and without requiring significant new government bureaucracy or costly excess generating capacity for most utilities. ‘The fastest, least expensive means of reducing l S dependence on importer! oil is to make better pse of the energy we already have." Bradleysaid. "and we can realize tremendous savings painlessly bv using equipment and various techniques for more efficient heating and cooling in millions of homes nowprone to wasteful or unnecessary consumption The Bradley plan entails three principal 'actors" — utilities, private "energy conservation companies, and a government authority to negotiate contracts. Under the plan, the U.S. secretary of energy would designate a state or municipal government office at similar "contracting agency" in an area.. This contracting agency woiBd negotiate with companies seeking to

perform the conservation measures throughout a residenliaI community on a systematic, block-by-block basis. All contracts would have to be approved by the secretary of energy . and they would state that the private company doing the work will be paid a specific price for the energy that is saved The next move would be for the conservation company to set up a coordinated operation involving local suppliers, installers of the energysaving equipment to be used, and trained auditors or experts to^evaluate the energy efficiency of a homg and recommend steps To reduce consumption without sacrifice or discomfort to the resident. The auditors would visit every residence in the designated area and inspect the premises at no charge to the owner or tenant. They will identify sources of energy loss and make appropriate, detailed recommendations sueh as caulking. weatherstripping. installation of storm windows or interior shutters and furnace modifications. In any case, the owner or tenant will be advised that they will not have to pay for work done or materials Whenever a job is authorized at a residence, the conservation company will perform the work recommended by the auditors and it will be up to the contracting agency to determine a year later how much energy was saved as a result of the measures taken. Under terms of the contract, the company will be paid only for energy actually saved. The plan rewards only efficiency and pays only for results. In such a competitive environment, fly-by-night firms will not be able to enter the market. The conservation companies would be paid out of a revolving fund administered by the federal government, which also would launch the fund by floating bonds.

To The Editor: The Greater Wildwood Chamber of Commerce has uncovered more information dating back to January 19.1964 regarding the construction of a bridge across the bay from Cape May. Referring to the ferry, Mr. Thomas Gallagher a member of the Delaware River and Bay Authority, at that time, states that "An elaborate bridge-tunnel crossing may replace the ferry route as soon as the traffic load reaches 1,500 vehicle a day." "Traffic engineers have estimated that during the ferry line’s first full year of operation (1965), some 279.000 vehicles canying 525.000 passengers will use

it."

“That averages out to about 800 vehicles daily but the majority of the vehicles will be using the ferry in the summer. " "The engineers estimate that by 1975, some 422.000 vehicles carrying about 800.000 passengers will be using the line. That’s an average of 1.200 daily with the figure rising to about 1,500 daily during the summer." "With 1.500 vehicles using the ferry daily, the line will be financially able to |ell bonds for a bridge tunnel." Chamber President, Charles Thomas, along with Freeholder Thornton and the Cape May County Department of Transportation estimated the first years operation of a bridge causway operation to be 2 million, higher than estimated by their own commissioner Presently estimates of cars entering and leaving the Delmarva peninsula is 10^ million automobiles. " The Chamber continues to press after its Board of Directors meeting on September 25th at Neil’s Steak House for the southern crossing of the Delaware Dav. The Board of Directors have pledged themselves along with its officers to continue until the southern route is open for traffic with a bridge causwav.

The Board of Directors were overwhelmed and stunned by reports which were verified that any appointed committee of the DRBA would hire unqualified consultants who are only bridge inspectors and cereal experts. If the Chamber of Commerce can seek information from the highest qualified consultants and bridge builders at no cost, why does it cost the DRBA $300,000 for unoualified consultants? In adoition to the shock regarding the consultants was that of the purchasf of a fourth ferry for 11 million dollars when the original 3 ferries were purchasfcd for 11 million dollars (Trial and only two are in use with one kept in reserve. The wasted money for studies and additional ferries could be put toward the construction of the birdgespan. President Charles Thomas reviewed his crfmmunications with Congressman Hughes on the energy problem and in his reply, Mr. Hughes admits that the "Department of Energy has made more than its 'share of mistakes and needs a major overhaul." Mr. Hughes pledges support for various programs to help the situation and the tourist industry If we do not continue to seek new programs like this bridge span, lYesident Thomas forsees more summers like we had for

1979.

Charles Thomas President Greater Wildwood Chamber of Commerce

Bittner Applauds Advocates Stand

COURT HOUSE - Jack Bittner. Republican Freeholder Candidate praised the Public Advocate's office for its court action against the $64 million Atlantic Electric rate hike. "In early August, I wrote letters to Public Advocate's office and P.U.C. objecting strenuously to the proposed $85 million Atlantic Electric Compatiy's Increase request. This past weekend, it appears that the pr^bsed rate hike has been chopped to $64 million by Atlantic Electric, but I am pleased that the Public Advocates is not accepting that and is till trying to block the entire increase. It proves that letters and individual testimony on these issues do not go unnoticed". Bittner explained. "I believe it is the duty of every public official and candidate for office to take an interest in such issues. The utilities believe they

P.O. Bos O Avalon. N.J. M2M Phono 9*7-3312 Publlthod Ivory Thursdoy By tho toowovo Corporation Darroll Kopp Kditor and PuMIshor Kathloon Cox Schaoffor Roportor BUI Shorman Sports Idltor Boyd Tylor Pishing Columnist J.A. Cunningham Foaturo Wrltor Chary I Craws Poaturo Wrltor Patar Dunna Columnist Charlos P. Lomay Columnist Chary! Craws Graphics Contributor Gall Car'no Advartlslng Graphics Nows A Photos Monday—I p.m. Advartlslng Monday—3 p.m. ClastIHod Advartlslng Tuosdoy - Noon

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ChianicI See. Committee 4 Post A Plus For His District

can charge what they want because they have a monopoly. I testified at the public hearing on the New Jersey Natural Gas increas« and opposed it, as I have this electric increase. I am fully aware of increased coat, as a businessman, but I also believe in more efficient operating systems and a fairer break for our citizens especially ones on fixed incomes, such as our seniors. "I urge everyone to Join me in helping defeat this enormous rate increase the Electfic Company is asking. Everyone has a stake in it, from the tourisf based business to the Senior Gtizen. Working together, I believe the people of Cape May County can achieve anything", Bittner concluded. You may write to Mr. Gural. Division of The Public Advocate at 428 E. State Street, Trenton. N.J. and add your voice to those who feel this is unfair.

DIAMOND BEACH - Assemblyman Joesph W. Chinnici, R., 1st Dist.. recently told an enthusiastic group of supporters at a rally at the Holiday Inn here that he hopes to be returned to the General Assembly by the voters on November 6 so that he can continue to serve as a senior member of the Legislature's Joint Committee on Appropriations. "The Joint Committee on Appropriations is the most powerful one in State government, and as a member I have the direct chance for input to benefit Cumberland and Cape May Counties. We meet at least 35 days a year just on this committee's business, and many items wbuld not have come our waV if I had not served on this panel." said ^he legislator Chinnici cited as example the placement of money in the budget to continue the operation of the Agricultural Experiment Station, dredging of waterways and restoration of funding for the 4-H program, which he said is especially important to youngsters in South Jersey. Chinnici said he also worked on the committee to implement funding for

the Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged (PAA) program, which is designed to assist senior citizens in paying prescription bills Chinnici noted that when the PAA program was first conceived, it was estimated that 20.000 senior citizens in paying prescription bills. Chinmci noted that when the PAA program was first conceived, it was estimated that 20,000 senior citizens would participate. "As it turned out. however, more than 385,000 senior citizens signed up for the program and we had to find funding for this. Some legislators said it could not be done, but we did it,"Chinhicisaid Chinnici told the gathering that the current monetary restrictions for participation in the PAA program are not realistic enough in light of inflation, and he has introduced legislation to assist senior citizens who have incomes over the limit allowed at present The Assemblyman added that the revised guidelines for the PAA participation would also apply to the new Lifeline Program, both of which are designed to help senior citizens and the disabled.

Cape May Beaches Get Federal Aid

WASHINGTON. D C. - President Carter has signed into law an appropriations bill which includes funding for a project involving major restoration of Cape May's beaches, according to N.J. Congressman Bill Hughes The President’s signature assures that the project will receive complete funding and will remain on schedule during the upcoming fiscal year, Hughes said. The $80,000 appropriation for the Cape May project will cover the amount needed by the Army Corps of Engineers to begin Phase One of the project and move into the ad-

vanced engineering and design stage The report’s beaches nave steauily eroded over the years as a direct result of Federal Government’s construction of the Cold Spring Jetties. The Army Corps currently estimates a construction start on this project in 1983. However. Hughes has promised to try to speed up that construction start because the project "is needed to rectify a problem which has robbed Cape May of its greatest economic asset over the years." In a related matter, Hughes said he is optimistic that Townsends Inlet will be dredged within the next few days.