CAPE MAY COUNTY

TV

listings

r

VOL. I NO. 31

WEDNESDAY. DECEMBER 5, 1979

PUBLISHED EVERY WEDNESDAY BV TOE 8EAHAVE CORPORATHM, P.O. BOX «, AVALON. NJ. 08302

4-H: “Learning By Doing”

>UKT HOUSE — In stranser (n vnnth IIOO n f HV*BE I Kr I tl I n rf r* n H. I A * 3* ■ ■

COURT HOUSE - In these days of accelerating juvenile delinquency, rampant teenage drug abuse and violence in the schools, the older generation among us is liable to wonder if "good”

kids still exist.

So many, according to the dire pictures often portrayed in the news, arc uncarts! for and uncaring. , Cape May County is not a

stranger to youth problems, but one area stands out as a wellspring of active, enthusiastic, involved, responsible-

youth: the 4-H chibs. The 4-H program in Cape

May County boasts about 800 club members belonging to 50 chibs across

the county.

The clubs, under the direction of Betty Jean Jesuncosky, County 4-H

agent are thriving centers of interest and education

for young people.

‘‘It’s a matter of catching kids, when they're interested.” Jesuncosky explained. "Young people who join 4-H arc not different or more conservative than their peers,

she said.

•'They just happen to have become involved in something they’re in-

LOOKIN(» CbOOI) — Cape May County 4-|l members show off their lambs m competition at the annual 4-11 Fair in July.

terested in,'" Jesuncosky

explained.

Finding something to become interested in the 4H program is not difficult since the club offers a diverse program of classes, activities and

workshops.

Club members can choose from 25 to 30 different projects and activities. Program offerings include everything from all types of homemaking projects to crafts to horticulture to livestock. But. in Cape May County, horse clubs where members learn to ride, groom and show horses is the unconlcsted number one program, Jesuncosky said. Some 150 4-H horse club members are currently involved in 11 clubs throughout the county. Arts and crafts is •ewradhv-experipueing a renaissance m the program with youngsters mcreaHingty becoming interested in basic handicrafting skills. And, though 4-H iMtnbers can learn everything from dressmaking ~to woodworking or livestock

husbandry, a much more profound objective underlies the entire program. "The projects educate kids in life skills-skills and qualities such as leadership, citizenship and responsibility," Jesun-

cosky explained.

An emphasis is put on presenting a variety of careers, clarifying values

compensation. But. what they do get is "the satisfaction of seeing young people grow and develop and become better citizens as a result of being yt-H members,” according

to Jesuncosky.

"So many people have skills they don’t realize," Jesuncosky said. The

Electric Rates Up~And Up Some More? — Despite County’s Drop In Constlmption

ATLANTIC CITY - Cape . May County residents, though they conserve more electricity than any other Atlantic Electric customers, can look forward to . higher electric bills this winter. The utility, which serves the South Jersey area, Ipst week was granted a 17-28 percent rate increase effective Dec. 1 for fuel adjustment charges inflated by the soaring cost of

oil.

The fuel adjustment increase will reflect in an increase of over $5 in the bills of average customers using 500 killowatt hours per month. Matt Custer, Atlantic Electric spokesman said Monday. And, the utility filed an application with the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) Nov. 30 for an additional 186 million rate hike'to take effect in 1900 and 1901, he added. This increase was requested for construction of several new power plants. The 186 million increase would be portioned but in the two separate increases occuring in July 1900 and March 1901 if approved. Reasons for the two-part increase cited in the utility proposal are: — the impact of inflation resulting in higher operational costs

heightened by increasing

customer demand

—financial return on additional investments — the utility can only make a profit on its "lasting equipment" or physical plant, not on operational costs — the higher cost of money — higher interest rates on loans, difficulty in attracting investment in

stock buying

— gross receipt and franchise taxes The $86 million hikf will result in an approximate 20 percent increase on residential bills. Projected customer growth for the utility which presently adds atxkit 7,000 new customers each year is estimated to continue at four percent per year for the next five years. The growth rate should then level off to about three percent per year. Custer said. About 20 percent of the growth rate in the next five years will be generated by casino-related industries.

Custer said.

But. customers in other areas should not feel they're footing the bill for the Atlantic City based industry since 80 percent of future growth in customer service will be derived from the rest of South Jersey. Custer added. Meanwhile, the fuel adjustment increase will

add about 1.1 cents per kilowatt hour and bring in an additional.$64.3 million in revenues for Atlantic

Electric.

The utility serves a total 360,004, customers in Atlantic, Cape May. Salem and Cumberland counties and parts of Gloucester. Ocean and Burlington

counties.

About one-third of the electricity generated by Atlantic Electric uses oil as

its source.

Approval of the fuel adjustment increase will give all-electric household customers their first real taste of the energy crisis' impact. Custer said. Atlantic Electric statistics indicate that customers have probably been conarrving electricity over the past few months, the utility official said. "There does seem to be some room here to show that some actual conservation efforts have been made. Custer said. "R still remains to be seen whether this is temporary or permanent.”

he added.

Figures indicate Cape May County residents are using leas electricity than other Atlantic Electric customers. Custer said. In the 12 month period ending July of 197*. Cape

May County customers were shown to use 1/2 percent less electricity than the same period in the previous year. That figure has continued to rise during the summer and into the fall with Cape May County customers using .8 percent less in August, 1.9 percent in September and 2.2 percent less in October. At the same time, the utility has added about 2.4 percent more customers, Custer said. And. although some of the decrease in electric usage could be attributed to the milder weather this year, it appears Cape May County residents conserve an average of one percent more than last year. Custer

said.

Atlantic Electric customers will be given the opportunity to express their views on the forthcoming $86 million base rate hike filed last week in public hearings to be set up by the BPU. The BPU has as much as nine months to make a decision on the rate hike. Custer said. Meanwhile, the higher prices caused by the fuel adjustment increase are expected to cause a more deliberate conservation effort by customers, he

RIGHT FROM THE HORSE'S MOUTH — Horse clubs are one of the most popular areas In 4-H projects at Cape May County 4-H clubs. But, it's not all work. TTiere’s always time for

horsing around.

personal county 4-H agent is always

on the lookout for persons interested in becoming volunteer leaders. Interested adults can become involved in the program by contacting

and on development.

But. though 4-H emphasizes individual growth, close ties are maintained by stressing civic

responsibility.

Ipppl

"The beauty of the 4-H jesuncosky at the program is that it is geared Cooperative Extension to meet the needs and Service in Court House, concerns of people.” Programs offered locally

Jesuncosky said.

The needs and concerns mel through 4-H benefit not

are available according to the interests of adult leaders and children alike,

only the young club Jesuncosky said.

members but their volunteer 4-H leaders as well. Volunteers leaders, all residents of the local

The 4-H program, traditionally open to young people between the ages of 9 and 18 recently

community offer whatever broadened its base by particular skills or ex- instituting a Prep 4-H pertise they have. They program for 7 to 9 year receive no monetary (Page 3 Please)