Page 18

The Herald And The Lantern

Wednesday. December 26,1979

editorial

Alcohol & Driving: A Bad Mixture

Looking Towards 1980

In a ffw short days Cape May County will welcome In a new year and a new decade — 1980. No doubt, it will take some lime to Krt used to the feel and the sound of another spanking new era. ' -y^>. The freshness and potential of a new decade, how neat and exciting it seems as it spreads out before us like a vast plane. It's like standing before a blackboard wiped clean of all the scribble and dust that so recently marred its surface. Analysis in their very succinct and sanctimonious way. fllave defined the M's as a time of turmoil, the 70's as the era of the "me generation" where self-gratification'' reigned supreme. Maybe. I What then of the I980’s? Anyone who would try (to predict the event of the next 10 years Is either a fool ori, genius, so we won't attempt to try here. But. a frtfT. sweeping suggestions, or should we say wishes, for the 7 next 10 years in Cape May County, might be In order. , Better ptibllc transportation services must become available to the county because of its remote nature and the seemingly unending gasoline crisis. If an efficient, reasonably convenient system of bus and rail service were made available to the citixenry of the county such a system would find solid support, especially among the senior population. While noone would fault services for the seniors it is hoped that those that do exist will be expanded and improved. but not at the exclusive expense and burden of the voung. just starting out generation. Times are tough for everyone, let us not forget. The unemployment benefits system In Cape May County cries out for reform. Too many are getting loo much fprjkm long and at the expense of the too few. Which brings Uslo our next point, complete dependence ort the, tourist trade is short-sighted at best. County govefn/menl should actively encourage the growth of year-roupd industry in the area. Growth in the commercial fishing area would seem a natural as would other "clean" industries ! that would adapt themselves to the resort flavor of the area. Cultural activities should be encouraged and subsidized if necessary. Life isn’t all work; our other sensibilities^ should he addressed also. The list could go on and on — for about 10 years. Wishful thinking, maybe. Food for thought — definitely. To our readers a happy and prosperous New Year and new decade. * • , — KCS

Fly Am. Flag For Hostages Officials Say

During .this holiday season, the New Jersey State Safety Council urges everyone to consider some sobering thoughts about drinking and driving. For years, the rule has been: "If you drink, don’t drive; if you drive, don’t drink." It’s the best rule, but... Consider the fact; more than 51,000 person? were killed in motor vehicle accidents in 1978. Alcohol was a factor in about half of the fatal accidents. Obviously, some peopje who drive, do drink. Here are some other facts: Drivers who get into trouble are not always chronic alcoholics. He of she is often a "moderate" to "Light”, to "only occasional" social drinker - law-abiding citizens with families, stopping fora "few" with friends. The Safety Council concerned about the death toll from drinking while driving has made the following observation: When you drive, the brain is a computer, constantly receiving in-

State To Retiew Pinelands rtan

WASHINGTON, D C. - Congressman Bill Hughes (D-NJ) announced Dec. 12 that the entire Pinelands preservations effort will soon be reviewed by both the executive and islative branches of the iteof N6w Jersey.

COURT HOUSE - A resolution urging county residents to fly the American flag daily in support of the American hostages being held in Iran was passed Dec. 11 by the

county Boaj-d^of Chosen

Freeholders. \

“It is deemed,proper that the County/ of Cape May offer silent protect to the ^ holding 0( American hostiges in Iran," the

resolution stated.

[Hughes said the reviews ill focus on all aspects of the conservation program, to determine if changes are needed in the way it is being developed and implemented. He said he was assured that any such changes will be considered Administratively by Governor Brendan Byrne, and legislatively by the Senate Energy and Environmental Committee, which is chaired by Sen.

Frank Dodd.

"I’m very pleased that the State has now agreed to focus in detail on what I consider to be the major problems which have gotten the Pinelands protection effort off the track,” Hughes stated. "All of us are totally committed to protecting the natural resources of the Pinelands. I’m optimistic that these reviews will enable us to move forward with this effort in the most reasonable and responsible way possible. The decision to review the Pinelands program resulted from a lengthy meeting Wednesday between Governor Byrne, Congressmen Hughes, Edwin Forsythe (R—NJ) and James Florio (D-NJ), Senators Harrison Williams (D-NJ) and Bill Bradley (I>NJ), State Senators Dodd and Steven Perskie, DEP Commissioner Jerry English, and Pinelands Planning Commission Chairman Franklin Parker. During the meeting, Hughes and others expressed their concern that the Pinelands Planning

formation through the senses fend making decisions .that help you keep yourivehicle moving safely tniough traffic. Alcohol short-circuits the computer^ It slows reflexes, reduces visual acuity. You cannot think as clearly, as quickly or as rationally as you usually do. And, you cannot act as fast. Along with everything else, aKbbol short-circuits the red warning light in your computer. You don’t know that you’re impaired. You even develop a false sense of well-being. So, if'you’re planning to drive to a holiday celebration, the Council urges you to start with a sober resolution; if you drink, don't drive. However, should you be faced with a holiday driving dilemma, here are some solutions: Let someone else drive if you are under the influence of alcohol. Or, as another alternative instead of abstinence, take public transportation, 1 or have a friend drive you home.

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Programs Make N.J. Housing Affordable

Commission was devoting too much attention to the already developed areas outside the core of the Pinelands, instead of concentrating on the pristine areas which most people generally perceive as the true Pinelands. He asid this regulatory effort in the fringe areas was taking up too much of the Commission’s time and resource, contributing very little to the overall development of a management plan, polarizing the public support for Pineland preservation, and imposing an unfair burden on'the people who actually live in the Pinelands. Hughes added that the Commission had assumed certain regulatory authority which was not contemplated in either the federal or State Pinelands bills, and that these regulations often duplicated other laws and salutes which are already in effect at the local, county and State levels. "We already—have enough regulations in place to control damaging development in South Jersey during the interim period while the management plan is being ’drafted,” Hughes said "We don’t need another layer of bureaucracy slapped on the area at this time. What we do need is a conscientious effort to work within the framework of these existing laws, and to put together, a conservation program which will have strong local support.” Hughes said that Governor Byrne has already Initiated his administrative review, and will be continuing it in the weeks ahead. At the same time, he said Sen. Dodd’s Committee plans to start its oversight hearings in January.

by Senator Harrison A

Williams Jr.

For most people, the American Dream includes owning their own home. Whether living in the city, or in the country, homeownership is a goal which many families work

hard to achieve.

As part of the American Dream, the housing industry has become a cornerstone of our economy, providing' thousands of jobs in construction and related businesses. Its success or failure has an impact on many other related industries. Economists, therefore, consider the housing industry a cornerstone of our economy, and often look to it as a bellwhether of the national

financial picture.

Consider, then, the importance of what has happened in our own state in recent months. In the northern part of the state, the price of new homes has jumped 35 percent over last year. This is the greatest increase anywhere in the nation. Mortgage money has pushed beyond thirteen percent, exacerbating the downward slide facing the

homing industry.

The problem is that most people, even moderate income people, cannot

for loans under

qualify these a

their budget cannot cover the high monthly payments. As it stands now, less than a quarter of American families could afford to buy a median priced home. Several programs have been created to help make it possible for more people to buy a home. Perhaps the most innovative and farreaching of all these programs is something called mortgage revenue

bonds.

The bond programs, which have been operating successfully in 43 states and commi ities across the country, operate like traditional bonds which are sold to investors. The proceeds - in this case, however, are used to provide mortgage money at below market rates to low and moderate income families.

In New Jersey, the funds are also used to make more rental housing available for people who seek affordable apartments. Important neighborhood revitalisation projects have also been made possible because this mortgage money Is available in the state. There has been some' concern, though, that these bonds may interfere with the traditional mortgage market. I believe that it is critical to the housing industry and to prospective home buyers that we keep this valuable bond program alive, so I have introduced legislation which would help the successful programs continue and, at the same time, would not interfere with the conventional mortgage market. My bill would permit the sale of bonds under these carefully controlled situations: 1) When they are sold as part of local redevelopment or revitalization programs that utilize federal grant finals; 2) When the bonds are issued by state housing financing agencies; 3) When the proceeds of the bond issue are targeted to low and moderate income families. The measure would i that the funds are used only for worthwhile commtmity projects or, for families who do not have access to . traditional mortgage money. In this way, we can’t help neighborhoods that are struggling to improve, and protect the working people of this country who have labored ao hard for a chance to own a home.