Cape May County Herald, 29 October 1980 IIIF issue link — Page 1

Storm

Socks I Cape The worst coastal storm since December 1974 tricked a lot of Jersey Cape residents and vacationers the weekend before Halloween. For scores of homeowners and merchants in low-lying areas who are still drying out, the onslaught of wind and water last Saturday morning is a "treat” that won’t soon be forgotten. As the storm waters began going out, the damage estimates started coming in: a half-million dollars worth of sand dunes in Sea Isle City and the northern end of the County, almost a quarter-million in Cape May City, an unknown amount for the thousands of cubic yards of sand lost along the South Cape May beachfront where the dune was leveled in a matterV>f minutes... The estimates continue, and don't include private losses to homeowner and merchant. Many stores along the main streets in Avalon and Stone Harbor, for instance, sustained water as did countless (Page 3 Please) ,

APPEARING TO BE completely at sea, this worried resident of Stone Harbor Blvd. tightens the lines of his boat against the fnry of the wind and flood tides during last Saturday’s storm which caused hundreds of thousands of dohars in damage to public and private property.

Besides Candidates, Ballot Questions Should Attract Voters

COURT HOUSE — As if the closeness of the 1980 Presidential race isn’t enough, next Tuesday’s ballot should prove tempting for other reasons to Jersey Cape

voters.

They will enter a voting booth replete with decisions to make the national, state, county and — in some cases — local import. For those who see elections as the culmination of Just another political campaign — the Nov. 4 election has some unusual drawing cards indeed. And in a fourth of the county’s 16 municipalities, there are extra voter attractions — public questions or con-

troversial issues. NOT COUNTING THOSE municipalities with local contests or questions, the countywide ballot is almost equally divided between candidates and questions. Besides the Presidential race — where the major choices are Republican Ronald Reagan, Democrat Jimmy Carter and Independent John Anderson — county voters will be helping to decide who represents the Second Congressional District and which two candidates will represent them on county government. THE CONGRESSIONAL RACE includes Democrat

incumbent William Hughes of Ocean City who is being challenged by Republican Beech Fox, the current county sheriff from Court House. Fox has been on the campaign trail for over a year attempting to tie Hughes to liberalism and the coattails of what he perceives as an unpopular president Hughes is seeking re-election to his fourth term in Congress by emphasizing a record of accomplishments in his home county and district, and his overall voting record, which

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Interviews with Town & Voll

Q. Mr. Town, you have criticizM the county’s plan to build a branch of the County Library in Lower Township, saying much of the bond issue could be reduced by adding on to the existing high school library for a community-wide facility. Do you think there could be more sharing of sch ol facilities and services by all the citizens in a community — such as. for example, having the phys. ed. staff and physical education facilities of a school available as a town's rec. director and recreation program? MR. TOWN: I absolutely believe so; although I'll say at the same time, it's a very tough battle. The ‘school organizations, not only in this state but countrywide, want to have their School used for just their own purposes. Civil Defense organizations want their own Civil Defense building. And the list goes on and on. In the school situation, we use schools 180 days a year, which is fine when there’s lots of money going around. But in these days of recession and inflation at the same time, it might be a good idea to share as much as possible and in every area as possible. Q. Mr. Voll. there are places such as Sea life City and your own Middle Townfhip where the Democrat Party has been in

Editor's note — The Herald and The Lantern last Wednesday afternoon concluded its interviews of candidates on the countywide Nov. 4 ballot by talking with Democrat County Freeholder candidates Charles Town and Michael Voll. Unlike previous sessions with the Republican Freeholder candidates and the two Congressional candidates. Mr. Town

power over a period of time. On the county level, however, there is a long history of Republican dominance. What are the ingredients necessary to provide a more continuous and successful Democratic influence in county politics? MR. VOLL: One of the main things is to have good candidates to run for public office. I’m a very strong believer in a two-party system. This country’s been made up of a two-party system for many, many years And it’s like the spice of life; you need salt and pepper ... it gives you a good checks and balance system, it’s healthy, you get fair representation for everyone, and it keeps people honest I think this is what the people look for. and that's why there’s a two-party system

and Mr. Voll were together when they were interviewed by phone; although each was asked the questions separately. Most of the questions were the same as those asked of their opponents earlier. Here are thp responses of Mr. Town, a computer supply salesman from Sea Isle City; and Mr. Voll. a Wildwood policeman living in Rio Grande.

in this country: There’s'^ different opinions... After this year. I think that you're going to see more and more Democrats locally involved in the county government. The county’s been controlled for about 50 years-plus: All Republican. And I think that some good candidates really get discouraged. This year there are two good candidates for freeholder — Charlie Town and myself. We have had more help and support in every aspect than any other candidate that we know in the past. We really feel very successful. The people are tired of a one-party system in this county. As a matter of fact; we have so many known Republicans that are coming out in our support — just became they do believe in the ingredients

of a two-party system. They don’t feel it’s fair. They feel that just some special interest groups, family and friends are being represented And employees of the county should not be in a position to fear for their jobs. They should be-able to speak out and tell it like it is. < This way there’s that ingredient that the two-party system will keep everything on the up and up. And people can speak their opinions and not have to fear for repercussions <). Fishing and farming are compatible to the seashore resort economy and character. Because of the seasonal nature of the economy, however, there is also a high unemployment rate most‘of the year. Should there be attempts to change this, or is seasonal employment acceptable or. at least, less objectionable than the side effects of programs and efforts to change It? MR. TOWN: Cape May County, because of its geographic location, is not well suited for heavy industry. We are not located within the heavily industrialized — I guess the heaviest in the United States that covers thpt tunnel from Boston and New York down thru Philadelphia into Baltimore and Washington. We’re 80 miles south of that area — and we’re a peninsuia, (Page35 Please)

The Democrat Freeholder Candidates