Senior Drivers May Pay More

UNION — A 65-year-old male driver in Cape May County could face a 32 per cent increase in car insurance rates if state Insurance Commissioner Sheeran's recent order eliminating age, sex and marital status as rating criteria and requiring the redrawing of insurance territorial boundaries becomes final. That’s the warning of the New Jersey Insurance News Service, sponsored by 20 property/casualty insurance companies which write 65 per cent of the state’s auto insurance policies. The news service asked Insurance Services Offices (ISO), an insurance rating bureau, to develop a rate chart to illustrate

what auto insurance costs for a typical senior citizen might be before and after the Sheeran onfcr becomes effective. A TYPICAL SENIOR citizen selected for the example is a 65-year-old male~driving a 1900 Chevy Chevette for pleasure use. This policyholder hasn’t been involved in an accident or received motor vehicle violation •points during the past three years and carries the required coverages of $35,000 single limit liability and personal injury protection or no-fault coverages. He has also selected $50 deductible comprehensive insurance and $200 deductible collision protection, a typical package for a one or two-year-old automobile.

In the example, ISO assumed the elimination of territorial considerations as well, because the Insurance Department order mandated a "thorough revision of territorial boundaries," a revision that must meet standards set by the commissioner. Insurance industry representatives believe that these standards are virtually impossible to meet, thus effectively eliminating where a policyholder lives a factor in setting insurance rates. As a result, the annual auto insurance premium for the policyholder used in the example will be $445, regardless of place of (Page 17 Please)

Health Unit Is Anemic RIO GRANDE — The Cape May County Council of the Southern New Jersey Health SystemVAgency may be ailing. M AnirMagee, chairperson of the county council, in a letter to council members, reports that the council has not achieved a quorum, necessary to conduct its business, for the past four months. As a result, the council has suspended its meetings for June, July and August. ACCOMPANYING TOE letter is a form for the member to Indicate whether he or she wishes to continue membership on the council, to be returned before June 24. The council is supposed to provide local input on decisions affecting health care, including hospital facilities, clinics, and other providers.

MASSIVE EXCAVATION on the site of the former Windsor Hotel, destroyed by fire in It7», is the preparatory stage for a major. Victorian-stvie condominium on the Cape May beachfront. . J

Welfare Loophole Cost Seen $85,000

COURT HOUSE - A loophole in state Welfare Law/Regulations that has cost taxpayers in Cape May County alone more than $85,000 in the past four years has been discovered by Freeholder Gerald M Thornton. "What the annual cost to taxpayers may be on a state-wide basis makes me shudder," Thornton said. The loophole centers on current regulations that do not require welfare boards to re-coup monies expended for security deposits in behalf of welfare clients in emergency situations. Currently, welfare clients can receive additional funds above their monthly allotment if they "are in a state of homelessness through no fault of their

ALL ABOARD the school bus for the last time. Schools in Cape May County closed last week for the summer.

own." According to Thornton, the problem is that the language 'no fault of their own" is open to liberal interpretation. He said the county has expended approx imately $88,000 in a four-year period, and has received ohly $2,600 in returned emergency security deposits for rent and utilities. New procedures to deal with this problem are currently before the county’s Welfare Board. In letters to District 1 Assemblymen James Hurley and Joseph Chinnici. Thornton has proposed a multipoint plan to halt this excessive drain on taxpayers throughout the state, and has asked that the problem be addressed by the State Division of Welfare and by the Legislature, if necessary. Paramount to the recommendations is a change that would define a "state of homelessness without fault" to be

CAPE MAY — The Ninth Annual Victorian Fair will be on the Physick Estate at 1048 Washington St. from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Featuring crafts, clowns, children’s theater, food and fun, the gala outdoor festival sponsored by the MidAtlantic Center for the Arts, provides a joyous start for another summer season. "There is still space available,” said fair coordinator Kathryn Ellis, "if any group would like to join us and run an attraction for its own profit. Just contact the MAC office, 884-5404, during business hours to make arrangements." A number of activities of special interest .to young people will be held during the day. AN OPEN AIR performance of the highly successful Children's Theatre presentation, "The Prince Who Wouldn’t Talk." is scheduled at 11 a.m.

specifically for reasons of fire, health, natural disaster, or extreme physical or mental abuse — all of which would have to be documented by the welfare client. The proposed changes would also require mandatory recoupment of monies used for security deposits by New Jersey's County Welfare Boards, and would have welfare recipients who default on their rent or utilities security deposits reimburse the Welfare Boards from their monthly benefits. This is currently done in fraud cases, Thornton said, at a rate of 10 percent qf the monthly allocation. The proposed changes also include a lease agreement that would be entered into by the landlord, the tenant, and the County Welfare Board, property inspections prior to the execution of any lease, and payment of security deposits into special interest-bearing accounts as stipulated by the proposed lease.

A repeat of last year's hilarious hoop rolling will be held on the grounds at 1 p.m. Registration for this popular event can be done all morning in advance of the contest A make-up booth for young people will be operated by the Community Theatre Group. For a small fee, a person can be made up to fulfill any fantasy identification chosen The Baptist young people will again operate their entertaining dunkin booth. THE PHYSICK HOUSE, which is celebrating its centennial this year, is now restored and will be open for tours during the fair. The County Art League will be open for tours in the Carriage House. They will be selling refreshments. "Naturally, I’m convinced it will be a lovely day," said Mrs. Ellis, "But just in case, the rain date is Sunday. June 21. The hours 10 a m. to 4 p.m. will remain the same for either day.

Victorian Fair Saturday

DlgeSt Tfoffstories .50-50 for Promos

TRENTON — Assemblyman James Hurley (R), Cape May Cumberland, on Thursday introduced legislation to establish a matching fund program for tourism promotion. The Assembly Minority Leader, a veteran legislator who sponsored the original Division of Tourism bill in 1979, said the anticipated $1 million initial effort would allow municipalities and counties to apply for matching funds on a 50-50 basis to create publications, brochures, maps and other literature and to buy ads in print and broadcast media. Two Plead Guilty COURT HOUSE — In a surprise move following almost a week of jury selection procedures, defendants Janice Nealis and Frances Camp entered guilty pleas Fri day to charges of kidnapping, aggravated sexual assault, aggravated assault and robbery of Josephine Trombetta last December. The body of the 29-year-old South Dennis woman was Recovered from a shallow grave January 10. She had been missing since December 4 and died from multiple stab wounds. Another defendant, Alberta Wescott had already pleaded guilty to similar charges. Three male defendants, Leroy Camp. Jack Gaskill and Curt Smith, are similarily charged and are also accused of murder in the bizarre case in which the victim was allegedly forced to have relations with a dog. pushed into hot water, spray painted and had her hair cut and head shaved. Beach Aid Sought UPPER TWP. — Township Committee is seeking funding and cooperation from the state and cdunty/for a $1.4 milliort beachfill and bulkhead project to protect the Whale Beach section between Strathmere and Sea Isle City. The township has had its $175,000 share of the cost for some time and is hoping the county will match that sum. with the state supplying $1.05 million from beach protection funds authorized by statewide voters in 1977. Currently, the only "dunes" protecting the oceanfront area is the sand pushed up off Ocean Dr when the county Road Dept, cleared the highway following a storm last October. (Sec story inside) Firehouse Sited OCEAN CITY - City Council voted 4-3 Thursday to build a new firehouse on a parking lot at West Avc. and 5th St. instead of the Memorial Field location recommended by city consultants. The new $750,000 structure wilj enable the fire company to expand from its tight quarters in city hall: The city will also be deciding whether to relocate or renovate municipal court and code enforcement departments. A majority of Council changed Its mind on the firehouse location after a closer look brought the opinion that building on the veterans memorial field would detract from the park. The consultants had opted for the field because of its accessibility enhancing response time, and its higher elevation. Less Drinking * SEA ISLE CITY - Music and drinking within licensed premises will stop at 2 a m. rather than 2:30, City Commission decided during a special meeting Friday night. While the 3 a m. departure time for places serving alcoholic beverages will remain, bartenders must stop serving at 2 and be out from behind the bar within a half-hour later, with everyone out rtf the premises by 3 a m. The governing body had been considering retailing the 2:30 last call but allow ing patrons to leave gradually, as a way of cutting down on noise and rowdiness during en mass departures. This idea, however, didn’t sit well with many of the citizens on hand for the meeting, and the more conservative approach was finally decided upon. (Page 17 Please)