Nat’l Wildlife Federation:

Stop Gov't Backing of Shore Development

WASHINGTON - The National Wildlife Federation has called for an end to federal subsidies which encourage "destructive and often foolhardy" development of the nation's fragile barrier islands. Dr. Jay D. Hair, executive vice president of the NWF, made the appeal in testimony at A Senate Environmental Pollution Subcomrhittee hearing. He spoke in support of S. 1018, a bill which would eliminate federal assistance for beach stabilization and construction of waste water treatment plants, roads, and bridges un the sandy, shifting offshore islands. •;COA8TAL BARRIERS begin to disintegrate when we try to put permanent structures on them, destroying themselves and” their dependent fish and wildlife ^sources." Hair*tfestified. "With its subsidies, grants, and insurance programs, the federal government not only allows this destructive and often foolhardy development, but actually underwrites, encourages, and perpetuates it," 4 Holiday Foods Demonstration November 18 ■ i COURT HOUSE - The County Cooperative Extension Service will present a J demonstration of special foods for . the holidays during a meeting Nov. 18 at the Extension Education Center on Dennisville Rd. here. The program will be jn two parts, running 10 to noon and 1 to 3. The public is welcome to participate in the free full day program or may attend either morning or afternoon session. Different foods will be demonstrated at each session. VOLUNTEER INSTRUCTORS from the Home Economics Advisory Council will, share some of their favorite recipes and preparation techniques as they demonstrate food for entertaining and giftgiving. Joining Extension home economist Marion Olsen in presenting the demonstration will be Anna Brunell of Wildwood Crest, Mary Washington of Burleigh and Jean Rey of Sea Isle City. "Throughout history food has held an important place in holiday celebrations,” (Page 15 Please)

Barrier islands must be in constant flux in order to remain in equilibrium with the immense power of the ocean, he explained, When the islands are "stabilized" and developed with resort homes, and other man-made works, the ecosystefn — which'

costs and greater risks associated with barrier island development. th(f federal government has interfered with the normal working of the market place." he said "S. 1018 recognizes that we must redirect federal investments away from 'the shif-

“Jn lime« of finonl nuxlrrilj. there nre better wiiy« to Hpencl federal fundB than on Mitwidized dixtriietion of fhexe fragile oulpoeta"

depends oh the Islands' ability to shift and change — is destroyed. HAIR ESTIMATED that between 1975 and I960 the federal government spent nearly $750 million on barrier island developrhent: “By subsidizing the higher

ting sandS of coastal barrier islands. In times of fiscal austerity, there are better Ways to spend federal funds thah on subsidized destruction of these fragile- outposts." Barrier islands are also an important

recreational resource for all Americans and they are vital as storm buffers, the NWF official said. IN ADDITION, up to 80 percent of the most important sport and commercial fish and shellfish species depend for their existence on the estuaries and wetlands pro vided by the {stands and barrier beaches. Dr; Hair pointed out. ^ Dependent dn a healthy barrier island ecosystem are such threatened and en dangered species as loggerhead turtles, bald eagles, brown pelicans, and sea oats, as well as the millions of migrating birds and waterfowl that use the islands’ bays and marshes as resting and feeding areas, he noted.

cape May COUNTY

Vol. 16 No. 46 '«*'Wowov,corp »

(November 11,1981

ruBUSHrofvtftv moNt soav nv thi stAnv^vr COWOlUjIlON >;0 BOKO AVALON NJ Q«7o;

News.

■ ■A. A A A <

■V*•:$£.-i ■

THE SETTING SUN dips behind the lighthouse, Cepe May Point.

Hearings Sought on ‘Medigap’ In South Jerney less than SO percent of physicians accept Medicare assignments.

WASHINGTON — Congressman Bill Hughes (D-NJ) has asked the House Select Committee on Aging to examine the growing gap between doctors’ fees and Medicare reimbursements for senior

citizens.

A member of the Aging CommittedHughes said the hearing is necessary because the widening "Medigap" problem is pricing many senior citizens out of the medical care system. "Medicare is supposed to serve as a safety net for senior citizens, to ensure that they receive quality medical care at reasonable costs," Hughes stated. "It’s apparent, hoWever, that Medicare reimbursements are often much lower than the doctors’ bills. This forces many seniors to either pay the difference out of their own pockets, or simply go without medical treatment. "THE FACT THAT many of the elderly have to go without medical care is becoming a vdry serious problem. Many are thinking twice before entering a hospital or seeking medical assistance," he said in a news release. Hughes pointed out that the Medicare Part B program is supposed to pay 80 percent of the "reasonable chhrge" of physicians, with the patient paying the remaim ing 20 percent. In order to qualify for this , program, persons over 65 have $11 a month deducted from their Social Security checks, plus they pay an annual $60 fee for the medical insurance. However, at a recent hearings of the New Jersey Federation of Senior Citizens in Atlantic City, many witnesses charged that Medicare Was reimbursing far less than 80 percent of their bills. In addition, they claimed that many physicians are refusing to participate in the Medicare program, making it difficult for them to

receive adequate medical treatment; In South Jersey, which has one of the largest concentrations of senior citizens in the country, less than 30 percent of the physicians accept Medicare assignments, Hughes said. , "What's needed is a type of partnership between government, the medical soclfety and the business industry," Hughes said. "It should be the medical society's public responsibility to do its part for the poor and elderly but the matter of fee adjustments should also be settled, as well as making the program more attractive to physicians." In a letter to Rep. Claude Pepper (D-Fla), Chairman of the Select .Committee on Aging, Hughes suggested that legislative changes are needed to correct

the Medigap problem. For exampke, he said tax incentives are one way of attracting more physicians to participate in the Medicare program. "THE DIFFICULTY OF finding doctors who will accept assignment has had a devastating effect on the health of New' Jersey's senior citizens," Hughes wrote. "There is increasing evidence th4t many of the state's Medicare patients have denied themselves, needed medical services until they reach the point of acute illness requiring hospitalization. These problems must be examined as soon as possible by the Committee " Hughes urged chairman Pepper to schedule the first oversight hearing on the Medigap problem before the end of this year.

Recycling Is Working

SWAINTON — Sea Isle City has initiated its pilot source separation program, and the county's recycling pioneer. Stone Harbor, is already on its way to recycling success. According to Diane DeMeo, County Recycling Coordinator, the Stone Harbor Source Separation pilot program collected more than 9,000 pounds of glass and newspaper in its first week and a half of operation. "WE ARE VERY pleased with the support which this program has received from the residents of Stone Harbor," Ms DeMeo said. "Community involvement is essential to the long term success of the recycling effort, and the response in Stone Harbor has been very encouraging." However. Ms. DeMeo pointed out that

several handling problems have occurred in Stone Harbor. "We have received some glass which hasn't been clean. Glass containers must be rinsed out. We have also received newspapers which weren't bundled. Newsprint must be tied with string in bundles or placed in a grocery bag We arc working with Stone Harbor to clean up these handling problems and are certain they will be solved in the near future BOTH STONE II ARBOR and Sea Isle City are part of a pilot source separation program developed by the County Municipal Utilities Authority The county was man dated by the state to begin recycling solid waste to conserve natural resources and reduce the amount of waste-disposed of in (Page ISPlease)

. Th e D'gest Guilty of Murder COURT HOUSE - After but three Shurs of deliberation last Wednesday, a Superior Court jury, drawn from out of the couhty because of the massive incounty publicity surrounding the case, found Leroy Camp. 31. of Rio Grande, guilty of the Dec 1980 murder of Josephine Trombetta, 29. of South Den-

nis.'

Trombetta had been forced to perform sexual acts with a dog. and. was scalded and beaten and abused before being driven to a wooded area which becnftie her gravesite, alter being stabbed 32

times

A LATE'DEC. sentencing date has been set. Thpn, a few weekf later trial is scheduled to begin for Camp’s alleged accomplice, Curt Smith, 20.,of Swainton Several others were previously found guilty or sentenced of heinous acts First Union Vote Fails At Hospital COURT HOUSE — Professional and technical staff members at Burdette Tomlin Hospital participated in a vote, last Thursday on whether to go union . The result amounted to a No by the pro/ fessionals and a Maybe from the techni-

cians

The National Labor Relations Board, which Oversaw the election, requires determination by a clear majority 61 of the 110 professional employees voting . chose No union while the remainder were split two to one for N.J. State Nurses Assn, over Local 1983 of the International Brotherhood of. Painters and Allied Trades. In the technical staff voting, however, 54 of the 127*who voted opted for the local, 57 voted No union, and 16 went for the nurses association. A runoff vote to determine either No union or Local 1983 for the technical staff will be scheduled in a few weeks. Face Fund Loss WOODBINE'- The State School here, since 1921 -an iiujtitutiQn for the severely and profoundly retarded male, faces the loss of half its budget, some $10 million in federal funding, because of alleged inadequacies in tl\e rehabilative offerings for some 900 residents. The institutioh. whose superintendent is resigning, has until the end of this year to correct cifed problems According to the state Health Dept ., the Woodbine Colony hasn't met the therapeutic needs of its inmates. ■ _ l (Page ISPlease)