Tax Break for Solons A Little Much—Hughes

VILLAS — Congressman Bill Hughes •« believes the Internal Revenue Service went to far when it interpreted the recently enacted tax break for Members of Congress to mean as much as $75 a day may be deducted from their taxes even when the House isn't in session and they aren't in Washington. However, some change in the tax code as it affects members of the House and Senate was long overdue, the Ocean City Democrat also told a town meeting here recently. Under the new law, members of Congress can also permit the write-off of expenses they can prove are in excess of $75 per day.. Technically, the regulations

define every day of the year as a Congtea Day exdept for those periods when /he House or Senate isn't In session for five or more consecutive days. A member Is entitled to deduct $75 Irom income for each Congressional Day, or only $50 per day if he also deducts mortgage interest and property taxes pn a Washington-area home. THE OVERALL EFFECT - as speculated by some tax analysts — is that the new law and regulations may result in' some Congressional me/nbers paying no federal income taxes on their salaries. But while charging {he IRS formula to be in excess when Congress isn't in session, Mr. Hughes defended the $75 per dav

deduction as "reasonable" when Congressman are in Washington serving their constituents. 1 "Members of Congress should not fare any better or worse from a tax standpoint than ,the ordinary businessman who must travel as part of his work," he said. The issue of the new tax law and the way the regulations are being implemented arose at the Jan. 23 team meeting at, the Millman Center. Villas, when North Cape May resident Cass Clark complained to the Congressman that Congress is' always voting itself a raise, individual members are receiving as much as $18,000 to give speeches, trips are constantly being taken

CAPE MAY COUNTY

Vol. 17 No. B ov#Co»|S All t*

Feburary 3,1982

PUBLISHED (VCftvwCDNrSDAV BV THl StAWAVI COBPOWATION >0 BOX (LAV ALON N J 0«70^

Scholars Due Their Deserts

by Bob Shiles ERMA — Recognition — similar to that received by athletes — isn’t given to Lower Cape May Regional School students who excel in academic achievement. At least that’s the opinion of prinicipal Alan Beattie and several members of the local school board who believe it’s time academic achievers be publicly recognized in more ways than just being handed a special award at their senior graduation exercises. At last week’s board meeting, approval was given for 1600 to be used to sponsor a buffet supper for National Honor Society members and their parents when the organization holds its induction ceremonies in the spring. Plans arc for the cafeteria staff to cater the affair that will probably be attended bv some 280 people. THIS WILL BE THE first time such a social has been held.. In previous years, refreshments have been served following the induction of new members. The idea was proposed by Beattie who told the board that he’d “like to spruce up the event." Noting that students are honored for their athletic abilities, the principal asserted, "Little is done for those that achieve academically." he said. "I want to put a little more emphasis on this, at least publicly." He emphasized he is also looking into special awards such as plaques and letters that can be presented for academics. "I THINK THIS IS A step we want to go in," the principal said. Board president Paul Lundholm of Cold Spring agreed. "I think this (buffet) is the least we ckn do for the best academic students in the school. We have to give them some incentive," he said. But whil$ all board members agreed more recognition should be provided academic achievers, member Stephen Todd of Cape May questioned if the money (Page 14 Please)

LOOKING TOWARD TOMORROW...TODAY/ 1500.000. 1.000. 000. 500.0

•MERCURY’ RISES in the hospital fund drive thermometer outside the Court House institution even while the temperature on the Jersey Cape last week warfn’t. Doing the filling in is Bob Smellier, while Wm. Waldron steadies the ladder.

Pace is Set

One-Third There!

COURT HOUSE - The public fund raising portion of the $33 million Burdette Tomlin Hospital expansion and modernization program has already achieved more than one-third of the drive’s $1.5 million goal — thanks in large measure to the pledges of the hospital family themselves. According to Robert Smeltzer, chairman of the hospital fund drive, as of last Thursday more than $516,150 had been raised — almost $435,600 or 84 per cent of the total amount, from the employees, medical staff, auxiliary members and members of the board of governors of the hospital. THE REMAINDER, UNDER $81,000. has come from the public which for fund drive purposes is broken down into divisions. "However, this figure will begin growing daily, as the division volunteers have only just this week begun soliciting community support of the fund drive," Mr. Smeltzer said last week. The fund drive chairman Expressed confidence that within the week, pledges from

the hospital family would total or exceed the half-million dollar mark., "The hospital family has set an example for the residents of the county. They know firsthand the importance of the $33 million expansion and modernization program and the effect it will have on the health care of the residents of Cape May County." Mr. Smeltzer stated. "THF' PACE has been set," he continued "We are one-third of the way to our goal. The volunteers are out in the county soliciting support of thus most important effort." Mr. Smeltzers comments came during a press conferenrt*. called to announce the initial success in what has been termed the largest fund drive in the history of the county. Present along with Smeltzer were Keith Babore, chairman of the employee division of the fund drive; Wm. Waldron III, hospital administrator; and Jane Hartin, president of the auxiliary and a member of the board of governors.

County Budget Up But Tax Dips

at taxpayers’ expenses, and now $75 per day can be deducted from income taxes even when Congressmen aren’t in

Washington.

MR. HUGHES AGREED with Mrs Clark to the extent that $75 shouldn’t be deducted when a congressman isn’t, in Washington or on official business. He Inter told the newspaper that he and several other members of Congress believe the IRS implemented the law in this manner to purposely encourage a "badklash" or negative response from the general public He added, however, that some 1 change was needed in the tax rode (Page 14'Please)

.Weeks

Top Stories

Bridge Closed OCEAN CITY The Ocean CityLongport bridge on Ocean Dr will continue'closed to vehicular traffic fora couple of weeks while an nssesitment and repairs are made to an ice-damaged pier beneath the toll span. Termed the busiests of th® five toll bridges operated by the Cape May County Bridge Commission, the span here was closed Saturday morning when a build-up of ice on the Longport side damaged the pier resulting in an unsafe condition The bridge, which connects the Cape's nor tfiemmost.point with accesses to Margate. Ventnor and Atlantic City in Atlantic County, will remain open to marine traffic. No - Building Land Three areas in the county have been mapped as undeveloped coastal barrier islands by the Dept, of the Interior and won’t qualify for federally subsidized flood insurance after Oct. 1983. The recently released maps may change before final regulations are developed, land south of 127th St. in Stone Harbor, property surrounding the U S Coast Guard Training Center in Cape May. and the South Cape May Meadows . have already received the no-insurance designations ‘Dangerous’ Digits Wildwood mayor Guy Muziani wants to, sue the magazine. Marmora attorney Jeffery April thinks Jersey Cape resorts should band together and object to the State Police’s methods’ of reporting crime statistics, and police chiefs in Stone Han bor and Wildwood are outraged that ththr cortimuriities have been listed among tin* most "dangerous" muhicipalites in the ^ state. * All the fuss is over State Police crime index figures in this month’s edition of N. J. Monthly Magazine that lists Wildwood and Stone Harbor as the se cond and forth most "dangerous” cities in the state, based on""crime rate per >1,000 population" — apparently derived by dividing the greatly increased sum mertime operations by the small winter time (year round) populations Rail Meeting Due OCEAN CITY — New Jersey Transit is expected to hold a public meeting to discuss the fa(? of former PRSL passenger service between Cape May/Occan City — Lindenwold here next Wednesday evening, Feb. 10. at a time to be announced. According to County transportation planner Robert Bonner, freeholder Jack Bittner is expected to speak for the coun ty at the session. Depending on the outcome of next week’s gathering. A formal public hearing may be scheduled at a later date.

Digest

COURT HOUSE — Thanks to a record high interest on investments and a hefty increase in ratahles, the Board of Freeholders has achieved a bit of fiscal magic in compiling the 1982 budget. The 1982 total budget is $28,840,142, up 6.8 percent, but the county tax rate will drop almost two cents. The rate for 1982 will be 40.12 cents per $100 of assessed value, compared to a 1981 rate of 42.09, a 4.7 decrease. THE AMOUNT of monies to be raised by property taxation for support of the county budget is $20,001,330 compared to $17,187,194 for 1981, a $2,814,136 increase.

For a home assessed at $50,000, the county tax for 1982 will be $200, compared to $210.45 in 1981. The ratio true value in each of the county's 16 municipalities. REVENUE AND FINANCE Director William E. Sturm said that the county closed out 1981 with a surplus balance of $2,724,523, compared to $1,817,015 in 1981, a 49.9 percent ihcrease. Of this surplus, $2,200,000 is anticipated in the 1982 budget In 1981, the county earned a record high of $1,708,111 in interest oh investment and deposits; of this amount. $913,000 were anticipated in the 1982 budget

MAJOR ITEMS included in the $1,078,500 in capital improvements are; $152,000 for preliminary expenses for the Great Channel Bridge at Stone Harbor; $332,000 for replacement trucks and equipment. Also. $20,000 for test equipment for Weights and Measures; $25,000 for improvements to the County Park; $200,000 for improvements at the County Airport; $13,000 to purchase a crime information communication system to aid county law enforcement agencies; $25,000 for pur(Page 14 Please)

*10 Beach Fee? CAPE MAY - City Council introduced last week that will double the cost of using the resort’s beachfes — A move city officials contend is necessary to cover in creasing costs of operating and maintaining the beaches. If approved Feb 8, seasonal beach tags purchased before May 31 will jump from $4 to $10. those bought later will go from $6 to $12. and weekly tags will increase from $2 to $3 According to reports, Mayor Arthur , (Page 14 Please)