Go-ahead for STEP; Any Questh

STEP. (Slop The Electric Punch) has achieved interyenor status inthe organization’s effort to prevent the $172 million rate increase being sought by Atlantic Electric. Word that state Administrative Law Judge Richard McGill has o'kayed tfle right of STEP to intervene in the rate case hearing before the Board of. Public* Utilities came on Monday, and the group simultaneously announced a new,

push—Operation Question.

"We want anyone who has a question that refers to the operation of Atlantic

^ Electric or a specific^question pertaining to theSrate increase to send'dt to STE£," said E. Warren Garretsbn, co-chrfirman of the grass roots effort which has Continually gained moriientum and support since first organized by the Lower;Township Chamber of Commerce in early February. ;*IT IS IMPORTANT to get these ques t^rins as soon As possible, should they have tabe answered by the right of discovery,” M»:. Gairetson said, referring to a type of

legal action.

, Co-chairman Stewart Millard noted that

STEP has Already received over 2,500 letters and 1,500 phone calls. "Many questions (that STOP hAs posed or intends to ask either prior to or during the BPU*rate hearings] have cbmefrom these letters,” he said. "There may still be questions not

addressed to date."

Both men also noted that a 1 - "wide- 1 ranging fund drive is now in effect." Persons wishing to contribute to the effort may send donations to: STEP, Box

Villas. iv.J. 08251.

' '/ (Page 14 Please)

a ■

care May COUNTY

Utility Hike Seen Chasing Homeowners NORTH WILDWOOD - The Greater. Wildwood Cape May County Board of Realtor? has voted to oppose any rate increase by Atlantic Electric/Which is seeking approval of a $172 million base rate

hike.

According to the Realtors^lhe 30-40 per cent jump in utility rates would discourage prospective homeowners. Not only'wo^ potential buyers be less likely to invest in homes, but, present residents are suggesting they may move to an area with a lower cost of living, the Realtors agreed during their general meeting earlier this month. . > Copies of the resolution were sent to the state Board of Public. Utilities. Siop The Electric Punch, CongressmAn William Hughes, Assemblyman Guy F Muziani, and other regional FtealtorS* groups. . Newsv—

Vol. 1,7 NO. 13 frl+M Corp All rlghtt k—r—d.

Mirch 31,1982

/

Week's

Top Stories

Hughes Not Buoyed By CG Plans

' WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Bill Hughes (D-NJ) has sharply criticized a proposal by the U S. Coast Guard to remove more than 120 buoys and navigational aids from South Jersey waterways. Hughes said the Coast Guard’s plan, which was prompted by recent budget cuts, is. "potentially dnagerous to South Jersey’s commercial fishing and recreational boating industries. In addition, it could have a profound impact on the area’s multi-million dollar tourism economy." His statements came during a hearing by the House Subcommittee on the Coast . Guard, which is reviewing Coast Guard funding levels. The South Jersey lawmaker, the second-ranking Democrat on the panel, has co-sponsored legislation which would restore many of the Coast Guard’s budget cuts. ACCORDING TO HUGHES, the Coast Guard has already begun efforts which could lead to the removal of more than 120 navigational aids along the inland and coastal waterways in New Jersey belwfeen Cape May and Manasquan. Hundreds of other navigational aids are also scheduled to be removed or downgraded Along' the Atlantic Coast. In response to questioning from Hughes, Admiral John Hayes, Commandant of the Coast Guard, admitted that removal of these aids would result in only slight savings. "At a time when we are just heading into the bummer boating season, this proposal is ill-conceived and counterproductive,” Hughes toid the comtnendant. "South Jersey contains some of the most treacherous waterways along the East

(Page 14 Please)

inside-

IT'S SPRING & were celebrating with a special sec- ■ tion CHARLIE THE Tuna would love Jersey anglers...Page 16

FLAMES ERUPT thru the second story roof of the Dlller & Fisher Realtors building, Stone Harbor, which was gutted by the Friday night fire. Firemen from four communities fought the blaze for more than three hours. Story, Page 24 School Board Contests Tues. in 10 Districts

by Bob Shiles There’s plenty of action In next Tuesday’s annual school elections as 10 of. the county’s 17 school districts have contested races for their boards of education. Polls in most districts will be open 5 to 9 p.m. Voters in six other districts wi|| elect unopposed candidates while Voters in all school systems but Sea Isle City will have their say on proposed 1962-83 Budgets. Sea Isle is the only district in the county that appoints board members and has ^Ts budget approved by the local Board of School Estimates. This year the school’s budget is over a million dollars with over $900,000 being raised thru local taxation. The moat hotly contested election is in Upper Township where nine candidates are vying for three three-year terms. They are incumbents Micheline M. Lord, Milton UttaU^diafiUiiiUwiak

challengers Eugene F. Read, Diana L, Bonner, Barbara Fornasiero, Thomas H, Wimberg, Elaine Ostrander and Gene Chojnadki. . Upper voters are being asked to decide a local tax levy of $3,359,848 in support of the current expense portion of the district’s total $4,849,474 budget. Also requested is approval to raise $49,958 for capital outlay. The next largest contest is in the Lower Township Elementary district where eight candidates are after three three-year seats. Incumbents Ralph E. Bakley Sr., Bart Russell and James Marsden are being challenged by Deborah de la Cretaz, F. William Cole, Donald Sheehan, Patricia Calfina and Carol DuFault, A tax levy of more than $2.5 million is being sought to support current expenses in the overall $3.5 million budget. In Avalon, there are four candidates riin-

Digest

No Nuclear Dump TRENTON — Gov. Thomas Kean has joined South Jersey legislators in their

Opposition to the Reagan

Administration's pWns to possibly resume ocean disposal of low-level radioactive Waste off the Jersey Coast. The practice - because of public health concerns — was df8continued.more than

a decade ago.

# After meeting with South Jersey . legislators Friday — including Assemblyman Guy F. Muziani and Joseph W. Chinnici, R-Cape May. Cumberlarid — the governor reportedly indicated that the dumping of low-level radioactive waste in the ocean would not . only create a severe potential health . hazafd, byt also negatively eVeet the ( state’s tourist and resort industries Beach Fee WILDWOOD CREST — City officials here have authorised their solicitor to seek a declaratory judgment from Superior Court to find out if citizens have any right to initiate a referendum on a free beach ordinance. Currently, the municipality has a beach fee ordinance - established last fall - that is being fought by the Concerned Citizens of Wildwood Crest. Murder Trial On COURT HOUSE — The murder trial of Anthony Landolfi was scheduled to continue’yesterday, March 30. with testimony to be presented concerning the autopsy performed on the stabbing victim, Robert Harry Smith Landolfi of Green Creek, allegedly killed Smith at his home on Jonathan Hoffman Rd. in Cold Spring. Smith was stabbed more than 30 times, according to

authorities.

Eye Bigger Gov’t. UPPER TWP. — Petitions with more than 1,000 signatures of local voters were turned into township officials last week requesting the governing body be enlarged from three to five members. It took only three weeks for 1,000 signatures to be collected;— some 250 more than the required 25 per cent /Trio Indicted COURT HOUSE - The three men who allegedly beat and robbed former Wildwood mayor Charles Masciarella at his Wildwood home last month were indicted here last week by a County grand

jury.

Frances Carpentpr of Atlantic City, Jon Jude Dunphy of Philadelphia and James F. Sawyer of‘Vent nor are charged with four counts of unlawful possession of a weapon, three counts of aggravated assault, and two counts each of robbery, burglary and criminal restraint. They pleaded innocent to the charge Monday.