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After Big Turnout

Sidewalk Sale Decision Re-studied

by M'Ellen Rowland STONE HARBOR - A highly partisan crowd of residents and merchants surged into the April 27 meeting of Borough Council to protest council's April 13 refusal to issue a permit for the annaul Merchant Day Sidewalk Sale. At the earlier meeting, a 3-3 tie vote was broken by Mayor Arden Hand who voted against approving the permit. David Rossow, president of the Chamber of Commerce and owner of Davids Fashion Shoes at 9822 Third Ave. asked Council "to reconsider the Sidewalk Sale having known that you previously turned it down." Merchant Sale Day began in 1969 and has been a money-maker for mer-

chants, Burdette Tomlin Hospital auxiliaries, restaurants, taverns and St. Mary’s Episcopal Church (which made $2,000 last year). Participating merchants reported making between. $200,000 and $300,000 that clay, Rossow said. He also/pointed out that too manv traditional Borough activities, such as the Festival of Lights and Baby Parade, no longer exist "we have taken them way. This is not a time to go backwards 1 ' he said. Former Chamber presideht Glenn A. Townley, noted the sale isn't just known locally, that many vacationers plan to spend their time in the resort based on the date of the sale, and that the final profit estimate is not wholly ac-

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curate since many participants fail to report their ^profits to the Chamber. During the five years he presided over the Chamber he heard many comments, such as it’s beneath the dignity of the Borough..it's trashy looking...it’s South Street...Sincevthe date of the sale received the second-most inquiries answered by the Chamber’s secretary and in five sales they have gotten only three complaints, Townley felt this couldn't have been "a rtiove made on the will of the people." Shirley Weinstein, who has owned the Moxie Boutique, 304 96th St., for 10 years, submitted: "Stone Harbor merchants offer summer residents the nicest shopping in all of South Jersey. . . We keep our merchandise clean, we don't rock and sock the client , the only way we can keep our merchandise ' clean is by getting rid of it at the end of the season. We offer extremely good values. The profit from that one day pays my rent for 1 the’season.” The lone dissident, Charles Mattern, owner of Sign of the Dolphin, said he didn't see why wares should be put on the sidewalk, and suggested that some businesses peddle junk for that day. His statement was met with jeers and boos from the public. Larry Hanker, owner of Neptune Jewels, said “that last year was his first year in Stone Harbor and that for him the day was by far, the biggest day of the year.” He felt an effort might be made to improve

the image by dressing up tables, but noted it "was good for the town and good for the businessmen as well." Mrs. Frank Rollo of 87th St. spoke on behalf of St. Mary's Episcopal Church, saying the church runs only two money-making affairs annually and the first bazaar has only area attendance. On Merchant’s Day their intake is doubled which for a small church, whose attendance dwindles during winter, is most important. Bob Rich, owner of the Sea Gull, asked for show of hanefs for and against issuance of the permit and, almost unanimously, the hands in favor shot up Sara Brady, 253 82nd St., summed up the feeling of the group when phe said: It’s a fun day. Why can't we just have a fun day, buy or not? This was met by rousing cheers. Mayor Hand agreed to appoint a committee of council members to meet with Chamber of Commerce officials. Following an in-depth study, the appointees will make their findings known at council’s May 11 meeting. Directory UNION - The New Jersey Health Products Information Committee today announced availability of its free mini-directory of statewide agencies of interest to senior citizens. Copies may be obtained at no cost by writing to the New Jersey Health Products Information Committee, 971 Stuyvesant Ave., Union 07083

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