v»vf» ucauci auuui oiicrm; ‘I Can’t Support Him’

by Bob Shtles

COURT HOUSE - If Sheriff Beech Fox were up for election right now, he would probably find Republican Organization support somewhere between nonexistent and slim. In fact, county GOP leader Phil Matalucci says flat out. he couldn't support the five-term sheriff. Mr. Matalucci also revealed in a recent interview that Mr. Fox has been reprimanded by the Organization for past, violations of local More than a few loyal Republican Organization chieftans weren’t speaking too kindly of Mr. Fox last week, after the county sheriff had earlier blasted the GOP hierarchy for what he referred to as "being out of step with the grassroots organiza-

tion."

IN THAT INTERVIEW last month with the Herald. Sheriff Fox also alleged that party decisions are made in the "backroom" rather than thru consultation with the organization members, and charged county leader Matalucci wjth being a "boss" whose loyalty is not to party principle and philosophy but instead to patronage, deals and favors. Mr. Fox asserted that important party decisions — made in the backroom by a handful, of

political bosses — and then trickle down to the grassroots via local and district leaders. Responding to the sheriff's allegations in a July 9 interview, Mr. Matalucci strongly denied the assertions that he is a boss, and

that party decisions are made in secret "If Mr. Fox is unhappy, he shouldn't be a hypocrite arid take tne money, support and hard work of this organization. He should go out on his own and be his own man," the county leader emphasized ACCORDING TO Matalucci, party leadership always goes to the grassroots and makes its decision^ in the open. “Things are always done with togetherness." he said "Everyone always

has input." Continuing, Mr. Matalucci indicated there's never been a time in the Organization's history when things have been more open. He said that when the sheriff was (Page 14 Please)

GOP rules.

MATALUCCI

“If Mr. Fox is unhappy, he shouldn't be a hypocrite and take the money, support and hard work of this Organization” 1

CHOIR BOY Vincent Bourjon, 12, of Paris, and fellow singer, left, greet their host family, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Krown and daughter Patience. Son Hans Krown, center, was instrumental in having French youths visit the Cape.

Paris to Cape—Singing

Erring Drivers Warned Do those No Right Turn On Red signs really mean anything? Come Sept. 1, they could mean at least $50 for the driver who ignores them; warnes Stone Harbor Mayor Arden W, Hand. That’s because of a driver crackdown law enacted by the state in June which calls for tougher penalties for moving violations, even of the minor variety. Under the new legislation, the resort mayor notes, local judges will be forced to impose a minimum fine of $50 and even as much as $200 for so-called minor infractions such as running a stop sign, failure to yield. Repeat offenders will receive mandatory jail terms. Motorists convicted of driving while on the revoked list will be fined $500 for the first offense, $750 plus five days in jail for the second offense, while a third offense will bring a $1,000 fine and 10 days in jail. A mandatory 45-day jail term will be given a suspended motorist involved in an acci-j dent in which someone is injured. • The new law also attempts to crack down on those found guilty of reckless (Page MPiease)

GRAND CHAMPION Milking Goat Lady Illaki has long face while owner Cricket Beers of Burleigh smiles for both in triumph at the 4-H Fair last Friday.

Doris Ward Opening their hearts and their homes, the congregation of the Church of the Nazarene in Erma welcomed 24 members of the Paris Boys Choir, along with their director and several chaperones, last week. The last minute visit was motivated by 12-year-old Hans Krown of Rio Grande, one of nine American boys who traveled throughout Europe last month with the choir. "I learned they were planning to tour the United States and asked if they would consider singing at our church," said Hans. "It was a real surprise to my mother when she received a call from director JeanFrancois Giacomini, accepting my invitation." FOLLOWING MANY excited phone calls by Mrs. Krown, the boys arrived late Sunday evening and were accommodated in ten area homes where they stayed during their tree-day visit to South Jersey. Last Monday evening the choir performed at the Church of the Nazarene where their concert included a combination of folk and religious songs sung in Latin. German, Spanish. Italian and English. Their trip to Cape May County included a "trolley” tour of Cape May, conducted by Robert Smeltzer, the city's civil affairs director, who also presented Cape May Diamond souvenirs to the boys. An after-

noon was spent at Hunts Pier in Wildwood, where the youngsters were presented keys to the city by Mayor Guy Muziani. AREA MERCHANTS responded (PageMPiease) •

inside

STATE BIRD. Jersey Marsh Eagle, and words we cannot mention here — all are used to describe the above critter, the subject of this week’s cover story in Cape May County Magazine , opposite Page 14. »

News> , Week's Digest Top Stories

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* John Andrun, DETECTIVE helps zero in Coast Guard helieopter during search for fugitive, which attracted attention of hundreds of motorists along Ocean Drr

Gets Away—Almost

TWO MILE A fugitive from Media, Pa escaped a.small manhunt here last Thursday afternoon by hiding inside a boat after scampering through the r?raT> shes off Ocean Dr. Ronald S Peters. 26. allegedly wanted by police'for aggravated assault in Penn sylvariia. for more than four hours eluded I^ower township police, N.J Marine Police, and the Coast Guard asing a helicopte#\ i HE WAS FINALLY apprehended at Pacific and Stockton Aves more than a mile into nearby Wildwood Crest in sidb the taxi he had hailed after leaving the marshes later that afternoon, after the search was called off Township police said Peters was seen leaving the area by former Cong. Charles Sandnian, owner of the Two Mile Inn. who notified authorities Township police rushed back - but were delayed by a raised toll bridge. Canadians Wanted WILDWOOD Mayor Guy Muziani was expected to go to Montreal this week to drum up increased Canadian tourist business - a trade which apparently has been down significantly.here this year According to reports, the mayor met last week with members of the locpl business comrpunity to discuss what can be done to attract Canadians - whffare currently faced with high unemployment and threats of bankruptcy by several major businesses Although lack of .local hospitality and ^overpricing rqportedly may be high on the list of reasons Canadians aren’t traveling to the shore, reports indicate a consensus at last week’s meeting felt the major factor is the current exchange rate under which $100 of Canadian money is worth only $70 to $78 in U S. currericy OK Promt) Tax

TRENTON - legislation signed into law last week by Gov. Thomas Kean, allowing coastal resort communities to add a surcharge to mercantile fees to pay for tourism promotion , Communities choosing to take advantage of the new law will establish a fivemember Tourist Development Commission, whose members will be appointed by the governing body — four being license-holders in the community, the fifth a representative of local government. The legislation was sponsored in both Houses by Republican Cape May — Cumberland legislators Guy Muziani of Wildwood in the Assembly and James Hurley in the Senate Attempted Rape CAPE MAY On the heels of an attempted rape and robbery here Monday mofnmg, Mayor Arthur Biomkvest Mon day night issued words of warning to (Page 15 Please)