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editorial Accouritability The recently concluded State Commission of Investigation hearings into the workings and machinations of municipal utilities authorities across the state brought to public and legislative attention the arrant actions of a few oT these public authorities. Amid all the allegations and innuendoes of mismanagement, fiscal irresponsibility, poor judgment, conflict of interest, conspiracy and kickbacks — the question of accountability eventually rose to the surface. FOR EXAMPLE, while the accusation involving the Cape May County MUA centered on the propriety of appraisals and ultimate payment of large sums of money for facility sites, the ultimate question is how an authority of five intelligent adults could allow such alleged impropriety to hapnen? There are only two possibilities: Either the authority members didn’t consider anything improper and there wasn't, or there was and they are culpable. BIT THERE IS MORE: MUA members must either be effective in their judgment and actions, or face replacement by the appointing authority — in this case, the county freeholders. There is, indeed, a pecking order — if the powers that be all along the line are functioning in the manner in which the laws of the state intended them to operate.

nature & man

We Ought to Know Better by Now

by R. Leslie Chrlsmer By the clock of the seasons it is half-past Summer. For more than a month the exquisite flowers of Queen Anne's Lace have been decorating the edges of almost all the vacant lots in Cape May. For nearly as long, stout stems of a few common Mullein (topped by their yellow blossoms) towered above the many phragmite stalks in the little field south of Cape May’s water tower. On farms arouhd the outskirts of the city, “The com is as high as an elephant's eye," to borrow a line from Oscar Hammerstein’s joyous.,

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ANOTHER COMMON name for Queen Anne’s Lace is the Wild Carrot. (Significantly its botanical name is Daucus carota). Some say it is the garden carrot run wild; some say it is the progenitor. In either event, the carrot has been a popular vegetable for over 2,000 years, but only in the last few was it known to be a good source of Vitamin A. For that matter, Vitamin A has been known for only a very few years. The leaves of the common Mullein were used by

reader's forum

Beautifying Cape Is Everyone’s Job

our ancestors as folk medicines in many ways, and over many centuries. This accounts for the plant’s many folk names, of which there are at least twenty. Its most -popular name of Common or Great Mullein is a corruption of the Latin name Mulcmdrum, from whicH! comes Melanders, ^leaning leprosy, and it refbrs to the fact that mulleylrat one time was thought to be a

remedy for leprosy.

IT WAS NO cure.for that disease, but mullein leaves do have a mild demulcent quality and so were of some benefit as local applications in sunburn, piles, ’ and other inflammations of the mucous membrane. In addition the leaves were brewed into a tea which has a slight sedative effect, and the dried leaves were smoked for the relief of asthma. Some among our ancestors made a dye from the Mulleins golden flowers

to color their hair.

As for corn, that paragon of grains, the "garden kind is one of the most delectable of vegetables, and the "field" variety (with hay) is food for cows which supply us with milk, the almost "complete" food. (However, cow milk is not

universally popular? The Chinese dislike it)/Corn oil is an offiofal drug in The United [States PharmacopeiaS our country’s foremost book of medicines. It is used as a solvent in pharmaceutical manufacturing. WHERE WOULD we be

by Dennis J. Curley Now that Summer has arrived and Cape May County is in the middle of another season of tourism, it is a good time fo take a fresh look at our own municipalities. Hurleys Vote ‘Irresponsible ’ * By Henry Ricci Last week the New Jersey Senate voted on a resolution to restore equalization aid to some of the state's neediest school districts The money they were going to replace was eliminated from the New Jersey Budget by Gov. Kean Alhbut one Republican legislator chose not to support funding of our education programs yin District 1. Sen Hurley was responsible for losing ,$91.043 in Ocean City and $22«„790 in Vineland, for education funding It would seem to me that this vote was not in the best interest of the people in the First District Not when the long-range implications of this vote include an increase in property taxes to maintain quality in our educational system. And not when elementary and high school educations become increasingly more important a,s Republicans at the federal level cut back on assistance to those who want to continue their education. This vote |ny Senator Hurley was irresponsible. I hope everyone is as concerned as I Henry RJffti. a resident of Bridgeton, is Cumberland County Democratic Chairman and a candidate last-year far state Assembly

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DEADLINES News & Photos Thursday . Advertising Friday - 3 p.m. ^ Cla»Bified Advertising. Friday - 3 p.m. 1 M7-33I2 fror News Or Advertising Information'! Vrithrr parllrlpalin* adiffthml nor thr publKhrrs of thr IIKIt \l.l> AND 1.ANTKRN will hr rrspon«lhlr or llablr lor mKInforinallon. mUprlnU, lyposraphlral rrrorv rlr . In am W«ur Thr rdltot rrarrvra thr ri(thl to Hit any Irltrr or artlrlr* Mibmlttrit (or publlra

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LANTERN

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Each of us see Cape May County "day in and day out" and it is very easy for us to mentally block out junk cars, trash and debris along the roads, and especially unmowed grass. Now is a good time to stop and look at Cape May County as if you were a tourist visiting this county for the first time. You might really be shocked by what you see! We have shopping centers that, for one reason or another, cannot cut grass and in some cases there are trees that have died three years ago still remaining. Lack of beautification and the "I could care less" attitude tell a lot about a commtlfinyao the First Time Visitor. / \ I REALIZE IT IS sometimes necessary for businesses and government agencies to cut back^on services, especially with the current economic conditions. I believe we should take a cold, hard look at our county and see exactly what the new visitor sees. Maybe then we will realize how important it is to beautify our shopping centers as well as our motels and businesses. Beautification, planting of shade trees, and general clean-up are necessities if we wish to stay in business. The beautification of a community also reflects community pride and in some cases it looks aVj_f.even our local residents may have lost some prkfe'fa their towas and communities. Its very easy to blame someone else for not doing the job, but what have you and I done to improve the situation] It might take only 10 to 15 minutes to cut the grass on an island in front of our home, even though that island may belong to the state, county, or township. IF THAT PIECE OF property is in front of your house and its weeds are up to your belly-button, it does reflect on you and your community. It the grass is cut and dead trees removed it also reflects on your community—it shows that someone really cares! Beautification pays! The shade trees and mall of Cape May City are an excellent example. The flower beds and many shopping centers in Stone Harbor are also examples of community beautification. The Wildwoods have concentrated on mini-parks, while Avalon has conserved the sand dunes and beautified the town entrance. Sea Isle City has concentrated on a beautiful entrance and Ocean City is working on shade trees and other beautification projects. IN SHORT, BEAUTIFICATION is just as important as the nails on the boardwalk. There is no question that beautifying our communities pays big dividends. During the current economic crisis it is not time to forget beautification. Lets all make an effort to take a new view of Cape May County for the week or so. Just remind yourself that you are a visitor coming into Cape May County for the first time. Take a look at the entrance signs to your community, the trash and debris along the roads, and the unmowed grass. Then, make an effort to bring this to the attention of those responsible and see if it can be improved. If it can’t be improved through the local channels, maybe it's time to have people put on their dungarees and devote a couple hours of service in the interest of their community. Your community reflects on you and your neighbors. Lets analyze the type of image your community projects. Dennis J. Curley is president of the Cape May County Chamber of Commerce.

without plants which provide us with oxygen and food? And food not only for the body, but the soul. Once upon a time our ancestors were • expelled from The Garden of Eden for an Infraction of the Rules. Because of our unappreciation, neglect, misuse, and destruction, the International Ur ; on for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources estimates that between 25,000 to 30,00?) plant species could disappear forever. IF WE LOSE our Earthly Paradise again it won’t be due to the arbitrary act op an anthropomorphic Diety but solely the result of hi own ignorance. We ougl *. t know better by now. Those of German arcestry may remember their parents or grandparents quoting maxims learned in German schools generations ago. One Df them was: Geg n "olche Dummkeit kamoftn die Gotter selbst vergebensl It is the Germa- way of repeating what '4 great Greek philosopher '-aid several thousand years ago: "Against su*:h stupidity even the Gods fight in vain!" R. Leslie Chrismer, a retired pharmacist, lives in Cape May.

Beautify Beach Blocks for All by Art Hall At the Aug. 5 Wildwood Crest Planning Board meeting, the subject of the borough-owned beach blocks was raised. Harry Greiner, secretary of the board, dropped a bombshell when he stated that he was reversing his long-held opinion and suggested the borough' consider selling the beach blocks to assist with current revenue needs. As Mr. Greiner foresaw, the idea drew an immediate negative reaction, to which he hastened to respond that it should be obvious to us what he was doing — that he doesn’t support the sale of the beach blocks and only said it to move the board to act. He suggested we get on with planning for the community use of the beach blocks lest we run the risk of someone coming up with the idea that the presently unused blocks be sold. GARY TROPEA. A VISITOR TO THE MEETING and longtime resident, pointed out that much of the natural beauty of Wildwood Crest has disappeared to make room for development. Let us not sell what remains of our heritage, as New York City did not sell even a block of Central Park despite their tremendous financial problems. Instead let us make these blocks a point of beauty for all to enjoy. Mr. Greiner has done our community a tremendous favor and ought to be supported in his efforts to beautify our community and preserve our public lands. Crest resident Art Hall wrote this open letter to the borough planning board. Ludicrous View by Jean L. Hoffman It appears Ima Byrd has flown out of his airspace in the Aug. 4 Herald and Lantern. He blames the "moral degradation of the human species” on the women’s rights movement and their guest for equality. If equal pay and treatment in the workplace is "a threat to the male ego" that’s a male problem. To accuse the liberation movement of causing males to "turn their attention to other men for love and affection" is ludicrous. PSYCHOLOGISTS AND ATTORNEYS will be the first to tell you child abuse and divorce are often the result of inequality between spouses. Is the battered woman equal to the man who blacked her eye? When was the last time you read of a man being raped on the street by a woman? A woman whose self esteem is intact after a day in the office with a boss who gets his own coffee and discusses business as an equal, and goes home to a man who has no hangups over sharing the housework will have those feelings of "love and affection.” You see. Mr. Byrd, with wings it is easy to be "natural." Jean Hoffman lives near Cape May Point in Lower Township.