Editorials • s Which Way To Avalon? Motorists northbound from Cape May on the Garden State Parkway are blessed with three signs telling them when to exit for Avalon and Swaintonr There arc informational signs two miles in advance and one mile in advance and a directional sign at the Interchange 13 exit. Following those directions brings them to Avalon Boulevard, Route 601, and the scene pictured above For whatever reason, there are no ramp terminal signs, no indication which way to go for Avalon, which way to go for Swainton TO ADI) TO the confusion, there is a “To 9" sign (sec photoi minus an arrow advising w hich way to proceed- . Natives, of course, cannot imagine how anyone could be so stupid, as to exit the f iarkwav and not know a left turn is required or Avalon j Realists, on the other hand, know that we are only a few months away from the annual onslaught of tourists, some of whom will not, in fact, know which way to Avalon (or downtown Swainton). If tourism in 1983 is anything like 1982 (and wc hope it isn’t), the county can't afford to have any tourists getting lost We recommend the New Jersey Highway Authority erect necessary signs at this^ocation. Circle the Wagons In politics, as in courting, timing is crucial, ripe May County freeholders' announced last week that they intend a 25 percent pay hike — from $12,000 to $15,000 a year has to l>e the worst timing since Col. CtMjrge Custer decided to attack the Sioux The freeholders opted for more money the same day that President Reagan indicated he was going to freeze military and federal employe wages in fiscal H4, and the same dav Cov Thomas II Kean called for “new austerity in government spending " Asked to explain their rationale, the freeholders declined comment until a public hearing on Keb H THAT R1'.MINI>S us of the time Vice Pi^esi dent Richard Nixon was aspiring to succeed President Dwight I) Kisennower The press asked Ike to list Nixon's mam contributions to his administration Ike wrinkled his brow, pursed his bps. thought hard for a minute, and then said he d like a week to t-hmk about it The freeholders have about three weeks to think about why they warrant a 25 per con’ wage hike Anthony T Catanoso. Ralph W I’Aans. (Jerald M Thornton, William K. Sturm •lr iind .lames Kilpatrick presumably will be easily recognizable They’ll have dark circles under their ev#s from lying awake nights try mg to conjur** a good answer If they can't come up with one. they'd do best tjrt forget the whole thing

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Capital Comments

New Law Rewards Good Drivers

By Sen. James It. Hurley A major reform of New Jersey's onerous auto insurance system is one step away from being enacted into law Gov Thomas Kean is expected to sign legislation short iy, which is the first and necessary step in stabilizing insurance rates and rewarding good drivers. The changes incorporated in this legislation are long overdue ? It probably will come as no surprise to you that New Jersey has the highest average auto insurance rate in the country $412 per car For the past 10 years. New Jersey s aiflo insurance rales consistently have l)*»en higher .than the national average AI THOI'DII THIS legislation will not solve all the state s auto insurance problems, it will remove major me quities in insurance rates and should restore competition to the auto insurance market D‘t me briefly outline the major components of this legislation • li would end the unfair practice of having good drivers heavily subsidize the cost of insuring had drivers Drivers

who have accumulated three or more motor vehicle penal ty points in a three-year period would be penalized by pay ing an additional fee. • It would restore competition to the auto insurance market by eliminating the assigned risk pool, which would be replaced by a joint underwriters association to insure only motorist with bad driving records • The fees motorists pay for penalty points would be used to offset the cost of insuring high-risk motorists • MOTORISTS 65 years of age and older would receive a five percent reduction in insurance rattet • Insurance companies would be required to offer a variety of deductibles on collision and comprehensive coverage, giving customers the option of paying lower premiums for policies with higher deductible costs • Motorists living in areas with exceptionally high in surance rates — such as Atlantic City would get a small break in premiums through a limit placed on insurance rates based on 1.35 times the average statewide rate Sen Hurley represents Cope May County and much of Cumber/and County

Readers' Forum Let Kean Buy a Full-Length Mirror

H> Charles M. I.eusner I think il is a disgrace lhal Gov Thomas Kean hired Greg Stevens, a former congressional aide, to handle media relations for him There is no question thal Kean and his advisors created the position of Director of Public Information for the purpose of bolstering Kean's image More (his year's legislative elections I find It an insult to every unemployed person to hire a $:>4.ixio a year yes ' man when Kean would have to spend only $2ixi for a full length mirror New Jersey is experienc mg difficult times and our governor asked us to Bite the Bullet" in his Stale of the Stale message Gov Kean, who

Safe in Police Hands By Huth J. Hart A big thank you to Bower Township police officers is in order How our officers coped with the holiday season is remarkable Not only do Ihey do routine cops and robbers chores, hut I mu.-sl compliment them on tasks performed lhal everyone may not Ik- aware of To name jusl a few checking senior citizens' homes lhal are empty, not to mention the many limes a call for someone who locked keys in (he car. or a motorist who has broken down, his assists in rescue operations, etc I think Lower Township officers often are not given the credit they are due I have always found them to Ik* courteous and helpful Anyone having a scanner knows how they are from one end of Ihe township to Ihe other constantly Adding five more officers will really Ik* a break for all of us I know I feel sale seeing their cars rolling along, always on Ihe alert So a big thank you to each and every one. from the top lo the plain officer, from the clerks to tin* dispatchers I fee! safe m your hands Hu(li J Hfl't lives in Ihe VrI/us s

promosed he would not raise taxes, promptly increased our Sales Tax and our State Income Tax - yet he does nol practice what he preaches I have serious reservations about Stevens' appointment, especially when the go* ernor already pays $55.01X1 to C’ari Golden to be his press secretary and $35,00(1 to I’aul Wolpotl to Ik? Golden’s assistant If Kean thinks his image is sagging ;md he needs a per son to help him in thal regard, then he should pay Stevena out of his pocket or ask the Republican Stale Committee to pick up the tab, Charles M Leusner is Middle Township deputy mayor