Mosquito Attack One Month Early

By JOE ZELNIK What do Mother Nature, Ronald Reagan and Judy Hansen have in common? Each took some blame, in descending order, for,the onslaught of mosquitoes that have begun biting Cape May Counlians about one month ahead of schedule. "It’s very bad," acknowledged Hansen, superintendent of the county's Mosquito Commission and, by all accounts, prac-

at least Memorial Day, or after,” she said. ENTER MOTHER Nature. She's dumped record rains on the county. "There's so much water in the woodlands, it's backed up," said Hansen. "There's 10 times the amount of water in the woods as normal, and that means 10 times the breeding area.” And Ronald Reagan? Well, the county has two new helicopters, which arrived March 13. And

- coming from Simplex of Portland, Ore., took five weeks instead of two. It arrived April 28, was installed April 29. and the helicopters were "ready to go " But, they required Federal Aviation Adminstration <FAA) inspection. It was contacted Monday, May 2. By Thursday, it still hadn't beep inspected "Most of ourihspector forep is committed a week in advance," explained Gary

down to 18 Mr. Reagan has cut into as quite deeply." THE REPORTER excased himself, loudly swatted at several mosquitoes, and returned to the phone. "I understand your problem." said Davis "But this is short notice We couldn't arrange it immediately. We're do ing night-time surveillance at Bader Field and Pomona Airpdrt" where, he said, there had been reports of private airplane pilots leaving casinos somewhat under the weather. The reporter excused himself again, swatted mightily at more mosquitoes, and returned to the phone "We'll see what we can do," said Davis AN FA A INSPECTOR arrived at the commission Friday morning and in spected the aircraft. The helipcopter went up Monday, but winds of 30 miles per hour made it "way too windy to spray." Hansen said The helicopter was used to inspect for the worst areas, though, and adulticiding was slated to begin Tuesday, weather permitting .% Normally. Hansen said, upland mos quitoes start first, but slowly, and are "not really active until mid-May or the end of May ' And salt marsh mosquitoes “nor < Itage 22 Please»

Magnesite Closing Threatens Gift Shop

THE WINNERS

Avalon Councilwoman Rachael Sloan, left, defeated Ernest Yarborough for mayor yesterday, 677 to 435. Earl Ostrander, right, beat W ildwood Mayor Guy F. Muriani. I.I9H to 991. Avalon voters elected Pauline Pelrica and Richard Light to council. Wildwood voters elected Edward F. Herman and Victor DiSylvester councllmen-at-large and Larry Snyder, 1st ward; Waller J. ( oilman Jr.. 2nd ward; and Charles Kuski. 3rd ward.

Weeks

Top Stories

)

News—^—

Digest

They Won’t Dance CAPE MAY — Is gym art? It doesn't really matter to the majority of this city's Elementary School Board, which argued that its students get enough exercise in gym and swimming classes and. therefore, don't need any state-financed artist in residence teaching the youngsters dancing and movement The board majority sees its decision as a "back to basics” move. Supporters of the free program see the decision as a

mistake.

Sounds Sounds Sound SEA ISLE CITY — Sounds Avenue, in the Townsend's Inlet section of this resort, may be under water but a marina operator there has visions of expanding his basiness along the street and wants the city to vacate the soggy thoroughfare in his favor. If it does, and he gets the required approvals, his lawyer said he has no present plan to build a condo there, only a parking lot. Sea Isle’s solicitor wants to talk to the lawyer, though. Springs Eternal AVALON — Officials here are backing a multi-million dollar shore protection bill in the hope that, this time around, the resort will get some of the state money. Avalon was supposed to get a grant from (Page 22 Please)

By BOB SHILES SUNSET BEACH - The Sun&t Beach Gift Shop, an attraction visited by thousands of visitors each year, may have to be moved when the Harbison-Walker magnosite plant finally closes here later this year But while the move is simple, just a few feet from the present site at the end of Sunset Boulevard, moving the store represents far more than just a financial burden to the owner. It will cause traffic congestion, eliminate much of the existing parking, and create potential sewer and water problems. In addition to being a concern to county planning and nenlth officials, the Cape May County Historical Society is also interested in the situation since wood from the renown concrete ship "Atlantis" was used in the construction of two small

Wait’ll June for the Cheese Tomatoes Ready — Today

For Cape May County’s thousands of low-income residents, some bad news, some good news, and some more bid news: The bad news is that the 38,000 pounds of surplus federal Cheese that were supposed to be distributed in May won't be That's postponed to the week of June 6 The good news is that some 2.000 tomato plants will be. 1 The bad news iS that if you didn't know that until now, you probably missed out. The tomato plants are being distributed from 10 a m. to 3 p.m. today, at Cape Human Resources community service centers in Wildwood, Whitesboro and Woodbine. THE GOAL, expressed a couple months ago when the tomato plant project germinated, was to distribute them along with federal sqrplus cheese and/or butter on Mother’s Day. But a nationwide truckers’ strike delayed one butter-cheese giveaway. So, officials decided a second distribution, of cheese that has been stored in the county since late last month, should be delayed until the week of June 6. But the tomatoes couldn’t wait. "These tomato plants were raised to be ready for Mother's Day,” said Marianne Sheik, supervisor of. Volunteers and Resources for the County Welfare Depart ment. "I can't wait until June. Everybody who gardens knows there are clocks for planting. You start seeds inside on St. Patty's Day and put them in the ground on Mother's Day These plants are groundready." "IT FELL THROUGH a couple times.

like the cheese and butter,"said a source at Cape Human Resources, the county's community actiqn agency "It was off. off. f Page 22 Please)

locker buildings located behind the store. MARVIN HUME, owner and operator of the gift shop the past 12 years, is presently seeking support of county and local agen cies in his attempt to convince HarbisonWalker officials to sell hjm one acre of the company's 162-acre holding The entire tract, which includes one half mile of valuable beachfront, will probably l>e sold when the company closes its doors later this fall Presently. Hume's mam store, another small building, and the two locker structures containing wooden doors and railings from the concrete ship.,are resting on Harbison Walker property The businessman’s lease runs out in March. According to Hume, if he can't acquire the ground, he will be forced to move his building onto the adjacent property he owns at the end of Sunset Boulevard This ground now provides free parking to visitors who come to the.beaeh to view the concrete ship, watch the sunset or search for Cape May Diamonds Sunset Boulevard, a county road, deadends at the beach and without dn easement Hume has granted to the county, there would be very little space for vehicles to turn around III ME ALSO INDICATED that county health officials don’t want the buildings moved because the necessity of locatihg wells and septic systems close- together on (Page 22 please)

( Dorli Word READY TO PLANT — Cape May County's Vocational Technical Center raised 20 flats 6f tomato plants for today’s distribution to low income residents. Left to right are Mike Mason, 15, son of Mr. and Mrs. George Mason of Ocean City; teacher Gary Barber of Court House; Ix>ri Haubois. 15. daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lewi* Haubois of Villas; and Nancy Dramis. 16. daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Dramis of Court House.