Herald & Lantern 12 Ottober '83

New at N.J. Bell: Pubjic Advocates NEWARK— When com- “Or maybe the mayor of munity groups and govern- Cape May needs'more inment leaders need an ad- formation about how city vocate at the phone com- residents can obtain dial pany, where can they turn? tone service and If they live in South Jersey, telephones, and who is

the answer is to any one of six community relations managers at New Jersey Bell. Heading up the specialized group is John A. Holcombe, district manager responsible for an eight-county area stretching from Burlington County to the north to Cape May County in the south. “OUR MAIN JOB is to represent the company with the local newspapers and broadcasters, and to talk and work directly with local groups,” Holcombe said. “Whether we’re talking about service, rates or company participatibn in a special community project, our aim is to make doing business with the phone company easy and beneficial to our customers." Holcombe expects his group to be especially busy during the next several months as New Jersey Bell and other Bell operating companies are divested from their parent, AT&T, Jan. 1. “We’ll be helping our residence and business service forces explain how to get service and maintain it, how to understand our new phone bill, which will be divided into several sections, and why these and other changes are being made in the telecommunications industry," Holcombe said. "Suppose the hospital in Mount Holly is concerned about a repair service problem tnat has not been resolved. Jean Wilmot, our manager in Burlington County, will be there to help clear up any uncertainties,” Holcombe said.

To Head Training N. CAPE MAY - Local resident CharlSs F. Juechter has joined Houston Marine Training Services, a division of the maritime training firm Houston Marine Consultants, Inc. of New Orleans, as training supervisor and instructor for southern New Jersey. Juechter, a career officer with the Coast Guard for 30 years, will plan and conduct Coast Guardapproved license preparation courses for boatowners and operators in New Jersey and southern Maryland who want to carry passengers for hire. THE COURSES, which prepare individuals for their motorboat, inland and ocean operator licenses, include material on the Rules of the Road, Navigation, Seamanship and Safety regulations. Juechter, a graduate of the U. S. Coast Guard Academy, served as commanding officer of several U. S. Coast Guard cutters during his career and had held various administrative posts including Deputy Commander of the Atlantic Area in New York, N.Y.

responsible for maintenance. Bob Davenport, our manager in Atlantic and Cape May Counties, is there to explain the facts," he added. WHILE Holcombe ackowledges that New Jersey Bell has been involved in similar custonfer service activities in the past, he says the new organization is different in that all his managers will be getting closer to the community so that "when people think telepommunications, they'ihink about New Jersey Bell,'” "We’ve been in business in New Jersey since 1929 and our future is in New Jersey," Holcombe said. “It’s in the company’s best interest to get involved in

S.J. Gas To Serve County

SWAINTON - South Jersey Gas Co. officially signed an agreement Oct. 3, wiUi New Jersey Natural Gas Co. acquiring the rights to provide natural gas service to 27,000 customers in Cape May County for a final purchase price of $17.7 million. The signing was the culmination of a period of negotiations between South Jersey Gas and New Jersey Natural. The initial announcement concerning preliminary decisions was made by both companies Jan. 26. An agreement in principle between the companies was reached April 20. On Sept. 22, the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities granted approval of the sale. William F. Ryan, president of South Jersey Gas, said, "South Jersey Gas Co. is proud to serve the natural gas consumers of Cape May County. Our company is noted for Us active role in community affairs, and we will extend our involvement in the county. We are committed to being a good neighbor as we examine our role in the economic development of the county." Rayan indicated that the rates paid by the Cape May County customers will remain at their present level at this time. Additionally, he assured the company’s new customers that South Jersey Gas will provide safe, dependable and timely service at the lowest possible cost. In addition to providing natural gas service to Cape May County, South Jersey Gas also serves all of Atlantic, Cumberland and Salem counties and portions of Burlington, Camden and Gloucester counties. South Jersey Gas is the natural gas distribution subsidiary of South Jersey Industries, Inc. and is headquartered in Folsom in Atlantic County.

business-

JOHN A. HOLCOMBE

improving the economy and quality of life. “When New Jersey Bell is divested from AT&T Jan. 1 and we become part of Bell Atlantic, we’ll be there for our residence and business customers. Our employees are trained to help ... and our external affairs organization is ready to serve as an advocate for all of our customers," Holcombe said.

Dealers Slate EDA Speaker SOMERS POINT -*■ Members of the New Jersey Marine Dealers Association (Chapter 6, Marine Trades Association of New Jersey), will meet with Richard A. Font of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority 8 p.m. Monday Oct. 17, pt Harry’s Inn. Font, a loan officer with the Economic Development Authority, will discuss the kinds of financial help his agency can offer to small businesses, and how they can qualify. An informal dinner at 6:30 will precede the meeting. Guests and prospective members are welcome. The association is composed of marine dealers and related businesses in Atlantic, Cape May and Cumberland counties.

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