58

opinion

Herald & Lantern 18 April '84

Our Readers Write

Vocal Minority Outnumbered

To The Editor:

I would like the time to describe the scenario for a normal commissioners meeting in Sea Isle City. The particular one I am reporting was held in the afternoon of March 27, with Mayor Dominic Raffa and the two commissioners in attendance. Numerous property owners also were there, and the usual matters, relating to our city

t> disc

The interested and concerned people sit in silence (so ordained» until we finally arrive aj the public portion of the meeting This is frequently interesting because the mayor gets quite belligerent if things do not go his way He does have a short fuse. Here we have a mayor, whose position is listed as parttime. at an annual salary of $15,000. Then, in the course of discussion, we find another city employe, very much in attendance just lately, who is listed on the city payroll as a clerk typist at an annual salary of $12,000. The same individual is on the payroll as grants coordinator at a salary of $4,000 a year IMAGINE the surprise when it was revealed that, aside from being the mayor’s right arm; so claimed publicly by Mayor Raffa; he is also Sea Isle'e P.R. man. at an additional hourly salary and an expense account. It was brought to the public’s attention that, while performing as public relations man snapping photcxs, greeting important city visitors, etc, he is away from his salaried clerk-typist job. Also, astonishing to learn, that same individual is president of Cape Associates, which handles his publicity photos. Could this be a conflict of

interest*’

I hesitate to mention that not very much of the above photography appears in our local newspapers. It would seem, as the meeting progressed, that Al Zurawski. the man of many positions, also pens letters, to selected persons, this, of course at the mayor's request. The recipients of a recent letter were requestedto attend this March 27 meeting and outnumber the "vdS^ninority" who apparently have the temerity todisagr^ffwith the way city affairs are being handled. This so-called “vocal minority" consists of interested people who regularly attend town meetings and express concern at the manner in which the town is being administrated. It is quite obvious, dissention with the mayor is not welcomed in Sea Isle What is one to do?

Coping With Storm To The Editor: The Cape May County Office of Emergency Management wishes to express our thanks to the coordinators of Cape May County's 16 municipalities, to county departments. and to all public service and safety agencies related to our operation for their unselfish and professional actions in coping with the northeast storm of March 29 We also thank all the volunteers who gave of their time and efforts; and wish to express our appreciation to the Cape May County Board of Chosen Freeholders, who supported our every action As usual, the media performed well in their coverage of the storm Thank you for your continued cooperation in our efforts. LYNDON H. SIMMERMAN County Coordinator Office of Emergency Management Cape May Court House

PaMUhnt Every Wrdnevday By

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Joseph R. Zelnik Editor Ronnie Reina General Manager Gary L. Rudy Advertising Director John Dunwoody Special Promotions Director Darrell Kopp . Publisher 1W4J

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Hospital Appreciated To The Editor: I would like to express my appreciation to Burdette Tomlin Memorial Hospital for the wonderful care I rceived during my recent stay. I’m proud to know that we have a.new and wonderful hospital in our county. It is comforting to know that it has an excellent staff to conduct all the necessary needs of their patients. FRANK ALEARDI Sea Isle City

Firemen Praised To The Editor: I would like to congratulate the Avalon Volunteer Fire Department for the splendid job it did containing a house fire on 23rd Street. About 6 a.m. March 29. they responded to a house fire I had reported. It was no time before they arrived at the scene. It was the morning of the storm and flood. They were unable to bring the big fire equipment from Dune Drive to the house fire because of the flooding. The firemen had to wade through the water, waist-deep, carrying the hoses, which were about 200 feet from the fire. And it was no time at* all before they had the fire under control. Congratulations to Avalon's Fire Department.

By DOROTHY D. FREAS Although the Atlantic Ocean washes the eastern beaches of Cape May County, the Delaware Bay was the first scene of financial return from the waters. Several attempts at whaling occurred during the early 1600s. Either through lack of knowledge or inadequate equipment, failure followed the early beginnings of this

industry.

Then a group of men of New England, whalers all. came south and settled where Town Bank, named Portsmouth

at first, was built on Delaware Bay.

Only a few miles from the ocean, where the waters of the bay were calmer, the men went out in small boats, a very dangerous enterprise, for the harpooned whale sometimes turned on a small boat, and occasionally the

crew was lost.

Obtaining whale oil was a calculated risk for the men whose livelihood was providing oil for light and fuel. By the early 1700s however, the whaling industry had peaked and declined. NOW THE BAY is also a source of many species of fish, arriving as the water temperature rises in Spring. Then various types of craft dot the lower bay, catching quantities of fish — weak fish. flounder,.fluke and drum. Further up the Delaware, where the Maurice River joins it, has been for yehrs a center of the large oyster industry. Bivalve, a town appropriately named, is in the same area as Port Norris, well-known for its oystering and oyster-packing plants. Still further north there is a town on the bay, named (surprisingly?) Baysidc, and which was the end of a railroad branch in the 1870s. At that time the town’s name was “Caviar" because of the sturgeon caught in Delaware Bay, thus providing great quantities of caviar for shipping to the north on the railroad. When the sturgeon disappeared, the rail spur tracks were removed back to the Bridgeton area. Delaware Bay has been a source of prospering industries — and delicious meals — for those who live near this body of water. Nix Live Bunnies

To The Editor:

Live chicks and rabbits shouldn't be considered as Easter gifts because most children don’t know how to care for them and they do not make good pets. Many of these live gifts will have the same fate as the little white duck and be abandoned at local parks and ponds. When parents are considering Easter gifts this year, please keep in mind that at Easter time, stores offer a variety of stuffed animals and chocolate rabbits that could fill any child's Easter with fun. NINA

AUSTENBERG

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-Got a Digestive Disorder? Stay Out of Midd

By JOE ZELNIK Friends? have challenged me to use three phrases in this column: dewflicker, hard as Kelsey's nuts, and "You don't sweat much for a fat girl.” I just have, of course. Irving Kelsey was a companion of Edgar Rice Burroughs. Fellow writers (Kelsey was a poet, Burroughs a novelist), they traveled together to Africa at the turn of the century. Burroughs wrote "Tarzan of the Apes” and became rich and famous. Kelsey wrote a long poem called "Yugoslavia, Gem of the Ocean,” which was never published. Then he wrote a song called. “On the Way to Cape Town." It flopped. Jealous over Burroughs' success. Kelsey broke with him. Burroughs returned to Avalon where .he did the weather on Channel 40 and lived a life of wealth and privilege. Kelsey stayed on in Nairobi and bought a macadamia ranch. THE NUTS WERE lousy. The soil in Kenya was too dry for the macadamia tree, which flourishes in Australia. But Kelsey has powerful connections. He knew the Hands of Cape May County and they knew Charles Lindbergh. When Lindbergh, made his solo transatlantic flight in 1927, he slurped a malted milk from Dippy Don’s and chewed Kelsey’s nuts. Once the press (in general, not the "Atlantic City”) got ahold of that, there was no stopping Kelsey. His nuts were the talk of both continents and, thanks to no-bid contracts, served on every major airline. The biggest problem with Kelsey’s nuts was that it was almost impossible to crack them open without using a hammer. Sale of hammers boomed and this had much to do with the Iron Age, the Industrial Revolution, and the founding of Pittsburgh. Kelsey, now in his 90s, resides in Villas with a 120-pound doberman pinscher for companionship and an 88-pound waiter from an exclusive Cape May restaurant as his cook. He stays busy editing a volume of the collected speeches of Dominic C. Raffa.

Lest one of John McVey's students from Middle Township turns in this account for a history report. I have to say that not one word after the first paragraph is true. I’ve been writing bizarre things ever since I pried open the back door of the Middle Township Sewage Treatment Plant and got a whiff of the chlorine. WHAT LESSON can we learn from all this? Well, it shows the awesome power of the press. I can write practically anything in this column - as long as the publisher remains in Boca Ratan. And this opens up opportunities for you readers. If you want a message in this column, it can be arranged. Our classified department charges $2.50 for 20 words. I'm willing to negotiate. If you like, we caA be very direct: "Got a digestive disorder? Call Bob Beitman.” You may want to push a certain item - "Three artichokes for a buck at Robinson and Sons" — or you may simply have a message: "Dear Bea, Thanks for 20 wonderful years. Love, Gary." It can be done smoothly, almost subliminally: "As I was having a bowl of soup at Mister Donut. 81 Dennisville Road ..." . WHEN THEY DO THIS in the movies — showing you the makes of cars and brands of cigarettes — it’s called "product placement.” In our situation, we'll just call it, "You take care of me and I’ll take care of you.” The only thing I won’t do is promote alcoholic beverages, except for beer, wine, whiskey. Vodka, gin and tequilla, all of which serve medicinal purposes. A mention will be more expensive at the beginning of this column, which quite a few people read, and less expensive toward the end, where few people get. What does this have to do with “You don't sweat much for a fat girl”? Not much. It’s a line from a TV show and the first person to correctly identify who said it will receive a prize. And "dewflicker?'' Your definition of that will be the tiebreaker.

Philology How some of our longer words arc derived May at first seem somewhat confounding But so many times they’re simplv contrived By expedient use of compoundinn For example, take hippopotamus. A word well known to a lot of us. It comes from two words of Grecian descent; Potamus meaning river; hippo, horse. Thus plainly we see in development A word meaning hpree-river, bu* of course! Such erudition must be used with care For we may in our amateruish real Cause rifts over meanings which aren’t there, That even Hippocrates couldn’t heal. Since his name came up, I can’t, let it pass— Crat means a member of a ruling class. Can we then like some stern grammarian ■ Insist through pedantic parsing to get That he was a Greek vetemarian Or worse, ran around with the horsey set? — Laurence J. Brownsey

Rx

by Dr. Robert C. Beitman

Continuing with our update on vitamins And minerals, today we will discuss "zinc deficiency". It is a little known fact that zinc is one of the most abundant trace minerals in our bodies, second only to iron. It is essential to the body’s ability to break bohydrates, fats and proteins. Recent studies have shown that zinc plays a role in the formation of DNA, our genetic code. It also plays a role in maintaining the health of the lining of the digestive tract, the areas of the eyes involved in night vision, the production of sperm, the male hormone testosterone, and the cells of the skin and taste buds. Proper body levels of zinc must be maintained when injured or undergoing surgery, since low levels will slow the healing of wounds and bums. Zinc can help stave off one of the effects of industrial pollution, that of our taking in the heavy metal known as cadmium, which is toxic to our systems. During pregnancy low zinc levels can result in prolonged labor, later due dates, and a higher incidence of deformed and stillborn babies. SEVERE ZINC deficiency is rare-in this country, but we are finding that mild or borderline cases are surprisingly common. Those at risk include moderate to heavy alcohol drinkers, people on diets restricted to 1,000 calories, athletes undergoing endurance training and related diets, pregnant and breast-feeding women and elderly persons whose diets are not carefully designed ,to ensure adequate nutrient intake. Zinc is excreted from the body on a daily basis through bowel movement, urine and perspiration, so (it must also be replaced on a daily basis. This is best done through dietary awareness. In years past we took in extra zinc through our iron, brass and galvanized-steel pots and pans, which contained zinc and imparted some of it to food during the cooking process. This doesn’t take place with teflon, stainless steel, and plastic containers. Alcohol speeds the rate at which zinc leaves the body. This is additionally critical during pregnancy, as it deprives the developing infant of an essential

nutrient. Those involved in high endurance sports often lose zinc due to their extra perspiration and high carbohydrate diets, which contain little zinc. CERTAIN DISEASES also contribute to zinc deficiency, including cancer, sickle-cell anemia, digestive malabsorption syndromes and chronic kidney and liver diseases. The risk of zinc overdose is low, but it does exist. Accordingly it is best to avoid taking zinc supplements (pills or capsules) unless prescribed by a physician following blood tests and in relation to a particular medical problem. Ideally, diet is the best route to good zinc nutrition. , High protein foods carry the most zinc, particularly red meat, liver, eggs, seafood, dark meat of poultry, and dairy products. Atlantic oysters happen to have the most zinc of any known food. Many of these foods may be restricted from the diets of Health Watch readers due to their cholesterol content. Vegetarians also are in a bind if they do not consume animal protein or dairy products. There is a chemical called "phytate" found in whole grain and soy products which prevents much of the zinc from being used by the body. Accordingly, you may want to have your blood monitored occasionally for zinc levels to determine whether supplements are indicated. Symptoms of severe zinc deficiency include loss of appetite, mental disorders, tremors, diminished sense of taste, skin rashes on arms. legs, genitals, and mouth, and slower healing of wounds and burns. Mild deficiencies are difficult to detect by symptoms; they just contribute to a diminished state of good health. In children, retardation of growth and development can take place. Mild cases in adults will sometimes be reflected in lower sperm counts, a higher level of blood ammonia (toxic to humans), and an inability to maintain a constant weight. NEXT WEEK: Ju$t published, American Cancer Society recommendations for anlt-cancer diet. Health Watch is a public education project of the Cape May County Unit of the American Cancer Society, of which Dr. Beitman is co-chairman.

Arbor Day Honor Set

GOSHEN - Mrs. Helen Brewer, who formerly taught at the Goshen Public School, Delsea Drive, will be honored by the Middle Township Shade Tree Commission at its annual Arbor Day ceremonies 11 a.m. Saturday, April 38. Mrs. Brewer taught at the school from 1945 until its closing in 1962. The school is being restored by the Save Our School Committee, which is applying to the state and federal governments to have the building declared a registered historic landmark. Shade Tree Commission chairperson Dorothy Hagerty will plant a tree at the school. U.S. Air Force Col. Howard A. Corson, Ret., will give a tribute to

GARDEN TOURS *— Special trolley tours to see thousands of blooms planted for Cape May’s annual Tulip Festival April 28 and 29 will be conducted from Rotary Bandstand. Lafayette at Decatur Street.

Township Committeeman Charles Leusner will present a committee resolution honoring Mrs. Brewer. A reception with refreshments inside the school will follow the ceremony. A * M

Victorian Stroll Is Easter Highlight

Floor Insurance Chamber Topic

AVALON - David Von Savage of Cape Insurance Center, North Wildwood, will discuss flood insurance at the monthly meeting of the Avalon Chamber of Commerce at the Whitebrier Inn at 7 p.m.

tomorrow, April 19.

Special Tours Set For Tulip Festival

CAPE MAY - The annual Victorian Easter Stroll sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce of Greater Cape May will be held Sunday. The Victorian Stroll will feature traditional Easter finery and prizes will be offered for strollers in several categories of age and costume. There will be special prizes for the best Victorian costumed lady, gentleman and couple. Stroll Chairman Shirley Stiles has announced a new feature to this year’s stroll. Strollers who wish to be judged for the contest should register in advance of the stroll this year in order to assist the judges. REGISTRATION WILL take place between noon and 1 p.m. at the grandstand on Washington Street Mall. The Stroll itself will take place from 1 to 3 p.m., and prizes will be awarded at the conclusion of the stroll. To participate in the stroll, you must have registered before 1 p.m. THE CATEGORIES the judges will be considering will include: best dressed couple, Victorian and modern; best dressed lady, Victorian and modern; best dressed gentleman, Victorian and modern; best dressed teenager 16 to 19; best dressed children, 11 to 15,6 to 10, and 2 to 5; and best dressed babies to 2 years. Prizes will also be x awarded for the best dressed family, the oldest lady, the oldest gentleman, and for the best ladies’ Easter

bonnet.

A single prize will be awarded in each category with the exception of the children, where first, second and third prizes will be awarded, according to

Mrs. Stiles. The prizes will be donated by the merchants of Cape May, and will include gift certificates and a new prize this year for children — savings

bonds.

Music for the Stroll will be provided by a strolling violinist. Gene Grossweiler, For more information regarding the Easter Stroll, contact Shirley Stiles at 884-5329

CAPE MAY - Trolley, walking and house museum tours will be featured here on Tulip Festival Weekend, April 28 and 29 in Cfipe May, New Jersey. To help acquaint visitors with Cape May Victorian architecture, MidAtlantic Center for the Arts (MAC) will sponsor: Special trolley tours will see the tens of thousands of tulips that have been planted for Cape May's popular annual Tulip Festival. These tours will leave approximately every half hour from the Rotary Bandstand, Lafayette at| Decatur Streets, on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and on Sunday from 12 noon to 3 p.m. Trolley tours of the National Landmark District are one-half hour long and begin at the Information Booth on the Washington Street Mhll, at Ocean Street. On Tulip Festival Weekend. MAC will offer

two tours. The Historic .East End Tour will be run on Saturday approximately every 45 minutes from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Historic West End Tour will be run on Sunday approximately every 45 minutes from II a.m. to 1:15 p.m. A walking tour, of the National Landmark District leaving at 10 a.m. on Sunday, is 1 1/2 hours long. It will begin at the Information Booth at the head of the Washington Street Mall. Tours of the Emlen Physick Estate features the Stick Style mansion at 1048 Washington St., designed by the famous Philadelphia architect. Frank Furness, and built in 1881 It contains a meticulously restored Victorian House Museum. Physick Estate Tours will run every 45 minutes Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. and on Sunday from 11:30 to2:30p m .

Prayer at Easter

Dear Lord of life cleanse all our hearts On this triumphant day. Uproot pretense, make us sincere In all we do or say; Forgive our feeble efforts and Our inconsistency. Grant us the gentle kindess that Walks hand and hand with fhee; Look deep within, dear gentle Christ, Where others have not seen And with Thv warm compassion make Our troubled hearts serene.

V lney Endlcott