• ' ' * ' * Herald & Lantern 24 October '84 55

Our Readers Write * ,

Not Just for the 'Haves'

To The Editor: Pluralmng a well known phrase, "there they go again "is justifiably applicable to the remarks mad? by' h? ■Arm Chair General" and the "Would-be Candidate" as they resurface near election time. Remaining in character, they are always laying the blame on the* other guy. The "Arm Chair General's" letter of September 26 reveals the writer to be vindictive towards Peggie Bierberbach because the voters of Lower Township chose to elect Peggie over his next of kin. In his confused Police Backed To the Editor: As members of the Cape May County Police Chiefs' Association, we would like to make the following statement of support for the men and women serving on our local law enforcement agencies in Cape May. In November there will be a question on your voting ballot regarding the police pension change in our communities. This change from the present system, namely PERS (Public Employees' Retirement System) to the Police and Firemen's Retirement System is of extreme importance to all our officers in the county who axe your friends and neighbors. The change will correct a misdassification in the penV - IU UIC fu-

sion status of these police officers, who are now misgrouped with state designations of everything from budget analysts to caseworkers. The change will place the officers where they should be, with other fellow police and fire fighters. Initially, the change will cost all of us additional revenue, both citizens and officers alike. The difference with the new program is that it will pay for itself over the years to come in many positive community/law enforcement ways. We, the police chiefs of Cape May County, want to go on record as being in total support of this change, and the benefits for both officers and citizens alike. We also would like to let everyone affected by this change, know that we are available to answer any of your questions regarding this change at mutually reasonable times and meetings. WILLIAM DONOHUE Stone Harbor JOSEPH E. FOLEY Avalon CARL F. GANSERT JR. Sea Isle City ROBERT M. DENNY Lower Township A County Do-er 1 To The Editor: It's funny how some people think they have all the answers and are always first to criticize others. These so called "know it all" conveniently distort the truth to suit their fancy in order to belittle their fellow man. Perhaps it's frustration and a desire for the limelight that accounts for their behavior. It's always (he bent wheel qn the cart that makes the most noise. \ V ' Those individuals trying to discredit Peggie Bieberbach are not aware that well said words are overcome by well done deeds. Peggie Bieberbach gained the respect of the local citizenry because she earned it. Peggie's efforts as a public servant to all the people of Lower Township has been a job well done. Peggie expanded her energy towards serving the needs of all the people in our township. , As a Freeholder for Cape May County, Peggie will be a do-er, not a say-er, a much needed plus for our taxpayers and county. Cape May County voters, remember, actions well served are better than words well said. MARY NOCE Villas Correction ED. NOTE: A typographical error omitted a line from Peggie Bieberbach's letter to the editor last week. It should have read: "The supposed 112 percent tax increase over a three-year period was due to frivolous spending when our poor losers' party at that time put through the revaluation of our homes at a cost of almost one-half million dollar, purchases of new trash trucks of which three were purchased in less than one year, a $6,000 increase for a department bead who worked for the Republicans during their campaign a 100 percent increase in committee members' salaries and many other needless expenditures too numerous to mention." • _ «

statements, the writer certainly didn't research his facts correctly. Perhaps the writer is too young to remember that in 1979, when the Democrats controlled the Township Committee, of which Peggie Bierberbach was a member our tax rate dropped. FROM 1980 TO 1883, reckless spending and extravagancy by the Republican dominated governing committee caused taxes to increase. Therefore, to set the record straight, it was the Republican dominated governing committee that caused the 112 percent increase in our local tax structure during the years 1980-83. It was the Republican dominated govering committee that voted themselves a 100 percent salary increase after entering office in 1980. Only one committeeperson, Peggie Bierberbach, is on record voting against this increase. During Peggie Bierberbach's mayoralty reign from January 1, 1983, through June 30, she is on record opposing a tax increase. Yes, the "Arm Chair General" was so right when he said Peggie Bierberbach was rightfully crowned, and as research shows, to correct the "General," Peggie was crowned "The Taxpayers Watchdog." PEGGIE BIERBERBACH is not out to win a popularity contest. She is a candidate for freeholder of Cape May County whose only desire is to work and serve all the people of Cape May County for their welfare and benefit. Peggie Bierberbach was never bitter or fully opposed to council/manager form of government. Her main concern was the monetary burden, taxwise, that the new form of government would put on the taxpayers of Lower TnUfl^hin Ac Piri riorwa Kir t kn l/u,nl a .. 11 As evidenced the news reports

past weeks re local taxes, Peggie's concern was not in i vain. Peggie Bierberbach has served Lower Township cons ! cientiously, always looking out for her constituents. A vot for Peggie Bierberbach as Freeholder for Cape May County will be a vote well earned and rewarding to all the people of Cape May County. TO TRY TO RELATE what is going on in the national political arena to our local and county scenes shows the diminutive mentality of this argument. The unintelligible drivel of the "Arm Chair General" trying to relate what is happening in Canada to the happenings of Cape MayCounty is truly nonsensical. The writer displays an air of arrogance by his blatant disregard for the concerns of the people in our communr ty. Our elected officials serve not only the have-nots but all peoples. To suggest otherwise is not only unpatriotic but a slap in the face to the Constitution of these United States and all those Republicans and Democrats, haves and have-nots, of all races, color and creed who laid down their lives to protect all the people. Ours is a government of all the people, not just for the "haves" and "have-nots." The "Arm Chair General" said that statistics don't lie. Correction, "General," accurate statistics don't lie: "WOULD-BE CANDIDATE S" James R letter of October 10 is an apparent clouded perception as to what Stump, manager of Lower Township conveyed to the residents. In essence, he said he prefers to work on a "cash and carry" basis. Therefore, in order to pay cash for all future road work, the local tax rate may possibly go up to accumulate this money. He further said be will try to achieve this aim by cutting out waste, reduce expenditures and frivolities rather than raise taxes. Perhaps Stump could save more money by only increasing salaries on an 18-month basis just as Reagan has done to all the people on Social Security and let the percentage of increase be guided by the Social Security rate of increase. To you of the poverty of intellect, be advised that Stump in no way laid any blame on Peggie Bierberbach or anypast or present Republiapn or Democratic Committeeperson for the current bond issue becaase there is nothing or no one to blame. those of you fabricating fault with one former com *"rttee person during the years 1960-83, namely Peggie Bierberbach, remember that in a governing body of three — two Republicans and one Democrat, two Republicans overruled the lone Democrat — Peggie Bierberbach. LONNIE MATTIA North Cape May Change Pensions To Tbe Editor. With the coming of the general election on Nov. 6, the voters of Lower Township will have an opportunity to go to the polls and vote in favor of a switch in the police pension program to a most appropriate poUcemans retirement plan. * Ibis plan will cost the taxpayers a very nominal increase in taxes but, in the' long run, will actually benefit the community. The citizens of Lower Township can be very proud of their Police Department. These men in blue put forth their best performance and skills required everyday to protect . the citizens of our community. A policeman, retiring after 'years of dedicaiton and loyalty serving his public, should be rewarded with a beneficial pension program for himself, or his widow and family. A "Yes" vote by the voters of this township oc election day will prove to our police department of our appreciation for a job well done. WANDA 4CEMPINSKI Villas

" Too Old at 52 v To The Editor: This is not meant to be political, re Rodney Downs' com ; ment in the Oct. 17 Herald, that "there is no unemployment, just laziness." i I was laid off from an $8 per hour job because I was "too old" at 52. I was unemployed for one year. I could have taken jobs that paid less than unemployment When unemployment ran out. I took a job with the state My take home pay was $252 every two w eeks Then Camden County took $100 of that to give to the woman who took my kids That reduces me to $152 every two weeks. From his affluent position, can Downs explain how I am to maintain" life cm $76 per week? My wife walked out, and received an endless amount of help. I have lost everything and I can get no help I might suggest that Downs live the life, just for one week, of those unfortunates in the unemployment line. JAMES H. McENEANEY Higher Goals To The Editor: m High on the list of organizations that, contribute to the stability and the security of this community are the public schools. The only institutions that the public holds in^*. greater esteem than the public schools are churches Since schools have an impact on most of the young people in our community they deserve the support of all segments of our population. The teachers who work at the Richard M. Teitelman School and the Lower Cape May Regional High School de mand and get respect cooperation and achievement from a large majority of the students enrolled — actually more than 95 percent. Our stated purpose is to graduate educated contributing citizens — people who will help this community to grow and to prosper. Each year we set higher goals for the children of this community to achieve. We expect more from the young people and we get greater achievement and more concern for the quality of life in this community There is no doubt we need to be more effective in the work we do. To become so we need the continued support of those people who vote in the spring when our budget is presented for approval EPHRAIM R. KELLER Superintendent • Lower Cape May Regional Hughes Supported To The Editor: On Nov. 6th, the people of the Second Congressional district will select the person they want to represent them for the next two years in the United States House of m . Representatives. As a father, teacher, and elected official in Middle Township, I believe that Congressman William J Hughes is the most qualified person in this election. Congressman Hughes has distinguished himself as chairman of the House Judiciary's subcommittee on Crime. He has written legislation which will put criminals in jail, increase the penalty for drug pushers, and make our streets safer He has been an outspoken critic of the dumping of sewerage off the coast of New Jersey and he has personal ly helped the residents of Middle Township with the clean up of the Williams Dump Site in Swainton throuh the acquisition of a $540,000 remedial grant to study the most effective method of cleaning up that toxic waste dump. Serving in his fifth term in the Congress, Hughes is in a position to protect South Jersey like no other congressman before him. He is a man of integrity, honesty, and dedication. I enthusiastically support him for a sixth term in the Congress. _ / . \ CHARLES M. LEUSNER Cape May Court House (ED. NOTE: Leusner is a member of Middle Township Committee.) Zagone Outstanding — .To The Editor: Your interviews with the candidates for county sheriff was excellent How could any Cape May County voter, regardless of party affiliation, dare to ignore the outstanding qualifications of Nick Zagone for County sheriff? We need the best candidate for the job and that's Nick Zagone ■ ' BILL AND ANGELA RIDDLE Wildwood Crest I * i - \t