Herald & Lantern 31 October '84 & 3

Cops , Officials Split on Change

STONE HARBOR - Police and elected officials facedhoff last weekend on the police pension fund question that will be. on the ballot Nov. 6. A letter went in the mail Friday from the mayor and _ council to 3,000 property owners and registered voters warning that the change - "could result in curtailing some borough services." Police were on the street Saturday, before many of the letters had been received, in a door-to-door delivery of their response. THE POLICE are asking a "yes" vote on a question which would permit them to transfer to a retirement system that most police and firemen belong to and that permits earlier retirement at higher pay. The letter from Mayor Arden W. Hand and Council never came out in opposition to the question. Rather, it explained what it would cost — 162,357 — and said that would require another 1.4 cents for each $100 or assessed value, or 3.2 percent of the present local purpose tax. The lettr said that would mean $22 a year- for the average residential property owner, and also said the cost would amount to 52 percent of the 5 percent annual budget increase permitted by the state 5 percent cap law. That's what led to the conclusion that some services could be curtailed. THE POLICE distributed a pamphlet, "The Police Need Your Help," and that included a

back page with a specific response "taking issue" to the borough's letter. it said that the additional expenditure was "currently exempt from the cap limitation" and, although that would expire Dec. 31, "there is a new bill pending which would extend the exemption far into thefuture." The pamphlet also pointed out that the additional borough payback which it used in its calculations would not begin until March 1967.

And, it concluded, "we fail to see how this expenditure will result in a decrease of other municipal services, particularly when one considers the fact that the borough had realized $4.8 million from the recent sale of building lots in the south end." EDWIN F. PAIN, borough manager, said that was a "ludicrous argument." He said the amount received was correct, but it is "in our surplus and dedicated to- (paying off)

our bond anticipation notes." He said the borough's bonding debts total $3-3 million. The same police pension plan change is on the ballot in Avalon, Sea Isle City and Lower Township. Avalon and Sea Isle City elected officials have taken no position. In Lower Township, new Manager James R. Stump announced his opposition and two of five councilmen have spoken against it, but no official action was taken.

Doru Ward

LAST PATIENTS — Before the medical clinic of Cape Human Resources closed down a in Wildwood Thursday from lack of money. Julie Donovan of Villas and her children. v Patrick, 11 months, and Brian, 5. were treated on the last day by Dr. Robert A. Renza. q • e , e

Cop Pension Shift To Cut Gray Hair?

The shift in police pension systems proposed for four Cape May County municipalities will, in effect, keep the departments from becoming collectively old and gray, according to the proponents. The policemen want to transfer from the state Public Employes Retirement System to the Police and Firemen's Retirement System. Voters in Avalon, Stone Harbor, Sea Isle City, and Lower Township will vote Election Day on whether the transfer should be permitted. A SUCCESSFUL pension transfer to the PFRS system will, say the cops, keep the average age of ' police officers in the four municipalities in the mid-30s. In Avalon, it is pointed out, because of retirement in the near future, the transfer could have an immediate effect in lowering the average age. Figures released by the police spokesmen show the following. The current average age in Lower Township is 38. In 15 years it will be 50, based on 21 of the current 27 employes still working at that time. With the pension transfer, eight of the 21 officers, or 38 percent, will be retired within the next 15 years. IN AVALON. the current average age is 4a In 15 it will be 51, based 12 of 17 current employes being still employed. With the pension

? transfer, 10 of the 12, or 83 percent, will be retired within 15 years. Stone Harbor has a current average age of 36. It will be 48 in 15 years, with 10 of 14 current officers still working. Five of those 10, or 50 percent, will be able to retire within the next 15 years undo- the PFRS Average age in Sea Isle City is 34. It will be 47 in 15 years, with 14 of 16 current officers still on the job. Six of these, or 43 percent, will be able to retire within 15 years. THE PENSION transfer, state the police spokesmen, will, as indicated, allow a significant number of current police officers to retire in the next 15 years. Their replacement by younger men will keep down the average age within the departments, as is the case in the majority of NewJersey police departments The police had previously released information to show that the transfer, over the years, will also result in substantial salary savings, eliminates longevity payments, and reduce the incidence of disability. t

I m. -A. I

Hy-

& And Childrens Famous Maker Apparel •Bryan, Thomas, Twin Togs, Yorkshire Pudding, National, Celebrity, Wrangler, Cinderella, Members Only* — Boys and Student — •Izod • Wrangler • Twin Togs • Members Only Mens Apparel By: Arrow • Thone • Wrangler Levi • Career Club • Twin Togs Jarrtzen • Oxford • Woodland

f MERCHANDISE ONLY / ^ ) LADIES FALL APPAREL ' 11 J#*A

Misses Bv: Smith & Jones • Catalina White Stag • Pant Her Ship 'n Shore • Levi Devon • Russ • Arleen Redford Place • Item-Eyes Misses Petites: Petite Concept By Devon

Juniors By: ta Trousers Up • Wrangler Stoney Brook • Present By Bobby Brooks Ladies X Sizes: Smith & Jones • Redford Place • Lady Devon • Ship 'n Shore

Sweaters By: J . Rochelle • LeRoy i TM -HP Jantzen • Catjalina ' H _j Knitivo • Miki ■ fl V I Dana Loren • Gotham • Answers 1 Northen Isle Majestic • Albee Biflie Jo • Duet WFfr

Ladies Coats & Jackets: /vbfcPS Aspen • Weather Tamer • Makintosh -.1 'hXk.

Blouses Bv: Ship 'n Shore»Fashion Lady*Laure Mae*Kathy Ailson«Lady [ ^ Manhatten«Lady ArrowJudy Bond«Jane HollyNew Fashions

[?]

CAPE MAY CITY | M. ■ DAILY M • FRI. M I SUNDAY 114 N. CAPE MAY KOfl DAILY