Herald & Lantern 3 April '85 59

Our Readers Write Cape May Vandalism: The Price You Pay

To The Editor: As a former member of the Cape May City Educa tion Association (immediate past president ) and a former teacher at the Cape May City Elementary School (fifth grade). I must say I fully sympathize with the plight of the teacher there ...as was expressed so eloquently by the teachers spokesperson Georgi Pullman in The Herald last week I suppose that the reason that I feel such sympathy for them in the face of the vandalism that has been taking place there recently is that, prior to my leaving the Cape May City Elementary School. I was a victim of this vandalism The right front tire of my automobile was punctured with a nail and the air was let out Fortunately. I caught the vandal in the act I im mediately reported the incident to the Cape May Police Department (three

officers were consulted in all) I explained that I would like to wait a reasonable time before pressing charges, in order to allow the parent of the vandal time to make restitution for the vandalism. WHEN THE PARENT ignored my request for restitution. I asked the police department to act. That was in October and November of 1984. To date I have yet to hear from any of the three officers of the Cape May City Police Department Probably the most frustrating detail of my experience of vandalism at the Cape May City Elementary School was this: The vandal was the elementary school-age son of one of the fellow faculty members at the school And the child does not even attend school there. In conclusion. I would caution Spokesperson Pullman not to be hasty in any conclusions she or her

colleagues might make in trying to determine who's doing the vandalism It might turn out to be a relative of one of the members of the faculty And if that's the case, forget restitution and forget the police department. Instead, chalk it all up to an old adage someone once told me. It's the price you pay for working in Cape May. TOM LEVIN Woodbine

TOM LEVIN

Seasonal Police: Proper Training To The Editor: On behalf of the Cape May County Police Chiefs' Association. I would like at this time to express our thanks to Senator Hurley. Assemblyman Chinnici. and all the other legislators and persons who helped in the fight to have Assembly Bill No. 2512 introduced and passed with special amendments added which would be very beneficial for all resort towns in the employment and training of seasonal personnel. The association would especially like to thank Assemblyman Guy Muziani who worked closely with us in leading the fight for the amendments to said Assembly bill. His untiring efforts and close communication, almost on a daily basis, were extremely helpful in keeping us abreast of committee activities in Trenton concerning the progress and problems that surrounded getting the amendments through on Bill No. 2512. Assemblyman Muziani was especially helpful in leading the fight for the six amendments passed, and he was very instrumental working with the Judiciary Committee in Trenton and the State Training Commission in setting up a series of public hearings, one of which will be held in Cape May County, to thrash out the hours that will be needed in the proper training of seasonal police personnel. JOSEPH E. FOLEY Cape May County Police Chiefs' Assn Chief of Police Avalon Letters Welcome The Herald and Lantern welcome letters to the editor on matters of public interest. Originals, not copies, are number Writers must sign name, address and phone Wild Fun at SJRT To The Editor: We are so fortunate to have such fine talent performing right here in our midst. The production of "The Middle Ages" at South Jersey Regional Theatre at Sommers Point is their best yet. - The actors were superb and brought to life very realistically the club and life of years ago: preppy and proper with a touch of wild fun. ROSALIE SPONAUGLE Cape May Courth House

Social Security Questions and Q. 1 started getting Social Security retirement payments this year. I also worked part-time, and I plan to continue working. What's the amount a person can earn this year without losing benefits'' A. If you are 65 to 69 or will reach 65 before the end of the year, you may earn $7,320 in 1985 and still get full Social Security benefits. If I you are under 65. you may earn $5,400 in 1985 without losing any benefits. If your earnings go over the annual amount, $1 in benefits, is withheld for each $2 of earnings above the limit There is no earnings limit for people 70 and older. Q I've heard that workers will pay Social Security taxes on earnings up to $39,600 in 1985 Is the Social Security tax rate going up too? A. In 1985 the Social Security tax rate increases to 7.05 percent The increase helps assure the financial sound ness of Social Security.

FOR HOSPITAL — Dana Kull, right, president of new Avalon Hoada dealership in Swainton presents check for $1,000 earmarked for burdette Tomlin Memorial Hospital Building Fund to William H. Waldron III. hospital president.

County Library by Kathleen Duffy

Sting does it. Bill Cosby , too Bette Midler even does it And so does Baryshnikov They all read This year these celebrities have stepped down from center stage and into America's libraries to lend a nationwide celebration demonstrating that we are A Nation of Readers Yes. People still read. "THE PUNDITS of every age have been quick which premature obituaries. When the printed book spread across Europe, learned men forecast the vulgarization of knowledge and the decline of culture. The Renaissance followed ... Every newmovement. every new technology, spawns predication of cataclysm or disaster ." In the United States, the most changeful, technologically innovative nation in history, we have had our share of Cassandras . The obvious example in our time is the common prediction that television and the computer will displace the book, that a nation of watchers will cease to be a Nation of Readers When we Americans speak of a Nation of Readers ... we are describing opportunities, risks, and experiences — different from those anywhere else or at any time." For reading is not simply a skill or a consumer activity. It is an experience and it has been part of our whole national experience." — Daniel J. Boorstein. April 21. 1982. Librarian of Congress But in fact, computers and television have probably increased the number of readers. How many com puters books were there five years ago? Today, you need a computer to keep track of all the titles. And while millions may have been glued to the tube for television presentations of Shogun and Lace the next daydroves went out to libraries and bookstores in search of the books Since Boorstein made those remarks, there has been a groundswell of activity to demonstrate that we are a Nation of Readers. Public Library sage is up; the Cape May County Library circulated 312,288 items in 1984 Adult magazine reading has increased from eight to nine issues a month since 1981 THE NUMBER of heavy readers (26 or more books in a six-month period) has doubled in the last five years, according to the Book Industry Study Group 1983

Consumer Research Study on Reading and Book Pur chasing presented at. the Library of Congress. April. 11, 1984 The number of time-urgent books has grown dramatically. Just took at what the NewYork Times has done to its nonfiction list. According to a recent Roper poll, reading was picked most often — from a list of 30 other activities — as a hobby or leisure-time activity . BOORSTEIN IS right The doomsayers are wrong. We are A Nation of Readers Reading continues to be vital to the growth of our country. To paraphrase Mark Twain : The reports of reading's death are greatly exaggerated However, this Nation of Readers faces some very serious problems The American Library Association estimates there are more than 27 million adult functional illiterates in the United States, costing us

more than $224 billion every year. And last year, the National Commission on Excellence in Education "released its alarming report. "A Nation At Risk" According to the 1983 report, - the educational foundations of our society are being eroded by a rising tide of mediocrity that threatens our very future as a nation and a people." April 14-20, 1985 is a Na lional Library Week, sponsored by the Amercian Library Association It 's the perfect time to learn more and enjoy more by reading and using your library "For reading is not simply a skill or a consumer activity. It is an experience and it has been part of our whole national experience." wrote Dr Boorstein. This National Library . Week, takes the time to reaffirm your citizenship in the Nation of Readers

WEIGHTY MATTER — Kathleen Logiovino right. Del Haven, a maternity out-patient, has her weight checked by Burdette Tomlin- Memorial Hospital chief dietician Candy Stridiron of Wildwood Crest, who also provided dietary tips as part of observance of National Nutrition Month. The hospital is also offering telephone answers to questions about diet and nutrition weekdays 2-4 p.m. during March. Special number 465-200 extension 5309 Joy ride III By Libby Demp Forrest I don't remember who it was who said a woman can 't be too thin or too rich I've never been rich and the last time I was thin dinosaurs roamed the earth But I keep trying to get back there I've only known a few really thin women in my jifei but it seems to me I never met one who was good natured Now that I'm on a diet The Hubby is finding me a wee bit grouchy Slightly irritable. A little uppityJolly I was but no longer Especially at mealtimes WHILE THE FAMILY sits chatting and enjoying their dinners, my morose face stares at them When they help themselves to seconds. I stick my nose in the air When it's time for dessert I cry "Nobody told you to go on a diet." said No 2 "You used to be a lot of fun." said The Hubby "I'm still fun." I said. but I avoided eye contact as I said it. "How come you don't laugh at my jokes anymore?' The Hubby said "Mom doesn't laugh at anything anymore Period," said No 2 WHEN THE FAMILY settles down in the living room to watch TV. the commercials get to me. While they enjoy their little munchies. I sit cracking my sugarless gum "Mom." said No. 2 the other night, "could you tone it down a little I can't hear anything." I glared at him After a while. I got up and growled "Did you say something?" asked The Hubby "Guess I'll go upstairs and read a book or something." I said I WENT UPSTAIRS and threw myself across the bed. When I thought I heard the refrigerator door open and close, I shouted downstairs. "Will you stop making so much noise? I can't concentrate on my book " "Nobody said anything. Nobody did anything." No. 2 shouted upstairs "I distinctly heard the refrigerator door open and close," I shouted downstairs. "Will you lock yourself in a cell or something for the next couple of weeks?" No. 2 shouted back.