Herald - lantern - Dispatch 21 August '85 95 " «

Our Readers Write Wawa Start of Golden Strip?

To The Editor: We attended the Middle Township Planning Board meeting of July 25 where Wawa was seeking final approval for a store to be built on Main Street in Court House. The Wawa representatives had in their possession no elevations and a disputed Middle Township Traffic Committee report which had not been seen by several members of that committee. Wawa tried to appease residents by introducing a site plan which called for the preservation of a couple of trees, but fortunately there were enough concerned citizens in attendance who objected to the Wawa to delay its final approval. A number of major problems would result from Wawa built on the proposed site. THE FOREMOST concern would be traffic, both auto and pedestrian. Neighborhood children who attend Elementary School Nos. 1 and 3 and who must walk to school would be exposed to the hazards of traffic entering and exiting the'Tfawa parking lot. Many of those morning customers will probably be more intent on not spilling their coffee than on children walking along the sidewalk. Even those cars exiting onto Douglass Road will then go to Steel Road and onto Route 9 or. if traffic is backed up. to Bennett Road then onto Route 9. Whichever way they choose, the paths of students and of Wawa-goers will eventually meet, but not before the cars tangle with the buses coming from the Middle Township Schools bus garage first. ANOTHER TRAFFIC problem will be created by the rear exit on Douglass Road where increased traffic will be impinging on a quiet residential area and where homeowners cars are already parking along the street. In addition, there will be a-general increase in traffic in an area which is already congested. Traffic problems alone warrant the choosing of another site for the Wawa. yet there are other things to consider. In a visually beautiful town such as ours, aesthetics • must be a top priority. The Wawa would sit further off the road than existing buildings on the street instead of blending in with them. It would cause the destruction or displacement of an historic structure, which although in disrepair, is valuable nevertheless and should be restored. ' The bottom line is that no matter what architectural embellishments are added to appease the locals, you still "can't turn a sow's ear into a silk purse." A Wawa is Wawa. The most attractive one around is in Cape May and even that one just looks like a Wawa. ANOTHER CONSIDERATION is the customers it will attract. In the likely event that Wawa opts to stay open 24 hours, it will be a magnet for the after-bar. after-midnight set afflicted with the munchies who will eat, then deposit their litter throughout the town. Wawa's advertising depicts their business as wholesome and desirable when actually convenience stores only detract from the quality. Letters Welcome s The Herald. Lantern and Dispatch welcome let ters to. the editor on matters of public interest. Originals, not copies, are requested Writers must sign name address and phone number Why Not 911? To The Editor: I'm writing this letter because of my concern for the safety of both the police officers and citizens of Lower Township. The police officers of Lower Township ride alone in their patrol cars which are clearly marked on the trunk, POLICE I don't think that 's enough. I feel it is a necessity that the cars also be marked with the telephone number of the Police Department. That is. the emergency number that one would call to get in touch with the police when they are needed in an emergency. I wonder why the Lower Township Police do not share the accepted police emergency number 91 1 a number any one can easily remember when an emergency arises It certainly is easier to dial a three-digit number than the present seven-digit number, surely an aide to both the senior citizen and the young child. The other item I feel needs attention is the identifying number of each police vehicle. This number should be large enough that one can read it farther away than two feet (At present the numbers are two inches, and silver color, placed between the roof lights and on the rear fender > Very difficult to read silver numbers on a white background At a recent meeting of the Council. I mentioned these issues. It is my hope that the council members will respond and see that our police cars be better marked; to protect our officers who must ride alone 24 hours a day and aide our citizens to more easily reach the police when they need them. ROSEMARY FERRIS Cape May Beach (ED. NOTE The " accepted " 911 number is not accepted in this county. No one uses it.)

character and beauty of small towns like Court House. This could be the beginning of "Golden Strip Syndrome" — think of it! Our very own line of glitzy fast food and convenience stores, replete with neon lights, stretching from the Middle Diner in the north, south to the T-shirt factory ! And it's zoned for it! The key word in deciding upon this matter is foresight (not as in "mole"). The Zoning and Planning boards need to realize that the time for piecemeal planning and for simply mechanically applying the zoning laws has long since passed. The kind of aforementioned "Golden Strip" development has occured elsewhere in the county and will eventually cause a long-term erosion of the tax base, not to mention the introduction of undesirable elements such as vandalism, arson and theft into the community. THERE IS AN OBVIOUS need for many township officials to re-think their basic attitudes toward development; the procurement of new ratables is not sufficient reason in and of itself to approve development. More important considerations are how that develdtoent will blend in with and enhance the desirability of j^pHicular neighborhood and how the health, safety anflBfelfare of nearby residents will be affected. The reason we have zoning laws to begin with is to prevent exactly what will occur if the Wawa is approved - the introduction of objectionable development into a residential and historically valuable neighborhood. STILL ANOTHER negative implication of the Wawa would be its impact on local businesses. Not only will it displace an existing apartment building, pizza place, stove store and flower shop, but the loss of revenue to nearby businesses such as the Bellevue, the Court House Bakery. Hugit's, B&J's Deli and the Court Market could be considerable. This lost revenue will go instead to a national chain with no real vested interest in the town, whose profits will leave town as fast as an armored car can take them away! Think about it. This is an issue truly worth coming out to a meeting for. The planning board meets on Aug. 22 at 7:30 for further deliberation on the Wawa. It will make a difference if you are there. N. JEANN^ DE VICO ANTHONY DE VICO. Ill Cape May Court House Do you have an opinion on this subject? Write a letter to the editor. Herald and Lantern . P.O box 430. Cape May Court House. N.J. 08210. Fall Classes Saturdays 1

VINELAND - "Due to student interest. Cumberland County College has maintained a schedule of fall semester Saturday classes," Dean of Academic and Student Affairs Dr Gretchen J Naff said adding that offering Saturday classes is one of several ways the college is made accessible to the community Morning courses scheduled include Accounting Principles I. Data Pro^ cessing Concepts. Advanc ed BASIC Programming.

English Composition 101 I and Word Processing I Concepts. INTRODUCTION to I Business. COBOL I and I General Psychology will be I offered Saturday ' afternoons Fall semester registration will be held at the college cafeteria Sept 4 and 5 from 9 a m to 7:30 p.m Further information on CCC. a free catalog and a free schedule listing the 24 courses offered during the fall semester are available by visiting the campus or calling 691-8600 ext 223 I

Oorif Ward I BREAKING BREAD — Saturday was a peaceful day for Caryn Jansen, 6. as she spent time along Lily Lake in 1 Cape May Point, feeding her feathered friends. Caryn is 1 the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Carl Jansen of Kindell Park. <

/ ' , ' , . loyride III raR. By Libby Demp Forrest DjJ" j "This is like being in the Army," The Hubby said as I read him my list of wedding preparations. "Well, it's your daughter who's getting married " I said. Next weekend is the big one - the wedding The Hubby is going to give his daughter away "A man doesn't do it cheap anymore." said The Hubby as 1 read the list. For weeks The Hubby's checkbook has been sticking out of his back pocket like a sore thumb THE HUBBY AND I have divergent views about the wedding "I'm looking forward to the wedding." I said. "I want to get his whole thing over with." The Hubby said. ^ "Can I get new stj^Fs for the wedding0" No 2 asked "People don't wear sneakers to weddings." I said. "You mean I nave to wear shoes0" No. 2 asked "A WEDDING is a wedding." I said, "it's not a sporting event " "That's what you think." The Hubby said staring at his checkbook. No. 1 sat staring into space I'm never going to get maiTied." he said "I used to say that too," I said "Yeah, but the difference between you and me is 1 mean ^ it." said No. I. "I used to say I meant it too," I said "WHY IK) PEOPLE want to get married anyhow0" asked No. 1. "It's something uigiaillW^P human nature," I said philosophically "Yeah, said The Hubby. "It's something that has been going on since the beginning of time, since the first time C caterers walked the earth." • "And after the caterers walked the earth, the brides wanted to dress up. After a while they no longer just wanted to wear a new set of beads, they wanted to wear gowns. Then the grooms threw their loin cloths away and started renting tux." I said "AF TER THEN." said The Hubby, "the grooms wanted to wear pale blue tux and green tux and ruffled shirts." "You're going to look great in silver." I said to The Hubby. "By the time we get to the wedding it'll match my hair, said The Hubby "I mean what's left of it." I 1 P""10" Q*0 ARIES: A go-ahead week for travel, enlightenment, and higher mind pursuits New beginnings brighten your horizons You will finally begin to feel unencumbered by circumstances TAURUS: There is a big shake-up transpiring in the » area of joint finances After this week you will find it more relaxing to stay at home and to beautify the domestic surroundings GEMINI: Use caution when gambling or being speculative There is a great need to balance "luxury" with "thrift" Luck comes to you from a foreign source or through telephoning. CANCER: Take advantage of Venus being in your sing by beautifying your office or yourself Treat yourself to an afternoon at the spa. time away from the children or a long walk on thebeaeh LEO: Your partner has a tendency at this tjme to be ex cessive either in habits or expenditures. Your respon sibilities at work increase, creating more tensions on the home front VIRGO: Secret help comes your way from an unexpected financial source A dynamic "show personality" is the life of a party which you are throwing. You will "need help unwinding afterwards. LIBRA: Recognition comes,your way for creative and artistic accomplishments Trust your knack for salesmanship when dealing with local people. Your mate or partner completes a project, a four deforce SCORPIO: You are undergoing a major, personal transformation, some of which involves a long distance trip, which will cause you to re-think your aspirations Personal relationship improves SAGITTARIUS: Levels of communication are far bet ter with a mate or partner Moon's cycle favors higk energy, lasting contacts, and good sales Watch who is handling your money and its use CAPRICORN: Someone from behind the scenes offers enlightening advice. Trust instinct and intuition, but stay away from any form of addictive drug Highly artistic talents are perfected AQUARIUS: Friends stir things up, but they end by offering invaluable advice with a situation you have found difficult to handle During this lucky period good fortune - comes to you in strange guises! PISCES: Major career moves continue A higher-up offers you a virtual "key to the city" in the form of a promts tion Friends seek your sympathetic ear and your finan cial support! Jf