Herald - Lantern - Dispatch 4 September '85 _ 63

Bullies vs Red Riding Hood (From Page 62) Wildlife Fund, to spotlight yesteryear's land grab. I've never been able to chuck the oft-confirmed admonition of a philosophy professor: "Justice is to the Powerful (ergo: money /and or political clout). If you believe otherwise, you're not a realist." Thus, if you're one of those people who recognize nature's gem. Seven Mile Island, is positioned for a takeover by a coalition of power brokers versed in threading the political seams — the above dictum could be of concern. TUB REASON we're exposed is absurdly simple. Despite a tiny, yet growing year round populace with a seasoned nose for political chicanery, the reality still is: the culture arrives by car in the summer. It matters not. the ranks of summer vacationers and absentee property owners are sprinkled with corporate America's movers and shakers who treasure the local enviornment — inasmuch as. they're not here most of the year, are too busy to keep abreast of local political pillage or to mount safaris to ferret the snakes in the dune grass. In short, they have no vote and no voice, whatsoever. Another reason: the local property owner's association has proven woefully emasculated. WE'RE REALISTS enough to recognize an inherent greed beats in every businessman's breast, all politicians connive to build a power base, and neither trait's necessarily bad. You'll also find the little people in Avalon sympathetic to upscale, planned growth — even though they're not out hustling development or a local business whose big payoff could be: the explosion of population density. It's a violent, aggravated assault of the zoning laws they fear You'll also find them sympathetic with the new breed in town — the born-again YUPPIES, threshholding or into their forties — who find it inconvenient (if not hazardous) to journey to casino-land regularly, yet yearn for some excitement about town on a mid-February eve. We just don't want Atlantic City transported to our living rooms. Consequently, like a latter-day Diogenes, the little people search for an honest mayor — ideally, an independent and dedicated public servant, who neither depends on the meager recompense of local public office to help put bread on the table, nor needs or is inclined to turn a fast development buck. In short, a net "giver"' rather than a "taker" of the Island s largesse BEYOND ANY shadow-of-a-doubt. the mayor's high priorities include: safeguarding the culture and preserving the environment. To that, politically castrated absentee property owners and summer vacationers well might add: perpetuation of a unique lifestyle — coexisting within the heavily industrialized, densely populated BosWash corridor. The dedicated and incorruptible mayor's seated. She's got her priorities straight. That's why the little people elected her. Could those self-same qualities possibly be provocation for recall? Justice, as wielded by the power brokers may be agin' us But you'll find many of us who years ago searched the East coast for the ultimate hideaway have also been cliffdwellers in the canyons of New York City. Philadelphia or megalopolis USA. Consequently, we recognize Seven Mile Island as both a convenient and decidedly unique Limited Edition worth fighting for. For several decades the business of Seven Mile Island has been development. We've now reached the point where there's no place to go but up. Notwithstanding a swelling in the ranks of would-be-developers, that needn't mean idle crews or equipment. There're vast new fields to conquer with stimulating demographics aborning ALTERNATIVELY, we could focus on the rape of Seven Mile Island. Invite the circling sharks to bend, twist, stretch, torture and multilate the zoning ordinances; quintuple density for openers ; butcher the Master Plan, or; all of the above! We'll all get rich and split. Close your eyes, and it cquk! happen: 1-2-3-WHOOOSH! In adtWmn to thejnayor's seat, the little people are attuned toTfte high sensitivity of theplanning director's slot Isn't the planning director in charge of serving-up Avalon's future? Typically, hasn't the chef made the most critical decisions before he writes the menu"' We sincerely hope anyone acceding to the planning director's slot sports a thick -gauged metal chastity belt replete with impenetrable lock. Ditto other members. It's more plainly evident now, once the little' .people of Avalon cease their eternal vigilance, let their guard down or in any way enable the power brokers to have their way with either of our key offices, mayor and planning director. we'll awaken to a proliferation of hot dog stands, ferris wheels, gin mills and sun-screening high rise condos on the newly leveled dunes, greet the banana peels and egg shells floating in with the morning tide and stand in the : shadow of greater downtown metropolitan Avalon. a faithful replica of Times Square — south i A TOWN UNDER SI&GE is analagous to a corporation in the grasp of a raider. Work grinds to a halt. Boro 1 employes are nervous, upset. The administration circles < the wagons and prepares to field the inevitable and ceaseless barrage of pumped-up and trumped-up pec : cadillos which mask the real thrust for an eye-popping, deep-pockets lining change in the culture and the environ- ' ment. All the while, the mayor mans the flit gun. ' One thing's certain, we all lose Do you really plan to sit back, relax and enjoy it — while Avalon's held hostage? < I DON SMITH Avalon

'X.1DO. kMfcWANOC-WCUW ' Mayor's Mind Long Made Up To The Editor: As a recent reject of the Lower Township planning and zoning boards. I would like to thank you for your good coverage of the selection process. I would also like to bring to light some aspects of the selection which make me question the motives and competence of Mayor Robert Fothergill. My only involvement in the process was the submission of an extremely terse application form which included a statement of 25 words or less of why I wanted to be on whatever board I was applying for. Everything else I know came from reading your paper I never heard from anyone in the township THIS WAS CONTRARY to what the young woman who had accepted my application at the township had told me. She said someone would call me to discuss my interest and qualifications. My unique experience for which there was no place on the application remains unkown. Mayor Fothergill. the man who made the choices, never made an effort to find out anything about what I had to offer either the planning or zoning boards. How you can make a selection without, at least, talking to the applicants is beyond me. For all Mayor Fothergill knows I could be in favor of building high-rise condominiums along Delaware Bay or in favor of zero growth. THE FACT THAT the four incombents were reappointed to the planning board without so much as talking to me makes me wonder whether seeking applicants was a political exercise. It appears the mayor's mind was made up long before he even knew I existed. Unfortunately for the township the end result is business ■ as usual and township planning without vision. Having lived in many parts of the country. I can say that Lower Township demonstrates some of the poorest planning anywhere. This is particulary depressing since the township has so much natural beauty and potential. My greatest concern, however, is that if I had been a Realtor or developer, I would have been a shoe in for selection. EDWARD DEWITT Cold Spring

Joyride III dk J By Libby Demp Forrest \J J "Here you are dancing at your daughter's wedding," I I said to The Hubby. The Hubby wiped a tear from his eye. "Something's in my eye,'* said The Hubby I apologetically. "Something has been getting in my eye all night too," I I said. "It started when I saw you and the bride coming | down the aisle together." "It started for me when I saw her in the gown before the | ceremony and I realized my little girl no longer teeters I around on high heels." said The Hubby. | We smiled at each other. ' "SHE'S A BEAUTIFUL, beautiful bride." I said. "What did you say?" asked The Hubby. "The DJ has the amplifier on break the sound barrier." No. 2 son came over. "I didn't know you guys could rock." said No. 2 watching The Hubby and me dance. , "Who buried me?" I said to No. 2 "Do you think I grew up dancing the minuet?" "I've been dancing with all the girls," said No. 2. "I even danced with the girl who caught the bouquet " * "Watch out," I said. "I TRIED to catch the garter." said No. 2. "but the guy in the Marine uniform who's six-feet-six got it." "He had an edge." I said. No. I son came over. "Look at the old folks dancing." No. I son said to No. 2 son as he watched us. "I'm going to remember that remark." I said to No. I son. "Twenty-five years from now when your daughter gets married and The Hubby and I come to the wedding. I'm going to repeat it back to you." "I keep telling you." said No. I. "I'm not planning to get married." "C.O TALK TO the bridegroom." I said. "He was saying that right before he came down the aisle this afternoon." The Hubby smiled at me. "I recall saying that myself a few years back." "Weddings are full of tradition." I said. "I liked the toast," said No. 2. No. I stepson had yelled "Toast!" and by prearrangemenl all the kids had pulled out pieces of toast they had made and threw them at the bride and groom "That was a good laugh." I said. "WELL. IT'S BEEN NICE talking to you old people." said No. 2. "but I gotta go I haven't danced with the blonde bridesmaid yet." The bride and groom danced toward us. "We're going to be leaving soon. Dad." the bride said. The Hubby and I looked at her. We looked at the groom Then we looked at each other. "Something's in my eye again." said The Hubby. Attend Dump Meet To The Editor: On Sept. 10 at 7:30 p.m. in the Middle Township Elementary School No. 3 auditorium, there will be a town meeting at which the Williams dump site of Swainton will be discussed. Naturally, it is imperative that every resident of Swainton attend, but it is just as important for each and every resident of Middle Township to attend Your neighbors are in trouble, and what if it happened to you? Besides, won't representatives of a township of 15,000 have more clout than a community of 1,000? EDWARD ROSENBERG Cape May Court House

Who Paid for Recall Mailing?

To The Editor: Now that the summer season is drawing to a close, we, the voters and home owners of these lovely shore spots! have a new sport to amuse us. It is called "Recall." In Ocean City, it is a council member, in Wildwood it Prison or Saloon? It is about time the superintendent at Leesburg Prison is made to explain to the neighbors of Cumberland and Cape May County, are we safe in our homes, or is it a case of arming ourselves"' If the superintendent cannot enforce better security he should be removed. If you call him to talk to him when there are escapes, he is never available There have been three escapes in the last two weeks. Of the ' liree. two are convicted murderers. In the last escape Aug. 21, they said two were extremely dangerous. THIS PRISON reminds you of an old-time saloon with swinging doors. You come and go as you please This prison is supposed to be a minimum security prison, according to the escapes, these are dangerous people who need to be in prisons where there are walls. I also think it is about time our elected officials get involved with this problem. The only one who seems to be concerned is Assemblyman Guy Muziani When called about this problem, he does call the superintendent of Prisons in Tren,on ELMER DOYLE Eldora

could be anyone; in my town. Avalon. it is Mayor Rachel Sloan The gentleman who is fronting the Avalon Recall was a very active and vocal elected member of the Council for the past six years, including the first two years of Mayor Sloan's term. In that time he was never known for charge her with the half-truths and innuendos that he stated in his correspondence to the people of Avalon INCIDENTALLY, this was a very expensive (44 cents) mailing, professionally done, but who paid for it is a con fidential matter. Only James Busha has seen fit to allow his name to be used. An "Avalon Citizens Against Recall" Committee has been formed and is actively campaigning against this action Their primary aim is to protect the town against a nasty division; protect the name of a lovely lady. Mayor Rachel Sloan; and in doing so. save the cost of the recall election, approximately $5,000 to $7,000. When signing against the Recall, the Avalon Committee Against Recall is asking friends and neighbors to recognize who they are and what the goal is "No Recall" now or in February when so many voters and homeowners are on vacation in Florida, or unable to make the trip to Avalon because of weather or other committments. God willing. Mr. Busha will then be a premanent resident in his new home in Stuart. Florida Know what and why you are signing any statements; do not be a party to a personal vendetta of a few "Forewarned is forearmed " MARY N. MC BRIDE Avalon