.opinion

Our Readers Write Retrofit Will Affect All Buildings I ant writing in response to a story in your Dec. 4. 1984 newspaper The article described the recent meeting of the State Hire Safety Commission and its decision to table a vote on the new retrofit' provisions to the state Fire Code I do not wish to criticize, only to clarify se.veral points of importance to me I am president of the Chamber of Commerce of Greater Cape May and attended the meeting to represent the interests ot our organization I requested and received the opportunity to address the commission about our concerns as to the real impact of the sweeping and broadbased proposals contained in the retrofit and to question whether further review might lie in order TIIK KIKE Safety Commission and the Advisory Council are made up of sincere people who have worked long and hard on a difficult project that may effect all of us in many ways It would seem, however, that many people do not realize that these new provisions will impact ALL public buildings built before 1977 (not just the old Victorian or Colonial buildings >. Major alterations could lie required on hotels, motels, guest houses, restaurants, shops, museums, schools, libraries, churches, municipal, county and state buildings This is not just an area of concern for the owners of old or historic properties Major expenditures on the part of individuals, non-profit groups, businesses and governments (that means the taxpayers > might well have to be made, and in some cases, possibly unnecessarily I WANT TO make it very clear that my effort in travel ing to Trenton and addressing the commission was on the behalf of the entire business group I asked the commission to reconsider, and define more specifically, the broad classification groups that they have outlined I proposed further review and suggested that additional time to complete the retrofit be added to any amended proposals I made every effort to assure the commission and the Advisory Council that we here in Cape May support any efforts to make our shore resort a safe place to visit I reminded them of the outstanding fire safety record that we enjoy thanks to the efforts of many individuals, our fine fire department and inspection program. I FIRMLY believe that our business sector and greater community will work to provide whatever necessary safety precautions are required with the same vigor and responsible attitude that has prevailed over recent years as Cape May has once again become a most unique and pleasant place to live and visit. JOHN DUNWOODY President Chamber of Commerce Greater Cape May Do you have an opinion on this subject? Write a letter to the editor. Herald and Lantern. P.O. box 430. Cape Mav Court House. N.J 082 10. l

coutjoup Countians Shouldn't Pay For Landfill Closure To The Editor: The Operators of the Woodbine Landfill want to reopen it so they can make enough money to pay for the state mandated regulations concerning the capping of the landfill and the installation of wells to detect leaks and toxins These stale regulations have been in effect since 1970. This landfill has been in operation for some years, so I am sure the operators were aware of the regulations THIS LANDFILL was extended for 180 days, which the operators said would generate enough money to close it. The amount in escrow is now about Stion.ooo. accumulated in the 180 days, so it seems that the landfill was a money maker. For the' operators to come now and want the county and townships to pay for closure will only result in county tax payers pitying for it I say no way' Enough is enough. 1 believe at the time of the leasing of this landfill by Woodbine, the lease should have read that this operation must comply with proper grading and seeding to prevent ground water run off and that all state regulations be complied with THERE SIIOl l.D also have been a Security Bond posted to insure that these laws would Ik- complied with. If this is allowed to happen, the other privately operated landfills will want the same thing Township landfills should be paid for by the state, as no fees were paid. It was used for township residents only Another thing I cannot understand is why the meeting in regard to this issue was held behind closed doors'* ELMER DOYLE Eldora

Nutrition Program Needed for Elderly To The Editor: Last week the secretary of the Lower Township Taxpayers Association wrote a letter describing Gerald ) Thornton as leader of the "Greedy bunch", f THERE IS a small group of Democrats in Lower Township who try and find fault w ith w hatever the county of Gerald Thornton gets involved with. Most of the people know that the freeholders of Gape May County are doing a great job not only for Lower Township, but the rest of the county as well. This is confirmed on Election Day. each year, as the Republican freeholders are re-elected. Maybe this person isn't aware that every program in Lower Township is supplied by federal and county funds. No programs are supported or funded by Lower Township I.ONERG.W. Biebcrbach. and some of the Taxpayers Association are trying to stop the nutrition program for the elderly citizens ol Lower Township. Why not put politics aside? The nutrition program is a great and needed program for so many senior citizens of Lower Township. We the undersigned support this program 100 percent HELEN TAMAGNE. BERNICE MORAN. JEAN DEVINE. FLORENCE F I EN ING. ANNA AND EDWARD KOLANKO. II MOIIL. T MOIIL. JENNY BREWSTER. CARRY W BREWSTER. MARY T KERNON. DOROTHY L NEWMAN. ANN PRICKETT. ED SWEENEY. C P1ENING. NAOMI AMBROSE. MAY DENWORTH. M. TAROLL1. P TAROLLI. MILDRED GERGER. ROSE GOTTMAN. H McGREGOR. ELEANOR GEUBB. S.E. THOMSON. FRANK CHRISTALDI. E D CLAUSEN. ELIZABETH G WHITE. EDNA LORRING. CHARLES H. KREISS. CATHERINE MUSICK. AGNES M. REED. HENRY BEEKER. DANIEL KENNY JR.. LEONA V. ALLEN. FLORENCE MILLS. AGNES SPICER. R WHITMAN. L HEIDKE. ANN DUNLOP all Lower Township Immortalize Santa To The Editor Soon it will l>e Christmas and. one way or another. I suppose Mr and Mrs Claus of Middle Township will make scores of local children happy again just as they have done for years and years THE TIME has come for us in Middle Township, indeed all of Cape May County, to begin searching for ways to immortalize them and. perhaps more importantly, what they represent the spirit of unselfishness, giving, goodness, love and determination If I had a million dollars to give away. I would construct a monument .SO feet tall and place it on the Garden State Parkway. What would vou do'* EDWARD ROSENBERG Court House

f Rtrali) / CAMTERN^ PuMbfced Every Wednesday • By The Seawave Corporation 4^ Township P.O. Box 430 ape Mav Cowl ,hf, , Hiaii, N'J. 08210 Cape May County Herald Joseph K. Zclnik Editor ! Bonnie Reina General Manager Gary L. Rudy Advertising I hrecb >r John Dunwoody Special Promotions Director Darrell Kopp ^ Publisher DEADLINES News & Photos Thursday Advertising Friday — J P.M. Classified Advertising Friday — 3 P.M. 465-5055 For News or Advertising Information Mail Subscription: Yearly. S40; Six Month. $20 Call 465-5055 For News. Advertising or Subscription Information mTML. iw "***"* """ * "*** 1 ' *" w"'* "* •"* J* CAPE MAY J* fUralh-Utspatrtf Mta tt at cape Nay Crwrty tfcnM K*. mm — May C— rt Ha—. It J Will M

The State We're In Our Long-Range Hope Lies With Mass Transit

B> DAVID F. MOORE Executive Director The New Jersey ( onserv alion Foundation Have you ridden a train or bus lately? If so. you are one ol a shrinking number of New Jersevans. despite vastly improved train and bus systems fostered by Conrail. Ani Irak and New Jersey Transit l,ots of effort has gone into increasing mass transit ridership. for it is clear to all that highways cannot continue to meet all of our transport needs Yet as we spread ourselves thinner over New Jersey's landscape, public transit opportunities get thinner too PART OF the problem has been a vicious circle of highways When built liefore they are needed, as is so often the case with interstate routes, undeveloped areas suddenly become fair game for builders. Every intersection becomes a potential new town Every ring road becomes congested due to the new development it attracts Another ring road gets built farther out. leaving the older settlement back in the middle, isolated and drained of vitality All the time we were subsidizing highways, we were cutting back on the public support of mass transit. It didn't appear that way. because of the dispersed nature of highway subsidies and the high visibility of the monopolies running the public transit systems. If you think the amount of money we pay for a mass transit ride is high, try adding up the total costs for roads, bridges, tunnels and parking lots we've built and must maintain for cars! Gaining that perspective, we can see

that it's not all that cheap to jump in a car and drive down the road WHILE YOU'RE at it. tally up the cost of cars and their upkeep, of the space used for junkyards and the gigantic heaps of worn-out tires; the oil. grease and heavy-metal contamination of our waterways, the health cost of increased air pollution; the added costs of insurance, hospital and the values of lost opportunities of all those square feet of parking area, indoors and out. that might be devoted to something better I could continue, but you get the idea. Former state Transportation Commissioner Louis Gambaccini once noted that if the same standards dictated for railroads by the Rail Reorganization Act were applied to roads. New Jersey would seek to ahandon at least a third of its roadways. I don't see that happening. AS LONG as we subsidize land development and automobile transport by our present property tax system, we can expect more of the same. Since o'ur economic system— centered on roads, ears and trucks— depends on seeing the process continue, as do the real estate development businesses, getting off the track we're on doesn't seem very easy. It's only when we realize how much it's costing us taxpayers. compared to what could be the case, that we begin, to wake up We're paying enough hidden subsidies each year for our automotive lifestyle to finance a small Central American war. So what happens next? We need to take a closer look at the tax ratable race to see what it's doing to us. and to overcome the notion that it's a race we can win. We need (Page 67 Please)