opinion

Our Readers Write Sloan's Concern Long-Standing

To The Editor : After reading all the recent unw arranted criticism of our mayor. Rachel Sloan. I feel that I must speak out positive ly alxMil her long-standing, genuine concern for our town Having known Mayor Sloan since we began vacationing here :«) years ago. I can make the citizenry aware of something it may not knowIn the early 60s. Sloan was directly responsible for sav mg our big dimes, south of :t9th street. She led the crusade, circulating petitions, pleading with Mayor McLaren to stop bulldozing the ground and dunes, explaining the natural protection they offered this island His response, even then, was that we needed rotables However, the petitions were heeded and the devastation went no further than the Hayberry Drive area. AT A LATER DATE the bulldozers started to cut right thropgtTlHebig dune at 40th Street < an Anonymous someone wanted an ocean viewi. Rachel Sloan called Mayor Bell , the operation was halted, but not without damage to the Solely by Sloan'/ To The Editor: James II Redditt. recall candidate for Mayor of Avalon, obviously .has no understanding for Avalon's mayoral/council form of. governance. In particular. Redditt maintains that the imposed construction moratorium in July ISNLt was based on Mayor Sloan's "personal over reaction" and that ''actions taken solely by Rachel Sloan" damaged Avalon's image as "the place 16 Is- " Nonsense Informed voters of Avalon know that the mayor cannot act or appropriate funds without approval ul the borough council In fact, the council and the mayor were responsible for the building moratorium, for the sewer plant expenditures and for lifting the building moratorium. And further, as a resident of Avalon who liveshn the bay. I am grateful for their leadership and- frtfrsight/ Would Redditt have preferred Wildwood's I^aborDay ban on water recreation? \ EDWARD PCRIPPEN Avalon Public Informed To The Editor: t)n behalf of the officers, board of trustees and the members of the Cape May County Art league. I would like to thank you and the staff of the Herald/I ^intern/Dispatch for the excellent coverage of the activities of the Art league during the past year We trust that the programs and activities that we have offered during 1985 have enhanced the cultural atmosphere of the county The publicity you have given us has helped greatly in keeping the public informed of those exhibits, workshops, childrens programs and classes *With your help, we will have a good year in 1986 GEORGE M HOWKIJ. President Cape May County Art league Cape May fHtrali LANTERN^ Published Every Wednesday ■ Jor Tnurmhln By The Smwotc Corporation P.O. Box 430 Cape May Court .. J™1"*®* u H— at, NJ. 08210 Cape May County Herald Joseph K. Zelnik Editor Bonnie Reina General Manager Gary L. Rudy Advertising Director John Dunwoody Special Promotions Director Darrell Kopp _____ Publisher Wm Cop l»»J All nglat imi^ AM p. op.-, '-a*', topvbl«ofco» iko» b* e I *• C up No pa" fcwaol «o, b. .»p,®dv..d — " <ow" — DEADLINES News & Photos -k. . . . .Thursday Advertising Friday — 3 P.M. Classified Advertising Friday.— 3 P.M. 465-5055 For News or Advertising Information — Mail Subscription: Yearly. $40; Six Month, S20 Call 465-5055 For News. Advertising or Subscription Information J^CAPE MAY fifrali-Utspattfi H Cap* May Qty EdMon of the Cape May County Herald ft txn aM»»Ui> * TW hnM ^ P.O. »m 4*0 Copt tUf Court Nmp. N J. «»• A

dune. Even though the dune was "sort of" rebuilt. I can still I see where the cut was made. Fortunately Mayor Bell understood conservation, and it I was during his term that much of the high dune area was I rezoned to public conversation Really, how can anyone say that Mayor Sloan lacks the I quality of leadership? Saving our dunes took determination 1 and leadership. At that time she was only a summer resi- £ dent, but she cared for Avalon then, just as she does today. LOUISE B. GRIFFITHS Avalon MUA 'Dominates' The County s' Debt (ED. NOTE Moody 's recently gave Cape May County i Is third highest municipal bond rating of "A." The ratings run the gamut from "C" to " Triple A . " Following excerpts are taken from Moody's "review" of the county .) OPINION: Impressive tax base growth and strong financial operations provide upper medium grade security However, the substantial contingent liability for debt of the county municipal utilities authority will remain a concern until the authority completes its large-scale construction program and establishes a definitive trend of self-support AN \ LYSIS: The county's desirability as resort tourist attraction is clearly demonstrated by the six fold increase in population during summer months. Its year-round population, however, is growing steadily and tax base expansion has been impressive in recent years. Increased available resources have translated into strengthening finances and operating margins are now favorable. The county's debt position is currently dominated by its guarantee of $I85.immuh>0 of obligations of the Gape May County Municipal Utilities Authority for construction of mandated, large scale wastewater treatment facilities Federal and state funding is largely in place except for approximately $24.(HH),ikhi EPA money still to he awarded A satisfactory construction and cost schedule was mar red by the indictment of a former authority member, one ol its engineering consultants and others for alleged criminal offenses. These matters are unresolved. At this I ime then* is no reason to suggest that the project will not be completed successfully and eventually establish self support However, until that is done, the county s contingent liability will remain a concern The rating on the Cape May County Municipal Utility Authority is reviewed and confirmed as "A " based on the county guarantee We have also reviewed and confirmed as "A" the rating on the Cape May County Bridge Commission whose (winds are also afforded the protection of the county's guarantee

Many Traditions Shared, Borrowed By KATIIY DUFFY Sociologists are always using the term "the melting pot" to describe American ethnic diversity and nowhere is that more evident than in our Christmas customs. Our Christmas holiday and its accompanying festive decorations and trappings are borrowed from all over the globe. Austria has given us some of our greatest carols, including "Silent Night." The exchange of gifts goes as far back as the Roman Saturnalia when the gifts were simply twigs from a sacred grove as good luck charms. Mexico has donated the poinsettia to brighten our homes and Italy in the personage of St. Francis of Assissi was responsible for the popularization of the nativity scene. DENMARK BEGAN the Christmas Seal tradition, while Canada contributed the first Christmas stamp both used to decorate the Christmas Card first produced by England. Germany is credited with giving as the beloved Christmas Tree and legends name St. Boniface and Martin Luther as major contributors to the custom as we know it today. AND WHAT HAVE WE as Americans contributed to the holiday season? Well for one thing. Christmas tree lights. Ralph E. Morris. an employe of the New England Telephone Company in 1895 looked at the strings of lights manufactured for use in telephone switchboard^ and had the idea of using them on his Christmas tree. We have also contributed the poem "A Visit from St. Nicholas" by Clement C. Moore and two of the most (Page 55 Please)

— Something for Everyone Inexpensive Gift Suggestions

By JOE ZELNIK (Revised from last year ) For those of you who can't afford furs. 14-karat gold or a VCR. it is still possible to come up with a meaningful gift at Christmas Consider forgiveness Forgive your trashman for crushing the lid on your garbage can. the mechanic who charged you $49 for a $25 job. the cop who gave you a ticket, the beautician who thought you said Linda Gray when you said you wanted to look like Linda Evans. Forgive the welchers. the slow-pay. the no-pay. the Chapter I Is. the bankrupt, the guy who borrowed five bucks and never paid it back. Forgive your lawyer. Forgive your neighbors for having rotten kids, letting their dogs run loose, parking in your space, making noise when you're trying to sleep. FORGIVE YOUR FRIENDS for being busy, for not calling or writing, for putting somebody else first, for talking endlessly about their children Forgive the person who lied to you. Forgive the person who told you the truth, and it hurt. Forgive the pessimists and the optimists and the embezzlers and liars and incompetents and people that sell you stale donuts. Forgive your mother-in-law and father-in-law. Forgive grandma for meddling, for forgetting, for being set in her ways. Forgive grandpa for bad driving, for his rough beard, for not paying attention Forgive your ex -wife for hating you. for looking better than ever, for dating a man with more money and i sophistication, for looking happy. Forgive your ex-husband for ignoring you. for losing m weight, for marrying a younger woman and taking her on ^ vacations, for being successful.

FORGIVE YOUR SISTER for borrowing your sweater, for being slimmer, prettier and conceited, for being your father's favorite, for flirting with your man. Forgive your brother for teasing, for swiping your copy of "Hustler." for getting taller than you. for being your mother's favorite, for moving away. Forgive your daughter for not changing the cat litter or doing the dishes, for playing the stereo to loud, for too much makeup and not enough common sense, for bad taste in boyfriends, for being selfish. Forgive your son for not cleaning his room or taking out the garbage or walking the dog or picking up the tools or being respectful or responsible. Forgive your stepmother for being loved by your father, for wanting to be nice, for giving up. Forgive your stepfather for marrying your mother, for trying to be boss, for giving up. Forgive your stepchild for being suspicious and withholding his love until he's sure you'll return it. FORGIVE YOUR MOTHER for being cold, or too mushy, for not understanding, for being too busy, for sticking her nose in your business, for being critical and manipulative. Forgive your father for not caring, or caring too much; for favoring your brother or your sister; for being cheap, and broke; for not being able to make everything turn out all right. Forgive your wife for being extravagant, for lack of attention. for placing the kids first, for forgetting your birthday. for not wanting sex tonight, for putting a little weight on her hips, for not being your mother, for getting old Forgive your husband for not earning enough money, for being thoughtless and boring, for slowing down, for not shaving on Saturday, for losing his hair, for beer breath, for forgetting your anniversary, for sneaking a glance at that young waitress. If there are some on this list you do not need to forgive for anything, thank them. And if you know of anyone who is alone this Christmas, give 'em a call.