Herald - Lantern - Dispatch 26 February '86 41

Ripped Off? Tell It to Consumer Affairs—

< From page 1 > DIEDERICH SAID a directive to appear at the DCA office usually does the trick Other times, a subpoena is required Once both parties are contacted, his office will attempt to negotiate an agreement and settlement Often, however, it is necessary for the DCA or complainant to go to court. DCA has an attorney on retainer from SVtott and Mott in Ocean City, and Difederich said it costs $500 to $700 « "easy") every time it goes to court. The department sues for investigative and legal costs, and restitution. "THK MAIN IDEA is getting money back to the consumer." Diederich said. "If a guy doesn't have the money, sometimes we have to waive fines, investigative costs and attorney's fees. "You're trying to get something back to the consumer." he added. "You don't want to defeat your own purpose." Diederich said the department has regained over $1 million since its inception in 1980. Not all of it was in cash, he noted, saying that some came in the form of services or fulfilling contractual obligations. Also, he said, the agency's advice often results in refunds or savings that don't appear on DCA records As one example. Diederich said an investigator regained $7,013.74 last September. That's roughly three-quarters of the $10,622 starting salary for that position. WHEN NOT investigating or going to court, the department concentrates on consumer awareness. The office is a source of consumer safety and education pamphlets. Also available are guides that Diederich

wrote, including the "Guide to Small Claims Court." "Guide to the Consumer Fraud Act" and "Deceptive Practices: Automotive Repairs and Advertising " He also gives consumer affairs seminars for senior citizens, chambers of commerce, hotel-motel associations, high schools and other groups A senior director in the state DCA. Diederich participates in the writing of state and local consumer laws. He helped write a transient merchant law in Middle Township and currently is assisting on a proposed amendment to the state "Lemon Law." He also helped the state DCA compile a child safety packet for the Consumer Products Safety Commission in Washington. D.C. The state received a $3,000 grant to do the work, and Diederich worked on a budgeting committee. THE LOCAL DCA consists of Diederich. Joyce Frantzman and Gerry McLaughlin. Frantzman and McLaughlin officially are clerk/typists, but do investigative work. Both will attend a certification course in early March to become licensed investigators. investigator C. Joseph Tracy has been on leave of absence since last October when he was named business manager of Local 1983, the union that represents county employes. He is not expected to return to the Consumer position. Diederich said this year's $15,860 budget hike, up from $46,494, will allow him to hire another employe and bring his staff up to four. In 1983, the DCA received 250 claims, which doubled in 1984 and remained steady last year, he said "CLAIMS HAVE GROWN, buf it's not so

Farmers: Development a Threat

(From page 1) but not thwarted," he said. "The board would have the opportunity to give the farmer some financial help when he has to choose between retaining his land or selling to a developer." "I echo your comments about recharging the water supply," said Kilpatrick. "We have to concern ourselves with where our fresh, potable water is going to come from." "I'm also concerned about the loss of fresh water." said Jonathan F. Sayre of Cold Srping, retired vocational agriculture teacher and owner of Landseair Farm "My family has had a farm since 1860 and I hope it stays there another 100 years. "THE TOURISTS also rely on our homegrown, fresh vegetables." he said "Coming from the city, they are overjoyed to have them here, part of their evening meal. The dairy industry has left the county and our entire milk supply is shipped in from outlying areas. Strikes and other disasters could shortcircuit the supply line." "The Cape May-Cold Spring area is one of our prime areas to preseve open space and farmland," said Freeholder Gerald M. Thornton. "The lack of water is close to a major problem. The Cape Mays and the Wildwoods are looking for fresh, potable water." "I'm interested in the water problem." said Nicholas P. Germanio of Belleplain, who said a geological survey team is "using part of our farm for salt water intrusion testing." In addition to his farm, he also leases 1,000 acres for a game preserve, he said. "It's often more profitable to sell to developers," he said. "It's a definite problem." "IT'S A SHAME to see farmers bailing

i >ii lo developers." said George Campbell of Eldora. He said he grows alfalfa and timothy and also has a commercial game preserve. George B. Brewer Jr. of Dennisville, owner of a sawmill and campground and candidate for a non-farmer position, said he was "born and raised" on a farm and has served on the Dennis Township School Board for 14 years. "I see there what the developer has done to taxes." he said. "The more land we can keep farmed, the better " Upper Township Committee member Bruno Tropeano. an accountant with Atlantic Electric, said he was "not a professional farmer," but has operated a small tree farm in Marmora for 18 years An officer with the New Jersey Christmas Tree Growers' Association, he said he would bring the board "a different prospective ." ALSO NOMINATED for the new board by the county's Agriculture Board, but not present, were George Campbell Jr. of Eldora. who farms but does not own farmland and thus is being considered for a non-farm position; farmers Robert C Conover and Kenneth D Schellinger, both of Green Creek; and Gregory C. Mason of Dennisville. who could not be present because of a death in the family, freeholders said. Environmentalist Ruth Fisher of South Dennis had asked the freeholders to consider her for the board, but was not on the list to be interviewed Freeholder-Director William E Sturm Jr said an interview with Mrs. Fisher was not necessary because she had been interviewed in the past for other positions. Sturm said some appointments might be made Tuesday. Feb. 25, too late for this newspaper's deadline, but some could be delayed until all are interviewed.

To 'Serve Time' for Good Cause

WILDWOOD - A clutch of respectable and even notable citizens will be going to jail for a good cause March 6 and 7 when the Greater Wild wood Jaycees, in cooperation with and in support of the American Cancer Society, will sponsor a "Jail-a-Thon" here. Among those targeted tor incarceration in the hoosegow. a mock jail to be erected at the Jaycees Clubhouse on Pacific

Avenue, ire Wildwood Crest Mayor Frank McCall, for not knowing who Bruce Springsteen is, and Wildwood Mayor Vic DiSylvester. for selling "rum" raisin ice cream to minors Each individual arrested will have to raise bail by calling relatives and friends to secure pledges to meet their bail. All proceeds will support the research, education, and service programs of

the Gape May County Unit of the American Cancer Society For further infor mation. call 886-1154. Senior Meet COURT HOUSE - The County Coordinating Council of Senior Citizens Organization will meet 10 a.m. Monday. March 3. at the County Library, Mechanic Street. New members are welcome

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D»n\ Win. I COMPARING NOTES — From left. Joyce Frantzman of North Cape May . Director Mark Diederich of Villas and Gerry McLaughlin of Stone Harbor at work at the Department of Consumer Affairs office in Court House.

much an increase in fraud," Diederich said. "What you've got is more advertising that we're here: in the phone book, from attorneys, chambers of commerce and especially word of mouth. "It used to be we were inundated in the summer, things would drop off in the fall and we would catch up." he added. "Now it's not working that way. Complaints and phone calls are steady all year long " The reason. Diederich said, is that there are more yearj-ound residents and recent automobile and home improvement legislation has resulted in more claims. WHEN LOOOKING into claims, he said, one has to assign priorities, but also look at the people involved. "You have to use your judgment and see if a $25 claim means more to one person than a $1,000 claim does to another." he said. Investigative procedures vary. Diederich said, because "each case smells different." He did say it often takes a lot of

time, sometimes six to eight months, to build a case. "Sometimes you know something is not right, but you don't have anything to sink your teeth into." he said "All of a sudden, another claim comes along and bango' "Some cases can set slate precedents, because I think a lot of attorneys don't understand all these < fraud) laws." he added DIEDERICH was born in Ann Arbor. Mich, in 1947 and graduated from Middle Township High School after his family moved there in 1961 from Florida. He worked for Burdette Tomlin memorial Hospital, the South Jersey Gas Company and was a wholesale and retail distributor for nearly 10 years. In 1978. he joined the Department ot Weights and Measures and took the DCA job when it opened full time in 1981 He and his wife Virginia have two children. Tracey Joseph. 4. and Trevor, who was born Jan. -ft.

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