Herald - Lantern - Dispatch 12 March '86 — -

Our Readers Write Commend , Not Condemn r* To The Editor: After reading Rosemary Ferris' letter in your Feb. 26. 1 issue. I felt compelled to clarify some of the distortions and provide the missing facts. The advertising of all positions and reviewing of applications that Ferris referred to was initiated after my com* plaints, as well as others including Ferris, about what was considered unfair, immoral, and unethical procedure in Lower Township's hiring and appointment process. An extensive check with Ronald Burgin, chairman of the Incinerator Authority, and others mentioned in Ferris' letter revealed they had complied with their portion of the newly adopted selection policy. WHEN THE SOLICITOR delivered four applications he received from the Township Clerk to the Incinerator Authority, one of which was submitted by Ferris, the Board proceeded to review them in a closed session. During that time the secretary position, as well as other matters, were discussed. However, prior to the closed session Burgin approached Ferris to verify the fact that she was presently serving as secretary to the Recreation Board, a factor to be considered in the selection process. After the meeting, Burgin informed Mrs. Ferris that no firm decision was reached. The Board members planned to arrange a personal interview with the applicant whose qualifications appeared most impressive. If the interview was successful, the individual would be informed that she would be hired on a 60-day trial basis. Incidentally. I assume Ferris is aware of the fact that advertising vacancies is not a function of the authority — it is a function of the manager's office. A FEW DAYS AFTER the closed session, a member of the Incinerator Authority called Ferris. Since she was not available, he left word for her to return his call. The j'gentleman" called a second time, leaving the same message To quote Ferris, in part, she "did not have the common courtesy" to return either call. « An important fact that Ferris failed to mention in her letter was that she was the secretary who served the authority. in an unadvertised position, from October 1984 until Feb. „16. 1986. During her tenure she was paid the adopted fee for two meetings a month The dedicated, hard working members of the Authority get nothing for the endless hours spent gathering and analyzing as much information, from as many sources as possible, to assist them in submitting to Council recommendations based on their findings. THOSE ATTENDING the Feb. 24 meeting at Township Hall who heard John Ferris's prepared statement condemning the incinerator which, it was assumed, reflected his wife's sentiments, questioned her interest and sincerity in serving as secretary to a board whose mission she so strongly opposed. The foregoing is the factual version of Ferris's story and reveals unequivocally that the Incinerator Authority in this instance compiled with its portion of the newly adopted process in filling its secretarial vacancy, and should be commended. rather than condemned, for its efforts, MARY T. BAXTER Villas Thanks for the Memories To The Editor: Thank you for the trip down memory lane in Dorothea F. Cooper's "A Train Ride to the Shore" in the March 5 edition. Yes. those one day excursions were the happy times we all shared as a family. We had no cars, televisions or VCRs; not many worldly possessions, but love and togetherness. I'm sure many others traveled this road of memories while reading that happy article. It was a nice change to have no one protesting anything. Thank you Dorothea Cooper FLORENCE TRUEMAN Town Bank Clarifying a Statement To The Editor: Having read and pondered over the article entitled, "Some Succeed, Some Don't." in the Feb. 12 edition, I would like to clarify a statement. Having been interviewed by phone, I said, "that most of our volunteers were those wno have been touched by cancer, either in their immediate families or close friends," and not "someone who has had cancer interfere with his life." Having been touched by this dreaded disease four times in my own family. I felt "interfere" was poor wording that made the illness appear as a nuisance, instead of the compassion and concern we all have towards our loved ones battling cancer. HELEN M. PULASKI Executive Director Cape May County Unit American Cancer Society

foyride III Jk By Libby Demp Forrest v W" 1 I never met a kid who didn't like dinosaurs. When No. 1 and No. 2 were little guys they used to figure we ought to have a pet dinosaur around the house. When I (old them dinosaurs were extinct, they said that was okay ( "We'll love it anyway," they said. ' I spent seven years working at the Academy of Natural Sciences before No. 1 and No. 2 were born so the boys always figured I knew everything there was to know about dinosaurs, plant life and old bones EVERYTIME someone found something along the beach. No. 1 and No. 2 always dragged that kid home to me along with his fossil. "Well, Mom," I was asked, "what do you think it is?" "It's a kid wearing a pair of green swim trunks," I might have said. "Not the kid, the fossil," No. 1 and No. 2 would say. It was hard to admit I really didn't know because No. 1 and No. 2 had enraptured about the years I spent at the museum and my neighborhood reputation was better in the telling than in truth. LAST WEEKEND No. 2 went to Philadelphia with a friend and went to the new dinosaur exhibit at the s Academy of Natural Sciences and he came home all excited. "There's all kinds of buttons you can push." he said. "You can even hear how dinosaurs used to sound." While time moves along on its fast track, it excited me. too, to hear how today's generation can go to the museum to enjoy dinosaur mania like never before. No. 2 described all the old exhibits I once knew as well as I knew my own home. "I even saw your old office," he said, "but I think it's different now." "I USED TO COME to work each morning and go by the dinosaur," I said. "That kind of makes me tingle to hear that," said No. 2. "Didn't it scare you a little?" "Not in the morning," I said, "but sometimes at night when I was going home and the lights were dimmed. I would come down the martaje staircase from my office and see the shadow of the dmosaur on the floor. That scared me a little." "You're going to have to go to Philly to see the new dinosaur exhibit," No. 2 said. "I'd be a little scared now." I said. "Of seeing the exhibit?" No. 2 asked. "No." I said. "Of feeling like a fossil myself." Lighthouse Square: Yes To The Editor: The merchants of Lighthouse Square would like to offer some reasons for voting for the proposed North tfildwood mall project now being studied by council. A shopping and entertainment area of this type has been successful in every other city it was tried. We believe it would extend our present 10-week season. Employment would be increased, along with property values, tax ratables. building permit fees, reconstruction and the other benefits of progress. The cost of the project is estimated at $900,000 for improvements to city property only, such as trees, benches, new street and walkways. Forty percent, or $360,000. will be paid by the merchants. The cost to the taxpayer is approximately $18 per $100,000 of assessed valuation. Voting yes would help reverse the trend of decaying property and closing businesses. WILLIAM PIERGIOVANNI Secretary Lighthouse Square Merchants Association Brand Stood for Beliefs To The Editor: I am writing in response to David Brand's decision not to run for re-election in Lower Township. I read with regret Brand's decision not to run for his council seat in May. but can at the same time understand it Brand has been good for Lower Township; he has stood for what he believed in, in spite of politics One can only admire him for that. Good luck to him in the future, his replacement will have big shoes to fill.

ROSEMARY FERRIS Cape May Beach

— St. Patrick's Day — ~ And sure it is St. Patrick's Day. The wear in' of the green ~ The time for cheers and to be gay 7 With all the folks you've seen'" c Remembering the good brave men Of centuries ago ^ £ v Who fought to keep this island when -^pL_ Attacked by any foe. ' They starved and died, but not their song ; Their humor too survived. Adversity had made them strong; vCrfW |)~T Today they march with pride. . jAk-Vl 1/ \ They lift our hearts with song and wit. i/fpfft J This friendly poet clan. 1 ill So get in ste0 with part of it l! 1 1 / 1 F"! Their blood may be yours, man. — By Viney Endicott CTff/VfQ/X \ SWEATER FACTORY OUTLET FACTORY DIRECT TO YOU 30% TO 70% SAVINGS J ANNUAL Vv / ■ CLEARANCE SALE J \ I A 25% OFF v ^ ' / t OUR REG. LOW PRICES . ^ / K" , ■: j " It K SALE ENDS ) J*' MARCH 22nd y COTTON SWEATERS ARRIVING DAILY FOR SPRING Enjo;^^^ree Easter Flowers sM From - m Sturdy" W (fTySwr" It's our way of wishing you a very |oyfu! spring and Easter The colpftdl, fragrant blooms on display in our five offices r* 7 will be given away Thursday. 1 J Vv tV March 27 Just come in and fill I ; jl out an entry form tor your chance to " VI P win Drawing held at 11a m March 27

k* STURBY SAVINGS Ml qh | HAN ASSOCIATION Stone Harbor ^Dennisville 94th and 3rd Avenue State Highway 47 and 368-2911 Woodbine Road * , 861-5152 Avalon 2628 Dune Drive North Cape May 967-7541 3851 Bavshor.- Road 884 5656 PCT If"'! {CV Cape May Court House LrJ 17 South Main Street. 1 LENDER 465-2700