£2 Herald - Lantern - Dispatch 7 May '86

■BbMJ X ^ ■ Jraa,IIHIM^^| ANNIVERSARY PARTY — Robert Jeffers. center, retiring president of Upper Township Chamber of Commerce, receives congratulatory resolution from Deputy Mayor Louis DiLuzio, left,, and Mayor Daniel Beyel at dinner marking chamber's 30th year. year.

' Reaffirms ' Court Plans

(From page l> with the freeholders after the vote. The freeholders have justified closed sessions tq disguss the courts project on the grounds it is involved in litigation. A county bar association law suit favoring anew courthouse has been on hold since 1983. | .AST THURSDAY'S meeting began with Sturm giving a brief recap of the courts project, which he said dated back four years. He called it "well under way" and said, '"in my view, Uie die is cast. The contracts are let Lef's put this thing to bed," Sturm told this newspaper he meant the contracts for purchase of materials to construct the temporary court facilities at the airport Contracts have not been let for the work there, nor at the courthouse. The major stakeholders are represented here." said Sturm, indicating the constitutional officers. "Let's fish or cut bait." He then asked each freeholder to comment. Evans said the Prosecutor's building could not be renovated for additional space "without ruining it. It's old. You cannot do it." ■ I AGREE WITH Ralph.' said Kilpatrick. "I favor preserving heritage, but sometimes you can only do so much This building was built in 1865. but it lost its identity in 1905 (when it had additions). "I did attempt to compromise." said Kilpatrick. referring to an offer to save the front 20 feet of the building, which. Kilpafftek said, included "almost 1.000 sqoare fept for cultural heritage." "Unfortunately." concluded Kilpatrick. "the group did not see fit to want to consider that." Frederick said his "major concern" was "lack of coordination. At the airport, my people are finding out about meetings after the fact. It is very frustrating It's a facility' we'll have to live with after they move out. but we have no input or knowledge." The plans have been available." inter jecled Evans. ' ' "I'VE BEEN SOMEWHAT confused for some time." said Thornton. "More than a year ago Mr. Evans came to me and expressed the opinion he wasn't sure of the construction plans. Ralph has always bee»i. by policy, responsible for the construction phase That's his area of exper tise. Ed Strange has expressed many time difficulties with this project. "1 found out about the Surrogate's complaint." Thornton continued, "from a let ter to the board I checked and found it had been discussed months before board not apprised. "Suddenly there is a preservation group with 700 signatures." Thoiyton said. "I wasn't aware it was constructed in 1860." "Part of the building." interrupted Sturm "Okay, parts of the building." agreed Thornton "We were all caught unawares Suddenly we found out it had a concrete roof I don't think all the information has been brought to the board. I've heard from the constitutional officers they have not been satisfied " "The only time anything comes to the boar^ is when it's a problem." agreed Frederick STURM ASKED the coastitutional officers to comment.

Pulvino said her key concern, a location for some records during the temporary move of the courts to the airport, had been resolved. "There is the universal problem of lack of communications." she said. "It's hard to point the finger at anyone. As far as the courts to the airport. I did not see the plans until they were formulated. It is probably not necessary that I see where myemployes are going to be. (Former Assignemnt) Judge (Philip) Gruccio took command. It is not my place to say whether he should have. Now we have a new assignment judge. " "I probably raised the most relevant questions," said Hentges. "I was a little disturbed nobody went to the court and inquired of employes who have been there 20-25 years, or of me. whether we should build a new one. No one asked either of our Superior Court judges. Judge Gruccio was the man. "A YOUNG LADY charged with placing the location of files in the records room came to me and indicated the records room is too small before they, even move into it. "That's an opinion stated by an employe." said Sturn. "Angie?" asked Thornton. "Before we (pund another place for the court evidence, yes," she said. She explained that consisted of everything from old bicycles to couches that might have to be stored until appeals were settled. Pulvino said the tax board that shares space with her lacked room for records. "It can be microfiched." said Sturm. "No." said Pulvino. "Why not?" asked Sturm. "You'd have to talk to Ray (Tax Administrator George Raymond Brown III >," she saiij). "I have told him he can use space in the records room What else could I do0 No one else would do anything for him." AFTER HENTGES warned that a parking problem would result when the courts return to Court House. Sturm asked. "Are you dissatisfied with the building as your office is constituted?" i "Of course not." said Hentages. "1 have no problems." • "Was that move (to the Prosecutor's ; building) instituted by this board"'" asked Kilpatrick "No. it was between the Prosecutor and ; myself." said Hentges. "Let's- put a few things to rest," said Corino. "Any decision is yours and I'm not going to comment on it. That's your pro1 blem As for the prosecutor, when the ; assignment judge handled this, there was no input from the constitutional officers ) Now there are almost monthly meeting I and input from all phases. "To set the record straight." he coni tinued. "the surrogate originally was within the main building. How he got to the i second floor. I have no knowledge ." STURM ASKED Plousis if he were e satisfied and he said "yes." s Sturm asked Strange if he had additional i comments, and he said "no." t Kerr reported contracts had been awarded to "several vendors" for e material at the temporary- courts at the d airport and he said he had "a fairly good handle on the costs." The vote to "reaffirm" the project followed.

Secretaries Paid Honor AVALON - Area secretaries were honored at a "Special Secretary's Day Luncheon" April 23. at the Whitebrier Inn here, with proceeds to benefit the Leukemia Society of America. Seventy honored guests saw an informal fashion show courtesy of Betty Flinn and the Cross Country Shop of Stone Harbor. Local businesses donated door prizes. Henry Satt was luncheon chairman. The luncheon proceeds will assist the Leukemia Society's patient assistance and publiq education I programs. • | Dramises Expanding Scholarship COURT HOUSE - James and Luretta Dramis have formed the L/Cpl. s George L. Dramis Founda- ' tion to administer a yearly scholarship to a needy Middle Township High School graduate pursuing higher education For the past two years, the Dramises gave a 5200 scholarship to a Middle graduate entering the armed services. They have pledged to continue that amount for the newscholarship. But the public also will be solicited for contributions George Dramis was with the U.S. Marines and was killed in Beirut. Lebanon, by a sniper's bullet on Jan. 30. 1984. The Dramises reportedly hope enough funds can be raised to extend the scholarship to each of the county's five high schools Foundation treasurer is Boyd Tyler of Marine National Bank Applications to apply for the scholarship are available at the high school

M \ » -mMHiI I ;V J -£■ rf, ts- - Doru Ward HONORED — Post Commander Clara A. Foster was named Cape May County Legionnaire of the Year by American Legion Commander George H. Sampson at the Thurston Elmer Wood Post I9X in Court House last week. Foster has served her post for 32 years, seven as commander and 17 as adjutant. She became the first woman commander in the county in 1961.

Club Holding Plant Sale

STONE HARBOR - The ] Stone Harbor Garden Cldb ' will have a plant and home 1 I

made goodie sale 9 to noon Saturday at the Firehou.se. At the meeting 10 a.m. Monday. May 12. also at the firehouse. Tony Fittipaldi of Dias Creek will speak on Greenhouses. Fittipaldi deals in custom made greenhouses and solariums and offers solar heat plant services. Also at the meeting will be Lou Clelland of the borough council, who will speak on the Second Avenue Islands. The planting of these islands, which the Garden Club does each year, will take place on Monday. Tuesday and Wednesday. May 19, 20 and 21. However, the plants may be picked up at Maintenance as early as Saturday. May 17 for those who wish to do their planting Sunday, May 18. Anyone who can help with the project is asked to call Marlene Casper at 368-1725.

Transportation • | Needs Studied t i COURT HOUSE - i Freeholder Chuck Frederick announced that Cape May County has begun its long-anticipated "transportation needs study." Carter Goble Associates, a South Carolina consulting firm, was recently awarded a contract by the freeholders to conduct an in-depth study of present transportation services, both private and public within the county, and, to make recommendations as to how the transportation needs of county residents can be met.

1 m I** 1 L 1^:1 j AVALON SCHOOL VISITORS — Avalon Holier Chief Louis E. Taylor and MrGruff the Crime- Fighting Dog. alter ego of Sgt. Ed Letts of sheriff's department, huddle with first t grader Jennifer McTamney of Avalon Elementary School at fingerprinting and bicycle safety program presented by police and sheriff's departments.