MIRIAM YEVICK
Pelham Street
PAUL GERARD
Talbot Lane
BROOKE JOHNSON
Blawenburg
To the Editor:
I have been greatly puzzled by the Borough Council's approval of the transfer of property related to what used to be called the Downtown Project. As a member of Concerned Citizens, I was involved in challenging this project for a number of reasons, whose validity are now becoming evident.
We warned the developers and the Council of the likelihood that water would seep into the basement from the spring below, and presented evidence that the developer was relying on readings of the water level taken after a prolonged period of drought.
It was clear to us that the deal agreed to by the Council gave away the citizens' prime property in the Borough for a pittance: payments in lieu of taxes meant that substantial fixed tax payments would only materialize after some 20 years, when inflation may very well have wiped out the current value of the dollar.
We were assured that the developer could not sell this property before a five year period, at which time he would be free to pocket whatever profit might accrue. Now however, the developer has been given the freedom to "refinance" a significant part of the property by transferring it to a different owner.
We were told again and again that estimates were such as to guarantee that revenue from the garage would amply cover expenses. To quote from a letter in Town Topics by Mayor Reed, "The Borough's far more modest development will be covered by additional parking fees and rents, not by property taxes."
It now appears that the developer's money which had been put in escrow to protect us against any eventualities cannot be touched by the Borough.
Clearly the overburdened taxpayers, many of whom are already fleeing the Borough, will be left holding the bag.
MIRIAM YEVICK
Pelham Street
To the Editor:
Thanks to the Hightstown ambulance staff, Dr. John Mercuro, and the Princeton Hospital emergency angioplasty program, I am alive and well.
On Saturday, July 30, while I was visiting my mother in Hightstown, I became short of breath and experienced chest pains. In response to the 911 phone call, the Hightstown police and ambulance arrived and were able to administer oxygen, aspirin, nitroglycerin, and an EKG as well as taking my history and keeping me calm on the ride to Princeton Hospital.
The emergency room staff at Princeton Hospital was ready and waiting for me when I arrived. The necessary tests and preparations went smoothly. The staff continued to reassure me and my wife. I was able to benefit from the new program allowing Dr. Mercuro to perform an angioplasty in our community hospital, rather than my being transferred to a larger facility. This meant that the stent was in place less than two and a half hours after the onset of the heart attack symptoms. Since I had a complete blockage of a major artery, a trip to a more distant hospital would not have had so positive an outcome.
The people from Princeton Hospital should be acknowledged for recently adding this life-saving innovative service to their services.
I am indeed fortunate that our local medical facilities are so skilled and innovative.
PAUL GERARD
Talbot Lane
Editor's Note: The following is a copy of a letter sent to Borough Council.
To the Editor:
I would like to bring to your attention the matter of the incorrect speed bump caution signs on the south end of Hodge Road. When turning onto Hodge Road from Elm Road, there is a speed bump caution sign indicating a single upcoming speed bump. However, there are two speed bumps that follow.
I am sure I am not the only driver to be misled by these signs. In the evening, when it's dark, one cannot easily determine that a second, unannounced speed bump is in fact present. It has been this way since the signs were installed, and although I am aware of the two speed bumps, many people are not.
The same thing is true when travelling Hodge Road from the other direction; a sign cautions against a single speed bump. This could be fixed by simply adding an "s" to each of the signs.
Please address this issue so as to avoid any problems that drivers may incur when resuming the 25-mph speed limit after going over the first speed bump. Thank you.
BROOKE JOHNSON
Blawenburg