JUDITH WILSON
Superintendent, Princeton Regional Schools
ALISON FOX
President, Princeton Education Foundation
DANIEL A. HARRIS
Dodds Lane
HANA MUZIKA KAHN
IVONNE CLARK
EMILY HEINE
MICHAEL LaRICCHIA
LOUISE SANDBERG
DOMINIQUE WENZEL
Latin American Task Force
To the Editor:
The Princeton Education Foundation and the Take A Seat (TAS) Committee would like to thank all those who have helped launch this exciting undertaking to date: parents, teachers, alumni, school staff, and longtime supporters of the arts in our Princeton public schools.
The range of activities supporting and promoting the campaign to raise funds to transform the Princeton High School auditorium into a true Performing Arts Center has been outstanding. These TAS events have included the High School and Middle School Winter Concerts, the Black History Gala at John Witherspoon Middle School, the Middle School play, and the Studio Band's winter performances.
To bring this campaign to the greater Princeton community Princeton Mayors Phyllis Marchand and Mildred Trotman have proclaimed the week of March 20 "Spring for a Seat" week. Princetonians who have not seen the kinds of programs that will benefit from the new auditorium are welcomed to the PHS annual musical production, which is Pippin this year. In the coming years, productions like this musical will benefit from a professionally sized stage to accommodate singers, actors, and dancers. A larger audience of 770 will enjoy the amenities of modern restrooms, ticketing, and coatrooms.
We hope the yellow banners going up in the schools and around the community will remind all our friends and neighbors to "Spring for a Seat" now.
JUDITH WILSON
Superintendent, Princeton Regional Schools
ALISON FOX
President, Princeton Education Foundation
To the Editor:
Now that Township Committee has, with questionable wisdom, voted to install a sidewalk on the south side of Overbrook Drive, it is imperative that Township Committee also take responsible action to ensure that the intersection of Overbrook Drive and Snowden Lane be made entirely safe for future generations.
At present, the intersection is a hazard for people as well as cars. Anyone crossing Snowden from the end of the sidewalk on the west side of Snowden would end up on the yellow line in the middle of Overbrook Road — not a safe place to be. The end of the Snowden sidewalk must be shortened; it must be made to conform or align with the end of the proposed sidewalk on Overbrook. Crossers should be able to cross directly, not on a diagonal in which they would lose peripheral vision of oncoming cars.
Despite the assertions of the Princeton Township Traffic Safety Officer that the intersection is not unsafe, neighborhood residents know better. We have seen cars and drivers (cellphones in hand) whizzing on the 30-degree downslope of Snowden at speeds up to 45 mph; we know from first-hand experience that many accidents are averted only narrowly. At present, there is no sign posting a speed limit anywhere near the intersection of Snowden and Overbrook. Although the Traffic Safety Officer has stated that only four vehicular accidents have been reported in the last five years, he has also acknowledged in e-mail correspondence with the Township Engineer that no systematic checks of vehicle speed on Snowden have been conducted. He has further stated his opposition to the installation of a stop sign, a red light, a flashing red or yellow light, or additional signs at or near the intersection. He has said that he will take all appropriate measures to ensure safety if the intersection proves unsafe.
It is critical that the intersection be made safe before, not after, the first death or other disaster. Township Committee should install necessary signage now, as it alters the Snowden sidewalk and installs the Overbrook sidewalk. We all know that the new Overbrook sidewalk will draw additional walkers. With the imminent development of the corner plot at Snowden and Terhune, the number of pedestrians, at the intersection and along Snowden, will increase. Township Committee should develop viable engineering plans for full pedestrian and vehicular safety as soon as possible.
DANIEL A. HARRIS
Dodds Lane
Editor's Note: A copy of this letter was also sent to Township Committee and the Township Engineer.
To the Editor:
One clear message emerges from an exit survey of people who attended the Princeton Latin American Health Fair last November. Asked whether it is important that there be a health clinic in Princeton all but one said "yes."
Why do they believe a health clinic in Princeton is important? The health clinic is a needed community resource:
It is convenient for emergencies.
It is close to home.
Patients who speak Spanish can get medical attention.
The clinic serves people who don't have health insurance.
It provides affordable medications.
Out-of-area respondents said the clinic is important for their family members who live nearby.
Sponsors of the Health Fair were the Princeton Latin American Task Force, the Princeton HealthCare System, and the Hispanic American Medical Association (HAMA). Although the hospital's plans to move out of town are well underway, the Latin American Task Force urges the Princeton HealthCare System to consider options for retaining an accessible in-town clinic to provide services for the many patients whose conditions do not require the full hospital infrastructure. Low-income families without transportation and whose jobs do not provide health insurance should not be burdened even further because their only health-care provider moves out of reach.
HANA MUZIKA KAHN
IVONNE CLARK
EMILY HEINE
MICHAEL LaRICCHIA
LOUISE SANDBERG
DOMINIQUE WENZEL
Latin American Task Force