To the Editor:

Mayoral candidate Dick Woodbridge, who attended a recent Township committee meeting, was right to ask for clarification on PPS Superintendent Judy Wilson’s comments, “the Valley Road school building did not need any attention, it has been well maintained” (“Issues of Education Spark Discussions,” Town Topics, September 5).

We are puzzled. Ms. Wilson might be talking about a section of the building where PPS board meets as the rest of the building gets an “F” in maintenance, as Mr. Woodbridge well said.

Again, we must keep the message going since some other disinterested parties do not seem to be listening.

The Valley Road building on Witherspoon Street is not in good shape. As Kip Cherry pointed out in the September 12 mailbox (“Historic Valley Road School Building Neglected”) it has been left to rot as the PPS will not make a decision on what to do with the property.

This has been going on for over a year and we ask Princetonians to take charge, and PPS to leave their egos behind, make a brave, honorable choice and let the “Save the Valley Road School” committee turn the building into a community center/non-profit space; in other words, lead by action.

Candidates mention their goals of turning Princeton into a sustainable and diverse community. What do they exactly mean? We are already facing issues with AvalonBay at the site of the hospital. We have an opportunity here. What about recycling and reusing the building? What about having a community center and non-profit organizations that will certainly mean diversity?

Princetonians have approved a referendum for referred maintenance and improvements. We find ourselves in a predicament. Though we highly value education and consider teachers the most important professionals, should we trust the board to use our money the right way? Let’s be realistic and let’s avoid more dollars coming out of our pockets when PPS board decides that another referendum is needed in a year or so, to tear down a building that could have been turned into a real community asset.

Adam Bierman, Sandra Jordan

Grover Avenue