To the Editor:

Eight years ago, my wife, Liesl Geiger, and I moved here with two kids, then 4 and 9. After over two decades in New York City, we chose Princeton for a variety of reasons, but mostly for the schools — and the committed citizen oversight that makes them great.

It’s a rite of fall in Princeton. Trick-or-treating takes place amid the lawn signs of civic-minded neighbors we’ve met at school, on the sports fields, or around town.  more

To the Editor:

Princeton Public Schools (PPS) needs leaders who offer independent thinking and act decisively during complex situations. That is why we are endorsing Lisa Potter and Shenwei Zhao for the Board of Education. Both candidates bring distinct strengths that will help PPS thrive.

With extensive human resources experience, Lisa Potter emphasized proactive communication to avoid preventable conflicts. Reflecting on these same situations, Potter shared how earlier action would have minimized disruption and maintained stability. Her focus on risk management and strategic foresight will be critical as PPS navigates challenges such as hiring a new superintendent and deepening community engagement. more

To the Editor:

There is a growing concern in our community that certain Board of Education candidates are being unfairly labeled as racist, often without substantial evidence. These accusations can be especially damaging when they come from influential figures within the dominant local political organization, whose voices hold considerable weight in shaping public opinion. It is vital that we question these claims and not accept them at face value, as they can undermine both the integrity of our elections and trust in our democratic processes.

What is particularly troubling is that these accusations seem to target not only those who hold differing opinions on how best to support minority students, but also those merely perceived as having such views. In education, as in any field, there are often multiple perspectives on how to address complex issues. Yet, if a candidate’s viewpoint — or even just the perception of their viewpoint — conflicts with the beliefs of key figures in education and the community, they may quickly find themselves unjustly branded as racist. This happens not because of what these candidates have actually said or done, but because their opinions seem to rub leading figures the wrong way. more

To the Editor:

Thank you to Jenni and Gordon for their letter [“Writing in Praise and Support of Jugtown Neighborhood Restaurant,” Mailbox, October 16] and for choosing Trattoria Procaccini to host your 50th wedding anniversary dinner party. We do our utmost to create an amazing experience for all our clients with great cuisine, an amazing atmosphere, and professional and courteous staff.

It has always been my goal to make everyone feel like extended family when they dine with us, and it gives me great pleasure to know that you both feel the same. Your kind words are greatly appreciated and we thank you for your long-standing support over the years and by dining local. Many of us small businesses rely on loyal customers like yourselves and it means the world to us. We look forward to seeing you again soon!

John S. Procaccini
Lifelong Princeton resident
Gretalia Hospitality Group
Tree Farm Road, Pennington

To the Editor:

During this election cycle, rumors are circulating that the two Asian candidates for BOE are racist. These accusations are not just absurd — they are divisive and dangerous. Whispered within the community, they sow distrust and disconnection. People I once considered friends now avoid my gaze. Neighbors have grown distant, treating me like an outsider in a place where I’ve worked hard to serve and belong.

This smear campaign feels eerily familiar. When my family first arrived in America, we lived in a rough part of Hollywood. My mother, a single parent who didn’t speak English, worked as a housekeeper in Beverly Hills. My brother and I stayed in a motel, watched over by an auntie who provided us with a foothold in this new life. more

To the Editor:

Every time I drive by Princeton Theological Seminary’s Tennent/Roberts/Whiteley campus located between Edgehill Street and Hibben Road, my heart sinks. Trees have been cut down, three buildings have been razed, and a multi-family development by Herring Properties has been challenged by concerned neighbors and town citizens at public hearings.

One of Princeton’s major assets is its historic neighborhood. I grew up in The Barracks on 32 Edgehill Street and later my husband and I purchased it from my parents. (My father, Lewis B. Cuyler, was president of the Princeton Historical Society). I ask myself, “What was the Seminary thinking when it decided to sell their historic campus (originally Hun School) to Herring Properties?” How can the PTS sell property to a developer who has plans for 238 apartments? Five acres with three- to four- story buildings and underground parking. A monstrosity in a historic district. It’s irresponsible.

Why not preserve Princeton’s valuable historic district as is? The Barracks was a hospital during the French and Indian War and once again, served as a hospital for British and Hessian soldiers during the Battle of Princeton. The Stocktons lived in the house as Morven was being built. Other houses on Edgehill have historic significance as well. It’s a travesty that Princeton’s town Council seems married to the financial gain of a modern apartment building in the heart of Princeton’s historic district at the expense of Princeton’s earliest neighborhood and its historical integrity.

Margery Cuyler
Birchwood Court

To the Editor:

This is our first letter to Town Topics and we are doing so to endorse Erica Snyder’s candidacy for a seat on the PPS Board of Education.

Erica’s daughter is classmates with our first-grade daughter at Community Park. We have always been impressed by Erica’s commitment to public service and her extensive experience as an educator. While working full time she nonetheless served as a co-president of the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO), helping facilitate community activities that immediately allowed new families like ours and so many others to feel at home at Community Park. Also, at a school with significant income disparities among its families, Erica oversaw fundraising initiatives that ensured that all families were able to participate fully in extracurricular activities regardless of their ability to pay. And she did this in the aftermath of the pandemic and the massive disruption this caused for the PTO and the rest of the community. more

To the Editor:

Council’s foresight to preserve and utilize the Westminster Choir College campus is commendable.  We have not heard how this purchase will be utilized, so we look forward to public input from our residents for how this asset can be utilized with minimal cost to Princeton’s residents. With the wisdom and financial acumen of our neighbors, we should reconsider past municipal practices of retaining costly consultants who know less about Princeton than its residents.

Use of the existing classroom buildings by the BOE may be feasible if large expenditures are not required to update the facilities to a state-of-the-art design statement. The $49 million purchase price could easily generate additional costs if the entire 23-acre campus is not considered as an income producing opportunity. more

To the Editor:

Several people have reached out to me seeking clarification on my response to a question asked at the PTOC Candidate Forum Webinar on October 1. Before I dive into the details, please let me share the exact question:

In PPS, librarians and educators choose the books housed in the school libraries. Do you think the Board should be involved in choosing or banning books?

Based on the pre-set rule, I was the first to respond to this question. I admit that I was initially a bit confused by how the question was worded. I later had a chance to discuss this with the PTOC Forum organizers at a “Meet the Candidates” event, and I got the sense that they might have agreed with me that the question could have been phrased better, especially since it was presented in a simple “yes or no” format. more

To the Editor:

I have had the pleasure of knowing Mara Franceschi since I moved to Princeton nine years ago and the opportunity of working with her as a PTO officer at Johnson Park Elementary School for many years. I am grateful for her contributions on the Board of Education and am excited to support her reelection for a second term.

Mara’s candidacy is an obvious choice to me due to her extensive experience as a Board member. She not only understands the role’s responsibilities, but embodies the leadership qualities needed to mentor new Board members over the next three years. But it is not just her experience that I find invaluable, it is her commitment and dedication to our school district that I have witnessed that garners my unwavering support. For over 14 years, she has given her time, talent and energy to our school district, children and community. Her advocacy for all children and her determination to maintain our district’s high standards sets her apart.  more

To the Editor:

We are writing to express our strong support for Chris Santarpio and Erica Snyder as candidates for our Princeton Public Schools’ Board of Education. As a family committed to our public schools for over 20 years, we have witnessed firsthand the profound impact that quality and equitable education has on our community. Chris and Erica’s commitment to inclusion and equity is both commendable and essential.

Chris and Erica have a proven track record of working well together and collaborating with others. As co-presidents of the Community Park PTO, they have successfully brought parents, teachers, and administrators together to create a more supportive school environment. Their ability to foster teamwork and engage diverse perspectives has led to initiatives that benefit all students. more