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Princeton, Trenton YWCAs to Observe Day of Commitment to Eliminate Racism

To the Editor:

We invite your readers to join us in making a commitment to eliminate racism on Friday, April 29.

On that day, the YWCAs of Princeton and Trenton will join together to observe the National Day of Commitment to Eliminate Racism, in collaboration with Princeton University and Princeton Human Services. A full morning of events is planned in Liberation Hall at the Princeton University Carl Fields Center for Equality and Cultural Understanding at 86 Olden Street – breakfast; a poetry reading by Cecelia B. Hodges; a presentation of awards to Trenton High School essay contest winners; a musical selection from children's choruses; a community panel discussion on civil rights; and the official signing of the Birmingham Pledge.

The public is welcome to attend and ask questions of the panel. For more information, please call the YWCA Princeton at (609) 497-2100, or the YWCA of Trenton at (609) 396-8291.

EILEEN CONWAY
Executive Director, YWCA Princeton
SHARON BONITZ
Chief Operating Officer, YWCA of Trenton

Sponsors, Volunteers, Models Thanked For Aiding Jewish Center Fashion Show

To the Editor:

The Jewish Center Women of The Jewish Center of Princeton held its Spring Luncheon and Fashion Show on Sunday, April 10. It was an enormous success with community retailers supporting our event and community members and their children serving as models. We would like to thank Lisa Brock, Bell Bernotsky, and Kelly Cerialo of Zoë, Paul and Anna Maria Carella of Step by Step, Sloane Shavel of Sloane Shavel Designs, Ed Simon of Mystique Hair and Skin, make-up artist Christina Alizzo, Carole and Sherman Feuer of Minuteman Press, and Gail Alba of Graphics by Gail for donating their clothes, services, and time. We would also like to thank Zoë, Step by Step, Sloane Shave Designs, Mystique Hair and Skin, Hamilton Jewelers, Bunny Paley, Aveda, Alphabet Soup books, and Edible Arrangements for their donations. Many thanks also go to Linda Schwimmer for spearheading our women's clothing donation for Jewish Family and Children's Services. Additional thanks go to all of our models and to all of the women who volunteered their time including Diane Arons, Beatrice Bloom, Laura Gitlin, Rachel Goldberg, Lisa Goldsmith, Beth Hirshman, Cyndi Kleinbart, Jane Maida, Darlene Paszamant, Laura Perlman, Naomi Perlman, Anne Rutman, Audrey Straus, Polly Strauss, Kim Vine, and Stephanie Will.

We are grateful to all of you for your wonderful support.

ROBIN HAUER
RANDY HUBERT
Co-chairs
Jewish Center Women
Spring Luncheon and Fashion Show

Hillsborough Freight Facility Would Threaten Princeton Quality of Life

To the Editor:

While few of us in Princeton were paying attention, the Industrial Realty Group of California signed a 35-year lease with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs that gives it permission to establish a transload facility (a rail to truck transfer point) on a site just off Route 206. This past autumn Gary Greenstein, whose firm represents the IRG, made a "courtesy" presentation to the Hillsborough Planning Board about the proposed business.

Mr. Greenstein told the Planning Board that his group was only proposing "a typical warehouse and distribution facility," but he noted that the rail company involved has applied to the N.J. Department of Transportation for a multi-million dollar grant under the state rail program to upgrade rail links to the facility. Also this autumn, the DOT spokesperson indicated that whether the State approves that request will depend in large part on whether localities indicate that they want the facility. So far, only Hillsborough has weighed in on the project and its comments have been positive.

I call upon Princeton Township and the Borough to 1) get quickly up to date on a project that can have an enormous impact on the levels of truck traffic on Route 206; 2) remind the State that Route 206 is not on the National Network for Trucks, and that the fundamental nature of this road should therefore not be compromised by this new project; and 3) approach both the State and the Federal government to express opposition to creation of the facility, period.

Residents have prepared a petition to give our local governments the ammunition they'll need when they go to Trenton and Washington. Copies of the petition can be obtained by contacting us at rte206@yahoo.com. We must defend the quality of life in our town in no uncertain terms.

CAROLYN HOYLER
Independence Drive

To the Editor:

As readers may know, Montgomery Township has challenged plans to pour more asphalt for the "Hillsborough bypass" by requesting additional environmental impact studies on the proposed "improvement" to Route 206.

And Hillsborough has reacted with indignation. Former Hillsborough Committee member Sonya Martin was quoted in the Hillsborough Beacon as saying Hillsborough would be in trouble if Federal funding for the project is delayed. "With the Department of Veterans' Affairs leasing the depot, if the bypass isn't built there are no guarantees that trucks are not going to go on 206," she said.

Exactly. Those of us south of the proposed bypass would say that this is precisely why neither the transload facility nor the bypass should go forward. Please join with fellow Princeton residents in signing a petition to give our local governments support is stopping these plans. Nothing less than the quality of life in Princeton's residential neighborhoods is at stake here. Anyone interested in signing a petition should e-mail rte206@yahoo.com for more information.

MARY ANNE SABOGAL
State Road

CASA of Mercer County Acknowledges Supporters of Its Children's Art Display

To The Editor:

On April 10, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Mercer County held its first Children's Art Display. CASA, an organization that trains volunteers to speak in court on behalf of abused and neglected children, would like to thank Educational Testing Service for hosting the event and for providing food and beverages. Over 50 works of art created by first through 12th grade children from ten Mercer County public and private schools wowed the audience in this "kids helping kids" event. Each child received a personalized certificate of contribution. Fast Frame of West Windsor, Framesmith of Princeton, Art & Frame Express of East Windsor, and Family Framers of Jamesburg donated their talents and materials to block, matte, and frame these wonderful works of art. The art will be displayed throughout April, Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month, at the Chauncey Conference Center of ETS and will be auctioned at CASA's April 30 fund-raising event, "A CASA Getaway to Calypso Island," at ETS. The funds raised will go directly toward helping the abused and neglected children we serve. Call (609) 434-0050 for information.

CASA wishes to gratefully acknowledge all the children and teachers who demonstrated their willingness to do something beneficial for others in need.

MARK B. LEVIN
President, Board of Trustees
CASA of Mercer County