Various Readers
Chad GOERNER
Bayard Lane
James Bash
S. Harrison Street
LEXI SHECHTEL (PDS '06)
Founder, Princeton Cares
PAMELA GROVES
Princeton Human Rights Film Festival Coordinator,
Youth Services Librarian
Princeton Public Library
THOMAS H. PYLE
Balsam Lane
To the Editor:
This is the first time in many years that there has been more than one candidate running for the Princeton Township Committee in the Democratic primary (June 6), and it should be an interesting race. I am writing in support of Chad Goerner, whom I consider to be an outstanding candidate.
On several occasions I have heard Mr. Goerner speak, and have been very favorably impressed with his understanding of critical Township issues. It is clear that he has immersed himself in Township matters, has read and absorbed numerous Township reports, and has new ideas which could contribute to a strong Township Committee. He has outlined his positions on a number of issues in Town Topics, and on his website, www.chadgoerner.com.
Mr. Goerner's education and experience as a financial consultant would be helpful in dealing with the many Township fiscal and tax matters.
I believe that Chad Goerner has the ability to work with people in solving problems, the leadership skills, the interest, and the judgement to benefit Township residents if he is given the opportunity to serve as a member of the Township Committee.
ROBERT FLEMING
Riverside Drive
To the Editor:
Scott Carver has my vote in the June 6 Democratic primary.
By virtue of his work on behalf of the Princeton community, Mr. Carver understands the challenges and opportunities facing Princeton Township. He has been a volunteer in the community since moving to the Township eight years ago. He has served as an appointed member of the Princeton Environmental Commission and the Site Plan Review Advisory Board. He has been an active volunteer in the community, lending his time and talent as a coach in the Recreation Department's youth summer basketball league, as a volunteer for the Spirit of Princeton's annual Memorial Day Parade, and as a volunteer for the Arts Council and others. He serves St. Paul's Church as a member of the Pre Cana Ministry and has participated in activities at the Jewish Center's Nursery School. He has devoted countless hours to enriching the Princeton community through his volunteer efforts.
Scott is also a loyal Democrat. He is a member of the Executive Committee of the Princeton Community Democratic Organization and served as both the PCDO president and assistant treasurer. He has also been active in the campaigns of local Democratic candidates.
Scott has earned my support. He is the candidate who has demonstrated a long-standing commitment to Princeton Township, who has worked to enrich the community at every level, and who has demonstrated an understanding of the critical issues facing the Princeton community. I encourage registered Democrats to take a look at his record and to support him in the primary.
GREGG R. SMITH
Mt. Lucas Road
To the Editor:
As a longtime resident who served six years on Princeton Township Committee, I strongly support the candidacy of Chad Goerner in the June 6 Democratic primary election.
Mr. Goerner will bring fresh talent, new ideas, and a creative vision to Township Committee. He has the expertise needed on Committee. He is a senior financial advisor and institutional consultant for Merrill Lynch. He is a professional financial planner; a serious, energetic, and enthusiastic young man whose experience and know-how will be an asset to Township Committee as he stresses, among his other concerns, the ongoing need for fiscal discipline.
Without negating the accomplishments of Township Committee over the years, it is time for the infusion of new perspectives and creative points of view. Members of the Princeton Community Democratic Organization (PCDO) showed their enthusiasm for Mr. Goerner by giving him the majority of votes earlier this spring when five candidates made presentations seeking PCDO's endorsement.
I urge a vote for Chad Goerner in the Primary, making him the Democratic candidate for Princeton Township Committee in November.
ROZ DENARD
Jefferson Road
To the Editor:
This is why I am voting for Scott Carver in the Democratic primary election for Township Committee on June 6.
He is an experienced attorney with years of service in land use and environmental law, having represented both local governments and private clients.
Among his many concerns is the examination of Princeton's Master Plan and development regulations, to ensure that our town retains its diverse neighborhoods. These are currently under assault by builders who are tearing down modest, older homes and putting up monster, out-of-scale mansions in their places.
He is also a committed volunteer in local group, recreational, and political activities. He will work tirelessly to see that our citizens' varied needs are listened to and acted upon. (For more information, see www.vote4carver.com.)
If Scott Carver is elected, the Princeton Township Committee will benefit immensely from his expertise.
LIBBY SHANEFIELD
Jefferson Road
To the Editor:
I am writing in support of Chad Goerner for Princeton Township Committee. As a local member of the Princeton Community Democratic Organization (PCDO) and a Democratic County Committeewoman for the 9th district in Princeton Township, I have seen firsthand the commitment and energy that he brings to important local issues.
Mr. Goerner is committed to encouraging more community involvement by having more informal Township Committee meetings on key issues. In addition, he has proposed creating an open application procedure for all appointed municipal board positions similar to the program from the non-partisan Center for Civic Responsibility.
Here in Princeton we are blessed to be able to bring together so many talented residents to work together to find solutions to the complex issues we face as a community. It is just such local citizen participation, within an open and transparent structure, that is essential to a vibrant democracy and the long-term health of our community. Chad's ideas for increasing citizen participation are wise and timely.
In the June 6 primary, I encourage Democrats to cast their votes for Chad Goerner. He brings the financial experience, openness, and energy that we need on Princeton Township Committee.
PAM BARTON
Prince William Court
To the Editor:
I am running for a seat on the Princeton Township Committee in next Tuesday's Democratic Primary election because I believe it is time for a new voice and a fresh perspective on the Princeton Township Committee. The central themes of my campaign have been clear: encouraging more community involvement, fiscal discipline and preserving the character of our town.
Before we can talk about fiscal discipline and preserving the character of our town, we need a foundation of active community involvement. That means that we need to encourage more discussion and debate on local issues and as I've said to many voters I've met during this election, I do not believe the current township meeting structure is conducive to that. I've proposed holding more informal public meetings on a specific subject, with a set agenda, and announced to the public far in advance. I have also proposed an open application process for all appointed municipal board positions. This will allow us to dive deeper into the great pool of expertise we have in Princeton.
While I naturally support a special legislative session to address the property tax issue on the state level, I believe it is up to our local government to create the most efficient budget control framework possible to help alleviate the portion of your property taxes that we do control. With over nine years of finance experience and as a certified financial planner and institutional finance consultant, I will bring a great deal of experience to our local government. Nevertheless, this is not a job for a few people. That is why I have proposed that we post all budget data online and have called for the formation of a non-partisan budget advisory commission that would exist to initiate specific budget reductions and recommend operational efficiencies.
We also need to address the challenge of balancing a need for new development, including affordable and senior housing, with the preservation of our town character. I have proposed exploring Neighborhood Conservation Districts (NCDs) to find a balance between preserving the diversity of our housing supply while still supporting suitable new home construction and development. I also support the Route 206 Vision Study and its goal of creating a safer environment for pedestrians and bikers while slowing down truck traffic.
With your support on June 6th, I will contribute a new voice, my financial experience, and concrete ideas to the Princeton Township Committee. Together, we will address some of the critical issues we face as a community. Thank you.
Chad GOERNER
Bayard Lane
To the Editor:
Last week's headline story on the new Township budget did not mention what many taxpayers might feel to be one of the most important pieces of information: the annual percentage increase over the previous year. Some other numbers were given, but it was still up to the reader to run some math to figure out that this year we will be financing an 8.2% increase.
The lack of mention of the yearly percentage rise seems to be a trend. This year's increase comes on top of the 11.3% jump we had last year, a figure which went similarly unreported in your coverage at the time. Neither was the 8.8% rise we paid for in 2004 explained in such plain and simple terms, in your issue of two years ago.
The annual percentage increase is important because it is the figure most directly comparable to other key metrics in our lives, notable salary increases and rates of inflation. I can't speak for others, but in my family it is clear that neither of these have risen at anywhere near the rate of the municipal budget. Since we moved here six years ago, the property taxes we pay in Princeton have gone up incredibly by more than 50%, whereas cumulative inflation has risen by just 17% (less than one-third the rate) over the same period of time. It seems that spending has somehow spiraled out of control, and affordability is reaching its limits.
Which begs the question, why aren't we hearing more on these key issues of living and taxpaying in Princeton, one that increasingly hits all residents in the pocketbooks?
James Bash
S. Harrison Street
To the Editor:
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the wonderful volunteers and chaperones who helped to make the second annual Princeton Cares day such a great success.
Princeton Cares was conceived as a community-wide, one-day volunteer effort utilizing high school age volunteers at a variety of sites. On the afternoon of Sunday, May 21, over 70 people donated a total of 201 hours to help make Princeton a better place.
Special thanks to Mayor Marchand for her enthusiastic support, Nancy Kieling, Linda Meisel, Nancy Lewis, Debra Levenstein, Lisette Siegel, Betsy Rosen, Karen Polakoff, Cathy Straus, Ed Soffen, Wendy Merkovitz, Jack Roberts, Greg O'Neill, Katie Herlihy, Dale Maski, Lucy Boyd, Lea Daniels, Lauren Fine, Connie Mercer, Fontella and Chris at Homefront, Holly Lehmann and Elanor Panelli. Also, a special thank you to my ever-patient parents, Ricky and A.J. Shechtel.
The day would not have been possible without the hard work of the student "captains" at each school: Ben Siegel and Charlie Punia at Hun, Andrew Siegel at Lawrenceville, Julie Straus at Pennington, Naomi Gilens at PHS, Emma Cantor at Hopewell Valley, and Zack Shechtel, Justin Shechtel, and Amy Straus at PDS.
I am also grateful to my generous sponsors, Hamilton Jewelers and McCaffrey's. Special thanks to Andy Hamlin at PDS and the Susan G. Moll Memorial Fund.
The biggest thank you, of course, goes to all the terrific volunteers for coming out on a spring Sunday to give back to Princeton.
See you next year!
LEXI SHECHTEL (PDS '06)
Founder, Princeton Cares
To the Editor:
The subject of human rights is of central importance to every human being on the planet. Violations of human rights occur just about everywhere that one looks for them; most governments are willing violators unless restrained by their citizens, and both civil and military conflicts often result in widespread violations. Consequently, we need to learn what our human rights are, engage in their evolution, insist on respect for them, and keep ourselves informed about local and international affairs relevant to them. In the final analysis, ordinary people define human rights, benefit from them, and instruct governments, world leaders, and international organizations on their observance.
It is in this spirit that the Princeton Public Library held the second Human Rights Film Festival from May 11 to May 14, where 1,450 people watched and discussed 26 films over the four-day period. This number represents a 40 percent increase in attendance from last year. There has been an exciting growth of film festivals around the country and the world, and hosting the Princeton Human Rights Film Festival at the Princeton Public Library seems an ideal forum in which to stimulate discussion on the important subject of human rights, using the accessible and powerful medium of film. We are pleased at the enthusiastic response of the community, as seen in the large numbers of attendees.
Our thanks go to the organizing committee, the staff at the Public Library, the Friends of the Public Library, the local press, and the many members of the community who helped to make this so successful. I would also like to thank our co-sponsors: Global Cinema Café, ABC Literacy, Amnesty International local chapter, P.O.V. (PBS), and the Nathan Cummings Foundation for their generous contributions.
The films at the Festival covered broad territory. Yes, there was brutality and wickedness in the films, but there was also love and forgiveness; kindness, courage and wisdom. We can never hear enough stories of people who in the face of horrible circumstances refuse to be defeated, and instead find ways to resist, rise above, or engage in the struggle to bring about change.
We hope that after experiencing these four days of powerful films, people will be inspired to be agents of positive change locally and globally. Perhaps this is what Einstein meant when he said, "remember your humanity and forget the rest."
PAMELA GROVES
Princeton Human Rights Film Festival Coordinator,
Youth Services Librarian
Princeton Public Library
To the Editor:
I write to direct your attention to two safety hazards outside Borough Hall.
First is a water hazard. On rainy days a large and deep puddle of water forms in a depression in Stockton Street near the blue sign for Borough Hall. This puddle extends into the traffic lane. Every passing car plows through it. This causes a cascade of water to fly up, spray, and soak the adjoining sidewalk, and any pedestrians near it, as has happened to me more than once. This splashing water also makes the sidewalk muddy, puddled, and impassable. Something needs to be done to improve the drainage in this area.
Second is a crosswalk hazard. It occurs at the pedestrian crosswalk on Bayard Lane just north of the Nassau Street-Stockton Street junction, crossing from the corner at Monument Park to the corner at Palmer House. The problem seems to result from the timing of the traffic lights. From the crossing pedestrian's perspective, first the traffic light turns green for vehicles in the northbound lane of Stockton Street, and vehicles begin turning left into Bayard Lane. A few seconds later, the pedestrian crossing light turns green, but at the same time the traffic light turns green for the southbound vehicles coming from Nassau Street.
The result is a pedestrian getting caught halfway in the crosswalk, with fast-moving vehicles still turning left from Stockton into Bayard, and now vehicles turning right from Nassau into Bayard. It's a dangerous situation: cars are turning into the crosswalk from two directions with a pedestrian in it, especially with faster moving vehicles turning left from Stockton to Bayard, both ignoring pedestrians in the crosswalk and distracting the attention of the drivers turning from Nassau Street.
The solution might be to alter the timing of the lights. Pedestrians probably need a reasonable interval to cross from Monument Park to Palmer House before the traffic is permitted to turn left from Stockton into Bayard. May our local safety officials please take note and make the requisite adjustments.
THOMAS H. PYLE
Balsam Lane