January 23, 2013

Princeton residents with suggestions for the future of the former hospital site on Witherspoon Street have one more chance to contribute their suggestions. Thursday at noon, the special task force formed by Princeton Council to study the zoning of the property will hold their third and final meeting before returning their findings to Princeton Council. As with the previous two meetings, held in the Municipal Building, public comment is invited.

It remains to be seen whether AvalonBay Communities, the developer that was denied approval of its plan for the site, intends to file an appeal to that decision made last month by the Regional Planning Board. The Board must formally adopt, or memorialize, the decision, after which the developer has 45 days in which to appeal in court.

In the meantime, the task force has begun preparing for the future of the site, whether with AvalonBay or without. Last week, the nine-member committee held the first of three meetings on the property’s zoning, which they hope will result in a recommendation to be presented to Council at its January 28 meeting or, at the latest, in February.

“It’s not that we feel that the current ordinance is deficient or inadequate,” task force chairman Bernie Miller told the group. “But this is an opportunity for us to bring a new perspective. We had done this when we were two communities. We are one community now.”

AvalonBay’s plan was to tear down the existing hospital building and construct a rental community of 280 units, 20 percent of which were to be set aside as affordable housing. The Planning Board voted 7-3 to deny the plan after listening to many residents criticize the proposal for its size, scope, and environmental impact, among other things.

Mr. Miller began an overview of the current zoning with an eye toward preparing a single ordinance for the entire site. Task force members were in agreement about recommending that a swimming pool not be permitted at the site. There was discussion as well about making sure the zoning does not allow for a gated community, but Planning Director Lee Solow cautioned the group to be careful about their wording.

“I understand the concern, but if you say no gated community, they will ask, where’s the gate,” he said. “There isn’t an actual gate [on the AvalonBay plan].”

Representing the hospital, attorney Mark Solomon and Vice President For Government and Community Affairs Pam Hersh each spoke during the public comment portion of the meeting. Because of a declining market, the site is now worth about half of its initial value, Mr. Solomon said.

He questioned the task force as to why there was a rush to get the rezoning completed. “I know you want to move quickly. But however quickly you move, we would like you to get it right,” he said, adding that the hospital will have to go back to the marketplace should AvalonBay decline to appeal. “Obviously our desire is to retain value, and whatever comes out of your work is buildable. I don’t see us showing up tomorrow with a new buyer and a new plan.”

Since the Planning Board denied AvalonBay approval last month, the organization Princeton Citizens for Sustainable Neighborhoods has undertaken its own study of how work on the ordinances should proceed. The group has gotten advice from urban planner Peter Steck, according to member Alexi Assmus.

“We want to make sure we don’t have the kind of plan that AvalonBay presented,” Ms. Assmus said. “We’re defining what a closed private community is and disallowing it, looking at height and setback restrictions, and adding a list of green construction requirements to the ordinance. And our environmental attorney had drafted a site investigation section calling for a preliminary assessment of the site before site plan approval, which would require more than was done in phase one and two.”

The group will submit its recommendations for a full ordinance to the task force, Ms. Assmus said.

Should AvalonBay appeal the Planning Board’s decision and prevail, the developer can build a rental community under the existing ordinance. Once the task force decides on any changes to the ordinance, they will be introduced by Princeton Council, voted on by the Planning Board, and then sent back to the Council for a final vote.

November 7, 2012

Democrat Liz Lempert will be the new mayor of consolidated Princeton. At press time the unofficial vote count was 6,093 for Ms. Lempert, and 3,939 for Republican opponent Richard Woodbridge.

“I’m thrilled,” Ms. Lempert said last night when the numbers came in. “It looks like there was a really strong turnout. We were worried that with the storm, there would be a lot of confusion. But it looks like things went more smoothly than expected.”

Township and Borough votes were counted together in this election. Consolidated Princeton now has 22 voting districts.

In the Presidential election, Princetonians overwhelmingly supported President Barack Obama with 7,903 votes. Republican challenger Mitt Romney received 2,474 votes.

The six Democrats running for Council seats were all elected: tentative vote counts were Bernie Miller with 7,114; Patrick Simon with 7,090; Heather Howard with 6914; Jo Butler with 6,903; Lance Liverman with 6,861; and Jenny Crumiller with 6,807. The Republican challenger, Geoff Aton, received 3,533 votes.

Democratic Congressman Rush Holt (D-12) won handily over his Republican challenger, Eric A. Beck, with 7,964 votes to Mr. Beck’s 2,071. Democratic Senator Robert Menendez defeated Republican candidate Joe Kyrillos with 7,474 votes to Mr. Kyrillos’s 2,554.

Princeton voters endorsed an open space tax of 1.7 cents per $100 of assessed property value. Because the Borough and the Township will cease to exist as separate entities on December 31, it was necessary for this year’s ballot to include a question authorizing the joint tax. The new tax will enable a united Princeton to continue stewardship of its recreation and passive open space and make key acquisitions contemplated by the joint Master Plan.


May 30, 2012

To the Editor:

There are a dozen reasons I am supporting the six candidates for Council endorsed by the Democratic Committees of the Borough and Township. The first six reasons are the candidates themselves. Each has a record of extraordinary leadership and service, an in-depth knowledge of local government, and the seasoned judgment needed to meet the challenges ahead.

The other six reasons these candidates deserve our support:

1. they are determined to deliver the savings and the efficient and responsive government promised by consolidation;

2. they will defend our time-tested commitments to diversity, affordable housing and the preservation of our neighborhoods;

3. they will protect open space and the environment and the sustainability of our community through growth management;

4. they will work as a team by reaching across the old municipal boundaries to ensure that our new government is truly representative of the entire community;

5. they will strive to maintain an effective working relationship with Princeton University as a respected partner in shaping our community; and

6. they have the confidence of grassroots Democratic committee people who know them best.

Please vote for HEATHER HOWARD, LANCE LIVERMAN, PATRICK SIMON, BERNIE MILLER, JENNY CRUMILLER and JO BUTLER. They are six strong individuals who also represent a mix of talent and experience best able to lead the new Princeton.

Walter Bliss

Moore Street

To the Editor:

As election season approaches, it is incumbent upon us, as citizens of this great country, to make the most informed decisions we can about our elected officials, in a community as profound as Princeton, its legacy and historical relevance are maintained by the elected officials who represent our interests locally. With that said, it is with utmost sincerity that I urge my fellow Democrats to support my friend and colleague, Bernie Miller, for the new consolidated Princeton Council on June 5, so he can carry forward the work of the Consolidation Commission and ensure that our community can realize the benefits of Consolidation.

As a 17-year-resident of Princeton and United States Space Technology Hall of Fame Inductee, I have been honored to work with Bernie Miller for over 20 years, both professionally and as a volunteer for the Princeton community. In the 1990s I worked with him when he was the Project Manager for a complex and sophisticated telecommunications satellite and I saw how he used his management skills and experience to guide the early development of this satellite concept. Even during his tenure as an engineer, Bernie excelled. He received the NASA Public Service Award in 1965 for management of the NASA Ranger Program. This satellite took the first close up, high-resolution images of the surface of the moon to aid in the selection of the landing sites for Apollo. Later we worked together on the Council of the Friends of the Princeton Public Library where as Treasurer, Bernie used his financial acumen to manage the resources of the Friends. More recently, I have seen him bring his vision for the future of our community to bear on the Consolidation Study and the Transition Task Force to facilitate the merger of our two communities.

Having served as Princeton township committeeman since 2002 to the present, and Mayor in 2009 and 2010, Bernie’s pedigree and commitment to Princeton are without a question. In 2011, Bernie led the Princeton Township team that negotiated the first voluntary payment of $500,000 by Princeton University to the Township and played a pivotal role in opening of the Princeton Community Park Pool. As Township Deputy Mayor and Mayor Bernie worked very closely with his colleagues on Borough Council on issues shared by our two municipalities and on the Joint Princeton Finance Committee on the funding of services and projects that our two municipalities share.

Based on my experience, I have no doubt of Bernie Miller’s commitment and dedication to the town of Princeton. I support the candidacy of Bernie Miller for endorsement in the Democratic primary election. Please join me in voting for Bernie Miller for Princeton Council on June 5.

Surinder Sharma

Christopher Drive

May 9, 2012

Representatives from each of the eight subcommittees that comprise the Transition Task Force (TTF) participated in an “Update and Dialogue” sponsored by Princeton Future on Saturday morning at the Princeton Public Library.

In his introduction, TTF vice chair Scott Sillars expressed the hope that the transition will turn out “to be seamless,” except, perhaps with minor changes like having to “go to a different office to a pay a parking ticket.” He emphasized, however, that the TTF’s charge is to “make recommendations” to the two governing bodies, who will ultimately decide on what gets implemented.

Mr. Sillars reported that the Finance Subcomittee is monitoring implementation plans against cost savings estimates; tracking transition costs; providing a liaison with the state; developing a combination of 2012 budgets; and monitoring other impacts of consolidation on the Open Space Tax and sewer rates. Debt consolidation does not pose a problem, but the different accounting approaches of the Borough and the Township need to be reconciled, he noted.

Looking ahead, Mr. Sillars said that the Finance Subcommittee hoped to have a draft “combination budget” by June; a recommendation on the Open Space Tax by August; and a summary of planned savings and transition costs by mid-Fall.

Task Force member Hendricks Davis reported that the Boards and Commissions Subcommittee had “just about completed” its inventory of “existing entities,” although it will continue to be regularly updated. The Boards and Commissions subcommittee will also make recommendations for the integration process, and Mr. Davis applauded the fact that “so much happens in this community because of citizen participation.”

Joking that their responsibilities run the gamut from dog licensing software to infrastructure support, Information Technology (IT) Subcommittee spokesperson Gary Patteson described that group’s efforts to inventory existing hardware, software, vendor support, and current costs. They believe that a new email system will pay for itself after just one year. The subcommittee hopes to submit a plan for IT deployment and hardware location by July 15.

Creating a timeline — including the “lead time” required for IT implementation — that will be delivered to the TTF and both governing bodies has allowed this subcommittee to work with IT staff and department heads, Mr. Patteson noted, although IT implementation for the new Police force is the purview of the Public Safety Subcommittee. IT collaboration with the Princeton Public Schools may be considered at a later date.

The Facilities and Assets Subcommittee, said Bernie Miller, is working on ways to accommodate the staff of the new Princeton in existing facilities “in a manner that provides for the effective operation of municipal departments, long with user-friendly access.” Efforts will be made to locate single departments near others with related concerns to maximize their operations. KSS Architects, Mr. Miller said, have been engaged to consult on the subcommittee’s work.

Jim Levine was the first of the morning’s speakers to note the use of a new graphic that depicts “putting the pieces” of two organizations together. Personnel Subcommittee areas of concern include the overall workforce sizing process; reconciliation of employee policies/procedures; and promotion of “cross pollination” among different offices. Recommendations regarding “redundant positions” and severance packages will be presented mid-May, said Mr. Levine. Providing stability “while conducting thorough reviews” is anticipated to be a challenge, he observed, adding that the Subcommittee’s belief that the new organization should reflect “a balance of Borough and Township experience.”

Jo Butler reported that an organization chart for the integration of the two municipalities’ public works departments; “recreation maintenance; “engineering; land use; planning; construction; zoning; and fire and housing safety will be forthcoming. Brush and leaf collection will be coordinated, and garbage and composting systems will be put out for bid together. Ms. Butler noted that there will definitely be just one Public Services Commission.

Bernie Miller spoke about the complex combination of personnel, facilities, and technology that the Public Safety Subcommittee is addressing in order to ensure that when someone dials 911 on January 1, someone “will pick up the phone.” Merging police departments includes merging police dispatch, and emergency services coordination. No action is needed on the Fire Department, which already serves both municipalities.

It is anticipated that there will be 55 policemen and women on the new combined police department. Questions of the location of the force, the location of dispatch (and, perhaps, whether to outsource the dispatch function), and the importance of having common technology are all being addressed. Although Princeton University’s public safety department provides “great support,” the fact that they do not carry firearms is significant.

Mr. Sillars encouraged area residents to familiarize themselves with the Task Force’s work by attending its public meetings, and by visiting the website, www.cgr.org/princeton/transition, where agendas and minutes are published. Critical recommendations are expected to be presented at the Wednesday, May 16 meeting at 7 p.m. in Borough Hall.


Princeton’s Regional Planning Board voted last week to recommend to Borough Council that an ordinance to preserve the existing Dinky right-of-way is not consistent with Princeton’s master plan. The 6-3 vote was taken at a discussion during the Planning Board’s meeting last Thursday. Borough Council will consider the ordinance for adoption at a public hearing on May 22.

The ordinance was introduced on April 10 and was immediately questioned by Princeton University officials. The University plans to move the Dinky terminus 460 feet south to make way for its $300 million arts and transit development. Officials have said the ordinance would not be in keeping with the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the University and the two Princetons, which preserves an alternate right-of-way on Alexander Street for future transit use such as light rail.

At last week’s meeting, University Vice President Robert Durkee said the the move would place an encumbrance on University lands into the future. “It will be a gap of several hundred feet between the tracks and the new terminus,” he said. “It literally would not connect and could not connect to the new terminus.”

Establishing the existing right of way on the municipal map might not even be possible since Princeton University has already filed plans for the arts neighborhood, some of the board members said.

“I find it to be inconsistent with the master plan. I’m particularly concerned that it is inconsistent in the absence of a concurring ordinance from Princeton Township that would provide a complete right of way,” said Board member Marvin Reed.

His colleague Bernie Miller agreed. “It is completely inconsistent with the master plan and inconsistent with reality,” he said. “The right of way starts in the Borough at the Township line, but there is no companion right of way extending to the Township. Essentially what we’re creating was called in ‘Monopoly’ the short line, a 600-foot right-of-way reserved for future rail uses. It serves no purpose.”

Board member and Councilwoman Jenny Crumiller argued that the ordinance doesn’t place the governing bodies under any obligation. “It just preserves the option,” she said. “I would argue that it is supporting mass transit. The straight path is cheaper and faster. It’s more supportive of mass transit and the right-of-way that’s there.”

Borough Mayor Yina Moore, a member of the Planning Board, said she was surprised that the Board was not more assertive in taking its role to plan for future transit needs.

Several residents offered comments during the discussion, arguing that the easement is in the public domain and should cost the taxpayers nothing if a new operator takes over the train line. NJ Transit sold the land to the University in 1984, and was granted an easement as part of the deal. Under the agreement, the University was allowed to move the station only once, which it has already done, say members of Save the Dinky, which has filed a lawsuit on the issue. NJ Transit does not agree with that interpretation and has said that the University still has the right to move the station.

Resident Alain Kornhauser called it “an incredibly valuable asset owned by we the people.” Virginia Kerr said the right-of-way is consistent with the master plan. “We believe the contract only allowed one move, and that move has been made,” she said. “It would be futile for Borough Council to pass this ordinance …. This right-of-way ordinance is consistent with the master plan. Send it back with a recommendation.”

Peter Marks said he would not object to paying higher taxes in order to hold on to the Dinky. “Those of us who are eager to preserve the Dinky are willing to spend some money to do it,” he said. “I don’t want to steal anything from the University. But the University should not steal the right-of-way that belongs to the public.”


Christopher Morgan was appointed Acting Township Police Chief at Township Committee’s Monday evening meeting.

Police Commissioner Bernie Miller, who acts as the liaison between the Police Department and Township Committee, noted the importance of having a commanding officer in place, and said that Mr. Morgan had “served admirably” since taking over as senior officer on March 30, when former Police Chief Robert Buchanan retired.

Citing the importance of “readily understanding” the command structure from both “within and without” the Police Department, Mr. Miller observed that the title “senior officer” is less satisfactory than “acting police chief.” Mr. Miller and others on the Committee noted that Mr. Morgan’s salary will not change with his new title, and commended him for assuming the post at a transitional time for the Township. Mr. Morgan is scheduled to lead the department until the end of 2012.

The appointment came after criticism by Borough Council member Roger Martindell at last week’s Borough Council meeting. Mr. Martindell read a statement denouncing the attempt as “another unfortunate step in what appears to be the Township’s increasingly strident effort to attempt to influence the choice of employees for the new Princeton, based not on merit but on parochial concerns: namely, whether the candidate is a present or former ‘Borough’ or ‘Township’ employee.”

Mr. Martindell said the effort became clear about a month ago “when Township sought to bar the chairman of the Transition Task Force, Mark Freda, a former Borough employee, from becoming an employee of the new Princeton by having us adopt an unnecessary ‘conflicts’ policy that would have barred him from seeking employment in the new municipality. It is now resurfacing in this attempt to enhance the chances of a present Township policeman becoming a Chief or Captain in the new police department.”

In response to some criticism about making the appointment at this particular time, Township Committee members insisted that going ahead with it is “not a political ploy” and “not, by any means, grandstanding.” Each member had prepared comments extolling the appointment. In hers, deputy mayor and consolidated Princeton mayoral hopeful Liz Lempert reported that a member of Borough Council had called her that day asking her not to vote for the appointment.

At the meeting, Ms. Lempert responded to the request not to vote “from my perspective as deputy mayor of the Township, and one who hopes to play a role in the consolidated municipality.” She noted that having an acting township chief will have the added benefit of helping consolidate the police departments into a unified team that optimizes each member’s strengths. Mayor Chad Goerner cited “a merger of equals.”

In an email this week, Mayor Goerner responded to Mr. Martindell’s statements. “I can tolerate it if someone wants to play politics and grandstand on an issue, but I can’t sit by and allow someone to basically slander our police department based on rumors and conjecture,” he wrote. “We need to move beyond this and realize that we have two very good police departments.

“I’ve had the opportunity to meet and interact with the Borough police department with my participation in the Alchemist & Barrister charity event and they are a great group of folks. Likewise, our police department in the Township has a great work ethic and a strong team-based atmosphere. Let’s find a way to build a strong department based on a merger of equals and stop trying to one-up each other.”

Monday night’s meeting was originally scheduled as a joint meeting with the Township Committee, Borough Council, and the Transition Task Force.

 


March 7, 2012

With Borough Council member Kevin Wilkes announcing his candidacy for mayor and several residents stating their intention to run for the six Council seats that will become available once the Borough and Township consolidate on January 1, 2013, Princeton’s future political landscape is beginning to take shape. Township Committee member Liz Lempert declared her own candidacy for mayor in recent weeks, while newcomer Tamera Mateo officially entered the contest for the Council last week.

Others up for Council seats so far include Township Committee members Lance Liverman and Bernie Miller, and Borough Council members Heather Howard, Jo Butler, Jenny Crumiller, and Roger Martindell. In addition to Ms. Mateo, those running who are not current members of the governing bodies are Patrick Simon, who serves on the Princeton Join Consolidation/Shared Services Study Commission, and Scott Sillars, who is vice-chairman of the Transition Task Force.

Those interested in running for mayor or Council who seek the endorsement of the Princeton Community Democratic Organization (PCDO) have until Sunday, March 11, says PCDO president Dan Preston. “We certainly want people to understand that as far as party endorsement goes, they need to be out by Sunday. And if they want to vote on the endorsements, they have to be a Democrat residing in Princeton who has joined the PCDO by Sunday.”

Mr. Wilkes has been a member of Borough Council since 2008. Since then, he has served as its president, police commissioner, finance committee member, and as liaison to the traffic and transportation committee, human services commission, recreation board, and sewer operating committee. He was Princeton Township’s building inspector from 1991 to 1994. A graduate of Princeton and Yale universities, he is an architect and builder.

Asked how he would balance the demands of his business, Princeton Design Guild, with the task of being the first mayor of the combined Princetons, Mr. Wilkes said he is confident it could be done, especially since he is his own boss.

“There’s no doubt it would be time-consuming,” he said. “But I’ve thought a lot about how it would work. I would pick two days a week to do mayor, and four to devote to the business. I would try to have Sundays off. But I actually think that once we get beyond the immediate repositioning of consolidation, having one governing body meeting instead of two, it certainly shouldn’t take any more time than it does now.”

As mayor, Mr. Wilkes would focus on streamlining municipal expenses and easing the tax burden for residents, while making government more efficient.

Mr. Wilkes credits his talent as a good listener as an important qualification for the post. “I have an ability to listen to multiple visions and multiple voices,” he said. “I speak Ivy League and blue collar. I have professional clients and laborers who are immigrants, and I’m fluent in Spanish. I have an ability to assimilate different conversations. We’re not a homogeneous town. I can listen and understand many points of view, and I have a skill set in leading projects to completion.”

February 15, 2012

On February 8, at the second meeting of the Transition Team Task Force charged with shepherding Princeton Township and Borough through consolidation, some members expressed differing views as to how many of their sessions should be open to public input. Dorothea Berkhout commented that because the team will make recommendations to the Borough and Township, rather than decisions, she was not sure it qualified as a public body under the Open Public Meetings Act. Colleague Brad Middlekauff added that it may be less efficient to solicit public input at every meeting. Team member Jim Levine suggested forming a committee to keep the public informed.

However, Chairman Mark Freda said that keeping the proceedings public was an integral part of the team’s mission. “The message to me by the majority of the people has been clear. We will do the absolutely best we can to perform this process in public,” he said. “Public participation in this process is critical.”

Township Administrator Jim Pascale said that according to the Township attorney, the task force must conduct its business in public, since it is a public body. The only exception would be if a topic under discussion legally falls within the parameters of an executive session. Bernie Miller said the group should “think about what is legal and what is the public’s perception of what we’re doing. This cannot be done behind closed doors.” The group agreed they should find an attorney, but in the meantime ask the governing bodies to amend its resolution so that they can make use of the attorneys for the Borough and Township.

In other action at the meeting, the Task Force agreed to form several subcommittees in the areas of personnel policies; public safety and merging police departments; public works, engineering and recreation; and finance. While the finance committee is already full, the Task Force is looking for volunteers to serve on the other four, and several more are expected to be named in coming weeks.

The personnel subcommittee held its first meeting on February 13. The future of Princeton’s municipal employees, 18 of whom will lose their jobs by the consolidation deadline of January 1, 2013, was the focus of the meeting. Currently, Township and Borough employees have different benefits regarding sick leave and pay increases. It was suggested that the periodic pay increases that Township employees receive based on longevity be grandfathered in.

To express interest in serving on a committee, send a resume and cover letter no later than 5 p.m. Friday, February 17 to either: Linda McDermott, Township Clerk, 400 Witherspoon St., Princeton, N.J. 08540, or lmcdermott@princeton-township.nj.us, or Delores Williams, Borough Deputy Clerk, 1 Monument Drive, Princeton, N.J. 08540, or dwilliams@princetonboro.org.


February 8, 2012

The Borough and Township have agreed to delay investing in capital projects and to postpone equipment purchases until the two municipalities are consolidated, said Township Mayor Chad Goerner at Monday’s Township Committee meeting. Consolidation will be finalized January 1, 2013.

In the meantime, Mr. Goerner said, the Borough and Township have agreed to work together to ensure that both will be financially in good shape for the merger. Both will be adopting budgets that will finance transition costs over five years, while a one year state grant covers more immediate cash outlays. The next meeting of the transition team will be Wednesday, February 8, at 7 p.m. in Township Hall.

Township Committee members present for the Monday evening meeting included Lance Liverman, Deputy Mayor Liz -Lempert, and Mr. Goerner, who wished absentees Sue Nemeth and Bernie Miller “a speedy recovery so that they can join us at our next action-packed meeting.”

Reports at this week’s session included Ms. Lempert’s description of recent meetings that have given area residents a chance to express their concerns about the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) pilot project to test jughandle closures at Harrison and Washington Streets, ostensibly to relieve traffic congestion on Route 1. The coming move of the Princeton Medical Center to the other side of Route 1 adds to this concern. “Hopefully the DOT will hear us,” Ms. Lempert commented.

Also, this week Township Committee approved an ordinance to amend the code regarding taxicab licenses. Township Attorney Ed Schmierer explained that the new law is in compliance with recent state legislation that sets a minimum requirement for taxi drivers’ liability insurance, and requires them to undergo background checks at their own expense.

In response to a request from Princeton University security, Township Committee also approved an ordinance that will decrease the number of parking spaces and improve sight distance on Alexander Street. Township Engineer Bob Kiser reported that the new ruling had been reviewed by the Traffic Safety Committee.

Appropriations for sidewalk construction on both Grover Avenue and Roper Road were also approved at the meeting. Mr. Kiser noted that residents of each neighborhood will probably continue to discuss which side of the street to pave beyond the public hearing date of February 27.

Committee member Lance Liverman offered a “heads up” on “family dinner week,” which is scheduled to take place in Princeton from April 15 through 22. Local businesses and restaurants will be cooperating in this effort to encourage family members to dine together.

A hirsute Mr. Goerner and Freeholder Andrew Koontz will be guest-tending bar at this year’s “longbeard” competition at the Alchemist and Barrister on February 28. Proceeds of this year’s event will go to Derek’s Dreams, an organization dedicated to raising the awareness of ataxia telangiectasia, a hereditary condition characterized by progressive neurologic problems that lead to difficulty walking.