To the Editor:

Three years ago we enthusiastically endorsed Brian McDonald for a seat on the Board of Education, and we unequivocally do so again this year as he seeks to serve a second term. As actively engaged parents with children in Princeton Public Schools, we remain confident in Brian’s abilities and appreciate his efforts that have demonstrably moved the district forward.

Brian’s three years of service have been marked with hard work and dedication, thoughtful planning, greater transparency in budgeting, enhanced fiscal responsibility, and clear steps forward to ensure better experiences for students in the classrooms. We commend him as well for his collaborative work with the Board in hiring our new superintendent, Dr. Carol Kelley. 

While Brian served as chair of the Finance Committee, co-chair of the Facilities Committee, and now as co-chair of the newly combined Operations Committee, the district found hundreds of thousands of dollars of budget savings, and the residents have had two consecutive years of declining tax increases. Additionally, the district is one of only 16 in the state with a triple-A bond rating. District facilities are being much better stewarded, and we are grateful for Brian’s and the Board’s commitment to proactive maintenance and planning to ensure that Princeton school facilities are prepared for rising enrollments and the needs of 21st century pedagogical best practices. more

To the Editor:

The Princeton Coalition for Responsible Development, or PCRD, is a nonprofit organization that was formed to advocate for and enable a more effective and collaborative approach to land use development and redevelopment in Princeton.  A significant element of land use development relates to parking in support of the community and development being undertaken in town.  For this reason, PCRD supports the efforts of sensiblestreets.org to make all Princeton residents aware of the negative effects of the Princeton Parking Task Force’s proposed plan to lease commercial parking spots in residential neighborhoods.

We are concerned that the town has granted variances to real estate developers without requiring the developers to assume the responsibility and bear the costs of addressing the transportation and parking demand created by their projects. The planned development of the former Post Office into a 300-seat restaurant, with no associated parking, is but one glaring example. Another is the 80–space garage for the 180-room Graduate Hotel planned for Nassau Street. more

To the Editor:

If you are a Mercer County voter wondering about the Mercer County Question on the ballot, let’s take a quick expedition together.

Hop on a bike and join us as we ride north from Brandon Farms, our largest neighborhood. We’ll pass through the Twin Pines athletic fields, jointly developed by the Lawrence and Hopewell Valley municipalities and Mercer County, then pedal to the entrance of Mercer Meadows Park.

We can then follow the Lawrence Hopewell Trail, tour the Pole Farm historic exhibit, join friends and family at the Rosedale Park picnic venue, fish for trout in the lake, or watch the dogs play in their park. We’ll soon pass the county equestrian stables and the educational gardens kept by Mercer Master Gardeners.

On the other side of Mercer County, we could start at the West Windsor Community Farmers Market for some locally-grown produce, heading east to 2,500 acre Mercer County Park covering parts of West Windsor, Hamilton, and Lawrence. Nearby we can find preserved farmland and protected municipal open space. more

To the Editor:

I was pleased to see the solution Princeton University worked out with the town saving three historic Prospect Avenue homes that had been proposed for demolition. Ironically, while the fate of those three Victorians was being discussed, a historically and architecturally significant home just down the street, at 164 Prospect, was bulldozed within a few short hours — without a single voice of protest. The home was a unique 1930s-era brick cape with a serpentine brick garden wall, charming outbuilding, dormer windows, and handsome wood-paneled study.

Princeton’s mix of architectural periods and styles helps make it a special place. Permitting demolition of architecturally significant structures irreversibly erodes our neighborhoods and eradicates our history, home by home and block by block. How can the town continue to allow this? Homes like the gem at 164 Prospect Avenue are just not built anymore. The lack of stewardship is appalling considering the presence of a long-standing Historic Preservation Commission and a vocal populace that claims to care about preservation and architectural integrity.

It is high time that Princeton gets serious about preserving its history and architectural integrity, as have many other New Jersey towns. As residents of a town we love, we ought to be able to summon the collective will to commit once and for all to historic preservation, with all of its benefits — and not just when the University is involved.

Tom Leyden
Prospect Avenue

To the Editor:

As a Princeton alumna and longtime resident, I would like to thank everyone in town and at the University who has worked to achieve the Prospect Avenue compromise. I am grateful, proud, and relieved to know that my alma mater does what its professors teach its students to do: listen, work together wherever we can, and seek better solutions.

It is heartening to know that all four historic buildings in question, Court Clubhouse and the three Queen Annes of Faculty Row, will be restored to their former and inspiring beauty. It’s encouraging that the University heard the pleas of the surrounding community and its alums and pledged to support a local historic district on Prospect. It’s fitting that the oldest buildings on the Avenue, the Victorians at 110 and 114, will once again be put to residential use and will be honored for their roles in Princeton’s history as homes of luminaries and sanctuaries to refugees. It’s reassuring that the University will work with stakeholders to develop a landscape design for the new building at 91 Prospect that will be compatible with the avenue’s historic streetscape.  more

To the Editor:

My name is Maya Wahrman. I am a social worker in training, getting my masters at Rutgers University, and working full time in refugee resettlement and serving English and Spanish low-income and under-insured clients through my clinical graduate work. I moved to Princeton nine years ago and graduated in 2016 from the University. I came to know the town of Princeton as a community that I wanted to contribute to and see flourish. Having worked locally with immigrant communities and getting to know my neighbors professionally and personally over the last decade, I know how important it is for Princeton to support our whole community. Knowing Eve Niedergang as a Councilwoman and as my close friend, I know she is the right candidate to support all the diverse constituents in our town.

I have had the great fortune of knowing Eve Niedergang my whole life, as our families have been close friends since before I was born. When I moved to Princeton, Eve helped me with whatever I needed and took me in as a family member, introducing me to life in Princeton and as a New Jersey voter. I saw Eve’s commitment to Princeton, her knowledge and care toward all the different layers of our community. She has always showed me and everyone in my circle immense generosity and kindness of spirit, paired with a nuanced thoughtful approach to politics, from her own neighborhood and beyond.

Watching Eve grow as Councilwoman over the past three years has been inspiring. I see her taking seriously every topic that comes before her, recognizing that all the issues her constituents hold dear are important and demand her attention. The care with which she treats her friends and the critical mind with which she approaches all topics of importance are both evident in how she educates herself on all the important issues we face together. Her work at The Watershed has increased her knowledge and commitment to sustainability and environmental justice, and she has educated herself on racial justice and every other issue that someone brings to her attention as important. more

To the Editor:

I am writing to endorse Mara Franceschi’s candidacy for the Princeton School Board. Over several years, I had the pleasure of collaborating with her on the informational newsletter that accompanies the municipality of Princeton’s yearly tax bill. Essentially, she managed the project and was my editor. Her background in finance was critical to the success of that enterprise and will stand her in good stead in helping to oversee the Princeton Public Schools’ $96.4 million budget (which is almost 1 ½ times larger than the municipality of Princeton’s entire budget).

She persuasively kept me on track and demonstrated an ability to identify key and essential facts from a welter of information. She is well-informed, well-organized, and very much a “people person.” She cares deeply about children and about their education. In short, she encompasses the best characteristics we would want in a Board of Education member. I hope you will join with me in giving her your unqualified support.

Roger Shatzkin
Chestnut Street

To the Editor:

During Hurricane Irene my friend lost original artwork and books. During Hurricane Ida a friend lost irreplaceable family photos. Every resident of Princeton wants to preserve something, and this will get harder as storm flooding gets worse.

This is why I have been so disheartened by the narrow use of the idea of “preservation” when debating Princeton’s future. I appreciate the desire to slow change and to preserve some buildings along Nassau Street and in the business district. But the amount of resources spent in the name of preservation is troublesome when what is needed is a plan to fix our stormwater issues in order to preserve our city.

The devasting floods in Europe this summer were a warning to us. In a New York Times article, the mayor of a German village described how the small brook he used to play in as a child turned into a 33-foot river of water that swept his mother away. In an initial assessment of what happened, German officials noted that there was a lack of water retention reservoirs, too much impervious surface cover, and the fast-growing trees planted to harvest wood had roots that were too shallow to hold the soil. In other words, causes were linked to mismanagement and two officials were under investigation for “negligent homicide.” more

To the Editor,

I write this letter as a member of the Princeton Cannabis Task Force and, as importantly, a resident of the Princeton community for over 30 years who has raised four children in our town.

Last spring I became aware that our Council was establishing a task force to explore the potential impact that the legalization of cannabis in New Jersey would have on our town. Council was looking for applicants interested in participating in this initiative. I was concerned about the complexity of this issue and the potential consequences it might have, and so I decided to apply for a seat on the committee, considering that this would be the best way to educate myself and address the questions I had.

I sit on the committee with a diverse group of individuals represented by medical professionals, law enforcement, business owners, lawyers, and Princeton University among others, all appointed blind to any personal convictions. I have watched this group work exhaustively to research and share information around the important decision of whether to allow dispensaries in Princeton, including the impact that legalization has had on other states, and the approach that similar towns in New Jersey are taking. more

To the Editor:

On Friday, October 8, Princeton-Blairstown Center (PBC) held its sixth annual Links to Youth Golf Outing at the Fox Hollow Golf Club in Branchburg. A beautiful fall day drew 88 golfers and raised more than $75,000, which will support PBC’s award-winning Summer Bridge Program. Each year, Summer Bridge offers hundreds of students from Trenton and Newark a high-quality summer enrichment experience focused on social emotional learning and S.T.E.A.M. completely free of charge.

In addition to the golfers who joined us for the day, many others supported the event by donating and/or bidding on items in the online silent auction. Our board members were also tremendous assets, stepping up to register or recruit foursomes and solicit auction prizes and sponsorships. Their efforts helped us surpass both our attendance and revenue goals!

The winning foursome for the day, who scored an impressive six under par on the Fox Hollow course, included Mike Dawson of North Brunswick; Nichole Drakeford of Union; Antoine Johnson of East Brunswick; and Derek Simpkins of Ringoes. Three of the golfers in this year’s first-place foursome were returning golfers who were also part of last year’s winning team. more

To the Editor:

I’ve followed with interest some of the meetings of the Cannabis Task Force and some of the letters to the editor in Town Topics about bringing cannabis dispensaries to town. I’ve heard and seen a lot of arguments promoting, if not celebrating, this while downplaying the negative impact of recreational cannabis on young people and the community. Although I disagree with those promoting this overall perspective, I do believe they are sincere in their intentions, as am I. In today’s hyper-partisan environment, too often we impugn the motives of those who disagree with us.

That being said, I think these overly sanguine perspectives often gloss over the main issue going forward which is that with greater availability will come significant costs and, most especially, unintended consequences. Let’s not delude ourselves. With greater acceptance and widespread distribution over time, there will be more and more underage consumption (and habitual use) in the same way that underage drinking is so high, despite the enacted laws and our best-intentioned educational efforts over the years (I wouldn’t be surprised if official survey data underreports these levels of usage amongst teens with both cannabis and alcohol). more

To the Editor:

While I applaud efforts to get more Americans involved in our electoral process, I was disappointed with the letter in your October 6 edition (“Urging Princetonians to Vote in Upcoming General Election”). The letter was essentially an appeal for local voters to vote the straight Democratic ticket without any reasons given why voters should do so other than it was “crucially important” for New Jersey.

My takeaway of the urgency the letter seems to call for is because Republicans want to deny American citizens their lawful right to vote. I am unaware of any Republican candidate on our local ballot who advocates such an opinion. I encourage voters to examine what the Republican ticket from top to bottom has dedicated itself to confronting and turning around: 1) Ever higher property taxes leading to lack of affordability; 2) A sputtering economy; 3) Unresponsive state bureaucracies such as the DMV; 4) Intrusive government regulation; and 5) An unemployment rate 35 percent higher than the national average.

The letter invokes Thomas Jefferson as having warned Americans that “The price of liberty is eternal vigilance.” It was not that eminent slaveholder who is the source for the statement, but the prominent Civil War abolitionist Wendell Phillips who was a leading advocate for equal rights for all Americans, including women, Blacks, and indigenous Americans. That’s a position that I and the Republicans I know believe in.

Bottom line: It’s time for a change. As governor, Jack Ciattarelli and his team will get New Jersey turned around and back on the path of prosperity for all.

Dudley Sipprelle
Chairman, Princeton Republican Committee
Victoria Mews

To the Editor:

I write to express my enthusiastic support for Betsy Baglio’s candidacy for re-election to the Princeton Board of Education. I’ve known Betsy for years, ever since our kids started playing baseball and doing musical theater together at Princeton Middle School.

When we evaluate Board candidates, we usually focus on their experience, their education, their values, and their moral commitments. All of this matters enormously, and in all of these categories, Betsy’s qualifications speak for themselves. Betsy is a Princeton graduate, an experienced teacher with a master’s in education, and the parent of two PPS children. She has dedicated her professional career and six years on the Board to enhancing equity and educational outcomes for all children. It’s hard to imagine a better resumé.

But I want to focus here on the harder-to-measure qualities that aren’t evident from Betsy’s sterling record: Betsy’s unparalleled ability to listen, to facilitate discussion and consensus across areas of broad disagreement, and to inspire people to work together to get things done. Multi-member decision-making bodies like our BOE are premised on the idea that a group of elected representatives is better equipped than a single individual to recognize, understand, and meet the needs and interests of its community. Deliberation is key to boards’ effectiveness: through discussion and the weighing of ideas, these groups screen out bad proposals and sharpen good ones. Not surprisingly, for such deliberation to be effective, communication and openness are key.  more

To the Editor:

We write to wholeheartedly endorse Brian McDonald for re-election to Princeton’s Board of Education.

We have worked with Brian as nonprofit board members and share his commitment to the Princeton community, sustainability, and the environment. Brian’s service to local nonprofits, particularly McCarter Theatre, Sustainable Princeton, and The Watershed Institute, has been exemplary.

From his collaborative nature, to his ability to listen and analyze, to his deep knowledge on matters of governance, finance, and planning, Brian builds consensus and leads by example. He is also a hard worker and fulfilled his 2020 Earth Day Pledge to collect and dispose of at least 1,000 pounds of trash from Princeton’s streets, sidewalks, and wooded areas. As a member of the School Board, Brian’s advocacy for sustainability has been instrumental in moving the district towards sustainable and cost-saving solutions for facilities.

We believe Brian’s 26 years of service to our town, our fellow residents, and the town’s children has been outstanding, and we hope you will join us in voting to elect him to a second term on the Board of Education.

Whether you vote by mail, early, or on November 2, please vote for Brian McDonald in Column H.

Yamile Slebi
Battle Road

Fran Price
Birch Avenue

David R. Hill
Newlin Road

To the Editor:

For 35 years I’ve had the pleasure of watching Leighton Newlin grow from a small business entrepreneur into a community activist, and now with great hope a candidate for Princeton Council. As his nephew I’ve been able to experience his wisdom and compassion, for the betterment of all, firsthand and have been able to absorb the knowledge he has bestowed upon me. There is no better person for a seat on Council, as he will work tirelessly for the people of Princeton to make sure that the needs and best interests of its people will be the main priority of the town Council.

My uncle knows the importance of seeing the good in people and being able to listen to them, and more importantly fighting to represent them when needed. That was why he was able to be a beacon of hope as he helped those that he worked with reacclimate to society in transitioning back to society. It’s with that same determination and understanding that will help guide him on Council as he works to do what’s best for the town.

My uncle was one of eight residents who met weekly to help advise Council on why the Witherspoon-Jackson neighborhood deserved to be Princeton’s 20th historic district.  He brought to fruition the first ever Witherspoon-Jackson Welcome Weekend, where the members of the community came together to beautify their properties and the neighborhood while also introducing and reintroducing neighbors to each other. more

To the Editor:

As private citizens, we are writing to support Mara Franceschi for the Board of Education.

We were fortunate to have worked closely with Mara on the PTO Executive Board at Johnson Park (JP), where she served as the treasurer for four years and co-president for three years. As treasurer, we witnessed Mara work tirelessly to ensure that the PTO budgets were judiciously set and executed. She questioned expenses, collaborated to find cost-saving measures, and established tight controls. Mara also worked hard to ensure that all children benefited equally from the fundraising efforts of the JP PTO. Mara’s dedication and passion for the children, the teachers, the families, and the community led her to the elected role of co-president of JP, where she continued for three years. As co-president, Mara governed in an ethical and transparent way, drawing on the talents of the JP community and bringing everyone together to help enhance the experience of all children at JP.

We personally know that Mara’s financial acumen and governance expertise are deep and impressive. She is highly competent and will work hard to tackle the budget and facilities needs issues. Mara doesn’t take things for granted — she questions policies and procedures and will ensure that before important decisions are made the community is involved and all voices are heard. We believe Mara has excellent integrity, understands her fiduciary responsibilities, is transparent, and will work to make all our children’s educational experiences better.

The School Board must be objective, understand financial implications, and work to achieve reasonable goals. In a time when the district is tackling long-term growth initiatives and addressing strategic issues such as equity, wellness and health, and innovative improvements, we believe that it is of paramount importance to have someone with Mara’s strengths, talents, and tenacity on the Board. 

Please join us in voting for “F” for Franceschi for the Board of Education on November 2.

Sue Bowen
Stone Cliff Road

Milena Deluca
Hunt Drive

To the Editor:

While the so-called historical preservationists were wringing their hands about three old useless buildings on Prospect Avenue, they totally ignored the teardown last week of a beautiful iconic brick cottage two blocks down the street on Prospect. Not one word of protest from these people, proving that the protests are not about historical preservation, but rather just one more self-absorbed attempt to block the University.

This protest is just like the ill-founded attempt to delay the move of the Dinky Station several years ago, which based on hysteria, was also merely an attempt to impede.

The three old derelict buildings in question proved for many reasons to be unsuitable as family homes and were turned into equally unsuitable offices. Owned by the University, on University land, the University has every right to do what they want to without negotiating with people who have no legal right or standing. The University has the same rights as the owner of the iconic brick cottage two blocks away. A beautiful home that received no attention from the historical preservationists.

This is a cause du jour, nothing more.

Jill D. Schreiber
Prospect Avenue

To the Editor:

The Princeton Planning Board is close to approving a four-story, 200-unit housing development at the Walgreen’s end of the Princeton Shopping Center. The current Walgreen’s will be torn down and rise again in a new location with a drive-through pick up and an exit onto North Harrison.

We will soon be living with this 200-unit housing development. Are there any problems with it?

Hazards for children: The proposed path from Grover Park baseball fields to the apartments and shopping center stores begins at the only vehicular access to the fields for dropping equipment and supplies off from cars and for maintenance.

Amenity: Elimination of the covered walkway at what is now the Walgreen’s end of the shopping center. (Bad weather exercisers and dog walkers take notice!)

Fire hazard: Will fire trucks have difficulty reaching the new building from the courtyard side given the narrow road access from the south? more

To the Editor:

Mara Franceschi is running for School Board and I, as an educator for over 20 years, believe we are indeed fortunate to have her as a candidate. This woman is full of energy, enthusiasm, and is keenly interested in lending her considerable talents to help improve our Princeton schools. With the changes in the school administration, I believe now is an important time to add some fresh eyes to the School Board team. Mara is actively involved with all levels of the Princeton schools through her three children. She combines the experience of an involved parent with her professional background in finance, a worthy combination of abilities to have on our Board.

Mara listens. She is a worker, an organizer, and gets things done. She has my vote and hopefully yours too.

Pam Wetherill
Governors Lane

To the Editor:

On October 9, Conductor, Music Director, and Program in Music Performance Professor Michael Pratt and the Princeton University Orchestra brought me, a local resident, much joy, as did the live program on the Princeton University campus.

As the guest conductor, Mexican born Marianna Corichi Gomez’s skill in communicating the nuances of Aaron Copland’s Appalachian Spring was strong as well as sensitive. Violinist Hanna Mundiya highlighted her technical skill in W.A. Mozart’s Violin Concerto No 3 in G Major, K.216. Bryant So, as first violinist in Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade, Op 35, brought the full house to their feet!

My sincere thanks to Professor Pratt and the orchestra for a most memorable event!

Linda Sipprelle
Victoria Mews

To the Editor:

I am always glad to see the latest issue of Princeton University’s Community Connections newsletter in our mailbox. The offerings and updates there remind me that Princeton University was an added advantage when a career relocation brought our family to this town in 2003. The University’s beautiful setting and generous offerings to “townies” like ourselves were also one of the reasons why we decided to downsize but stay here after I retired from ETS in 2020. There is a sense in which the community encompasses the University and the University enriches the community.

Therefore, I continue to struggle to understand the move by the University to demolish houses on Prospect Avenue. There was no article on that in the latest issue of Community Connections; perhaps because this move discomfits many residents and seems to violate that spirit of community. In a community, if you are taking an action that would affect your neighbors you go over and have a talk with them to let them know that a tree might be coming down or construction might be occurring. In this case, Princeton University seems not to have attempted that kind of consultation and, from the statements of its officials, appears to believe that such consultation is unnecessary. Such a stance is a mistake in the community, but at this stage it is not irreparable. more

To the Editor:

The Friends of the Princeton Public Library would like to thank everyone who joined us on October 9 for the kickoff event for Beyond Words 2021. It was a gift to be able to gather in person on Hinds Plaza in celebration of the hard work and dedication of our library staff in keeping our Princeton community connected, informed, and entertained. The conversation with Professor David Bellos, internationally acclaimed translator and biographer, was engaging and educational for all. We are grateful to our lead sponsor, The Gould Group of Wells Fargo Advisors, and to all our individual donors and corporate sponsors for making Beyond Words 2021 a success.

Beyond Words 2021 will continue with two virtual events this fall. Separate tickets for each of these virtual events are now available on the Library’s website (princetonlibrary.org) for $60 each.

On November 12, we will host a virtual conversation with journalist and novelist Omar El Akkad, whose debut novel, American War, was an international best-seller. His recently released novel, What Strange Paradise, has been short-listed for the Scotiabank Giller Prize which recognizes excellence in Canadian fiction. Mr. El Akkad will be in conversation with Deborah Amos, the Ferris Professor of Journalism at Princeton University and an NPR international correspondent.  more

To the Editor,

We write in support of Brian McDonald’s re-election to the Princeton Public Schools Board of Education. We have known Brian for many years and appreciate his service on the Board, as he has proven to be a patient, effective consensus builder and a champion of equity, the arts, and athletics. Moreover, Brian brings to bear not only intelligence and insightfulness on complex issues, but also the right disposition to work well under pressure.

Brian McDonald cares deeply about the kids in this town and puts in the hours to back up his commitment. His distinguished service has also been invaluable in terms of establishing better budgeting practices to put the district on a stronger financial path to the future.

We are all grateful for his care for the well-being of our children and stewardship of our schools, and we hope you will join us in voting for Brian on November 2, column H.

Lori Weir
Stuart Road East

Carter Serxner
Lovers Lane

Suki and Matt Wasserman
Meadowbrook Drive