Letters to the Editor, May 27

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR, May 27

By:
State contacts are invaluable for mayor
To the editor:
   
I have been interested in a recent concern expressed in these pages about whether our state assemblyman, Reed Gusciora, would have a conflict of interest if he were also elected mayor of Princeton Borough. Speaking as a former state senator and current township resident, I don’t think he does. If I had the opportunity to vote for him for borough mayor, I would.
   Aside from Reed’s many fine qualities as our state Assembly representative, Reed’s contacts in the State House would prove valuable to Princeton Borough residents. It’s precisely Reed’s state contacts that made him so helpful to borough residents developing a proposal for the Millstone Bypass that is far superior than that which the state Department of Transportation first articulated.
   Now that Marvin Reed is retiring, we especially need local leaders who have good contacts in state government. Reed Gusciora has those contacts.
   There is no law or ethical prohibition against a member of a municipal governing body also serving in the state Legislature. When I served as state senator 30 years ago while living in Princeton Borough, the Legislature had several members who were also local municipal elected officials. The Legislature still does.
   I cannot think of any reasonable scenario that could arise in which a state Assembly representative would be asked to vote for or against any municipal matter that would put the representative in conflict with his or her duties in the state Legislature. If there were, the representative could simply abstain.
   In short, in the June 3 Democratic primary for Princeton Borough mayor, Reed Gusciora’s candidacy presents Princeton Borough and Township residents alike with opportunities for better representation of municipal interest in the State House. Those opportunities far outweigh any theoretical concerns about conflict that might be conjured.
   So I encourage all persons interested in good government to support Reed Gusciora for mayor, and I do so without any hesitation concerning his holding office both in Princeton and Trenton. We’d be twice blessed.
Anne C. Martindell
Constitution Hill West
Princeton
O’Neill is choice for borough mayor
To the editor:
   
I would like to share some of my thoughts on the upcoming Democratic primary for the mayor of Princeton Borough. My thoughts come from a mixture of having spent 13 years on the Borough Council, from having lived in the borough all my life and from being involved in numerous community activities all my adult life.
   In this primary, Joe O’Neill and Reed Gusciora are each hoping for the support of a majority of Democratic and unaffiliated voters. After looking closely at what each candidate has to offer the borough, I am supporting Joe O’Neill. In fact, I have gone a step further; I am the treasurer of his campaign.
   Joe O’Neill has lived in the borough for 34 years; he served on the Planning Board for 16 years and has been on Borough Council for two years. He has also served on the Princeton Housing Authority Board, the Joint Recreation Committee and the Human Services Commission. Reed has lived here a much shorter period of time, but has been a state Assemblyman for eight years.
   My experience on the Borough Council taught me an important lesson: If you want to be an effective member of Borough Council, you better know the community and know it well. Granted, that knowledge isn’t essential to be on the council; it’s just essential if you hope to achieve anything while on the council. Joe has that detailed knowledge of the community; Joe is a big-picture type of leader. Joe takes the time and makes the effort to fully understand an issue and then works towards a meaningful, thought-out solution.
   For example, most people think that Princeton University draws more people into Princeton than any other industry in our community. Actually, Joe has shown us that the medical industry draws almost twice as many people into our community in a typical year. It is important to know that if you want to understand the economic impact of The Medical Center at Princeton discussing a possible move out of town.
   There are many issues where Joe has done the painstaking, in-depth research to see what the real issues are, instead of relying on what appears to be the case on the surface. You only get this knowledge through experience over time. A review of the literature put out by the two campaigns is very telling. Joe O’Neill has presented detailed white papers on the future of the borough, on affordable housing, and on what kind of financial support the university should provide to the town. Reed’s literature has been brief (maybe a paragraph per topic) and noncommittal. The borough needs a mayor who will take a position on the issues based on real knowledge. Joe O’Neill is that person.
   Will I support Reed in his effort to get re-elected to his state Assembly seat? Yes, I will. But I will not vote for him twice by voting for him for assemblyman and mayor; I believe we need more than he can offer in the mayor’s seat. Joe O’Neill understands the community and how the local governing bodies work. He will represent only the borough voters; he will not be conflicted between representing the borough voters and the voters in seven other communities at the same time. This is especially worrisome if the issue is one that puts the borough at odds with other towns Reed represents as assemblyman.
Mark Freda
Fisher Avenue
Princeton
Gusciora would make great borough mayor
To the editor:
   
As a supporter of Reed Gusciora for Princeton Borough mayor in the Democratic primary, I take issue with the argument that because Reed is our state Assemblyman, he should not serve as our mayor.
   First, given that the office of mayor comes with a relatively small, part-time salary, it does not make sense — especially for a Democrat — to insist on a mayor-elect who is unemployed. Truly, precluding all but the independently wealthy or retired would be terrible. Recognizing this, the question becomes: What employment would be better for a mayor than the part-time job of state legislator?
   As many dual office-holders — including our present governor — have demonstrated, the work of assemblyman uniquely meshes with the work of mayor. The hours are flexible, the expertise and experience of each job overlap, and the relationships cultivated in Trenton give the dual office-holder the advantage of reducing the learning curve for a new mayor.
   As for the criticism that there might be a conflict of interest between Princeton Borough and the rest of our legislative district — let’s see an example. It just does not happen; what is good for the borough is good for the district, and vice-versa. Besides, even if someone believes our mayor should make decisions to the detriment of other places, the "advantage" would be the borough’s anyway.
   Last, Reed is giving up his law practice if he is elected. On balance, he has more time and greater flexibility than most people do to devote to the duties of mayor. I’m sure we will still see Reed riding his bicycle around town, taking part in local activities and being a real "townie" stopping in at Small World for coffee. He is more than capable of handling the duties of Princeton Borough mayor while holding a part-time job. Reed is smart, energetic, well-liked and an overall great person. He would make a great mayor.
Jenny Crumiller
Library Place
Princeton
Borough needs full-time mayor
To the editor:
   
On June 3, voters who cast their ballots in the Democratic primary election will decide who is to be the next mayor of Princeton Borough. The winner will be chosen in the primary because there are no Republican candidates in the primary. We are fortunate that two fine citizens of Princeton Borough are contending for the office of mayor: Joe O’Neill and Reed Gusciora.
   Even if he should win this election, Mr. Gusciora intends to continue serving in the New Jersey state Assembly. Somehow, Mr. Gusciora will attempt to discharge the responsibilities of both offices, simultaneously. Good luck!
   I urge the citizens of Princeton to go to the polls and vote for Joe O’Neill. Joe has served as a dedicated and respected member of the Borough Council for some years. He has also been a member of the Planning Board — a demanding and important assignment — as a commissioner of the Public Housing Authority, and in numerous other public service activities.
   These are difficult times. We in the borough are contending with increased traffic, needs for more adequate public parking facilities, accommodation of new commercial and residential development, shortages of senior and affordable housing and increasing tax rates — to name only some of the matters that are of concern to all of us. We need a capable, full-time mayor at the helm of the borough and that person is Joe O’Neill.
   Past history teaches us that it is inevitable that issues will arise from time to time that are genuine conflicts in priorities, perspectives and interests between Princeton Borough, Princeton Township and other neighboring townships. Nearly all of these municipalities are in Mr. Gusciora’s legislative district. One consequence of his need to serve all the constituents throughout his large legislative district, while simultaneously serving as assemblyman and as the mayor, is that conflicts of interest will confront Mr. Gusciora. Frankly, when the interests of Princeton Borough are in conflict with those of neighboring towns within Mr. Gusciora’s legislative district, it is reasonable to ask whether he will he be able to argue vigorously the position of Princeton Borough without offending another segment of his legislative district constituency. Many of us in the borough worry that he will be a less ardent and articulate spokesperson because of this, and thus less persuasive in advancing the needs of the borough by virtue of his need to be politically supportive of the perceived interests of others that he serves who hold a different perspective from that of Princeton Borough.
   In the choice between Joe O’Neill and Reed Gusciora, we have two fine people in contention for the office of mayor of Princeton Borough. Joe O’Neill offers directly relevant experience acquired by his fine service on the council, nearly 20 years as a member of the Planning Board, his service as a commissioner of the Public Housing Authority and numerous other civic organizations. By ability and temperament, Joe is a problem solver; he is articulate and persuasive, and respected by all who have worked with him.
   I urge your support for Joe O’Neill for mayor of Princeton Borough. In every way and at all times, he can be counted on to represent Princeton with dedication and singleness of heart.
Winton H. Manning
Morven Place
Princeton
O’Neill mailing draws criticism
To the editor:
   
It is evident from a lengthy mailing I recently received from Joe O’Neill captioned "Princeton, The Once and Future Town," it is time for a new direction in Princeton Borough’s leadership. In his mailing, Mr. O’Neill demonstrates outdated thinking and, in one particular instance, a rather insulting characterization of the residents of the John Street neighborhood.
   In his mailing, Mr. O’Neill surprisingly attacks the idea of maintaining any more open space in Princeton Borough, calling open space a "valuable amenity in a built-up area," which because of the scarcity of places to build causes prices of houses to rise and affects our obligations to provide affordable housing. To those of us who have lived in the borough for a number of years, however, is there anyone who can actually question the benefits of more open space, not less?
   Mr. O’Neill also attacks the current economic climate whereby many homeowners in Princeton Borough are renovating their homes, rather than moving out to newer and larger McMansions in outlying communities. Mr. O’Neill finds these renovations problematic, because in his view, the renovations will reduce the housing at the lower end of the price range. As a person who is now undertaking the second renovation of his 70-year-old home, I applaud the people who have chosen to stay in this community and improve the condition of their homes. The people who are performing these renovations demonstrate they are members of the Princeton community who have every intent of staying here and being part of a community, rather than look for something bigger and better elsewhere.
   The most problematic portion of Mr. O’Neill’s mailing, however, is his attack on what he calls stealth density, and his poor characterization of the residents of the John Street neighborhood, and the area itself. Rather than take his statement out of context, I quote Mr. O’Neill as follows:
   "Many of Princeton’s new Latino residents come from Mesones, a small town in Mexico. Like generations of immigrants before them, they would rather endure overcrowding than be isolated from friends and relatives in a strange new land. Even so, this type of stealth density has the potential of becoming the leading edge of a slum."
   While I do not by any means assign any ill motives toward Mr. O’Neill in his characterization of the "new Latino residents" from Mesones, does he really believe immigrants from Mesones purposely choose overcrowding? Does he not recognize that maybe these people cannot afford anything better at present? As for his depiction of the John Street neighborhood as a potential "leading edge of a slum," that is an insult to the residents of that neighborhood, to which I believe an apology is deserved.
   Mr. O’Neill goes on to criticize all the new restaurants in town (because they bring in a lot of outsiders), wants the establishment of a transition zone for Princeton Medical Center to expand (doesn’t Mr. O’Neill realize the Medical Center has recently agreed not to seek rezoning?) and goes on to equate the future of Princeton with the possibility of becoming another Camden.
   Is Joseph O’Neill the man I want leading Princeton Borough into the future? Well, he will certainly not be getting my vote for mayor on June 3.
Craig Provorny
Cedar Lane
Princeton
O’Neill is a kind, honorable man
To the editor:
   
As people who know Joe O’Neill, we are offering a ringing endorsement of his candidacy for mayor. Joe is an extraordinary man, not a politician, with all the negative connotations that word carries. He is, rather, a kind, honorable man with a firm philosophy and many inventive ideas for the future of the borough.
   He is insightful and foresightful. Because of his intellect and his background, he will do well in negotiations with the university. We have read his paper on the borough/university relations, where he compares the way in which Harvard supports its surrounding communities as opposed to the way Princeton University does the same thing with much less generosity. There are, of course, many other issues on which he has important things to say.
   The borough deserves a person who can devote his energies fully to his job as mayor. We are indeed fortunate to have a man of Joe’s caliber as a candidate.
Suzanne and Ronald Hyman
Cameron Court
Princeton
Derby Gala benefits homeless animals
To the editor:
   
It turned out to be a gorgeous Saturday afternoon for the Friends of Homeless Animals Gala at Hunter Farms on May 3. The horses were frolicking in the paddock nearby, mint juleps were flowing, races were running and the silent auction items were being wildly bid on. Thank you to our gracious hosts, Andrew and Suzanna, for providing the perfect setting for our Derby Gala. We raised $50,000 towards our goal of opening "Patches Place" at the Van Zandt home in Skillman.
   "Patches Place" will be a state-of-the-art adoption and educational community center. One where animals will be safe from euthanasia, and the community can participate in fostering, care and the adoption of our furry friends. We would like to thank our guests, sponsors, donors and, most of all, the volunteers who make it all possible. Thank you to the local supporters who helped make the Gala a huge success:
   Amanda Jones Photography, Artifacts Gallery, Bill Flemer and his Bluegrass Band, Blue Tulip Stationery, Calligraphy Design, Canine Creations, Colonial Printers, Conte’s Pizza, Dahlia’s Florist, David Witchell Salon, Deborah Paglione, Decorating Arts, Doggy Do! DayCare, Dolly, Dom’s Pet Store, Evolution Fitness, Forsgate Country Club, Gails Menagerie, Georges Roasters and Ribs, Goldcore Jewelers, J.E. Caldwell, Hazel and Hannah’s Pawtisserie, Hollywood Tans, Home Depot, Jasna Polana, La Jolie Maison, La Jolie Salon, Laura Jones, Luttman’s Luggage, Maggie Sill Rapp, Mary Hirsch, McCarter Theatre, Michael Graves, Nassau Interiors, Natural Edge and David Robinson, Orion Jewelry, Paul Dillon, Paul Marturano, Photo Plus, Pine Creek Miniature Golf, Princeton Animal Hospital, Princeton Packet, Princeton Tennis Program, Princeton University Store, Rick’s Restaurant, Rosedale Mills, S&J Printing, Simon Pierce, Starbucks Coffee, Stitching Horse Leathers, Ellen Stupek, Stephen Huneck Gallery, Sutphen Memorials, Tre Piani, Trenton Thunder, Trenton Titans, Tom Moyer, Town Wine and Liquor, Vis a Vis Salon, Well Bred Petsitting, Whisker Watchers Petsitting, White Lotus Home and the Windsor Cigar Co.
   We greatly appreciate everyone’s support, and look forward to becoming a part of the Montgomery community. Visit Petsmart for adoption days, Saturdays 10-3, and our booths at the June Fete and Summer Solstice Celebration. Thank you!
Kim Galatro
Spring Hill Road
Montgomery