LETTERS TO THE EDITOR, May 6
Hsueh sensitive to needs of seniors
To the editor:
This was one of the questions directed to the two mayoral candidates at the April 25 public debate sponsored by the West Windsor Retirees’ Group:
"West Windsor seniors many of whom are on fixed incomes are increasingly concerned about their constantly rising property taxes. They recognize that the bulk of those taxes support the school system and that the municipal component is relatively small. They are also aware that, if they leave their ’empty nests’ largely because of the property tax burden, their homes will probably be occupied by a family with an average of 1.8 children, adding to the demand on the local school system. If you are elected mayor, what initiatives might West Windsor seniors anticipate from you over the next four years that would minimize our property tax burden and that would encourage us to stay?"
I was encouraged by the response from Mayor Hsueh. He pointed first to the modest nature of the necessary rising trend in West Windsor municipal taxes over the last four years when compared with those of neighboring communities, coupled with balanced annual budgets and a current surplus during his term of office.
But of particular interest to seniors was his plan for a significant expansion of the Senior Center and his success in obtaining, for this purpose, a grant of $500,000 from Mercer County, provision for a matching $500,000 in the township’s 2005-2006 budget (subject to council approval at its May 15 meeting), an additional $100,000 from the state through the support of Assemblywoman Greenstein as well as $50,000 from another state source.
It is also relevant that Mayor Hsueh has been a volunteer instructor of tai chi in the Senior Center for more than 10 years further evidence of his active personal support for the interests of local seniors.
West Windsor seniors have many good reasons to hope that Mayor Hsueh is given the opportunity to fulfill his encouraging plans for seniors in at least a second term.
Dr. Ronald J. Slinn
Leader
West Windsor Retirees’ Group
Restaurant chat shows mayor’s strengths
To the editor:
On a warm Saturday evening about a year ago, as my wife and I were being seated for dinner in a local restaurant, we were pleasantly surprised to find that Mayor Shing-Fu Hsueh and his whole family were sitting right next to our table. The food was great. But a chance to chat with our mayor was no comparison.
We talked about a lot of things. But two things touched me. First, Mrs. Hsueh was complaining to my wife that she thought she was going to see more of her husband when he retired. But instead, she saw less of her husband, because Mr. Hsueh was spending even more time, sometimes 60 to 70 hours a week, on his mayoral duties.
Any resident of West Windsor Township can see why this is so. Mayor Hsueh selflessly contributes so much of his time and energy to make our town so much better. When I moved to West Windsor in 1998, I found people spent much time talking about projects, but little got done. Under Mr. Hsueh’s mayorship, many of these projects moved from talking stage to reality. A case in point is the cleanup project at the Grovers Mill Pond, which had been in the talking stage for more than 10 years. Now, not only has the cleanup work begun, but, better yet, Mayor Hsueh has secured the project’s funding from the federal government so that we don’t have to pay more property taxes.
This brings me to the second thing that touched me: As we finished our dinner and were about to say good night to each other, Mr. Hsueh quipped that he’d like to see the Martian spaceship land at the Grovers Mill again.
That sounds like a great idea. When the project is completed, why don’t we have a big party to welcome Martians to land again at the much cleaner and greener Grovers Mill? Let’s give Mr. Hsueh four more years to continue his good work. And let’s vote for his Community Vision Team to make our town a cleaner and greener place to live.
Charles Wan
Fisher Place
West Windsor
Miller, running mates backed in W. Windsor
To the editor:
I am writing to express my support for Alison Miller for mayor and her running mates, David Siegel and George Borek, for West Windsor Township Council.
The contributions David would make to the council would greatly benefit West Windsor. I respect his insight, honesty and hard work as an advocate for environmental responsibility, as well as for traffic and pedestrian issues within West Windsor. I have also seen the time and effort my neighbor has put into the low-profile projects that mean so much in our quality of life. For example, David has worked with the state Department of Environmental Protection in alleviating the odors at the West Windsor compost site while saving money, and he acted toward proper storm drainage.
I support Alison Miller for mayor because of her work on our Township Council, her unceasing efforts with Friends of West Windsor Open Space since its founding and her work on the Bike and Pedestrian Safety Task Force. This task force has taken important steps toward a more walkable community. I only hope that the Planning Board and Township Council adopt their plans. With Alison as mayor, I am confident that will happen.
I will also vote for George Borek for council because of his stand backed up by more than 20 years of experience on safe streets for West Windsor.
Also, Ms. Miller, Mr. Borek and Mr. Siegel all support hiring a grant expert for West Windsor, because the funds brought in by a grant expert will far exceed the cost of this action. This is a step in the right direction toward keeping taxes under control, and an action that is long overdue.
Alison Miller, David Siegel and George Borek all represent long-standing experience, drawn from different backgrounds, giving a good blend of perceptions. I will vote for those who have the insight to get down to the nitty-gritty of issues, and the principles and tenacity to get the job done.
Mary Elizabeth Allen
Berrien Avenue
West Windsor
No-smoking signs needed at hospital
To the editor:
It is unbelievable that so much fuss is being made about creating non-smoking areas around the Princeton Public Library and many other places in the Princetons, when the worst offenses are so obviously apparent at the front and rear entrances of the University Medical Center at Princeton, a supposedly health-oriented facility.
There is nothing more disturbing, offensive or dangerous than being forced to inhale first- and second-hand smoke from cigarette-puffing employees of the Medical Center. By all means, designate a smoking area where they cannot endanger the public with their bad habits, but don’t expose the rest of the population to involuntary smoke inhalation.
Nina Boyden
Old Nassau Road
Monroe Township
Route 206 threatened by huge rise in trucks
To the editor:
It is my understanding that the proposed transload development in Hillsborough a rail-to-truck transfer point to be established on disused VA depot land has been subject to absolutely no traffic or environmental studies, despite the fact that this facility will forever change the nature of and the way the road is used. There has been zero public planning for this facility. The developer IRG gave a "courtesy" presentation to the Hillsborough Township Committee, but what about the rest of us this facility affects?
The depot is located right off Route 206 about two miles south of Dukes Parkway. If we don’t stop the transload facility from being created there, we’re going to see an exponential increase in trucks on Princeton’s roads, hundreds more 18-wheelers on a regular basis. Everyone who uses Route 206, lives on or anywhere near 206, will be affected. We’ll have to dodge more trucks as we try to drive to shopping or try to cross Bayard Lane, Stockton Street or State Road.
I don’t know about you, but I hate hearing those monsters engine brake at 1 in the morning as they come down the hill from Montgomery. And I really hate the idea of school kids having to wait for buses as those things go barreling by or trying to dodge them crossing to Mountain Lakes or Community Park.
Not only are our safety and our neighborhoods threatened, but what of the wear and tear to the roads and our homes? According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, one 18-wheeler can equal the same road wear and tear as 10,000 passenger cars. That’s right, 10,000.
Please join me in giving Princeton Borough and Princeton Township our unqualified support to oppose this ill-considered use of taxpayer-owned property. There’s a petition available, which has already been signed by more than 1,300 area residents, people who live in Lawrence and Montgomery as well as the Princetons. We have a goal of gathering more than 2,000 signatures in the next few weeks and would appreciate your support. You can get a petition by e-mailing [email protected] or going to stateroad206.org and downloading the "Regional Petition" PDF.
Don Greenberg
State Road
Princeton
Support scholarships for students at PHS
To the editor:
May is National Scholarship Month. While this event doesn’t make it onto the calendar for many people, for those of us at the Princeton Regional Scholarship Foundation, May is when we undertake the very important work of determining how much we can assist college-bound seniors from Princeton High School in the advancement of their life plans.
For more than 30 years, PRSF has quietly but assiduously worked to raise money toward enabling Princeton High School students to continue on to higher education. PRSF began as a collection of parents, and most of us are still parents of kids in the district. The scholarships we award help to bridge the gap for most families, and range from $500 to $4,000 a year.
We have now awarded scholarships to hundreds of Princeton High School students, and perhaps most significantly, we have also supported around 30 full scholarships to students attending Mercer County Community College. Many of our awardees are the first in their family to attend college. We hold that education is the best possible investment for an individual, and for a community. We are proud that our work builds a critical bridge to the future, from the excellent foundation provided by our public schools.
This month, you will see our yellow and purple posters around town, in shops, at the library, and in borough and township offices. Please take the time to pick up one of our brochures, check out our Web site at www2.prs.k12.nj.us/PRSF/, or e-mail us at [email protected]. Many thanks to those of you who have already contributed to PRSF over the years. We cannot continue our educational mission with out your involvement.
Andrea Honori
Board Member
Princeton Regional
Scholarship Foundation
Cleveland Lane
Princeton

