LETTERS TO THE EDITOR, May 27
New plantings beautify park
To the editor:
I wish to thank all the wonderful people who have beautified the Barbara Boggs Sigmund garden and park at Hamilton Avenue and Chestnut Street.
The idea of a park dedicated to our late mayor was a fine one. But these citizens have taken it to the next level, and have done a marvelous job. They have transformed the previously rather plain flowerbeds into cascades of color with all the new plantings.
Bravo!
Anthony Lunn
Hawthorne Avenue
Princeton
Ball was dropped on Quark Park
To the editor:
Um, pardon me for being presumptuous, but how is it that a community as industrious and wealthy as this does not have the wherewithal to make the Quark Park project happen?
Last summer, the Writers Block follies exhibit represented what should have been a beginning of a tradition, a real geographic place where talent met other talent and built artful, forward-thinking structures that, with its grassroots origin and luminous vision, made this town into an event. But the civic pride we enjoyed was not to last. With plans in place for the 2005 construction, the project failed for lack of funds.
How did this happen? Compared to monies spent on other endeavors, we as a community received outstanding value for the relatively small cost of the follies. Why didn’t the university, the town or some benefactor step up to the plate? Somewhere and somehow, the ball was dropped, and we can only shake our heads.
Kurt Tazelaar
Grover Avenue
Princeton
Shuttle service would offer many benefits
To the editor:
What if? What if Princeton (borough, township and university) developed a real transportation plan. What if lights were timed to make residential streets safer? What if there were a shuttle that made it easier to get to town, to shopping, to the Dinky without a car? What if bike lanes were painted? What if the plan encompassed commuters, seniors, university students, school kids, parents with little children and strollers. What could our town be like? How would our taxes be affected? I’d like to dream.
I envision a shuttle that would run from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. It would make the early morning runs directly to the Dinky. It would start at the edges of the township on two routes and pick up riders en route to the Dinky, then go straight to the edges and start again. Around 7 a.m., it would add a van or two and start to make some small route changes to include the high school and middle school. This could eliminate the need for some Princeton Regional Schools buses (this might alleviate traffic and costs and provide more freedom for the 14-17 age group).
After the high school starts, one of the vans could be shifted to support the charter and elementary schools. By 8:30, all the children are in school and the shuttle could be shifted to a "town circuit," offering regular service from the edges to the town center. When the schools let out, the circuit would support the schools again. An evening route (after 7) may not run as often, but could transport riders home from restaurants, movies, shows, "Shakespeare in the Square" and the myriad other events that make this town so great.
How would this be funded? The borough’s Traffic and Transportation Committee is currently working on funding with the borough administrator. Grants are being requested and a nonprofit, under the auspices of Mercer County Transit Authority, is being started. Contributions and gifts can be made (in the future) tax-free to the nonprofit. This is a large effort requiring both town and gown participation.
I envision this shuttle to be self-supporting and environmentally progressive. I envision fewer residents’ cars in town so the meter rates can be "market" rate. I envision bike routes being painted to provide safer passage for bikers and to slow cars. I envision the buses having bike racks so bike riders won’t get stuck in the rain. I envision a town with less pollution, less congestion and safer streets.
Anyone interested in contributing to the nonprofit or anyone with questions can contact the borough Traffic and Transportation Committee at [email protected].
Charlotte O’Connell
Patton Avenue
Princeton
People need to obey speed limit
To the editor:
It used to be, on Drakes Corner Road, that people slowed down for the children on their bikes, or for the joggers.
It used to be that neighbors stopped to say hello.
It used to be that people stopped to admire the wildlife.
We have been feeding the animals on our land for 10 years now. From the birdfeeder, to the red tailed hawks, the pileated woodpeckers, great horned owls, eastern box turtles and currently a feral cat that has two kittens somewhere in Woodfield Reservation.
My son and I spent three hours on Saturday trying to track her we plan to adopt her and her kittens. A thunderstorm broke out, but we kept on going. We called neighbors and asked for permission to trespass we were granted it. I nearly broke my ankle twice on the rocks, since the rain had made them quite slick.
We are still pursuing the adoption.
We ask that people slow down, obey the speed limit, and when they see people walking, jogging or riding a bike, they slow down.
Nothing could be so important that hitting another person or animal with a vehicle could be worth it.
Perhaps people need to adjust their schedules. Perhaps the mayor and the Princeton Township Police Department need to adopt the policies of the Pennington police: no speeding period.
Ruth Ann Mitchell
Drakes Corner Road
Princeton
Disappointed by news about Curves’ founder
To the editor:
Until last week, I had been anxiously awaiting the opening of the new Curves on Bunn Drive so that I could join. On May 16, however, I was disappointed to learn the information in the following letter to The New York Times. Perhaps other women around here would appreciate knowing what this disclosed to me.
"To the Editor:
"It is fine to tout the fitness company Curves as offering an easy and cheap exercise program for women (Personal Health, May 10). But you might reveal to your readers that its founder, Gary Heavin, is a substantial contributor to anti-abortion causes.
"I for one wouldn’t go near such a program. I love exercise and working toward a better body, but not as much as I care about every woman’s right to choose what to do with that body.
Nancy Kramer
New York"
Now, like the writer, I could never not even for the sake of my own health support the Curves corporation.
Lorraine Sichel
Jefferson Road
Princeton
Programs provide property-tax relief
To the editor:
We are all aware that New Jersey’s tax system continues to burden senior citizens and working families with limited incomes. Over the years, to help provide relief to homeowners, several state property-tax rebate programs were established: Property Tax Reimbursement, Homestead Rebate and NJ SAVER Rebate. Many of my constituents rely on these rebates to help pay their property-tax bills. I would like to make my constituents aware of changes in the property-tax rebate programs to ensure that they apply properly and in a timely fashion. They deserve to receive every penny to which they are entitled.
The NJ SAVER Rebate and Homestead Rebate programs are being combined this year into the FAIR Rebate Program. Between April 26 and May 3, FAIR applications were mailed to homeowners who are disabled or 65 years of age or older. Qualifying homeowners will have until Aug. 15 to file applications for the 2004 FAIR rebate. The following conditions must be mmet to be considered eligible
1) Own and occupy a home in New Jersey that was their principal residence on Oct. 1, 2004.
2) Gross income under the minimum threshold (current threshold is $200,000, but is subject to change as a result of budget restrictions).
3) The home must be subject to local property taxes and 2004 property taxes must have been paid.
If any of my constituents believe that they meet the eligibility requirements for the FAIR Rebate Program, but have not received an application, I urge them to contact my office at (609) 530-3277. My staff and I are available to answer questions and provide assistance with these forms as needed.
I would also like to take this opportunity to remind my constituents that their Property Tax Reimbursement Program Applications are also due by Aug. 15. This program reimburses senior citizens and disabled persons for property-tax increases. To qualify, applicants must meet certain residency and income qualifications.
Other property-tax deduction programs include the Senior Citizen/Disabled Property Tax Deduction for individuals age 65 or older or disabled persons whose income, exclusive of Social Security (or similar governmental pension, disability and retirement program), does not exceed $10,000 during the year for which the deduction is granted. Veterans who meet certain eligibility requirements are also eligible for an annual property-tax deduction. These programs can be applied for through the municipal tax collector.
My staff is available to assist constituents and answer any questions they may have regarding these programs.
Shirley K. Turner
Senator
15th District
Pennington Road
Ewing