Thanks, DARE sponsors
To the editor:
On June 8, the Hopewell Township Police Department hosted the annual DARE picnic in the Washington’s Crossing Park. More than 400 DARE graduates and their families attended this year’s event. The weather was hot, but the graduates enjoyed an afternoon of field games and plenty of food and drink.
I would like to thank all of our sponsors who made this picnic possible: Pennington Market, Richie and Page Distributors, Quick Chek, Hopewell Fire Department, Hopewell Township Public Works, Washington Crossing State Park, Union Fire Company and Rescue Squad, J and V Trophy, Hopewell Valley Emergency Services.
Congratulations to all of our DARE graduates. Enjoy a safe summer!
Michael A. Chipowsky, chief of police, Hopewell Township
Left-turn prohibitions
The following was sent to Mercer County Freeholder Elizabeth Maher Muoio and submitted to the HVN for publication:
Thank you for your letter regarding Route 31 between 1-95 and the Pennington Circle. I appreciate the opportunity to respond to your concerns.
As conveyed to the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT), by Hopewell Township officials, the primary concern about the corridor was the safety of Route 31 between Route 1-95 and the Pennington Circle. Local officials proposed reducing the roadway’s current configuration of four lanes to three lanes (two through lanes and a center turning lane). This alternative was pursued, and a comprehensive traffic model study was commenced. Unfortunately, the model indicated that the reduced capacity would back traffic up drastically to both Route 31 and I-95. This alternative also would force a marked increase of traffic onto local roads, a condition that may actually decrease safety. Additionally, future significant increases in traffic volumes that would result from planned residential/commercial growth in Hopewell Township would only worsen the situation. Therefore, it was decided collaboratively, in a meeting with Hopewell Township, that this option was not prudent solution.
Other alternatives that could improve the safety of Route 31 were next explored. The most promising was the possibility of prohibiting left turns, and the reduction of the speed limit. It was noted that if the left-turn prohibitions were possible, and enforced, they could be more effective than the three-lane alternative. In addition, this alternative would maintain the current capacity of the roadway, would be less expensive, and could be implemented relatively quickly.
NJDOT’s Bureau of Traffic Engineering and Investigations (BTEI) has determined that the left-turn prohibitions are acceptable, and correspondence regarding this fact, along with all pertinent details has been sent to the Hopewell Township clerk. The reduction of the speed limit from the current posting of 45 mph has yet to be determined. NJDOT, in a continuing collaborative effort with Hopewell Township and other agencies, will also be examining long-term solutions to improve the function and safety of Route 31.
Jack Lettierre, commissioner, NJ Department of Transportation
AFS needs help
To the editor:
AFS needs your help. AFS Intercultural Student Exchange program is looking for a few good families to host an international student for six months or one year. AFS students attend the local high school and become part of the family and the community. Families are needed for three female students, two from Thailand (here for a year) and one from New Zealand (here for six months).
Seventeen year-old Lucy, from New Zealand, has been with a Lawrence Township family whose six-month hosting commitment will end July 3, 2005. Lucy will return to New Zealand in January 2006. Lucy is friendly, outgoing, active in lacrosse and well-established at Lawrence High. She is a good and conscientious student with solid values and good judgment. Lucy blends seamlessly into any group.
Arriving in early August from Thailand, Suphotjana has studied English for 10 years. She enjoys spending time with family and friends. Her family is warm and close and they share an evening meal which Suphotjana helps to cook. "Suphotjana is one of our very good students," her teacher says. "She studies hard and loves to learn new things and gain experience." Suphotjana is friendly, extroverted, fun-loving, humorous and flexible.
Suspans, whose nickname is "Mint," also arrives from Thailand in early August. She lives at home with her mother, father and older sister. School is one of the activities Mint really enjoys. She makes friends easily and, like any typical teenager, enjoys spending time with her friends. Mint has studied English for nine years. She participates in basketball, swimming and classical Thai dancing. Most of all she loves to read books.
For the past school year, five Mercer County families have opened their hearts and their homes to AFS students. They provide their AFS sons or daughters with a bed, meals, guidance and support. There are many types of host families, single parents, grandparents as well as two-parent households with small children, teenagers, or no children at home. Students come with their own spending money and medical coverage and have a desire to participate as active members of their host families, schools and communities.
AFS, formerly known as the American Field Service, is a worldwide nonprofit organization founded 58 years ago by World War I and II volunteer ambulance drivers who believed that educational exchanges would help create world peace.
Won’t you please consider participating in the AFS mission which "works toward a more just and peaceful world by providing international and intercultural learning experiences to individuals, families, schools, and communities through a global volunteer partnership"? Please visit AFS online at www.usa.afs.org or e-mail Joan Malchow, president, Greater Princeton AFS Chapter at [email protected]. We urgently need your help!
Joan Malchow, president, Greater Princeton Chapter, AFS