Letters to the Editor, Dec. 6

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR, Dec. 6

PU land purchases won’t be tax-exempt
To the editor:
   In reference to The Packet’s Dec. 2 news article and the editorial about Princeton University’s stated intention to purchase some of the properties owned by the Princeton HealthCare System, we have said that our interest in the Merwick site and the Franklin parking lot site would be housing to accommodate the needs of the university, as well as the affordable housing needs of the community.
   Responding to Councilman Roger Martindell’s concerns about the financial impact on the community and to the same concern reflected in the editorial, none of our proposed uses for these lands would be tax-exempt. So the effect of selling these lands to us is to keep them on the tax rolls if they are now on the rolls — or, more likely, to put them on the tax rolls, if they are currently off the rolls, because of the hospital’s exempt status. The university has had a long-standing policy of keeping all its faculty, staff and married graduate housing on the tax rolls.
Pam Hersh
Director
Community and State Affairs
Princeton University
Princeton
Elm Court residents give thanks to police
To the editor:
   
This letter is to acknowledge the fine work of the Princeton Borough Police.
   The police are always the first to respond whenever 911 is called. At Elm Court, subsidized housing for seniors and the disabled, a fact of life is that we have many emergency situations. The borough police (and the Princeton Rescue Squad) come and handle each crisis with expertise, professionalism and caring. We are fortunate to have such dedicated men and women in our community.
   But at Elm Court, our residents see another side of the Princeton Borough Police. For the past two years, the police have volunteered to serve Thanksgiving dinner to about 30 residents who celebrate the holiday with a delicious, traditional turkey dinner eaten together as a family. This year, when the eight police officers showed up, the entire assembled group broke out into spontaneous applause. Everyone is so delighted to be served by Princeton’s "finest."
   I want to personally thank Detective Carol Raymond for her work in making this Thanksgiving tradition a reality. Also I would like to thank Patrolman Sean Cahill, Patrolman John Furyk, Patrolman Luis Navas, Patrolman Chris Tash and Sgt. Sharon Papp for all their efforts. While at Elm Court, the turkey and all the trimmings are really great, it is you who make Thanksgiving at Elm Court so very memorable.
Rhona W. Porter
Social Worker
Elm Court
Princeton
In WW, put taxes to productive use
To the editor:
   
As I sit through dinner in Princeton Junction on this Sunday evening, Dec. 4, and listen to the incessant explosion of fireworks as the West Windsor Township Christmas tree is lit nearby, I seriously wonder if the mayor and his cohorts ever stop to think where our tax dollars are being spent.
   First, it is not necessary to waste money on an inappropriate firework display in the first week in December just because the Christmas tree is being lit. Princeton Borough has been able to celebrate the tasteful lighting of their tree on Palmer Square for many years without having to resort to a mindless firework display.
   Second, this waste of taxpayers’ money comes on the same day as our first snowfall when, yet again, the township has failed to pick up the leaves on our street beforehand. It’s uncanny how the township gets this wrong nearly every year. We now have the usual soggy mass of leaves, which will not get picked up before the next snowfall arrives, as forecast, in 24 hours’ time — compounding the problem.
   The snowplows will no doubt push the leaves back onto the sidewalks and lawns to the discomfort of all pedestrians, and once again the homeowners will have to wait until the next thaw before sweeping the leaves back into the street for them to be finally picked up — perhaps by Christmas, if we’re lucky.
   If this incompetence is not enough, the repair work to the Grovers Mill Dam/Bridge on Clarksville Road is an abominable eyesore which again demonstrates the lack of planning and expertise in the running of West Windsor Township. And now we are to have our fourth and fifth banks go up on a short stretch of Route 571. How can the township possibly justify five banks — and three gas stations — in the space of half a mile?
   I also wonder how many man-hours were wasted fretting over the possible change in name from Princeton Junction to West Windsor — thankfully to no avail — as I’m proud to live in the Junction, away from the McMansion epidemic that has infested the majority of the township.
   Can we please have a leadership that puts our taxes to productive use?
Richard Moody
Norchester Drive
West Windsor
School referendum deserves support
To the editor:
   
The improvements that the West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School District facilities referendum will provide are long-awaited for necessities.
   Approximately 75 percent of the money is allocated to renovate High School South. This money is sorely needed to make repairs and build spaces to allow South students and faculty to function in a more productive manner. South students and faculty have had a difficult time functioning in an open space building ever since the school opened in 1973. I know, because I was a student at South from 1973-1977 and it was not an enjoyable experience.
   South was a brand new school then, but the education I received was very mixed indeed. The open space design meant that noise and distractions were a constant problem. Over the years, a science wing was added, as well as a small addition of classrooms, to try to make the school more conventional. Today, students and teachers still have to cope with the open space dilemma in at least half the building. Also, many repairs are sorely needed and the school is rapidly becoming overcrowded.
   The overcrowding is limiting the students’ opportunities and adding unnecessary stress. Part of the money allocated to High School South will provide money for the music, art and drama facilities, which are mediocre and too small. There are hundreds of students who devote hours each day to the study of a musical instrument or the production of a play or creation of a work of art. The students are dedicated and are studying the great works of diverse cultures and civilizations. They are developing skills that will help to nurture their inner selves throughout their lives. They are giving back to the community with their time and talent. And how deserving are the wonderful teachers who inspire and motivate the students and who work extremely hard to enable students to perform and exhibit at a very high level.
   What is being proposed in terms of facility improvements for the arts is the bare minimum for what our students and staff need. If you compare the proposal for the new arts spaces at High School South with what is currently under construction at Princeton High School — a huge professional theater complex and arts center — High School South’s plans are basic and modest.
   The proposed referendum is very reasonable. Since the district anticipates that there will be no tax increase for the debt service portion of the budget as a result of this referendum, it is appropriate for the board to deal with the inadequacies in our facilities at this time. This referendum will not raise taxes because the timing coincides with the retirement of some other long-term debt. Please vote yes on Jan. 24.
Suzanne Dicker
Chaucer Court
West Windsor
Assemblywoman thanks voters
To the editor:
   
I would like to express my sincerest thanks and gratitude to all those who supported me during the recent election.
   While there were many campaign staffers, local and county officials, and volunteers from the area Democratic organizations throughout the 14th District who played a vital role, I would be remiss if I didn’t thank you, my constituents. It is you who keep me informed of the problems we need to tackle in Trenton. It is you who let me know that the Legislature has done something good and that it should be repeated. And it is you, who ultimately remind me of why I entered politics in the first place — to serve the people.
   And as my fourth term gets under way, I intend to continue the work I started in 2000. The issue of property-tax reform remains at the forefront, and I will continue to push for either a "Citizens’ Convention" or a special legislative session (or a combination of both) in order to make the voices of my constituents heard loud and clear. Working with the new Corzine administration, I believe this is a task we’ll finally accomplish.
   I will continue to go to bat for seniors — to make sure their most basic needs are met and not stripped away due to budgetary cost-cutting. And of course I’ll remain a strong advocate of ethics reform and restoring citizens’ faith in government.
   I want to thank my fine running mate, Dan Benson, for his hard work and commitment to the people and concerns of the district. I also congratulate Bill Baroni upon his re-election and look forward to working with him, and I wish Mike Paquette the best in the future.
   There is a lot of work to be done this term, and I’m ready to roll up my sleeves. And as I do so, I am grateful to know I have the support of my local mayors and councils — and the constituents of the 14th Legislative District.
Linda Greenstein
Assemblywoman
14th Legislative District
Centre Drive
Monroe
Shed light on domestic violence
To the editor:
   
This holiday season will be a happy, peaceful time for most of us. But behind closed doors in some homes, violence will tear families apart. Domestic violence is a serious problem that impacts individuals and the wider community. In Mercer County, more than 3,500 incidents were reported in 2004.
   To bring attention to domestic abuse and offer hope to those in violent homes, Womanspace, Mercer County, began "Communities of Light" in 2002. This community-wide candle-lighting event is a powerful symbol of neighbors joining together to bring this often hidden problem to light. It is a way to declare: "Not in my backyard."
   Communities of Light 2005 will take place on Sunday, Dec. 18, in five centralNew Jersey counties — Mercer, Hunterdon, Middlesex, Ocean and Somerset.
   We at Compass Healthcare Communications invite fellow residents of MercerCounty to join us in helping shed light on the problem of domestic violence.Please purchase one or more luminary kits and light your walkway or driveway on Sunday, Dec. 18.
   Luminary kits cost $10 and contain materials to light 100 linear feet. Kits will be available in neighborhoods, retail locations and online at www.womanspace.org. Proceeds from luminary sales will benefit Womanspace and similar organizations that provide services to individuals and families affected by domestic violence.
   The light from 100,000 candles will make a profound statement during this holiday season that all famillies deserve to live in peace.
Peter H. Nalen
President
Compass Healthcare Communications
Advisory Board Member
Womanspace
Chambers Street
Princeton