LETTERS TO THE EDITOR, May 23
Mayor defends record on 206 bypass
To the editor:
In a recent article and letter to the editor, two former elected officials from Montgomery have misrepresented the position, strategy and actions of the Montgomery Township Committee with regard to the proposed Route 206 Bypass.
At the Township Committee’s Jan. 4 meeting this year, I said the following:
"This Township Committee has made clear, repeatedly, that we will do everything in our power, through any legal means necessary, to prevent the Hillsborough bypass from being built as it is currently designed. The old Environmental Impact Study is utterly obsolete, and the new highway would have a catastrophic impact on traffic in our community.
"Members of this Township Committee have said many times, publicly and privately, that we do not begrudge Hillsborough a bypass, but the bypass as it is planned is not workable and would be an outrageous misuse of transportation tax dollars. Montgomery Township will continue to make that case persuasively and forcefully in every venue available, up to and including the courts."
These words remain as true today as they have been for the past several years. The township’s firm resolve has not diminished. But for the first time, we appear to have an opportunity that would be foolish to ignore.
We have worked very hard to establish a productive dialog with the new leadership at the state Department of Transportation, as well as with elected officials in Somerset County and Hillsborough. All of them now fully understand that Montgomery has the resources, determination and legal arguments to prevail, should we choose to litigate. From this position of strength, we have begun discussions concerning possible alternatives and compromises.
There are solutions that will work for both Montgomery and Hillsborough. If the two towns and the DOT can agree on a solution that helps the township avoid very costly litigation, and at the same time provides cost-effective, regional traffic relief, we should pursue it aggressively.
Contrary to Bob Kress’s assertions, the Township Committee acted unanimously to invoke Montgomery’s right to mediation as guaranteed in the 1992 settlement agreement with the DOT. It is important to challenge the DOT on its current attempt to acquire additional right-of-way in Montgomery Township, which is prohibited under the agreement. Invoking mediation on this matter is separate and distinct from our discussions with the DOT and Hillsborough about reasonable, cost-effective solutions to regional traffic congestion.
Montgomery has outstanding special counsel advising us, and we are following their advice. Thanks to careful documentation and vigorous negotiation backed by a resolute Township Committee, our position regarding the bypass has never been stronger. Whether through negotiation, legal action or a combination of both, I am confident of a permanent resolution that will be consistent with Montgomery’s longstanding goals.
Louise Wilson
Mayor
Montgomery Township
Hollow Road
Montgomery
Process is open, but on ‘tape delay’
To the editor:
In its May 19 editorial, "Council’s duty is to interview in public view," The Packet states that the issue is whether interviewing the candidates to replace Kristin Appelget "in private is the right thing to do."
I agree with The Packet’s assertion that interviewing the candidates in private is not the right thing to do.
The Packet’s suggestion that our process was private is strained. In fact, our process was an open one that imposed a slight inconvenience of having to wait for the tapes while protecting the integrity of the interviews. The tapes are free for the asking.
The Packet implies that we were trying to avoid the inconvenience of a messy public process. That simply isn’t true.
If The Packet feels that the public should have been allowed to witness the interviews "real time" rather than by "tape delay," even though doing so would have made it impossible to test one of the essential skills of an elected official in a fair and impartial manner, we will have to agree to disagree.
I believe that our primary objective should be to find the best possible candidate to replace Kristin Appelget. We should not elevate form over substance or surely we will fail in achieving that objective.
Charles Morgan
President
West Windsor Township Council
Birchwood Court
West Windsor
Seniors deserve housing opportunities
To the editor:
Upon reading this newspaper’s account of the Borough Council’s discussion concerning the hospital site (The Packet, May 12), we were taken aback by the attitude of several council members on the subject of designated senior apartments on the site.
Except for Wendy Benchley who favors some senior housing there, no one else seems to care. The borough has done nothing in the area of senior housing recently.
The hospital suggested a mixed use for the building that includes families, singles, affordable- and designated senior apartments. This seems most reasonable.
Considering that as of two years ago, 35 percent of the population in Princeton were seniors and the percentage will continue to grow, one would think that it would be a natural to include some senior housing wherever possible. What could possibly impact negatively on the projected plans if council set aside units for seniors?
The senior population deserves some consideration and thought. Seniors have made many contributions to the Princetons and as they get older should be able to remain in the community.
We think Princeton seniors deserve appropriate consideration.
Eleanor Angoff
Coordinator
Coalition for Senior Housing in Princeton
Hollinshead Spring Road
Montgomery
Goerner committed to public service
To the editor:
I’m writing to encourage Princeton Township voters to consider Chad Goerner for Township Committee.
As a resident of the township, mother of an active sixth-grader, member of the Princeton Community Democratic Organization, volunteer in the community and candidate for Mercer County Democratic Committee in District 1, I am excited that we have a candidate for Township Committee that is worthy of our vibrant community.
Over the past few months, I’ve had a chance to work with Chad and get to know him as a person. I’m confident that he possesses the qualities we need in our representatives. Chad has a deep personal commitment to public service, an invaluable grasp of fiscal policy and the rare ability to connect with a diverse community. He’s thoughtful and creative, and isn’t afraid to tackle complex issues. In these challenging times, he is exactly the kind of leader we need.
I hope you will join me in voting for Chad Goerner in the primary election on June 6.
Sue Nemeth
Mount Lucas Road
Princeton
Film festival promotes cause of human rights
To the editor:
The subject of human rights is of central importance to every human being on the planet. Violations of human rights occur just about everywhere that one looks for them; most governments are willing violators unless restrained by their citizens and both civil and military conflicts often result in widespread violations.
Consequently, we need to learn what our human rights are, engage in their evolution, insist on respect for them and keep ourselves informed about local and international affairs relevant to them. In the final analysis, ordinary people define human rights, benefit from them and instruct governments, world leaders and international organizations on their observance.
It is in this spirit that the Princeton Public Library held the second Human Rights Film Festival from May 11-14, where 1,450 people watched and discussed 26 films over the four-day period. This number represents a 40 percent increase in attendance from last year.
There has been an exciting growth of film festivals around the country and the world, and hosting the Princeton Human Rights Film Festival at the Princeton Public Library seems an ideal forum in which to stimulate discussion on the important subject of human rights using the accessible and powerful medium of film. We are pleased at the enthusiastic response of the community, as seen in the large numbers of attendees.
Thanks to the organizing committee, the staff at the Princeton Public Library, the Friends of the Public Library, the local press and the many members of the community who helped to make this so successful. I would also like to thank our co-sponsors Global Cinema Café, ABC Literacy, Amnesty International-local chapter, P.O.V. (PBS) and the Nathan Cummings Foundation for their generous contributions.
The films at the festival covered broad territory. Yes, there was brutality and wickedness in the films, but there was also love and forgiveness, kindness, courage and wisdom. We can never hear enough stories of people who in the face of horrible circumstances refuse to be defeated, and instead find ways to resist, rise above or engage in the struggle to bring about change.
We hope that after experiencing these four days of powerful films, people will be inspired to be agents of positive change locally and globally. Perhaps this is what Einstein meant when he said, "Remember your humanity and forget the rest."
Pamela Groves
Princeton Human Rights Film Festival Coordinator
Youth Services Librarian
Princeton Public Library
Witherspoon Street
Princeton