Letters to the Editor, May 26

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR, May 26

‘Edible Garden’ enjoys community support
To the editor:
   
I am writing to thank the businesses and community members who helped to make our fundraiser for the Edible Garden at Community Park School a huge success.
   Thanks to the generosity of the Bent Spoon, jaZams, Small World Coffee, TerraMomo and the Whole Earth Center, we were able to buy 200 bars of soap handmade by the children at the Watts Garden Club in South Central Los Angeles. Those soaps were given away as a gift to anyone who gave a donation to the garden. Our fundraiser raised $1,500 that will go directly to building, seeding and maintaining the garden.
   Many thanks to Jessica Durrie for inviting us to hold the fundraiser at Small World Coffee and to Emma, Hanna, Ian, Nora, Ruth and Veronika for the wonderful artwork that adorned the soap labels and for their passionate selling on behalf of their school garden. And a special thanks to Anna Marie Carter and the kids at the Watts Garden Club for the kindness, generosity and enthusiasm that they brought to this project.
   Gardens are a wonderful place for children to learn about the source of their food and to study math, science, art, literature and history. Gardens also help to connect us to nature and to each other. It is my hope that we can find many other ways that Community Park School and the Watts Garden Club can work together to learn, teach and share the joy and wonder of creating edible, ecological gardens.
Fran McManus
Quarry Lane
Princeton
Stray bullet shows deer slaughter danger
To the editor:
   
The stray bullet incident reported in Princeton Township last week (The Packet, May 19) should serve as a wake-up call to all Princetonians. Residents now know firsthand the destructive power of a ricocheting bullet, which can travel over a mile and penetrate house walls.
   Every year for the past six years, Mayor Phyllis Marchand has paid Tony DeNicola to come to Princeton and fire his silenced, high-velocity .223 rounds at deer, at night, in residential neighborhoods. How much longer are you willing to risk the safety of your loved ones and count on luck to keep from being hit by one of his stray slugs?
   Demand that Mayor Marchand end her dangerous and cruel deer slaughter program in Princeton before someone is injured or killed.
Bill Laznovsky
Mandon Court
South Brunswick
Goerner’s new ideas needed in township
To the editor:
   
As a resident of Princeton Township and mother of a Community Park student, I write in strong support of Chad Goerner for Princeton Township Committee.
   Mr. Goerner has extensive professional fiscal experience and has new ideas on how to apply them to help the township get a better handle on the financial challenges we face. He would encourage a budget control framework and holding public forums on property taxes to examine and share ideas.
   He encourages community involvement through holding informal town meetings, establishing an open application process for all appointed municipal board positions and forming advisory committees made up of nonpartisan youth and seniors.
   Through his involvement in numerous affiliations Mr. Goerner is knowledgeable and has useful experience of the political processes. See his Web site at www.chadgoerner.com.
   Mr. Goerner is excited about the possibilities available to us to help preserve and enhance the character and charm of Princeton. Through his stateside and international travels, schooling and personal interest, he has collected valuable working knowledge on this subject.
   I’ve know Chad and Franje for over nine years and they have been consistent in their desire to be involved in their community. Chad is energetic, knowledgeable and resourceful. If elected to the Township Committee, he will continue to work toward reasonable and effective solutions to the local issues that concern us and the generations to come.
Shelly Hawk
Loomis Court
Princeton
Goerner has ability to work with people
To the editor:
   
This is the first time in many years that there has been more than one candidate running for the Princeton Township Committee in the Democratic primary on June 6, and it should be an interesting race. I am writing in support of Chad Goerner, whom I consider to be an outstanding candidate.
   On several occasions, I have heard Chad speak on township issues, and have been very favorably impressed with his understanding of critical issues. It is clear that he has immersed himself in township matters, has read and absorbed numerous township reports and has new ideas which could contribute to a strong Township Committee. He has outlined his position on a number of issues on his Web site: http://www.chadgoerner.com.
   Chad’s education and experience as a financial consultant would be helpful in dealing with the many township fiscal and tax matters.
   I believe that Chad Goerner has the ability to work with people in solving problems, the leadership skills, the interest and the judgment to benefit township residents if he is given the opportunity to serve as a member of the Princeton Township Committee.
Robert Fleming
Riverside Drive
Princeton
Princeton Cares was great success
To the editor:
   
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the wonderful volunteers and chaperones who helped to make the second annual Princeton Cares day such a great success.
   Princeton Cares was conceived as a community-wide, one-day volunteer effort utilizing high school-age volunteers at a variety of sites. On the afternoon of Sunday, May 21, over 70 people donated a total of 201 man-hours to help make Princeton a better place.
   Special thanks to Princeton Township Mayor Phyllis Marchand for her enthusiastic support, as well as Nancy Kieling, Linda Meisel, Nancy Lewis, Debra Levenstein, Lisette Siegel, Betsy Rosen, Karen Polakoff, Cathy Straus, Ed Soffen, Wendy Merkovitz, Jack Roberts, Greg O’Neill, Katie Herlihy, Dale Maski, Lucy Boyd, Lea Daniels, Lauren Fine, Connie Mercer, Fontella and Chris at Homefront,Holly Lehmann and Eleanor Panelli. Also, especially thank you to my ever-patient parents, Ricky and A.J. Shechtel.
   This day would not have been possible without the hard work of the student "captains" at each school: Ben Siegel and Charlie Punia at Hun, Andrew Siegel at Lawrenceville, Julie Straus at Pennington, Naomi Gilens at PHS, Emma Cantor at Hopewell Valley, Zack Shechtel, Justin Shechtel and Amy Straus at PDS.
   I am also grateful to my generous sponsors, Hamilton Jewelers and McCaffrey’s. Special thanks to Andy Hamlin at PDS and the Susan G. Moll Memorial Fund.
   The biggest thank you, of course, goes to all the terrific volunteers for coming out on a spring Sunday to give back to Princeton.
   See you next year.
Lexi Shechtel
Founder
Princeton Cares
Drakes Corner Road
Princeton
‘Park nights’ promote sense of community
To the editor:
   Regarding Rocky Hill "park nights" (The Packet, May 19), with all due respect, it is my understanding that the Borough Council allocated a certain amount of money to our recreation committee for activities and events — a budget that was already approved by the council. Is it irresponsible to spend a small portion of our budget on an activity that was already approved by our Borough Council?
   One primary purpose of the Recreation Committee is to provide activities and events for their residents. In a community that has a growing population of young families with children, what better activity is there for all ages than getting families together at the park?
   Getting friends and neighbors together in a town has many purposes. It brings the community together and it can strengthen a community. "Hey, did you hear about the Wawa?" "Did you hear First Reform is celebrating its 150th anniversary?" "Great turnout for the Mother’s Day pancake breakfast at the firehouse." "Did you hear so and so is in the hospital" or "that family just had a new baby?"
   Last year, the Recreation Committee purchased equipment for Panicaro Park and the tennis courts. This year, we are purchasing two more picnic tables for the new gazebo, as well as benches. Why not have an occasion for people to come and use the new park equipment?
   As far as alternating "park nights" at the different parks, it’s a lovely idea, but in my opinion not a safe or practical one, and safety is a primary concern. Panicaro Park is located between two streets and woods — one of the streets being Route 518 and is not fenced. Parking is on the street and there is no bathroom or electricity. Future events, however, will be held at Van Horne Park when it is completed.
   I know we have debt to pay off and taxes are going up but this isn’t because of "park nights" — and taking them away is not going to erase it. Do we have to have free ice cream and music every time? No, it’s nice but not necessary. What is necessary and so important is our sense of community.
Courtney White
Washington Street
Rocky Hill