LETTERS TO THE EDITOR, June 13
State can be leader in stem-cell research
To the editor:
Over two years ago, New Jersey became the second state in the nation to legalize stem-cell research. We are now at a crossroad, with other states like Connecticut, Maryland and Illinois charging ahead in an effort New Jersey should be leading.
Stem-cell research represents the very best hope for individuals suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, juvenile diabetes, spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis and other afflictions, and for the family members who love and care for them.
As president of The Parkinson Alliance Foundation, and someone who has suffered from Parkinson’s disease for almost 30 years, I want to ensure that New Jersey continues its national leadership in the aggressive, moral and ethical pursuit of cures for debilitating diseases and chronic conditions. Stem-cell research offers extraordinary hope for our families, and will help strengthen our state’s economy for the future.
Pending in the Legislature are bills that will fund state-of-the-art research facilities, and the funding needed for an aggressive and moral pursuit of cures. These bills are not about politics, but about hope, and they enjoy widespread support across New Jersey. The latest poll, by Quinnipiac University, showed an overwhelming number of New Jerseyans favor stem-cell research, and a majority endorses the investment of public funding to advance it.
This groundbreaking science holds the potential to enhance the quality of life for the afflicted and to strengthen the economy of our state. Thousands of jobs will be created, and thousands of families will be uplifted, if we move forward right now. It is time for the Legislature to take the next critical step and pass legislation this month to give our state the facilities and the grant funding needed to turn this extraordinary potential into lifesaving cures.
For over 1 million Americans who suffer from Parkinson’s disease and other debilitating diseases, the question is not whether we as a state can afford to invest in this science now. The question is: Can we afford not to do this now?
Margaret Tuchman
Prospect Avenue
Princeton
First choir director left lasting legacy
To the editor:
As a former member of the Princeton High School chorus and choir many, many years ago, I agree completely with Lynn Cox Scheffey’s letter to the editor (The Packet, June 6) regarding the omission of Harvey Woodruff from the list of music teachers.
With all due respect to his successors, those of us who were fortunate enough to have been taught by Mr. Woodruff learned from the best he knew how to make singing fun and exciting as well as educational. He instilled in me the love of choral and instrumental music that I still have today.
Unfortunately, invitations to last weekend’s activities were not sent to all chorus/choir alumni, and although it would be a difficult and time-consuming job, I would suggest that an effort be made to update the list to include as many eligible members as possible for the future.
Nina D. Boyden
Old Nassau Road
Monroe
Car wash offered as memorial fundraiser
To the editor:
Come out and remember Nicholas Procaccino.
Please come out on Saturday, June 17 to remember and help with a fundraiser for Nick. So many of our friends and those who knew him asked what they could do after he died in a tragic automobile accident.
Now you can help support a memorial fund for Nick at the Superior Car Dealership (Auto Mall) next to Quaker Bridge Mall from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. Come rain or shine. There will be food and music. Nick’s friends will be washing the cars.
So come out and support Nick’s family and friends on Saturday, June 17.
Nancy Zorochin
Hoover Avenue
Montgomery
Stray rifle shot teaches a lesson
To the editor:
The stray rifle shot that entered a Princeton Township residence a mile from the police range could have been avoided.
Clearly, the rifle was loaded and pointing up when it discharged a bullet that went over the 60-foot protective berm at the range. The most rudimentary rule of range safety, even if you are shooting an air gun, let alone a high-powered rifle, is to always point the unloaded weapon in a safe direction, either downward or at the target, until you are ready to shoot.
Acting Princeton Township Police Chief Mark Emann’s "solution" is to have his officers shoot through a 2-foot diameter water pipe. Really? Does that include live ammo pistol training when the officers are on the move, lugging a portable water pipe with their semiautomatic pistols firing inside the pipe? Laughable. The solution is strict adherence to longstanding basic safety rules at the range, just like we civilians do.
Jerry Preiser
Hillrose Way
Monroe
Publication party is joyous occasion
To the editor:
On June 7, the Arts Council of Princeton celebrated the publication of the 18th edition of "Under Age," an annual anthology of poetry, prose and artwork by students in grades K through 12. The students whose works were chosen for publication, along with their parents and teachers, gathered for a reading and exhibition of their art. The publication party was a joyous occasion that commemorated both the creativity of the thousands of students who submit their work each year and the inspiration and encouragement provided by their parents and teachers.
The Arts Council would like to thank all those who made "Under Age" possible: our literary editor, Adele Bourne; our art editor and coordinator, Janna McLeod; our designer, Jesse Kirsch; Princeton University for providing us the room to celebrate this special occasion; Micawber Books for decorating its store window with the artwork from "Under Age" and selling copies of the publication; and Karen Childs from the Village Bakery in Lawrenceville for the beautiful cake.
Thank you also to Janssen Pharmaceutica and our other supporters, Mercer County Cultural and Heritage Commission, the J. Seward Johnson Sr. 1963 Charitable Trust, and all the following individual sponsors who recognize the profound importance of cultivating self-expression in the young: Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP, Freeman and Imme Dyson, The Frame Smith Gallery, Doretta Gallucci, Peter and Lilian Grosz, Edmund and Mary Keeley, Linda R. Levy, Ingrid and Marvin Reed, Raymond J. Stratmeyer and Daniel and Dianne Tully.
Michael LaRiccia
Program/Public Relations Coordinator
The Arts Council of Princeton
North Harrison Street
Princeton