LETTERS TO THE EDITOR, Nov. 24
Transit proposals make good sense
To the editor:
In Tuesday’s Packet, letter writer Barry Goldblatt wonders about the return of traffic circles and guest columnist Mark Peel is depressed when contemplating the planned construction of any more roads.
The first writer is understandably confused, since New Jersey has been trying to eliminate traffic circles. The second, I am afraid, is simply opposed to a road he feels is too close to his home, and he gives all these grand reasons instead.
Traffic circles, such as the Brunswick Circle and others now removed, are suitable only for rural areas with light traffic. These are medium-sized circles with speeds from 25 to 45 miles per hour. Drivers do not know how to navigate them, and, honestly, they resemble racetracks more than civilized roads.
The new "roundabouts" are smaller and lower-speed devices. The difference in scale makes the difference in safety. In fact, their safety record exceeds that of any other type of intersection. They are safer than intersections controlled by traffic lights, and faster in the sense that traffic never has to stop completely or wait at a red light. They are far cheaper to build and less of a land grab than ramps and overpasses. Although not for every situation, on two-lane roads they make a lot of sense. A good example of a modern roundabout designed by an expert in the field is the one on Faculty Road in Princeton near the train crossing.
"You cannot build your way out of traffic problems," has been the refrain of planners for years. They had a hidden agenda: They wanted people to take public transportation, or carpool or get in compact cars. The slogan was never true, just convenient toward their goals.
But the construction of subway systems, and the purchase and operation of buses, is extremely expensive. Consider the Trenton-to-Camden line. It’s a beautiful new train, but it cost a billion dollars to construct and that on an existing right-of-way. Running a single bus costs hundreds and hundreds of thousands of dollars a year. And most of the public still likes their cars too much and they like them running on cheap gas.
Most of our traffic congestion problems can be solved, but not with the tiny gas tax we now have. So until the public and their elected representatives decide higher gas taxes lead to better roads and discourage inefficient vehicles, we will indeed not build our way out. Or, as world oil supplies start to run out, we will earnestly desire efficient vehicles as we see our dollars going off to support unfriendly governments abroad.
In the meantime, we need to get corridors such as Route 92 built. There is nothing extraordinarily destructive about its route. Probably not any more, but at one time the development of our road system led to the possibility of longer commutes. Without the labor flexibility this allowed, where would our economy be today?
Arch Davis
Vandeventer Avenue
Princeton
Many deserve thanks for crafts fair’s success
To the editor:
On behalf of the YWCA Princeton, we want to thank everyone who contributed to the success of Crafters’ Marketplace 2006 held this past weekend at John Witherspoon Middle School in Princeton.
Our Patrons’ Preview Party on Nov. 16 was an overwhelming success, thanks to the generosity of Bobby Trigg of The Ferry House and Miele, plus the Blue Point Grill, Brothers Moon, Chambers Walk, Cherry Valley Country Club, Cranbury Inn, H&H Home Appliance Center, Hopewell Valley Bistro and Inn, Lahiere’s Restaurant, Lawrenceville Inn, McCaffrey’s, McCarter Theatre, Mediterra, PNC, Rats, Tre Piani, The Underground Café and Witherspoon Grill.
We also want to thank our many dedicated, hard-working volunteers; the staff at John Witherspoon who were so helpful and accommodating; and the hundreds of individuals who came through the doors to shop and support this event.
Proceeds from Crafters’ Marketplace help the YWCA Princeton and its Pearl Bates Scholarship Fund. For 33 years, this fund has helped make the programs and activities of the YWCA accessible to all children and adults who wish to participate but need financial assistance.
Again, thank you one and all.
Barbara Purnell
Co-Chair
Edgerstoune Road
Princeton
Susan Battaglino
Co-Chair
Clover Court
Montgomery
Dangerous crossing needs improvements
To the editor:
It has been evident for years that pedestrian improvements are desperately needed on Clarksville Road at the Avalon Watch apartment complex and the Village Shoppes shopping center in West Windsor Township.
This was sadly underscored on the night of Nov. 13 when an elderly couple were struck by a car as they crossed Clarksville Road while bringing their granddaughter home from daycare. Fortunately, there were no fatalities, but with the lack of a crosswalk, poor lighting and many pedestrians crossing this busy stretch of road (including commuters from NJ Transit bus No. 976), it was just a matter of time before tragedy would occur.
Ironically, the very night of the accident, the West Windsor Bicycle and Pedestrian Alliance was making public comments to the Township Council about recommended safety improvements in this very location. The improvements including a crosswalk with pedestrian-activated lights, a pedestrian refuge island and the installation of streetlights came about as a result of an educational walk the Bicycle and Pedestrian Alliance had sponsored a week before with Mercer County officials, Township Council members and local residents to bring attention to the dangerous conditions at this location. It was evident to all present at this walk that a safe crosswalk was needed. To read the specifics of the recommended improvements, please visit the Alliance Web site at http://www.princetonol.com/groups/wwbpa.
The Bicycle and Pedestrian Alliance, West Windsor Township and Mercer County are working together to bring these safety improvements to Clarksville Road. This clearly cannot be done soon enough to ensure the safety of pedestrians.
Susan Conlon
Vice President
West Windsor Bicycle and Pedestrian Alliance
Harris Road
West Windsor
Another dissatisfied Comcast subscriber
To the editor:
I agree with Raymond J. Ryan of West Windsor (Letter to the Editor, The Packet, Nov. 21) in his discontent with Comcast.
I watch very little TV and was a longtime holdout without cable service. This past summer, I finally ordered the limited package from Comcast. The occasional movie I’d watch on Turner Classic Movies eased the pain of paying for the privilege of using my own television set.
Now, without consulting customers (which apparently they never do), Comcast has switched around its channels, thus eliminating TCM, Bravo and, according to Mr. Ryan, NBC from service for those of us who have the basic package. (We don’t get CNN or CSpan either and never did.)
If they decide that we can have only one channel, who will stop them?
What can consumers do about this short of spending high sums to watch a few hours a month?
Phyllis Spiegel
Tennyson Drive
Plainsboro

