LETTERS TO THE EDITOR, Nov. 28
Skatepark initiative is truly on a roll
To the editor:
On behalf of the Princeton Parks Alliance, I would like to thank everyone who participated in the Nov. 18 "Skate Jam Princeton" that the Alliance sponsored with the Princeton Recreation Department. More than 100 people came out on a chilly, overcast day, and more than 80 of them were kids with their skateboards. Everyone enjoyed the exciting skateboarding demonstration by the skate pros from Woodward Camps, and many of the kids got a chance to give Woodward’s skating surfaces a try themselves. There was music, food, free prizes and fun overall a great afternoon.
Clearly, the enthusiastic participation of so many of our community’s kids in the Skate Jam demonstrated the real need for the skatepark at Hilltop Park. And the Skate Jam also allowed us to identify kids whose help will be crucial as we enter the design phase of the project. Additionally, the Skate Jam raised nearly $1,500 for the skatepark, money that will supplement a $141,000 grant recently awarded by Mercer County through the efforts of County Executive Brian Hughes. With these funds added to $125,000 already committed by Princeton Borough and Princeton Township, we can truly say the Skatepark at Hilltop Park is on a roll.
So many people had a hand in the success of this event, and I would like to acknowledge them all. Thomas Sweet Ice Cream and Small World Coffee generously provided food and beverages. Many of the kids received free prizes courtesy of Xtreme Funktion skate shop of Hamilton Township, and terrific live music was provided by local jam band EarWax. And, of course, our special thanks to the talented skaters of Woodward Camps, who came all the way from Pennsylvania to stage the "main event."
Jack Roberts, Katie Herlihy and Ben Stentz of the Princeton Recreation Department were instrumental in so many ways in ensuring the success of the Skate Jam, as were local residents Kevin Wilkes, Peter Morgan, Liza Peck, Janet O’Brien and Tricia Rosenthal. Finally, my heartfelt thanks to the trustees of the Princeton Parks Alliance for all of their hard work and dedication: Peggy Karcher, Polly Burlingham, Craig Provorny, Anne O’Neill, Pam Hersh, and Eric Tazelaar.
Andrew Koontz
President
Princeton Parks Alliance
Spruce Street
Princeton
Roundabouts will ease traffic woes
To the editor:
Responding to Barry Goldblatt’s letter to the editor, "Roundabouts will worsen traffic woes" (The Packet, Nov. 21), these are not the "old circles" he refers to, as needs to be clear they are smaller, entirely visible and consistent rather than haphazard in right-of-way rules. For a local example, check out the one at Elm Drive and Faculty Road at the south end of the Princeton University campus.
Aside from a long history in British Commonwealth countries, roundabouts are working well in challenging traffic situations across the United States, with demonstrated major reductions in hazards and accidents to both vehicles and pedestrians. This doesn’t make them a cure-all for every intersection, but they are a promising option to calm traffic and improve safety along Route 206 as it flows through our residential neighborhoods.
Bob Rodgers
Laurel Road
Princeton
Running for office was worth the effort
To the editor:
I want to express my heartfelt thanks to all West Windsor Township residents who voted on Nov. 7. Our democracy is empowered through our willingness to participate and vote. A healthy voter turnout (as occurred in the past election) tells us that we are engaged and ready to help shape the future of our township.
To my friends, colleagues and supporters who educated and advised me throughout my time in public office and during my campaign, thank you very much. You helped me understand the dynamics of our township, provided insight into our local government and helped shape a message I strongly believe in. Your kind words of encouragement, advice, support and assistance were truly needed and very much appreciated. And special thanks to my son, husband and those neighborhood moms who watched my son so I could actively campaign.
Campaigning and serving on the Township Council during such an important time in our history was enlightening, fulfilling and rewarding. I was privileged to hear the hopes and dreams of many residents and carry their message with me as I formed a vision of the possibility for balanced growth and tax relief in our community. I learned that regardless of generational and lifestyle differences, we share a common purpose. This insight enabled me to run a positive campaign with purpose, honor and integrity. West Windsor residents possess in abundance the wisdom, skills and commitment to find the best path forward.
I’d also like to thank Will Anklowitz for running a passionate campaign. Membership on council is a privilege that requires a purpose greater than oneself and a willingness to lead when the issues are hardest and no easy answers exist. In return, council members deserve our respect for their willingness to do the hard work on our behalf. Council members have a special duty to seek the broadest possible range of views on each issue. They must foster an open government willing to engage the public and listen to the broadest cross section possible. This will lead us in the direction that will most benefit our community and that the vast majority of residents will support.
To those, like me, who deplored the barrage of unwarranted personal attacks these past months, I would simply say this is a truly unfortunate by-product of politics at all levels today. Many of us believe it should have no place in local government.
Running for elected office was a challenging personal experience like none I’ve ever undertaken. Although there were days when I had doubts, in the end it was a worthy and worthwhile effort. I encourage any resident with a positive outlook and the passion of their convictions to run for public office.
Thank you again and enjoy a peaceful holiday season.
Barbara Pfeifer
Beardsly Court
West Windsor
Somerset freeholders grateful for support
To the editor:
We would like to thank the voters of Somerset County for their participation in the recent mid-term elections. The right to vote is a cherished commodity, as is witnessed every day by news reports from around the world where people are fighting to gain the rights that many of us take for granted.
We are grateful to the voters for your support of our candidacy and our ideas and plans for carrying Somerset County forward. It will be an honor and a privilege to serve the citizens of Somerset County on the Board of Chosen Freeholders for the next three years.
Campaigning throughout the county for the past five months has been an exhilarating experience. During the course of the campaign, we talked about the issues that are important to the people who live and work in Somerset County. Our message, and your feedback, is clear keep Somerset County moving in the right direction. That’s exactly what we intend to do.
We’re committed to: 1) continuing the fiscal discipline that makes Somerset County a role model for New Jersey reducing borrowing, prepaying debt and maintaining our coveted triple-A bond rating, all of which save taxpayers millions; 2) taking our shared services success a step further by analyzing consolidation of services; 3) preserving our rural heritage through the continued acquisition of open space and farmland; and 4) promoting economic development consistent with "smart growth strategies." We are also steadfast in our commitment to fair, open and honest government, with full disclosure and complete transparency.
In all these regards, our freeholder campaign was a wonderful opportunity to share a vision with you a positive vision that continually improves our quality of life.
Nothing serves the public good more than an involved citizenry. Please join us as we endeavor to challenge ourselves, realize our full potential and provide you with the county government you deserve.
Rick Fontana
Crim Road
Bridgewater
Jack Ciattarelli
Murray Drive
Hillsborough
Volunteers share their time, talent
To the editor:
"How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world."
Anne Frank
Voluntarism falls under the realm of social capital, which emphasizes not just warm and cuddly feelings, but a wide variety of quite specific benefits that flow from the trust, reciprocity, information and cooperation associated with social networks. Social capital creates value for the people who are connected. One example of a project with volunteers who share their time and talent is Princeton Community Works. Meet Lorin Maurer of the Junior League of Greater Princeton; Mimi Omieciski of Princeton Art Museum; Dave Saltzman of CASA of Mercer County, Princeton Senior Resource Center and Jewish Family and Children’s Service; Bev Asselstine of Cub Scout Pack 53 and Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic; Jeaninne Honstein of Princeton Alcohol & Drug Alliance and Princeton Recreation; Penny Stone of Princeton High School PTO; Debbie Watson of Child Care Connection and Princeton Regional Scholarship Foundation; Robin McGovern of Lawrence Township Community Foundation; Kim Hendler of Princeton Project 55; and Marge Smith, founder and chair of Community Works, Hands On Helpers.
Organizations welcome volunteers. For additional information on how you might become involved, contact Hands on Helpers at (609) 921-8893, or visit the Web site at www.handsonhelpers.org.
Caroline Purnell Tompkins
Member
NAMI Mercer Board of Trustees
Bullock Drive
Princeton
Generous donation aids needy families
To the editor:
The following letter was sent to James McCaffrey of McCaffrey’s Supermarket:
On behalf of the faculty, staff, parents and children of the Princeton Junior School, I would like to express our gratitude again for your store’s generous donation of 12 turkeys to our Thanksgiving Basket Drive last week. Our school community collected an assortment of food items to assist a dozen needy families in the Trenton area through Mercer Street Friends. Your generosity helped make a wonderful statement about helping others in our community, especially at Thanksgiving time.
Our theme for this school year has been "working together." Your thoughtful contributions to our community service project are greatly appreciated. Thank you again for your assistance.
Peter Y. Rapelye
Headmaster
Princeton Junior School
Fackler Road
Lawrence

