Letters to the Editor, April 6

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR, April 6

Borough plan needs scrutiny
To the editor:
   
I respond to Mark Alexandridis’ thoughtful letter in The Packet’s April 3 edition. Phase I of the downtown development is not complete: Among other things, the pergola has not been erected, the garage repair work has not been finished, and the developer is still suing the Borough.
   Neverthless, negotiations with the developer are currently under way to begin Phase II of the project, the construction of "Building C" on the Tulane Street parking lot.
   Many issues remain to be resolved in regard to both Phase I and Phase II, including the payment by the developer to the borough of more than $150,000 in overdue ground rent in respect to Phase I, other outstanding obligations of the developer in connection with the building of Witherspoon House and the municipal garage, and the developer’s effort to re-finance Phase II of the development.
   The borough’s negotiations with the developer are behind closed doors, as is permitted by the Open Public Meetings Act. But many of the outstanding issues deserve public scrutiny so that the public can have greater confidence in the process.
   Mr. Alexandridis and all other borough residents and taxpayers are more than welcome to seek information, voice concerns, and lend their expertise in the settlement of on-going issues between the borough and the developer.
Roger Martindell, member
Princeton Borough Council
Prospect Avenue
Princeton
Approve Princeton’s school budget
To the editor:
   
As Princeton taxpayers who are approaching the annual school elections on April 17, it may be important to reflect on where we are in the process of renewal for our schools.
   Years ago we voted to fund the badly needed revitalization of our physical infrastructure, i.e., our six schools. We collectively decided to improve critical areas such as science labs, instructional spaces, sports and performing arts facilities, as well as health and security programs.
   Today – after five years of effort – we can be proud of the classrooms, gyms, laboratories, fields, pool, performing arts center and other program advantages we have provided to support the education of our children. With outside funding added to about $60 million of local funds, Princeton residents can proudly claim to have provided modern educational facilities fully in keeping with the world class academic accomplishments of the students of Princeton Regional schools.
   This has not been without hard work and significant sacrifice on all sides. But this difficult period is largely behind us and key trends in spending will moderate.
   This next year will see facilities- related operating expenses peak as all new spaces are put into full service, and annual debt service is in decline. Nor will programs expand as state-imposed spending caps virtually prohibit additional services or curriculum growth. With planned focus on internal productivity improvement as well as on expanding non-tax revenue opportunities, we can expect budgets more in line with inflation, or even less. In short, the worst period of tax impacts is behind us.
   Princeton is proud of its heritage as a center of academic excellence; its very name suggests the very best in education. Your school board will settle for no less for our students – your children – and is determined to maintain this excellence during the difficult property tax environment plaguing New Jersey. We look forward to the time when our state leaders unravel this extreme dependence on property taxes and send funding with the stream of mandates that have pre-empted other choices at the local level. Until then, your understanding and support are very much appreciated.
   Your vote FOR this 2007-2008 school budget on April 17 is strongly recommended.
Alan K. Hegedus, VP
Princeton Board of Ed ucation
Armour Road
Princeton
Vote Anklowitz, Borek, Morgan in WW
To the editor:
   
I’m voting for Charlie Morgan, Will Anklowitz and George Borek on May 8th for West Windsor Township Council.
   I’ve gotten to know all three men well and can attest to their being genuinely nice, intelligent, hard working and honest public servants. Morgan and Anklowitz are diligent councilmen acutely aware of and concerned about the many issues that confront us in West Windsor. George Borek fits the same mold and will serve on Council with integrity, honesty and with the best interests of the town in mind.
   Just watch channel 27 on Monday nights at 7 pm and you’ll see what I mean. It’s obvious watching the council meetings that Morgan and Anklowitz are the most actively involved and raise important concerns that safeguard our current quality of life. They also do their homework – it’s obvious that they read through all the materials for each meeting and don’t rely on cliff notes to get them by.
   I urge my fellow residents to vote for the Best 4 West Windsor team of Morgan, Anklowitz and Borek on May 8th.
Brian Reilly
Benford Drive
West Windsor
Vote Chang, Ciccone, Gambatese in WW
To the editor:
   
After living 35 years in Los Angeles, my wife and I returned to New Jersey to be closer to our adult children. We chose to live in West Windsor, despite high property taxes and having no school age children, because we saw West Windsor to be a vibrant and diverse township with a forward-thinking township administration.
   We strongly support the efforts of the mayor and incumbent Councilman Gambatese and Planning Board members Dr. Hsing Chi (Chuck) Chang and Diane Ciccone to bring careful and well-thought out redevelopment to the train station area. From our painful Los Angeles experience, we can predict that, without this thoughtful planning, the Princeton Junction area will end up looking like so many Los Angeles suburban neighborhoods with ugly strip malls, garish signage, crime, etc.
   Stopping the redevelopment planning, as some present council members propose, will not prevent development of the Princeton Junction area. All that will do is ensure that the development will lack coherence and be only for the benefit of the developers, not the West Windsor residents.
   We believe adding Dr. Chang, with his environmental background, and Diane Ciccone, with her extensive legal experience, to the township council will benefit all West Windsor residents. For this reason, we are supporting for West Windsor Council election the team of Franc Gambatese, Chuck Chang and Diane Ciccone. Each candidate offers unique skills and credentials to the residents of West Windsor. In short, they are an exceptional and diverse team for a wonderfully diverse township.
Daniel J. McCarthy
Nestlewood Way
West Windsor
Child Abuse Prevention Month
To the editor:
   
Springtime is a time of optimism and renewal. As we observe Child Abuse Prevention Month this April, Prevent Child Abuse-New Jersey encourages everyone to make positive choices that affect the way we raise our children and support our families.
   Dramatic changes in social, cultural and demographic trends have occurred over the years, presenting today’s parents with many new challenges in creating the safe and stable homes children need in order to thrive. Various approaches to strengthening families through prevention and early intervention efforts have been studied, certain proven approaches have been funded by the state; however, more remains to be done.
   While no one can single-handedly achieve positive community-wide change, everyone can do something. Together we can choose to create a prosperous society that understands and genuinely values the well-being of children. As a society, we can work together to prevent child abuse and neglect.
   There are countless opportunities for you to make positive choices for community change with a commitment of as little as 30 minutes a week. As an individual, you can start making positive choices today.
   Choose to:
   • provide your own children a loving and stable home;
   • advocate for new mothers to receive support through parenting programs before and after their child is born;
   • encourage policymakers to make home visitation and mutual self-help parent support programs available and accessible — regardless of income, socioeconomic status or community;
   • join a parent support group;
   • become a mentor to a child or new parent.
   Strong families benefit all citizens of New Jersey by reducing juvenile delinquency, teen pregnancy, physical and mental illness and other poor childhood outcomes. Working together, we can make a difference for children and families in this state and build a bright future for generations to come.
   Child abuse can be prevented — please visit www.PreventChildAbuseNJ.org or call us at (800)-CHILDREN to learn more. It makes sense for every reason.
Nicholas D. Borrelli
Hopewell