LETTERS TO THE EDITOR, April 17
Borough project "double-speak"
To the editor:
In his April 6 response to The Packet, Princeton Borough Councilman Martindell appears to confirm an earlier letter’s withering analysis of the borough’s uncompleted downtown redevelopment project. Ironically, Mr. Martindell is a veteran member of the one-party Borough Council which has brought us this sorry saga starring a dysfunctional parking garage.
The councilman’s letter is an exemplar of the paradox, double-speak and obfuscation that characterizes Princeton Borough Council. According to the councilman’s own account, Phase I of the project is incomplete and the developer is suing the borough, but never mind, the borough is negotiating with the same developer to begin Phase II of the projectif he can obtain financing. And, oh yes, the developer still owes the borough rent for Phase I. Is this the only developer in town? How is it that the taxpayers have been placed in jeopardy by what can only be described as serious ineptitude?
But there is more. Borough negotiations with the developer are behind closed doors, but this is really OK, according to the councilman, because it is permitted by the Open Public Meetings Act. I doubt that the intent of the law was to keep taxpayers in the dark about how their taxes are spent or wasted.
While Mr. Martindell does not explain why these negotiations must be kept from public scrutiny, he purports to encourage public involvement in the process. That is a good thing, but made very difficult when the borough insists on excluding the public from what might be potentially embarrassing aspects of the process.
The Borough Council as currently constituted just doesn’t get it. In this era of ever-rising property taxes, fresh viewpoints and approaches are required in the borough’s governance. A willingness to tackle tough problems and make hard decisions on a timely and transparent basis are critical. It’s high time for a change in old and costly political habits.
Dudley Sipprelle
Nassau Street
Princeton
Imus-fueled dialog is "much needed"
To the editor:
The aftermath of Don Imus’ despicable comments heartens us. It has opened a much needed dialogue about racism in America in a way that would not have been possible a decade ago.
The restrained dignity shown by Coach Vivian Stringer and the Rutgers Women’s basketball team in the face of Mr. Imus’ ill conceived and consummately unfunny comments is a beacon of light in an otherwise dismal saga.
Free speech is a cornerstone of our society. But we and you do not have to financially support any of the sponsors of Mr. Imus’ show. Mr. Sharpton is right on the mark in calling for economic sanctions – that is what will make Mr. Imus and others of his ilk self-monitor to the extent that they are even capable of doing so. We applaud all sponsors who are pulling out, although they could have taken this action more quickly. We’re betting that the next time this happens, sponsors won’t wait a week to pull out.
As grandparents, we are glad that we can discuss with our grandaughter and grandsons the fact that we can support Mr. Imus’ right to say whatever he wants, but there are consequences of doing so. He and his employers are getting the message loud and clear that some of us will not tolerate it. This is not just an issue of insulting black women. Mr. Imus’ remarks are deeply offensive to every woman, man, and child on the planet.
It should also be said that Don Imus has acquitted himself reasonably well so far. He didn’t run to rehab, he immediately took responsibility for his remarks (more than his producer, equally guilty, has done), and he didn’t run out and hire a publicist to spin the fallout. It may, of course, be too little, too late.
Jane R. Altman
Robert A. Altman
Cherry Valley Road
Princeton
A job for "school walkers"
To the editor:
Mayor Marchand’s recent report to the township mentioned the receipt of a grant to support the Sustainable Princeton Plan. With global warming happening faster than we anticipated, I am sure we all welcome the new effort.
In an attempt to move the process forward I would like to propose a simple action which will cut down on greenhouse gases as well as possibly reducing, if only slightly, the requirement for a raise in taxes. It may even help to provide some much needed exercise for some of our retirees.
When my children attended the Princeton schools neither of them ever used a school bus. Neither did I, even though as a teenager I had to walk from Riverdale in the Bronx to De Witt Clinton High School on Mosholu Parkway, about three to four miles away. I believe that my current good health in my 80s can be attributed, at least in part, to all the walking I did as a child. Both of my children are equally blessed with good health.
I am therefore proposing an idea I recently heard where in the place of some of the school buses we hire "school walkers" who go from house to house picking up the children at their neighborhood pickup points and walk them to school. I propose that this be done for all children seven- to 10-years-old who live closer than a mile-and-a-half from their respective schools. Those already walking or riding their bikes would be excused. For those over age 10 the distance should be increased until all high school children are included who live less than three miles from school. Some school bus drivers will no longer be needed so they could be hired as school walkers. To ensure the safety of children I think there needs to be two school walkers per route. If ages and distances need adjustment make whatever changes are needed as long as we get our kids walking as much as possible and get rid of at least some of the school buses.
This also will considerably reduce the requirement for parents to deliver and pick-up their children and will thus add to the greenhouse gas reduction.
I know many parents will be opposed to my suggestion for many reasons. Busy schedules, extra school activities, fear of children being harmed or worse, etc. The important thing to remember is that if we really want to make a change we have to start acting now, even at the expense of some discomfort.
To show my concern for the problem I am offering to be a volunteer School Walker in my neighborhood at least once a week. I am hoping that by doing so I will encourage some parents and fellow retirees to join me to ensure that we get their kids to school safely.
This is a serious proposal and a real offer that I hope you will act on for the coming school year. It is also a simple proposal that does not need a lot of study and which can be acted on by the school board with some help from the municipal committee members.
Lets make Princeton a model of sustainability and greenhouse gas reduction.
Bob Levine
Linwood Circle
Princeton
"Squeezed" by the university
To the editor:
I am writing as a township resident to express my frustration (and that of my friends and neighbors) at being squeezed by both the "town and gown" aspects of living in Princeton.
The University has unveiled it’s plan for an "art community" made possible, in part, by an alumni gift which was pledged to benefit the community as well as the University. It is difficult to perceive the community benefit of a plan which relocates the Dinky station, making it less accessible and increases the number of tax-free institutions on a largely tax free campus.
Many of us are still "smarting" from the loss of the modest free library parking and we are saddened by the closure of Micawber Books. The latest blow is the property tax increase to fund the so called "Princeton educational edge" which will be a major burden for Princeton’s dwindling middle class. The real "Princeton edge" is conferred by the high parental expectations and privileged home lives of Princeton students, not fancy facilities.
R. Parish
Mountain Avenue
Princeton
Fix the Harrison-Route 1 intersection
To the editor:
There are tremendous delays at the Harrison – Route 1 intersection. The intersection is operating very inefficiently when the light turns green for the waiting Harrison Street traffic. There is a conflict between traffic leaving the popular Sunoco station and one way Eden Way. It is very dangerous entering Harrison Street from the Sonoco station or Eden Way when going toward Princeton because the vehicles waiting in line obscure the sight of the Princeton-bound traffic on Harrison Street.
It seems very logical to change Eden Way back to its original 1970-direction, away from Harrison Street. Likewise, the Sunoco gas station should not exit on Harrison Street. This traffic can use Route 1 and the Fisher Place jug handle. These changes will eliminate delay when the light is green.
Presently West Windsor and Princeton are trying to get the state to finance a second lane on the right as one approaches the Route 1 traffic light on Harrison Street. This would increase the capacity of the intersection, reduce delays and pollution. The new design would provide two left turning lanes And, if Eden Way were used, there would be a right turning lane during peak flows. Eden Way has only two set back residences on the east side and open land on the west side. The Eden Institute prefers exiting on to Route 1.
Use of both Eden Way and Fisher Place would facilitate the movement of traffic between Princeton and West Windsor for business and educational pursuits.
Richard W. B. Jesser
Prospect Avenue
Princeton

