Letters to the Editor, June 26

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR, June 26

Recreation Board’s Shakespearean reply
To the editor:
   
On behalf of the Joint Recreation Board, we are writing to address the recent negative articles (The Packet and Town Topics) pertaining to our supposed mistreatment of the Shakespeare Repertory Company with regard to the use of Pettoranello Gardens. The gist of those articles was to criticize the board of being short sighted in not offering the Rep Company a long term contract, thereby hurting its chances to attain sponsor commitments and causing the company to cancel its 2007 season.
   For the record, New Jersey state law prohibits municipal agencies from extending multi-year contracts, except in very specific circumstances and then for only two years. We further note that best practices from municipalities around the country suggest the annual renewal of contracts.
   We, as the Recreation Board’s Amphitheater Sub-committee, have been involved in these negotiations for over seven years. In that time, not withstanding our prohibitions, we have repeatedly assured the Shakespeare Rep board (both in writing and verbally) our intent to have them return the following year. We have encouraged their board to share this information with its sponsors and we have offered to take a personal role in that effort if requested. Furthermore, we have gone to great lengths to actually ensure that the Rep Company would return to the amphitheater each year.
   Appointed by our respective mayors, we Recreation Board members have an obligation to act in the best interest of the Princeton community; thereby encouraging the return of all those who have previously performed at the Pettoranello Gardens, as well as to invite those who are qualified but have not yet utilized this beautiful, but small venue.
Joint Recreation Board
Amphitheater Subcommittee
Jeaninne Honstein
Mike Finkelstein
Tom Zucosky
Blame dog owners for vicious attacks
To the editor:
   
The attack on Mr. Giovanni Rivera by five German shepherds in Princeton Township was horrifying and inexcusable. Attacks by dogs are increasing and unless you have been a victim yourself, you probably don’t understand how terrifying and damaging the short and long term effects are.
   Dog owners who are negligent in controlling their animals should be held legally and criminally liable far more than they are currently. At this time, dog attacks and killings of other animals such as companion animals are not compensable because pets are considered "property" under the law. There are bills in New Jersey pending to change this in recognition of the important part pets play in our lives and the emotional and financial investments we make on their behalf. These bills deserve our support.
   In addition, there are specific statutes in New Jersey regarding dogs that are declared vicious by virtue of a previous incident. These include special licensing and tags, detailed specifications on housing and confinement of vicious dogs, signage on the premises informing others of the presence of vicious dogs, and follow up monitoring and enforcement by animal control officers. These statutes provide for far more than simply muzzling a dog when it is on a leash.
   In my own case, had these statutes been enforced, my beloved dog Katy would be alive today. Instead she was mauled to death in front of me on our morning walk last December by a vicious dog that attacked her on our morning walk in Princeton Borough. This same dog had a known propensity to attack other animals and in fact had attacked and injured a guide dog 10 weeks previously. No follow up steps were taken by the owner of the dog or the municipality to ensure that this never happened again.
   As a society, we need to get serious about protecting the lives of people and animals from dogs whose aggression makes them unsuitable for living safely among us.
Carol Yam
Linden Lane
Princeton
Proud to be ‘Fair and Clean’
To the editor:
   
We would like to congratulate State Senate candidate Bill Baroni and his running mates Tom Goodwin and Adam Bushman on reaching the qualifying benchmark of 400 individual $10 contributions towards their "Clean Elections" campaign.
   On Wednesday night, our family had the pleasure of hosting Bill Baroni, Tom Goodwin and Adam Bushman at our home to talk to our friends and neighbors about this exciting new initiative to help eliminate the corruption and political patronage that goes on at the State House.
   As many of your readers may have heard, West Windsor and Plainsboro, as part of the 14th District, have been selected to take part in the "Fair and Clean Elections" experiment. For those who haven’t, "Fair and Clean Elections" is a new experiment seeking to remove the influence of special interests in our government and allow our representatives to vote their conscience.
   We are so proud to have taken an active role in promoting the Fair and Clean Elections experiment. We are writing to encourage Packet readers to participate in this new initiative and to avail themselves of this precious opportunity to dismantle the state’s culture of corruption and to reclaim the honesty and integrity of our State House.
   We strongly support the efforts of Bill Baroni, Tom Goodwin and Adain Bushman. We must work together to eliminate the spiral of wasteful spending that drives up our property taxes and forces many families to leave our state. It’s time to take a stand.
Paul and Cynthia Burnber
Wycombe Way
West Windsor
Children’s Art Sale a big success
To the editor:
   
Thank you to everyone who helped to make my annual Children for Children Art Sale for CASA on June 21 such a success, enabling me to surpass last year’s achievement. I want to thank my friends who made art and helped to sell the art and Red Green Blue for donating children’s art work. I also want to thank Sovereign Bank for allowing me to hold the art sale in front of the bank and for matching all donations made to CASA. Specifically, I would like to thank Mark McCoy and Mark Applegate of Sovereign Bank for all of their assistance with my art sale. I also want to thank the CASA representatives who volunteered their time at my sale. I especially want to thank everyone in the community who bought art or made a donation.
Stephanie Hauer
Dodds Lane
Princeton
Don’t be SAD in summer heat
To the editor:
   
As summer approaches, the public may be surprised to learn that the heat can lead to a depressive disorder in some people. While seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is more common in the winter, affecting 5 percent of the U.S. population, a smaller group (1 percent) experiences SAD in the summer.
   Symptoms of summer SAD include difficulty sleeping, weight loss and anxiety. Lack of energy and lethargy, considered to be the body’s reactions to heat, are also common symptoms.
   Heat suppresses the thyroid hormone, which causes energy drain. Heat also stimulates growth hormone and a closely related protein hormone called prolactin, which cause lethargy. In addition, prolactin inhibits the effects of dopamine, a chemical in the brain that is associated with positive feelings.
   NJAMHA urges all New Jersey residents to monitor their mental health and that of those around them and to call a community mental health center if help is needed. A complete listing of local community mental health agencies throughout New Jersey may be found by visiting NJAMHA’s website at www.njamha.org or by calling NJAMHA at 609-838-5488 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. during normal business days.
   In addition to its psychological effects, hot weather also presents physical risks, some related to certain types of medications. Some psychiatric medications, blood pressure medicines and decongestants can prevent the body from increasing blood flow to the skin, which is necessary to cool body temperature. As a result, individuals who take any of these medicines are at risk of overheating, which can be fatal. Other types of medications, including antidepressants, drugs of abuse and cold and allergy medicines, can prevent the body from sweating, which also leads to overheating. In addition, water pills and beverages with alcohol or caffeine can cause dehydration. Doctors should be consulted before deciding to stop any prescribed medication.
   Additional precautions should be followed, whether or not medications are being taken: Wear light clothing, drink plenty of fluids, stay in the shade or inside air conditioned buildings, avoid intense physical activity during hot weather, shower frequently.
Shauna Moses
New Jersey Association
of Mental Health Agencies
Quakerbridge Road
Hamilton