Letters to the Editor, July 20

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR, July 20

In defense of Princeton Township Police
To the editor:
This letter is a response to the rude and outlandish comments Ms. Leslie A. Winter of Lawrence made in the July 13 Princeton Packet regarding the Princeton Township Police Department’s conduct during the fireworks display at the beginning of the month.
   Unless she herself has ever been a law enforcement officer, I cannot imagine that she could know how difficult it is to shepherd the thousands of people who come to enjoy the fireworks in our town every year. I’m sure that the officers stationed on the Washington Road bridge were only concerned for the safety of those who were on the bridge, as the fireworks are set off in that vicinity.
   I coach nearly 50 children on a swim team, and if I can become frazzled trying to keep them under control for an hour, I can only imagine what the pressure must be on the officers who have to direct traffic and pedestrians in a hazardous area for not just the 20 minutes that the fireworks are going off, but for a substantial period of time before and after the event.
   Ms. Winter certainly did not think about the officers themselves when she put in her two cents. Were they enjoying the beautiful fireworks display with their families that night? Certainly not: they were making sure people like her were not getting run over by cars or hit with a stray fireworks rocket.
   Our officers make sacrifices every holiday season to make sure we are safe, and Ms. Winter has the nerve to call them a disgrace. Well, I believe that you, Ms. Winter, should be quite ashamed of yourself and your comments. The Princeton Township Police Department is a fine public institution which makes this town proud, and if anybody doesn’t like the way they work, then they can certainly go and see those fireworks in Hamilton or Lawrence. It would definitely free up some parking spaces at our display.
James S. Beslity
Greenway Terrace
Princeton Township
In defense of the West Windsor Council
To the editor:
   
This is in response to a letter to the editor from Kirk Loury, which appeared in the June 13 of The Princeton Packet. I believe the context and validity of the ideas and criticisms expressed in that letter will be improved with a little reflection and/or additional information.
   1) In elections the winners are the winners. The unique thing about our Democracy is that we accept the results (unless there is corruption or illegality involved), without having a revolution. Within the law and the entity’s by-laws, the winning team, side or party can organize and govern as they see fit regardless of their margin of victory or the size of the turnout that elected them. That is true for the present West Windsor Township Council just as it had been exercised for several years before the May 8 election by a council dominated by members closely associated with the mayor.
   2) The complaint that the Best 4 West Windsor team incorrectly used the term "1,000 Homes" (instead of apartments) during the campaign is absurd. Where people live is their home. Hillier was and is recommending 1000 units of different kinds and I’m sure he expects all of them to be occupied so that means 1,000 homes.
   3) Yes, Mr. Morgan, Mr. Anklowitz and Mr. Borek will probably vote together on many issues. I imagine they found that they have compatible views on lots of things before they decided to run together. However, I have seen them to also be three strongly independent thinkers. Best of all, they are far more interested in what is best for the township than just what the mayor wants, so there is bound to be far more discussion and probably more disagreement than there was with the previous council.
   4) To start to understand the dissatisfaction behind the overpublicised actions taken by the council regarding the township attorney you must have attended a number of council meetings or watched them on channel 27 over the past several years. I will only say that as a frequent member of the audience at council meetings I have, more than a few times, felt that the attorney has gone beyond solicited or volunteered legal advice or comments and become a protagonist on issues the council is debating.
   Finally, like Mr. Loury, I also want a mayor and council that will work for the interests of the entire township. (We are not a town.) I think that is what we have. The only trouble is that just as Mr. Loury and I may disagree on what some of those interests are and how they may best be achieved, so also will council members continue to disagree among themselves and with the mayor. The difference is that we now have the balance of an independent council so there may be more opinions expressed and supported more forcefully.
Robert J. Akens
Windsor Drive
West Windsor
Newborn screening very important
To the editor:
   
The March of Dimes and the American College of Medical Genetics call for every baby to be screened for 29 genetic or functional disorders. If diagnosed early, all of these disorders can be successfully managed or treated to prevent severe consequences.
   According to the latest March of Dimes Newborn Screening Report Card, New Jersey only requires screening for 23 of the 29 core conditions. While New Jersey, in reality, screens all newborns for more than 50 disorders, these screens are not all mandated by State Law, and so are not counted in the national rankings.
   The March of Dimes New Jersey Chapter is working with Assemblyman John McKeon to pass Assembly Bill 3637, which will codify the Newborn Screening Program, including disorders for screening, follow-up treatment for affected children, and funding for program expansion and infrastructure. Having this codified into law would protect the newborn screening program from being shut down due to budget problems or cut backs. Including newborn screening in the New Jersey statute is a key way to ensure that our state will continue to be seen as a leader in the field of promoting child health.
   Visit marchofdimes.com/newjersey and join the efforts to help New Jersey babies get comprehensive screening.
Joan Stolpen,
NJ March of Dimes
Princeton