Council candidate thanks voters
To the editor:
I would like to thank all the voters of Princeton who took the time to turn out and cast a ballot Tuesday (June 6), exercising one of our most important rights and responsibilities in a democracy.
I and my co-candidate Leticia Fraga are proud to be part of a strong Democratic Party ticket headed into the fall, and many of the races in November will be hotly contested, providing an opportunity for voters throughout Princeton, Mercer County, Legislative District 16, and all of New Jersey to express their commitment to each other and to the cause of responsible, caring, effective government for our community.
We will not take your support for granted, and intend to be active throughout the summer and fall, getting to know as many voters as we can, and making ourselves available to hear what issues are of greatest concern to the people of Princeton.
We will continue to regularly show up at Bon Appetit on Wednesday mornings from 8 to 9 a.m., and McCaffrey’s on Monday afternoons from 5 to 6 p.m. in the upstairs seating area. Please do stop by and introduce yourselves, and/or share your views. Also look for us at the Farmers market in Hines Plaza on Thursday afternoons, and keep your ears open to hear about house parties coming to your neighborhood, where we hope to engage with neighbors in every voting district in town.
To learn more about my priorities as a candidate, and to learn about upcoming house parties, please visit my Facebook page: www.facebook.com/DECPrinceton.
Princeton faces many challenges in the coming years, planning for change and preserving the wonderful character of our community, as we experience constant pressure for growth and development. We are blessed to reside in a highly desirable place to live, but in the wise words of the Jewish folk hero Nasrudin, “Sometimes what seems like a blessing may be a curse, and what seems like a curse may be a blessing.” Let’s all pitch in together to make sure our blessings stay blessings.
David E. Cohen, AIA
Democratic candidate for Princeton council
No justification
for mass violence
To the editor:
The June 14 mass shooting at a Congressional Republican baseball practice in Alexandria, VA before the annual Congressional charity baseball game, is yet another horrifying reminder of the human death and suffering caused by America’s continuing epidemic of gun violence.
Just that one day, there were mass shootings in Brooklyn and San Francisco, bringing the total of such shootings this year to over 150 — an average of one every day! My prayers are with all those victims, every one of whose life is precious in God’s sight, as well as with their loved ones.
There can be absolutely no justification for such mass violence. All Americans, regardless of political party or any other aspect of their identity, deserve to be safe from gun violence.
It is critical to not only mourn, but also to organize. The Ceasefire NJ Project of the Coalition for Peace Action has successfully led efforts to preserve New Jersey’s Assault Weapons Ban, passage of the first Childproof Handgun Law in the nation, and, most recently, to keep guns away from domestic abusers. Those interested in becoming involved are encouraged to visit peacecoalition.org and click the Ceasefire NJ icon on the right hand side.
The Rev. Robert Moore
Executive director
Princeton-based Coalition for Peace Action
Commends council
on stormwater ordinance
I applaud Princeton Council’s initiative in taking the first step to improve how our town handles stormwater. On June 12, council adopted a new ordinance that requires modern stormwater management measures for any new development and for increases in impervious cover at existing developments.
As the demand for bigger houses continues to impact many Princeton neighborhoods, we have seen developers bulldoze away smaller homes to make way for larger homes. The upshot is greater flooding and pollution, not to mention wet basements and soggy yards for the neighbors.
The council’s unanimous approval of the ordinance is a step in the right direction, but it only addresses new or expanded development. Unfortunately, most of our excessive runoff is from older developments that were constructed before we fully appreciated its consequences to downstream communities, to water quality and to aquatic life. We need to better control stormwater runoff from our existing commercial and residential development by requiring that any redevelopment incorporate modern stormwater management measures. Based on the public testimony, the town is eager to start soon on a second-phase strategy.
We must be mindful of finding ways to allow water to soak into the ground, recharge the aquifer, and prevent flooding downstream.
The Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association should also be commended for its research and advocacy on this important issue. The association and council are both to be commended for forward-thinking action on the recently approved stormwater ordinance.
Scott Sillars
Vice Chairman at the Stony Brook – Millstone Watershed Association
Princeton
Mayor doesn’t understand point
of affordable housing policies
To the editor:
I read with stunned incredulity Montgomery Township Mayor Ed Trzaska’s letter to the editor of June 16. Mayor Trzaska decries public policies designed to reverse the high level of class and ethnic segregation across the state, one of the highest in the nation. Residential segregation is driven by low-density zoning policies in places like Montgomery Township.
Mayor Trzaska asserts that Montgomery has vacant COAH units for which there is no demand. Perhaps he should question why that is. A cursory check on the Montgomery Township Affordable Housing website reveals that some of the rents at which these “affordable” homes are offered exceed fair market rents in Somerset County, such as $1,468 for a one-bedroom apartment at Pike Run. It appears that Montgomery Township does not list its available units in the NJ Affordable Housing free online directory, the state’s primary repository. What efforts does the township make to advertise its available units and conduct community outreach to underserved populations? Affirmative marketing of COAH units is a regulatory requirement.
But Mayor Trzaska, predictably, would rather seek a revival of the long ago discredited regional contributions agreements, repealed in 2008, which demonstrably contributed to the continued ghettoization of minorities in depressed urban areas. Mayor Trzaska does not seem to get the point of affordable housing policies.
Maria Juega
Princeton
More traffic light arrows
needed in Princeton
To the editor:
I have been a resident of Princeton since June 1976. In my opinion, I am highly qualified to make recommendations on ways to make things better for Princeton.
There is a desperate need for an increase in green arrow type of traffic lights in all parts of Princeton. I sincerely hope that this letter results in the creation of more green arrow type of traffic lights.
Ethan C. Finley
Princeton
