LETTERS TO THE EDITOR, March 28
By:
Faulty reasoning defeats resolution
To the editor:
On Monday night, only two members of the Princeton Township Committee voted to consider the resolution against the war on Iraq, signed by approximately 1,000 township residents. We applaud the courage of Casey Hegener and Leonard Godfrey for their support.
The members who voted against the resolution raised two arguments. As to the first, that it is not in the purview of a municipality to vote on such matters, the fact that 161 municipalities across the country have already voted for similar resolutions reveals the fallacy in this argument.
The second argument is more disturbing that although last week it was acceptable to speak out against waging an unjust war, it is now unpatriotic to do so because we must support our troops (who were already poised to fight last week). Every war our country has waged has been fought in the name of democracy, on the principle that our troops are fighting to preserve our democratic way of life and to defend our Constitution. How can it be deemed unpatriotic to exercise one of the rights they are fighting to preserve the right of free speech?
Even more disturbing is the thought that for the president to gain support for an unpopular war, all he needs to do is to commence that war. By this logic, citizens can never call for the end of a war that has begun, and we could still be in Vietnam. Playing the card of false patriotism, the president may not only silence the opposition but may also be given carte blanche to extend his war into Syria, Iran and North Korea.
I hope the three other committee members will reconsider their positions. As long as this war continues, they may demonstrate their support for our troops by asking to bring them home.
Ann Summer
Mark Feigenson
Steven Feigenson
Keith Feigenson
Cedar Lane
Princeton
Voters won’t forget political cowardice
To the editor:
I want to take this opportunity to thank the Princeton Township Committee for finally taking a public stand on the anti-war resolution requested by over 1,000 of the citizens of the municipality you represent. I realize, of course that you were forced into this position. Had you the choice, some of you would have preferred to just continue to mouth your platitudes about being personally opposed to this war being waged on Iraq.
Yes, I was in the audience for the Township Committee meetings of March 10 and March 24. I heard Mr. Miller’s and Mr. Enslin’s explanations of how upset they were about the actions of the Bush administration. Mayor Marchand, in contrast, sounded like a military recruiter. Yet when it was all said and done, only two members of the committee, Ms. Hegener and Mr. Godfrey, had the moral fiber and the political courage to put their conscience where their platitudes had been.
Citizens who are elected from the community should represent the best of us, in the worst of times. The citizens of Princeton Township were short-changed by the actions of three members of the Township Committee. These three committee members listened to experts explain how our community, and others throughout the country, will be devastated by the squandering of public dollars on this military adventure. They sat through the listing of the courageous actions of previous Princeton Township committees, who, on five different occasions, passed resolutions on matters of national and international concern, including one condemning the war in Vietnam. Yet, after all was discussed, these three political cowards chose to support this first of many illegal military incursions. They chose to support it by refusing to condemn it.
I hope that when this first war campaign is completed, the township budget will still have enough money in it to pay for some flowers for the graves of the members of our community who will not be coming home from Iraq alive. After the actions of Mr. Enslin, Mr. Miller and Ms. Marchand, they will be owed that much.
What is owed to the rest of the citizenry, especially the 1,000 people who signed the petition, is a chance to find representatives of merit rather than lackeys who do not want to rock the boat. These citizens will get their chance for better government. In a municipality where local elections are decided by a few dozen votes, 1,000 people who do not forget or forgive can make a big difference.
Lawrence Kane
Harris Road
Princeton
Committee members don’t serve township
To the editor:
Several problems were apparent at Monday night’s Princeton Township Committee meeting, in which members were called upon by citizens to vote in favor of a resolution against the war in Iraq. Visually, these township meetings never fail to make good theater. In the new building, the committee appears more like a politburo than the public servants they’re supposed to be sitting at their new dais, which is so elevated relative to the audience I had to crane my neck just to view the tops of their heads. If Mayor Marchand (who has been pushing this new building her entire committee career), had planned intimidation into the building design, she could not have done a better job than with that $35,000 dais that has enough wood panel on it to make a small forest. Soon, they will have to offer themselves up on a large screen TV simulcast so we can adequately see and hear them.
Power and intimidation is not a good thing in a public discussion about an issue as controversial as war. But even the mildest of public expression applause was gaveled silent by the mayor. And she reprimanded the public, like small children, if they dared clap their hands. I wondered if the only missing prop was a hat to be held in the hands of those daring to address the committee and complete the obsequious picture.
As if the physical disparity in power was not obscene enough, three out of five committee members proceeded to vote against their own conscience. Hiding behind the mayor’s rationale seemed to be their avenue of choice: that their opinion was irrelevant at a municipal level. Nevertheless, opinion became important again when the mayor read a couple of pro-war letters and proclaimed that the committee is representing the residents of Princeton Township. So the resolution was voted down.
Do they represent the community? Of the approximately 14,000+ resident adults in Princeton Township, only 9,855 were registered voters in 2001. Of that, only 5,188 bothered to vote in the municipal election that year. The mayor received only 2,735 of those votes hardly a landslide. The mayor’s statement that " the committee represents the people of the township" should offend anyone no matter what their opinion is of the war. The anti-war petition alone has more than 1,000 signatures. Mayor Marchand’s rejection of the resolution and that of Mr. Enslin and Mr. Miller spits in the face of most of the constituency in the room who put the all-Democratic committee on their expensive throne in the first place. What more will be required to convince Princeton Democrats that their officials do not serve or represent them?
Emily Cook
Dempsey Avenue
Princeton
Cunningham brings insights to board
To the editor:
We are delighted that JoAnn Cunningham will serve on the Princeton Regional Board of Education. Dr. Cunningham is a professional educator who brings priceless insights to the school board at a time when our schools need them most. Similarly, her ability to motivate a wide range of young people to achieve and to excel in the classroom consistently enhances her professional knowledge.
Dr. Cunningham received her doctorate degree from Rutgers University and her undergraduate degree in psychology from Rutgers as well. The continuity in her educational background enriches her research skills and fuels her teaching ability. In this rich academic context, JoAnn has developed research paradigms regarding the cultural orientations of "immigrant" families and their children in public schools and in higher education. Her insights have nuanced possibilities for our own schools.
Dr. Cunningham is a professor at William Paterson University in the Department of African, African American and Caribbean Studies. She captures her undergraduate students’ interest with her curriculum development skills and with her persuasive knowledge of psychological issues that sometimes seem impenetrable. JoAnn is a published author.
Dr. Cunningham was selected by the Princeton Board of Education to fill an unexpired term. During this time of service, she has served as a member of the board’s Program Committee and as a liaison to the Princeton Young Achievers. JoAnn will be on the ballot in the upcoming school board election.
Dr. Cunningham is a gentle woman. She is kind, She is thoughtful. She is charming. We are delighted that our school board will be graced by her presence.
Barbara and Mansour Ajami
Tupelo Row
James M. Ogden
Mulberry Row
Ronald Plummer
William Livingston Court
Mary and Walter Bliss
Moore Street
Robert Bittner
Broadripple Drive
Princeton
Princeton Pro Musica sets record straight
To the editor:
Princeton Pro Musica is proudly approaching its 25th season with sound financial planning and commitment to excellence in choral and orchestral music. We would like to clarify the article about Princeton Pro Musica (The Packet, March 21).
Princeton Pro Musica, like all arts organizations in New Jersey, will be affected by cuts in state arts funding. In these financially challenging times, the Princeton Pro Musica Board of Trustees made a prudent decision to pay down its existing debt without incurring more. In mid-February, we chose to consolidate the final two concerts into one event. This combined concert will take place in the Princeton University Chapel on Saturday, April 26, at 8 p.m.; it will include the Rachmaninoff Vespers and the Durufle Requiem.
We are very proud that our recent fund-raising efforts have resulted in significant contributions to our operating fund. In addition, during this time we have received more than $50,000 in gifts to our endowment fund a strong vote of confidence in the future of the organization.
Princeton Pro Musica has enjoyed a longstanding cooperative relationship with the Princeton Girlchoir in which the organizations share office space and musical talent. Contrary to the statement in last week’s article, our organizations have no plans to discontinue this relationship.
We wish to thank the Princeton community for its support, understanding and generosity as we move toward a landmark 25th season.
Cynthia Westbrook
President
Princeton Pro Musica Board of Trustees
Princeton
Area book lovers were not disappointed
To the editor:
We have just completed the annual Bryn Mawr-Wellesley Book Sale in Princeton, and wish to express our appreciation to all those involved in making it a great community success. This is the 72nd consecutive year of the sale, which serves the greater Princeton community and draws interested buyers from the whole East Coast. The proceeds are used to help students from the central New Jersey area attend Bryn Mawr and Wellesley colleges.
The sale would not be possible without the wonderful space provided by Princeton Day School for the entire two weeks of its spring vacation. We also rely on the year-long contributions of books from the community, the volunteer work of club members, families and friends and, of course, our customers, who eagerly look forward to the sale each year.
Their hopes were not disappointed. We had approximately 80,000 books of art, fiction and nonfiction for all ages, covering the entire range of tastes at very low cost. Another highlight was Collector’s Corner, featuring older and rare books of special interest. We sincerely thank all who participated in any facet of this remarkable event.
You can help us continue this tradition by making tax-deductible donations of books throughout the year. Our warehouse is located in the rear parking lot at 32 Vandeventer Ave. in Princeton Borough, tel. (609) 921-7479, and is open all year long, every Wednesday and Saturday, from 10 a.m. to noon.
Mary Cooper
President, Bryn Mawr Club
Ellen Tabell
President, Wellesley Club
Princeton
Story misrepresents Sayre Drive issue
To the editor:
I wish to respond to your paper’s profound misrepresentation of my statement about Princeton University paying for modifications to the Sayre Drive interchange (The Packet, March 25). It is profound because the thrust of our position, endorsed in a petition signed by over 655 residents representing over 70 percent of the homes in Princeton Landing, was lost.
Contrary to what was stated in your article, I am very aware that Princeton University intends to pay for its presently proposed modifications to the Sayre Drive interchange. However, the traffic agreement between Princeton University and Plainsboro Township, which I discussed with your reporter, states the following:
"Princeton University further agrees to support the Township’s efforts to obtain future ultimate NJDOT improvements of the Sayre Drive underpass, such as widening of the underpass; provided, however, Princeton University shall not be obligated to contribute financially to the design and/or construction of any improvements to the Sayre Drive underpass…"
It seems to us that this sentence reflects an understanding by Princeton University that there will be enough traffic in the Sayre Drive underpass from its Forrestal Campus to require future Department of Transportation improvements. Princeton University demonstrably wishes to leave the burden of traffic from its Forrestal Campus on the Department of Transportation and the residents of Princeton Landing.
This is contrary to Gov. James E. McGreevey’s position in his State of the State address that state taxpayers not subsidize developers. Our solution, closing Sayre Drive as an access point to the Forrestal Campus, is consistent with Gov. McGreevey’s position and will save state taxpayers millions of dollars in future needed improvements to the Sayre Drive underpass. For this reason, we petitioned Gov. McGreevey and our other state representatives.
Across Route 1 from our community, Princeton’s Forrestal Campus will have 2.1 million square feet of development generating over 2,600 vehicles in each rush hour and over 18,000 vehicle trips daily. Since Princeton Landing’s only entrance and exit are on Route 1 at the Sayre Drive interchange, we are very concerned about our safety, especially during rush hours.
Presently, the Sayre Drive underpass can function acceptably only because it has low volumes of traffic and because most of the drivers are residents of Princeton Landing who understand the constraints of the interchange. The substantially increased traffic from the Forrestal Campus combined with the changing character of the drivers from mostly residents to mostly commuters, will result in the Sayre Drive underpass becoming a major safety hazard.
Closing off Sayre Drive on Department of Transportation property will prevent the Sayre Drive interchange from being a major access point for the Forrestal Campus, and will allow all other traffic, including Route 1 movement, through the Sayre Drive interchange as it presently exists. This will ensure that the access to the Forrestal Campus will be at the high-capacity interchanges on Route 1 at College Road and at Scudders Mill Road, which can safely handle it. This solution will also ensure that low volumes of traffic will continue to use the Sayre Drive interchange, making it safer for vehicles traveling and pedestrians walking through the narrow Sayre Drive underpass.
Susan J. Smiley
Co-Chair
Friends of Sayre Drive
Sayre Drive
Plainsboro
WW-P budget sustains high educational quality
To the editor:
Today’s educational environment is demanding. From increasing state regulations to the complex college admissions process, students, faculty and staff are hard at work. The West Windsor-Plainsboro Board of Education recognizes this and other challenges we face, including the economic and world issues that affect us all.
Current economic times demand change. This year, we have changed the way we reviewed the school district budget and the way in which we prepared the budget, in addition to following changes in state regulations. With this in mind, the board presents the proposed 2003-2004 school budget. Working with central office administration, school principals, directors and supervisors, we constructed a budget that continues to maintain excellence while remaining sensitive to its impact on taxpayers. As you have tightened your belt, so have we. The proposed 2003-2004 West Windsor-Plainsboro budget is lean and reasonable, reflecting an increase of 4.28 percent.
The budget for the 2003-2004 school year appropriates funding for increases in salary adjustments for faculty and staff, increases in health benefit premiums, and increases in special-education programs, as well as increases in transportation costs and support for a growing student enrollment. The proposed budget, which takes into consideration these increases, does not affect the delivery of instruction to students. Class sizes generally remain stable and teacher-student ratios remain excellent. In effect, there has been no reduction in staff to affect classrooms, and we are proud to be able to hold the line on class size. Small decreases in the number of faculty are due to greater attention to the scheduling of classes and a less-than-anticipated increase in student population.
WW-P will continue to sustain programmatic excellence and student achievement. We do, though, have decreases in some areas of the budget. While we were able to eliminate some positions due to retirements, there have been cuts in the custodial and maintenance departments and clerical support staff. We believe we are now working "smarter" with the increased use of technology and greater efficiency.
We are very proud of the increase in instructional time that will be added to the school day. With the negotiated teacher agreement, we have a 9.8-percent increase in instructional time time of student-teacher interaction and learning at the high school level. This means that classes will go from 41 minutes to 60 minutes. At the middle school level, students also will benefit from increases in instructional time. In addition, we have not cut any course offerings to students, and there have been minimal changes to the athletic programs offered to students throughout the district. Also, there have been some small changes to co-curricular activities.
On behalf of the Board of Education, I want to thank all community residents, in West Windsor and Plainsboro, for their continued interest in and support of our excellent school system. Together, we can all take great pride in the accomplishments of students and staff. People are attracted to our area for the quality of this regional school district and it is our joint responsibility to ensure a continued high quality of education. We are a district of distinction. Students, faculty and staff are worthy of our praise for their achievements.
Stephen Smith
President
West Windsor-Plainsboro Board of Education
Village Road West
West Windsor
Rush to judgment on schedule change
To the editor:
I was shocked to learn that the Board of Education approved the rotating schedule for West Windsor-Plainsboro high schools for the upcoming school year. The new schedule will profoundly impact students’ academic lives, and obviously, a decision this significant should have been thoroughly discussed and debated among all students and parents.
In the information posted on the district’s Web site (www.ww-p.org) under "High School Scheduling Approved," the school board claims a number of merits of the rotating schedule, such as increased instructional time, improved room utilization and class size, etc. However, the board’s study did not present any potential drawbacks of this new schedule. There are three major concerns among students and parents who have severe reservations about this new schedule:
1) Students may not accept the new schedule. They may struggle to adjust to the new schedule instead of focusing on their classes. Also, high school students are not college students. Though instructional time is increased, children may lose focus by the end of the period.
2) A good school district should meet the needs of different students. The current fixed schedule allows students interested in certain subjects to take more advanced classes at Princeton. Now, with the improvement of WW-P’s quality of education, there are more students wishing to take such classes. With the rotating schedule, this is almost impossible, since at least three normal classes will be affected. This, in turn, will disable them from participating in such classes. For some of them, the new schedule will stymie academic progress and development. Many will have trouble fulfilling the requirements for graduation.
3) With the current space and services available in both campuses, lunch will be impossible to conduct. Currently, students often stand in lunch lines for over half the period. With three times as many students crammed into one period, it will be impossible to provide all students with lunch in time. Furthermore, if the hallways are opened up for lunch, custodians will be met with the challenge of cleaning the entire school. This may increase the school operation costs. The new schedule may increase social interaction, but will also create problems.
I am not the only parent concerned about this new schedule. Where is our voice? We assume that the school board voices our concerns and acts on behalf of parents and students with different viewpoints. Unfortunately, I did not see any of these concerns addressed on the district Web site.
I was fortunate to have an opportunity to discuss this with a new school board candidate, Dr. Liyou Yang, who is well-known for promoting quality education for all students. As principal of Plainsboro Chinese School, Dr. Yang actively participated in and facilitated teacher-parent-student communication. He is very open-minded and willing to present our opinion to the school board again, should he be elected. I strongly recommend students and parents who share my concern to contact Dr. Yang and to support his candidacy for the West Windsor-Plainsboro Board of Education. Let’s have our voice heard.
Ning Chen
Windmill Court
Plainsboro