Letters to the Editor, April 4

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR, April 4

By:
Attorney is critical of garage ruling
To the editor:
   
The Princeton borough attorney’s comments in the press that Judge Feinberg’s ruling dismissing the case brought by the Concerned Citizens of Princeton (my clients) is so strong as to be "non-appealable" appears to be premature at best.
   As an initial matter, my clients have 45 days to decide whether to appeal, although they will decide much sooner in the interest of avoiding excessive delay. Moreover, four months ago, an appeals court reversed the same judge for doing what she did again in this case. In Stone v. Seija, the appeals court wrote as follows: "We conclude that the trial court erred in deciding this fact-sensitive question on the papers, particularly since no motion for summary judgment was made by the defendants. Even if such a motion had been made, we are completely satisfied that, considering the evidential material in a light most favorable to the plaintiffs … reasonable minds could differ as to [the outcome]."
   In this case, the Concerned Citizens submitted abundant "evidential material" regarding the question before the court: whether the Park and Shop lot, the Tulane Street lot and Spring Street are "blighted" — or, to use the defendant’s preferred euphemism, "areas in need of redevelopment." This includes such undisputed facts as (1) these surface parking lots were generating a half million dollars a year in revenues, (2) they remain very popular with shoppers, library users and locally owned businesses who depend on them for their customers and (3) they were not run-down or dilapidated, and there was no issue as to their ownership ("title"), and they were not sites of criminal activity or community disruption. None of this was considered by the court.
   The borough’s consultant had written that they are blighted because, "Compared to what is possible," they are "obsolete" and thus a "detriment" to the community — an open-ended standard that makes every lot or building a potential source of "detriment" or "blight" simply because it is old.
   All this was ignored in the borough’s haste to invoke a statute based on the "blighted area" clause of the state constitution, which permits a municipality in areas properly designated as "blighted" to waive competitive bid laws (as the borough did here), to exempt the developer from local and county property taxes (as the borough did here) and to bar a public referendum on bond issues (such as the borough’s $13.5 million bond issue), even though 843 borough voters signed a petition circulated in just 10 days in January.
   In short, the Concerned Citizens are now weighing whether to file an appeal, which many feel it is their duty to do, given the absence of effective "checks and balances" in what should be a democratic process.
R. William Potter
Nassau Street
Princeton
Anti-war crowd shows its true colors
To the editor:
   
To Martin Oppenheimer, Mary Ellen Marino and the other radical leftists whose letters appear on these pages, I offer my gratitude. Every time you write a diatribe bashing America, every time you rant about a "class war," you alienate ever more citizens, thus diminishing the chances that a person of the left will ever be elected to national office.
   I don’t know how to break this to you, but the vast majority of Americans see the United States as an honorable country and a beacon for the world. We see a nation that welcomes boat people from Asia and refugees from Castro’s gulag. Remarkably, you and your fellow travelers look at the same nation and see it as the source of the world’s ills, a place where plutocrats devise schemes to subjugate the poor and take over the world. What must go through your minds when you see people risking their lives trying to reach a country you perceive as an oppressive oligarchy?
   Regarding the past, most of us similarly see our nation, warts and all, as the greatest force for good in the entirety of history. Who else liberates continents, pays for their reconstruction, then leaves? Have you forgotten that America turned emperor-worshipping Japan into a thriving democracy? Or that we were bold enough to call communism the evil it certainly was, giving hope to millions who were enslaved behind the Iron Curtain? Whichever side you may have favored during the Cold War (and I have my suspicions), you might want to ask some Eastern Europeans what they think of this country you loathe.
   The left’s pathological mistrust of all things American is evident among many of the peace activists, who deserve credit for transforming doves into hawks. Every time they hold a juvenile demonstration with red hands signifying "no blood for oil," more people abandon their cause. When they stage a "die-in" or "vomit-in," they only offend their fellow citizens. Princeton’s Coalition for Peace Action ("Coalition for Appeasement" is more apt) does its part to alienate when it charters buses to march alongside the communists of the Workers World Party and the Jew-haters of radical Islamic groups. Don’t forget: If the Coalition had its way, the Taliban would still be terrorizing Afghanistan.
   So I hope you stay the course. Keep holding "teach-ins," during which Marxist professors hope for a "million Mogadishus." Continue asserting that cop-killer Mumia is a hero and Palestinian suicide bombers are "freedom fighters." Go right on sneering at patriotism, the flag, religion, Boy Scouts and all the other things Americans cherish, and you’ll be relegated farther to society’s fringes. But then again, your goal doesn’t seem to be winning elections or persuading others. I suspect your primary ambition is congratulating one another for your "courage."
   America’s leftists will remain marginalized unless this war to liberate Iraq turns into a total disaster, or the economy descends into a cataclysmic recession. Reasonable folks would find it unimaginable to hope for those things, but many radicals have spent decades rooting for military or economic catastrophe. They could then finally tell themselves that, yes, they were right about America all along.
Paul Budline
Rollingmead
Princeton
Speak out now against this war
To the editor:
   
On April 1, a friend invited me along to a press conference that was held at the Princeton Theological Seminary by five theologians issuing an urgent appeal and challenge to the U.S. churches to practice a clear opposition to the U.S. war in Iraq.
   I had never been to a press conference and anyone, inside or outside the church, who was courageous enough to speak out against this war, at this time, I wanted to hear.
   The five professors, all ministers, authors and full-time teachers at the seminary, are signers of "An Urgent Appeal to the Churches." A key clause in the one-page appeal states, "We appeal to all Christians: Put your faith in Jesus Christ above your loyalty to the nation, because today faith demands a higher loyalty, and patriotism means dissent."
   Princeton professor of systemic theology, George Hunsinger, who initiated and drafted the appeal in consultation with its other signers at Princeton and across the country, noted, "It is with a heavy heart that we must now speak out. Our nation’s starting of this pre-emptive war is not justifiable, either in terms of the just war tradition or of international law. It is a sin of the highest order."
   Mark Taylor, Princeton professor of theology and culture, commented that they were holding this press conference to articulate their shared judgment that this military assault on Iraq violates Christian faith, informed moral reflection, our republic’s vision of democracy and the traditions of international law.
   As I sat listening and watching this somber event, given by church folks, my artist’s mind reflected on my belief that artistic expression is the key to our humanity. I wondered where was our expression of humanity now as artists, writers, musicians, librarians, teachers and all of us who value life? We must all speak out against this war and we must do it now.
Pamela Groves
Cherry Hill Road
Princeton
Show pride in America by raising the flag
To the editor:
   
Sept. 11 was a day that will be remembered forever, not only in the hearts of Americans but in the heart of the world. It was a day of chaos and fear, one that should never happen again. America was angry and frustrated, but the country came together and showed the world what we are made of.
   I was so happy seeing the huge amount of patriotism. People couldn’t run out to the stores fast enough to buy a flag. They went home and displayed it somewhere on their house, cars or rose it high on their flagpole. It seemed we wanted to show everyone that we are a strong nation and that we would support the United States always. This horrible act made by these people will not tear us apart, it will only make us a tighter nation. Everywhere you looked there was a flag and it gave me a great feeling.
   Slowly people started taking down their flags. I ask why?
   This flag that we salute, put our hand on our hearts, is a symbol of how our country began and what it stands for now. Support your country, the one you are living in, and the one that allows you to live in freedom.
   Our patriotism has faded. People protesting the war, not saying the national anthem, not hanging our flag, why are we not showing the world that we love our country?
   Put your flags back up. The flag you stand for and admire and the symbol that shows freedom. Freedom we fight for and freedom we die for to live in this country that men and women are right now dying for because they believe in the cause. You live in this country — respect this country — raise the flag.
Alexis McLeod Jacobi
Crestview Drive
Princeton
Support our troops with yellow ribbons
To the editor:
   
This is an open message to all area residents: Regardless of your political leanings or your views on the current conflict, I am asking the residents of our area to tie yellow ribbons around their trees or to wear one on their clothing.
   Contrary to what many might think, a yellow ribbon does not have any political bias, it is merely an outward symbol of support for those men and women in uniform. It tells them and their families back home that we are thinking of them and hoping that they can come back home safely, and it tells the families of those who will not be coming home that we will never forget the sacrifice they have made.
   Ask the businesses you frequent to put out yellow ribbons, call your town’s mayor’s offices and ask them to do the same. If you want to march against the war, do it wearing a yellow ribbon; the young people in uniform would be the first to protect your right to do so.
   It is a small outward sign that says volumes. It is a fervent hope that these husbands, wives, sons and daughters return home unharmed. It is a heartfelt hope for peace.
Maria Larkin
Bolton Circle
Montgomery
MS fund-raising efforts rewarded by residents
To the editor:
   
On behalf of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s Mid-Jersey Chapter, we would like to express our thanks to the Princeton community, especially the students and staff of Princeton High School, for their generous contributions and support towards our fund-raising efforts for the 2003 MS Walk. Since December, we have raised almost $3,000 for the MS Society, an amount that exceeded our original goal more than we could ever have imagined.
   Of course, we would not have been able to get this far without our great team members: Dina Grossman, Rachel George, Carley Moseley, Lauren Santiago, Jin Yi, Julie Szymaniak and Bill Black. All of them have put in 110 percent, and we are very appreciative.
   We would also like to thank and recognize our most generous donors: Carol Ann Marder of Hopewell, the Worby family of Princeton, the Komis family of Princeton, the George family of Princeton, the Yi family of Princeton, the Manley family of Princeton, the Grossman family of Princeton, Melissa Diamond of Princeton, Carol Joyce of Princeton High School, Joanne Mitchell of Princeton High School, Cami Mahon of Princeton, Verena Zurakowski of Princeton, Julianne Farinick of Cranbury and Suzanne Gespass of Princeton.
   We would also like to thank the following area media outlets for their support and assistance in raising community awareness: Town Topics, The Princeton Packet and The Times of Trenton.
   Donations are still being accepted, and any amount you can give is greatly appreciated. Make all checks payable to NMSS and send them in care of the PHS Little Tigers, P.O. Box 1542, Princeton, NJ 08542-1542.
   Thanks again for your continued support.
Andrew Black
Jane Dobkin
Kevin Manley
Captains
PHS Little Tigers
National Multiple Sclerosis Society
Mid-Jersey Chapter
Princeton
Unsung heroes come to the rescue
To the editor:
   
As a former deputy mayor, police commissioner and liaison to the fire and rescue squads in Hillsborough Township, I am acutely aware of how important these volunteers are to our communities. But I saw them in action, first-hand, last Friday in the Skillman section of Montgomery.
   Of all the years that I have spent with these fine individuals, never did I ever imagine that I would need their assistance.
   While driving home to Hillsborough from the State House in Trenton, where I am a lobbyist, I enjoyed the day and looked forward to seeing my children. Within a fraction of a second, a truck that ignored a stop sign crushed me inside my Pathfinder.
   Within minutes, they were on the scene and stabilized me. Then extracted me with the "Jaws of Life" — a rather humbling experience. Thanks to their professionalism and experience, I was freed and sent to the hospital.
   With the help from the Montgomery Rescue Services, I have a second chance with my family. Thank you to all, including the onlookers who offered assistance and called 911.
   So, I ask all residents to thank these unsung heroes and offer assistance when they need it. They are always giving and ask nothing for themselves. You never appreciate them until it hits close to home.
   I hope the aches and pains will eventually disappear, but one thing that will be constant is the professionalism of the Montgomery Township police, fire and rescue squad.
Chris Venis
Updike Avenue
Hillsborough
Newman backed for WW-P board
To the editor:
   
I met Mike Newman through our work together on the mayor of West Windsor’s Property Tax Review Task Force. While I believe he came to the mayor’s attention because of his candidacy for the Board of Education last April, we quickly realized he knew a great deal about the property-tax system in New Jersey, and how the property-tax burden is allocated between different parties. He led several discussions at meetings on property taxes by school districts such as ours, and the formula for allocating the school-tax burden between West Windsor and Plainsboro. Working together, and with input from other members of the task force, we prepared a brochure to share our findings on the property-tax situation in West Windsor with other township residents and educate them on how property taxes are determined and allocated.
   In preparing this brochure, we met a number of times around my kitchen table. We discussed the property-tax situation not just from an academic or business point of view but also from the perspective of a homeowner. Like myself, Mike has young children and moved to West Windsor to raise his family. We talked about the financial stress the high property taxes place on residents, and the need to lower them by prioritizing services, improving the manner in which we provide services, eliminating waste and bringing businesses to West Windsor to relieve some of the tax burden on homeowners.
   Like many others, I found Mike’s campaign brochure on my mailbox one morning. It talks about his experience as a municipal finance professional, but it does not explain what that means. Sitting with Mike at my kitchen table, I can tell you that it means he understands financial statements, budgets, legal documents, demographics and property taxes. While he clearly understood the numbers we looked at together, he was always looking beyond the numbers themselves and focusing on the things that were causing the numbers to change and what that meant to the future of West Windsor residents.
   I support Mike Newman for the West Windsor-Plainsboro Board of Education and hope you will join me in electing him on April 15 to represent us for the next three years. He will bring to the board a knowledge of municipal finance, a personal understanding of the importance of good schools to West Windsor residents and the need to manage our tax dollars wisely.
Nick Schiera
Benjamin Court
West Windsor
WW-P budget merits support
To the editor:
   
Given the recent multi-year school budget rebelliousness in West Windsor, where our school budgets have had to be saved by Plainsboro voters, Steve Smith’s school board has been under tremendous pressure this year to deliver a budget that will not only be approved overall, but approved in West Windsor. In my judgement, he has delivered. April 15 is the date for West Windsor residents to deliver the votes, en masse and not grudgingly.
   To achieve a per-pupil increase of just 1.8 percent as inflation is up 3.2 percent and our school population is growing by 2.4 percent is nothing short of miraculous. The average homeowner in West Windsor will be hit by a relatively small 2.2-percent increase, the smallest in years, an amount that translates to $150 per $250,000 in home valuation; imagine $300-400 for most homes — half the price of a pair of skis. Given the disproportionate home values between Plainsboro and West Windsor, the increase for Plainsboro residents is more. Please refer to the Property Tax Review committee’s report, prepared largely by Michael Newman, so you can understand everything about this financing.
   But guess what? This negative real growth (less than inflation) buys more teacher time in the classrooms with her kids. Class size is stable. Sure, the board had to trim 52 positions overall, there are no free lunches, but this was done at the edges in administration, support services and related areas. The core of what makes the West Windsor-Plainsboro school district the attraction it is today grows in this budget, for all who are here and for all who wish to buy into this outstanding educational system. More for less. "Sounds like a plan," as my daughter would say.
   If West Windsor voters do not vote "yes" this year for the school budget, a great injustice will have been done. Just as we reprimand our children and grandchildren when they are bad and approve of them when they are good, so must we treat the school board’s budget. Be positive, vote to approve. It is good.
Farrell Delman
Bear Brook Road
West Windsor