LETTERS TO THE EDITOR, Jan. 6
By:
Arts Council saga keeps getting sadder
To the editor:
The saga of The Arts Council of Princeton’s efforts to expand its premises at the corner of Witherspoon Street and Paul Robeson Place continues to get sadder every time its representatives make a move and/or public statement to justify its attempt to double the size of 102 Witherspoon St.
The Arts Council purchased the building in 1997 with full knowledge of its condition and restrictions. The Arts Council enjoyed a sizeable reduction in the purchase price based on its programs; a commitment to address neighborhood concerns; and a promise to bring the building up to code requirements in a timely manner.
A recent press article states, "The new space is mostly dedicated to meeting building code requirements for new bathrooms, handicap access and stairways, and storage for the renovated loft theater." The ploy is obvious. The Arts Council will meet overdue commitments only if it gets extensive variances for 10,000 square feet that experts recognize well exceed the code needs.
The statement adds, "The two-plus years delay in our renovation and expansion has cost The Arts Council of Princeton and the community dearly." The hubris of the statement is appalling. The Arts Council has had full control of its money and programs. It fails to quantify how the community lost anything. The neighborhood lost nothing. In fact, it gained by the fact that the added traffic that would have been clogging its narrow streets never appeared.
The Arts Council is reported to have $3.8 million in funds, world-famous Michael Graves as its architect, the oldest law firm in Princeton as its attorney and a former mayor of Princeton Township as a consultant. The neighborhood has no funds, no big architect, no attorney and no consultant. The Arts Council is showing its bitterness in losing its initial attempt to obtain the variances that would have severely impacted the neighborhood.
The crowning element in this sad saga is the Arts Council’s recitation of its mission to better the lives of the neighbors through the promulgation of the arts. It has blinded itself to the reality that its proposed expansion is an added burden to its neighbors. It has failed to follow the Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
A question arises as to who proposed and developed the plan to double the size of the building with all of its detrimental effects on the neighborhood. The Arts Council two years ago took the position that "the value of a Michael Graves building would put us on the map." Does Michael Graves want his reputation tarnished by a building that so negatively impacts the neighborhood?
The saddest part of this saga is that The Arts Council can fulfill its mission and be a welcome force in the neighborhood and the community by networking with other organizations and churches throughout Princeton that have space and/or cultural programs.
Richard Casey
Jefferson Road
Princeton
Object lesson in cynical conduct
To the editor:
What drove the decision to jam another 300,000-plus square feet of retail commerce into the most overcrowded intersection in this part of New Jersey? Was the developer rushing to build another 217,000 square feet of office space when there’s plenty of vacant space already around? What kind of clout must this developer have to get a public meeting called because his/her property options were about to expire? Was the justification for an overlay zone so weak that public hearings needed to be held at 8 a.m. on a Monday during the holidays to announce it to the smallest possible audience?
Personally, I think the Montgomery Township Committee ought to inform Montgomery High School civics students about this clever little idea, and then discuss why one votes "yes" even as he says "I don’t think it’s good for the town," or votes "yes" and acknowledges not reading the proposal in advance of the meeting. They could discuss what is meant by "…the integrity of the process…" and what is meant by "…moving in the right direction." Finally, they should ask these impressionable young people whether cynical conduct from its leaders can destroy civic-mindedness.
Montgomery Township’s Master Plan is based on broad, desirable outcomes. Isn’t the Planning Board and/or the Township Committee allowed to consider quality of life, i.e. traffic intensification, in protecting the public good? Traffic on Route 206 south of Route 518 is getting worse and worse. It already crawls almost all day long, not just during rush hour, and that’s with minimal traffic activity from the site in question. Boards have the right, even the responsibility, to the public to ensure that increased traffic from any development they approve does not become an onerous burden. While there has been talk and even preliminary drawings, I fear that meaningful abatement of Route 206-518 traffic will take place many years from now, and the developer will have wedged in these additional properties in one-fifth the time.
As a non-resident, I lack the local perspective of my neighbors to the north, but ask you to recall what your leaders pledged to do about planning and growth if they were elected to office, and then ask them if this is what they meant. All you need to do is look to your neighbors to the north to see planning gone wild, and ask yourselves if that is what you want for Montgomery.
Perhaps Yogi Berra said it best: "Nobody goes there anymore, it’s too crowded."
Dave Saltzman
Montadale Drive
Princeton
Toys for Tots grateful for support
To the editor:
On behalf of the Plainsboro Township Police Department and P.B.A. Local 319, I would like to thank everyone who was involved in our 13th annual Toys for Tots program.
This year’s toy drive was a success with the collection of more than 750 new toys. All of the appropriate families within Plainsboro Township had their Christmas toy needs met. The remaining toys were donated to needy organizations within Mercer and Middlesex counties, as well as the U.S. Marine Corps.
Once again, I would like to thank the following organizations and businesses for their participation and support: Al’s Sunoco; Montessori Corner and Montessori Corner Country Day School; West Windsor-Plainsboro High School North Interactive Club; Gentry Mother’s Club; Dr. Clifford J. Hochberg; Willowbridge Associates Inc.; Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic; The Pavilions at Forrestal; Dr. Glenn D. Lederman, Align Chiropractic Group; and PNC Bank.
Patrolman Joseph Shedelbower
Community Policing Division
Plainsboro Township Police Department
Plainsboro
Salvation Army thanks supporters
To the editor:
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the people who so generously contributed to our red kettle campaign during the holidays.
Although we didn’t meet our financial goal, we were able to help more than 200,000 people with food and children’s toys.
Thank you. Your generous support all year long, allows us to help needy people throughout New Jersey.
But I am worried. Our donations are off at this time by more than 10 percent, yet there are so many people in our state who are struggling.
Our economy is on the rise, however it will be a while before the improvement is felt by many of the people we serve.
Still, there are so many people in dire straits due to loss of employment and salary cutbacks.
And costs for services are on the rise.
Many people are struggling to pay their bills, hoping something will be left over for food.
Others, the homeless, are simply struggling to survive through the winter.
Salvation Army shelters have been consistently full and often people are turned away for lack of room.
Safety laws forbid overcrowding and limit the number of homeless in shelters.
Where are they to go? And who will feed them? My heart is heavy knowing that the Salvation Army cannot help everyone.
At least not without more financial support. I ask you to continue and even increase your donations to the Salvation Army this year since it is needed more than ever.
Thank you, my friends. I wish you a safe, happy new year and peace in our world.
For more information, I invite you to visit our Web site, www.salvationarmynewjersey.org, or please call Tricia Pellegrini at our Divisional Headquarters (908) 851-9300.
Maj. Stephen Banfield
State Commander
Salvation Army
Union
Holiday toy drive brightens season
To the editor:
On behalf of Gloria Nilson GMAC Real Estate, I would like to thank everyone in the community who participated in our recent holiday toy drive for the children of Camden.
Because of your generosity, our offices in Princeton Junction, South Brunswick, Manalapan, Wall, Point Pleasant and Pennington collected more than 1,000 new and gently used toys.
We also would like to thank the New Jersey State Police Camden Anti-Crime Partnership, especially Sgt. Monna Provost and Trooper Henry Johnson, for transporting the donations to the Camden Angels, the organization responsible for distributing the toys to those in need within the city.
Helping the families of Camden has become a charitable priority for Gloria Nilson GMAC Real Estate. It is a community in crisis with an urgent and immediate need for help.
Once again, thank you to everyone for helping to make the season bright for those in need.
Pat Bell
President and CEO
Gloria Nilson GMAC Real Estate
Middletown