To the Editor:

The July 4 issue of Town Topics contains the usual newsworthy items that emphasize the seemingly endless friction involving our relationship with Princeton University.

Viewed from 10,000 feet by a Township resident, with no ties to the University, this never ending antagonism is discouraging. Virtually any move that the University makes, seems to bring forth a great deal of push back from us. Some may be justified, some not. Many times the criticism seems to contain a degree of vitriol.

The basis for the problem seems to be the never ending desire for greater financial contributions from the University to the surrounding municipalities. Reasonable people can disagree on the appropriate amount of the voluntary contribution. Zero is too little, but often the argument is voiced that the contribution should be based on what the tax rate for the University would be if it were a taxable entity.

By law, the University is tax exempt, as are the Seminary, the Institute for Advanced Study, and countless other properties in our municipalities, that make this a unique cultural community.

If we devoted the same amount of time and energy to our municipal challenges, we probably could have accomplished any number of worthwhile objectives, such as bringing about consolidation, 25 years ago.

William Stephenson

Governors Lane