November 20, 2024

Urging Princeton Mayor and Council to Reconsider Removing Informational Kiosks 

To the Editor:

We are writing to express our strong opposition to the recent decision by the mayor and Council to remove two informational kiosks from our town. These kiosks serve a vital purpose in our community, providing a centralized location for sharing local news, events, and announcements.

As Richard K. Rein stated on TAPinto Princeton, these kiosks are “a valuable community resource” that foster connection and engagement among residents. They offer a democratic space for all community members to share information, regardless of their access to digital platforms.

The Council’s rationale that the kiosks are “messy” seems shortsighted. A vibrant, active community board is naturally going to appear busy. This is a sign of a thriving, engaged populace, not a problem to be solved. The suggestion to move all notices online overlooks the importance of physical, accessible information points in our public spaces.

We urge mayor and Council to reconsider this decision and instead explore ways to maintain and potentially improve the kiosks.

We would like to commend the Council for its forward-thinking approach on other issues, such as the seasonal ban on gas-powered leaf blowers. This ordinance demonstrates the council’s commitment to environmental stewardship and quality of life issues. It’s precisely this kind of community-minded decision-making that makes us believe you will reconsider the kiosk removal.

Our town’s character is defined by its commitment to open communication, community engagement, and shared public spaces. The kiosks embody these values. Let’s not lose sight of what makes Princeton special in pursuit of a tidier aesthetic.

Trevor and Julia Little
John Street