Town Topics — Princeton's Weekly Community Newspaper Since 1946.
Vol. LXII, No. 16
 
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
(Photo by Matthew Hersh)
LAUNCHING THE “FREE B”: The Princeton Borough community jitney, Free B, was officially launched Monday. Permanent “B” signs have been installed indicating stops along the route, including stops at the Dinky Station, Suzanne Patterson Senior Center and the Princeton Public Library, but riders can flag down the jitney at any point. Pictured from left are Borough Councilwoman Barbara Trelstad, former Borough Councilwoman Wendy Benchley, Council President Peggy Karcher, Mayor Mildred Trotman, Councilman Roger Martindell, Princeton University Vice President and Secretary Robert Durkee, University Director of Parking and Transportation Kim Jackson, Borough Administrator Robert Bruschi, and University Director of Community and Regional Affairs Kristin Appelget. The jitney is free to all riders.

Front Page

Quinn, Bliss, Haughton Elected; Budget Passes

Ellen Gilbert

Voters in the Township and Borough approved the Princeton Regional Board of Education’s $72,694,856 budget in yesterday’s election. In the Township, Walter Bliss was reelected to the school board with 1,021 votes, along with newcomer Dan Haughton, who had 792 to Naomi Perlman’s 696. Mr. Haughton will fill the seat occupied by Township resident Jeffrey Spear, who stepped down after nine years on the board. Tim Quinn, who ran unopposed for the single vacant seat representing the Borough, received 421 votes. The board will hold its next meeting on April 22. All three will serve three-year terms.

Senior Housing Concerns Thwart Merwick Proposal

Matthew Hersh

Following concerns over the need for increased senior housing, and worries over the use of Princeton HealthCare System’s Merwick Care Center site in the immediate future, Borough Council last Tuesday killed the proposed establishment of mixed-use zoning on the Merwick site on Bayard Lane in the Borough, and on the nearby YM/WCA and Stanworth sites.

Petition Seeks Larger PU Tax Assessment; Ad Hoc PCDO Subcommittee Weighs In

Matthew Hersh

A petition being circulated by a handful of residents and at least one member of Borough Council is looking to local, county, and state elected officials to urge Princeton University to renegotiate its current in-lieu payment to the Borough, as well as removing the “unfair real property tax burden” on municipalities with large portions of land occupied by not-for-profit, tax-exempt institutions.


Other News

First Aid & Rescue Squad Eyes Volunteerism in Carrying on 40-Year In-town Tradition

Matthew Hersh

This is part two in a series on volunteer-based institutions in the Princeton community.

The brick facility on Harrison Street that houses the Princeton First Aid & Rescue Squad (PFARS) looks all of its 40-plus years. The squad’s trucks have outgrown the facility, with two vehicles parked outside because of lack of space, and the emergency vehicles themselves retrofitted to the measure of slender stalls designed for engines of a different era.

Lambert Withdraws From Township Race; Primary, General Election, Virtually Decided

Matthew Hersh

Democrat Karen C. “Casey” Lambert announced Monday that she would end her campaign for a seat on Princeton Township Committee, leaving the once-complex three-way primary race that had party organizers somewhat divided into an unchallenged contest.

Bill Frist Talks With PHS Students About His “Unconventional Life”

Ellen Gilbert

Noting that he was the most junior member of the Senate when his Republican colleagues unanimously made him the 18th majority leader in 2002, just eight years after his election and with less total time served in Congress than anyone ever to hold the position, Bill Frist recently spoke with Princeton High School students about his “unconventional approach to life.”


More of the Other News…


Sports

Junior Star Aboff Displaying a Winning Touch; Aims to Lead Tiger Women’s Golf to Ivy Title

Bill Alden

After putting together an outstanding career at Cold Spring Harbor High School, Susannah Aboff had the chance to join the Duke University women’s golf team, the dominant program in its sport.

PU Softball Perfect in Ivy Play, Showing Strength Through Lineup

Bill Alden

When the Princeton University softball team dropped 12 out of 13 games on its spring break swing in California, it would have been understandable if first-year head coach Trina Salcido lost some confidence in her squad.

Featuring Balance Through its Lineup, PHS Boys’ Track Strong in Tri-Meets

Bill Alden

It was a rare happening for the Princeton High boys’ track team.


More Sports…


Art Review

University Medical Center at Princeton
Art vs. Illness: The Redefining of Disability

Stuart Mitchner

Disability” is one of those words that lends itself to being deconstructed and redefined. As you walk through the ArtFirst! show at the University Medical Center at Princeton (UMCP), you’ll see how almost 90 different artists struggling with disabilities have effectively taken the word apart by creating a world of impressively enabled work.


Music/Theater

Princeton Composer’s Opera Premiered In Philadelphia’s Kimmel Center

Nancy Plum

Bringing a new opera from concept to production is a very complicated process, and one which opera companies undertake with great trepidation because of the expense. New York’s Metropolitan Opera has taken on a huge challenge with Philip Glass’s Satyagraha, which opened last week, but commissioning new operatic works is not just for the big boys. Regional companies are making a concerted effort to add to the operatic repertory with lesser-known but equally deserving composers.