Topics in Brief
A Community Bulletin

Mercer County has received $717,800 in federal Homeland Security grant funds, nearly double the amount it received last year. The funding, which landed Mercer County in the middle of the pack statewide in total funding received, will be put toward several projects aimed at improving the County's emergency preparedness. The County will receive approximately $647,000 once the State extracts a portion of the grant money to cover anticipated overtime costs during times of raised threat levels. Mercer received $330,723 in fiscal year 2006 in Homeland Security funding. According to a statement released last week by County Executive Brian Hughes, the administration plans to use its 2007 funding to purchase a new Sensor IR device, which can detect whether or not a suspicious substance, such as an unknown white powder, is dangerous. In addition, new equipment will be purchased to upgrade the emergency communications system. Funding will also be directed toward building a countywide radio system by adding more repeater infrastructure sites around the County.

There's room in New Jersey for two big brains, but according to a Monmouth University/New Jersey Monthly poll released this week, Thomas Edison beat out Albert Einstein for the New Jersey's "biggest brain." According to the Associated Press, 48 percent consider Thomas Edison the state's "biggest brain," compared to 37 percent for Einstein and 3 percent for others. Twelve percent remained undecided. The telephone poll of 800 New Jersey adults was conducted from July 16 to July 19, with a sampling error margin of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points, AP reported.

The next Ask-A-Lawyer session will take place on the second floor of the Princeton Public Library. This is a free legal clinic, open to the public and staffed by attorneys who can answer questions about immigration and other legal matters. Spanish interpretation will be provided. The session is sponsored by the library, the Latin American Task Force, the Housing Authority of Princeton, and the Mercer County Bar Association. For more information, call (609) 987-9600.

Princeton Borough and Princeton Township police departments are looking to hire crossing guards helping school children cross at intersections. Crossing posts are covered twice daily on school days, from 7:45 to 8:30 a.m. and 2:45 to 3:30 p.m. in the Borough and from 8 to 8:30 a.m. and from 2:55 to 3:35 p.m. in the Township. Training and uniforms will be provided. For information on how to apply in the Borough, call Sgt. Robert Currier at (609) 924-4141. In the Township, call (609) 921-2100 extension 804.

Princeton Township has introduced a full time Computer Recycling Program, in conjunction with the Mercer County Improvement Authority. Township residents will now be able to recycle computers and related equipment including CPUs, monitors, printers, scanners, cables, modems, external hard drives, keyboards, and computer batteries through the Public Works Department's Office of Recycling. The program, available only by appointment, is for Township residents only and is free. No business or commercial equipment will be accepted. To schedule a drop-off between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, call (609) 688-2566, ext. 478.

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