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Princeton University's Sports TeamsDeserve More – and Louder – Support

ETHAN C. FINLEY
Princeton Community Village

Have Increases in Township Taxes Accompanied Decrease in Services?

BARRY L. GOLDBLATT
Andrews Lane

A More Pedestrian-Friendly Borough? Traffic Committee Wants Your Ideas

SANDY SOLOMON
Chair, Borough Traffic and Transportation Committee

Princeton University's Sports TeamsDeserve More – and Louder – Support

To the Editor:

I was present at the Penn-Princeton basketball game on February 10 in which Penn defeated Princeton 67 to 52. It troubled me deeply that despite the fact that Princeton students and members of the Greater Princeton area heavily outnumbered Penn students, the amount of cheering for Penn was louder than any cheering for Princeton. There were many logical answers to why Penn won the basketball game. However in my opinion there are no logical answers on why the cheering for Penn was more vocal than the cheering for Princeton.

I believe that if the cheering and school spirit for Princeton was equal to that of the Penn students, perhaps Princeton might have won the game, or lost by a closer margin.

I hope that when the Princeton baseball season begins there is an improved amount of cheering for the Princeton team. In the last two years the amount of cheering at Princeton University women's basketball games has improved. However, attendance at these games is only between 100 and 300 patrons.

ETHAN C. FINLEY
Princeton Community Village

Have Increases in Township Taxes Accompanied Decrease in Services?

To the Editor:

As the Recycling Shed closing date nears, it makes me wonder "why"?

With inflation at 1.9 percent, it's interesting to note that my Princeton Township taxes increased 8.5 percent this year. In fact, the "Municipal" portion increased 9.6 percent. So why does the Recycling Shed have to close? For those of us who use it regularly – for me it's a matter of eliminating significant trash as I subscribe to eight newspapers that accumulate quickly – it will create a major inconvenience. While it may be true that usage has declined, there are always other cars present when I drop off my recycling. In addition, the papers, plastic containers, and cans littering my street are obvious signs of "professionals" who do a poor collection job. I can't wait to see what our streets look like when everyone's recycling is "curbside."

At a time when corporate America downsizes, limits employees to three percent salary increases, works hard to identify and implement efficiencies, and resists price increases, how does it happen that irresponsible tax increases result in reduced services? If it was only the Recycling Shed, one might overlook the situation. But, my street wouldn't recognize a snow plow this winter, twigs and branches were never picked up (even after numerous calls to the Township) until after the snow turned to ice, and there are still leaf piles under the ice. However, we sure do have a nice Municipal Complex!

It's always a great feeling to know that I am paying more for less. What could our elected officials be thinking?

BARRY L. GOLDBLATT
Andrews Lane

A More Pedestrian-Friendly Borough? Traffic Committee Wants Your Ideas

To the Editor:

The following is addressed to the residents of Princeton.

With the goal of making Princeton Borough more pedestrian-friendly, the Borough's Traffic and Transportation Committee is asking residents to recommend ways to make it easier and safer for people to walk around town.

The committee will take your ideas to Borough Council. The more ideas we receive, the more useful we believe our recommendations will be. (Borough finances are limited, of course, so ideal solutions may not be possible, but we can ask.)

Please tell us about your concerns as pedestrians. What makes you reluctant to walk or to let your children walk around town?

We are interested in learning about specific problems in specific places – for example, missing or poorly painted crosswalks, poorly lit crosswalks, intersections (even those with traffic lights) at which crossing is dangerous, and unsafe sidewalks. We are also interested in ideas for improving safety in particular locations; for example, by creating traffic islands or installing traffic lights triggered on demand. But don't let these suggestions limit your responses. How about ideas for educating pedestrians and drivers?

You can write to us c/o Borough Hall or via e-mail at tandtcommittee@hotmail.com. If you prefer to tell us about your recommendations instead of writing them down, send us your phone number and a committee member will give you a call. We'd like to have responses in hand by March 15. Thanks in advance.

SANDY SOLOMON
Chair, Borough Traffic and Transportation Committee

For information on how to submit Letters to the Editor, click here.