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Vol. LXII, No. 1
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Wednesday, January 2, 2008
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Vol. LXII, No. 1
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Wednesday, January 2, 2008
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CYNTHIA MENDEZ
Executive Director
IVONNE CLARK
Gift Drive Coordinator
JULIE HINDS
Gift Drive Coordinator
Princeton Human Services Commission and Department
(2 Letters)
To the Editor:
On behalf of the Princeton Human Services Commission and Department, we would like to thank the following individuals and organizations for their generosity during our 9th annual holiday toy drive: Robbie Alexander and her daughters; Mrs. Arobotti; Mr. and Mrs. Angelo Auletta; Jim Banks; Fran Benson; Leslie Berger; Ricardo Bruce; Emillie and Graeme Clark; Linda Danielson; Megan Eagan, Steven Gordon; Pam Hersh; Jan Johnson, Anne Keene, Lance Liverman; Kathy McGavern, Linda Meisel; Carol Moran; Sandy Moskovitz; Lucinda Porter; John Powell; Alexandra Radbil; Elizabeth Romanaux; Marge Smith; Sheila Siderman; Ellen Stark; Ron Tuitt; Joyce and Ed Turner; Jane and Joe Weber; Ron Witte; Sarah Whiting; Ann Yasuhara; Committed Princetonians; First Baptist Church; Junior Girl Scout troop leader Debbie Millar and Refen Koh and her Junior Girl Scout troop; Local Labor Union No. 175 of Princeton University; Michael Graves & Associates; Princeton Borough PBA; Princeton Township PBA; Princeton Health Care System; Rotary Club of Princeton; Smith, Stratton, Wise, Heher & Brennan, LLP; Princeton Township/Princeton Borough: Danielle Britton, Cathy Bolognini; Vikki Caines; Claudia Ceballos; Ivonne Clark; Engineering Dept.; Finance Dept. Lily Huie; Julie Hinds; Dave Hvisdock; Cynthia Mendez; Joanne Miolta; Tom Murray; Greg O’Neil; Christy Peacock; Recreation Dept.; Rosanna Roberto, Debbie Rogers, and Stacey Ryan; and all the other donors who wish to remain anonymous.
Thanks to the participation of the aforementioned donors 183 children were adopted and had at least one of their holiday wishes come true. It is indeed wonderful to be a part of a community where there is such outpouring of support, team spirit, and compassion to those in need.
CYNTHIA MENDEZ
Executive Director
IVONNE CLARK
Gift Drive Coordinator
JULIE HINDS
Gift Drive Coordinator
Princeton Human Services Commission and Department
To the Editor:
The Department of Transportation recently denied Princeton’s request to exempt Routes 206 and 27 from the New Jersey Access Network despite a series of public hearings in which the public made an unequivocal call for NJDOT to exempt these roads (“DOT Denies Princeton Truck Relief,” Town Topics, December 19). Apparently, Commissioner Kris Kolluri is the one designated to turn our local roads into highways, complete with a truck scale. No thank you, Commissioner.
Led by an industry group from Tennessee, the trucking lobby is dedicated to saving their little short-cut. Truckers save Turnpike tolls by cutting though Route 206 to get from one free interstate (I-78) to another (I-95/295), and keeping that toll money in their pockets. So what if Princeton gets lots of extra trucks every day? Who cares if we have to rebuild expensive roads more often?
Compliance with speed limits and safe driving distances between vehicles should be closely monitored more than ever.
DAVE SALTZMAN
Montadale Drive
To the Editor:
Am I missing something or is there a policy conflict between Governor Corzine’s plan to raise money by increasing tolls on the New Jersey Turnpike and the New Jersey Department of Transportation’s recent decision to allow large truck access to the residential areas in central New Jersey on routes 206 and 27?
The NJDOT decision will give the owners of large, dangerous, polluting tractor trailers greater incentive to use these narrow two-lane roads never intended for heavy use with massive vehicles in this, the most densely populated state in our nation. In addition, it will lessen the number of trucks using the Turnpike, thus decreasing the income the Governor seeks.
Without the appropriate “carrots” and “sticks” as incentives and disincentives, the Turnpike fare increase will accelerate large truck use on inappropriate roads, subjecting residents to increased safety hazards as well as increased health hazards from air pollution and loud noise. This is not only a matter of quality of life but the safety of life itself.
It should be required for 96” and wider trucks to use New Jersey’s major highways, including the Turnpike and the Interstates. At a time when people are being encouraged to walk or bike as much as possible in order to save energy and avoid air pollution, the NJDOT’s decision and Gov. Corzine’s plans will work to discourage such activities. In addition, many who live along routes 206 and 27 will not be able to enjoy their homes and yards.
New Jersey residents deserve better planning and coordination to protect their safety and health.
GRACE SINDEN
Ridgeview Circle