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Deer Management Program Responsible For Protecting Forests – and Humans
LEWIS A. EDGE JR.
Cleveland
Road West
Arts Council Expresses Gratitude To Christmas Caroling Participants
RANDI
LUND
Events Coordinator
The Arts Council of Princeton
Education Association Officers Thank Negotiating Teams for New Contract
JOANNE
RYAN
JO SZABAGA
Princeton Regional Education Association
Deer Management Program Responsible For Protecting Forests – and Humans
To the Editor:
It's a shame that Margaret Dixon feels she must resort to bitter name-calling (Town Topics Mailbox, December 29) by referring to the Township leaders and the people who voted for them as "stupid" for hiring Dr. Anthony DeNicola's company to reduce Princeton's burgeoning deer population. Unfortunately, Ms. Dixon exposes her own ignorance by stating that "The Township Committee decided five years ago that DeNicola's single, bloody approach was the cure for all of their perceived deer problems, and that no other approach was worthy of trying on any single one of the problems."
Anyone who has followed the news during the past decade knows that Princeton Township spent thousands of dollars for naught on roadside reflectors hoping to reduce deer-vehicle collisions. The results of this high-priced experiment proved that the reflectors were ineffective in reducing the hundreds of life-threatening, costly vehicle accidents that were occurring each year. Non-lethal deer population control measures in Princeton Township include an ongoing contraception program administered by Dr. DeNicola's company, White Buffalo, to stabilize the herd size.
Though Ms. Dixon claims that there is "substantial support for non-lethal [deer control] measures," she fails to acknowledge that the Mercer Deer Alliance and other animal rights extremists have been soundly defeated at every turn ‹ by Princeton Township voters, and in the courts, with their frivolous lawsuits. In their desperation to thwart the will of the voters, these extremists have violated laws, assaulted police officers, and otherwise made a nuisance of themselves, escalating the cost of the deer-control program for their neighbors.
Deer-vehicle collisions in Princeton Township have been reduced by more than 60 percent since the beginning of White Buffalo's deer population control program. More than 1,300 tons of forest undergrowth and expensive shrubbery in Princeton Township will be saved from rampaging deer in 2005. Lyme ticks have lost more than 1,300 breeding hosts and will not be able to reproduce and infect as many humans with an often debilitating disease. Perhaps some human lives will be saved because fewer deer will be bounding unexpectedly into our roads. If these results are "stupid," then perhaps we need more of that kind of stupidity in surrounding communities.
LEWIS
A. EDGE JR.
Cleveland Road West
Arts Council Expresses Gratitude To Christmas Caroling Participants
To the Editor:
As the holiday season comes to a close, the Arts Council wishes to give thanks to everyone who made the holiday a little brighter.
Thank you first to those who made its annual Candle-lit Christmas Eve Caroling possible. This cherished tradition, which originated over 25 years ago, has been distinguishing the holiday season in Princeton ever since. Thanks are also due to the Nassau Inn and Palmer Square Management for providing Palmer Square as the setting; to Rip Pellaton, Princeton's Town Crier; to the Blawenburg Brass Band for setting the tone; and to McCaffrey's Market, Hazel & Hannah's Pawtisserie, Holsome Teas and Herbs, and Sunflower House Vegetarian Restaurant for their generosity in sponsoring the Christmas Eve Caroling Songbook. Without the wholehearted support of these businesses and individuals, the Arts Council would not be able to continue this unique community event year after year. For our part, it was thanks enough to see over 400 singing and smiling carolers turn out for this year's caroling, so thank you to those who attended and to those who attend Arts Council programs and events all year long.
RANDI
LUND
Events Coordinator
The Arts Council of Princeton
Education Association Officers Thank Negotiating Teams for New Contract
To the Editor:
We, the co-presidents of the Princeton Regional Education Association, would like to thank Interim Superintendent Rich Marasco, Board President Ann Burns, Assistant Superintendent Lew Goldstein, as well as the rest of the Board's negotiations team, for working with us to reach a contract agreement prior to the expiration of our current contract.
We would also like to thank the PREA negotiations team and our membership for their support.
We are pleased with the settlement and the newly established climate of respect between both parties.
JOANNE
RYAN
JO SZABAGA
Princeton Regional Education Association
