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Snowden Lane Resident Summarizes Neighborhood's Opposition to Sidewalk
HOWARD
BUCKWALD
Snowden Lane
Retiring Police Captain Saluted For His "Conscience and Dignity"
ETHAN
C. FINLEY
Princeton Community Village
Students' Sale of "65 Roses" Bears Benefitted Cystic Fibrosis Research
MARY FUREY GERARD
Talbot
Lane
Human Services Department Thanks Community for Successful Toy Drive
CYNTHIA
MENDEZ
Executive Director
Princeton Human Services Department
HELENA
de PRAT GAY
Toy Drive Coordinator
Princeton Human Services
Department
Snowden Lane Resident Summarizes Neighborhood's Opposition to Sidewalk
To the Editor:
Having lived on Snowden Lane for the past 30 years, and after participating in the controversy which has now created an impasse between the residents and Township officials, I again feel the need to take pen to paper.
There are several aspects in which we are in agreement: the lane is in obvious need of reconstruction; safety is a major consideration in any new design; many of the trees on the west side of this street are in decline; and Snowden Lane is a minor connector in the Township's Master Plan.
My view of the disagreements and emotions involved come down to this:
1) Tree removal will totally destroy the country-like appearance of this neighborhood.
2) The Police Department admits that traffic speed will increase. They also admit that enforcement will be a problem. There is absolutely no record of a pedestrian-vehicular accident on this street.
3) Not one single resident is in favor of a sidewalk. Some families have young children and insist that this street is safe. Who should know better than a parent? Cost is not a concern in this situation. It's only a few hundred dollars a year or less for any affected resident.
4) The concern for the safety of school children is erroneous. Only three school age children live here, and they walk to class without any safety concern. Neighboring children take alternate paths on streets with lighter traffic patterns.
5) A sidewalk, if constructed, will not be maintainable by many residents. Snowplows will create huge mounds, which cannot be shoveled. How can an older resident manage this?
6) Alternatives to a sidewalk have already been discussed with the Engineering Department. In fact, Mr. Kiser has arranged to meet with residents and Township Committee people right after the first of the year. However, we have the feeling that there is no wiggle room. Our concerns seem to fall on deaf ears.
7) Most of the homes on this street were built just after World War II. These are modest structures on small lots, which are quite close to the street. A sidewalk was not planned at that time, nor should it be now. The taking down of bucolic foliage, the widening of the surface, and the encroachment of a four-foot sidewalk will result in a loss of privacy to the homeowner and an increase in vehicular speed.
I urge all those "sidewalk lovers² out there to come and walk on Snowden Lane and visualize what this street will look like if the Engineering Department has its way. Would you accept a change like this in your neighborhood? Would you embrace the conversion from a lane to a freeway? Would you look forward to driving home and finding most of the trees taken down? Does a natural atmosphere consist of asphalt, concrete and saplings? Do you look forward to the infringement of your privacy?
This is not progress. It's regress.
HOWARD
BUCKWALD
Snowden Lane
Retiring Police Captain Saluted For His "Conscience and Dignity"
To the Editor:
Captain Peter Savalli has retired from the ranks of the Princeton Township Police Department. I wish him well in retirement. Captain Savalli is a man of conscience and dignity.
The new Captain, Mark Emann, is well deserving of the promotion from Lieutenant to Captain. Captain Emann has been with the Princeton Township Police Department for more than 25 years. Having lived in Princeton since June, 1976, I believe that policing in Princeton Township is a lot more challenging in 2005 than it was in 1976. Captain Emann can meet those challenges. The new Lieutenant is Michael Henderson, who is also a very capable man. Prior to becoming a police officer for the Princeton Township Police Department, he served in the United States Marine Corps.
ETHAN
C. FINLEY
Princeton Community Village
Students' Sale of "65 Roses" Bears Benefitted Cystic Fibrosis Research
To the Editor:
The students and staff of St. Paul's School in Princeton have raised $555 through the sale of "65 Roses" bears for cystic fibrosis research. They used their Christmas money to purchase these small bears to benefit the children afflicted with the number one fatal genetic disease, cystic fibrosis. The students learned about genetic disease, used their savings to contribute to the research effort, and will make a difference in the longevity of the children suffering with cystic fibrosis.
The "65 Roses" bears get their name from the way children with cystic fibrosis pronounce the name of their disease.
With this kind of commitment from students, we are confident that we will be able to write a letter someday announcing an effective treatment of, or cure for, cystic fibrosis.
MARY
FUREY GERARD
Talbot Lane
Human Services Department Thanks Community for Successful Toy Drive
To the Editor:
On behalf of the Princeton Human Services Department, we would like to thank the Princeton community for their generosity during our sixth annual holiday toy drive.
Thanks to the participation of more than 50 individuals and organizations, more than 193 children were adopted and had at least one of their Christmas wishes come true. It is indeed wonderful to be a part of a community where there is such an outpouring of support, team spirit, and compassion to those who are in need.
Best wishes for a healthy and prosperous New Year.
CYNTHIA MENDEZ
Executive Director
Princeton Human Services Department
HELENA
de PRAT GAY
Toy Drive Coordinator
Princeton Human Services
Department
