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New Garage Makes Library Visits, Downtown Shopping a Pleasure
FRANCESCA BENSON
GEORGE CODY
Bainbridge Street
Proposed Nightclub Would Jeopardize Neighborhood Tranquility and Safety
DAVID M. GOODMAN
Duffield Place
Concerned Citizens Group Explains Its Appeal to State Supreme Court
JIM FIRESTONE
President, Concerned Citizens of Princeton
HERB HOBLER
Treasurer, Concerned Citizens of Princeton
Spirit of Princeton Proud of Role In Staging Patriotic Celebrations
RAY WADSWORTH
President, Spirit of Princeton
Corner House Thanks Its Sponsors For "Most Successful" Benefit Ever
LESLIE STRAUT WARD
President, Corner House Foundation
GARY J. DeBLASIO
Executive Director
MARIAN LEVINE
Grant and Development Coordinator
New Garage Makes Library Visits, Downtown Shopping a Pleasure
To the Editor:
We want to reassure those who may be concerned about pick-up and drop-off of books at the new library. We’ve been visiting the library twice a week since its April opening, and we find pick-up and drop-off easy, fast, and free for the first half hour, which is more than enough time for an exchange of books. In addition, the garage keeps cars cool on hot days and the covered walkway gives protection in all kinds of weather.
We admit that we often spend much more time on our visits. It is such a pleasure to visit the library now, with its wonderful atmosphere and art work and all its expanded services. It is so easy to park in the bright new garage, with the roomiest spaces in Princeton. It is so delightful to walk around town, stopping for a bagel, visiting the University museum, banking, shopping, having lunch or dinner.
Since April, our children have come to visit from North Jersey and the Washington, D.C. area. They park in the garage, visit the new library, shop, meet us for dinner. They sigh with envy and comment, “You are so lucky to live in Princeton.” We think they are right.
FRANCESCA BENSON
GEORGE CODY
Bainbridge Street
Proposed Nightclub Would Jeopardize Neighborhood Tranquility and Safety
To the Editor:
Our household on Duffield Place is strongly opposed to the proposed redevelopment of Mike’s Tavern and surrounding properties adjacent to Route 206 for a jazz club. The proposed establishment of a 150-seat nightclub at this location is highly objectionable to residents of the area, not simply those most immediately affected on Leigh and Birch Avenues. It represents a stepped-up level of business development that we believe is inappropriate and fraught with potential danger.
My wife, two sons, and I have lived at Duffield Place since 1996 and have found the current proprietors of Mike’s Tavern to be good neighbors. Mike’s operates a quiet local bar and package store whose presence is rarely felt in the neighborhood. This, we fear, cannot be anticipated from the projected jazz club at this location. The levels of noise, both from the patrons and the music, as well as the potential for rowdiness, of cars starting and doors slamming at hours when residents should enjoy peace and quiet, are frankly unacceptable. To accommodate this establishment and the added volume of people, the owner would be obliged to add significant parking and traffic to our area, as well as to increase garbage collections to ensure sanitation. The actions of the Zoning Board for this establishment do not appear to adequately take these facts into consideration, and consequently run contrary to issues of public tranquility and safety. The Township Committee’s commissioning of an acoustical study of the potential noise effects may only serve to sidestep the major problems posed by the outrageous placement of a jazz club in a residential neighborhood.
I think I speak for many in our neighborhood when I say that we hope to exert our full rights as citizens and taxpayers of Princeton Township to oppose this egregious matter.
DAVID M. GOODMAN
Duffield Place
Concerned Citizens Group Explains Its Appeal to State Supreme Court
To the Editor:
The recent Appellate Court’s decision to deny the appeal by Concerned Citizens of Princeton regarding the downtown development needs, and our plan to appeal to the State Supreme Court, requires clarification and justification. It is obvious that the garage is finished and that construction is about to begin in stage two. But, our concerns now expand to other parts of Princeton that may be "redeveloped.” The Court's decision also impacts other communities in the State.
The $100,000 in legal fees spent by the Borough in their defense is not our fault but the Borough’s. First, in August 2002 our survey indicated 72 percent did not like the proposed development plans. The Borough chose to totally disregard the results and would not even consider proceeding with their own survey as we suggested. A confirmation or contradiction to our survey would have changed the future.
Nor was any survey of retailers or citizens done by the consultant, Atlantic Group, who declared the parking lot "an area in need of redevelopment” — in effect, blighted. If some citizens did not like the looks of the former parking lot, then it could have been spruced up but still produce $500,000 a year.
Second, Concerned Citizens proposed arbitration all along to settle the differences. Borough Council refused. A win or lose decision could have been made with no further legal fees, but again Council declined and preferred power instead.
It is sad that Borough Council has chosen not to listen to thousands of Princeton citizens along with dozens of neighborhood merchants who are against the project. From the inception there not only was a deaf ear but literal arrogance from the then Mayor, Marvin Reed, who publicly stated that he in effect didn’t have to listen to us since he had been elected by the people. Shocking also was the effort to shut down or minimize our protest the night that the survey was presented, when Andrew Koontz, local Democratic head (now on Council), widely distributed a memo to his party faithful to pack Borough Hall that night. Not surprisingly, there was then little applause when the results were announced. And then, the Council later denied the two petitions presented, both of which were large enough to comply with the law, and to put the subject to the test.
Concerned Citizens, a broad-based non-partisan organization (with more Democrats than Republicans participating), has now heard from other communities facing unilateral take-over of property. Some will likely join in our Supreme Court appeal as amicus partners. A reversal of lower court decisions will offer hope to hundreds of communities in the state and protect Princeton from future roughshod decisions.
JIM FIRESTONE
President, Concerned Citizens of Princeton
HERB HOBLER
Treasurer, Concerned Citizens of Princeton
Spirit of Princeton Proud of Role In Staging Patriotic Celebrations
To the Editor:
On behalf of the Spirit of Princeton, which provides the community with annual fireworks, the Memorial Day Parade, and other patriotic celebrations, we wish to thank the thousands of people who shared the excitement and thrill of our July 1 fireworks. While waiting for darkness, a short rainstorm sent most picnickers and other thousands back to their cars, knowing the fireworks would indeed shortly be held. We're sorry that some apparently did not attend, fearing the rain would preclude the performance.
For those of us involved in staging this event, we are proud to be part of bringing it to thousands, from small children to oldsters, who became united in this very special American celebration. The underwriting of the event comes from endowments and gifts by hundreds of people who also have to feel proud to be sponsors. Deductible gifts of every size are most welcome, and can he sent to Spirit of Princeton/PACF, 40 North Tulane Street, Princeton 08540.
RAY WADSWORTH
President, Spirit of Princeton
Corner House Thanks Its Sponsors For "Most Successful" Benefit Ever
To the Editor:
On behalf of the adolescents, young adults, and families we serve in our substance abuse prevention and treatment programs, we’d like to acknowledge the hard work and broad community support that resulted in the most successful Corner House Foundation benefit ever.
On May 21, board members of the Corner House Foundation welcomed 360 individual and corporate donors to a reception and dinner at Princeton University’s Frist Campus Center, followed by a fabulously funny performance by the political comedy group, The Capitol Steps, at Richardson Auditorium. Even the cicadas got into the act!
Benefit co-chairs Marie Burnett, Bernadine Hines, and Carol Weg did an outstanding job of organizing the event, with help from the benefit committee. Special thanks go to the Corner House Student Board, staff members at Frist Campus Center and at Richardson Auditorium, The Pace Center for Community Service at Princeton University, Princeton University’s Office of Community and State Affairs, The Palmer Inn, The Press Room, Grata Fisher of Fisher Ross Group, Taralynn Ross Albano of Browndog Design, and Harriet Ingerslev.
Our President’s Circle corporate supporters are Bloomberg, PNC Bank, and Bristol-Myers Squibb Company. Corporate Leader supporters include Church Capital Management, Community Liquors, and Nexus Properties. Corporate Sponsors include Amper Politziner & Mattia, P.C.; Battelle Ventures; N.T. Callaway Real Estate; Fox Rothschild LLP; G.R. Murray; Pinneo Construction; Princeton BMW/Mini; PSEG Foundation; The Times; and Wachovia Bank, N.A. Community Partners are Ecco, HarperCollins; Hamilton Jewelers; Hoagie Haven; Kale’s Nursery and Landscape Service; Judy King Interiors; and Main Street Caterers.
Funds raised through the annual benefit help provide essential services at Corner House Counseling Center, located at 369 Witherspoon Street. For more than 32 years, Corner House has been giving hope to individuals and families facing a myriad of problems, and helping young people turn the challenges of adolescence into opportunities for growth as they head “toward a future of promise.” Heartfelt thanks for helping us help them!
LESLIE STRAUT WARD
President, Corner House Foundation
GARY J. DeBLASIO
Executive Director
MARIAN LEVINE
Grant and Development Coordinator
For information on how to submit Letters to the Editor, click here.
