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Photo Exhibit Offers Fitting Tribute To Princeton's Volunteer Firemen

To the Editor:

Princeton is indeed fortunate to have a dedicated, trained corps of volunteer firefighters, men and women who rapidly respond in all conditions to keep our community safe. As the oldest remaining all-volunteer fire department in the nation, their service has protected Princeton since the 18th century.

Photographer E.J. Greenblat has captured the very essence of the Department in his photographic tribute to the Princeton Fire Department, which opened at Gallery 14 in Hopewell last week. Mr. Greenblat spent a year responding with all three companies whenever the alarm sounded, day or night, winter or summer. In his fine photographs, we see them at fires, accidents, drills, inspections, parades, and relaxing between calls.

We would like to thank Mr. Greenblat for his determination to tell their story and increase public awareness of all that they do for us. We would also like to thank the members of the Department for continuing to be there when their fellow citizens need them the most. Our volunteers merit the support of all who live and work in our community. This excellent photographic show is a fitting tribute.

GARRETT and CAROLYN BROWN
Linwood Circle

New Jersey Opera Theater Has No Ties To Departed Opera Festival Company

To the Editor:

As a person closely identified with Opera Festival of New Jersey since its founding in the early 1980s, I feel I need to respond to statements in your July 20 issue in the article about New Jersey Opera Theater's upcoming presentation at the Princeton Public Library.

For the second time in two years a spokesperson for NJOT has tried to imply for public consumption a link between that organization and Opera Festival of New Jersey, as if NJOT were somehow the appropriate legacy of Opera Festival. This is misleading.

Lisa and Scott Altman were employees for a time in different positions with Opera Festival. They have now gone on to do their own thing.

The reputation of Opera Festival remains intact no matter how often people want to resurrect its failures. Despite its end after 20 years, it would be hard for any regional opera company to reach the artistic peaks Opera Festival achieved in its final years. When one looks back at the repertoire of those 20 years, especially the wealth of 20th century works alone, the record is astounding.

Let the reputation of Opera Festival of New Jersey lie in peace, unsullied by hangers-on.

JOHN A. ELLIS
Winant Road
Founding Chairman,
Opera Festival of New Jersey

Medical Center's Credibility at Issue With Unsold Homes on Harris Road

To the Editor:

In the debate over the future use of the hospital land, the University Medical Center at Princeton (UMCP) contends that with their proposed site plan, they are acting with the community's best interest in mind. However, their actions and promises are inconsistent. In order for the community to trust UMCP to do what is best for the neighborhood, UMCP must demonstrate its commitment in good faith.

Take, for example, the houses on the west side of Harris Road. These properties have been a source of contention for years. UMCP quietly bought them up and began converting some of them to offices, without the knowledge of neighbors. After a lengthy legal dispute, UMCP acquiesced to the neighborhood's requests and vacated the offices. Subsequently, the rapidly deteriorating homes have remained vacant.

In a February 2003 meeting with neighborhood residents, UMCP President Barry Rabner said that the hospital could sell these homes, returning them to the tax rolls. If UMCP truly plans to sell the homes on Harris Road, why have they waited? Because they don't intend to sell them as homes as promised; they intend to include them in the block to be sold to a developer, who will redevelop them as he sees fit, destroying the character of the neighborhood. If UMCP expects the community to believe their promises, they should begin by making good on some of them. The homes on the west side of Harris Road should be marketed and sold to individuals in the near future.

JONAH and AMY LANSKY
Harris Road

Property Tax Increase of 54 Percent In 5 Years Demands Response at Polls

To the Editor:

Well, we have our new property tax bills. Up another 8.5 percent. That makes an unbelievable 54 percent increase just since 2000.

Where's the outrage? I can't be the only one whose income hasn't increased 50 percent in the last five years. Do the resident homeowners of this community intend to just sit idly by and permit our elected officials to expropriate whatever funds they desire to squander on their pet projects, programs, and pork without protest?

How can they justify spending our money at 3.5 times the rate of inflation? Why do we continue to acquiesce by reelecting the same irresponsible spendthrifts?

The only way to stop it is at the polls. If you care, get out and do something about it!

JAMES M. McKINNON
Edgerstoune Road

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