|
|
Vol. LXV, No. 25
|
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
|
|
|
|
Vol. LXV, No. 25
|
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
|
Herbert W. Hobler
Ballantine Lane, Skillman
Paul Gray
VP, Softball, Roper Road
Sophie Glovier
Drakes Corner Road
Mildred Trotman
Mayor, Princeton Borough
Chad Goerner
Mayor, Princeton Township
William F. Otis, Jr.
Stonewall Circle
To the Editor
I am a moderate Republican who has frequently crossed party lines locally (and sometimes at the state or federal level) in order to support those who seem most qualified and open-minded. During my 65 years of Princeton residency, I have longed for the day that Princeton, like scores of cities and towns nationwide, would have non-partisan elections where party labels are not permitted. The adjacent community of West Windsor, by agreement of both parties, switched to non-partisan elections in 1993.
Hopefully, a window has opened with the announcement of Republican Jill Jachera’s candidacy for Borough Mayor, which has been publicly backed by Democrats like former Township Mayor Phyllis Marchand and Judy and Bill Scheide. National platforms and beliefs are not the basis of running a community like Princeton. Ms. Marchand captured the spirit of local service by saying, “There is no Democrat pot hole, Republican site plan, or Independent parking meter; respected local officials should be concerned with community issues and not partisan politics.” However, Borough Democrat David Goldfarb apparently believes party comes before qualifications to serve as he chastised those Democrats endorsing Ms. Jachera, saying they should be “ashamed to cross party lines.” To the contrary, they are to be lauded for raising the sights of government service to the community.
Sixty-seventy years ago Princeton government was virtually 100 percent Republican and confrontational party politics in the community was hardly noticeable. Today there is barely a Republican in sight and local party politics has become the name of the game. During all these years I have been privileged to serve on many community committees where party lines were not relevant. We existed to serve the community. Now a resident of Montgomery, I can no longer vote in Princeton but the spirit of Princeton remains vividly in my heart and soul as it is with thousands of Princeton residents. It not only would be refreshing for Democrats and Republicans alike to have non-partisan elections; it would attract ever more qualified public servants to serve the community they love and respect.
Herbert W. Hobler
Ballantine Lane, Skillman
To the Editor:
I want to thank all the people who make girls softball in Princeton a success. From the coaches, to the parents and the Recreation Department … it all happens. With over 130 girls playing over 122 games in six weeks, it’s amazing how it all works.
So, thank you for all your hard work!
Paul Gray
VP, Softball, Roper Road
To the Editor:
The members of the BYOBag/Sustainable Princeton Committee would like to extend our thanks to the entire Princeton community for making our recent launch such a success.
The average American uses 500 plastic bags per year. Our goal is to start by inspiring 2,000 Princetonians to take the BYOBag pledge to bring their own reusable bags when they shop at the grocery store and when doing other errands. If we are successful in this effort, we will save one million bags.
By making this simple change in habit, we can make a significant reduction in the plastic waste we generate. If everyone of the almost 29,000 residents of Princeton Borough and Township used reusable bags for their shopping, together we could save fifteen million bags per year from harming wildlife and the environment we all share.
We would like to thank Susan Conlon and the Princeton Public Library for hosting our launch, DJ Darius and Stone Soup Circus for providing the entertainment, and Jessica Durrie of Small World Coffee for giving away reusable mugs at the event. Thanks also to Doug Cornell of Eco Exhibits for the beautiful pop up banner.
We urge residents to support the many local businesses that have enrolled in our program as “Byobag” Businesses, making a commitment to reducing single use plastic and asking customers to “bring their own bag.” These include, along with Small World: the bent spoon, Blue Point Grill, Blue Ridge Mountain Sports, CoolVines, Cox’s Market, Green Design, Hoagie Haven, Holsome Teas, Image Arts, Labyrinth, Jane’s, Landau’s, Learning Express, Lululemon, Luxababy, Nassau Street Seafood, McCaffrey’s Market, Mortgage Master, Inc., Olive’s, Princeton Farmers Market, Princeton Record Exchange, Spruce, Terracycle, Triangle, Whole Earth Center, and Witherspoon Grill.
We urge all residents to make this simple behavior change. Please join us in our efforts by taking our pledge or enrolling as a BYOBag Business. Information is available at www.sustainableprinceton.org.
For the BYOBag/Sustainable Princeton Committee,
Sophie Glovier
Drakes Corner Road
To the Editor:
We would like to thank the Princeton merchant community for demonstrating the great public good that can be achieved when businesses work together to solve a local challenge. On Primary Tuesday, under the leadership of the Bank of Princeton, breakfast, lunch and desserts were prepared for all of the volunteers who gave their entire day to work at the polling locations throughout Princeton Township and Borough.
Special thanks go to Carly Meyer of the Bank of Princeton; the wonderful staff of D’Angelo Italian Market on Spring Street for providing all of the delicious food; and Small World for supplying coffee. Local businesses keep Princeton vibrant and we appreciate all who took time from their work day to help the poll workers who spent all day ensuring everyone was able to vote.
Mildred Trotman
Mayor, Princeton Borough
Chad Goerner
Mayor, Princeton Township
To the Editor:
I would like to make a suggestion concerning the traffic problem in Princeton: if every able-bodied citizen from 90 years down considered sometimes using a bike, motor scooter (one gallon of gas every two weeks), or walking, instead of a second car, it would dramatically change the whole traffic scene. This is not too drastic to consider, for I know an “aged” distinguished professor who bikes regularly to his office at the University; it can actually be (surprise!) a pleasant experience.
William F. Otis, Jr.
Stonewall Circle