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Township Committee Candidate Details His Vision for Princeton

COLIN VONVORYS
Mt. Lucas

Readers Commend Princeton Township For Sensitivity Training for Employees

MARIETTA TAYLOR
Pine Street

ANN YASUHARA
Hartley Avenue

Isabelle Sayen's Fight for World Peace And the Environment Should Continue

R. WILLIAM POTTER
Nassau Street

Visitors to Princeton Shopping Center Should Park Properly to Avoid Tickets

ETHAN C. FINLEY
Princeton Community Village

Township Committee Candidate Details His Vision for Princeton

To the Editor:

As a candidate for Princeton Township Committee, I believe I owe it to the voters to detail my vision.

Slow the rise in (or even reduce) municipal taxes: The key is three-fold: 1) Forge alliances with the county and our neighboring communities, taking advantage of economies of scale as well as shared services and equipment, 2) Explore and obtain additional revenue streams for the township, and 3) Eliminate wasteful spending (there will be no more $36,000 tables in the municipal building on my watch).

Are you aware that our municipal tax rate has increased 50 percent in just seven years? That our township debt has ballooned to over $71 million? That forty-three cents of every dollar collected by Princeton goes to paying off the debt? This should concern everybody who plans to stay in Princeton long-term, like me and my family.

Seniors: My parents (God bless them) will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary next September. I genuinely understand the desire of lifetime Princetonian's to remain in the homes where they raised their families. Too many are being forced to sell their homes because they can no longer afford the high property taxes.

Additionally, there are many things we can do immediately to help. For instance, if elected, I'll propose to amend the current township code to allow seniors 72 hours (instead of 48) for snow removal. Additionally, Princeton High School students are required to perform community service. I'll work with high school officials to allow students to clear seniors' driveways and sidewalks as a way to fulfill this obligation.

Library: I have spoken with many of you as I have campaigned door-to-door, or while shopping at McCaffery's, or even while attending Princeton High School soccer and football games with my family. Everyone agrees that they've benefited from having a library at the Shopping Center. If affordable, I'd like to see this continue. If elected, I'll investigate all options of keeping a branch library there, including the feasibility of opening up a Mercer County branch location. However, I'll not burden my community with additional taxes to accomplish this.

Youth Recreation Center: If elected, I'll investigate the possibility of establishing a Youth Recreation Center. I understand the value of athletic competition – it teaches sportsmanship in victory and defeat, develops leadership, instills discipline, encourages teamwork, and provides a positive outlet for our youths. If elected, I'll seek assistance from the state and county, as well as private individuals for contributions to establish a youth recreation center.

In summary, my value proposition is this: I'll work hard every day to earn and keep your trust. I always operate with the highest level of integrity. I'll keep an open mind and listen to you. I'll be the voice to all who feel alienated by local government. And I'll fight to make Princeton Township a community unrivaled anywhere.

Princeton is truly unique. We don't live here by accident. We choose to live here because we've found a special place – one that offers charm, history, beauty, diversity, exceptional schools, security, and an outstanding quality of life.

But I tell you this, we can do better!

I humbly ask for your vote on November 4th, and I would be proud to represent you on Princeton Township Committee.

COLIN VONVORYS
Mt. Lucas

Readers Commend Princeton Township For Sensitivity Training for Employees

To the Editor:

Not In Our Town, an interfaith, interracial social action group in Princeton, was pleased to read in the October 1, 2003 issue of Town Topics that the Township Committee has taken important steps in addressing the issue of harassment in the workplace, including harassment on the basis of age, race, disability, national origin, religion, ancestry and/or sexual orientation. We note particularly the six sensitivity-training sessions required for all Township employees. We commend the Township Committee and Township Administrator, James Pascale, for their leadership and we hope other groups which serve the general public will do something similar.

We believe that initiatives like these will bring Princeton closer to Not In Our Town's goal of becoming "... a town in which the ideals of friendship, community and pride in diversity will prevail."

MARIETTA TAYLOR
Pine Street

ANN YASUHARA
Hartley Avenue

Isabelle Sayen's Fight for World Peace And the Environment Should Continue

To the Editor:

For me the passing of the ever-gracious Isabelle Sayen–who died on September 29–marks the end of a particular Princeton era: that of the activist wife who married a Princeton businessman, raised a family, and then–after the children were grown–applied her education and intelligence to promote a better world through a gentle but persistent activism.

Isabelle was of a time when young women seldom pursued independent careers after college; they might teach for a time but then they married and became attentive mothers and "homemakers." But, having so much to offer to the world, these Princeton women eventually volunteered their energy, intellect and skill to important causes that extended well beyond hearth and home.

For Isabelle, it was the cause of world peace and the environment. In that long-running role, I will always see her standing before a startled Public Utilities Commission to testify against "more bailouts for nuclear power,² speaking in that firm but gentle voice of hers that commanded so much respect but never demanded attention.

May we honor her inspiration by continuing her work.

R. WILLIAM POTTER
Nassau Street

Visitors to Princeton Shopping Center Should Park Properly to Avoid Tickets

To the Editor:

Because the Princeton Shopping Center is in very close proximity to my home, I come to the Princeton Shopping Center almost every day. When someone visits the Princeton Shopping Center and they park in a parking space for the handicapped; or if a visitor to the Princeton Shopping Center parks his or her car in an irregular way in any shape, size, or form; there is a very strong likelihood that they will receive a parking ticket from the Princeton Township Police Department. Therefore I strongly encourage anyone who visits the Princeton Shopping Center and brings their car to not park their car in an irregular fashion.

ETHAN C. FINLEY
Princeton Community Village

For information on how to submit Letters to the Editor, click here.