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Vol. LXIII, No. 43
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Wednesday, October 28, 2009
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Vol. LXIII, No. 43
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Wednesday, October 28, 2009
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DAVID COHEN
President
VICTORIA AIRGOOD
Vice President, Princeton Borough
JON DURBIN
Vice President, Princeton Township
Princeton Community Democratic Organization
ANTON T. LAHNSTON
Elm Road Chairman,
Princeton Borough Traffic
and Transportation Committee
LESLIE BURGER
Executive Director
Princeton Public Library
GABRIELLA MILLEY
University League Nursery School Parent
MAGGIE HERRING
MADALYNE TROILO
SARA VIGIANO
TAYLOR WHITTINGTON
Fourth and Fifth Graders
Riverside Elementary School
SUZANNE HUNT
Leabrook Lane
Corresponding Secretary
Garden State Watercolor Society
To the Editor:
As president and vice presidents of the Princeton Community Democratic Organization, we are writing to enthusiastically endorse the four Democratic candidates for local municipal office, Liz Lempert and Chad Goerner in Princeton Township and Kevin Wilkes and Jenny Crumiller in Princeton Borough. We are particularly proud of this year’s slate as all four candidates are fresh voices in our local government, yet each already has a strong track record for working hard on behalf of the people of Princeton Township and Borough.
Each year the PCDO, which includes over 400 Princeton Democrats, votes to endorse candidates at all levels of government. By facilitating communication with Princeton’s most active and interested Democrat voters through e-mail, our postal mailing list, and at meetings, the PCDO gives local candidates meaningful support that allows them to compete without a large initial expenditure or campaign organization.
All Princeton Democrats are welcome to join the PCDO, and for those who are interested in running for local office next year, it’s never too early to start planning. Please visit our website, www.princetondems.org for more information and to download a membership form. Membership is open to all Princeton Democrats for a yearly dues of $15. It’s also easy and free to simply join our e-mail list, which can also be done on our website.
We look forward to Election Day and urge all Princetonians to vote on November 3.
DAVID COHEN
President
VICTORIA AIRGOOD
Vice President, Princeton Borough
JON DURBIN
Vice President, Princeton Township
Princeton Community Democratic Organization
To the Editor:
With the New Jersey election less than two weeks away the Governor’s race has received considerable attention but the Borough election scene is far too quiet. Given the need for continued good governance in the Borough, our local election needs to be discussed and energized more, along with a get-out-the-vote effort. One candidate of great interest to me is current Councilman Kevin Wilkes. While Kevin is known to many people for his work on Quark Park along with his recent service on Borough Council, I want to call specific attention to some of the qualities that Kevin brings to the Council and the community on a daily basis.
Running again for Borough Council, Mr. Wilkes is a businessperson, an architect, a builder, and a visionary. As such he brings a unique set of qualities to our Council. As Chairman of the Traffic and Transportation Committee for the Borough I have had the rewarding experience of working closely with him for the past one and one-half years. He has been diligent in helping us seek solutions to issues such as improved street lighting, improved sidewalks, pedestrian safety, and traffic controls. Even though he handles a busy business schedule along with extensive time to community service, he keeps his word, following through on requests from our committee as well as from the larger community.
It is also important to point out that Kevin is a strong advocate for increased cooperation and collaboration between the Township and the Borough. He has been a bold spokesperson in building support for the dialogue and the process — as well as action steps — required to move this important initiative forward. For all of these reasons I urge residents of the Borough to let your voices be heard in this election, and especially for Councilman Kevin Wilkes.
ANTON T. LAHNSTON
Elm Road Chairman,
Princeton Borough Traffic
and Transportation Committee
To the Editor,
On October 23, more than 1,400 people were mesmerized as Three Cups of Tea author Greg Mortenson spoke about his campaign to build peace in Central Asia, one school at a time. His appearance, part of this year’s Princeton Reads event, was made possible through the efforts of Adnan Shamsi and Sumeera Baig who first approached the library with the idea of bringing Mr. Mortenson to Princeton and then worked with the Central Asia Institute to make it happen.
I would also like to acknowledge and thank our other partners who helped make Princeton Reads possible: The Nathan Cummings Foundation, the Princeton Regional School District, Princeton University’s Muslim Life Program, the Princeton Alumni Chapter of the Thunderbird School of Global Management, The Unity Production Foundation, the Princeton Senior Resource Center, and Nassau Presbyterian Church, as well as the superb staff of the Princeton Public Library, who attended to every detail, made sure that there were plenty of copies of Three Cups of Tea for the community to borrow, and planned a stimulating variety of programs to attract readers of all ages.
We’d also like to thank the entire Princeton community who participated in this year’s events: those who attended or hosted book discussion groups and related programs, those who knitted materials to support the Afghans for Afghans initiative, and the merchants who allowed us to leave copies of the book in their establishments for the public to read.
The simple act of encouraging everyone in the community to read the same book and explore and discuss issues goes a long way toward building understanding. I can think of no more timely topic for this year’s discussion than a conversation about education, culture, and religion in Central Asia.
LESLIE BURGER
Executive Director
Princeton Public Library
To the Editor:
On Sunday October 18, the University League Nursery School held its annual Harvest Fair to benefit its Scholarship Fund. Over 200 pre-schoolers, siblings, and parents enjoyed the event. Those who were not kept away by the rain were treated to an afternoon of arts, crafts, games, music, magic, juggling, and excellent food. The event was especially festive since the school is celebrating its 60th year of Pre-School Education in the Princeton community.
The event would not have been possible without the tremendous contribution of many parents, teachers and volunteers. The girl scouts of troops 71062 and 70986 from Community Park Elementary School led the children in arts and games. Fire Chief Roy James of Princeton Fire Engine Company 1 patiently helped the children explore the fire truck, ring the bell, and blow the siren. The talented members of the Princeton University juggling team entertained the public with creative juggling moves and tried to teach the children a trick or two. High School students Katharine Scott and Brian Tarwater face-painted smiley faces and helped monitor many Swinging Donuts contests. Chef Peter Nowakoski provided attendees with a delicious fall harvest lunch. The greatest cheers were received by Jake Morrow, a member of the Riverside Blues Band, when he announced that he was celebrating 25 years since his pre-school “graduation.”
Many local businesses donated in kind to our event. We are especially thankful to them for supporting our school in these challenging economic times: Alfonso’s Pizzeria and Restaurant, Bon Appetit, Chili’s Grill and Bar, David and Dolores Reed, Dean & DeLuca, Dunkin’ Donuts, Hillsboro Farm and Country Market, Kale’s Nursery, La Mezzaluna, McCaffrey’s Market, Obal Garden Market, Olives Deli and Bakery, Panera Bread, Papa John’s Pizzeria, Patterson Farm, Perone Landscaping, Small World Coffee, Simply Nic’s, The Bent Spoon, The JM Group, Timothy’s Garden Center, Wegmans Princeton, and the Witherspoon Bread Co.
Thanks to all who made this year’s Harvest Fair a success.
GABRIELLA MILLEY
University League Nursery School Parent
To the Editor:
We are members of the Do Something Club at Riverside Elementary School. Our school will participate in the Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF program again this year. UNICEF stands for United Nations Children’s Fund. Our goal this year is $1925. Last year our goal was $1800 and we raised $1863.
Every penny counts. Six cents can save the life of a thirsty child. Please have change ready for us when we trick-or-treat on Halloween.
We would also like to thank everyone who participated in our Heifer Loose Change Drive last spring. Heifer is a nonprofit organization that has been providing families with livestock for food and money since 1944. Our goal was $900 and we raised $813.66. That was enough to buy a heifer, a pig, a llama, and two groups of chicks.
We appreciate your donations and hope you will participate this year. Thanks!
MAGGIE HERRING
MADALYNE TROILO
SARA VIGIANO
TAYLOR WHITTINGTON
Fourth and Fifth Graders
Riverside Elementary School
To the Editor:
The Garden State Watercolor Society and the participating artists would like to thank Chris Hannington and the staff of the Princeton Shopping Center, the staff of McCaffrey’s, and our friends at Ten Thousand Villages for the help and support they provided in making our recent Art in October art sale a resounding success.
Together with the beauty of the art and the enthusiasm of the viewing public, the event was memorable.
SUZANNE HUNT
Leabrook Lane
Corresponding Secretary
Garden State Watercolor Society