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Vol. LXII, No. 38
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Wednesday, September 17, 2008
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Vol. LXII, No. 38
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Wednesday, September 17, 2008
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JOE J. CAUCHI
North Harrison Street
JAMES W. FIRESTONE
Vandeventer Avenue
FERN SPRUILL
Faculty Road
MARIETTA TAYLOR
Hartley Avenue
JANE MILROD
Riverside Drive
To the Editor:
We moved to Princeton in January from Hong Kong and we must say it is perhaps the most wonderful place except for one blemish — the price of taxis. Having lived and traveled extensively throughout the world we were really surprised at the cost of a taxi here. We took a taxi from McCosh Circle to the Nassau Inn one night and were charged $20. If the Jitney hours were extended, people would have alternatives to the high cost of a cab. I am sure most of our visitors and residents would benefit, and it would put the taxi companies on notice to get real about their fares.
Another reason for extending the hours are the restaurants. Princeton has some lovely places to dine, but if anyone wanted to have a few glasses of wine they need to think about transport. As a result I would bet that alcohol sales would increase if the restaurants could offer a complimentary ride to and from a central location. The restaurants could even sponsor the Jitney via bus advertising. They could also advertise on the Dinky, for visitors to take advantage of such a service. I know I would buy a bottle of wine with dinner if I did not have to drive home.
The last reason is no less important. How many cars would extending the Jitney free bus service take off Princeton roads? I know it would not be many, but surely every little bit helps. This would not only be good for the environment but the Borough would save some money on road repairs and traffic patrols.
The operators of the Jitney need to think outside the box and not focus only on the Princeton Station commuters. The entire community and its visitors would benefit.
JOE J. CAUCHI
North Harrison Street
To the Editor:
The School Board is thinking about demolishing the older part of the Valley Road School building facing Witherspoon Street because it is becoming too much of a liability in terms of insurance and maintenance costs.
It is a frightening thought. That old part was our first school that brought us all together from the three one-room school houses on Mt. Lucas, Cedar Grove, and Stony Brook. The Borough still has its own original school at 185 Nassau Street, reflecting its educational past. Few institutions of higher learning contemplate taking down any of their original buildings like Nassau Hall.
Valley Road’s work has not faded away. Over the years it served as the administrative headquarters and as space for non-profits to help our community. As Princeton grows it needs the flexibility of low cost school space for many of these groups manned by volunteers. We can’t afford to lose the flexibility that this central space and place gives us.
Certainly, the space should be used more effectively rather than as a store house for the other school renovations. It is not cost effective. Put the junk in a storage barn on River Road or get rid of it.
How do alumni feel about taking the school down? Fifty out of sixty contacted from the Class of ’57 came to a reunion from across the nation to celebrate their education there. If you were to contact the fifty other classes you would find an overwhelming sentiment to leave the building up to service the community and to continue the history of shared values. We should celebrate this building instead of knocking it down.
JAMES W. FIRESTONE
Vandeventer Avenue
To the Editor:
As members of Not In Our Town, a Princeton interfaith and antiracist organization determined to eliminate “everyday racism” and all forms of discrimination, we take a moment to mourn the death of Fannie E. Floyd and note that there will be a memorial service on Sunday, September 21 at 2 p.m. at Nassau Presbyterian Church.
Fannie was a strong force in the African American community and a tireless advocate for social justice in Princeton. She worked hard for equal education, expanded opportunities for housing, and full legal rights for all people. She was a faithful member of the Witherspoon Street Presbyterian Church for many years. Working with others and encouraging them to become more active, she served her community tremendously, and her energy and enthusiasm for doing what is right will be sorely missed.
Fannie exemplified the mission of Not In Our Town as well as anyone could: seeking reconciliation and mutual respect among the diverse communities of Princeton, and seeking a way to build friendship and pride in diversity. We will miss her example and her leadership.
FERN SPRUILL
Faculty Road
MARIETTA TAYLOR
Hartley Avenue
To the Editor:
September is the month students head back to school. It is also the month when we celebrate AD/HD Awareness Week. As the founding coordinator of the Princeton-Mercer County chapter of Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD), I wish to recognize and honor the systems that enable us to raise awareness in our community.
For families whose students have attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, back to school can present special challenges. Our local CHADD meetings have evolved into a large and vibrant community of support for the families struggling to cope.
The credit for our reach is due in great measure to our local media. Thanks to the publishers who create community pages, websites, event calendars, and other methods of disseminating special interest group meetings, our CHADD group exists. From the very start, the editors have been supportive of our efforts to publicize our group and group events.
The Mercer County CHADD group is thriving thanks to our wonderful local newspapers and websites. They are our unsung heroes. In addition, we wish to thank the Princeton Regional Schools and the Riverside School Principal, Media Specialist, and maintenance professionals for opening their doors to CHADD.
For more information about CHADD, visit www.chadd.org.
Here’s to AD/HD Awareness Week. Here’s to the success of every family and individual affected by AH/HD. Here’s to the Mercer County media and the Princeton Regional Schools for making all of the above possible.
JANE MILROD
Riverside Drive