To the Editor:

It was distressing to learn that the NJ Division of Civil Rights (NJ DCR) has recently issued violation notices to housing providers across the state, including a Princeton apartment complex. However, it is reassuring to know that the NJ DCR is enforcing the Fair Chance in Housing Act (FCHA), which prevents landlords from using criminal background checks to unfairly exclude applicants.

According to the NJ DCR, the application form for the Princeton apartment complex stated that an applicant “will be denied” if they have “any felony criminal convictions” or “misdemeanor criminal convictions.” This would clearly discourage anyone with a criminal record — no matter how minor or how long ago — from applying. While the violation in Princeton has been corrected, it serves as a wake-up call for our community, which has witnessed the harm unfair tenant screening practices have caused to our most underserved neighbors for decades. more

To the Editor:

Thank you, Town Topics, for generously providing space for our letters of concern about our community. Several weeks ago, you published letters by Steve Hiltner of Friends of Herrontown Woods and Wendy Mager of Friends of Princeton Open Space about the blight that was beginning in our beech forests. Over a thousand trees will be affected in Herrontown Woods around the home of Oswald Veblen, the father of the Princeton open space movement. My favorite poet, Robert Frost, who thought of the beech tree as “a witness tree” would be sad. How often we see initials carved on the bark of beeches as I memorialized in my poem “God and Buggs.”

When I noticed those two letters, I recalled that among the paintings that I had collected was a rather large one of a beech forest by an accomplished artist who had studied under Daniel Garber. The painting gets at what the essence of a beech forest is about, what it feels like and means to many of us. I decided to donate it to the restoration of Veblen House. I felt that just seeing it would draw attention to the cause.  more

To the Editor:

The Friends and Foundation of the Princeton Public Library wish to extend our thanks for the exceptional public support for our 2024 Annual Book Sale. We rely on our local community here in Princeton for our dedicated volunteers and extraordinary book donations, and we thank our Library colleagues who go the extra mile to make everything run smoothly. The event was a resounding success, with many happy customers from as far afield as Massachusetts and Virginia.

The funds we raised together will be used to purchase new materials for the library’s collection. We also raise money for the library throughout the year through our wonderful used Book Store. This would not be possible without the generous book donations we receive from our local community. To find out more about donating books and supporting the library, please go to  https://princetonlibrary.org/support/book-donations-sales/.

Jeanine Rosen, Jane Nieman, and Claire Bertrand
2024 Annual Book Sale Co-Chairs and Volunteer Coordinator
Friends and Foundation of the Princeton Public Library Annual Book Sale
Witherspoon Street

To the Editor:

I ask Princeton voters to look carefully at the choices on the ballot for the Board of Education. Look for proven commitment to our kids and our schools. Look for the workers and volunteers who work and not just talk; those with skills who labor with love, care, and commitment on behalf of something greater than themselves; those without personal agendas. My own service on the Board revealed that the job requires 15-20 hours of commitment each week to ensure the schools are well run.

I’m casting my votes for Mara Franceschi, Erica Snyder, and Chris Santarpio because they have the proven ability to devote substantial personal resources for the greater good of our schools, along with the skill, integrity, and mindset to serve ethically.  more

To the Editor:

I am writing today to voice my enthusiastic support for my friend and fellow Community Park and Princeton Middle School parent, Erica Snyder, as she runs for a seat on the PPS Board of Education.

My husband and I have lived in Princeton with our family for more than 20 years. Our daughter is a sophomore at PHS, and our son recently began sixth grade at PMS. Both children attended the Dual-Language Immersion Program at Community Park (CP).  more

To the Editor:

New Jersey voters who wish to learn about their candidates, especially those in local races, can go to the League of Women Voters’ non-partisan vote411.org. By putting in their address, voters can see their ballot and their candidates’ responses to League questions. Voters can also check whether they are registered and even register or submit name/address changes if needed.

Information about candidates for Princeton Board of Education is available at vote411.org and in local media. Look for a recording of the Princeton Parent-Teacher Organization’s October 1 forum at princetonptoc.weebly.com. Princeton Parents for Black Children (PPBC), Not in Our Town Princeton (NIOT), and Civil Rights Princeton (CRP) will co-host a Board of Education candidates forum on October 16 at 7:30 p.m. Attendees must register in advance for this webinar at us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_fnxGMJWLT6Kq7WywAUJyQw. A video recording of the forum will be available on the PPBC website and YouTube page. more

To the Editor:

At a time when engagement levels have been challenging in our world, Chris Santarpio and Erica Snyder stand apart for their sense of duty and enthusiasm to jump in and help. We witnessed this firsthand while working with them through the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) at Community Park (CP) School.  Both have engaged in learning and understanding the needs and concerns of families across the district by attending BOE meetings, Board committee meetings, and PTO Council meetings. They took on the immense, nonstop jobs of co-presidents at Community Park — while both working full time. They led our PTO Board, which had suffered during the pandemic as longtime volunteers matriculated out of CP. They recruited new volunteers from diverse backgrounds to revive beloved activities and traditions and create new ones. They also helped to revitalize our PTO’s fundraising, which is a lot more sophisticated than bake sales and provides critical funding for classroom supplies and curricular enrichment for all students. You can feel the difference they’ve made when you walk the halls at CP, and we know that they would have a similar impact on our school district if elected to the Board of Education.

Chris is all about helping people to get what they need to be successful. Your problem becomes his problem and he brings creativity and his life experience to the situation. He was the first person to attend college in his family and then went on to help grow and steward his family’s business into a regional enterprise, while getting his MBA in his spare time. His background in finance and operations would be an asset to understand the complex PPS budget, a role that will be missed with the departure of a BOE member to town Council.  He is ready to help with ongoing facilities improvements and long-term projects being planned to meet the needs of our growing community. He can also help advocate for the unmet needs of aftercare in the district.   more

To the Editor:

Sarah Rous’ letter [Mailbox, September 25] about a near miss at the Terhune-Jefferson intersection confirms what those of us who live in this area already know — it is a dangerous intersection.  However, it is not correct that for drivers traveling west on Terhune there are no sightline issues. A large sycamore right at the corner blocks a driver’s view of traffic on the right (uphill). The other direction is even worse. For drivers going east on Terhune, the view to the left (uphill) is blocked by overgrown shrubbery.  It is necessary to inch up right into the lane of oncoming traffic to see whether there is any oncoming traffic. Most cars traveling on Jefferson in this direction have come off Route 206 and many are traveling at a relatively high rate of speed. Having lived nearby for many years, I’ve witnessed two accidents at this corner, heard others, and seen the debris left by even more.

Over the years, improvements have been made:  larger stop signs, “STOP” and stripes painted in the road, and signs saying that the cross traffic (on Jefferson) does not stop. The accidents and near misses have continued. Rather than installing yet more attention-getting devices, It’s time to enhance safety by taking the simple steps of cutting down the tree and pruning the bushes so that drivers can see oncoming traffic.  Meanwhile, drivers and cyclists beware.

Marilyn Jerry
Terhune Road

To the Editor:

I am writing in support of Ari Meisel’s election to the Princeton School Board. I am a parent of a third grade Haitian American Littlebrook Elementary student and am a graduate of Riverside Elementary, Princeton Middle School, and Princeton High School. I am intentionally raising my child in the school district I graduated from for the sense of inclusivity, community, and progressiveness I felt growing up here.

I first met Ari at Back to School Night at Littlebrook when our daughters shared a first grade classroom. When he heard me introduce myself to their teacher as my daughter’s mom, he said “I’m going to need your number because my daughter can’t stop talking about yours.” This was the start of a wonderful friendship between our girls and our families, and the first example of many where it’s in Ari’s nature to take swift action. I know Ari firsthand to be the most dedicated parent there is. From the moment he and his family settled in Princeton, he made certain to get involved in the community in as many ways possible to benefit our community and its members. more

To the Editor:

I am writing to support Mara Franceschi’s reelection to the Princeton Board of Education.

I have known Mara and her family for many years and know Mara to be deeply dedicated to and care very much about the Princeton community. Since moving to Princeton 14 years ago, she has volunteered with many local nonprofits, including assistant treasurer of the Friends of the Library, treasurer for Nassau Nursery School, PTO treasurer and president for Johnson Park Elementary School, and on the town’s now disbanded Citizen’s Finance Advisory Committee (CFAC). There is no doubt, however, that her service on the School Board on behalf of our children is her highest volunteer priority. Mara believes passionately in a vital public school education for all children. more

To the Editor:

I have got to know Chris Santarpio through his outstanding dedication to our Parent Teacher Organization, and I am delighted to hear that Chris is hoping to build on that experience by joining the School Board. Chris has demonstrated that he really cares that our schools are working well and has gone over and above normal duty to help out. Any time I go to a school district meeting I see him there, asking great questions, and working hard to ensure the best outcomes for kids in our local schools.

The School Board is planning a bond referendum to provide much-needed classroom space, but many residents will be wondering whether all the investments are necessary. Chris has been following this process for years. He understands how important these investments are,  and also has the skills and background to ensure that local residents are getting value for money. He has also considered the needs of families from different schools, and has worked to ensure that improvements benefit everybody.  more

To the Editor:

We would like to add to Yasna Shahriarian’s thoughtful letter about the dangerous intersection of Hamilton Avenue, Rollingmead, and Snowden Lane [Mailbox, September 25].

As local residents, we walk or drive through that intersection every day. Many years ago, several of us, all residents of Snowden Lane, asked the town to install speed bumps along Snowden Lane. Our request was rejected. more

To the Editor:

I am grateful to live in as bicycle-friendly a town as Princeton, and I enjoy biking to day care and work with my 1-year-old son in his trailer a few times a week. As a cyclist I strive to be visible and to follow the rules of the road, as I expect cars to do, and I generally feel safe.

However, within the past few weeks we’ve had several close calls at the intersection of Terhune Road and Jefferson Road, when drivers heading west on Terhune have run or almost run their stop sign as I came downhill with the right-of-way on Jefferson. There are no sight-line issues at this corner, and it’s difficult to understand how these drivers haven’t seen us coming down the hill with our bright colors, lights, and trailer flag.  more

To the Editor:

I’m writing in support of Ari Meisel as a candidate for the Board of Education. Ari is a problem solver who is deeply invested in our school system and our community, and I believe that he will be a capable addition to the Board.

You may have heard Ari described as an “efficiency coach.” I didn’t fully understand what that meant when I first met Ari a few years ago, but I’ve come to understand that it involves helping entrepreneurs and C-level executives become better managers and navigate challenging periods for their businesses. This is often during a time of growth or transition, and Ari’s role involves digging into the details of a business and finding ways to improve systems and operations, whether it be by leveraging technology (one of Ari’s favorite topics), by hiring or delegating in a strategic way, or by teaching his clients to be more effective managers and communicators. From my perspective, that is a pretty ideal skill set to bring to the management of a system as important as our school district.  more

To the Editor:

We hear a lot of talk against immigrants and immigration these days, but too often we fail to remember that, many times, people come to this country seeking refuge from violence and persecution. They have a right to apply for asylum, in accordance with UN Conventions and U.S. law, but there is little assistance available to help them navigate a complex system of rules and forms to seek asylum. Many are desperately looking for a better, safer life for themselves and their children; they contribute to our communities, filling important gaps in employment and adding the richness of their cultures to our lives.

The recent ICE raid in Princeton reminds us that a number of Solidaridad volunteers first came together six years ago, in response to a series of pre-dawn raids at immigrant neighbors’ homes. We are grateful that our elected representatives spoke out against the most recent action and that community members mobilized to ensure that our neighbors in Princeton knew their rights.  more

To the Editor:

Driving over the years has gotten more and more dangerous. Car crashes continue to be the leading cause of death in the U.S. Getting a call that a loved one has gotten into an accident can be a traumatic experience. I experienced this twice (in March 2023 and April 2024) when my mom called to inform me that my dad got into an accident and the car he was driving got totaled. Luckily there were no fatal injuries, but the thought that something worse could have happened still lingers. Recently another crash at the same intersection was brought to my attention — hence the call to action to create awareness among the community and to find a solution to avoid further crashes.

Both the crashes, coincidentally, happened at the four-way intersection of Rollingmead, Snowden Lane, and Hamilton Avenue. This intersection only has two-way stop signs and has blind spots. Contributing factors also include overgrown shrubs, and no indicators stating that the incoming traffic does not stop. In both instances the car coming from Hamilton Avenue did not fully stop and resulted in a multi-vehicle crash including my dad’s car and, in both instances, he was not at fault. This intersection has been noted by residents as the most dangerous intersection in town. Princeton has many pedestrians and cyclists going through the various intersections, and we need to make them safer before we have more accidents. more

To the Editor:

I am writing as a 14-year resident of Princeton, mother of three (college and two at PHS), longtime community and school volunteer, and current Board of Education member.

I am running for reelection to the BOE because experience matters. My background makes me uniquely qualified among the other candidates running to assist our schools from the very first day. With an MBA from Columbia, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charter, and over a decade’s work experience in finance, I am well-qualified to manage financial oversight of the district. I currently co-chair the Personnel committee and sit on the Operations and Long-Range Planning committees. I have served as treasurer for the JP PTO, Nassau Nursery School, and Friends of the Library and on the town’s now disbanded Citizens Finance Advisory Committee (CFAC), among other volunteer positions.  more

To the Editor:

As Asian parents in Princeton, we are deeply invested in the education and future of our children. This year, we have the opportunity to elect two candidates to the Board of Education who not only reflect our values, but also bring personal experiences that resonate with our community. Shenwei Zhao and Lisa Potter come from different paths, but both are united in their dedication to supporting the diverse needs of Princeton’s students.

Princeton’s Asian population makes up close to 20 percent of the town’s residents. Our community is growing, with families from China, India, Japan, Korean, Taiwan, and other Asian nations contributing to Princeton’s rich cultural landscape. Zhao and Potter are shining examples of how leadership can reflect the diversity of our town and support the unique needs of families like ours. more

To the Editor:

Besides the ability to address future school needs, and potentially some of the soon-to-be-announced state requirement for additional affordable housing, the Westminster campus offers great opportunities for other important municipal and community uses, including turning the broad lawn fronting Hamilton Avenue into much needed in-town public open space.

The acquisition will also enable the town to designate the core of the historic campus as a local historic district, as recommended in the Princeton Master Plan adopted last November. A priority to repurpose the historic core buildings and other buildings on the campus will exemplify Princeton’s sustainability goals, as the most sustainable buildings are ones that exist, with all their embodied carbon.  more

To the Editor:

September is Hunger Action Month, a time when Yes We CAN! Food Drives pledges to renew its efforts to help our neighbors in Mercer County who don’t have enough food to feed their families or themselves. Thus it is that we need your help so we can help our neighbors.

We are grassroots volunteers who collect money twice a month at both the Princeton Farmers Market and the West Windsor Farmers Market.  The funds collected then allow us to purchase fresh fruit and vegetables from the farmers, which in turn are donated to Arm In Arm to restock its food pantries. more

To the Editor:

Ari Meisel is a pillar of the community who will serve on the Board of Education with his trademark blend of efficiency and boundless energy.

Ari loves Princeton. Years ago, I asked him to name his favorite place he has ever lived. He quickly replied, “Princeton! You can’t beat the sense of community here.” He has embraced this town and he has become an integral part of it. As an EMT, as a PTO board member, and as a CARES committee member, he helps the most vulnerable, the most underserved, and the most sick and injured in Princeton. He also brings a parent’s perspective to the BOE as a father of five children, four of whom attend Princeton Public Schools.  more

To the Editor:

Planning for the future is very difficult to do. I would like to thank our mayor and Council for looking out for the entire community in initiating the purchase of the Westminster Choir College property from Rider University. As someone that served as an elected Township Committeeman/Princeton Councilman for 15 years and 10 years prior on Boards and Commissions, I am supportive when our elected officials look out for the interest of our residents.

The Westminster location is one of the most important developable land mass sites left in Princeton. With all the building of houses, apartments, condos, and townhouses, we are going to need more public facilities. I am sure we are going to need an additional school in the near future. Planning, planning, planning is everything.

I am asking that we all open our minds and try to understand this purchase of the Westminster Choir College site. Making difficult decisions in the beginning can save each of us a lot of additional taxes in the end. My plea is that the mayor and Council continue to do due diligence to make sure the residents have a super win. Let’s get behind this project and continue to watch Princeton become the best town to live in. We are so fortunate to live in Princeton.

Lance Liverman
Former Council President
Witherspoon Street

To the Editor:

Trust takes years to build, but it can be broken in a single moment. For many of us in the Princeton community, that trust was shattered last year when the Board of Education mishandled both the firing of Princeton High School Principal Frank Chmiel and the drama surrounding Superintendent Dr. Carol Kelley. These events exposed a lack of decisive leadership and a failure to address the concerns of the community.

The turning point for many of us came during Frank Chmiel’s “Donaldson” hearing. This was the Board’s chance to acknowledge that the situation could have been handled better, without explicitly apologizing. However, when only two out of 10 board members voted to reinstate Chmiel, it became clear that our voices weren’t being heard. Our concerns as residents and parents were ignored, and any remaining trust in the Board evaporated. more