By Donald Gilpin

On Monday, December 4 at approximately 8:42 p.m. near Dillion Gym on the Princeton University campus, a University student was attacked by a raccoon with suspected rabies, according to Princeton Deputy Administrator/Health Officer Jeffrey Grosser.

The student received post-exposure treatment. The raccoon was exhibiting behaviors commonly associated with rabies, such as chirping noises, unprovoked aggressive behavior, and no fear of humans.

Additionally, on Tuesday, December 5, at around 6 a.m., a resident on Hibben Road reported they were attacked by a raccoon that was sitting on their door mat. That resident was able to escape without injury, but did report behavior associated with rabies in the raccoon they encountered.

The Municipality of Princeton’s Animal Control Officer James Ferry, who is working closely with Princeton University to locate and capture the raccoon, noted, “The behavior described was exactly the same. We’re assuming that it’s the same animal.” more

YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS: It’s Winter Festival time all week at Princeton Middle School, with 28 pop-up stores, each one established by a team of seventh grade entrepreneurs, springing up in the Main Commons. (Photo courtesy of Kelly Riely) 

By Donald Gilpin

Twenty-eight pop-up shops — each a carefully structured business venture — are filling the main commons at Princeton Middle School (PMS) this week, offering an appealing array of foods, clothing items, crafts, jewelry, origami, holiday ornaments, and much more.

Run by teams of highly motivated seventh graders, these shops are commercial ventures to be sure, but they are also exercises in social activism and hands-on entrepreneurial education.

In just the first day, Monday, of the school’s Winter Festival, the businesses raised more than $700, with all the earnings going to social causes chosen by the students. The event has raised many thousands of dollars in past years, according to “entrepreneurship, career, and readiness” teacher Kelly Riely, who leads the project as part of the PMS extracurricular program. more

PATRIOTS WEEK PAGEANTRY:Redcoat reenactors march toward the Trenton Battle Monument in a past year’s Patriots Week appearance. This year’s celebrations in Trenton, December 26-31, will feature an array of more than 40 exciting historic and cultural events. (Photo courtesy of the Old Barracks Museum)

By Donald Gilpin

The Colonial Ball, the Patriots’ Pub Crawl, battle reenactments, the Assunpink Firewalk, the Hogmanay Scottish New Year celebration, lectures, historical tours, puppet shows and more — Patriots Week in Trenton is back and bigger than ever this year with dozens of events taking place throughout the city from December 26-31, celebrating history and culture, while providing a rich array of entertainments for all ages.

Sponsored by the City of Trenton, Trenton Downtown Association, and the Old Barracks Museum in partnership with many different local groups, the festivities give participants multiple opportunities to engage with the city and its extraordinary role in the American Revolution and the shaping of the nation’s history. more

By Donald Gilpin

With the 2023 election results officially certified on November 22, the Princeton Public Schools (PPS) Board of Education (BOE) will be welcoming two new members on January 1, 2024, as two incumbents step down.

After a year marked by controversy and turbulence, and with the search for a new superintendent about to begin, disagreements remain, but the district and the BOE seem to be in accord on the importance of prioritizing the needs of the district’s 3,760 students.

“We need to focus now on returning our attention to the students,” said BOE President Dafna Kendal, noting that Acting Superintendent Kathie Foster would provide a stable presence at the helm in the coming year, giving the BOE time to find the best candidate for permanent superintendent. more

A GREENER FUTURE: TigerTransit’s new fleet of electric buses marks an important step in Princeton University’s progress towards its sustainability goals, as ridership (free for all) continues to grow and the University looks forward to soon becoming the first Ivy League institution to operate only emissions-free vehicles. (Princeton University, Denise Applewhite)

By Donald Gilpin

Princeton University’s new fleet of 17 electric buses and new charging facilities, which were celebrated at a grand opening ceremony last month, are contributing to the University’s progress towards a goal of net-zero carbon emissions.

Its campus-wide plan, “including a massive geo-exchange system,” serves “as a template for other universities and municipalities across the country,” according to a University press release.

Speaking at the celebration, which took place at the University’s new bus-charging station on Alexander Road in West Windsor, Princeton University President Christopher L. Eisgruber highlighted the importance of the electric buses and their contribution to the University’s climate-friendly objectives. more

COMMUNITIES OF LIGHT: Votive candles cover the steps of the Nassau Presbyterian Church during last year’s community-wide lighting in support of victim-survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. Sponsored by Womanspace, the event will take place this year on December 3 and 4. (Photo courtesy of Womanspace)

By Donald Gilpin

Thousands of votive candles will be lighting homes, streets, businesses, and municipal buildings on the nights of December 3 and 4, sending a message of support and solidarity to survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault in Mercer County.

“Flickering lights throughout Mercer County reflect that we’re here for our survivors, that they’re not alone, and that we support them,” said Womanspace President and CEO Nathalie Nelson. “It’s also to raise awareness, bringing domestic violence and sexual assault out of the darkness and into the light.”

Nelson pointed out that the numbers of victims are increasing, with Womanspace, which is sponsoring this 22nd annual Communities of Light event, having answered 6,777 calls for help so far this year.  more

By Donald Gilpin

In a closely contested Princeton Public Schools (PPS) Board of Education (BOE) election, two challengers, Eleanor Hubbard and Adam Bierman, and an incumbent, Beth Behrend, have won the three available seats, defeating two-term incumbent Michele Tuck-Ponder and challenger Rene Obregon Jr.

Provisional and late mail-in ballots are still being counted, and the outcome will not be official until November 22, when Mercer County Clerk Paula Sollami Covello intends to certify the results.

Hubbard was the top vote-getter with 4,120 votes (24.98 percent), followed by Behrend at 3,369 (20.43 percent), Bierman at 3,276 (19.86 percent), Obregon 3,215 (19.49 percent), and Tuck-Ponder 2,514 (15.24 percent). more

By Donald Gilpin

Kathie Foster (Princeton Public Schools)

Kathie Foster has been appointed acting superintendent of the Princeton Public Schools beginning November 14, during the leave of absence of Superintendent Carol Kelley, whose resignation goes into effect August 31, 2024.

Foster, who served as interim principal at Princeton High School (PHS) from March through September this year and as the district’s interim assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction from December 2021 through June 2022, was officially appointed acting superintendent by a 9-0 vote of the Board of Education at a special meeting lasting less than 10 minutes on Monday, November 13. She will be paid a per diem rate of $1,100.

“We know Kathie to be a kind leader, a creative problem-solver, and an effective communicator,” the BOE wrote in a November 8 email to the PPS community. “We are confident that Kathie will keep the best interests of all students at the forefront, and that she will provide experienced and steady leadership to all administrators and staff.”

Foster, who served as superintendent of schools in Robbinsville from 2016 until her retirement in 2020, stepped in as PHS interim principal in March just before spring break, following the sudden dismissal of Frank Chmiel. more

By Donald Gilpin

“I’ve been here for nine years, and I’ve never seen anything like this,” said HomeFront Development and Engagement Director Meghan Cubano, reflecting on her organization’s recent work with thousands of local clients who are suffering from hunger and homelessness.

“Want to help? You can help,” was her theme and the headline of a recent HomeFront flier for Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, which is currently underway at HomeFront and around the country. HomeFront is offering a variety of different events and opportunities at its Lawrenceville and Ewing locations to get informed and to volunteer over the next few days and into the holiday season.

Cubano described the waiting room at HomeFront’s Lawrenceville headquarters, packed with hungry Central New Jersey families waiting for food. “We’re serving about 200 families in four-hour shifts throughout the week,” she said. “In the past year there have been more than 21,000 visits to our choice food pantry, people looking for groceries, produce, meat, dairy, diapers, baby wipes. It’s really about meeting those basic needs.” more

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By Donald Gilpin

With only six of 22 precincts reporting by press time last night, the outcome of the hotly contested race with two incumbents and three challengers vying for three seats on the Princeton Public Schools (PPS) Board of Education was uncertain. At press time Eleanor Hubbard had received 1,708 votes, incumbent Beth Behrend 1,532, Adam Bierman 1,378, Rene Obregon Jr. 1,241, and incumbent Michele Tuck-Ponder 1,141.

The unofficial totals so far do not include provisional ballots and some mail-in ballots.

Princeton voters have apparently approved the PPS $13 million facilities bond proposal with a total of 1,908 to 751 votes as tallied at press time.

In the 16th legislative district race for New Jersey state Senate, incumbent Democrat Andrew Zwicker leads his Republican challenger Michael Pappas by 57 percent to 41.6 percent, with Libertarian Richard J. Byrne running a distant third with 1.4 percent out of about 57 percent tallied so far.

With two positions in the state assembly 16th district on the line, incumbent Democrat Roy Freiman, and Mitchelle Drulis, also a Democrat, were leading their Republican rivals Ross Traphagen and Grace Zhang. With about 53 percent of the results in, Freiman had 28.6 percent of the votes, Drulis 28.3 percent, Traphagen 21.5 percent, and Zhang 21.5 percent.

In the race for Mercer County executive, taking the seat of Brian Hughes, who is stepping down at the end of the year after serving in the post for the past 20 years, Democrat Dan Benson seems to be coasting to victory with a lead of 16,590 (82 percent) to 3,489 (17 percent) over Republican Lisa Marie Richford.

In the race for Mercer County sheriff, Democrat John “Jack” Kemler appears to have won a fifth term with 16,459 votes so far, besting Republican Bryan “Bucky” Boccanfuso with 3,292 votes, and Unaffiliated Drew L. Cifrodelli with 273 votes.

The incumbent Democrats on the Mercer County Board of Commissioners also appeared to have held onto their seats, as Lucylle Walter and John Cimino received 16,263 and 16,314 votes respectively to 3,559 and 3,495 votes respectively for their Republican challengers Joseph Stillwell and Denise “Neicy” Turner.

Unopposed Democratic incumbents David Cohen and Leticia Fraga have successfully reclaimed their seats on Princeton Council for a third three-year term.

Update: In unofficial results, Eleanor Hubbard with 3,955 votes, incumbent Beth Behrend with 3,221, and Adam Bierman with 3,181 votes have defeated Rene Obregon Jr., 3,103 votes, and incumbent Michele Tuck-Ponder, 2,399 votes, for three seats on the Princeton Public Schools Board of Education.

By Donald Gilpin

As the fighting in Gaza continues into its second month, with the death toll mounting and no sign of a resolution in sight, groups and individuals at Princeton University and in the larger community, coming from a wide range of political and personal positions and perspectives, continue to respond, expressing their anger, grief, and hopes in many different ways.

Approximately 1,400 were killed in the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel, and about 240 more are being held as hostages. Gaza’s Health Ministry says that the death toll since the Israeli bombing there now exceeds 10,000. more

By Donald Gilpin

Carol Kelley

Princeton Public Schools (PPS) Superintendent Carol Kelley’s resignation, effective September 1, 2024, and her request for a paid leave of absence from October 27, 2023 through August 31, 2024, were approved by the PPS Board of Education (BOE) at a special board meeting on Monday, October 30.

In the third item on the agenda of the 25-minute meeting, Rebecca Gold, PPS interim assistant superintendent of human resources, public information and community relations, was appointed interim superintendent until November 30, 2023.

Kelley had announced her resignation on October 27 in an email to PPS staff, stating that “for personal and professional reasons, I must take some time to reset and recenter myself.” Her email was followed later that day by an email from the BOE to the PPS community announcing Kelley’s leave of absence and resignation and thanking her for her service to the district.

Monday night’s BOE vote was 7-1 on the questions of Kelley’s resignation and leave of absence, with Michele Tuck-Ponder in opposition in both cases. The vote on Gold’s appointment was 7-0 with Tuck-Ponder abstaining. more

By Donald Gilpin

Registered voters in Princeton have many opportunities to exercise their right to vote, with early voting in progress since last Saturday, October 28, and continuing through next Sunday, November 5; Election Day polls open on Tuesday, November 7, from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and vote-by-mail ballots due by 8 p.m. on Election Day.

There are seven local, county, and state contests and a school bond referendum on the Princeton ballot, and Mercer County Clerk Paula Sollami Covello emphasizes that every single vote can make a difference.

“Who represents you makes a huge difference in your taxes and in policies that you will live with,” she said in an October 30 phone conversation. “We have learned over the past few elections that who leads you does matter and does make a difference.”

She continued, ”I’ve seen elections where candidates have won by one or two votes. It happened in Princeton in the School Board. It happened in Trenton last year with the city council. I’ve seen it many times. Don’t think our vote doesn’t matter. It absolutely matters, and it’s important that we take advantage of this opportunity that has been fought for by many.” more

By Donald Gilpin

Archbishop John C. Wester
(Courtesy of Archdiocese of Santa Fe)

Israel, Gaza, Ukraine, and Lewiston, Maine — sad to say, the timing for the Princeton-based Coalition for Peace Action’s (CFPA) 44th Annual Conference and Multifaith Service for Peace could not be more appropriate.

“With two hot wars underway; mass shootings in the U.S. averaging two per day; and nuclear weapon build-ups planned by the U.S., Russia, and China; this is an incredibly important period to educate the public about peace issues,” said CFPA Executive Director the Rev. Robert Moore.  “I encourage all interested people to attend the Multifaith Service and/or Conference for Peace to be more empowered to advocate for peace policies more effectively.”

Sponsored by the CFPA along with 38 area religious and civic groups, the November 12 event will feature Archbishop John C. Wester, leader of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Santa Fe, preaching at the Multifaith Service for Peace at 11 a.m. in the Princeton University Chapel, followed from 1:30 to 4 p.m. by a hybrid Conference for Peace at Christ Congregation, 50 Walnut Lane. Conference speakers will include Princeton University Senior Research Physicist and Professor of Public and International Affairs Emeritus Frank von Hippel; social justice advocate and co-founder of the women-led peace group Code Pink Medea Benjamin; and March For Our Lives Senior Policy Associate Elena Perez; as well as Wester. more

By Donald Gilpin

The Washington Road Bridge replacement project, under construction since late July, is nearing completion, according to the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT), which anticipates that Washington Road will reopen “sometime after October 31.”

Washington Road has been closed between Faculty Road and Tiger Lane while the NJDOT has replaced the bridge over the D&R Canal. Motorists have taken alternate routes, most likely Alexander Road/Alexander Street or Harrison Street, into and out of town.

NJDOT Press Manager Steve Schapiro has stated that a specific date for reopening has not yet been set. A gas main on the east side of the bridge has to be relocated, and more work remains on the bicycle/pedestrian section of the bridge. That part may open after the main bridge reopens to vehicular traffic. Original projections anticipated completion of the $9.4 million project by sometime in October.

The NJDOT has been in regular communication with local Princeton authorities, as well as Princeton University, regarding the project. The NJDOT will provide advanced notice before reopening the bridge. more

By Donald Gilpin 

When Princeton residents mail in their ballots or vote early October 28 to November 5 at the Princeton Shopping Center voting site or at one of the other sites in the county, or vote on Election Day, November 7 at their assigned polling sites, they will be making choices in seven local, county, and state elections, as well as voting yes or no on a bond referendum.

On the Princeton ballot are candidates for Princeton Council; for state Senate and general assembly in Legislative District 16; for Mercer County executive, sheriff, and Board of Commissioners; and for members of the Princeton Public Schools (PPS) Board of Education (BOE).

Also on the ballot is a $13 million PPS bond proposal to improve security and technology infrastructure and address major maintenance projects. PPS is inviting community members to tour Princeton High School areas targeted for improvement on Thursday, October 26 from 7-8 p.m., and on Saturday, October 28 from 10-11 a.m.  Visitors can check out the cafeteria, which would be renovated to create more seating for students and allow for more efficient lunch lines. The guided tour may also include the athletic field and track scheduled for resurfacing and the EcoLab, another area in need of repairs. more

By Donald Gilpin

Fatima Abella (Photo by Daytwan Coates Hall, DCH Media)

Ramping up its outreach to non-traditional students and to New Jersey community college students seeking to transfer to four-year institutions in particular, Princeton University has launched the Transfer Scholars Initiative (TSI).

Forty students from seven community colleges participated in the pilot TSI session from June 26 to August 18 this past summer and most followed up on the weekend of October 14-15 with a two-day “bootcamp” on the Princeton University campus to work on their college transfer applications.

“It was important to me because it’s my first time applying with the Common App,” said Hudson County Community College (HCCC) student Fatima Abella, who attended the bootcamp as well as the eight-week summer program.

Abella, who is majoring in cybersecurity and described herself as the poet laureate in her school, commented on the recent two-day session. “The process was broken down with an emphasis on the parts that took a lot of time to complete, such as requesting letters of recommendation, writing our personal statements, highlighting experiences, etc. We were asked to share our drafts with our cohorts and we gave each other feedback. The professors were also attentive to any specific questions we had.” more

By Donald Gilpin

With Election Day less than three weeks away, two incumbents are competing with three new candidates for three positions on the Princeton Public Schools (PPS) Board of Education (BOE).

The candidates’ names might be listed on the back of the ballot, but the competition for Princeton School Board often generates the most interest, the most heat, and the most lawn signs of any election.

Incumbents Beth Behrend and Michele Tuck-Ponder are both running for their third term on the Board, and Adam Bierman, Eleanor Hubbard, and Rene Obregon are challenging. The campaign so far has been lively, with considerable media coverage and two candidate forums just last week. Extensive information on the candidates’ views and platforms is available at vote411.org, sponsored by the League of Women Voters, and at princetonptoc.weebly.com, sponsored by the Princeton Parent-Teacher Organization Council.

Town Topics asked each candidate to respond by email to five questions: about the merits of incumbency and experience vs. change, “new blood,” and new perspectives; about transparency and collaboration; about public trust in the Board; about district finances and the current bond referendum; and about the strengths of their particular qualifications and potential contributions to the Board.

The questions and the candidates’ responses follow. (Behrend and Tuck-Ponder note that they are writing as individuals, not on behalf of the Board, of which they are members.) more

“PRINCETON STANDS WITH ISRAEL”: About 400 people, many wearing or carrying Israeli flags, attended a vigil in support of Israel on Thursday evening, October 12, outside the Frist Campus Center at Princeton University. (Photo by Summer Pramer)

By Donald Gilpin

Over the past ten days, repercussions from the October 7 terrorist attacks on Israel and the war in the Middle East have been felt acutely in the Princeton area as they have been felt throughout the world.  more