Volume LXXIV, Number 25
Princeton Strong Pages 13-16 Princeton-Blairstown Center to Host Family Camp . . . . . . . 5 Princeton Mutual Aid Fuses Diverse Groups, Individuals . . . . . . . . . 8 Major League Baseball Awards HomeFront $50K . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Hart Crane and The Bridge . . . . . . . 19 McCarter Presents “In Conversation with Nilo Cruz” . . . . . . . . 22 PU Football Alum Davidson Looking to Make the Cleveland Browns . . . . .28 PHS Track’s Hopes for Big Season Derailed by COVID-19 . . . . . . . . . 30
Untimely Passing of Coach Higgins Leaves Void in PDS Community . . . . . 31 Art . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Berkshire Hathaway Fox & Roach Realtors . .20, 21 Books . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Classified Ads . . . . . . 36 Mailbox . . . . . . . . . . . 17 New to Us . . . . . . . . . . 27 Obituaries . . . . . . . . . 33 Performing Arts . . . . . 23 Real Estate . . . . . . . . 35 Religion . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Topics of the Town . . . . 5 Town Talk . . . . . . . . . . 6
www.towntopics.com
Sutter, Black Leaders Discuss Racism, Justice, Equity At PCDO Forum At this “incredibly consequential moment,” “such a difficult time,” “a tipping point,” as various panelists described it, three African American leaders joined Princeton Police Chief Nick Sutter virtually on Sunday, June 14 for a wideranging “critical discussion on the state of racism, justice, and equity in our town and throughout the country.” In an online forum sponsored by the Princeton Community Democratic Organization (PCDO), Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman, New Jersey Policy Perspective (NJPP) President Brandon McKoy, and former Princeton mayor and current Princeton Board of Education Vice President Michele Tuck-Ponder as moderator, along with Sutter, reflected on the current climate of social and racial upheaval, pandemic crisis, and economic distress. “We’re at a different point right now,” said Watson Coleman, calling for less delay and more action in addressing inequities caused by systemic racism. She noted the force and frustrations of protests currently taking place throughout the area and the nation. “I don’t think this is the same kind of reaction as in the past. We’re at a tipping point now where it’s bubbling over and good people are standing up. We have to make the most of it. We’ve got people all over the world who are protesting with us. It’s healthy.” Commenting on proposals for a national reconciliation commission on slavery and racism, she continued, “I’m OK with studying and discussing and having kumbaya moments and things of that nature, but I also know that we need to get about the work. I don’t think that window stays open very long. We’re at a point where we need to re-imagine who we are and how we’re going to move forward and do it.” Watson Coleman called for reforms to help bring police accountability, as well as housing, jobs, education, and health care to those most in need. “If it takes a resolution and healing, that’s fine, but let us be in parallel action in getting things done, changing policies, changing laws, enforcing them, putting our money where it needs to go and ensuring that there’s sustainability for all families,” she said. Princeton Mayor Liz Lempert, who, along with the Princeton Council and the Princeton Police Department, has Continued on Page 8
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Council Passes Ordinance to Facilitate Reopening At a special meeting Monday, June 15, Princeton Council voted in favor of an ordinance to expand outdoor restaurant dining areas on Hinds Plaza, close a portion of Witherspoon Street to accommodate outdoor dining, and designate curbside pickup areas. Put together quickly to help return the downtown to normal, or near-normal, following the COVID-19 shutdown, the ordinance temporarily relaxes certain requirements pertaining to sidewalk cafes and outdoor dining areas, parking, and pedestrian and vehicle circulation. The biggest changes are being implemented along Witherspoon Street between Nassau Street and Princeton Public Library. Vehicular traffic is now one-way northbound from Nassau to Spring streets. Sidewalks will remain open for pedestrians, and there will be designated outdoor dining areas for restaurants and general seating areas for takeout dining. Queueing areas and bike parking areas are being designated. The ordinance is effective for 120 days, after which it will be evaluated. On Nassau Street, the plan calls for the loss of no more than two parking spots per block. Pickup and waiting zones will be shared by multiple businesses. On both Nassau and Witherspoon streets, the
area of the sidewalks closest to the building fronts will be used for seating, while the street side will be used for pedestrians. The left turn from Nassau Street onto Witherspoon Street will still be permitted. Councilwoman Michelle Pirone Lambros, who has been closely involved in the plan, thanked the municipal staff and business owners for their assistance in making it possible. “You have all been instrumental in putting this together,” she said. “It has been a big move for Princeton
4 Nassau Street, Princeton, NJ 08542
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[making the street one-way].” The Arts Council of Princeton is helping create signage and way-finding along a common theme. “They are really bringing together a branding strategy,” Lambros said. “We don’t want it to look like a construction zone.” Mayor Liz Lempert said the plan is a work in progress. “We want to hear your feedback,” she said. “Tell us what is not working and if you’re excited by Continued on Page 7
Will Community Park Pool Reopen? Decision is Set for This Week Growing up in Princeton, Ben Stentz spent summers swimming at Community Park (CP) Pool. His first job, at age 14, was at the pool. His son learned to swim there. “There is nobody more invested than me in having the pool be open and successful this summer,” said Stentz, who is executive director of the Princeton Recreation Department. “There are so many wins if we get it open. My staff has put everything we have into this. But as Gov. Murphy likes to say, ‘It’s complicated with pools.’ “ The COVID-19 pandemic has left the
fate of public pools in New Jersey uncertain for the summer of 2020. While Gov. Murphy announced on June 10 that pools can legally open on June 22, the list of considerations — from social distancing to liability concerns — is extensive. On Thursday, June 18, Princeton’s Recreation Commission will vote on if, and when, CP pool will open. “We will make a decision, and if the decision is to open, it will be open July 15 or possibly earlier,” Stentz said. While Stentz and Princeton Council members have been fielding emails Continued on Page 10
AL FRESCO DINING IS BACK: On a lovely Monday evening, diners at Trattoria Procaccini on Nassau Street enjoyed outside dining for the first time since Gov . Phil Murphy ordered restaurants closed, except for takeout and delivery, in mid-March due to the COVID-19 pandemic . Inside dining is still to come . (Photo by Charles R. Plohn)
In-Town Specialist Barbara Blackwell Broker Associate
Wednesday, June 17, 2020
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