W-J Development Corporation Resumes Active Role in Support of Neighborhood
To the Editor: The Witherspoon-Jackson Development Corporation (WJDC) was established in 1976. It is a 40-year-old organization with an impressive history of serving the Witherspoon-Jackson (WJ) neighborhood. Initially, with $90K in funding, its efforts focused on redeveloping the original Shirley Court into new affordable for-sale housing units. The organization later began purchasing and repairing existing neighborhood homes to sell to Witherspoon-Jackson families. WJDC also extended help to some existing property owners towards the payment of property taxes. Remarkably, the organization facilitated the purchase of 23 houses in the Witherspoon-Jackson neighborhood by the mid-1980’s. Unfortunately, without sufficient funds in a competitive real estate market, the organization experienced a long period of dormancy. In the past year, due to the many dynamics affecting the Witherspoon-Jackson neighborhood, steps have been taken to revive the WJDC. Resurrected, the WJDC hopes to continue as a resource in addressing neighborhood issues of affordable housing, home ownership, maintenance, and supporting the residency of longtime families in the WJ neighborhood. This summer, interested members of the community met to discuss creative ways for the organization to explore the nature, use and type of existing properties through zoning or other measures in order to address diverse housing needs, economic development, and neighborhood services. At that meeting, a vigorous discussion ensued on the need for the neighborhood to secure a position in its physical planning and long term viability as a socio-economically diverse neighborhood, recently designated as the Witherspoon-Jackson Historic District. Last month, WJDC was fortunate to have been granted $1.25M from Princeton University as a stipulation of the property tax lawsuit settlement. The grant will be dispersed over three years to help support WJDC’s general mission. WJDC appreciates the recognition of past accomplishments, is humbled by Princeton University’s faith in it as a revived organization, and looks forward to the active participation by the University as a member of the WJDC Board of Directors. WJDC leadership is particularly grateful to the Eleanor Lewis Estate and the 27 plaintiffs, most of whom are Witherspoon-Jackson property owners. Represented by attorney Bruce Afran, they challenged the status of the University as a non-profit organization in its payment of municipal property taxes. Because of the generosity and courage of these plaintiffs, many property owners throughout Princeton will benefit. The settlement also stipulated the dispersal of funds for a tax relief program for those who qualify for the NJ State Homestead Rebate Program, for which the application deadline is November 30, 2016. While the projected sum of the lawsuit settlement to the WJDC provides a real boost to advance the organization’s efforts to address various issues from program development through to implementation, WJDC will still need to develop a vigorous financial plan and engage in fundraising to address the rising costs of real estate, some of which are tenfold since the founding of the organization. On December 1, 2016 WJDC will hold its first meeting of the full board of directors and advisory board. We look forward to the challenging work ahead under the guidance of a diverse, experienced, expert, and energized group of volunteers who will be dedicated to addressing a broad set of neighborhood needs and aspirations. We invite the community to join us in this journey and ask for your support. HENRy PANNELL, JOAN HILL, PENNEy EDWARDS-CARTER, yINA MOORE
Trinity Tea Will Support Choir Singing Services At Westminster Abbey, Canterbury Cathedral
To the Editor: The English Tea, given in support of Trinity Church Choirs’ 2017 trip to England, was a happy event on November 6. Guests enjoyed a traditional English tea of savories and sweets as well as a short concert by the choir. The combined Trinity choirs will be singing daily services for a week each at Westminster Abbey and Canterbury Cathedrals. Thanks to all who enjoyed this afternoon with Trinity Church members and choir. PEGI STENGEL Prospect Avenue
Grandmother and Grandson on Opposite Sides Of Political Divide Will Begin a Daily Exchange
To the Editor: My grandson and I reached an agreement today. He is going to be my guide and interpreter in the foreign land I suddenly feel my country to be. I am a progressive Democrat. My grandson, 17, is a conservative Republican. We’re both appalled by how the other’s side is acting. He, his conservative family (parents and sister) and I are living under one roof, and for the past months we all agreed to not discuss politics. That is no longer possible. We have to talk. Because my grandson holds the strongest views opposing mine, I decided to start by talking to him. I told Oliver, first, that I love him more (incalculably) than I disagree with him and that that will always be true. I told him I need him to help me understand what his side believes and fears, because I can’t understand it on my own. I have asked Oliver to be my guide as the country heads wherever it is on its way to now. He has agreed. Our starting point will be a daily exchange of a) news stories and b) things we’ve heard or seen in the course of the day that especially anger us about the other side — he at school, I among colleagues or on the street. He will explain what I bring to him. I will try to do the same. Our intention is for this to be an ongoing arrangement. We also intend to disseminate what we learn from each other among our friends. It is an exchange. Oliver and I anticipate tension. I know I will learn from him. I hope he will learn from me. If you love someone on the other side, you might consider such an agreement with them. If a lot of us do this — starting right now — it might make a difference. We need to. KATE HUGHES DEL TUfO Ober Road
Certainly nothing in my suburban and sheltered childhood could help me imagine the significant challenges that Inge faced as a young girl when she and her family found themselves trapped in Germany during World War II. There was the terror of air raids along with near starvation conditions. fortunately, she and her family survived to make the voyage home to Brazil. In 1968 they left Brazil for the promise of a better life in America. I will always appreciate the significant contributions Inge made to our family. On countless occasions she cared for our kids when my wife and I had to work or when we needed time for ourselves. Her family dinners were replete with sumptuous food prepared by a woman whose only earthly riches were her family. Those who don’t have an Inge to share the holiday with might consider joining community members for an hourlong service on Thanksgiving Day at first Church of Christ, Scientist in Princeton (csprinceton.org). STEvE DRAKE Tenacre — A Ministry of Christian Scientists
Town Topics Reader Wants to Know If Princeton Is Or Is Not a “Sanctuary City”
To the Editor: your front page article [Community Leaders Speak to an Anxious Crowd at Post-Electiin Gathering,” Nov. 16} about the post-election Community Leaders gathering has some very ambiguous language in paragraph four. Without quoting anyone in particular the reporter states that Princeton is “considered” a Sanctuary City. This is an issue of significance. If Council has voted to make us one, there are likely major ramifications going forward. Sanctuary Cities are a clear violation of federal law. Love Obama or not it’s indisputable that this was a law that our current president chose to ignore. Soon we will have a new sheriff in D.C. town who is unlikely to take such liberties with federal law. If we insist on designating our town as a Sanctuary City, Princeton is likely to lose federal funding for all Town programs. They must be cut back or funded with additional taxpayer monies. “Considered” is not the word Town Topics should use in describing Princeton’s status as a Sanctuary City. We are or we aren’t one … and the distinction is about to become relevant. NELSON OBUS Russell Road Editor’s Note: After being contacted by Town Topics, Mayor Lempert said this: “We are a ‘welcoming community’ and Council voted to make Princeton part of the Welcoming America network. Police Chief Sutter issued an order back in 2013 clarifying the role of our police in protecting local public safety. Here is a link to the order: www.ilrc.org/sites/default/files/resources/1_-_ princeton_police_detainer_order.pdf. The order makes it clear that the role of the police department is to protect public safety, and that to be effective, the police must foster trust within the communities they serve so that victims and witnesses feel safe in coming forward to report crimes.
9 • TOWN TOPICS, PRINCETON, N.J., WEDNESDAY, NOvEmbER 23, 2016
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or will be living on social security, with or without a 401k, to pay pension benefits of public employees for the duration of their lifetimes and of their beneficiaries’ lifetimes. A silver plan and a 401k should be sufficient for public sector employees and will be in line with what the private sector offers. It will save the State billions of dollars every year and will reduce property taxes. Unfortunately, there is no logical reason for this inequality. The only reason is pure greed, corruption, and lack of courage to tackle those problems that will ultimately bankrupt our state if no action is taken. If you already have over 200 billion dollars of unfunded pension liabilities that you cannot pay, how will you ever be able to pay it by adding to that liability? Even public sector employees should wise up and accept smaller and guaranteed benefits instead of accepting the promise of much larger but illusive benefits. Politicians pay large amounts of money for advice on how to get elected and re-elected. I am giving you simple and free advice that will guarantee you will get re-elected forever if you follow one simple rule: Serve the people, not the special interest groups. If you think you are invincible and this rule does not apply to you, I suggest you look at what happened to Hillary and the Democrats nationwide and think again. GEORGE KNEISSER SR. Executive Director, Citizens for Property Tax Reform
Dress for Success Mercer County Holds Cocktails for a Cause Event at Greenacres
To the Editor; On November 10, Dress for Success Mercer County (DfSMC) held its annual Cocktails for a Cause event at Greenacres Country Club. This year’s theme, Designing the future, celebrated the women who have had the courage and determination to take steps to make a better life for themselves and their families. At Dress for Success it all begins with a suit, but we are so much more. We are support, we are encouragement, and we are an opportunity for women to learn, grow, and design a better future. Empowering women to achieve economic independence is what drives the staff and the volunteers at Dress for Success every day. Since 2007 more than 4,000 women have been through our programs. This year alone, we will have served more than 1,000 women. At DfSMC, we understand the challenges faced by lowincome, underserved, and underrepresented women seeking to break the cycle of poverty. Through our personalized career development programs, we support women through every stage of their professional development, starting with their job search and leading to sustained employment. We are the only community program that responds to the career development needs of this vulnerable population. Our Cocktails for a Cause event was an incredible success and I would like to congratulate this year’s honorees Dr. Jianping Wang, president of Mercer County Community College, PNC Bank, and Hamilton Jewelers. The services we provide would not be possible without the generous support of the community. A tremendous thanks to our Designing the future sponsors, guests, event committee, and all of the individuals and businesses that contributed auction prizes. your generosity will help Dress for Success Mercer County continue its legacy of providing quality programming and support to women who are ready to enter and thrive in the workforce. MELISSA TENzER Executive Director
To: ___________________________ From: _________________________ Date & Time: __________ Here is a proof of your ad, scheduled to run ___________________. Please check it thoroughly and pay special attention to the following: A Letter to Members of N.J. Legislature (Your check mark will tell us it’s okay) From Citizens for Property Tax Reform A Shining Example of Everyday To Mr. Sweeney, Mr. Prieto, and every member of the New Thanksgiving ❑ Phone number ❑ Fax number ❑ Address ❑ Expiration and Selfless Love Jersey State Legislature: Regardless of whether one voted for Trump or Clinton, one cannot ignore the reality of Trump’s victory. Despite all the money his opponent spent, all the organization she had, all the establishment support she enjoyed, and all the predictions of the media, it was not enough to defeat the will of the people who sent a loud and clear message that the status quo of politics-as-usual, that benefits only the few at the expense of everyone else, was no longer acceptable. In case things evaded your attention or you’re oblivious to what is happening in your own state, the people here in New Jersey are also sick and tired of the same politicsas-usual. It might be time for all of you in Trenton, both Democrats and Republicans, to get together and solve the biggest and most urgent problem facing all New Jerseyans, which is property tax. Property tax reform cannot be achieved without a reform of the benefits currently enjoyed by the public sector employees. It’s time to level the field and bring all public sector benefits in line with the private sector. It’s unreasonable to ask the average citizen, who can hardly afford health insurance for him and his family, to pay for an annual $30,000 platinum plan for a public sector employee. It’s also unconscionable to ask an average citizen, who lives
To the Editor: On November 24 our great country will pause to observe a national tradition of expressing gratitude. While you might find it amazing to think a guy can be grateful for his mother-in-law, I feel compelled to share the many fine qualities of selflessness expressed by a woman who won’t be sitting with us around the Thanksgiving table this year. It is clear that we are living in troubled times. fame, opportunity, and wealth would seem to rush at a small percentage of our population, while too many experience tragedy, loneliness, and frustration. Brother David SteindlRast, author of Gratefulness, the Heart of Prayer: An Approach to Life in Fullness, asked this probing question that reminded me of my mother-in-law, “Do we find it difficult to imagine that gratefulness could ever become our basic attitude toward life?” It was impossible not to be inspired by the shining example of everyday thanksgiving and selfless love exemplified by my mother-in-law, Inge Minc. How did she develop this kind, compassionate, and easily flowing love? While she never spoke about it to me or my wife, it was as if adversity compelled her to make an early choice between an expansive or narrow life. Perhaps she intuitively knew the old saying, “if you’ve forgotten the language of gratitude, you’ll never be on speaking terms with happiness.”
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