Volume LXXI, Number 6 Black History Month Events Feature Presentations at Trenton’s Old Barracks. . . . . . . . 9 Reading Love Between the Lines of Poet C.K. Williams’s Farewell Volume. . . . . . . . . . . 13 Freshman Star Kolodzik Making Impact for PU Wrestling. . . . . . . . . . 23 Top-Seeded PHS Boys’ Hockey Aiming for MCT Title . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
PHS Science Teacher Joy Barnes-Johnson Is the Subject of This Week’s Profile in Education . . 7 Art . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Books . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Cinema . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Classified Ads. . . . . . . . 33 Clubs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Mailbox. . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Music/Theater . . . . . . . 17 Obituaries . . . . . . . . . . 30 Police Blotter. . . . . . . . . 6 Real Estate . . . . . . . . . 33 Religion. . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Service Directory . . . . . 32 Sports. . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Topics of the Town . . . . . 5 Town Talk. . . . . . . . . . . . 6
www.towntopics.com
Fire in Maplewood Hits AvalonBay Site Still Under Construction A fire last Saturday that ripped through an AvalonBay Communities apartment complex in Maplewood, under construction and scheduled to open in March, destroyed many of its units. While this is the second major blaze in two years at a property owned by AvalonBay, which opened Avalon Princeton last fall, a company official said the Witherspoon Street development is more than up to code. “Safety is our topmost priority at AvalonBay, which is why we continue to incorporate safeguards beyond what is required,” said Ronald S. Ladell, senior vice president, development, in an email. “For example, AvalonBay voluntarily incorporated the safeguards of National Fire Protection Association Standard 13 — a standard that is greater than what is required by the current building code — in Maplewood. This includes the installation of more sprinklers throughout the building, including in the attics, closet spaces, and between the ceilings and floors. In addition, we upgraded the fire safety for these buildings by installing masonry firewalls, which are not required for this building type by the current code or NFPA 13. These fire safety enhancements have been incorporated in Princeton.” The Maplewood fire began about 1:30 a.m. Saturday. Its cause, being investigated by the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, has yet to be determined. More than 120 firefighters were at the scene. The fire involved two of the three buildings under construction. One firefighter who slipped on the ice was reported injured. The fire in Edgewater two years ago leveled that complex and was “very different” from the Maplewood situation, Mr. Ladell said. It was caused “during a maintenance procedure. The Maplewood development was still under construction, and unfortunately the additional safeguards incorporated in our design were not yet fully operational.” After the Edgewater fire in January 2015, AvalonBay voluntarily upgraded fire protection systems in the Maplewood and Princeton complexes, which were not yet under construction. Princeton Mayor Liz Lempert and Mercer County Executive Brian Hughes were among a group of lawmakers who called for an upgrade of New Jersey’s fire codes. But while numerous bills to tighten codes have been Continued on Page 8
TRUE COMMUNITY.
75¢ at newsstands
Wednesday, February 8, 2017
Local Resistance to Immigration Ban Continues
A rally “Against the Muslim Ban and Bigotry,” co-sponsored by The Coalition for Peace Action (CFPA), took place on the steps of the Trenton City Hall Monday, as federal courts, which had temporarily banned the administration from enforcing two parts of Mr. Trump’s order, considered the federal government’s appeals against their ruling. Meanwhile local institutions, groups, and individuals continue to express their concern and to take action to support vulnerable individuals. The final decision on the legality of Mr. Trump’s executive order, closing U.S. borders to immigrants and others from seven majority — Muslim countries and to refugees from throughout the world, may eventually be made by the Supreme Court. Monday’s rally drew a diverse group of about 250 “energetic and passionate” participants, according to Reverend Robert Moore, executive director of the CFPA. In addition to Mr. Moore, speakers included Muslim leaders, Hispanic community leaders, and a Lutheran minister who is the grandson of two Holocaust survivors. Noting the “strong sense of unity” in opposition to the Muslim ban, which he described as un-American and contradictory
to the country’s core values, Mr. Moore added that the president’s measures are also counterproductive to fighting terrorism. “If the president and his advisers see this as a war against Islam, they’re actually driving away people who have been our main allies in fighting terrorism. This directive actually makes us less safe.” He continued, “We have to keep speaking up. I’m heartened by this grassroots movement. I felt blessed to be there, part
of the beloved community that Dr. King envisioned. It’s what gives me hope.” Last Thursday, Princeton University President Christopher L. Eisgruber joined 47 other American college and university presidents in signing a letter to President Trump, urging him “to rectify or rescind the recent executive order.” Initially drafted by Mr. Eisgruber and University of Pennsylvania President Amy Gutmann, the Continued on Page 14
International Choir Festival at Westminster Provides a Break From Relocation Worries Efforts continue by those who support keeping Westminster Choir College of Rider University in Princeton rather than relocating the school to Rider’s Lawrenceville campus. A town hall forum on the topic was held Tuesday evening at the Arts Council of Princeton, and pressure on financially strapped Rider is sure to continue as the administration works toward a decision on the fate of the Princeton music school. But from February 16 to 18, the choir college will be in the spotlight for another reason. Some 800 people, members of 20 choirs from four nations, will descend upon the campus for “Sing ’n’ Joy,” a
weekend of concerts and competitions sponsored by Interkultur, a German company known for staging these events all over the world. Interkultur’s website reads, “In 2017 Princeton, New Jersey will be the meeting point for choirs from all over the globe. In the world of choral singing Princeton, the city located south of New York is well known for being the home of the Westminster Choir College, one of the world’s leading music schools.” The gathering has been two years in the making, and involved the cooperation of area institutions in addition to Westminster. Continued on Page 4
ICE ON THE GREEN: Ice experts from Ice Sculpture Philly created a winter wonderland on Palmer Square Saturday that included an Ice Throne, an Ice Graffiti Wall, and a Princeton tiger. (Photo by Charles R. Plohn)
EARN MORE! 18-MONTH CD
E CHECKING
1.00% 0.80% APY *
APY†
877.821.BANK
firstbanknj.com
*The Annual Percentage Yield (APY) of 1.00% available only on new 18-month certificates of deposit. The APY is accurate as of the date of publication and is subject to change without notice. Minimum deposit and balance of $500 required to obtain current APY. Withdrawal of interest may reduce APY. Early withdrawal penalty may be imposed. At maturity, the CD will automatically renew to the same term and the current rate in effect at that time. Fees may reduce earnings. FDIC insured. † $500 daily minimum balance to open and to earn .80% APY; $15 per month if balance falls below $500. No Activity fees. Interest bearing. Unlimited check writing. No minimum usage levels, must sign up to receive e-statements, download mobile app and register for online banking. The Annual Percentage Yield (APY) .80% is accurate as of the date of this publication and is subject to change without notice, after the account is opened. FDIC insured up to applicable amounts.