Hurrah for Police##M:[more]##
This is in response to the letter by Yifei Chen published in the August 12 issue of the WW-P News. I, for one, applaud the Plainsboro Police Department for issuing Yifei Chen and others traffic violation tickets for making the illegal left turn from Plainsboro Road onto Maple Avenue.
As a resident of Plainsboro Village, I am extremely glad to see our police department making the effort to keep the neighborhood where I live safe from those who disobey the traffic laws designed to keep us safe.
I almost fell off my chair when I read Yifei Chen’s poor excuse for breaking the law. The assertion that “my car stereo was on and wasn’t displaying the time” would be absolutely laughable if it weren’t so pathetic! So because you weren’t paying attention to the time, you should be excused from obeying the law?! I would love to see Yifei Chen use that excuse when late for an exam at Harvard. Somehow, I doubt a Harvard professor would accept the excuse “I didn’t know what time it was.”
Sheryl Brown
Plainsboro
Second Hurrah
I am still looking for the “travesties of justice and corruption manifested daily in Plainsboro” in the sputtering rant submitted by Yifei Chen (August 12). Let’s deconstruct Yifei’s argument.
First, there are two “No Left Turn” signs clearly posted with the time restrictions on the approach to the intersection of Plainsboro Road and Maple Avenue. Second, how could he not know of the time of day, since he was on his way to school on Monday morning, June 6th?
But regardless of all that, the fact is that “ignorance is no excuse” when it comes to the law. It is every driver’s responsibility to make oneself aware of traffic regulations. Since when is it a travesty of justice to be issued a ticket for making a moving violation?
The ability to admit one’s mistake, pay the price, and move on is a hallmark of maturity; clearly Yifei Chen has not reached it yet. The only travesty of justice apparent in his remarks is the waste of the court’s precious resources. Justice will be served when Yifei Chen apologizes to the court for wasting its time over a point of personal pride.
I can only hope that Harvard will teach Yifei Chen something about accountability, responsibility, and humility.
Janet Pfeiffer
Plainsboro
More Tax Protests
The following is a letter sent to Acting Governor Richard Codey from a Plainsboro resident:
Forty-two years ago we were newly married and purchased a modest home in Plainsboro. We actively sought a home in Plainsboro because the township had the lowest taxes in the state and was a beautiful farming community. We anticipated being able to live in our little home raising our family and eventually retiring here. We did not buy this home as an investment: we purchased it to live in for the rest of our lives. Our taxes at that time were $297 a year.
We have raised our family and my husband has retired. I am still working and want to retire, but due to the raising cost of real estate taxes this seems not to be an option for me. Let me give you an overview of what you are doing to the citizens in this state.
The taxes on our home in:
1964 were $297;
1990 were $2,”807.25;
1995 were $3,”156.64;
2000 were $4,”018.20;
2003 were $4,”163;
and 2005 were $6,”480.16.
Take note that in the last five years our property taxes have increased 62 percent. This is not only outrageous but is robbery from the New Jersey residential citizens. Let me tell you what your out of control spending is doing to the seniors in this state.
We cannot afford to live in New Jersey near our friends and family any more. We are forced to sell our homes and move to states that have taxes that are much less expensive, i.e. NC, SC, TN, FL, and GA. Many of the counties in these states do not assess seniors for school taxes. Now we sell our home to a new young couple who have children. They will pay the same taxes we did but they will be using up about $13,”415 per child in the school system. Two children, $26,”830, it’s adding up fast! This is money the seniors are not costing to their community.
Now we move out of state and when we go we take our pension with us, no more New Jersey income tax coming in on that money. Now we die and our estate tax will be paid to our new home state that has given us a break on affordable housing. You do the math: is it really paying to screw us seniors?
This state is out of control! Its wasteful spending and mismanagement of our hard-earned tax money — particularly the school systems, — are totally out of control! I would like to know what your plans are for the senior citizens of New Jersey and getting them property tax relief.
Marcia Henderson
Edgemere Avenue, Plainsboro
Hospital NIMBYs
Unfortunately, but not surprisingly, NIMBY (Not In My Backyard) has again come to the forefront. David Wolfe, president of Canal Pointe Condominium Association’s board of trustees, and many others at Canal Pointe do not want a hospital in their backyard (The News, August 12).
I think it is only fair that he and all those who signed the petition opposing construction of the hospital start right now to use hospitals in Trenton and New Brunswick. These hospitals are very good and most importantly, in Mr. Wolfe’s mind, are not in his backyard. Why isn’t this a reasonable solution to his objection to the hospital in his neighborhood?
By the way, there are 117 acres vacant across the street from my house and a hospital there would be just fine. John Lasley
Cherry Valley Road, Princeton
Plainsboro Citizen Police Academy
Each year, the Plainsboro Police Department C.O.R.E. Unit conducts one of its most popular community programs, the “Citizen Police Academy (CPA).” This FREE program has attracted and graduated approximately 60 community residential citizens in the past two years. Individuals with all types of interests and from various professions such as computer programmers, consultants, lawyers, accountants, artists, retired citizens, stay-at-home-moms or dads, health practitioners, teachers, business owners, and individuals considering a possible career in law-enforcement, have attended this course.
Citizens have an opportunity to learn about complex issues faced by modern society that necessitates greater cooperation and involvement between community and their police department. Participants learn how law-enforcement functions while gaining a new perspective on the value of this relationship. Citizens gain new knowledge and expand their awareness in ways that will serve them a lifetime.
Many graduates maintain an ongoing relationship with the police. They provide volunteer assistance during events such as Founder’s Day, National Night Out, and Law Enforcement Expo. Alumni also play a role in suggesting new topics and ideas of interest for continued citizen education or community safety. CPA graduates can participate in an invaluable community volunteer program called C.E.R.T. (Community Emergency Response Team). This program is designed to teach citizens how to develop survival skills for effectively dealing with various types of emergencies or disaster situations.
Law Enforcement professionals conduct the Citizen Police Academy and provide a wide range of topics such as Investigations and Forensics, Traffic Safety, Domestic Violence, Crime Prevention, Firearms, DWI Enforcement, Terrorism, Police and Community Relations, and Homeland Security. At course completion, participants proudly enjoy a graduation ceremony with their alumni and C.O.R.E. Unit officers, and family or friends who wish to attend.
Citizen Police Academy starts, Tuesday, September 6, and continues through November 22, Tuesday evenings, 7 to 9 p.m. Applications are available at www.plainsboropolice.com. Submit by August 31 or earlier. Mail to Plainsboro Township Police Department / C.O.R.E. Unit, 641 Plainsboro Road, Plainsboro 08536; or drop your application off in person. You may also pick up an application at the police department or call the C.O.R.E. Unit, 609-799-2333, or E-mail jduffy@plainsboronj.com. Applicants must be 18 or older.
Mel Szochet
Plainsboro
March of Dimes
Thank you so much for including the March of Dimes fundraiser sponsored by Stroller Strides in your calendar of events. We are pleased to report that we were able to raise more than $1,”000 for the charity! The March of Dimes was overwhelmed by the support given by the community, and so were we.
Jennifer Cheng, Joann Messina
Stroller Strides Moms, www.strollerstrides.net/Princeton
