From the Mayor: The Next Four Years##M:[more]##
The following is the speech by West Windsor Mayor Shing-Fu Hsueh at the July 1 reorganization, when Hsueh was sworn into his second four-year term.
It’s good to be standing here again. Four years ago I had a vision for West Windsor. This vision evolved from my own experiences living here with my growing family; from speaking with so many of my neighbors; from serving on Council and speaking with those I served; and from listening and learning what residents considered important. Four years ago West Windsor voters gave me an opportunity to pursue this vision.
I believe that we have achieved a lot and set even more into motion. I am truly grateful that you have allowed me four more years to pursue projects that I believe will bring to West Windsor a sense of community and a sense of place.
What have we accomplished? Consistent with my campaign pledges four years ago, West Windsor is fiscally more secure with a healthy surplus and stable tax rate. We continue to attract and build additional commercial ratables.
We have been extremely successful in obtaining over $20 million in grants and commitments for projects such as the Alexander Road Bridge, the Princeton Junction vision study, and the conservation of open space. We have pursued and developed public/private partnerships to achieve more with less taxpayers’ dollars such as the state-of-the-art batting cage and lacrosse/football field in Community Park.
We have fostered support from county, state and federal officials. We continue to improve administrative efficiency; traffic management and safety; recreational facilities and events; and public safety and homeland security. With the help of dedicated Township employees, the support of Township Council, and the involvement of numerous talented and committed volunteers, we have been able to deliver most of what I pledged for West Windsor four years ago.
As a result, West Windsor is on the brink of considerable change and with it a real opportunity to firmly establish a unique identity building on unique elements of our Township. While we need to continue our fiscal and managerial efficiencies, we also have a number of projects to advance.
We have the second busiest train station in New Jersey, which can be developed into a more structured and pleasant destination not only for our visitors and commuters but all residents, young and old. We can take a wide expanse of unproductive asphalt and change it into more profitable ratables, open space, and unique residential offerings. We have a number of projects that will contribute to the quality of life for us and our children, including a handicapped-accessible, pedestrian/ bicycle trail connecting the northeast section of our Township to Community Park and on to Mercer County Park.
We need to meet the challenge of new development of major tracts like Sarnoff and General Growth [formerly the American Cyanamid property] and traffic circulation improvements like Route 571 and the Vaughn Drive extension. We need to continue to lobby for relief from escalating property taxes.
I want to thank the voters for their vote of confidence. For the next four years, I will dedicate myself to delivering what I have pledged and to completing the initiatives we have started. I look forward to working closely with our Township Council, to the continued support of our generous volunteers, and to our Town Hall meetings where we can discuss our progress together. This will be an exciting four years of growth and change and together we will bring to West Windsor a clearer sense of community and a sense of place.
Alien Debate
Gordon Taylor is correct when he states, “Illegal aliens will not come here if they cannot find work” (The News, June 10). He also states that it is an assumption that immigrant workers do the jobs our citizens cannot or will not do.
I do not think it is an assumption, but rather a bold mis-statement of the fact. Better said, it is that our residents will not do the work at the prices paid to illegal immigrants. Many of our workers have been displaced by immigrants, forcing many citizen workers on to welfare or into other jobs. After all, who cut the grass, washed the cars, and bussed the dishes before the tsunami of illegal workers arrived.
Let’s enforce the current laws rather than draft new ones. As Mr. Taylor suggests, let’s pay the immigrants fair compensation for their work, with the employers contributing to a decent benefits package. Once that is done, the displacement will be reversed, and our workers will return to the jobs lost to the newcomers.
Lloyd Gracey
West Windsor
Thanks
Your excellent coverage and creative reporting angles have helped forward the arts-related goals of the West Windsor Arts Council. This year’s article by Fran Ianacone, “Poetry Abounds at the WW Arts Council”” is especially creative and we truly appreciate it. The detailed listing is greatly appreciated as well.
Elizabeth Madden-Zibman
Chair, Summer Solstice Poetry 4.
