To the Editor:
A Tragic Loss
Shows Our Spirit
As we start the beginning of the school year, parents all want the best teachers for their students and coaches for their student athletes. We all start by being critical before we seek to understand the impact the teacher/coach has as a leader on the campus. I am encouraging you all to “begin with the end in mind.” Our teacher/coach of the year will get you all to look for the finest in your coaches and teachers.
Our candidate is a tough minded, advanced math teacher known for his discipline and academic excellence in the classroom. He is often criticized for being loud in the classroom, as much as he is on the field as a varsity girls’ basketball and varsity baseball coach. He is no stranger to second guessing by parents about his strategy and tactics, including this parent. This past season was one to remember; a sectional state championship, earning him “CVC Coach of the Year” honors. It was the tragic loss of a student athlete this summer that has the most ardent critics standing to applaud and say “thank you”.
The West Windsor Plainsboro High School North community lost a graduating senior student, college bound athlete, in a tragic, sudden death. (https://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/tom_verducci/09/01/bachner.montalbano/index.html) The students, players, teachers, parents, and community needed a leader to help sort through this unthinkable tragedy. I would hope that no other community would ever have to deal with this experience, but we were fortunate in our time of need to have our coach, Bob Boyce. He was “the best.”
The players and students required a leader who transcended roles and responsibilities of the most experienced academician from a Blue Ribbon high school. He was unsurpassed in showing his players that the love of the game was no greater than the family he has created in the love for his players. “We are a baseball family in this community of two high schools and I love you all… Current and former players, who traveled from near and far, needed a vehicle to express their feelings and share memories of their fallen, Division 1-bound, college pitcher. Bob Boyce provided comfort, having the players sign baseballs of remembrance and recording memories of their fallen captain. He was unparalleled in the support he provided for the entire senior class, through his eulogy, for over 900 people. They needed the permission and support that no parent could provide by encouraging each student to begin a successful college journey.
His daily support of the family of his lost star, David Bachner, all- state student athlete, was unmatched. Bob learned of the tragedy while enjoying a day with his children at a theme park. He arrived at the house of the family that evening and became a daily visitor; full of fun stories from the dugout to the hallways of the school. He was there to support a family grieving a loss no parent should ever have to bear.
He was the finest leader in a community that immediately organized a “pickup game” to honor its fallen star, with over 500 people in attendance, showing united support. You see, Dave was the best, and in his tragic loss showed us how lucky we are to have one of the greatest as a coach and teacher at West Windsor Plainsboro High School North.
I was privileged to bear witness to one of the best shows of the human spirit that our students, parents and administrators often forget. Start your school year/season looking for the best in your coaches/ teachers. We are the Knights!
Ted Phelan
WW-P High School North
Baseball Booster Club
571: An Eyesore
Vacant store fronts, boarded-up buildings, overgrown right-of-ways, unsightly signs, dangerous intersections, graffiti, weeds, and power lines — what do all of these things have in common? Our so-called Main Street (Route 571/Princeton-Hightstown Road) in West Windsor. The state of our Township is an embarrassment. It’s an eyesore. And it only seems to be getting worse with time.
I grew up in West Windsor and decided with my husband to move back to the township to raise our three sons. I have always been proud of where I live, which is why I am especially upset with the shape that West Windsor is in today. There really is no excuse for it.
For too long, West Windsor officials have been debating, deliberating, planning, and considering redevelopment. The time is long overdue for our leaders to stop bickering over minuscule issues of the past and start making progress toward improving West Windsor. We have excellent schools, beautiful open space, and wonderful community and cultural events. There is no reason why we can’t also have a Main Street that we can be proud of.
Libby Swanke Vinson
5 Wallingford Drive
‘Plywood’ Junction
West Windsor residents who are tired of seeing Princeton Junction as a boarded-up eyesore have no one to blame except themselves.
This lack of progress transcends the current economic downturn (Princeton Junction has become Plywood Junction). It is not the economy holding West Windsor back. Look at the areas surrounding West Windsor. These areas are experiencing growth, the influx of new business and retail establishments, and the general improvement of their townships (all without the “benefit” of areas in need of redevelopment) while West Windsor remains mired in the quicksand of its own inaction.
Dismal voter turnout and the continued re-election of complacent and eccentric public officials leads me to conclude that voters and residents are content with the blight engulfing downtown Princeton Junction. Too much information is hidden from the public, and there is a complete lack of accountability. If I were a taxpayer, I would be wanting a refund of my property taxes.
Michael J. Ranallo
(Former West Windsor resident)
WW’s Wojtenko Seeks County Post
In 1998 the Democrats seized control of every single seat on the Mercer County Freeholder Board. Today they monopolize the entire county government. But is Mercer County better off with one-party rule?
According to official county tax assessor reports, Mercer’s taxes and fees have increased 160 percent in the last 10 years. The Tax Foundation has reported that Mercer County now has the 16th highest average property tax bill in the nation. The Freeholders and Administration just approved the largest budget in Mercer County history, $301 million. And now the county is facing a $43 million budget deficit.
When one party controls every elected and appointed office, hard questions don’t get asked, shortcomings get overlooked, and our families get shortchanged. If you want to end one-party rule, then elect Cindy Randazzo, Shirley Gucricri, and Russell Wojtenko to the Freeholder Board.
We can’t promise that things will change completely, but we can promise that someone will finally ask the hard questions, raise the right issues and make sure that the taxpayers are protected. Bring balance and accountability back to Mercer County government.
Russell Wojtenko Jr., Esq.
23 Stonelea Drive
Republican Candidate
for Mercer County Freeholder
End One-Party Rule
Freeholders are our county-level legislators. Freeholders have the power to adopt the county’s administrative code, pass ordinances and resolutions, levy county taxes, adopt operating and capital budgets, and contract with municipalities. Freeholders also oversee the funding for all county departments and all county roads and bridges.
The current freeholder board is controlled by one party, making the budget process a mere formality, not a real discussion to assure efficiencies.
Cindy Randazzo, Shirley Guerieri, and Russell Wojtenko. are Republican candidates for Mercer County Freeholders who will fight to hold the line on taxes. This year the current freeholders passed the largest budget in the history of Mercer County. and they have already promised more spending and tax increases for next year.
Cindy, Shirley, and Russell also pledge to lower spending and not to be part of the current spending rubber stamp.
Cindy, Shirley, and Russell have not and will never accept any campaign contributions connected to County contracts and have pledged to work for an open and honest government, providing a better environment for business and economic growth to stop rising unemployment and put more of Mercer’s families back to work.
The West Windsor Republican Club is hosting a Meet the Candidates on Wednesday, October 28, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Mercer Oaks Country Club, 725 Village Road West in West Windsor.
I encourage voters interested in lower taxes, spending, open government and economic growth to come meet with Cindy, Shirley, and Russell on October 28 and to vote for them on November 3.
Visit the website below for further specifics: www.aBetterMercer.com
Sandra Donovan
Sapphire Drive
