To the Editor:
Support Station Plan On March 23
In 1956 Congress passed the Federal Aid Highway Act, which authorized the construction of 41,”000 miles of interstate highways. It was the largest public works project in America’s history to that point. The impact that the completion of this project had on America’s growth and prosperity was enormous. Not only did it significantly contribute to our industrial power but it created a new public lifestyle that we named Suburbia. It was your home, your turf, your domain. It was the best of all possible worlds.##M:[more]##
But suburbia had a price to pay that we never stopped to consider. It elevated the automobile from convenience to necessity with its attendant pollution and nightmarish traffic congestion. It marginalized our mass transit systems when population growth required that we expand mass transit, and it corrupted our land use practices so that developer profit drove the result. The result was sprawl.
But the worst thing that suburbia did was to kill the city neighborhoods that existed as our sense of place. The neighborhoods were where we met our fellow human beings. Where, instead of texting, tweeting, or blogging them, we spoke to them face to face. Saw them smile when a compliment was paid, heard them laugh when a joke was told, and felt the warmth of their presence when we shook a hand.
Suburbia has begun to show its middle age and although it still works it no longer works as well as it should. What is required is a mix of suburbia and New Urban planned clusters that will complement one another to enhance our lives. This is exactly what our redevelopment project will do. I urge all fellow citizens to attend the Town Council meeting on Monday, March 23, at 7 p.m. when Council will vote on an ordinance to adopt the Princeton Junction Redevelopment Plan to show their support for this great project that will benefit West Windsor for years to come.
Alvin Lerner
Rainflower Lane, West Windsor
Celebrate Youth Art
In this era of very difficult times, there is a “beam of sunlight,” and it’s displayed in the Plainsboro Municipal Building until the end of the month! Run, don’t walk, to enjoy this experience!
Here you’ll see the exciting exhibit of student art, grades K-12, of the WW-P School District.
The exhibit celebrates Youth Art Month for the month of March.
The colorful, creative results of a highly developed art curriculum showcase the skills and talents of our young students.
You’ll be delighted to see the wide variety of subjects, and materials, that the students use in their work. High praise should be given to the talented art teachers who inspire and develop these skills and love of art in our children.
Dee and Irv Gozonsky
67 Honeyflower Lane
Top-Notch Learning Still WW-P Goal
As chair of the Curriculum Committee of the West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School District Board of Education, I have the privilege of participating in discussions that reflect the district’s commitment to continued excellence in instruction and educational programming. These discussions, and eventual decisions, are the paths by which every student is offered quality educational experiences that produce successful lifelong learners.
Academic programs and instruction are monitored and improved through a five-year program review cycle. The recent Mathematics review focused specifically on how to increase the number of rising eighth graders who are exposed to a full-year Algebra I course before entering high school. Currently, curriculum development and professional learning experiences for district faculty are being developed and implemented toward the attainment of this important identified goal.
WW-P professional development is targeted toward specific needs identified through our program review process. WW-P advocates a turnkey training model, whereby staff members who are trained by experts become the trainers for other teachers and staff. Two examples of this are our association with the Columbia University Reading and Writing Project and the University of Pennsylvania’s Minority Achievement Consortium.
The WW-P Curriculum Committee supports the community’s dedication to excellence and innovation within carefully delineated costs. Taxpayers realize a remarkable return on their investment: students are well prepared for higher education and, continue to gain acceptance to the top colleges in the nation. WW-P students have extraordinary opportunities to develop knowledge and skill in world languages, science, language arts, history, and mathematics The district’s vocal and instrumental music, fine arts, and drama programs publicly demonstrate exceptional results. WW-P schools also provide a broad array of co-curricular and athletic programs, including extensive after-school intramurals and clubs for early adolescents. In addition, we are proud of the programs that successfully educate special needs students, from preschool and multiply disabled elementary programs to the High School North Academy. In the last five years we have returned many of these students from out of district placements to our own community schools, thereby reducing costs and allowing young people to learn with their neighborhood peers.
Outstanding student achievement is the hallmark of the WW-P Schools. Such accomplishment is demonstrated on standardized tests where WW-P students continue to surpass state and national counterparts. It is a tribute to the talents of our students and teachers that we continue to have a graduation rate of almost 100 percent. Ninety-six percent of high school students indicated that they planned to attend college or other post-secondary education. SAT/ACT scores are far above state and national averages. Follow-up data indicates that our students continue to be successful in post secondary education as well.
The 2009-2010 proposed budget reflects our continued commitment to excellence and honors the challenges of a tightening financial climate. It is gratifying to be able to serve the interests of the community by providing opportunities for all students to realize their full potential through high-quality, school-based learning experiences. Richard Kaye
Chair, Curriculum Committee,
WW-P Board of Education
Student’s View
I must respectfully disagree with the view the WW-P School Board has taken on the budget for co-curricular activities, proposing to decrease it by 2.5 percent for next year (The News, March 6). The WW-P School District has boasted of giving an astonishingly successful education to each and every student. However I, and many other students I know, am impressed not only by the vigorous academics course that motivates students to set higher goals, but the fantastic arts programs the schools offer that encourage critical thinking, creative problem solving, group collaboration, time management abilities, responsibility, and other skills necessary for success.
One of the most amazing programs I have had the opportunity to join is Cognetics, a program provided by the National Talent Network, which is devoted to promoting leadership and real-life skills in students all over New Jersey (www.eirc.org). Our schools are constantly enforcing the idea of being responsible, respectful, and caring to others, celebrating positive attitudes and dedication. In Cognetics, that is exactly what students grow into! Working with a group over the span of about a year, we pick and solve a problem using creative means to create an elaborate, witty, and informative skit, following certain guidelines but with almost complete independence.
Education goes far beyond classroom work, and from extracurricular activities like Cognetics, students have learned and applied valuable life skills. Through such programs, many students discover their talents and how to succeed in using their gifts. Though I realize the budget must be tightened due to these difficult economic times, I also believe it is important to consider the value of arts and enrichment programs.
Jenni Kim
Eighth Grade, Grover School
West Windsor Gains From Mayor’s Work
We are all reeling from the unexpected downturn in the economy. There is not enough money to fund all the infrastructure improvement projects that federal, state, and local government would like to see done. However, West Windsor has received over $43 million in state and federal aid in the years since Shing-Fu Hsueh has been mayor of West Windsor and over $20 million in the last year!
Small businesses and first time home buyers are struggling because credit is so hard to come by and credit ratings are so important in obtaining what little is available. West Windsor has a AAA credit rating based on the way Mayor Hsueh administers the town’s business, handles finances, and maintains a reserve against times such as these. Mayor Hsueh’s vision in maintaining a prudent reserve when others wanted to spend that reserve for a one-time tax break was necessary in obtaining the AAA rating. Our town’s AAA rating has already resulted in more than $800,”000 in savings over the life of the bond issues.
How did this happen? Were we just lucky? Was Mayor Hsueh just in the right place at the right time? No. Mayor Hsueh, in addition to working 60 hours a week as your “part-time” mayor, sits on the State Planning Board, attends key conferences (where he often speaks), and proactively communicates with state and federal government to make sure those limited federal and state tax dollars make their way to West Windsor.
Couldn’t anyone in the office of Mayor do the same for West Windsor? I suppose anyone who is a certified planner, professional engineer, and public manager who has experience working at the highest levels of state government and who has trained many of the people who now run these programs could also do the same. I think it is a short list though.
Why do West Windsor residents need to know this? Because Dr. Shing-Fu Hsueh is running for re-election as mayor on May 14 and our taxes, infrastructure, and thoughtful planning depend on voters making the right choice. Dr. Hsueh is the right choice for West Windsor Mayor.
Mayor Hsueh is running with Council Woman Linda Geevers and Kamal Khanna as West Windsor First (www.wwfirst.com). Linda has worked hard with the mayor to give West Windsor what it needs. Last year, when the signs of a poor economy first stirred, other council members sought a 50 percent pay raise; Linda was the lone vote on council against a large pay increase in difficult times. Mayor Hsueh ultimately vetoed the measure. Linda is looking out for the town and deserves our support.
Kamal Khanna seeks a seat on council for the opportunity to apply his training as a corporate businessman and as a small business owner to West Windsor government. He has vowed to examine the budget in great detail and eliminate waste.
Shing-Fu Hsueh will administer our government efficiently and bring in outside money to finance our projects and he has assembled good candidates for council in Linda Geevers and Kamal Khanna to help him with that mission. Mike Donnelly
Benford Drive, Princeton Junction
Explanation Needed
On Bond ‘Savings’
This letter is a respectful plea for all public officials and candidates to explain and give the basis for numbers they quote as fact to the public. Mayor Shing-Fu Hsueh writes on the WWFirst.com website that West Windsor’s AAA bond rating “has saved WW taxpayers $800,”000 since 2007.”
This number seems large. Was $800,”000 really “saved” in bond interest payments made since 2007, or is the number the summation of payments expected to-be-made over the long-term life of the bonds?
Municipalities with a AAA rating often pay less for a bond than if they had a lower rating, but which lower rating — or other basis — was used to compute the “savings” of $800,”000?
An obvious concern: was our 12 percent increase in municipal taxes — on top of our already high taxes — part of what enabled the AAA rating and the “savings” ascribed to the rating? Put differently, was the $800,”000 just musical chairs with tax revenues?
Also, if the “savings” calculation involved bond refinancing and comparing “old” terms to “new terms,” was the difference in terms substantially a result of how bond market costs changed for everyone?
Without a few explanatory sentences, the $800,”000 “savings” number has little meaning and does raise concerns and questions.
Sandra S Donovan, Ph.D.
Sapphire Drive, West Windsor
Editor’s note: WW-P reporter Cara Latham posed the writer’s questions to Mayor Hsueh. Latham’s report:
The mayor states that the $800,”000 in savings for taxpayers in 2007 is a number that “is spread over the period of the bonding.” Says Hsueh: “If we have more bonds to issue, there will be additional savings,” Hsueh says. “All of this is really spread over a period of time, depending how long each bond will last.” All of the bonds have a life of less than 15 years, and some are 12-year bonds, he said.
What’s important, Hsueh says, is that every time a bond is issued, there will be more savings.
With regard to the 12 percent increase in municipal taxes, Hsueh says the increase last year in taxes was due mostly to gasoline and utilities and pension increases. “Last year the pension increase was 83 percent,” he says. Last year the tax increase for the budget was 3.4 cents per $100 of assessed value, which did turn out to be a 12 percent increase.
However, Hsueh says that “the reason is because last year we lost $250,”000 in state aid. All of the townships had to deal with this and the pension increase. Ten years ago, the state didn’t follow what it was supposed to be doing, and now [Governor Jon] Corzine has found out the pension is in trouble. Now we have to try to pay for what we didn’t do before.” The pension increases and the loss of state aid contributed to at least a 1.3 penny increase — out of the 3.8 penny total increase — in last year’s budget.
Hsueh adds that the Stony Brook Regional Sewerage Authority charges are also rising.
“When you compare to all of the neighboring townships, although it is painful, I think we managed to go through that. Last year, I made that very clear — we expect to face more serious economic downtown. We had to prepare just in case the economy got worse. I want people to understand that long-term financial planning cannot be sacrificed because of the short-term political game. I want to make sure we have a stable, steady, long-term financial plan. Compared to all of the municipalities statewide, we are in very good shape. We have to prepare for something that could even be worse.”
Mayor’s Skills
I have heard some criticism of Mayor Shing-Fu Hsueh’s management skills regarding running our Township of West Windsor during the last eight years. I strongly beg to differ with that opinion. Three key examples below exhibit the tested/superior skills of Mayor Hsueh. And there are more.
1.) Obtaining an AAA bond rating for the Township which has resulted in a very significant savings on debt service after the Township, refinanced its municipal bonds over a year ago to a lower interest rate. To qualify for an AAA rating the township needed to show a well balanced budget over time, with adequate surpluses and stabilized expenses. The bottom line is that West Windsor Township saved $800,”000 in interest payments, as well as mortgage insurance payments, which did not have to come out of taxpayers’ pockets. West Windsor is one of the 7 out of 566 municipalities receiving this top honor. If this does not exhibit strong fiscal management, I don’t know what does!
2.) Another financial management skill the Mayor and his staff exhibited was at the last budget review in 2008. Council President Charles Morgan wanted to take money out of the Township’s capital surplus to balance the budget. This could have jeopardized the AAA bond rating the township enjoys. Fortunately, the Mayor was able to convince other council members to support his proposed budget. With the economy in further decline today, many townships in New Jersey are hurting. West Windsor would be in a real fiscal bind going into this season’s budget process, if that prudent decision hadn’t been made last year by the Mayor and some consenting council members.
3.) Finally, another savings to the taxpayer occurred this past fall, when Mayor Hsueh refused to take a raise (and further supported by Councilwoman Linda Geevers). Council President Charles Morgan and some of the other council members asked for a 50 percent raise in salary. This was a totally irresponsible act especially in these difficult times. No further explanation is needed here.
Paul Eland
Coneflower Lane, West Windsor
Hsueh’s Record Of Accomplishments
Last week we started the 15th year of doing Tai Chi. From the initial group I was the only one left and our instructor, the mayor of West Windsor who volunteered his time all these years. That was the reason Fridays we start at 8:15 a.m., to allow him to be at his job.
While thinking of the mayor, and realizing he faces a new election campaign, I tried to remember some of the accomplishments he brought to West Windsor as Council member and Mayor:
Our Senior Center became one of the few accredited by the State of New Jersey.
Presently is in construction the first stage of the expansion of the Senior Center for which he obtained grants of 50 percent of the cost.
Introducing bicycling lane in all the new projects, and where possible in existing streets.
Replacing the old bridge on Old Trenton road.
Replacing the Alexander Road railroad bridge without any cost to the township.
Improving the West Windsor financials, which mean smaller interest to pay if the township needs to borrow money,which mean lower taxes for us.
Sustaining a redevelopment plan that will transform West Windsor from a bedroom to a family community, and maintain control of how and when it will take place.
But most off all I would vote for him because of the transparency of his decisions.
Savin Roman
Hathaway Drive
Financial Lessons From Current Crisis
This financial “crisis” is a wonderful educational opportunity for people to learn basic economic concepts (unfortunately for too many who are losing jobs, income, and status).
Price is valuable information. The price mechanism clearly advises us of the scarcity of a resource. Who wants it more and what will they pay? How much do people want that thing is perfectly shown by its price despite what it cost the seller. Just as we recently saw a gasoline “bubble” burst due to reduced demand and a tech “bubble” burst due to unsustainable demand, the real estate “bubble” has burst when reality hit that contrived market.
Our government’s policy created the false real estate pricing (the market) through its too low interest rates, its forcing banks to abandon lending standards, and its hollow promise to back up all mortgages through government insurance. No wonder people saw real estate as only going in one direction and mortgages as great investments. We saw too much construction, too much investment into real estate instead of unknown better areas and too many people working in real estate-related trades.
Now we are told the government is the only source of the answer. However, anyone telling you no one saw this coming is lying. While the Bushes, Franks, Doddses, and government agency honchos avoided the truth, economists consistently warn about government intrusions into the pricing mechanism. And now the pricing mechanism is providing real information that must be heeded. Apply this concept to Detroit’s vehicles. Apply this concept to all resources.
If we do not allow this price correction to take place, if we allow the continued creation of false markets, if we continue to rely on the small elite of Washington, D.C., to attempt to over-ride the decision of billions of people (the market), we are in for a worse correction to be paid for in the future. And that future means our children. Meanwhile, the correction will be less of a hardship if we face it now rather than push the crisis into the future.
Let’s learn the lesson unlearned by both the Bush and Obama administrations (as well as administrations of Hoover, FDR, Johnson, and Nixon), that the pricing mechanism must be allowed to work to avoid the fallout of inevitable, but smaller, “bubbles.” We are the ones who get burned. And we are smarter than them.
Neal Phenes
Chandler Court, Plainsboro
