This letter is in direct response to Virginia Manzari’s letter to the editor in the July 26 issue of the WW-P News.
First, I would like to thank Virginia Manzari for reminding me how even during an extremely positive council meeting which touched on a very serious issue, a small group of individuals continue to mislead, distract, and criticize for the betterment of their group, not West Windsor as a whole. The simple fact Ms. Manzari has the audacity to condemn someone who has offered to help his neighbors on Cranbury Road is deplorable. Not only are her words a shameful attempt to divide our community, they also distract from the issue at hand, helping the citizens of West Windsor.
In her letter Ms. Manzari accused me of “shamelessly talking about Route 1” and quoted me when I said the Mayor “is the person to help you guys out.” Now let’s look at the facts and I will allow the citizens of West Windsor to draw their own conclusion.
Fact — Approximately a year ago my neighbors and I were placed in a similarly dangerous situation to the one the residents on Cranbury Road face when the NJDOT closed the jug handles at the intersection of Route 1 and Washington road. The neighborhood of Penn’s Neck was inundated with lost motorists trying to navigate their way toward Princeton via our lawns, driveways, and side streets. As a result, mass confusion caused nearly 10 accidents in Penn’s Neck during the same two-month period.
I knew immediately I needed to do something to prevent this failed experiment from continuing. So a few of us from Penn’s Neck called upon Mayor Hsueh, whom I did not know personally at the time, to help. And help he did!
It was through Mayor Hsueh’s support of Smart Traffic Solutions, the grassroots organization we started, we were able to have the Route 1 Pilot program ended approximately one month early. When Commissioner Simpson of the NJDOT came to our rally to announce he was ending the pilot program he personally told me “we (the citizens of West Windsor) are very fortunate to have Mayor Hsueh as our mayor, he is well respected at the state and federal level and is capable of getting things done.” Mayor Hsueh’s ability to work with neighboring communities, residents, state, county, and federal officials was paramount in Commissioner Simpson’s decision to end the pilot program early.
I stand behind my statement 100 percent that Mayor Hsueh is the man to help the residents of Cranbury Road. And truthfully, I would make that statement if I were not his running mate. It’s rare to find a person in office who truly cares about doing what is right and not caught up in today’s political rhetoric. I am confident Mayor Hsueh will do everything in his power to help the residents of Cranbury Road and the pedestrians who use Cranbury Road every day.
Further, I assume most readers can see that Ms. Manzari’s letter was a deliberate attack on Mayor Hsueh and myself and obviously politically motivated. If not, she would have mentioned by name Council member Kamal Khanna, another running mate of Mayor Hsueh, who agreed with Council member Maher. This type of attack not only misleads, but further divides us when we need to work on moving forward together.
I ask readers to seek the truth about the issues that matter most to West Windsor residents in the months prior to the election. Disregard misleading comments from a vocal few. I ask readers to remember the improvements throughout West Windsor in the past decade (not 20 years as Ms. Manzari would mislead you to believe) while Mayor Hsueh has been Mayor:
Vast improvements of the former Acme Shopping Center and surrounding properties, Alexander Road bridge, 50 percent preserved open space, recognized Green Town USA, building the first 9/11 memorial in the nation, AAA bond rating, plus many others. Many of these projects were accomplished during the toughest economic period since the Great Depression.
Finally, to the residents of Cranbury Road: All politics aside, when I say Mayor Hsueh is the man who can help you I am speaking from the heart without a political agenda. Sarah Thomson and Samirah Akhlaq Rezvi, the leaders of the Cranbury Road group, know I too have offered my full support. I know firsthand what it is like to need help from local government and I have the experience needed to help us come to a satisfactory resolution. Let’s work together to improve safety for West Windsor residents.
Eric Payne
Penn’s Neck resident and candidate for Township Council
