I love this town! It never fails; every day, week, and year I spend in West Windsor seems to be better than the last. As I sit here on this beautiful Sunday morning thinking back on what I have experienced in just the past two weeks I am continually amazed and proud of at what our town, West Windsor, has to offer, not to mention the amazing, intelligent people who live here. In this brief letter I would like to share two weeks in my life as a West Windsor resident.
Last Tuesday I explored the history and tradition of West Windsor at the opening of the West Windsor History Museum at Schenck Farmhouse presented by the Historical Society of West Windsor and Mayor Hsueh. If you have not visited the museum at the Schenck Farmhouse it is a must-see. It was an honor to speak with Mrs. Schenck and the many historical society volunteers. It turns out many of the volunteers went to high school with my father, aunt, and uncle in the 1950s before we had either high school. We talked about farming, football, fishing, the sheep-wash and all the great things West Windsor had to offer 60-plus years ago.
West Windsor was a small farming community where everyone knew everyone and the kids would play in the RCA woods (it was RCA in West Windsor that developed the first color TV) and everyone remembered “where they were when the Martians landed.” The respect and appreciation I have for the many volunteers is beyond words, and I am thankful we have a mayor and township willing to support such important organizations as the West Windsor Historical Society. As a fourth-generation West Windsor resident I’m pleased to know I can always visit the Schenck Farmhouse to learn more about when my family was farming West Windsor in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
On September 5 at the Zoning Board meeting, I witnessed a part of what the future holds for West Windsor. At this meeting Sean Ellsworth and his team presented their plan for the Ellsworth shopping center at the corner of Princeton Hightstown and Cranbury roads. While watching the presentation of proposed changes and observing the excitement resounding from Mr. Ellsworth and his team during the presentation one could not help but be enthusiastic.
If their plans are approved and implemented it will be another great improvement of the many taking place in West Windsor. The improvements to the Ellsworth center will serve as a grand welcoming for people as they come over the bridge from Penn’s Neck into the heart of our town, where so many other improvements have already been realized. Mr. Ellsworth and his family, with the support and help of our mayor, have been working hard to make improvements to West Windsor for many years while maintaining a personal touch and respect for the community as a whole.
As many longtime residents know, Mr. Ellsworth and his family owned and operated “Ellsworth’s” at this location (which also housed the West Windsor Municipal Complex at one point) and supplied the community with great sandwiches among other items. Ellsworth’s quickly became a social gathering point for many residents through the years. As a matter of fact, after introducing myself, Mr. Ellsworth without hesitation, referenced my grandmother and grandfather by first name and shared stories with me despite the fact Ellsworth’s has not been open for some time.
I look forward to witnessing the vast improvements they have planned to move West Windsor forward while continuing the community tradition the Ellsworth family has shared for generations. These improvements will also greatly improve pedestrian safety on Cranbury Road as discussed at the meeting, which will ultimately mean greater safety for all.
Saturday night at the Princeton Baptist Church in Penn’s Neck my family and I enjoyed Caribbean Night: Dinner and Silent Auction. Tonight I plan to BBQ the meat and vegetables I picked up from the West Windsor Farmers’ Market. A few days ago I had a great afternoon in Mercer Park then a few days later took a walk in Community Park. The number of activities and events that take place in Community Park and our township is testament to the family traditions in West Windsor.
I am proud to be a West Windsor resident for these and many other reasons. Last year during the NJDOT Pilot Program to close the jug-handles at Route 1 and Washington Road the willingness of this township to pull together as one voice was undeniable. The overwhelming support I received before and after forming Smart Traffic Solutions was unbelievable and duplicated in the support of my petition on Change.org. The crowning moment came during one of the many rallies I organized when NJDOT Commissioner James Simpson arrived to announce he was ending the pilot program.
As a result of this solidarity and unified support I made the decision to run for township council, which has become the next logical step for me to assure the voices of West Windsor are heard at the local, state, and federal level. If elected I will have the ability to further support the many people I have spoken with and met over the years.
Continued fiscal responsibility will be a priority for me to assure stable tax rates though quality business rateables and alternate sources of funding. As a business owner and manager I am thoroughly astute when it comes to responsible fiscal management and its importance.
Sustainable, responsible planning will also be a top priority for me. As I said, my family has lived in West Windsor for more than 100 years, and I am just as interested in preserving it as helping it grow and prosper. We must foster our history and continue to preserve our neighborhoods. As a former airline pilot I have had the opportunity to see many towns and cities in this great country and I have seen what works and what does not when it comes to land use planning. Coupled with land use training and experience my knowledge will be invaluable when it comes to the crucial decisions we will face in the future.
Mayor Shing-Fu Hsueh and Council Member Kamal Khanna share my ideals for West Windsor moving forward, which is why I ask for your support of our team, West Windsor Moving Forward Together. We are always available, and if you see us in your neighborhood please say hi. We want to hear from you. Visit our website: www.WWMovingForwardTogether.com or Facebook.com/WWMovingForwardTogether.
Eric Payne
Candidate for West Windsor Township Council
