To the Editor: More on Mold##M:[more]##
I would like to add a few points to your May 27 article regarding the remediation project currently underway in Parcel 1 at Princeton Landing.
This is the first known occasion that a homeowners association has gone to court to force its members to leave their homes. While there may be times when residents might be required to vacate their homes (perhaps because of fire or flood damage), common sense indicates that these occasions are extremely rare. And it is clear that residents should only be forced from their homes when there is no other recourse. Judge Travis L. Francis clearly understood this and denied the association’s motions.
The homeowners association began its case against the residents as an action about mold remediation. But mold was found only in less than 5 percent of units and no one in Parcel 1 has reported any illness due to mold. A court appointed expert testified that this project is not mold remediation. Instead, it is a “deconstruct-inspect-reconstruct” project where walls are simply torn down and replaced.
Even more relevant, the contract signed by the association with the contractor (excerpts available at www.princetonlandingalert.com) states that residents would be in their homes during the construction. Furthermore, the New York City protocol for mold remediation does not require residents to leave their homes during such remediation.
The association then shifted its argument to a question of cost, asserting that allowing residents to stay would create additional expenses. In court, the contractor estimated these expenses at $11,”000 per home. The court appointed expert testified that any additional costs would be nominal.
Finally, we all know of people who have extensive construction done on their homes while they are living in them. There has even been mold remediation done in other area complexes where the association did not require their residents to leave.
In light of all these facts we seven residents have elected to remain in our homes. We want the work done. We have paid to have the work done — some of us in excess of $28,”000. The association has already spent over $70,”000 of its residents’ money in losing this litigation. Any request for reconsideration or an appeal is unlikely to succeed. Continuing the suit will only add more costs and further delay the project.
We will not be coerced into leaving our homes as so many of our fellow residents have been. It is important to the 1.2 million people in New Jersey and to our neighbors in Plainsboro and West Windsor who also live in condominium associations that we are not — as this would set a dangerous precedent.
The statement that our association is considering pursuing this case against us further is beyond comprehension.
William Hart
4414 Sayre Drive, Plainsboro
Immigration Issues
Assume that immigrants working here are doing jobs that United States Citizens cannot or will not do. Immigrants should be rewarded for doing this work.
Illegal immigration can be prevented if American employers are required to pay a premium for immigrant labor. All immigrant laborers should be given at least a 10 percent premium in pay over citizens doing similar work. All immigrant workers should be paid 25 percent above the federal minimum wage, at least.
Employers required to pay a premium for immigrant labor will surely make an effort to find American workers in preference to immigrants.
All employers should be required to register immigrant employees with the federal government. Immigrants should be required to submit income tax forms regardless of income level, identifying themselves as immigrants. Employers who fail to register immigrant employees or pay the premium wage should be fined appropriately.
This may seem counter-intuitive, but illegal aliens will not come here if they cannot find work. By requiring fair compensation for work done, we will not only stop a flood of illegal immigration, but also prevent exploitation of American workers.
Gordon C. Taylor
West Windsor
Immigrant Costs:
Negative Side
I would like to know how much of my annual property-tax payment winds up supporting local illegal immigrants. I know it’s hard to calculate. There are many costs the bean counters can’t get their arms around, like police and fire protection and welfare payments to displaced American workers.
But still, borough officials should know, or be able to ascertain, how much medical care, aid for dependent children, food stamps, and public education for illegal immigrants cost the local taxpayer. At the state level, for example, California has determined that each resident pays approximately $1,”183 per year to support the social services consumed by illegal immigrants. The number is $725 for each Texan and $700 for Arizonans. Can’t we do something similar at the local level?
Well, I’d like to know what the number is for me. I must admit, however, I bring the issue up not because I’m a racist or a xenophobe, but because I want to claim the amount as a charitable contribution on my next tax payment.
Lloyd Gracey
Wright Place, West Windsor
Immigrant Costs:
Positive Side
Lloyd Gracey’s sarcasm is not helpful in the growing national debate over illegal immigration. The figures he cites are not the product of government-sponsored studies, as he implies, but dubious extrapolations of previous research by the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), a well financed, Washington-based lobbying organization that advocates for immigration restrictions, and helped orchestrate the recent Minutemen border activities.
Illegal immigration is a national problem with serious social and economic repercussions. The fiscal distortions it creates do in fact fall heavily on local and state governments. Bipartisan legislation recently introduced in Congress (the McCain-Kennedy immigration reform bill) would address some of these imbalances by, for instance, paying for uncompensated health care through fines and fees assessed on new temporary visas for which currently undocumented immigrant workers would be eligible to apply.
Maria (Charo) Juega
Chair, Latin American Legal Defense & Education Fund, Box 80, Princeton 08542
A ‘Dash’ of Genius
On May 25, gifted musicians of the Mercer County Symphonic Band, conducted by Dr. Louis Woodruff, once again rendered a quintessential concert. A “dash” of genius by Christopher Kovalchik, a magnificent local violinist, made the evening memorable. A band does not incorporate string instruments, but on this night the audience welcomed and appreciated the talent of this youthful artist.
Both of his parents are members of the band. His mother, Terry, an important cog in the trumpet section, and his dad, Gene, in the saxophone section, beamed with pride as their son approached the podium. His rendition of Partite No. 3 for unaccompanied violin was performed as if he were the composer, not J.S. Bach. Each note was precise and clear while every emotion that only a violin could create was manifested. Bravo!
Victor Opalski
West Windsor
Men’s Health
This refers to the letter from Robert Hary, Health Officer, West Windsor (The News, May 27). Monday through Sunday, June 13 to 19, is the National Men’s Health Week. While regular health check ups are very necessary for preventive care, some lifestyle changes as mentioned by Mr. Hary in his letter are more important.
Along with the changes in lifestyle, if some new yogic exercises that take hardly five minutes are also put into practice, they not only rejuvenate the spine but also help improve physical, mental, and even spiritual health as well.
If you desire, I shall forward the details of the spinal yoga exercises to you by E-mail so that you may publish them for the better health of all men. That would also be a real contribution for men’s health.
S. M. Acharya
Somerset
