I have known Dr. Shing-Fu Hsueh for more than 20 years, and he and his family have always been very nice to me, so I want to show my thanks by endorsing him in his run for re-election. In my 29 years of teaching high school English in the district, I do not recall a family who was as respectful or as appreciative as the Hsuehs, and this did not stop after I was their son and their daughter’s instructor.
On more than a handful of occasions, they took me out to dinner and invited me to family celebrations. As a bachelor who does not have children and whose only family is hundreds of miles away, this meant a great deal to me. In particular, I remember having Father’s Day with them and being reassured that, in my way, I am also their children’s father. On their daughter Susan’s wedding day, I remember their coming over to me and thanking me for helping her to develop the self-confidence that she needs to be a spouse and the language skills that she needs to become a teacher. And, most recently, on my retirement last spring, I remember their taking me to lunch and thanking me for all that I have done for the thousands of children that I have taught in the district.
I am by no means the only recipient of their largess. When a neighbor’s son was killed in an accident, the Hsuehs were the first ones to lend support. When another neighbor’s husband died in early middle age, the Hsuehs were the first to lend support. When the now elderly and financially strapped woman who gave them their first break in America was neglected by the children for whom she bought horses and cars, the Hsuehs were the first to lend support.
Though Dr. Hsueh came to America in 1969 with only $300, he has a PhD and a very distinguished record working as an engineer for the state, and his wife and he have two very successful restaurants. They could easily rest on their laurels. When I think of the Hsuehs, I think of how appreciated I feel when they load my arms with food to take home. And it is my belief that Mayor Hsueh wants the residents of West Windsor to feel the same way.
Philip L. Millstein
Millstein, a Montgomery resident, recently retired from the WW-P school district.
I recently read claims that Mayor Hsueh has raised taxes more than 130 percent since taking office in 2001. The truth is the tax rate has gone down slightly, from 0.040 percent in 2001 to 0.038 percent in 2013. I also read a post by Hemant Marathe that the municipal budget increased 131 percent from 2001 to 2013. This amount is unverified and I believe it to be untrue, but if the municipal budget did in fact increase 131 percent and the tax rate for West Windsor residents has decreased, that sounds like fantastic fiscal management to me. Using an influx of quality business ratables and securing funds other than West Windsor resident taxes is ideal. And during the same time period West Windsor has maintained a AAA bond rating and has made many infrastructure improvements. Imagine a corporation increasing revenue and improving value and services while charging customers less? What shareholder wouldn’t want a CEO capable of doing that?
In many of the same posts I’ve seen mention of the reduction in the school tax rate. People should understand it was Mayor Hsueh who was instrumental in reducing the school tax rate. In 2007 Mayor Hsueh successfully negotiated with Plainsboro Mayor Peter Cantu a change in the formula for how West Windsor would pay for its portion of school tax versus Plainsboro. It took effect in 2009 and effectively reduced the school tax burden for West Windsor residents to this day.
Mr. Marathe has bragged about the school budget, which increased by 40 percent under his term as school board president. To put that in context, that is almost twice the entire municipal budget. If he’s going to take credit for the school budget (voted on by the public, incidentally) then perhaps he should take credit for the fact that High School South dropped in the rankings from 16th in 2010 to 62nd in 2012 and High School North dropped from 29th in 2010 to 32nd in 2012 (New Jersey Monthly, August, 2012).
America On Line ranked West Windsor Township #1 Town (township) in America to Raise a Family. As Anthony DeCarlo said so perfectly, “The past ten years have been a period of tremendous improvement in infrastructure; youth sports facilities, senior center improvements, and a new arts facility. All this coupled to one of the best financial positions of any township in the state.”
Given that municipal tax rates have fallen under Mayor Hsueh’s administration and West Windsor continues to be a fantastically successful full-service town, I am supporting the Moving Forward Together team of Shing-Fu Hsueh for mayor and Kamal Khanna and Eric Payne for council.
Catherin Anico
I have been a resident of West Windsor for 32 years and am writing to support the Moving Forward Together Team.
We chose to settle in West Windsor 32 years ago not only because of the excellent schools, but also because of other overall good quality amenities offered by the community. While recognizing the service records of Mr. Marathe on the WW-P School Board, I believe the high reputation of our school system existed long before he took over the school board presidency.
Over the years living in West Windsor, I volunteered to serve on various township committees and have had the privilege of working with Mayor Hsueh, members of various committees, and some township employees and consultants. During the course of these services, I found Hsueh, with his past career with the state government, to be highly capable and efficient in communicating local issues in West Windsor with state officials or even our elected representative in congress, which led to the successful completion of various safety and environmental pollution control-related projects, such as the Alexander Bridge/roundabout and cleaning of Grovers Mill Pond, to name a few. Under his tenure in the past 12 years, he also accomplished various community-oriented historical, cultural, and open space preservation projects. Mayor Hsueh has led the township in the right direction.
Though Mayor Hsueh has helped make West Windsor a better place to live, there are some who may not satisfied with where we are today. With the re-election of Shing-Fu Hsueh as mayor and Kamal Khanna to council, as well as election of Eric Payne as a council member, I believe the team will be able to help make West Windsor an even better place to live for all of us.
Chuck Chang
Saratoga Drive, West Windsor
I moved to West Windsor in 1999 to be close to my family and enjoy my grandchildren growing up. I did not realize at that time that this choice was much more fulfilling. I became acquainted with many of the wonderful people who live here, one being our present mayor, Shing-Fu Hsueh. My quality and enjoyment of life improved tremendously. I learned Tai Chi, as taught by Mayor Hsueh, met many interesting people, and joined the improved senior center, a particular focus of the mayor’s efforts. I keep very busy there, taking computer classes, chair exercises, music appreciation, and lectures, and attend many more of their programs. I also enjoy growing Jersey Fresh veggies in the West Windsor Community Garden nearby.
Safety and security was another issue, especially driving. The infrastructure improvements that this mayor has obtained for the township are unprecedented. Many intersections have been made safer — Clarksville and North Post roads, three intersections on Meadow Road from Clarksville Road to most recently, Canal Point Boulevard, Old Trenton Road, and Village Road East, and more, phenomenal. Restriping the roadways has also helped. The security in West Windsor is very satisfactory due to the efficient and technologically advanced police force. Our crime rate is low. I feel safe living here.
We now can fish in the Grovers Mill Pond. The mayor got the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to dredge it and restock it with fish. The awful smell is gone from the neighborhood. This accomplishment was due to the mayor’s ongoing positive relationships with county, state, and federal agencies, saving us tax dollars. He has done that also with the jughandle issue on Route 1, connecting with the DOT commissioner.
This mayor gets things done. His track record is impressive. To get more details, I suggest you Google “Moving Forward Together” and especially click on the “Gallery” where you can see it in pictures.
I recommend you vote for the “West Windsor Moving Forward Together” team of Mayor Shing-Fu Hsueh, Councilman Kamal Khanna, and council candidate Eric Payne.
Paul Eland
West Windsor
Building a vibrant community and keeping it moving forward is hard work. It requires ongoing commitment and constant alignment with the needs of the community. Mayor Shing-Fu Hsueh has amply measured up to this task. He and his running mates, Councilman Kamal Khanna and Eric Payne, who is seeking election to the council, are committed to making the West Windsor community a friendly place to live, work, and play.
Most of us who live in West Windsor know the mayor well and are aware of the many contributions he has made during the past 12 years. Married with two children, he has been a resident of the township for more than 28 years. He is a professional engineer and planner and has been on several state committees. Under his leadership West Windsor has achieved leading status at the state and national level. West Windsor is the first town in New Jersey to be recognized as “Green Town USA.”
Working with different levels of government and private institutions he has successfully obtained commitment for more than $108 million of funding to reduce the burden on taxpayers. His prudent management of the township funds has earned the community a AAA bond rating. Additionally, he has improved the infrastructure of the township by completing the construction of the Alexander Bridge and the restoration of the Grovers Mill Pond. His vision for the future is to maintain a strong financial foundation, continue to improve the infrastructure, and focus on attracting high tech companies and research institutions while maintaining the ranking of the Most Family Friendly Municipality.
Kamal Khanna, the mayor’s running mate, has been a resident of West Windsor for more than 35 years. He has been a member of the council since 2009 and has served as the president of the council for two consecutive years. He brings to the council a solid business management background and a proven track record of stable taxes. He has also served as member/liaison of the Zoning Board, Affordable Housing, Planning Board, and other township committees. His business experience has been a great asset in making the running of the West Windsor government more effective and efficient.
Eric Payne is a fourth-generation resident. He has played a leadership role as the founder of Smart Traffic Solutions. As a former airline pilot he understands the meaning of making decisions under pressure and to collaborate with his colleagues to resolve issues in an efficient manner.
Together, Mayor Shing-Fu Hsueh, Councilman Kamal Khanna, and Eric Payne bring a high level of experience and diversity to the township. A vote for them will be a vote to keep West Windsor moving forward and will assure that the best days of our community are ahead of us.
Prashant Goyal
West Windsor
Vision is generally defined as the organic sense with which we are born that allows us to see the here and now on a real time and space basis. However, there is another type of vision I will call cerebral vision that has to be nurtured. Cerebral vision allows us to see things that are not here and now but could be and should be. Cerebral vision must start with an idea, and since the mind is the domain of ideas, it is essential that you open your mind as well as your eyes to achieve cerebral vision.
Mayor Hsueh is a master of cerebral vision. This was apparent when, on September 10, my wife and I attended the opening of the West Windsor History Museum at Schenk Farmstead. What was cerebral vision 12 years ago was transformed into organic vision of a magnificent tribute to West Windsor’s agrarian identity, largely through the mayor’s commitment and stewardship. But why be surprised? Hsueh’s consistent ability to move from cerebral vision to organic vision has become a habit and why break a good habit? He is a true visionary.
Whether it be the Alexander Road overpass and rotary, the cleanup of Grover Mill Pond from a rotting eyesore to a place where children now fish, or the completion of Meadow Road to create a new traffic artery enabling quick transit to the shops along the Route 1 corridor — all of this existed only as cerebral vision years before they were transformed into organic vision by the mayor’s stewardship.
There are so many other issues within West Windsor that continue to exist as cerebral vision that could be and should be converted to organic vision.The development of our Transit Village and the Howard Hughes property, the completion of Duck Pond Park, the upgrading of our municipal building from an outmoded physical plant to an efficient operational facility, all of this will come about only if the mayor and his team are allowed to continue along the visionary path that has served West Windsor so well in the past 12 years. Change is simply not an option.
I strongly urge my fellow citizens to vote for the Moving Forward Team of Shing-Fu Hsueh, Kamal Khanna, and Eric Payne.
Alvin and Janet Lerner
Rainflower Lane, West Windsor
