Bootstraps Seeks No ‘Sweet Deal’
This letter was written in response to a May 29 article on the Bootstraps program, in which residents of the Walden Woods affordable housing development in West Windsor charged that their homes should now be eligible for market-rate valuation, 10 years after their construction, while the township claimed that there is a 30-year deed restriction on the homes.
News accounts have left the impression that Walden Woods residents are seeking an unfair, sweet deal from West Windsor Township. The implication of the articles is that we want the advantages of market-rate valuation along with the tax breaks of affordable housing. I would like to set the record straight.
At a neighbhorhood meeting in April and again in a poll taken the first week of July, we voted on this issue, and 14 of our 16 families want complete release from all affordable restrictions, regardless of how that affects our property taxes.
For several of our families, this is a difficult economic moment to absorb a steep increase in taxes. Some of the families who voted in favor of market-rate valuation did so knowing they would have to use their equity to downsize or move to a cheaper town. Nevertheless, 14 of us want market-rate valuation.
We do not seek to “have our cake and eat it, too,” as one reader has charged. We built our houses in 1997 and 1998, over the course of 2,400 hours, time spent away from raising our young children after regular work hours. We made our decisions to sacrifice family time based on a deal that was clearly described to us before we started building. The deal was that our houses would be valued at market rate after 10 years. The first time anyone at COAH informed any one of us that the deal had changed was in the summer of 2007.
We do not want a sweet deal from the township or COAH. We want the deal that we signed up for more than 10 years ago — the agreement detailed in our deed restrictions that our houses will be valued at market rate now.
Anne Jacobs
West Windsor
WW Doctor Supports Health Reform
As a family doctor, I worry about the state of healthcare in the United States. I worry about a broken “system” that rewards doctors for ordering expensive tests over delivering quality care. I worry about my patients. I worry about the young woman who delayed evaluation of an abnormal pap smear for years because she lost her job and insurance. I worry about the uninsured, elderly woman who never followed up for possible cancer because she could not pay for the tests. Yesterday, I decided I was tired of worrying. I wanted to start doing. I ask you all to consider the same. Here is why.
President Obama has challenged Congress to pass healthcare reform in 2009 that upholds three basic principles. First, the plan should invest in preventive care, which ultimately saves money since treatment of chronic diseases consumes most of our healthcare dollars. Second, the plan must guarantee that all Americans can choose their plan and doctor, including a public insurance option, without forcing people to discontinue their current plans. Third, the plan must insure quality, affordable care for every American. As a doctor, mother, and citizen of a democratic society, I firmly believe that healthcare is a right, not a privilege to be enjoyed only by some.
Why should those of us who are employed and happy with our health plans want a change? Consider this. If premiums continue to rise four times faster than wages, at some point in the near future, it will catch up. Employers may be forced to cut benefits, pass on costs to employees, or stop offering benefits completely. In this recession, job stability is a growing concern. An affordable public insurance plan could provide a safety net should hard times fall upon you and your family. Finally, if we don’t insure all Americans, the uninsured (and underinsured) will continue to seek primary care where it costs the most –– through the emergency room. In the end, we all pay.
The time for action is NOW. In less time than it takes to drink your morning coffee, you can contribute to a grassroots effort to push for real healthcare reform. Logon to healthcare.barackobama.com. Here you can sign your declaration of support for healthcare reform. The site also provides the information needed to call Rep. Rush Holt (12th district) and Senators Lautenberg and Menendez (numbers and a brief statement provided). Then encourage your family, friends and colleagues to do the same. Collectively, perhaps you can put my worries to rest.
Justine Wu, MD, MPH
Princeton Junction
To the Editor:
On behalf of Eden Autism Services and the individuals with autism whom Eden serves, I want to extend heartfelt thanks for the generosity of our community. On July 19, Eden held its sixth annual Eden Family 5K Race and one-mile Fun Run; more than 700 walkers and runners and nearly 70 volunteers helped this year’s race raised a record-breaking $70,000.
A special thanks to our presenting sponsor Munich Re America; race director Curt Emmich of Princeton Forrestal Center; the 22 additional companies who provided major sponsorship or in-kind support; and the individuals and businesses that also contributed.
We are grateful to the Eden Family 5K steering committee that helped plan this event, the volunteers, and the participants. The funds raised will help Eden in its mission to improve the lives of individuals with autism and their families.
Thomas P. McCool, Ed.D.
President & CEO
Eden Autism Services
To the Editor:
Kids-for-Kids of New Jersey thanks the greater West Windsor Plainsboro community for its support of the May 16 Walk-for-Chalk at the West Windsor Community Park.
Kids-for-Kids raised roughly $10,000 in donations from local businesses and individuals. These funds were used to purchase new backpacks and school supplies, which will be delivered to New Jersey shelters and group homes.
Remaining funds will be used throughout the 2009-10 school year to fund various projects. Kids-for-Kids truly appreciates the generosity of the donors and walkers.
Alexandra & Danielle Olgin
Co-Leaders
Kids-for-Kids of New Jersey, Inc.
