Hopewell Valley News | 2-26-2021 by centraljersey.com - NEWSPAPERS

VOL. 66, NO. 9

Friday, February 26th, 2021

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Serving the Valley’s Communities and Schools Since 1956

Hopewell Township Committee hopes county preserves Mine Road Bridge as pedestrian bridge By ANDREW HARRISON

Staff Writer

The Hopewell Township Committee supports the position that Mine Road Bridge should be preserved by Mercer County as a pedestrian and bicycle-only structure. The Township Committee unanimously approved a resolution on Feb. 22, stating the official position of the committee prefers preservation instead of a full replacement with a 40-ton load rated bridge. The official position is only a position as the county owns the bridge. Mercer County officials were seeking an official position from the Township Committee after a previous public meeting on Jan. 27. The county has proposed two options for the bridge located near the intersection of Mine Road and Stony Brook Road. “The Mine Road is a historic bridge that the Historical Preservation Commission came out loud and clear that this is something meaningful to the history of our town,” Mayor Julie Blake said. “It has been damaged over the years. The only thing we can do as a Township Committee is share our opinion with the county about how we would like them to proceed.” A downed tree had damaged the upper structure, resulting in the bridge being closed to traffic. Since 2015, the bridge deterioration resulted in the county determining that the bridge was unsafe for use. The county proposed the option of replacing the current 4-ton bridge with a modern, 40-ton load rating bridge that would allow for vehicle traffic to resume on the structure. The bridge be would 37 feet wide with a sidewalk being provided on one side of the bridge. If the replacement option

moves forward, the county will seek state funding for the construction costs for the project under the annual allotment for bridge funding. The second option would retain the existing structure and permanently close the bridge to vehicle traffic, which also included emergency vehicles. However, the bridge would remain open to pedestrian and bicycle traffic. To physically restrict vehicles from the bridge the county would erect signs and place bollards (short posts). Vehicular access to Mine Road would be provided by Route 31. “What I did also include in the resolution was the sentiment to preserve the bridge was not only held by the Historic Preservation Commission, but a majority of residents that attended and spoke at the meeting (on Jan. 27),” Township Engineer Mark Kataryniak said. The iron truss bridge was built in 1885 in the late 19th century by the King Bridge Company, according to Hopewell Township. In a 2018 Historic Bridge Alternative Analysis Report, the report indicated that the existing bridge structure had been deemed structurally deficient and functionally obsolete. “From my understanding from what the county said, if they were to repair the bridge to four tons, because it is a true truss bridge, the part of the bridge that is damaged is actually supporting the bridge,” Deputy Mayor Courtney Peters-Manning said. “In order to do the repairs that would make it safe for even four-ton traffic the bridge would look so different and it would not even be the same bridge. When we have these only two options, removing the bridge and make it a 40-ton bridge or a pedestrian bridge, I whole heartedly support preserving the bridge.”

ANDREW HARRISON/STAFF

Mine Road Bridge in Hopewell Township displays the damage from a downed tree years ago.

Pennington Council will decide on commitment to carbon neutrality By ANDREW HARRISON

Staff Writer

When Pennington Council members review a resolution at next month’s meeting, they will decide on whether to approve a pledge for Pennington to become carbon neutral in all operations. The resolution will go before the Pennington Council on March 1. Pennington officials started discussing this effort to become carbon neutral more than a year ago. “We tried to get understanding from staff on what type of impact it would have and try and get buy-in from council. My original intent was to introduce the resolution sometime in 2020 and

then COVID-19 happened and obviously had to switch gears,” Mayor Joe Lawver said. “This is something we have been trying to pay attention to for a long time as we look at equipment purchases and things like that.” He added that the commitment highlights that even a small town like Pennington can have an impact on addressing climate change. “I think it is important that Pennington stand up and be a part of the solution here. I hope Hopewell Township and Hopewell Borough will follow Pennington’s lead,” Lawver said. If given the green light from the council, the effort to become carbon neutral by 2035 will be a

process. Lawver proposed earlier this month that the easiest goal to obtain is still committing to buy and use only renewable electricity for the municipality. “As we make our buying decisions, we have to look at what is achievable and economically responsible for us. I believe we could. I would have to check the regulations,” Lawver said. “All of my personal electricity is from 100% renewable sources. I put that out there as we may end up having to do that because there are certain parts of our operations like our water system that are electricity intensive.” Because Pennington does not have space and current

See COUNCIL, Page 3A

HVRSD superintendent discusses district’s journey through COVID-19 By ANDREW HARRISON

Staff Writer

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The Hopewell Valley Regional School District (HVRSD) continues to adapt to the impacts of COVID-19, as Superintendent Thomas Smith laid out the challenges faced and efforts made on how the district has been handling the current pandemic. A discussion was held by the Pennington Presbyterian Church for its Brown Bag Lunch program series that took place on Feb. 19, designed to give insight to those who may not have a personal connection to the school district.

Smith said he would like to see more discussions take place throughout Hopewell Valley about what the district is doing and how they are doing it, with either himself, school principals and administrators. “I think we are doing a pretty good job with communicating to our parents, but I think the general community is really interested in what is happening in our schools,” Smith said. “We were one of the first districts in the area who brought in-person students back and we have been asked to share our schedules and planning with representatives from the New Jersey Department of Education as well as with other districts.” Without much notice in a meeting with county health officials on Jan. 31, 2020, Smith was informed that the schools would be touched by COVID-19 at some point, but did not know at that time to what extent. The school district proceeded to remote instruction on March

13 that was part of a short-term districtwide closure of schools for 14 days. The switch to remote instruction was followed by Gov. Phil Murphy’s issued executive orders mandating schools remain closed for the remainder of the school year. “Our remote learning was not something new to us. We had been using it for several years for our first two snow days since 2017. Students would come online and do work for their first two snow days each year,” Smith said. “Every student from sixth through 12th grade had a Chromebook already that they were taking home and students in Kindergarten through fifth grade had Chromebooks in their classrooms.” When the switch to remote learning occurred they hand delivered about 250 additional Chromebooks to individuals who had not come to school. The school district experienced only 20 families who were without internet. “We bought these hotspots

(20) to go to the families of the students,” Smith said. For the current 2020-21 school year and a return to inperson instruction that occurred in September, the district established six committees (facilities, curriculum, health & wellness, operations, governance and technology) with more than 100 individuals involved in the planning. The school district provided both remote and in-person instruction. According to Smith’s presentation on the updated numbers in January, out of 3,416 students in the district, 1,201 students are part of the remote option for instruction. “We are between Phase 2 and Phase 3 of our reopening plan. We are slowly moving towards 75% capacity with a goal moving towards in-person, full-day, full-time by the end of the school year,” Smith said. The school district implemented a screening process in the morning for those attending inperson instruction and for sports

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and after school activities. Students part of the screening in the morning would have to re-screen again to participate in the sports or after school activities. “We have temperature-taking kiosks where you show your face and it automatically takes your temperature and then you have to fill out a form that you have not been exposed to anybody,” Smith said. Students are required to wear masks. They are provided one cloth mask and provided masks breaks during the day. Restrooms are also cleaned regularly and monitored, along with hand sanitizer, gloves and disinfectant wipes being readily available. Additionally, Plexiglas panels on teachers’ desks have also been implemented. The district adapting to the pandemic was not without its challenges, Smith said. Some of those challenges included some

See HVRSD, Page 3A HOPEWELL VALLEY NEWS 100 Overlook Center 2nd Floor Princeton, NJ 08540 609-924-3244 Hopewell Valley News (USPS 250-300) is published twice a week by Packet Media LLC., 100 Overlook Center, 2nd Floor, Princeton, NJ 08540. Mail Subscription Rates The current Auto Renewal rate is $9.36 and is charged on a quarterly bases. The 1 year standard rate is $46.20. Mailed subscription rate is $77.18 for 1 year, $122.76 for two years, $177.37 for three years. Out-ofcountry rates available on request. All advertising published in Hopewell Valley News is subject to the applicable rate card, copies of which are available from the advertising department. The Packet reserves the right not to accept an advertiser’s order. Only publication of an advertisement shall constitute ﬁnal acceptance. NM-00431796

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Friday, January 29, 2021F

CALENDAR Ongoing

Central Jersey SCORE, a non-profit resource partner of the Small Business Administration, is looking for volunteers to assist people looking to start a business or grow an existing small business. The organization is recruiting business owners and executives, both current and retired, who want to share their experience and knowledge with today’s up-and-coming entrepreneurs. The Central Jersey Chapter of SCORE serves Middlesex, Somerset and Hunterdon counties. Central Jersey SCORE provides in-person mentoring and webinars, both offered virtually in line with current pandemic restrictions. In addition, the SCORE website offers tools and templates on a wide variety of topics and numerous online courses and webinars to assist small business owners through every aspect of business development and management. Services are offered free of charge. Anyone interested in volunteering with SCORE or seeking additional information should email marcia.glatman@scorevolunteer.org

Through Friday, Feb. 26

The West Windsor Arts Council will present a virtual exhibit, Harmony Art Show, from through Feb. 26. WWAC invites artists to explore the idea of balance disrupted and harmony restored as it relates to personal experience, beliefs, or observations. The online opening reception will be from 7:15-9 p.m. Jan. 15. For more information, visit https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUkfuqrTspHt0TTfednaklYy6cktleZ66w Princeton University’s Lewis Center for the Arts will present “Natural and Conventional Signs,” a virtual exhibition in which U.K. artist Ryan Gander exhibits a selection of new works directly guided by his research at Princeton undertaken during his time as a Hodder Fellow and made during the global pandemic. A video tour of the exhibition, physically mounted in Gander’s new impromptu gallery space, Solid Haus, in Suffolk, England, is available on-demand from Feb. 5-26. The exhibition video and live tour/conversation events are free and open to the public at arts.princeton.edu/gander.

Friday, Feb. 26

“1921 and 2021: The Partition of Ireland, Then and Now,” presented by Princeton University’s Fund for Irish Studies, will be held virtually via Zoom at 4:30 p.m. Feb. 26. Scholar and critic Fintan O’Toole delivers the annual Robert Fagles Memorial Lecture on “1921 and 2021: The Partition of Ireland, Then and Now.” O’Toole, one of Ireland’s leading public intellectuals, is a columnist for The Irish Times and Leon-

ard L. Milberg ’53 visiting lecturer in Irish Letters at Princeton. Free and open to the public; no registration required. This event will be live captioned. Viewers in need of other access accommodations should email the Lewis Center at least two weeks in advance at LewisCenter@princeton.edu For more information and the Zoom link, visit https://arts.princeton.edu/events/ fund-for-irish-studies-lecture-by-fintan-otoole/ State Assemblyman Andrew Zwicker will discuss his recently introduced NJ Low Embodied Carbon Concrete Act (NJ LECCLA), A5223, from 1-2 p.m. Feb. 26 via Zoom, courtesy of the New Jersey League of Conservation Voters. He will be joined by Sue Dorward, a New Jersey volunteer with the OpenAir Collective, and Dr. Matthew Adams, an assistant professor of civil engineering at the New Jersey Institute of Technology. Together they will explain the benefits of low-carbon concrete and how the NJ LECCLA could help stimulate use of the lowemissions building material. To register, visit https://secure.everyaction.com/5ZlwDfF3bUmIx2h2ghUNXA2 ?ms=web Princeton Folk Dance will hold a virtual dance party at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 26. For the Zoom link, email pfnfd2@ gmail.com.

Fri., Feb. 26 to Sun. Feb. 28

Multiple soloists from the Princeton Symphony Orchestra will perform a range of works showcasing virtuosity on the piano and violin in the “Soulful and Scintillating Solos” virtual concert, available Feb. 26-28. Buskaid’s vocalists take over the spotlight with popular and traditional songs. For tickets, visit princetonsymphony. org.

Saturday, Feb. 27

The Art of the Dog, a virtual portrait workshop, will be held from 1-4 p.m. Feb. 27 by Morven Museum & Garden in Princeton. Inspired by the dog-related artwork in Morven’s latest exhibition, “In Nature’s Realm: The Art of Gerard Rutgers Hardenbergh,” and following a brief introduction to the history of dog portraiture, students will participate in this Zoom workshop and draw their favorite pet live with Morven’s Curator of Education and Public Programs and dog artist Debra Lampert-Rudman. Participants must email a clear .jpeg image of their pet to dlampertrudman@ morven.org by Feb. 19 to participate. Lampert-Rudman will provide all students with a sketched image of their pet on archival watercolor paper and together, using watercolor pencils and brush techniques, the student will create a likeness of their pet. All levels welcome.

Princeton Charter School A US Department of Education Blue Ribbon School Serving 424 students in grades K-8 Seeks applicants for the following 2020-2021 position:

Substitute Teachers and Classroom Aides 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM Interested candidates should send a cover letter and resume to the Head of School at pcsoffice@princetoncharter.org. Deadline for application is February 28, 2021. Immediate start. Princeton Charter School is an equal opportunity employer. www.pcs.k12.nj.us NM-00452859

The cost for the workshop with art supplies is $85, or $70 for Friends of Morven. The cost without art supplies (student provides their own) is $60, or $45 for Friends of Morven. To register, visit www.morven.org/theart-of-the-dog-portraitworkshop-with-debra-lampert-rudman At the turn of the 20th century, the Great Migration saw Black Americans leaving the segregated Jim Crow South for northern cities. Harlem, a neighborhood in upper Manhattan, quickly became the epicenter of a vibrant community, drawing over 175,000 Black Americans from southern states. Some of the greatest minds in poetry, art, and theater lived within this 3-square mile area giving rise to The Harlem Renaissance. Join local artist Kenneth Lewis Jr. in an exploration of the Harlem Renaissance and the collage work of Romare Bearden from 1:30-3 p.m. Feb. 27. Using basic supplies found around the home, learn how to utilize the power of collage as an art form. All ages are invited to join this special hands-on celebration of art, history, and the possibilities of this exciting form of creative self-expression. Register for this free online workshop at http://artscouncilofprinceton.org/events/ free-workshop-harlem-renaissance-theart-of-collage/?view_year=2021&view_ month=02&view_day=27 Hundreds of sugar maple trees line the banks of Moore’s Creek and the nearby woods at the foot of Baldpate Mountain in the Titusville section of Hopewell Township. In February, farmers begin the annual work of sap collection and maple syrup production. The first step takes place in the sugar bush, and at 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. Feb. 27, visitors can join Howell Farm’s expert tree-tappers for a lesson in how to tap a backyard maple tree and make syrup at home. Outside activities from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. also include firewood cutting, rail splitting and, if conditions permit, ice harvesting. Programs will be modified to encourage social distancing and reflect current state guidelines for public events. Visitors are required to carry masks at all times, and wear them when social distancing isn’t possible. Howell Living History Farm is located at 70 Woodens Lane, Hopewell Township. For more information, call 609-7373299 or visit howellfarm.org Samaritan’s Center for Grief Support is unveiling a new virtual support group for 2021, Parenting After the Death of a Partner. Starting Feb. 27, this free, 6-week group will provide guidance and support to parents of young children and teens who may have experienced the loss of a spouse, partner or significant other. Each session runs from 10-11:30 a.m., offering supportive information about coping, communication and compassion for self and others, while addressing the unique challenges a single parent may face as they grieve the loss of their partner while continuing to be a support system and an understanding, loving parent to their children. The group will be facilitated by Michelle Tartamosa, social work intern. There is no cost to attend. Call the Samaritan Center for Grief Support at 856-596-8550 or email CFGcounseling@SamaritanNJ.org to register. Once registered, attendees will receive detailed instructions and a link to log-in to the

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Beginning Saturday, Feb. 27

Join West Windsor Arts for the film screening of “American Hasi,” a heartfelt comedy/documentary that follows a parttime stand-up comedian on a 35-day tour of India. Things don’t exactly go as planned for Tushar Singh, an Indian-American from Huntsville, Alabama, who took a film crew — and his mother — on his “make it or break it” career adventure. This exclusive screening, which benefits the arts center, was made possible by Tushar’s sister, Preeti, an active member of the arts center. The film will be available for screening starting Feb. 27. There will be an exclusive Q&A with Singh and Director Laura Asherman at 8 p.m. Feb. 27. Tickets are $15 per household. For ticket information, visit https://westwindsorarts.org/event/american-hasi/

Through Sunday, Feb. 28

Elementary and secondary school music teachers in New Jersey can introduce schoolchildren to their favorite instruments and at the same time win $500 for their music programs in “Discovering Instruments,” a new competition from the Princeton Festival. Music teachers may enter the competition by submitting introductory instructional videos about an instrument by Feb. 28. Five winners will be chosen. In addition to the cash prize, the competition will award a free professional video recording session to re-record the winning presentations, which will be prominently posted on the Festival website. Details are available at https://princetonfestival.org/discovering-instruments/. The competition is open to any music educator who holds a full or part-time teaching position in a New Jersey elementary or secondary school. Initial video submissions must be approximately three to five minutes long, and introduce a portable instrument. The Arts Council of Princeton’s public art presence continues with the display of “Untitled 2017 (Fear Eats the Soul) (White Flag)”. The piece, on loan from artist Rirkrit Tiravanija, is a black and white adaptation of the American flag, superimposed by the words “Fear Eats the Soul”. Tiravanija’s piece was created as part of Creative Time’s Pledges of Allegiance, a nationwide public art project that commissioned 16 flags, each created by acclaimed contemporary artists. Each flag embodies art’s ability to channel political passion, points to an issue the artist is passionate about, and speaks to how the country might move forward collectively. On view from the roof of the Paul Robeson Center for the Arts through Feb. 28. Visit artscouncilofprinceton.org to learn more.

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support group. For an updated schedule and additional information on support groups being offered by Samaritan in 2021, visit https:// samaritannj.org/resources/grief-supportgroups-south-nj/. “Hot Music for a Cold Night,” a virtual gala to benefit the Princeton Symphony Orchestra, will be held at 7 p.m. Feb. 27. For questions or to get on the invitation list, contact Audrey Yeager at ayeager@ princetonsymphony.org or 609-497-0020.

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Friday, January 29, 2021

Hopewell Valley News 3A

HVRSD Continued from Page 1A

PHOTO COURTESY OF BENOIT CORTET

The Hopewell Township Committee paid tribute to lifelong township resident Evelyn Brooks, who turns 100 later this month.

remote students not showing up to class on time, some students attending class from restaurants and moving cars, and some students doing other things not class related on separate screens. “We had to really level set the expectations for them and say if the class starts at 8:25 a.m. you need to be online and we need to see your face online. Because what was happening is that you would have kids not show their faces and turn their screens off,” Smith said. “The other problem was that some students were doing other things in addition to participating in the class. They were maybe watching a Netflix show on another screen that we could not see and things like that.” To combat the issue of separate screens the district implemented a tool for teachers to use called GoGuardian. “So now the teachers can also see what is on their screen, so again that is a new challenge we are faced with,” he said. Currently, district schools do have enough space and teachers for in-person instruction. “Unless the social distancing requirements change, we won’t have enough room to bring more kids back in the classrooms. What we did was is move a lot of the furniture out of the classes and set up desks that were six feet apart and they are doing OK,” he said. “What we are anticipating is that we will have another round of students that we are going to ask them to come back and

we are going to have to relocate our classrooms to larger areas. So that is what we did particularly on the elementary level.” Smith added that they have some classes taking place in the cafeteria and the art room or some of the schools’ larger spaces. “Toll Gate Grammar School, for example, is older and the classrooms are physically smaller, so even if we take out a lot of the furniture it is still a challenge to get all of the students in there that you would want,” he said. The district has hired more teachers for the spring semester so they could keep the class numbers down. The classes are called pods and are in groups of 10 or 12. As the school district moves forward in the current school year, some of the next steps for the district include collapsing the split A/B cohorts of Hopewell Valley Central High School (HVCHS) in March and around spring break moving to full-day inperson instruction for students with special needs. Timberlane Middle School (TMS) has been having a rolling return to bring back students incrementally in person. There is goal and expectation that by the end of the school year students will be fullday, in-person for any students who want to be there from Kindergarten through 12th grade. “I recognize that there will be some folks who do not feel comfortable coming back and we have accommodations for them,” Smith said.

Council Continued from Page 1A

PHOTO COURTESY OF HOPEWELL TOWNSHIP

Jacob Francis had a long history in the area, first as an indentured servant, and then as a soldier in the Continental Army. He is buried at Flemington Baptist Church, pictured.

Indentured servant also served as soldier in Continental Army The Hopewell Township Committee continued its Black History Month recognitions by discussing the life of Jacob Francis, a free Black man born in Amwell in 1754. Francis had a long history in the area, first as an indentured servant, and then as a soldier in the Continental Army, which was unusual at the time. Larry Kidder, the former president of the Hopewell Valley Historical Society, a 30-year volunteer at the Howell Living History Farm, and a much sought after speaker on local history, shared the story during the Feb. 16 committee meeting, according to information provided by the township. Francis served in the siege of Boston, the New York Campaign, crossed the Delaware with George Washington, and fought at the battle of Trenton. Francis was one of the few, and possibly the only, New Jerseyborn Black soldiers, according to the statement. After his enlistment he moved back to Amwell, serving in the militia for the rest of the war. He became a farmer; married an enslaved women, Mary, whom he freed; and then raised eight children, according to the statement. He and his family settled permanently in Flemington. Francis’s young-

est child became an active abolitionist and fought for equal rights rather than colonization of free Black people to Africa. Francis died in 1836, a well-respected citizen of Flemington. He and Mary, who died in 1844, are buried in the cemetery of the Flemington Baptist Church of which they were members, according to the statement. Kidder presented the story of Francis and his family as an example of how New Jersey Black citizens persisted against the obstacles created by White society at the time, according to the statement. He succeeded, while also fighting for true equality for all people. The Township Committee meeting continued with a tribute to lifelong township resident Evelyn Brooks, who turns 100 later this month. She is the matriarch of five generations of Hopewell Township residents, and is also part of the Oral Histories at the Stoutsburg Sourland African American Museum. Many members of her family attended the meeting and spoke about her impact in the area and the family, according to the statement. Nana, as she is known to all, has 10 children, 24 grandchildren, 45 great grandchildren and seven great-great grandchildren. Many still live in the area.

SPRING 2021 LECTURE SERIES

MARCH 5

Screening of ﬁlmed version of Happy Days by Samuel Beckett for The Wild Project, directed by Nico Krell ’18 and featuring Tessa Albertson ’20 4:30 p.m. via Zoom Free and open to the public, advance registration required. For more information about the event and to register, visit ﬁs.princeton.edu

regulations it would be difficult for the municipality to provide energy for powering the water and sewage systems by establishing solar rays or wind turbines. Both systems require a lot of electricity. “Odds are at some point if we want to meet this goal we are going to have to make a decision to get our electric energy from renewable sources,” Lawver added. “Once we are done with building renovation of Borough Hall we will look back at solar. Twelve years ago it was not economically feasible at that point. Since then costs have come way down.” Solar rays on Borough Hall’s roof are a hope for Lawver and he hopes that it can

be achieved so the municipality can check that off for utilizing renewable energy. Pennington officials already have solar rays on the building for public works, recently bought hybrid police vehicles, and the public works department is already experimenting with battery powered tools instead of gasoline. Additionally, if approved, the Environmental Commission will play a significant role in the borough’s process to be carbon neutral. “They put themselves right up front by saying that they will be responsible for first measuring how much carbon we are releasing, then coming up ideas and ways to move to carbon neutral in our operations,” Lawver said.

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Friday, January 29, 2021

Gov. Murphy signs adult use cannabis reform bills into state law Gov. Phil Murphy has signed adult use cannabis reform bills into law, legalizing and regulating cannabis use and possession for adults 21 years and older (A-21 – The New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory, Enforcement Assistance and Marketplace Modernization Act) and decriminalizing marijuana and hashish possession (A-1897). Murphy also signed S-3454, clarifying marijuana and cannabis use and possession penalties for individuals younger than 21 years old, according to a Feb. 22 press release from the governor’s office. Adult use cannabis is also referred to as recreational marijuana. The laws will not take effect immediately as regulations must be developed as to how and where the product will be sold in the Garden State. No estimate was provided by the governor’s office as to when or where adults will be able to legally purchase marijuana for recreational use. New Jersey has a program in place that permits certain individuals to legally obtain marijuana for medical use. “Our current marijuana prohibition laws have failed every test of social justice, which is why for years I have strongly supported the legalization of

adult use cannabis. “Maintaining a status quo that allows tens of thousands, disproportionately people of color, to be arrested in New Jersey each year for low-level drug offenses is unjust and indefensible,” Murphy was quoted as saying in the press release. “In November, New Jerseyans voted overwhelmingly in support of creating a well-regulated adult use cannabis market. Although this process has taken longer than anticipated, I believe it is ending in the right place and will ultimately serve as a national model. “This legislation will establish an industry that brings equity and economic opportunity to our communities, while establishing minimum standards for safe products and allowing law enforcement to focus their resources on real public safety matters. “We are taking a monumental step forward to reduce racial disparities in our criminal justice system, while building a promising new industry and standing on the right side of history. “I would like to thank the Legislature, advocates, faith leaders and community leaders for their dedicated work and partnership on this critical issue,” Murphy said.

HEALTH MATTERS

“At long last, New Jersey is turning the page on our previous treatment of marijuana use,” said Dianna Houenou, incoming chair of the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC). “I am excited to get to work building on the successes of the medical (marijuana) program and standing up the adult use cannabis industry. It is an honor to be part of this historic movement in New Jersey,” she said. Under A-21, the CRC will promulgate regulations to govern the medical and adult use industries and oversee the applications for licensing of cannabis businesses, according to the press release. The legislation further provides for the state Legislature to reinvest cannabis revenues in designated “impact zones,” directs the CRC to promote diversity and inclusion in business ownership, and contains employment protections for people who engage in lawful behavior with respect to cannabis, according to the press release. A-1897 reforms criminal and civil penalties for marijuana and hashish offenses and provides remedies for people currently facing certain marijuana charges.

should be under 240, with an ideal score of being 200 or less. Annual blood work will reveal where you stand on the cholesterol scale. • Blood Pressure. Blood pressure is considered high if either the top number is 130 or above or the bottom number is 80 or above. Keeping your blood pressure under control is a key factor in heart health. • Blood Glucose Level. Your blood glucose number should be under 100. Testing can diagnose diabetes and prediabetes, where glucose numbers are higher than normal, but not yet considered diabetes. Left untreated, over time diabetes can affect your heart. • Resting Heart Rate. Your resting heart rate — how many times your heart beats per minute when you are at rest — can be checked with an exercise

SOLUTIONS

A 50-year-old Mesa, Arizona, man who allegedly interrupted an online Hopewell Township Committee meeting has been charged with one count each of cyber harassment, lewdness and disrupting a public meeting, according to the Hopewell Township Police Department. The man, who was charged with the offenses on Feb. 17, was identified as the person responsible for interfering with

ly, and then measure. In addition to knowing your numbers, you should also be sensitive to any changes in your health between doctors’ visits, particularly if you have a family history of heart disease, and make your doctor aware of them. When to Call 911 Almost every 40 seconds someone in the United States has a heart attack, according to the American Heart Association. Signs of a heart attack include: • Chest discomfort: Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain. • Discomfort in other areas of the upper body: Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.

• Shortness of breath: This may occur with or without chest discomfort. • Other signs of a heart attack may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness. If you experience signs of a heart attack, call 911. The quicker you get help the better your chances of survival. At Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center (PMC) a special team of board certified physicians, specialists, and nurses provides prompt, quality care to heart attack patients, including critical life-saving treatments such as emergency angioplasty. Emergency angioplasty is a procedure used to open clogged arteries in response to a heart attack. The procedure quickly increases the flow of blood and oxygen through blocked arteries without the need for invasive heart surgery. Only

gled in the criminal justice system the opportunity to fully participate in society, according to the press release. S-4154 eliminated fees for expungement applications and created a petition process for “clean slate” expungement for residents, as well as requiring the state to implement an auto-

Man who allegedly ‘Zoom bombed’ Hopewell Township Committee meeting charged with harassment By LEA KAHN

Staff Writer

monitor or by taking your pulse. A healthy resting heart rate is between 60 and 90 beats per minute. • Body Mass Index. Body mass index, or BMI, is the ratio of weight to height. Diet and exercise can help you keep your BMI within a healthy range that falls between 19.5 and 24.9. • Waist Circumference. Carrying excess weight around your abdomen puts you at greater risk of developing heart disease and diabetes. If you’re a man, your waist circumference should be less than 40 inches. If you’re a woman, your waist circumference should be less than 35 inches. A measurement can be taken at home with a tape measure. Wrap it around your torso, just above your hip bones at the level of your naval, exhale natural-

in agreement that climate change will bring widely varying, even extreme, weather conditions. Facing heat, droughts, wild-

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the Hopewell Township Committee’s June 8, 2020, meeting by initiating a “Zoom bomb,” police said. A “Zoom bomb” occurs when an uninvited person joins an online meeting and inserts offensive material. The Hopewell Township Committee meeting had to be canceled, which caused an interruption in government business, police said. The case has been turned over to the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office.

state-licensed facilities, like PMC, can offer this procedure, which has been proven to reduce mortality rates in heart attack patients. Protect Your Heart With these numbers in mind, and following certain lifestyle guidelines, you can do a lot to protect your heart. Not smoking, eating well, controlling your weight, getting regular exercise, and monitoring stress are things everyone should be focused on in order to be as heart healthy as possible. To find a primary care physician affiliated with Penn Medicine Princeton Health, call 1-888-7427496, or visit www.princetonhcs.org. Muhammad Azam, M.D., specializes in family medicine and is a member of the medical staff at Penn Medicine Princeton Health.

By Huck Fairman

Professor Stephen Pacala: What we need to do Our latest winter snow and storms notwithstanding, our planet’s climates are warming. Scientists worldwide are pretty much

mated clean slate expungement system. Furthermore, the bill required that low-level marijuana convictions be sealed upon the disposition of a case, preventing those convictions from being used against individuals in the future, according to the press release.

By Muhammad Azam, M.D.

Heart Health By the Numbers Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, claiming more than 600,000 lives each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Often, heart disease develops silently as plaque builds up in the arteries over time, causing them to narrow and reduce blood flow to the heart. That’s why a regular checkup with your doctor, with blood work, on an annual basis is so important. Guidance from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the American Heart Association include recommendations to work with your doctor to monitor six different numbers that can be an indicator of your heart disease risk. • Cholesterol. Your total cholesterol number

The bill prevents unlawful low-level distribution and possession offenses from being used in pretrial release, probation and parole decisions, and provides certain protections against discrimination in employment, housing and places of public accommodation, according to the press release. A-1897 also creates a pathway to vacate active sentences for certain offenses committed before enactment of the enabling legislation. Murphy also signed S-3454 into law, clarifying penalties for marijuana and cannabis possession and consumption for individuals younger than 21 years old. The legislation corrects inconsistencies in A-21 and A-1897 concerning marijuana and cannabis penalties for those underage, according to the press release. In July 2019, Murphy signed legislation (the Jake Honig Compassionate Use Medical Cannabis Act) to reform New Jersey’s medical marijuana program and expand patient access to medical marijuana, ensuring that medical treatment is affordable and accessible for those who need it most. In December 2019, Murphy signed expungement reform legislation, giving individuals entan-

fires, floods, and freezes, it is clear to science, and a majority of citizens, that we need to move away from fossil fuels and turn to green energy: solar, wind, and water. But doing so will require planning, adjustments, investments, and social preparation enabling all communities to benefit. Princeton Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Stephen Pacala has been, for some time, a leading researcher who has also reached out and consulted at all levels on what needs to be done and how these wide-ranging changes can be adopted over the next 30 years. He is one of the researchers and contributors to The Net-Zero America Project that is finding pathways, analysis and support, for policy makers nationwide to plan, provide infrastructure, and anticipate impacts on industry and communities. Princeton University, and the town of Princeton are also working toward net zero emissions

to be achieved over the next decades. Among the aspects of this change that need to be prepared for is a technical blueprint for what technologies will be needed, what the costs will be, and how will they be paid for. Additionally, the financial capabilities of communities and industries need to be evaluated, and assistance, where needed, provided. One factor that initially seemed to be daunting was the cost of this national, and global, transformation. But now with the substantial drop in costs of solar and wind power, that is no longer a real impediment. In addition to lower green energy costs, expected lower health costs, from reduced emissions, have and will benefit the nation. And research has found that paying for these new, green energy systems is not significantly different than the fossil fuel industry’s investments over the last 30

years. But changing to green energy will require planning, as The Net-Zero America Project is doing. Not only will new hardware be needed, but social impacts will have to be addressed. As their jobs disappear, what will coal miners and fossil fuel employees do for their livelihoods? As neither the old technology locations nor the new technology industries are located everywhere, plans for accessibility and employment will be needed. One local example of this challenge can be seen when comparing Princeton and Trenton. Because the former is an affluent community, its residents can largely afford solar panel installations, home and business insulation upgrades, and electric cars. That is less so in Trenton, and for both financial and health reasons that discrepancy needs to be addressed in order to avoid unjust imbalances. A policy manual,

developed by the Net-Zero America Project, can be the necessary early step for both planning and comprehensive inclusion. Pacala noted that what is also essential is a national commission to evaluate who is at risk, financially and health wise, and how beneficial change can be introduced to those who need start-up assistance. The discrepancies existing in communities with regard to these capabilities need to be mapped out in order to understand the scope of the problems. But then a system of block grants for those in need must also be established. The mechanism for this is a green bank for loans to communities, businesses, and individuals – something that President Joe Biden has a plan for, and which needs to enlist support. Thus, Professor Pacala and others have charted necessary roads ahead. As with the national response to the coronavirus, which responses will be supported, and to what extent, remains to be seen.

LIFESTYLE 5A

Hopewell Valley News

LOOSE ENDS

Friday, February 26, 2021

By Pam Hersh

Lilienthal and Barros

he last remaining artifact in the window of the now defunct Landau’s Woolens store on Nassau Street in Princeton is an Albert Einstein poster with the message: “Imagination is more important than knowledge.” As a self-described techno-moron when it comes to my knowledge of how things work, I am a genius at appreciating technology-based imagination – particularly the way technology works to enhance my appreciation of the arts. The melding of arts and innovative technology became apparent last week when my friend Princeton artist Ryan Lilienthal, who also is an immigration and family attorney, sent me an email announcing his latest exhibition: “The Mueller Report, the Legal Case Against Roger Stone, and the DACA Legislative Briefs.” The virtual art show comprises several extremely imaginative sculptures, created by artist/lawyer Lilienthal, and all thematically related to contemporary Trump-era legal conundrums. Because of the pandemic, Ryan was unable to have an in-person art exhibit. So he launched it on his website as a 360 degree interactive installation – made possible by Princeton photographer, artist, and engineer Ricardo Barros. It is viewable at www.ryanlilienthal.com/360-degree-interactive-installation I never could tell you how they did it, but I can tell you to watch it and enjoy imagination at its most inspiring. Ryan, who now spends more time being an artist than being a lawyer, happens to be an award-winning painter, as well as a sculptor, who relies on imagination and technology, to explore concepts, particularly those that are dense in content and need more transparency. Ryan became “fascinated by the opaque and transparent qualities of pigment as a tool for amplifying representational art,”

Ricardo Barros, who brought Ryan Lilienthal’s artwork to life.

and it led him to explore conceptual art and sculpture. “The Mueller Report is a much talked about document that most people never have seen, nor have they seen any of the documents that make up the report, such as, an arrest warrant or an indictment. What I have tried to do is to give visibility to the documents and the words in the documents. For example, with the Roger Stone case, I convey the concepts and implications of the case with stones. Each stone is encased in a collage of the words used in the different aspects of the Roger Stone case. The stones can be assembled into different shapes representing different aspects of the Roger Stone case, including a straight wall of stones representing a divided country,” Ryan said. But the real artistic masterpiece, in Ryan’s opinion, is the imagination of Ricardo Barros and his creative use of technology to come up with a “an exhibition that reflects Ricardo’s talents as much as mine. Ricardo brought my art to life. Even though it was the pandemic that drove me to seek creative ways to exhibit my works, the end product is masterful whether or not people are confined to their homes. The 360 exhibition just may be a new powerful, educational way to experience art at all times,” Ryan said. Ryan met Ricardo, when Ryan was taking art instruction from Ricardo’s wife Heather Barros, who is the founding di-

Ryan Lilienthal

rector of Art Collaborations, an art school in Princeton offering year-round classes for children, teens, and adults. Ricardo Barros is a Princeton-based professional photographer and videographer with commercial and fine art clients that have included Grounds for Sculpture and Harvard University. As an FAA licensed drone pilot, he uses a drone to take high quality photographs and video for short documentaries and films. And he just received the news that he is a 2021 Fellowship recipient from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts. Born in Brazil, he came to America when he was seven years old, obtained undergraduate and graduate degrees in engineering and ended up in New Jersey when he worked for the New Jersey Department of Transportation from 1980-96. “I was doing my art and photography in the evenings when I was working for the state. It was frustrating; I was unable to take time I needed to do it right,” Ricardo said. When he left his job at the state, the freedom fueled his creativity. Ryan’s exhibition is Ricardo’s third 360-tour presentation – his other 360 tours feature his own photography and the Morven Museum. Ryan, while still painting portraits of friends, family and commissioned portraits, as well as his famous scenes of

Princeton neighborhoods and community, is already imagining another artistic, legalistic, technological tour de force on the concept of privacy in our world of technology invasiveness. The right to privacy is not mentioned in the Constitution, but the Supreme Court has said that several of the amendments create this right. Ryan is already scheming how to take this concept of technological invasion of privacy and translate it into a work of art – one that would be masterfully conveyed to the public by Ricardo. Perhaps we can convince Einstein to enhance his words of wisdom: “Imagination is more important than knowledge – and is key to gaining knowledge.” For more information, visit https://ricardobarros.com/ or www.ryanlilienthal. com/360-degree-interactive-installation

Publication of Time Off section temporarily suspended

The publication of the Time Off section has been temporarily suspended. Articles that run in the Time Off section will be published in the main section of this newspaper.

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Friday, January 29, 2021F

Glen Campbell’s daughter will hold virtual program on Alzheimer’s disease courtesy of Artis Senior Living in Princeton

PHOTOS COURTESY OF ARTIS SENIOR LIVING

Ashley Campbell, daughter of country music star Glen Campbell, will talk about their experiences with Alzheimer’s disease on March 23. Legal Notices TOWNSHIP OF HOPEWELL MERCER COUNTY, NEW JERSEY NOTICE OF CONTRACT AWARDED The Township of Hopewell, County of Mercer, has awarded a contract without competitive bidding as a professional service pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:11 5(1)(a). The contract and the resolution authorizing it are available for public inspection in the ofﬁce of the Municipal Clerk. AWARDED TO: Steven P. Goodell, Esq. of Parker McCay, P.A. SERVICES: Township Attorney Services TIME PERIOD: February 16, 2021 to December 31, 2021 CONTRACT AMOUNT: Not to Exceed $150,000.00 AWARDED TO: SERVICES: TIME PERIOD: CONTRACT AMOUNT:

Mark S. Ruderman, Esq. of Ruderman & Roth, LLC Labor Attorney Services February 16, 2021 to December 31, 2021 Not to Exceed $75,000.00