Mike Muscente in pre-season action for Hopewell Valley against Hunterdon Central, Aug. 29, 2024. (Photo by Mike Schwartz/mikeschartz.photo.)
Senior striker Muscente a key for HoVal soccer this season
By riCh Fisher
how far would you go if they were sick?
The Hopewell Valley Central High boys soccer team suffered more than just the usual graduation losses this year.
One center-midfielder tore his ACL, another center-mid went to play in Spain and a third player broke his wrist. The result was an 0-3 start.
“It’s taken us a little longer
to take shape this year,” coach
“Uncle” Ed Gola said. “We’ve moved guys around. In soccer when you’re in any sort of rut everything gets magnified and everything gets harder.”
The main constant from last year is senior striker Michael Muscente, who led the 2023 Bulldogs with 16 goals and was tied for third with five assists. Muscente was always going
When someone you care about is sick, you’ll do whatever it takes to make sure they get the best care. And so do we.
to be a key to success this season, but his value took on more importance after the personnel losses.
“Very important,” assured Gola.
Muscente’s worth was proven in the Bulldogs first five games. After being held scoreless in the initial three losses, he scored twice in a 3-1 win over Hight-
See MUSCENTE, Page 20
eLeCtion 2024
Q&A: Candidates for borough councils, township committee
By Joe emansKi
There are municipal elections in all three Hopewell Valley communities this November, although only one of the three races is contested.
Hopewell Borough Council Democratic candidates Anthony Fuller and Deb Stuhler are both running unopposed for their seats. In Pennington Borough, Democrats Daniel Rubinstein and Nadine Stern are also unopposed in the council race.
In Hopewell Township, Democratic incumbent Uma Purandare is running against Republican challenger Bob Zansitis for one available seat on the township committee.
The Hopewell Express sent questionnaires to candidates of all three communities. Their biographies and responses to our questions follow below. Some have been edited as lightly as possible for length and clarity.
Hopewell Township
Uma Purandare, 57, is a resident of Brandon Farms. She has lived in Hopewell Township for 26 years, after
her career as a scientist in the pharmaceutical industry brought her to the area.
She has been married to husband Ashok Purandare, also a research scientist, for 33 years. Their children, Rohit and Radhika, are graduates of HVCHS. HE: Tell us about the moment you decided to run, or run again, for office.
Uma Purandare: I am proud of what we have accomplished over the past three years to ensure the affordability, health, and safety of our community. Nevertheless, I recognize there is more work to do and look forward to building upon that in the future. For example, my colleagues and I kept the township budget below the inflation rate and supported the expansion of the police force to ensure safety. Further, I championed Sustainable Jersey recertification and was proud to accept it along with the committee members and the Environmental Commission. I am proud to represent the diverse residents and want to build Hopewell Township into a welcoming community.
See ELECTIONS, Page 6
With a collaborative structure so our doctors can craft a treatment that’s uniquely right for you. With primary care physicians who never schedule an appointment that’s less than 20 minutes. With world-renowned surgeons that are changing cancer treatment.
Because you’d go to the ends of the earth for the people you care about. And we do too.
Pennington Boro, NJ
$389,000
Barbara Blackwell
609.915.5000
MLS# NJME2047020
Pennington Boro, NJ
$425,000
Beth Kearns
609.847.5173
MLS# NJME2045524
Hopewell Township, NJ
$579,000
Jennifer L Fitzgerald
609.977.1667
MLS# NJME2040622
Hopewell Township, NJ
$676,900
Jennifer L Fitzgerald
609.977.1667
MLS# NJME2047520
Pennington Boro, NJ
$740,000
Jane Henderson Kenyon
609.828.1450
MLS# NJME2048680
Pennington Boro, NJ
$995,000
Gail Ciallella
732.259.7794
MLS# NJME2046598
Hopewell Township, NJ
$1,495,000
Cynthia Shoemaker-Zerrer
609.915.8399
MLS# NJME2042796
Hopewell Township, NJ
$1,895,000
Pamela C Gillmett
609.731.1274
MLS# NJME2033418
Support for Purandare in township committee race
Healthy communities are happy communities. Building a healthy community requires investment in resources and infrastructure.
Deputy Mayor Uma Purandare has dedicated her first term to keeping Hopewell Township healthy by promoting and safeguarding the safety and well-being of our community. I am confident she will continue that important work next term.
As chair of the Board of Health, Uma has worked with stakeholders across the Valley, leading efforts to enter into shared services agreements that provide health services to the entire valley. This saves money for taxpayers, while improving the services available through the health department.
She tirelessly works to improve emergency services and access to community health programs, such as the township’s vaccine clinics for flu, Covid-
19, and shingles. Uma is also an advocate for the physical and mental well-being of our residents. She serves as a liaison to the Lawrence Hopewell Trail, which promotes outdoor activities, and initiated a celebration to recognize International Yoga Day in Hopewell Township.
Uma recognizes that safe physical environments, health education, and access to clean water are critical elements to maintaining a healthy community. Because of her commitment to public safety and keeping Hopewell healthy, I am voting for Uma Purandare for Hopewell Township Committee.
Early voting will occur from Oct. 26 to Nov. 3, and Election Day is Nov. 5.
Deborah H. Cook
To read more letters to the editor, visit our website, communitynews.org.
We are a newsroom of your neighbors. the hopewell express is for local people, by local people. as part of the community, the Gazette does more than just report the news—it connects businesses with their customers, organizations with their members and neighbors with one another. as such, our staff sets out to make our town a closer place by giving readers a reliable source to turn to when they want to know what’s going on in their neighborhood.
editor
Joe emanski (ext. 120)
ContriBUtinG Writers rich Fisher, aidan mastandrea ContriBUtinG CoLUmnists robin schore, Lisa Wolff ad LayoUt and ProdUCtion stacey micallef aCCoUnt eXeCUtiVe
Christine storie (ext. 115) to adVertise call Christine storie (609) 396-1511, ext. 115 or e-mail cstorie@communitynews.org
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11,000 copies of the hopewell express are mailed or bulk-distributed to the residences and businesses of Pennington, hopewell township and hopewell Borough 12 times a year.
RWJUH Hamilton October Healthy Living / Community Education Programs
IN YOUR BREAST INTEREST: DINNER WITH DOCTORS
Thursday, Oct 3; 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Join us and our featured physicians from the Cancer Center at RWJUH Hamilton: Firas G. Eladoumikdachi, MD, FACS, Breast Surgical Oncology; Meera Yogarajah, MD, Medical Oncology; and Rachana Singh, MD, Clinical Director of Radiation Oncology. Learn the facts about breast health, myths about breast cancer, the latest treatments, and the importance of early detection and annual mammograms. Registered attendees will be offered a wellbalanced and healthy dinner.
THE AARP DRIVING COURSE
Monday, Oct 7; 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Be a safer, better driver. Most insurance companies will lower your premium with a completion certificate. Bring your NJ or PA driver’s license. Fee: $20 for AARP members presenting a valid AARP card; $25 for nonmembers. Bring cash (exact change) or check (payable to “AARP”) with you on the day of the class.
AUTUMN BOOK ART
Monday, Oct 7; 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Reflect upon art with poetry, and by making a fun, decorative pumpkin and or/turkey centerpiece by recycling discarded books. All materials included. Led by Rochelle Stern, Expressive Art Facilitator. $15
MEDICARE CHANGES FOR 2025
Monday; Oct 7; 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Be prepared for the upcoming year with changes to Medicare Part B, premiums and deductibles for 2025. Gina Rega, licensed insurance agent specializing in Medicare
and ACA, will discuss the changes you will be seeing for prescriptions, along with any other differences.
BREAST/CHEST HEALTH
Tuesday, Oct 15; 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Join Cecilia Gomez, BS, Community Cancer Control Specialist, RWJ Barnabas Health and Rutgers Cancer Institute, for this presentation that covers the basics of breast cancer. We will discuss screening guidelines, health disparities, diet and lifestyle and genetic counseling.
MINDFULNESS MEDITATION
Wednesday, Oct 16; 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Join us for our beginner meditation class to help calm your body and mind. No experience necessary. Patti McDougall, BSN, Integrative Therapies Nurse DINNER WITH A DOCTOR: POOR SLEEP AND DAYTIME SLEEPINESS
Wednesday, Oct 16; 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Are you exhausted or falling asleep during the day? Join Kevin Law, MD, for a discussion about why this may be happening. With over 25 years of experience, this sleep specialist may help you get the night of sleep you deserve. Dinner will be provided.
HEALTHRHYTHMS® DRUM CIRCLE
Wednesday, Oct 16; 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Join our drum circle to drum your cares away, have fun and relieve stress. No experience necessary; drums will be provided. Mauri Tyler, CTRS, CMP. $15
STANFORD CHRONIC DISEASE SELF-MANAGEMENT SERIES
Six Tuesdays, Oct 22 - Nov 26; 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Chronic Disease Self-Management Program is a cost-effective, evidence-based health promotion program for people with chronic illness. This 6-session workshop is designed for people with any ongoing health condition, such as arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, and similar conditions. Participants will learn how to problem solve, set goals, and use relaxation techniques to help manage chronic conditions. The interactive curriculum will address topics such as pain and fatigue management, dealing with difficult emotions, effective communication, medication management, physical activity, nutrition, and more. Participants must attend all 6 classes.
REIKI SHARE
Wednesday, Oct 23; 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
For folks who have been Reiki certified to come share the gift with fellow practitioners. Give a session and get a session. Bring a sheet and small pillow.
PREDIABETES CONNECT GROUP: MEAL PLANNING
Tuesday, Oct 29; 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Diagnosed with prediabetes? This group is for you to connect with others affected. Share and explore ways to improve lifestyle changes.
CRYSTAL BOWL SOUND IMMERSION
Wednesday, Oct 30; 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Sound healing uses instruments like singing bowls, gongs, drums and chimes to create a therapeutic atmosphere promoting deep rest, nervous system rebalancing, and emotional release. Participants sit or lay in a comfortable position while the practitioner takes you on a sound journey for mind, body and spirit. Please bring a yoga mat, blanket, pillow or anything that makes you comfortable. Adriana Hansen, RYT200, SHA1 of the Learning Collaborative. $15
COLOR ME HOOPY: HOOLAHOOPING FOR FUN & FITNESS!
Thursday, Oct 31; 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
If you think you can’t hoola-hoop, you are mistaken! This class is so much fun that you don’t even realize that you are working out! It’s much easier with an adult sized hoop, provided at the class. No experience necessary. Angela Reitter, Certified HoopLove Coach and Hoola-Fit Instructor. $15
AUTUMN HEARING AID EXPO
Thursday, Nov 7; 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Lorraine Sgarlato, Au.D, is proud to offer a presentation on today’s “computers for your ears” along with demonstrations of the latest in hearing aid technology. Advances in today’s hearing aids allow us to connect to our world in exciting ways! Stream music, television, and more with ease. New technology offers better hearing in noise, tinnitus
therapy and helps protect our brains as we age. Learn about these new advances and receive a hands-on demonstration from representatives from Unitron and Signia.
FEAST ON FACTS: AFIB
Thursday, Nov 7; 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Join Zaw Win Tun, MD, an expert in cardiac electrophysiology, as we explore atrial fibrillation (AFib) - one of the most common heart rhythm disorders affecting millions worldwide. Dr. Tun will offer easy to understand insights into what AFib is, its causes, symptoms, and how it affects overall heart health. Dinner will be provided.
20 YEAR ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
Saturday, Oct 26; 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
*All programs require registration and are held at the RWJ Fitness & Wellness Center, 3100 Quakerbridge Rd., Hamilton, NJ, unless otherwise noted.
Better Health is a free program for VIP’s 65+ that combines medical education, interesting topics, and fun activities. Join today!
A SENIOR SOCIAL GROUP
Wednesday, Oct 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. GI PANEL DISCUSSION, LUNCH & LEARN
Thursday, Oct 3; 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Shivaprasad Marulendra, MD, and Joshua Weston, DO, members of RWJBarnabas Health Medical Group, will lead a panel discussion covering the fatty liver epidemic, GERD and colon cancer. There will be plenty of time for Q&A in this engaging program.
MEN’S GROUP
Wednesday, Oct 9; 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Wednesday, Nov 13; 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Who said men don’t talk? Men need a safe space to share thoughts and feelings too. That’s why this is a women-free zone just for men to talk about whatever is on their minds. This program
will be led by Ted Taylor, Director, Spiritual Care and Volunteerism, and Coordinator, Palliative Care and Bioethics.
TAI CHI CLASSES
Thursday, Oct 10 + 24; 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
GAME TIME
Thursday, Oct 10 + 24; 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
YOGA CLASSES
Tuesday, Oct 15 + 29; 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
MEDITATION CLASSES
Tuesday, Oct 15 + 29; 11:15 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.
CHAIR YOGA
Tuesday, Oct 15 + 29; 12:00 p.m. - 12:45 p.m.
GROUNDS FOR SCULPTURE CRAFT WITH CLAY
Wednesday, Oct 16; 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Thursday, Oct 17; 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Clay is one of the oldest known materials for creative expression. As we push and pull the clay into shape, we enter into a dialogue with ourselves and each other and form a visual language of our collective ideas. Focus is on hand-building techniques using air-dry clay. Adaptable to all skill levels, beginner to expert.
THE FUTURE OF WOMEN’S
HEALTH, LUNCH & LEARN
Friday, Oct 25; 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Joining us for the first-time is James Aikins, MD, Associate Professor, Clinical Division Rutgers Cancer Institute, Gynecologic Oncology.
Dr. Aikins will be speaking on “The Future of Women’s Health,” with education about uterine, cervical and ovarian cancers, the effectiveness of screenings and treatment, the age at which recommendations to stop screenings are, and the why behind it as cancers still appear in our advanced ages.
WHAT’S NEW WITH MEDICARE? MEDICARE OPEN ENROLLMENT IS HERE!
Monday, Oct 28; 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
All you need to know about changes and updates to your Medicare benefits presented by NJ State Health Insurance Assistance Program (a Medicare information program sponsored by the NJ Department of Human Services, Division of Aging Services). Refreshments will be served.
Celebrate our 20th anniversary with us! Enjoy complete access to our state-ofthe-art center, featuring an expansive fitness floor and comprehensive aquatics center. Health screenings and wellness information from RWJUH Hamilton. Enjoy special group fitness classes designed to help you dance, sweat, and unwind. Take advantage of a complimentary InBody Assessment for a detailed analysis of your body composition and overall health. Engage in fun and exciting activities, classes, and demos designed especially for kids. Join special cooking demos with Novo Nordisk Spokesperson and Celebrity Chef, Doreen Colondres. Scan QR code to view, learn more & register on-line for the programs listed above. Or visit rwjbh.org/HamiltonPrograms Email CommunityEdHam@rwjbh.org or call 609-584-5900 to learn more
10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Mercer County voters may cast their ballot in person, using a voting machine at any of the locations below.
COMMENTARY A look back, a look ahead on failed school bond referendum
By John h art and Vanessa s andom
We would like to take this opportunity to thank every voter who made their voices heard in the HVRSD Sept. 17 $82.7-million bond referendum. The decisive rejection of the referendum — 69% voted no — indicates that there were significant concerns among a majority of voters about various aspects of the district’s referendum proposal.
Here are our take-aways from the many discussions online and in meetings:
Cost and tax impact: The referendum amount was $87 million, with an estimated annual tax impact of between $433-$515 per average household. Over a 20-year term, this exceeds $10,000. Many residents felt this was too high of a cost burden.
Timing of the special election: There were questions about why the district chose to hold a special election in September rather than waiting for the regular November election. Some may have seen this as an attempt to limit voter turnout. (Editor’s note: a number of school districts throughout the state held bond referendum votes on Sept. 17 this year — 14 districts, in fact, according to the New Jersey School Boards Association.)
Prioritization of projects: Many residents questioned spending $5.8 million on synthetic fields rather than prioritizing other infrastructure needs like HVAC and roofing repairs.
Concerns about overall district financial management: Pennington Borough Mayor James Davy has raised
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Residents questioned spending $5.8 million on synthetic fields rather than prioritizing other infrastructure needs, like HVAC and roofing repairs.
concerns about Hopewell Township shifting school tax burdens to the boroughs, suggesting underlying issues with district and township finances.
Lack of urgency: At a Sept. 9 town hall meeting, BOE Finance and Facilities chair Alex Reznik publicly acknowledged that if the referendum failed, “the world will not end,” but the district would face “difficult decisions.” This may have led some residents to feel the projects were not absolutely critical.
Scope of projects: The referendum covered a wide range of projects from expanding instructional space to installing synthetic fields. Some voters may have felt it was too broad or included nonessential items.
taking on significant new debt through a bond issue.
Additions to Tollgate Grammar School and Bear Tavern Elementary: Many residents expressed concerns about the proposed cost, need and scope of the multimillion dollar additions to Tollgate and Bear Tavern Elementary Schools.
It is safe to assume the HVRSD Board of Education will float another referendum in 2025, and we hope the BOE will take the community’s concerns under advisement.
Thanks again to everyone who joined our bipartisan coalition with your voice and your vote.
Alternative funding options: Some residents expressed a desire to explore other funding mechanisms rather than John hart and Vanessa sandom are former Hopewell Township mayors and long-time Hopewell Valley residents.
THE AMAZING PUMPKIN CARVE 2024
The place to kick-off your fall celebrations!
The most popular fall event in Hopewell Valley
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9 THRU SUNDAY, OCTOBER 13
Woolsey Park
221 Washington Crossing Pennington Rd
View outrageous giant pumpkins carved by local artists under the big top - Rain or Shine!
Live music performances • kids hay bale playground face + pumpkin painting • photo ops • fire pits storytellers • games....and more!
For hours and to purchase tickets:
FALL FAMILY FUN FOR EVERYONE!
Aleece Davis and Jill Thomas John Woodard Sarah Bernotas
ELECTION 2024: MUNICIPAL RACES
ELECTIONS continued from Page 1
HE: The Hopewell Parc PILOT payment plan has been a hot button issue for many voters. How do you feel the issue has been handled? What do you think would be the best way to resolve it?
Uma Purandare: Hopewell Township has negotiated PILOT agreements to meet our affordable housing requirement. Without these agreements, we would have used taxpayers’ dollars to build affordable housing, which would have cost $150 to $200 million, or faced a builder’s remedy lawsuit that would have required building ten houses for every affordable unit, totaling over 6,500 homes. I fully support affordable housing and look forward to welcoming our new neighbors, just as my family was welcomed.
Elementary School. The PILOT agreement with Lennar explicitly outlines the use of these funds to support the school district and the new senior and community Center.
HE: That issue aside, what do you think are two of the most important issues facing the township right now?
I am committed to using PILOT funds to offset a substantial portion of the costs of improvements at Bear Tavern
Uma Purandare: Preserving Hopewell Township’s character and environmental resources while accommodating growth is an ongoing challenge. By balancing development with focused conservation efforts, Hopewell Township aims to maintain its rural character and quality of life while meeting its obligations and fostering sustainable growth. To that end, I am proud that our Township has the most land preserved of all municipalities in Mercer County. Additionally, balancing the need for revenue with preserving open space remains an ongoing challenge. The
Township continues to help reduce taxpayers’ burden and improve financial position by attracting more commercial ratables, such as BeiGene a multinational company that made multimilliondollar investments that will help offset residential property taxes; by implementing PILOT agreements with developers; by seeking revenue from cannabis; and by exploring opportunities for shared service with neighboring towns.
Why are you the right person to serve on the committee for the next three years?
Uma Purandare:
Hopewell Township has been a leader in implementing a comprehensive zoning and land preservation strategy with a focus on promoting commercial development while ensuring fiscal responsibility for the future well-being of the Township, all while preserving its historical and rural charm and environmental assets.
As Deputy Mayor, and with experience as a member of the Planning and Zoning Boards, and as a liaison to the Environmental Commission, I have the knowledge and experience to balance these competing needs.
Pennington
Borough
Daniel Rubenstein, 74, lives in Pennington Borough. He has been a borough resident since 1981.
Rubinstein and wife Nancy are both educators, and their children are both graduates of Hopewell Valley schools.
Nadine Stern, 70, has lived in Hopewell Valley for 35 years. She and her husband have raised two daughters here, who both attended public schools. They live in Pennington with their dog, Max.
Hopewell Express: Tell us about the moment you decided to run, or run again, for office.
See ELECTIONS, Page 9
Purandare Zansitis
• Back Pain and Neck Pain
• PRP & Stem Cell Therapy
• Knee Osteoarthritis Injections
• Non-Surgical Orthopedics
• Double Board Certified Pain Management Physician
Dr. Ronak Patel
STEM
CELL & PRP THERAPY
• Regenerative medicine goes beyond disease management to search for and discover therapies that support the body in repairing, regenerating and restoring itself to a state of well-being.
• What are stem cells? Stem cells are the bank cells within your body that can morph in many different types of cell depending on what your body needs them for. Stem cells are your body’s repair systems.
• What is PRP? PRP stands for platelet-rich plasma. PRP is created from a sample of your own blood, which is drawn from the patient and then put into a machine to separate the platelet-rich plasma from the rest of your blood.
• Am I a candidate for PRP or stem cell therapy? If you have pain due to injury, arthritis, bursitis, tendinitis, or any other condition, you are a candidate for cell-based therapy. Whether you are looking to heal from a traumatic injury, or regenerate older or diseased tissues, PRP or cell-based therapy could be something to help you heal and restore lost function and mobility.
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one plans for
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core of every decision that I will make for Pennington. HE: Why are you the right person to serve on the council for the next three years?
Daniel Rubinstein: I have a passion for helping others. And with years of experiences in shaping policies that have benefited people worldwide facing economic, social, and environmental challenges, I will share my perspectives and insights as we work together to ensure that Pennington remains a special place where we want to work, raise families, relax, and even retire.
Nadine Stern: After one term, I have learned so much and along with my drive and respect for the trust the public has placed in me I will continue to work hard for Pennington. I am effective because I am available to residents, and I research issues and weigh decisions carefully. I was proud to be instrumental in increasing communication to the public by expanding the use and reach of email alerts and by working to make our government more accessible by increasing visibility. I also initiated new outreach including a Pennington Borough table at Pennington Day and Local Government Week events.
Hopewell Borough
as we have a lot of work to get done on major issues affecting the Borough. This new administration, led by Mayor Ryan Kennedy, and Doug Walker, our borough administrator, is working hard to usher in a new era of inclusive, responsive, efficient government and includes implementing communication approaches that allow everyone to be heard. I am excited to be a part of it and will continue to work hard to make our beloved town the best it can be.
HE: The Hopewell Parc PILOT payment plan has been a hot button issue for many voters. How do you feel the issue has been handled? What would be the best way to resolve it going forward?
Stern
Anthony Fuller, 52, lives on the west side of Hopewell Borough. A resident of the Valley since 2005, he is married to wife Sarah with children Colin and Claire.
Debra Stuhler, 69, has lived in Hopewell Valley for 22 years. The Hopewell Borough resident has been married to Bob Stuhler since 1988. Son Sam Stuhler attended Hopewell Schools, and graduated in 2011.
HE: Tell us about the moment you decided to run, or run again, for office.
Anthony Fuller: Hopewell Borough is a welcoming, safe place. I took that for granted for a long time, but as my kids grew up, I came to appreciate that communities like ours don’t appear from nowhere — people care, and they act. With my children now more independent, I can step up and show my commitment to the town by sharing my knowledge and experience, supporting Hopewell as it navigates challenging questions like development, and the water system.
Debra Stuhler: I am running for my third term serving on Borough Council,
Anthony Fuller: The Parc PILOT situation raises multiple, complex issues. Regarding the school district, it is unclear whether the long-term impact has been correctly estimated, given the size of the proposed development. In a shared resource like CHS, it is essential that all stakeholders have a voice — not least because of the anticipated tax implications for borough residents. I truly welcome the increase in affordable housing. Hopewell Borough, however, has been gradually losing services, and I worry that continued population growth in the Township will make it harder for new businesses to justify setting up in the borough, leaving us more car-dependent, less independent. The Hopewell Borough that I want is a thriving, self-sustaining place where we can meet many of our daily needs without leaving town.
Debra Stuhler: The Hopewell Parc PILOT program is currently in litigation on this issue in the courts, but my hope is that the township will come to the table to negotiate a fair outcome with the two boroughs, that covers the cost for our shared regional school system here in the Valley.
HE: That issue aside, what do you think are two of the most important issues facing your town right now?
Anthony Fuller: The future of our water system is critical. The history is complex, and we now face a momentous choice about ownership. In principle I am not in favor of privatization, but there is no easy solution. In the coming year we must flesh out what the various scenarios could be, and assess the viability of those options, before the town decides what to do.
The other issue is development. Obviously we can’t oblige businesses to come to town, but I think most residents
Page 15
OCTOBER 2024
Capital Health Among Nation’s Top Performing Hospitals for Treatment of Heart Attack Patients
Capital Health Medical Center –Hopewell has received the American College of Cardiology’s NCDR Chest Pain — MI Registry Gold Performance Achievement Award for 2024. As of June 2024, Capital Health was one of only 61 hospitals nationwide to receive the honor, which recognizes commitment and success in implementing a higher standard of care for heart attack patients. The award also means that the Chest Pain Center at Capital Health Medical Center – Hopewell has reached an aggressive goal of treating these patients to the high standards outlined by the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association clinical guidelines and recommendations.
To receive the Chest Pain — MI Registry Gold Performance Achievement Award, Capital Health has demonstrated sustained achievement in the Chest Pain — MI Registry for two consecutive years (2021 and 2022) and performed at the top level for specific performance measures. Full participation in registry empowers health care provider teams to consistently treat heart attack patients according to the most current, science-based guidelines and establishes a national standard for understanding and improving the quality, safety and outcomes of care provided for patients with coronary artery disease, specifically high-risk heart attack patients.
“It takes a concerted effort to meet the ACC’s rigorous standards for heart attack care, and this award was only possible thanks to the hard work of Medical Director Dr. Lara Samson and her team at our Chest Pain Center,” said Dr. Mark Arcaro, vice president of Clinical Performance at Capital Health. “As part of the ACC registry, the doctors, nurses, and other health care professionals at the Chest Pain Center provide care backed by data from other leading programs across the country. Congratulations to Dr. Samson and her team for this remarkable achievement, which lets patients in our region know Capital Health is nationally ranked in treating heart attack patients.”
“It is an honor to award Capital Health Medical Center – Hopewell with the Gold Performance Award for their valuable national leadership and dedication to meeting comprehensive performance measures in patient care,” said Dr. Michael C. Kontos, chair of the NCDR Chest Pain — MI Registry Steering Subcommittee, and cardiologist at Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center. “The receipt of this award indicates that Capital Health remains committed to providing top quality, guideline-driven care for heart attack patients. Their success ensures patients are receiving the highest quality cardiovascular care.”
To learn more about Capital Health’s Chest Pain Center, visit capitalchestpain.org.
Call 911 immediately if you or someone you know is experiencing the signs and symptoms of a heart attack.
Capital Health Regional Medical Center Nationally Recognized for Excellence in Stroke Care
Capital Health Regional Medical Center (RMC) recently received the American Heart Association’s Gold Plus Get with The Guidelines® Stroke Quality Achievement Award. This award recognizes the hospital’s commitment and success in ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines based on the latest scientific evidence.
The American Heart Association also awarded Capital Health Regional Medical Center its Target: StrokeSM Honor Roll Elite award. To qualify for this recognition, hospitals must meet quality measures developed to reduce the time between a patient’s arrival at the hospital and treatment with clot-busting medication.
Hospitals like Capital Health Regional Medical Center earn these awards by demonstrating a commitment to providing quality care and meeting specific quality achievement measures for the diagnosis and treatment of stroke patients at a set level for a designated period. These measures include evaluation of the proper use of medications and other stroke treatments aligned with the most up-to-date, evidence-based guidelines with the goal of speeding recovery and reducing death and disability for stroke patients. Before discharge, patients also receive education on managing their health and have a follow-up visit scheduled, as well as other care transition interventions.
“Capital Health is committed to improving patient care by adhering to the latest treatment guidelines,” said Dr. Dustin Rochestie, director of the Stroke Program and director of Neurology and Neuro Critical Care at Capital Institute for Neurosciences. “Get With The Guidelines makes it easier for our teams to put proven knowledge and guidelines to work on a daily basis, which studies show can help patients recover better. The end goal is to ensure more people in the Mercer and Bucks County region can experience longer, healthier lives.”
Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death and a leading cause of adult disability in the U.S. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or bursts. When that happens, part of the brain cannot get the blood and oxygen it needs, so brain cells die. Early stroke detection and treatment are key to improving survival, minimizing disability and speeding recovery times. Get with the GuidelinesStroke was developed to assist health care professionals to
provide the most up-to-date, research-based guidelines for treating stroke patients.
“We are incredibly pleased to recognize Capital Health for its commitment to caring for patients with stroke,” said Dr. Steven Messe, volunteer chairperson of the American Heart Association Stroke System of Care Advisory Group. “Participation in Get With The Guidelines is associated with improved patient outcomes, fewer readmissions and lower mortality rates a win for health care systems, families and communities.”
Additionally, Capital Health Regional Medical Center received the Association’s Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll award. Hospitals that qualify for this recognition ensure patients with Type 2 diabetes, who might be at higher risk for complications, receive the most up-to-date, evidence-based care when hospitalized due to stroke.
Capital Health Regional Medical Center, located in Trenton, New Jersey, is the only Comprehensive Stroke Center in the region certified by The Joint Commission, and one of only nine such hospitals in New Jersey. As part of Capital Health’s Capital Institute for Neurosciences, it is available for patients who require the most advanced treatments for neurovascular and stroke care including neuro endovascular, neurosurgical and stroke services.
Stroke is a time-sensitive emergency. If you suspect you or a loved one is experiencing a stroke, call 911 immediately. To learn more about Capital Health’s commitment to providing advanced care for stroke patients and those with other complex disorders of the brain and spine, visit capitalneuro.org.
Mercer County Native Returns to Join Growing Team of Gynecologic Oncologists at Capital Health
DR. MONA SALEH, a fellowship trained gynecologic oncologist who grew up in Mercer County, has joined the nationally accredited Capital Health Cancer Center, located at Capital Health Medical Center – Hopewell.
Dr. Saleh joins Dr. Joyce Varughese in providing the most advanced testing and treatments for all gynecologic cancers, including ovarian, uterine/endometrial, cervical, vulvar, and vaginal as well as pre-cancerous conditions in the female reproductive system. Dr. Saleh is seeing patients at Capital Health Surgical Group, Two Capital Way, Suite 356, Pennington, NJ 08534 and 1690 Big Oak Road, Second Floor, Yardley, PA 19067.
“Our Center for Gynecologic Oncology fills an important need for women in our region and I’m excited to join Dr. Varughese and the rest of the team at Capital Health Cancer Center,” said Dr. Saleh. “I’m proud to be part of a team that offers access
to specialized services for women in our area who have cancer and might otherwise have to travel away from where they live or work to find the care they need. As someone who grew up here in Mercer County, this is especially meaningful, and I look forward to furthering Capital Health Cancer Center’s mission.”
Dr. Saleh completed her fellowship in gynecologic oncology at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York, New York. She completed her residency in obstetrics and gynecology at New York University Grossman School of Medicine, also in New York City. Fluent in Spanish and Arabic, she has a special interest in minimally invasive surgery and improving access to cancer care for all communities.
To make an appointment, call 609.537.6000 or visit capitalhealth.org/gynonc for more information.
Former Army Surgeon Specializing In Minimally
Invasive
Colorectal Procedures Joins Capital Health
DR. JOHN SMITH BERRY IV, a double board certified colorectal and general surgeon with a decade of experience in minimally invasive abdominal and transanal techniques, has joined Capital Health Surgical Group. He joins Dr. Ashlee Godshalk Ruggles, medical director of Colorectal Surgery, in providing surgical treatment for the prevention and management of cancer as well as benign diseases of the colon and lower gastrointestinal tract
“Capital Health is known for exceeding the highest standards of physician and nursing care. It has a reputation for leading surgical advances and comprehensive cancer treatment. My patients will get the best care possible here,” said Dr. Berry. “I’m honored to join Dr. Godshalk Ruggles and provide expert care so we can cure more patients and return them to their loved ones in good health. Together, we will continue to grow Capital Health Cancer Center and cement its reputation as the region’s best.”
Dr. Berry’s clinical interests include sphincter-preserving techniques for advanced rectal cancer, surgical treatment of advanced disease, and enhanced recovery protocols that allow patients to experience shorter, safer hospital stays and less time away from work.
Dr. Berry received his undergraduate degree in chemistry at the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York and went on to receive military honors as an Armored Cavalry Officer. After his service, Dr. Berry received his medical degree from Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Dr. Berry was fellowship trained in colon and rectal surgery at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri.
Before joining Capital Health, Dr. Berry was a colorectal surgeon in the U.S. Army based at Fort Liberty, North Carolina. During this time, he served multiple deployments to the Middle East where he was Chief of Surgery at combat hospitals in Sinai, Egypt and Doha, Qatar.
To make an appointment, call 609.537.6000 or visit capitalsurgical.org for more information.
FREE UPCOMING HEALTH EDUCATION EVENTS
Register by calling 609.394.4153 or register online at capitalhealth.org/events and be sure to include your email address. Please register early. Class size is limited. Zoom meeting details will be provided via email 2 – 3 days before the program date. Registration ends 24 hours before the program date.
Lung Cancer Awareness: New Technology to Streamline Diagnosis
Monday, November 4, 2024 | 6 p.m.
Location: Zoom Meeting
Lung cancer symptoms often go undetected until its later stages, which is why advances in screening options are crucial to overcoming this disease. DR. DIANA KOLMAN, director of Interventional Pulmonology at Capital Health, will highlight the latest robotic technology that is increasing the precision and efficiency of lung biopsies. This allows for earlier and more accurate detection of cancerous cells and better patient outcomes in the fight against lung cancer.
Dementia: Recognize the Signs
Thursday, November 14, 2024 | 9:30 a.m.
Location: Capital Health Medical Center – Hopewell NJ PURE Conference Center, One Capital Way, Pennington, NJ 08534
Is forgetfulness a sign of underlying dementia or just a normal part of the aging process? Join DR. AHMAD FAROOQ, a geriatric medicine doctor and medical director of Capital Health LIFE (a Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly), to discuss this common question and the cognitive issues we may encounter as we age. A light breakfast will be served.
EVENTS:
would agree that we want to see the Borough thriving again. We need a vision of what Hopewell Borough can become. I would feel satisfied if, in three years, we had started setting out some clear goals to revitalize the Borough.
Debra Stuler: The biggest issues in Hopewell Borough are the redevelopment of the Hopewell 57 brownfield site and addressing the issues impacting our water system and our ability to sustain it. We as a council are working on both of these issues full time, and will continue to work hard to get the right approach and decisions made for the benefit of the borough and its residents.
decisions take account of different peoples’ concerns. Professionally, I have extensive experience in procurement, contract negotiation, and sustainability. We face important decisions about Hopewell’s future, and I hope that my knowledge and personal approach will help us develop a positive, shared vision of what Hopewell Borough can become.
able to accomplish in support of our wonderful Librarians and the Little Red Library itself. The board has been renovating and enhancing the facility so that it may be the heart of the community it should have always been. I look forward to continuing my work on behalf of the borough we all call home.
HE: Why are you the right person to serve on council for the next three years?
Anthony Fuller: Hopewell Borough means a lot to me. It’s the only home my kids have known, and in fact I have lived here longer than anywhere else. I am invested in this town.
I make a point of listening to alternative perspectives, which takes time and patience, because I know that good
Debra Stuhler: I hope to continue to serve my community as a council member, as there is much work to be done. We have a great team on council right now and everyone brings their skillset to the table for the benefit of the community at large. I have served on many committees as council liaison over the past 6 years, I recruited some incredible local members to the Health Department to aid them in serving Hopewell Borough’s needs, the Building Committee works on taking care of properties owned by the borough, the Recreation Comittee has been very successful in producing fun events for the town, and the Shade Tree committee is working hard to replace trees everywhere in town. I am most proud of what we have been
Sunday, October 6, 2024
Six Flags Great Adventure Jackson, New Jersey
Komen.org/NewJerseyWalk
Free to register Sign up and walk with us!
Fuller Stuhler
ELECTION 2024 Board of Ed candidates on ballots in township, Pennington
Although there are five seats available on the Hopewell Valley Regional Board of Education this year, there are only four candidates on the ballot. All of the official candidates are already members of the school board that recently saw its $87.2-million bond referendum soundly defeated in a Sept. 17 vote.
With no other candidates on the ballot, all four are virtually guaranteed to be re-elected.
Jacquie Genovesi and Dhruv Kapadia are running for three-year terms in the township. Genovesi ran successfully for the board in 2022 and has served as board vice president this year. Kapadia was elected last November to complete a one-year unexpired term.
Alex Reznik is the lone candidate for school board on the Pennington Bor-
ough ballot. Reznik is seeking a second term.
John Slotman ran unsuccessfully for the school board last year, but was appointed at the start of this year when incumbent election winner Andrea Driver declined to be sworn in for a new term, citing personal reasons. State law requires Slotman to run in the November election in order to complete the remaining two years on the term.
The other spot up for election is the one-year unexpired term in the township that had been held by Lydia Liu. Liu resigned the board this summer after moving out of Hopewell Valley. Former board member Sarah Tracy was appointed in August to fill the seat until Dec. 31, but is not running to retain the seat.
With the seat uncontested — township ballots read NO PETITION FILED in that row — it would be left to the board to appoint a member in January to complete the term, unless one write-in candidate receives a majority of votes. Several members of the community are reported to have started up writein campaigns, which the Express will cover in its November issue.
Despite the lack of uncertainty as to the results of the upcoming vote, the Hopewell Express sent questionnaires to all the candidates as it does every year. Their biographies and responses to our questions are below.
affairs professional who has lived in Hopewell Township for 11 years. Slotman and wife Jessica have two children, a sixth and a seventh grader, both of whom attend Timberland Middle School.
Hopewell Express: Tell us about the moment that you decided to run again for school board.
Jacqueline (Jacquie) Genovesi, 55, is executive director of the Center for STEAM Equity and Research and professor of the School of Education at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University. She is a more than 20-year resident of the Valley, residing in the township with husband Rocco Genovesi, Jr. and their three children, ages 25, 21 and 18. All three attended Bear Tavern, Timberlane and Central High School. The family also has German Shepherds Korra and Zeke. Dhruv Kapadia, 22, was elected to the school board last year for the first time, to fill a one-year unexpired term. The Boston University graduate works as a legislative aide to Sen. Andrew Zwicker, and is now running for a full three-year term on the board.
Kapadia is a 20-year township resident who lives in Hopewell Grant. He attended HVRSD schools for the entirety of his K-12 education. His parents, Amit and Renu Kapadia, immigrated from India in 1994 and have been married for 34 years. Kapadia has an elder brother, Kunal, 28.
Alex Reznik, 50, is a wireless network engineer. The one-term incumbent lives on South Main Street in Pennington, where he has been for almost 10 years. Before that, he lived in Titusville for 11 years. He is married with three daughters. The eldest is a college graduate and working; the middle daughter is a senior at CHS and the youngest is an 8th greater at Timberlane. All three have been at HVRSD from kindergarten onward.
John Slotman, 47, is a government
Jacquie Genovesi: I decided to run again for school board because there is still work to be done. Our schools are great in many ways and there are critical issues that need to be addressed. Our community is growing and our schools are in need of new and improved facilities. We are also working to ensure that our schools are welcoming for all students, our curriculum is research based and we are collecting and using data to inform our decisions.
Dhruv Kapadia: I am running for reelection to continue bringing a young, progressive, and student-centered perspective to our school board. In my first term, I’ve worked to address pressing student issues related to social justice, community-building, and post-graduate success. As the board’s sole Asian representative, I am also committed to advocating for our district’s marginalized student communities. My platform remains grounded in the same principles I ran on last year – Equity, Community, and Success.
Alex Reznik: I enjoyed my service over the last 3 years, so running again was always in the cards. Once the board decided to put the referendum to the voters, I felt that no matter which way the vote went, I would have unfinished business that I wanted to see through: making sure that we were being responsible stewards of the public’s trust had the referendum passed; or, as is the case, putting together a new way forward that maintains the quality of our education as much as possible.
John Slotman: I have dedicated myself to serving our community in Hopewell through various roles, including as a coach, team manager, and PTO volunteer. Earlier this year, I had the honor of being selected to serve our students, educators, and families as a member of the Hopewell Valley Regional Board of Education. It would be a privilege to continue in this
Genovesi
HE: Did you vote on Sept. 17 for the district’s $87.2M bond referendum, and if so, how did you vote and why?
Jacquie Genovesi: I voted for the referendum. There are significant capital projects that we cannot fund through the regular budget. I was disappointed at the misinformation being spread. My hope is that people will reach out to board members directly so we can understand your concerns and we can provide facts about the needs of the district.
Dhruv Kapadia: While I understood (and agreed) with community concerns regarding turf fields and ‘non-essential’ items, I voted yes because 91% of proposed costs were associated with critical infrastructure projects needed for longterm student safety and success. As the son of immigrants who experienced financial challenges when moving to Hopewell, I deeply understand the impact this decision had on our community’s taxpayers.
Alex Reznik: Yes I did vote. As a sitting board member, it is my understanding that stating how I voted may violate various state regulations for board members. However, it is a matter of public record that I supported putting the referendum before the voters, first as Chair of Finance and Facilities committee and then during the board vote on the matter.
did not pass?
Jacquie Genovesi: We need to listen to the communities’ concerns. We also need the community to understand that the majority of the costs in the referendum are not “nice to haves.” If we don’t pass a referendum in some form, I worry about the potential cuts we would need to make.
Dhruv Kapadia: With the referendum not passing, we will likely need to present a leaner proposal in the coming year. While larger costs remain (roofing, HVAC, building onto Bear Tavern and Toll Gate, etc.), we trust the Township, despite ongoing litigation over PILOT funds, to be helpful partners in addressing key projects tied to new development.
Alex Reznik: As explained to me, it may be a violation of state’s ethics regulations for a sitting board member to express my opinion. As a matter of process, the administration is working on alternatives which they will be putting in front of the board for our consideration. For any readers who are truly interested in the process - or in my opinion - I suggest you attend the board meetings or watch the proceedings on video after the meeting.
The public board meeting is the only venue where I am allowed to express such an opinion. More importantly, it’s good to have as many members of the public as possible actively engaged in our democractic process.
John Slotman: In my brief time as a member of the Board of Education, I have gained a far greater understanding of the district’s infrastructure needs. The needs are both great and beginning to impact the educational experiences of our students. Regardless of the referendum, these needs will need to be addressed in the very near future.
What should be the district’s path forward now that the referendum
John Slotman: The school district will need to be thoughtful in determining the best pathway forward in a fashion that both maintains student safety and preserves the educational programming and excellence our community expects and deserves. The school district will need to solicit community - parents and educators alike - input to ensure we are meeting our area’s educational needs. I hope to be a
See SCHOOLS, Page 18
Kapadia
constructive part of the conversation that addresses these important issues.
HE: Grade the job the school board has done in the past year. What can you as a member of the school board do to maintain or improve this grade going forward?
Jacquie Genovesi: B. We provide an excellent education both in the classroom and through extracurricular activities. I am proud of the work we have been doing around mental-health awareness and education for students, teachers, parents and the community. We are working on ensuring that all students have access to higher level courses such as honors and AP. I am proud that my fellow board members in the education committee pushed to ensure that how a student is placed in math in 6th grade doesn’t determine their math track throughout their high school career. Communication is a challenge that the school board and the district is always trying to improve. Our students are also still struggling academically and mentally from Covid. We need to continue funding
to support struggling students.
Dhruv Kapadia: Report Card: B.
Achievements: In 2024, we reinstated STEM facilitators, began implementing the Climate Action Plan, abolished random drug testing, lowered TMS math placement cutoffs and increased restorative justice practices.
Shortcomings: We need better communication and community outreach. Although the referendum was discussed in every public meeting since November 2023, it’s clear we must improve how we inform and engage the public across all channels.
What I will do: As an incumbent board member, I will continue to leverage my knowledge of our district and strong relationships with administrators to create studentcentered policy. Whether it is improving our community outreach or addressing academic achievement gaps, I know how to best serve the unique on-the-ground needs of our students, staff, and faculty.
Alex Reznik: As explained to me, it may be a violation of state’s ethics regulations for a sitting board member to answer this question. However, the
board is about to embark on an annual self-evaluation process which will be discussed and reviewed as part of our public meetings. Any readers interested in our joint opinion on the matter should attend the board meetings or watch the proceedings on video after the meeting.
John Slotman: As a recent board appointment, I would give our board work in 2024 an above average grade. The board was able to accomplish many important objectives this year, including passing a budget that enhanced educational programming available to our district’s students. I was particularly proud of the decision to restore our HVRSD elementary school STEAM facilitators that had been eliminated in the previous year’s budget. And our school district continues to succeed in creating a learning environment focused on student and educator safety and wellness.
The board should continue in 2025 and beyond its work to maintain safe learning spaces for teachers and educators and address underlying infrastructure needs.
HE: What are two vital issues facing the school board today?
Jacquie Genovesi: The major issue facing the board today is aging infrastructure. We have roofs and HVAC systems that are failing. We have our most vulnerable students in trailers outside of the schools. We will soon get an influx of new students from the two new developments that will crowd our classrooms. Without the new classrooms that were to be built from the referendum, the normal class size in Hopewell will be in the high twenties. This does not create a great learning experience. We are going to listen to the community and hopefully come back with a referendum that the majority of the community can support for the sake of our children and the community.
Dhruv Kapadia: Academic achievement gaps: disparities between Black and Latino students and their White and Asian peers persist in HVRSD. As a member of the Education Committee, I’ve pushed
our administration for targeted interventions to address these gaps and promote educational equity through data-driven solutions. For too long, we’ve allowed these disparities to go unchallenged. It’s time for meaningful action.
Infrastructure and community needs: With aging buildings and increased development in Hopewell, our infrastructure requires serious attention. Let’s be clear — our facilities are in dire need of improvements to prevent future crises (our youngest building, Stony Brook, is over 20 years old). While the recent referendum failed, I will work to reassess capital priorities and propose a more streamlined plan that meets the district’s long-term needs without overburdening taxpayers.
Alex Reznik: As explained to me, it may be a violation of state’s ethics regulations for a sitting board member to answer this question.
John Slotman: Our aging infrastructure and the need for repairs and upgrades remains a significant issue facing the school district. Our “newest” school is nearly old enough to rent a car while we have other schools nearing centenarian status. Issues such as poor drainage and leaky roofs will impact our educational experience if not addressed in the very near future. We need to address these issues, and we need to begin to address these issues in 2025.
A second issue that HVRSD should continue to address is cellular phone usage including social media wellness. The data on the negative impact of electronics overuse is clear. And our school district has done an admirable job to date in encouraging families and students to “put away the phone,” including an upcoming TMS program focused on this important topic. But as social media, gaming, and other apps evolve over time, so should the district’s approach to digital wellness. I hope to see our district work creatively to address this important issue.
HE: What skills, expertise and experience can you point to that
OCTOBER 19, 2024 • 1-3 PM
ROSEDALE PARK, PENNINGTON, NJ
Raising critical funding for Senior Nutritional Services as well as the Meals on Wheels of Mercer County Pet Pantry–keeping our homebound seniors and their pets healthy, happy & together FEATURING:
EVENT CO-CHAIRS:
Jennifer Keyes-Maloney, Executive Director of the New Jersey Association of State Colleges and Universities
Michael Cucciniello, Vice President-Branch Manager at OceanFirst Bank
•Exercise demonstrations.
•Food, nutrition and wellness exhibits
•Pet Adoption
•Pet Costume Contest
•Food Truck Rally
•Basket Auction
•Give–Aways & More
Reznik
show that you can be an asset to the board as it considers the 2025-26 budget?
Jacquie Genovesi: I have experience developing large budgets in my professional career at The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University. I understand balancing the needs of students, teachers and administrators with the tax-cap that limits the amount any district can raise taxes. This is going to be a very challenging budget year. The costs of transportation, energy, and insurance have all continued to increase.
We have mandated changes to curriculum that must be completed and we now have the extra burden of having to spend money to fix emergent facility needs. As a board member, I know I will have to make tough, sometimes unpopular decisions. I can promise you that I will always hold the needs of our students first and foremost.
Dhruv Kapadia: As a legislative aide for Sen. Zwicker, I regularly analyze fiscal notes and evaluate budgetary impacts on policy, honing my expertise in financial oversight. As Boston University’s 93rd Student Body President, I managed the redistribution of a $2.8M student activity fee, identifying inefficiencies and optimizing allocations.
As a recent HVRSD graduate, I bring firsthand knowledge of how budget deci-
sions impact students directly. These experiences equip me with the skills to ensure our district’s 2025-26 budget prioritizes educational outcomes and allocates resources efficiently to maximize student success.
Alex Reznik: I now have three years’ board experience and two years on the Finance and Facilities committee. I believe this experience will be invaluable as we enter a period of having to make some difficult decisions that are ultimately driven by the fiscal constraints of a 2% budget increase cap as mandated by law, an inflation that significantly exceeds that cap and the numerous urgent capital improvement needs that were highlighted in the referendum.
address facility needs while maintaining the excellence in educational programming that is HVRSD’s trademark.
HE: There are more seats than candidates on the ballot in this year’s school board election, meaning candidates on the ballot are virtually guaranteed to be elected. Nevertheless, please tell us why should voters re-elect you to the school board.
John Slotman: The annual school budget helps ensure students and educators have the necessary resources to achieve academic success. As a relative newcomer to the budget process, I will bring a fresh perspective as a new Board member and current parent to next year’s school budget. I know the next budget cycle will be a challenging one. If elected, I will work collaboratively with the board, administration, and community to
Jacquie Genovesi: My most important quality is that I care. My last child graduated CHS last year. I am running again because I care about our children and our community. I am a valuable member of the school board because of my extensive and varied experience. I have worked in education and with educators for 30+ years creating curriculum and professional development in STEM and early childhood education. I was recently selected as a finalist for the national Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring.
Dhruv Kapadia: As the youngest, only K-12 HVRSD alumnus, and only South Asian candidate, I bring a diverse,
student-centered perspective that benefits our district. From helping abolish random drug testing to advocating for restorative justice to approving equitable curricula, I know what it takes to create change in the Valley.
Alex Reznik: I hope that the folks in Hopewell Valley who have bothered to talk to me feel that they were heard and either received an honest response to their inquiries — or an honest and detailed explanation of why I can’t respond. Beyond that, you’d have to ask the voters why they vote for me.
John Slotman: First and foremost, we — not just the board but all of us in Hopewell — should encourage civic engagement and participation as much as possible. The Board of Education formally meets one Monday per month at the HVRSD offices in Pennington. The more community members attend and offer perspective at these meetings, the better informed the board will be. It has been an honor and privilege to serve our community as a member of our board of education. I believe my career experience in public and government affairs along with my community ties and commitment to service make me a good fit. I humbly ask our community to return me to the Hopewell Valley Regional Board of Education for the next two years.
Slotman
PROGRAMS
PROGRAM EXTENDED UNTIL MAY 31
2024-2025 PROGRAM BEGINS October 1, 2024
The County of Mercer will be accepting applications for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) until May 31, 2018. Mercer County will continue accepting applications for the Universal Service Fund (USF) Program throughout the year. Residents who pay their own heating costs, and meet the following income guidelines, may be eligible to receive financial assistance with their winter heating bill. Residents with medical conditions may also be eligible to receive cooling assistance.
The County of Mercer will be accepting applications for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) for the 2024-2025 beginning October 1, 2024. Mercer County will continue accepting applications for the Universal Service Fund (USF) Program throughout the year. Residents who pay their own heating costs, and meet the following income guidelines, may be eligible to receive financial assistance with their winter heating bill. Residents with medical conditions may also be eligible to receive cooling assistance:
To request an application please contact the Mercer County Housing and Community Development Office at (609) 989-6858 or (609) 989-6959. Applications can also be obtained by visiting the Housing office at 640 South Broad Street, 1st floor, Room 106, Trenton, NJ 08650.
Locations & Hours:
Trenton Office
640 South Broad Street – Rm 106 Trenton, NJ 08650
M-F 8:30am – 4:30pm (Wednesday open until 6:30pm)
Hamilton Office - County Connection
Square Shopping Center 957 Highway 33 at Paxson Avenue Hamilton, NJ 08690 Tues & Thurs 10:00am-12:00pm (by appt. only) Saturdays – 4/7 & 5/5 10:00am-1:00pm (walk-ins)
Board of Chosen Edward Pattik Freeholders Housing Director
Brian M. Hughes, County Executive
Please call for incomes above 8 persons.
The public is permitted to enter the building without an appointment at this time. If an inperson appointment is necessary, clients can call 609-337-0933 or email housing@mercercounty.org to schedule an appointment. Applications can be sent by regular mail to 640 S. Broad Street Room 106, PO BOX 8068 Trenton, NJ 08650-0068 or faxed to 609-278-2758.
stown and added two more in a 4-3 victory over West Windsor-Plainsboro North.
“I think toward the beginning of the season we came in knowing we were gonna lose a couple guys and we were looking for younger guys who would step up,” Muscente said. “In preseason you expect things not to be totally intact but coming off that 3-1 win over Hightstown we were feeling really good. Things started coming together.”
The beauty of Muscente is his versatility. In the win over the Rams, Hopewell’s center back was banged up so Gola limited his minutes. He moved Muscente back and got a workmanlike effort to keep things under control. The coach moved his scoring threat back up to start the second half and he scored two goals within the first minute.
“It was great,” Gola said. “He drew a (penalty kick) right off the kickoff and the second goal was scored at 39:05. It was pretty cool. I said it was like letting the animal out of the cage.”
The fact that Muscente defended and scored in the same game is emblematic of his career.
He began playing Hopewell rec at age 5 and was made an outside forward on the Hopewell travel team. While playing with his NLSA team, they put him at center back in eighth grade. He was moved back up front for his PDA team but last year got moved to center-back, where he still plays.
Meanwhile, Muscente has remained at forward while at Timberlane and HVCHS.
“Wherever they need me,” he said.
That kind of flexibility has allowed Muscente to recognize his opponent’s tactics; be it offensively or defensively.
We had good chemistry last year, we had really talented players around us and I went out there and did my thing.”
That thing helped Hopewell to a 12-7-2 record and berth in the Central Jersey Group III sectional semifinals, where the ‘Dogs dropped a 1-0 decision to eventual state finalist Robbinsville.
Gola felt Muscente’s goal explosion was a combination of his game improving as well as having talented midfielders distributing the ball. The coach added that Muscente works hard to get into open spaces by constantly moving without the ball.
Applications can be sent by regular mail, fax, email and in person:
The County will continue to receive applications up until the deadline of June 30, 2025 by regular mail, fax, email and in person. Applications, forms, and information can be accessed at this site: http:/www.mercercounty.org/departments/housing-communitydevelopment/housingand-community-development-programs Board
“Adding that defensive side to my game really helps me understand what’s going through a forward’s head and when I’m on the forward side I know what defenders are thinking,” he said. “I know how to counter them and what I should be doing. When you’re playing forward your back is sometimes against the goal, when you’re playing center-back you’re seeing the entire field. You get to see both sides, that’s really an advantage that’s played a big part in my game.”
* * *
Muscente started on the Bulldogs freshman team and saw some JV time in ninth grade. He made varsity as a sophomore and had six goals and four assists. After losing three players who scored 10 or more goals that season, Hopewell needed a scorer to emerge last year and Michael was happy to take the job.
“I knew someone had to step up and really get the team going,” he said. “I’m a go-getter guy, I have that hunger and things started clicking with the team.
“I think that’s as important as your actual skill, because if you’re standing in the same spot you’re very easy to mark,” Gola said. “Once he identified himself as a legitimate goal scorer, more teams were starting to pay attention to him. But he’s not a guy that stands and waits for the ball, he’s always moving. It’s difficult to keep track of him all the time.”
Muscente feels that has long been a big part of his game.
“I’ve always been good at making runs off the ball and I think that’s really from my hunger to score goals,” he said. “I’m always looking for the next opportunity. When I’m on top I’m looking for through balls and diagonal runs and for the best opportunity to score whenever I can. You don’t want to be standing in the same place the whole game, you want the defenders moving to create space for your teammates and yourself.”
That is especially important for Muscente, who has begun to draw more man marking assignments from the opposi-
Michael Muscente in action for Hopewell Valley soccer. (Photo by Mike Schwartz/ mikeschwartz.photo.)
tion. Gola feels he counters that with tenacity, speed and a knack for being in the right place at the right time. He has also seen some new midfielders finding their way, such as Manny Thacher, Andy Halko and Henry Seas.
“They’ve played together on club for a number of years,” the coach said. “We’re kind of settling into our spots and we should be able to move the ball better and get it to Michael.”
When Muscente does have the ball on his foot, he swings a pretty good leg to get it on goal.
“He has a solid shot,” Gola said, adding with a laugh. “He’ll tell you his velocity is right up there with Kyle Schwarber’s exit velo on his line drives. Sometimes I wish his launch angle wasn’t so high but that’s a different story.”
When told of his coach’s comments, Muscente said “You gotta love the jokes from Gola!”
“I would say that my shot is definitely one of my strong suits,” he added. “I think that I have a good balance between strength and finesse, along with a good shot selection. With that being said, I think that there’s always room to improve as a striker and I’m constantly working to gain more power on my shot. It’s important to have the ability to be able to shoot from distance on the field and I’m confi-
dent I have that in my arsenal.”
Another thing he possesses is that intangible every goal scorer needs – a hunger to put the ball in the back of the net.
“When you’re a striker you’ve gotta want it,” Muscente said. “Your teammates are counting on you scoring goals, they’re gonna feed off your energy and what you do up there. It’s just really important to work hard and put the pressure on the defense and really get the team going.”
His hunger goes beyond the field and into the classroom, where Muscente has forged a 3.8 grade point average and is a member of the National Honor Society.
“School is my main focus,” he said.
Muscente hopes to continue his schooling and soccer career in college, and has been in talks with The College of New Jersey, Bloomsburg, Immaculata and Ithaca.
Wherever he lands, Muscente should make his coach happy.
“Michael has always been a very coachable kid, a quiet leader who respects the coaching staff,” Gola said. “He comes to practice, works hard. Over time he’s learned the game and the position better up top.
“He’s just enjoyable to work with.”
He’s just not enjoyable for opposing goalkeepers, which merely adds to Gola’s enjoyment.
Pennington star signs contract to pitch for MLB’s Brewers
By a idan mastandrea
Draft night in any professional sport is nerve wracking, but the Major League Baseball First-Year Player draft is especially stressful for the potential draftees.
The hopes and dreams of young athletes are on the line and with each name that is called there is joy, yet every passing name makes the chance smaller for the rest of the players.
This was the case for recent Pennington School graduate Bryce Meccage. Sitting in his house in June, surrounded by his immediate family, and fiancé, Jaelyn Carr, Meccage waited in hopes that his childhood dream of being drafted would come true.
Not sure if he would be picked on day one — i.e., in rounds one or two — or fall to the third round or beyond, Meccage spent the night taking phone calls and trying to pinpoint his perfect landing point.
Ultimately, Meccage did hear his name called on day one: he was selected by the Milwaukee Brewers in the second round, chosen 57th overall in the 2024 MLB Draft.
Meccage spoke to the Express in Sep-
Bryce Meccage on the mound for The Pennington School. Meccage was drafted in the second round of the 2024 MLB draft by the Milwaukee Brewers.
tember from Phoenix, where he was playing with the Brewers’ team in the Instructional League
“It was a lot of emotion in the sense that my expectation of getting drafted earlier had been squashed,” Meccage said.
“It was pretty nerve wracking, but [I’m] super excited, and it was really unique to see the reactions of my family.”
* * *
Meccage was born to be an athlete. His father, Jeremy Meccage was a highly touted baseball player in his own rite. Jeremy pitched at the University of Iowa and was drafted twice by the Dodgers in the 90s.
“My dad was the reason I started baseball, and pretty much the reason for where I am at,” Meccage said.
His mother, Melisa, also attended the University of Iowa and was a part of the field hockey team. The two-time AllAmerican represented the United States in 1997.
Both of Meccage’s parents are on the coaching staff of their respective sports at Princeton University.
His parents also own the company Zag Tours. Predicated on giving sports teams opportunities to travel and play around the world, Zag has partnerships with over 25 countries. The travel company proved vital in building Meccage as a person growing up.
“I’d say a lot of my character, a lot of
my personality developed from traveling, being around new cultures and adapting,” Meccage said.
The family connection runs deeper in baseball than just Bryce and his father. Justin Meccage, Bryce’s uncle, was drafted by the Yankees in 2002 and is currently a bullpen coach with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Meccage played football and basketball growing up, but it became clear in high school that if he focused on baseball he could go far.
With all of Meccage’s talent, high schools from around the state hoped to land the pitcher. While The Pennington School is not known for its baseball prowess, Meccage made the decision to attend anyway.
“When I met with his family when he was in 8th grade, he told me he wanted to be the first player to ever be drafted out of high school from Pennington,” Pennington head coach Steve Kowalski told the Express.
He had the genes and the natural talent, but it took years of work for Meccage to become the player he is today. Going from a 2.80 ERA his freshman year at Pennington, down to 0.24 his junior year, Meccage was constantly adding to his routine to ensure he was the best he
could be.
“When you say a kid eat’s sleeps, dreams baseball, that’s all [Bryce] did,” Kowalski said.
A 14-year-old Meccage had his eyes set on putting Pennington baseball on the map, and that is just what he did. The commitment would pay off. In 2023, Meccage and Pennington claimed their first ever Prep B championship in a win over Rutgers Prep.
Meccage took the mound in that championship and threw seven shutout innings with 15 strikeouts, allowing only three hits. His goal of taking Pennington baseball to the mountaintop had been accomplished.
much. Bad luck played a role.
He was scheduled to pitch on certain days every week, but a flurry of rainouts interfered with his ability to pitch. Meccage ended up only pitching in five games, totaling 22 innings. The lack of game experience did not hurt his play at all, as he did not allow a single hit all season.
Despite not being able to affect the game as much as he wanted on the field, he did what he could to still impact the locker room.
“I tried to lay that egg for the other guys to build off of and have the same mentality that I had of trying to create the program,” Meccage said.
During his sophomore year, he committed to the University of Virginia. The Virginia baseball program has been a powerhouse in recent years making it to the College World Series two years in a row.
When the call came from the Brewers, Meccage was forced to decide between honoring his commitment to the Cavaliers or turning pro.
“It was hard, because I had a close relationship with the staff (at Virginia). But I had my mind set as soon as I was picked because I knew the financial situation,” said Meccage.
The right handed pitcher officially signed with the Brewers on July 26 for a contract worth $2.5 million. Meccage traveled to Milwaukee to make it official, and while there had the opportunity to address the media ahead of the Brewers matchup against the Marlins.
In 2023, Meccage was selected to participate in the U18 USA team minicamp and got a chance to be around the best players in the country. That experience helped him grow as a player even more heading into his final year at Pennington.
Meccage’s senior year, however, went a little different than the triumphant junior season. Unfortunately, Pennington’s schedule did not benefit the pitcher
Meccage finished his highschool career on May 15 with four hitless innings and 11 strikeouts against Hightstown in a 1-0 victory. Ultimately, it was just a so-so season for Pennington, who finished 10-10 and unable to replicate the playoff success from the season prior.
The chance of going pro right out of high school was always in the back of Meccage’s mind, but college ball seemed to be the more realistic option for years.
Meccage will spend the rest of 2024 working out in preparation for Spring Training. The first stop on his pro baseball journey will most likely be in Single-A ball with the Carolina mudcats.
“I think Bryce has the work ethic and the support around him to make it to the MLB quicker than people think,” Kowalski said. “It would not surprise me at all if he flies through the Brewers farm system.”
Re-Elect Deputy Mayor
Democrat for Hopewell Township Committee
Uma Purandare
Holding the Line on Township Spending
Closely reviewed the Township budget and made hard choices to keep spending down Held Township’s budget to a less than 2% increase, well below the rate of inflation
Continue to pay down Township debt for long-term savings
Defending our Environment and Rural Character
Helped preserve hundreds of acres of open space and farmland
Led effort for Hopewell Township’s certification as an eco-friendly community by Sustainable NJ
Building Community
Supported expansion of our Police Department
Launched the first multi-cultural festival in the Township
Expanded services from the Health Department, caring for the health and safety of the entire Hopewell Valley
Meccage
School bond referendum: what might have gone better?
Lisa Wolff HAPPY VALLEY
It’s a good thing the HVRSD bond vote was held at the fire department, because that referendum went down in flames, Failing by 65% in each borough and 70% in Hopewell Township.
No one should be celebrating this outcome because everybody loses. The students lose much-needed facility work. The taxpayers lose both the money of a failed election and faith their elected officials have their back. The overall community retreats to separate corners of division in the aftermath.
This school board referendum was a microcosm of our national political climate with both sides believing they hold the moral high ground. Hopefully, the solution for both lies in seeking better outcomes and unity for the future. Fortunately, our Hopewell issues are a simpler fix than global matters, but still require the discomfort of owning previous mistakes. Quoting Will McAvoy from Newsroom, “The first step in solving any problem is recognizing that there is one.”
Since it is all but certain we’ll see a new referendum attempt, let’s get into the post-mortem.
A quick note on why I’m the right person to examine this situation. First, I have intimate inside knowledge of the inner working of the Board of Education having served for almost a decade. Second, since I have not been on the board, nor followed their finances for over 5 years, I hold a great outside
perspective as an objective taxpayer.
Finally, the BOE I served with oversaw a referendum that passed with 65% in favor — representing the highest margins in HVRSD history.
I’ll summarize by saying that I thought the public facing process was the perfect Murphy’s Law storm – Anything that could go wrong, did. So, strap in. Community Incivility. Let me get the big one off the plate up front. It was simple to figure out that Vanessa Sandom designed and funded the Vote NO sign and card featuring a masked bandit. While Vanessa has done much good for the district, this action was not helpful. I immediately reached out to her to voice my disapproval.
I shared that it is best to assume that everyone comes from a place of good intentions and her broadcasted phrase, “Don’t be fooled” does not offer district staff and board volunteers that courtesy. Instead, it casts aspersions on the integrity of all involved and is an unnecessary low blow.
Why did criticism go viral? Proactive measures could have inoculated or at least minimized HVRSD from much of its troubles. The township committee receives criticism at every turn from other bipartisan former mayors and the public consistently tunes it out. Why did the words of Sandom and Hart strike a nerve?
It boils down to a striking pattern of unforced errors by the administration, and missteps from the school board. This two-part series will review suggestions for implementing a well-planned, successful referendum. Part one examines the administration’s actions,
and part two will review the board’s role.
Part 1: The Administration
I have always been a huge supporter of Superintendent Rosetta Treece. Yet, she is not a superhero, and should not be expected to go it alone. Her support system was inadequate. To portray the bond offering in its best light, she needed an administration to provide correct and complete information, and a school board to do basic proactive planning that facilitated an inclusive process.
Report consistent, easy to follow info. The district repeatedly advertised that an approved referendum would fetch $20-20.3 million in state aid, and of $87 Million requested, almost $60 million of projects were eligible for 40% state aid.
Calculating 40% of 60 suggests the district qualified for almost $24 million in state aid. So, should taxpayers presume $20 or $24 million in aid? All official district communications advertised the aid as “up to $20.3 million.”
The Final NJDOE Approved referendum submission indicates state aid of $23,861,199. Further, the NJ Globe reported that the failed referendum “would have received $23.9 million in state funding.”
More importantly, the school board resolution passed on July 15, as well as the voting ballot used by all referendum voters, also indicates the higher number.
My best guess for the discrepancy is that the administration understands math, but instead communicated an estimate of what aid might be if the state fails to fund its complete obligation. If so, that estimate is not guaranteed either, since past performance does not
guarantee future results. It’s best to stick with the facts. If need be, use an asterisk stating “subject to state funding.”
Recommendation: Advertise critically important numbers that are consistent and easy to understand.
Provide complete info. At the district’s townhall the moderator stated: “We’ve received a number of questions, this is for Mr. Duthie but Mr. Colavita might join, regarding, is it possible to share an itemized list of project costs?”
Mr. Duthie immediately told assistant superintendent Colavita about a known list, and Mr. Colavita said that “there is a list out there,” then did not say how or where to find it or offer to make it available. Instead, he went into a long explanation about not having detailed specifications written for contract bidding after the referendum passes. He added that HVRSD won’t publicly share costs because it would reduce opportunities in a competitive bid process.
In all likelihood, people were requesting the project costs used to determine the referendum’s $87 million, and not itemized lists that have not yet been created.
To research this column, I scanned the BOE website and found a report entitled “Project costs by school and type” by FVHD Architects delivered publicly February 2024 and would likely have satisfied most inquiries.
If the HVRSD townhall was intended to dispel rumors of unnecessary spending lacking transparency, that specific question was simple to anticipate. Yet the info was not shared at the town hall, does not appear either at HVRSD.org/ vote, nor in other media. It was easily the
defense.
Recommendation: Listen to paid experts, and err on the side of transparency. Provide future planning information. Easily, the most frequent concern raised by the public was that HVRSD assembled a Christmas list of all wants and needs, prioritized everything, did not consider alternative funding sources and planned nothing for the future.
I doubt that is true, but the administration should have provided evidence to the contrary.
When the 2016 referendum was presented, the board shared that while the arts and wellness addition did not qualify for state debt service aid, it would receive offsets from alternative funding.
For example, HVRSD spent $1.2 million on its first ever dedicated, permanent teaching space for arts, drama, and dance, including the famed Black Box theatre. That addition provided foundational facilities for our newly formed Theatre Arts Magnet Program which, to this day, receives annual state choice subsidies. In contrast, nothing was shared in 2024 about how Township PILOT funding might offset taxpayer burden.
Recommendation: Identify alternative revenue offsets.
The 2016 board advertised that through comprehensive audits of all facilities, they identified $60 million in maintenance and upgrade needs. Facilities leadership classified $35 million
as critical and the BOE initiated the referendum bond request.
Advertising the 2016 excluded $25 million demonstrated responsible planning to spend money when it was actually needed. For example, the CHS turf field was in the 4th year of an expected 10-year life; HVAC boilers, tennis courts, and paved roads enjoyed many additional years of extended life. All were staged, planned, and have since been replaced. In the 8 years since the last referendum, it’s likely other roofs still under warranty in 2016 are now due.
Recommendation: Routinely identify and publicize expected future costs to demonstrate fiscal responsibility and capital reserve planning.
Watch for Part 2 Next Month. While
administrative issues of incomplete and inconsistent numbers influenced the public’s decision to reject the referendum, the greater contribution to its ultimate demise were the errors of an inexperienced board that failed to anticipate known community concerns and adjust accordingly. Stay tuned. If future boards can recognize the preparation required to both advance student opportunities while satisfying voter needs, then providing a documented working strategy should help reunite our community.
Lisa Wolff is a co-founder of the outdoor equity alliance and an enthusiast for all things inspiring, generous, and local. email: lwolffhome@gmail.com.
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What do your neighbors think?
Depending upon when you are reading this, the presidential election is about a month away. In an effort to find out what our neighbors think about the election, I visited some of the hotbeds of political activism, namely the sidewalk in front of both the Pennington Market and the Pennington Circle ShopRite as well as the Sunday Farmers Market in Hopewell Borough. Got to go somewhere where the crowds gather in our semi-rural community.
Perhaps we need a township square.
Over the course of a week, I interrogated (and perhaps annoyed) 145 Hopewellians, 77 women and 68 men, asking two very quick questions:
1. Are you registered to vote?
2. What is the most important issue to you in the impending presidential election?
Many had very fast responses. Others seemed tongue-tied, saying that there were so many issues that selecting one was just too hard.
Since I assured people that the questions would be quick because everyone appeared to be in a rush, I did not solicit follow-up questions. However, many folks eagerly elaborated on their one-word responses.
While some couples shared the same views, in most cases, men and women
held different viewpoints as to what was most important to them.
All but one person was registered to vote, although two said vaguely, “As far as I know.”
The issue that produced the largest number of responses was The Economy (28 citations) which included comments on inflation, cost of living, jobs, tax policy change, student loan forgiveness and income inequality. One woman called for, “doing good things for the poor.”
The next most frequently identified issue (25 citations) was Women’s Rights, often refined to specifically mention reproductive rights, women’s healthcare, IVF, and abortion rights. One woman asserted “the freedom to pursue one’s own life choices.” Another woman likened the Dobbs decision to Jim Crow laws making for a two-tier system and “creating a patchwork of inequality.”
One man who mentioned abortion added that he was pro-life.
Eighteen respondents said, “Preservation of Democracy” was the most important issue, a phrase often repeated. Related comments included: supporting the Constitution, loss of freedoms, and the need for a peaceful transition of power.
Sixteen individuals referred to immigration or the border as crucial. Several spoke of limiting immigration of undocumented people.
Seven emphasized the environment or climate change.
Other issues mentioned were gun control, parental leave and childcare, Ukraine, never-ending war, revolving door lobbying and corruption.
Only one person said: “I’m registered but won’t vote. There’s no difference between the candidates. I’m not political.”
Another individual, when asked about the most important issue of the election said: “I don’t know. I haven’t looked into it yet.”
Various respondents provided abstractions regarding what they considered the most important election issue including civility, internal peace, kindness and character, decency, integrity, inclusivity, unity and vanity.
Not surprisingly, the strongest comments were directly related to the candidates. One woman said, “Vote for Kamala. That’s all I’m going to say.” One man said, “The first woman president would produce the biggest change ever seen.”
Another man said, “I’m voting for Trump ,and so are my wife and three daughters.”
Respondents called for a “good, honest, wonderful president,” “a president we can trust,” “someone who wants to do what’s best for the country,”
“someone to put it back together,” and “someone I like who has not offended me.”
Then there were the less gentle statements such as calling for, “Someone favoring country over self. Narcissistic behavior is a threat to national security.”
One man said dolefully, “Will our democratic institutions and Constitution survive? If we can preserve it, everything else including the economy will be fine.”
Not surprisingly, when I approached people, notebook in hand, they tended to react with leery looks, no doubt assuming that I was trying to sell them something. However, except for those people who declined to answer any questions because they had to pick up children, get back to work or were outright hostile to being questioned, most folks were delighted to be asked for their opinion.
And in case you are totally out of touch with the real world, Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 5. Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. for in-person voting. Vote as if your life depended on it, because it does.
SATURDAY & SUNDAY OCTOBER 12 TH & 13 TH 10AM - 5PM
Robin Schore lives in Hopewell Borough.
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