10-20 PE

ECHO

PRINCETON OCTOBER 2020 COMMUNITYNEWS.ORG

MEET THE CANDIDATES FOR BOARD OF EDUCATION. PAGE 11.

Keep Healthy Princeton offers flu shot clinics and other resources to help keep the community healthy this fall and winter.

Page 3

The Most Important 1 Percent

Columnist Pia de Jong contemplates the curious quirks of the battery lives of her children’s cell phones.

Page 19

Stay Up to Date

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Notice of Vote-by-Mail Election November 3, 2020 General Election The November 3, 2020 General Election will be conducted primarily via vote-by-mail ballots, which will be sent to all “Active” registered voters without the need for an application to receive a vote-by-mail ballot.

P.L. 2020, c. 72 requires you to sign the certification affixed to the margin of the flap on the inner envelope of the ballot notwithstanding the fact that you may not have applied for this ballot, but instead received this ballot automatically.

You will be provided a postage paid envelope for the return of your ballot through the United States Postal Service. You are not required to attach a stamp. You may also choose to deposit your ballot in one of the secure ballot drop boxes located throughout the county, return your ballot in-person to your County Board of Elections, or deliver your ballot to your assigned polling place on Election Day. Please contact your Board of Elections at 609-989-6522 or www.mercercounty.org/boards-commissions/board-of-elections for convenient ballot drop box locations.

Only you, the voter, can bring your ballot to your polling place on Election Day. If another person will be mailing your ballot, bringing it to a secure ballot drop box, or delivering it to the county Board of Elections, MAKE CERTAIN THAT PERSON COMPLETES THE “BEARER PORTION” ON THE ENVELOPE ADDRESSED TO THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS BEFORE THE BALLOT IS TAKEN FROM YOU. No person who is a candidate in this election is permitted to serve as a bearer. No person is permitted to serve as a bearer for more than three qualified voters in an election. IT IS AGAINST THE LAW FOR ANYONE EXCEPT YOU, THE VOTER, TO MAIL OR TRANSPORT YOUR BALLOT UNLESS THE OUTER ENVELOPE IS SEALED AND THE “BEARER PORTION” IS COMPLETED. A PERSON MAY BE FINED AND IMPRISONED AND MAY ALSO LOSE THE RIGHT TO VOTE UNTIL RESTORED BY LAW if that person attempts to vote fraudulently by mail-in ballot, prevents the voting of a legal voter, certifies falsely any information, interferes with a person’s secrecy of voting, tampers with ballots or election documents or helps another person to do so.

If you would like to learn the status of your ballot you can call 1-877-NJ-VOTER or go to TrackMyBallot.nj.gov 2Princeton Echo | October 2020

LEADING OFF

Keep healthy as the weather gets colder

F

requent hand washing, diligent mask wearing, and social distancing are the gold standard for avoiding a case of COVID-19, but as winter weather approaches a new public health measure becomes equally important. It’s time to get your flu shot.

With concern about the strain on healthcare resources when flu season overlaps with a potential resurgence in COVID-19 cases, officials are encouraging everyone to get their annual flu shot sooner rather than later.

To help in those efforts, Princeton is offering a number of flu shot clinics over the next month. Uninsured residents will be provided a free flu shot.

Appointments are required by calling the Princeton Health Department at 609-497-7608.

The schedule is as follows: Tuesday, October 13, 1 to 6 p.m., at Princeton Senior Resource Center, 45 Stockton Street.

Saturday, October 24, 10 a.m. to noon, at Stone Hill Church, 1025 Bunn Drive.

Wednesday, October 28, 4 to 6 p.m., at Witherspoon Hall, 400 Witherspoon Street.

Saturday, November 14, noon to 2 p.m. at Princeton Public Library, 65 Witherspoon Street.

D

uring the month of October the Princeton Senior Resource Center is also hosting a virtual health fair, featuring information aimed at seniors on

the current state of public health as well as resources available from area social service agencies.

Events, all held over Zoom, include: Tuesday, October 6, 3 p.m.: Presentation by Linda Kanner, a social worker with JFCS of Greater Mercer County, on “Grieving the Loss of Normal.”

Wednesday, October 7, 12:30 p.m.: Town hall meeting with Dr. George DiFerdinando, chair of the Board of Health, focusing on current state of the COVID-19 pandemic in the area.

Friday, October 9, 11:45 a.m.: Seminar on Medicare.

Friday, October 16, 11:45 a.m. Seminar on “Cooking with Senior Chefs.”

Friday, October 23, 11:45 a.m.: Seminar on medical marijuana.

Presentations from area nonprofits and government agencies will feature a 15-minute talk followed by questionand-answer sessions as follows, all starting at 3 p.m.: Thursday, October 22: Penn Medicine Princeton Health & Home Health.

Friday, October 23: Arm in Arm, Senior Care Services, and JFCS Senior Services.

Tuesday, October 27: Social Security, Office on Aging, and SHIP. Thursday, October 29: Central Jersey Legal, Consumer Affairs, and Mercer County Surrogate.

Friday, October 30: Princeton Human Services, Sustainable Princeton, and Princeton Affordable Housing.

For more information or to register for individual sessions, visit www. princetonsenior.org.

ECHO EDITOR Sara Hastings (Ext. 206) CONTRIBUTING COLUMNIST Pia de Jong PRODUCTION Stacey Micallef SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Jennifer Steffen (Ext. 113) ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Mark Nebbia (Ext. 115)

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October 2020 | Princeton Echo3

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he remodeling of a Princeton home originally built in the Usonian style by an apprentice of Frank Lloyd Wright has received top marks in the Qualified Remodeler Master Design Awards Contest. The renovation of 144 Drakes Corner Road, completed by Belle Mead-based architecture and construction firm Princeton Design Guild, earned gold in the “whole house more than $700,000” category.

The 1960s-era single-story home was considered a teardown, but Princeton Design Guild, led by founder and managing partner Kevin Wilkes, was able to preserve the original wood frame while adding a steel superstructure to enable to the addition of two floors above the original home.

The ground floor — once the entire house — now has three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a laundry room, and a family room.

The main entry to the house, via the driveway or

Left, the original one-story structure at 144 Drakes Corner Road. Above, Princeton Design Guild’s renovation, which added two stories while preserving and refurbishing the original structure.

the newly installed two-car garage, is to the second level of the home, which features open gathering spaces and a kitchen. The top floor contains the master suite as well access to a rooftop deck.

Views from the 3,826-square-foot home, which sits on 2.84 acres, are of the nearly 100-acre Woodfield Reservation.

“We are honored to receive this distinction,” Wilkes said in a statement. “The award acknowledges excellence, and we are very pleased to be recognized for our Drakes Corner Road design.”

Top Notch Medical Care On Your Doorstep Delivering on a reputation for providing excellent care, upscale service, engaging programs and an unparalleled, vibrant living experience, Maplewood Senior Living is proud to introduce its newest assisted living and memory care community, Maplewood at Princeton.

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833.269.1016 | MaplewoodAtPrinceton.com One Hospital Drive | Plainsboro, New Jersey 4Princeton Echo | October 2020

Outside the house, including from the thirdfloor roof deck, views are of the expansive Woodfield Reservation.

The main level indoors features an open floor plan.

Wilkes, a 1983 alumnus of Princeton University, founded Princeton Design Guild in 1985. The firm has worked on more than 600 custom residences in the Princeton area.

The renovated home at Drakes Corner Road is now on the market, listed by Jennifer Curtis of Callaway Henderson Sotheby’s. Asking price: $2,095,000.

Visit www.callawayhenderson.com.

For more information on Princeton Design Guild, visit www.pdguild.com.

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October 2020 | Princeton Echo5

RETAIL SCENE

Bright signs in the world of retail

I

n what have been challenging times for bricks-and-mortar retail establishments, Princeton has seen a few recent bright spots.

Homestead Princeton, the home furnishings and design store that first opened on Hulfish Street in 2012, has moved its operations to the former Princeton Packet building at 300 Witherspoon Street. A grand re-opening celebration took place September 20.

In a 2017 profile in the Princeton Echo, co-owner Ron Menapace noted that centuries-old barns and houses live on in wood used the custom-made tables or chairs sold at the store. “We’re interested in a timeless style,” he said.

So it’s fitting that Homestead’s new home, which has been rehabilitated and reimagined, once housed a newspaper that traces its origins to 1786.

“Repurposing this building celebrates Homestead Princeton’s legacy of salvaging lumber from historic structures to make our signature barnwood furniture,” co-owner Kristin Menapace said in a recent statement. “As Princetonians, we are proud to revive this storied building and we’re elated to call it our new home.”

Homestead Princeton, 300 Witherspoon Street. Open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m to 4 p.m.; Saturday 10

"Always Professional, Always Personal"

Left, Homestead Princeton’s new location at the old Princeton Packet building.

Above, Saeed Ishaq and Mayor Liz Lempert celebrate the opening of Princeton Convenience.

a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday noon to 5 p.m. essential items, is located at 148 Nassau www.homesteadprinceton.com or Street and owned by Saeed Ishaq.

For more than 50 years, that store609-688-0777. front belonged to Ricchard’s Shoes, lso bucking the trend of closing which opened in 1966. But the shoe and struggling stores is Prince­ store shut its doors at the beginning of ton Convenience, which celebrated the pandemic and in May announced its grand opening on Nassau Street that it would not reopen. last month. It was the first ribbon cutPrinceton Convenience, 148 Nassau ting for Princeton mayor Liz Lem- Street. Open Sunday through Thurspert since the onset of the COVID-19 day, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturpandemic. The store, which will carry day, 7 a.m to 10 p.m. 609-285-5107. food, drinks, phone chargers, and other

A

MERCER COUNTY

LOW-INCOMEMERCER HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (LIHEAP) COUNTY MERCER COUNTY

2020-2021 PROGRAM October 1, 2020 2017-2018BEGINS 2017-2018 ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS

ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS

The County of Mercer will be accepting applications for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) for the 2020-21 season beginning October 1, 2020.

Mercer County will continue accepting applications for the Universal Service Fund (USF) Program year. Residents pay their ownHome heating costs, and meet The Countythroughout of Mercer willthe be accepting applicationswho for the Low-Income Energy Assistance until 31, 2018.

Mercerfinancial County willassistance the following income guidelines, may be eligible to applications receive with their TheProgram County of(LIHEAP) Mercer will beMay accepting for the Low-Income Home continue accepting applications for the Universal Service Fund (USF) Program Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) until May 31, Mercer to County will winter heating bill. Residents with medical conditions may also2018. be eligible receive throughout the year.

Residents who pay their own heating costs, and Service meet theFund (USF) Program continue accepting applications for the Universal cooling assistance:

PROGRAM EXTENDED UNTIL MAY 31

PROGRAM EXTENDED UNTIL MAY 31

following incomethroughout guidelines, may be eligible to receive assistance with their the year.

Residents whofinancial pay their own heating costs, and meet the winter heating bill.

Residents with medical conditions may also be receive assistance with their MONTHLY INCOME GUIDELINES following income guidelines, may be eligible to eligible receivetofinancial cooling assistance.

winter heating bill. Residents with medical conditions may also be eligible to receive

Household Size cooling assistance.

92 Elm Ridge Rd, Princeton (Hopewell Twp)

1

USF Program

LIHEAP Program

$1,967

$2,127

MONTHLY INCOME GUIDELINES

MONTHLY INCOME Household Size USF Program LIHEAPGUIDELINES Program $2,658 2 $2,873 1 $1,759 $2,010 Household Size USF Program LIHEAP Program 2 $2,369 $2,707 $3,349 $1,759 $3,404 3 $3,620 $2,010 1 3 $2,978 4 $3,588 2 $2,707 $4,039 $2,369 $4,100 4 $4,367 $3,404 5 $4,198 3 $2,978 $4,797 6 $4,807 $5,494 4 $3,588 $4,730 5 $5,113 $4,100 7 $5,417 5 $4,198 $6,190 $4,797 8 $6,026 $6,887 $5,421 $4,807 6 6 $5,860 $5,494 9 $6,636 $7,584 7 $5,417 $6,190 10 $7,245 $7,935 $6,111 7 $6,607

8 $6,026 $6,887 9 $7,584 $6,802 $6,636 $7,353 10 contact the Mercer County $7,245 To request an application please Housing and Community $7,935 * Federal income limits are subject to change during the program year.

Development Office at (609) 989-6858 or during (609)the 989-6959.

Applications also be *Federal income limits are subject to change program year.

Please call can for incomes above 8 persons. obtained by visiting the Housing office at 640 South Broad Street, 1st floor, Room Due 106, to Covid-19 restrictions, time the public will only ableCounty to enter the building on an as To request at an this application please contact the be Mercer Housing and Community Trenton, NJ 08650. needed basis by appointment only.

If anatin-person appointment is 989-6959. necessary, Applications clients can call Development Office (609) 989-6858 or (609) can609-337also be st 0933 or email heatingappt@mercercounty.org to schedule an appointment. floor, Room obtained by visiting the Housing office at 640 South Broad Street, 1 Locations & Hours: Hamilton Office - County Connection 106, Trenton, NJ 08650. Hamilton Square Shopping Center Trenton Office Beginning October 1, 2020 the County will temporarily be operating an outdoor informational center adjacent to 640 South Broad Street – Rm 106 957 Highway 33 at Paxson Avenue the 640 South Broad Street building. Clients will be able to drop off applications and access information from Trenton, NJ 08650 Hamilton, NJ 08690 Hamilton Office - County Connection Locations & Hours: LIHEAP staff. – 4:30pm M-F 8:30am Tues & Thurs 10:00am-12:00pm (by appt. only) Center Trenton Office Hamilton Square Shopping Saturdays – 4/7 & 5/5 (Wednesday open until 6:30pm) The County will continue to receive applications up until the deadline of Highway July 31,33 2021 by regular mail, fax, 640 South Broad Street – Rm 106 957 at Paxson Avenue 10:00am-1:00pm (walk-ins) Trenton,forms, NJ 08650 08690 and email. Applications, and information can be accessed atHamilton, this site: NJhttp://www.mercercounty.org/ M-F 8:30am – 4:30pm Tues & Thurs 10:00am-12:00pm (by appt. only) departments/housing-community-development/housing-and-community-development-programs Board of Chosen Edward Pattik Saturdays – 4/7 & 5/5 (Wednesday open until 6:30pm) Freeholders Housing Director (walk-ins) Applications can be sent by regular mail, fax, and email: 10:00am-1:00pm * Federal income limits are subject to change during the program year.

8

TERESA CUNNINGHAM MOBILE 609.802.3564 OFFICE 609.921.2600 BusyTC@gmail.com BusyTC.com

6Princeton Echo | October 2020

Mercer County LIHEAP/USF Programs Edward Pattik 106 Housing Director P.O. Box 8068 Trenton, NJ 08650-0068 Brian M. Hughes, County Executive email address: housing@mercercounty.org Fax: 609-278-2758 Board of Chosen Edward Pattik Brian M. Hughes, County Executive Freeholders Housing Director Brian M. Hughes, County Executive Board of Chosen 640 S. Broad St, Room Freeholders

HEALTH

OCTOBER 2020

@capitalhealthnj

HEADLINES

B I - M O N T H LY N E W S F R O M C A P I TA L H E A LT H

CAPITAL HEALTH BECOMES REGION’S

FIRST CENTER OF EXCELLENCE IN ROBOTIC SURGERY Capital Health confirms its role as a nationally recognized health care leader with world-class expertise and advanced technology.

In August, Capital Health Medical Center- Hopewell was designated a Center of Excellence in Robotic Surgery”by Surgical Review Corporation (SRC). The Center of Excellence accreditation distinguishes Capital Health as having met rigorous, internationally recognized standards in providing the safest, highest quality of care and surgical capabilities.

“Capital Health’s designation as a Center of Excellence in Robotic Surgery affirms our commitment of providing patients along the Philadelphia, New Jersey, New York corridor with access to the most advanced medical technologies, expert physicians, and world-class, patient care close to home,” said DR. CATALDO DORIA, medical director of the Capital Health Cancer Center and physician director of the Center of Excellence in Robotic Surgery.

Robotic-assisted surgery — sometimes referred to as highprecision surgery — may be an option to traditional surgery.

Considered minimally invasive, robotic-assisted surgery is known for its many benefits including smaller incisions, lower risk of infection, less pain, and faster recoveries. It can be used to as a treatment for many cancers, including colon, gynecologic, head and neck, liver, lung, prostate, and pancreatic cancers.

Under the direction of Dr. Doria, expertise within the hospital’s robotic surgery program has grown dramatically. In 2019, Capital Health’s surgeons performed more than 550 robotic surgery

cases, making it the leading hospital in the country for single robot cases. The surgical team has also expanded to include surgeons with highly specialized expertise including: … ASHLEE GODSHALK RUGGLES, MD, colorectal surgeon … ERIC MAYER, MD, director, Urologic Robotic Surgery, Capital Health – Urology Specialists … JOYCE VARUGHESE, MD, FACOG, medical director, Gynecologic Oncology … AFRICA F. WALLACE, MD, director, Thoracic Surgery As part of Capital Health’s commitment to provide the highest level of quality care and expertise, it recently invested in a dual console for its da Vinci® surgical platform to provide for a wider range of surgeries and its growing roster of surgeons with minimally invasive surgical experience. The dual console also enables a second surgeon to assist in surgeries and serves as a conduit for future surgical training.

To learn more Capital Health’s Center of Excellence in Robotic Surgery, please visit capitalhealth.org.

Health Headlines by Capital Health | Princeton Echo7

CAPITAL HEALTH MEDICAL GROUP ADDS THREE FELLOWSHIP TRAINED RHEUMATOLOGISTS TO SPECIALTY PRACTICE Capital Health Medical Group recently welcomed DRS. WILLIAM TORELLI, SEHRIS KHAWAJA, and RISHI PATEL, fellowship trained rheumatologists, to its Capital Health – Rheumatology Specialists practice. With this expansion, Capital Health continues to meet an important need for diagnosing and treating autoimmune conditions and diseases that affect the joints, muscles and bones that cause pain, swelling, stiffness, and deformity.

William Torelli, DO

The new providers join Dr. Sajina Prabhakaran in the medical office building at Capital Health Medical Center – Hopewell, located at Two Capital Way, Suite 550, Pennington, New Jersey 08534. New offices will also open soon in Newtown, Pennsylvania and Bordentown, New Jersey.

“Rheumatology is a very complex area of specialization, and we’re pleased to have Dr. Khawaja, Dr. Patel and Dr. Torelli join our team,” said Dr. Joshua Eisenberg, chief medical officer of the Capital Health Medical Group. “Their training and experience add great depth to the services that are available at Capital Health – Rheumatology Specialists, and we’re pleased to offer the residents of our community a growing team of specialists to accurately diagnose these complicated conditions and develop personalized treatment plans that are carefully coordinated with referring physicians.”

DR. TORELLI received his medical degree from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and completed his internal medicine residency at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, Pennsylvania. He was fellowship trained in rheumatology, including training in musculoskeletal ultrasound, at Lehigh Valley Health Network in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Dr. Torelli is a member of the American College of Physicians and the American Osteopathic Association.

DR. PATEL received his medical degree at Drexel University College of Medicine in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and completed his internal medicine residency at Cooper University Hospital/Cooper Medical School of Rowan University in Camden, New Jersey. He completed his rheumatology fellowship at North Shore-Long Island Jewish Medical Center, part of Northwell Health/Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra University in Great Neck, New York.

Fluent in English and Gujarati (and conversant in Hindi and Spanish), Dr. Patel is a member of the American College of Rheumatology and the American College of Physicians.

8 Princeton Echo | Health Headlines by Capital Health

Rishi Patel, MD

Sehris Khawaja, DO

DR. KHAWAJA received her medical degree at West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine and completed her internal medicine residency at Lehigh Valley Health Network in Allentown, Pennsylvania. She was fellowship trained in rheumatology at Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, D.C., during which time she also provided care for patients at the Washington DC Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Dr. Khawaja is a member of the American College of Rheumatology, American College of Physicians, and the Association of Women in Rheumatology.

Appointments with Dr. William Torelli, Dr. Sehris Khawaja, and Dr. Rishi Patel can be scheduled by calling 609.303.4360. For more information, visit capitalrheumatology.org.

The team at Capital Health – Rheumatology Specialists treats conditions that include (but are not limited to) rheumatoid arthritis, gout, pseudogout, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, psoriatic arthritis, enteropathic arthritis, lupus, Sjogren’s syndrome, mixed connective tissue disease, vasculitis, and scleroderma. With cutting-edge testing and imaging technology conveniently available under one roof at Capital Health Medical Center – Hopewell, the rheumatology team provides diagnoses and care plans tailored to each patient, which can include medication such as steroids, disease modifying agents, or biologics (genetically-engineered from human genes).

Other treatment options may include therapeutic ultrasound-guided joint aspirations and injections offered on an outpatient basis to help relieve pain and pressure. Through prescriptions and careful monitoring, the team at Capital Health – Rheumatology Specialists works with patients to reduce immune responsiveness, control the symptoms of their disease, and help prevent potential long-term complications.

Capital Health – Rheumatology Specialists is part of the larger Capital Health Medical Group, an extensive network of care with more than 400 primary and specialty care providers across three counties in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

For more information, visit capitalmedicalgroup.org.

Capital Health Earns

NATIONAL LGBTQ HEALTH CARE EQUALITY LEADER DESIGNATION Capital Health has earned designation as an LGBTQ Healthcare Equality Leader in the Healthcare Equality Index (HEI) 2020 survey administered by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. HEI is the national LGBTQ benchmarking tool that evaluates health care facilities’ policies and practices related to the equity and inclusion of their Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) patients, visitors and employees. To earn this designation, Capital Health received an overall survey score of 100.

“Capital Health’s designation as an LGBTQ Health Care Equality Leader affirms our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion in the care we deliver to our patients,

our relationship with the communities we serve and the support we provide for our employees,” said DR. ERIC I. SCHWARTZ, vice president of Community Health and Transformation and executive director of Capital Health’s Institute for Urban Care.

“We believe our diversity is our strength, and programs like our Pride Initiative help ensure that we provide a safe and inclusive environment for everyone, including our lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer employees, patients and visitors.”

Every year, the Human Rights Campaign Foundation recognizes the health care facilities that participate in the HEI survey for their dedication and commitment to LGBTQ inclusion. Of the 765 health care facilities that participated in the 2020 survey, Capital Health was one of 495 to earn top honors as an LGBTQ Health Care

Keeping It Real With VIRTUAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS FOR EXPECTING PARENTS In the best of times, preparing for the birth of a child can be a time of joy and anxiety. In the midst of a pandemic, the experience may seem overwhelming. To safely provide guidance and instruction during these uncertain times, Capital Health now offers virtual childbirth and parenting education programs on the popular Zoom platform.

“Capital Health is an established health care leader with a long history of helping families get off to healthy starts in Mercer, Burlington, and Bucks counties,” said Meredith Coronato, coordinator of Capital Health’s Childbirth and Parent Education Program. “The health and well-being of our community is always our top priority, so we’re taking our childbirth and parent education programs online in response to the COVID-19 crisis to make sure expecting parents safely get the information they need to keep their growing families on the road to good health.”

Capital Health’s Childbirth and Parent Education Program offers a range of classes to help prepare expecting mothers and partners to be the best parents possible by teaching them about the process of birth, how to care for their infants, and how to access sources of support following the birth of their babies. Classes are taught by experienced, certified childbirth educators and board certified lactation consultants using the remote Zoom format.

For a complete listing of program offerings, or to register for a class, visit capitalhealth.org/childbirth.

Equality Leader designation. Capital Health upholds a model of equality and respect for the LGBTQ community by providing a welcoming environment for LGBTQ clients, consumers, patients and staff; offering training opportunities to all employees to better serve the LGBTQ community; and implementing the Pride Initiative to demonstrate its commitment to inclusion to the community at large.

To learn more about Capital Health’s commitment to providing equitable health care to all patients regardless of sexual orientation, gender, race or religion, visit capitalhealth.org/pride.

UPCOMING VIRTUAL CHILDBIRTH AND PARENTING EDUCATION PROGRAMS BABY CARE BASICS VIRTUAL CLASS October 13, 2020 at 6 p.m.

November 10, 2020 at 6 p.m.

November 24, 2020 at 6 p.m.

December 8, 2020 at 6 p.m.

December 22, 2020 at 6 p.m.

Taught by an experienced, certified childbirth and parent educator, this class helps prepare first-time expectant parents to care for their newborn.

ASK THE LACTATION CONSULTANT AND CHILDBIRTH EDUCATOR Second Thursday of the Month at 2 p.m.

An opportunity for expectant parents to ask any questions they have about their upcoming birth experience at Capital Health.

UNDERSTANDING BIRTH ONE-DAY CONDENSED PREPARED VIRTUAL CHILDBIRTH CLASS October 10, 2020 at 9 a.m.

October 24, 2020 at 9 a.m.

November 7, 2020 at 9 a.m.

November 21, 2020 at 9 a.m.

December 5, 2020 at 9 a.m.

December 19, 2020 at 9 a.m.

Class is taught by an experienced, certified childbirth educator, this is an intensive day to prepare the expectant woman and her labor support person for the birth experience.

VIRTUAL NEW PARENT SUPPORT GROUP Mondays at 1 p.m.

The free support group for new parents with babies under one year old is facilitated by a board certified lactation consultant from Capital Health’s Lactation Center.

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Beginning November 6, 2020 at 6:30 p.m.

Beginning December 2, 2020 at 6:30 p.m.

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November 2, 2020 at 6 p.m.

November 16, 2020 at 6 p.m.

November 30, 2020 at 6 p.m.

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Taught by a board certified lactation consultant from Capital Health’s Lactation Center, this class is taken before the birth of the baby.

Health Headlines by Capital Health | Princeton Echo9

Capital Health – Behavioral Health Specialists is now scheduling appointments in Bordentown (1 Third Street), but will eventually move to the new, state-of-the-art Capital Health – Bordentown facility (pictured above). Appointments are also available in Hamilton.

NEW OFFICE IN BORDENTOWN FOR CAPITAL HEALTH

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SPECIALISTS Capital Health – Behavioral Health Specialists, part of Capital Health Medical Group, is now scheduling appointments at a new office location at 1 Third Street, Bordentown, New Jersey 08505 (just off Park Street). Current and new patients can now see DRS. CHRISTI WESTON and ARVIND BHASKER, as well as licensed clinical social workers KRISTIN CARDONA-COCCIA and CHELSEA HOAGLAND, at the new secondary location. The phone number is 609.689.5725 and office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

“During these unprecedented times, many people are facing a variety of mental health challenges,” said Dr. Christi Weston, medical director of Capital Health – Behavioral Health Specialists.

“We’re happy to expand our presence in Burlington County and make access to this important area of specialization more convenient to those who need it most in that part of Capital Health’s service area.”

As part of Capital Health’s expansion into Burlington County, construction of its multi-specialty Capital Health – Bordentown facility is nearing completion. Capital Health – Behavioral Health Specialists will eventually relocate to this new, state-of-the art building, which is currently home to Capital Health Primary Care – Bordentown and specialists from Rothman Orthopaedic Institute.

According to the National Institutes for Health, more than 44 million adults in the United States are living with a mental health issue, yet less than half of them receive treatment. Addressing the need for behavioral health services in our community, the team at Capital Health Behavioral Health Specialists provides compassionate psychiatric care and counseling services in a warm, calming environment. The team of highly skilled psychiatrists, psychologists, therapists and advanced practice clinicians use innovative treatment modalities to help people overcome obstacles and lead healthier, happier lives. They diagnose and treat a broad range of behavioral health conditions and offer a variety of psychotherapy groups that provide safe, comfortable and non-judgmental spaces to help people connect with others who share similar struggles and together learn skills to improve their lives.

To schedule an appointment with a Capital Health – Behavioral Health Specialists provider at their Hamilton or Bordentown locations, call 609.689.5725 or visit capitalhealth.org/behavioralhealth for more information.

10 Princeton Echo | Health Headlines by Capital Health

Therapy for Adults Experiencing Depression SHIFT: Group Thursdays | 2 p.m. | Location: Zoom Meetings* Facilitator: Kristen Cardona – Coccia *You will receive Zoom meeting details after registration is complete.

SHIFT will teach you new, healthier ways of thinking, feeling and behaving while you gain new perspectives on how to manage your depression.

Group therapy provides benefits that individual therapy may not. Psychologists say, in fact, that group members are almost always surprised by how rewarding the group experience can be. Groups can act as a support network and a sounding board. Other members of the group often help you come up with specific ideas for improving a difficult situation or life challenge, and hold you accountable along the way.

Regularly talking and listening to others also helps you put your own problems in perspective. Oftentimes, you may feel like you are the only one struggling — but you’re not.

It can be a relief to hear others discuss what they’re going through and realize you’re not alone. … Fatigue or loss of energy almost every day SYMPTOMS … Feelings of worthlessness or guilt of DEPRESSION almost every day may include: … Impaired concentration, indecisiveness … Insomnia or hypersomnia (excessive sleeping) almost every day … Markedly diminished interest or pleasure in almost all activities nearly every day (called anhedonia, this symptom can be indicated by reports from significant others) … Restlessness or feeling slowed down … Recurring thoughts of death or suicide … Significant weight loss or gain (a change of more than 5 percent of body weight in a month) The time to SHIFT to a healthier, happier you is now.

To sign up, call Capital Health – Behavioral Health Specialists at 609.689.5725. This group therapy program will be billed to your health insurance.

Meet the school board candidates E ight candidates are competing for three spots on the Prince­ ton Board of Education in the November 3 election. Incumbents Beth Behrend and Michele Tuck Ponder will each seek a second term, while six other candidates — Adam Bierman, Jean Durbin, Hendricks Davis, and the slate of Paul Johnson, Karen Lemon, and former board member Bill Hare — hope to fill the seat being vacated

by Jessica Deutsch, who did not seek re-election.

The Echo asked each candidate to answer the questions at right about their backgrounds, experience, and priorities for the schools. Their answers are presented below in alphabetical order by last name.

Beth Behrend Please note that while I am President of the Board of Education, I write here as a private citizen, PPS parent and taxpayer, and not on behalf of the Board.

Background: I am a product of public schools, originally from Hartland, Wisconsin, with degrees from UW-Madison and Michigan Law School. I worked in New York and

Background: Please tell us in brief where you are from originally, your academic and professional background, your age, and when and why you moved to Princeton.

Family: Please identify your spouse or significant other, their occupation or employer, and ages of your children. Where have your children attended school and where are they now?

Community Involvement: What activities or organizations have you been involved in that relate to education or the local community, either here or other places you have lived? What caused you to first get involved?

The Issues: Why are you running for school board? Please identify the issues that are of particular concern to you, or that you feel are of greatest importance to the community.

abroad as a corporate attorney advising eton to raise our family because of the excellent pubFortune 500 comlic schools and panies on global the vibrant, financings, joint It is essential that the ventures, acquisi- Board secure and retain an d i v e r s e community. tions, governance, and regulatory experienced permanent Family: My matters. In 2001 I husband Robmoved to with my superintendent, partnering ert works for husband, Robert to set clear goals around BlackRock.

Eaton, to Princeton, Our three chilwhere I served as equity, cultural literacy, dren, ages 14, corporate counsel 16, and 18, and student wellness. for a biopharmahave attended ceutical company Riverside Elefor nine years. We settled in Princ- mentary, the Princeton Unified Middle

Educating to lives of exceptional leadership and service

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School, The Pennington School, and PHS. Our oldest (PHS 2020) is a freshman at Princeton University.

Community involvement: In 2010 I turned my attention to my young children and to community service, focusing on the schools, and met the remarkable Dorothy Mullen, Riverside School garden founder. Volunteering with Dorothy led to running the Riverside Green Team, serving as VP of Gardens, and orchestrating the “Healthy Children, Healthy Planet” garden fundraiser, raising over $50,000 over five years. I successfully advocated for paid garden educators and the integration of garden education into the district-wide curriculum, and also co-led the Riverside PTO. I worked with District leadership as a member of the PTO Council and taught religious education at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Princeton (UUCP). I also served on the boards of the Watershed Institute, the NJ League of Conservation Voters Education Fund, the Princeton School Garden Cooperative, and UUCP. At age 52, I am finishing my first term on the Board of Education, See CANDIDATES, Page 12

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CANDIDATES, continued from page 11

where I have served as president since 2019 and currently sit on the Board’s Finance, Facilities, Policy, Student Achievement (alternate), and Ad Hoc Planning Committees.

The issues: I am running again because I believe proven leadership and experience is what the Board needs to navigate the pandemic and the challenges ahead. During my two years as president, the Board found over $500,000 in recurring savings to stabilize the budget, dramatically improved building maintenance and made bold changes to better meet the needs of all students — through the initiation of free Pre-K, the adoption of restorative justice and a strategic 1:1 device initiative that provided all students equal access to technology.

Looking ahead, it is essential that the Board secure and retain an experienced

permanent superintendent, partnering to set clear goals around equity, cultural literacy, and student wellness — all areas where we have heard clearly from our students that we can do better. We must measure and ensure accountability for the many equity measures currently in place, determine what works and what doesn’t, and adopt a more comprehensive K-12 approach to supporting our most vulnerable students.

We must continue to reduce costs and spend more effectively; plan creatively for rising enrollments; review county services, and; advocate at the state level for legislative changes to provide additional sources of revenue/savings so we can continue providing all students with an excellent education at an affordable price.

Public education is the cornerstone of our democracy, and it would be a

great honor to continue, on behalf of the 32,000 citizens of this community, the hard work of ensuring that our schools deliver an effective, equitable education for all of our children.

I am happy to clarify my positions and look forward to hearing the concerns and questions of Princeton voters. Please contact me at behrendforboe@gmail.com.

Adam Bierman Background: I am a native Prince­ tonian. I went through the thenPrinceton Regional Schools from K-to Princeton High ’78. I received an BA and MA in international affairs and public policy from Rutgers.

Family: My daughter went to Stuart and is now a sophomore in college.

My wife is originally from Ecuador and

Adam Bierman, left, Beth Behrend, Hendricks Davis, and Jean Durbin.

works at the charity clinic at Princeton Hospital. Before I came back home, in the ’90s I worked in El Salvador, Ecuador, and Taiwan. Currently I work as a teacher at a state-run program for young teen moms in Trenton. The site offers daycare for their kids and the goal is to give the young women the stability/support needed to get their high school diploma. We have two indulged but not spoiled dogs.

Community involvement: I was re-elected to the Princeton Democratic Mercer County Committee (PDMC); became a full member of the Princeton Transit Authority Commission (PTAC). I am a Communications Workers of America (CWA)

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shop steward where I work and also Issues: Keeping Princeton Schools a member of CWA (LPAC ) which is excellent and affordable. Cutting involved in issues of interest to the wasteful spending. PPS has incredible CWA on the state level. I am working financial resources. We are third highto implement the est spending per Ne i g h b o r h o o d student of the 97 Buddy Program As a BOE member and school districts in spearheaded our peer group. by Sustainable an independent thinker, Yet the 2019Princeton’s Jenny I promise to scrutinize ’20 budget laid Ludmer and off teachers and C ou n c i lp e r s on closely all spending raised taxes.

David Cohen.

Driving money I produced and requests and to leave no into the class. hosted Breezin path undiscovered.

Teachers over exwith Bierman on pensive buildings.

Princeton TV for Getting the stuthe past 18 years. On the same station dents back into school as soon as pos(2017-2019 ) I hosted a show that cov- sible. ered everything Princeton called PrinHow I got involved into the BOE: cetionia NOW. “Those who forget history are doomed

to repeat it! Yes this Santayana quote has become cliche, and he should be known for more than this saying. For what I am about to say the quote is apt. I do have an institutional memory when it comes to BOE referenda.

We had a terribly botched operation in 2005. Shoddy construction, dysfunctional HVAC, mold, fire between walls, an auditorium that floods. Or let me put this point another way, we have spent over $200 million on our school buildings and we still have mold and dysfunctional HVAC. Would you run your own house like the taxpayers money pit mentioned above?

It does seem competence has returned with a new school facilities management team. When I heard David Harding, director of plant operations, say in a public meeting he “did not trust any contractor” I felt more

From left: Bill Hare, Paul Johnson, Karen Lemon, and Michele Tuck Ponder.

confident someone was watching the store. Trust but verify, I say. The BOE is a part-time, all-volunteer board. Individual members have very little experience in facilities, finance, and construction. Collectively they do not have the acumen needed to adequately vet and carry out long-term, large-scale facility projects. They need a full-time person (we could find a volunteer) to oversee, coordinate, and communicate these projects.

Then in 2018 the BOE came up with a bloated, ill-conceived $187 million referendum, complete with plans for carving out a functional learning area See CANDIDATES, Page 14

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son neighborhood I became involved in the life of the community and, over time, have served on the Regional Planning Board, the Consolidation Task Force, District Committeeman, the Princeton Senior Center Board of Trustees, and have been active in the Witherspoon Jackson Neighborhood Association. Though I have had no children in the Princeton schools, I have worked on behalf of children as a member of the board and President of Advocates for Children of New Jersey and have been a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate.)

Also, I have worked with Princeton students and families by initiating the Academic Success Today program through Corner House and the Middle School and the High Quest A Bridge to Success (now Summer Bridge) program of the Princeton-Blairstown Cen-

at PHS, which sounded to me like the discredited “open space” learning concept of the 1970s.

They wanted to build a new middle school. When a concerned group asked about fixed costs at this school, the superintendent at the time was unable to give an answer History was repeating itself. Finally sounder minds for fiscal advocacy on the BOE led by Dafna Kendal pared down the referendum to the current $27 million to meet our schools’ most pressing needs: mold remediation, air conditioning, and more classrooms, due to be completed in summer, 2021. Instead of building a new school, I am in favor of more costeffective utilization of vacant space in 23 Industrial Drive our schools and adding on to existing 23 Industrial Hamilton, NJ Drive 08619 buildings.

In my opinion , in the past too many Hamilton, NJ 08619 members of the BOE have blindly supported the superintendent and his I have a life-long administration without asking all the tough questions or exploring every commitment to education option. As a BOE member and an independent thinker, I promise to scru- and the positive growth tinize closely all spending requests and and development of to leave no path undiscovered.

You can change the Princeton Board children and youth. of Education. This is no time to raise taxes or delay truly critical fixes. Budget better without outside consultants. ter. It’s been great to see the positive Together we‘ll make the most of re- impacts that innovative educational sources we have: our teachers, our local experiences and opportunities can have on the lives of students. If “it takes talent, and our already high taxes.

For more on the cost saving, trans- a village to raise a child” it absolutely parency among BOE members, and is necessary for the whole community more issues go to Adam Bierman for (parents, teachers, counselors, volunFamily Owned and Operated Princeton Board of Education on Face- teers) to contribute to their education, and their growth into adulthood as book. positive participants of society.

My professional experience includes: •Hendricks Post-Surgery/Injury Davis • Psychiatric Social Work Supervisor Background: I amCare a native of at the Glen Gardner Center for Geriat• Companion DC, where I attended rics; •Washington, Around the Clock Care• Executive Director of the Newark public schools, graduating from WestHigh Schooland (now the Duke El- Day Center which served children, •ernBonded Insured lington High School of the Performing youth, and adults in three early childhood care and education centers, a seArts).

I received the BA degree (sociology) nior center and the Newark Fresh Air from the Defiance College, (Ohio). Fund; • Director of Field Education, PrincAfter graduation I performed and reeton Seminary, supervising pastors and corded with the “Sons of Thunder” a Call us today for your students churches, hospitals, prisons, Jesus-rock band from the Washington customized DC area. I came to care Princetonplan to at- and on internships • Development Consultant, Intertend Princeton Theological Seminary from which I received the M. Div and national Fellowship of Reconciliation Th.M degrees; I also received the MSW (Alkmaar, Netherlands); conceived and • Post-Surgery/Injury degree from Rutgers University New obtained funding for the Non-violence Education and Training Program Brunswick.

• Consultant, Corner House (Princ• Companion Care Community Involvement: After eton, NJ) developed and John Withworking for the State of New Jersey and erspoon Middle School (initiated www.janscaregiverservices.com • Around the Clock Care the Newark Day Center, I returned to Academic Success Today academic Princeton to be the associate director mentoring program.high s • Bonded and Insured and then (after a year) the director of • Executive Director, Princefield education at Princeton Seminary. ton-Blairstown Center (Princeton References available from current and past clients I purchased my home on John Street in University)-outdoor adventure, expe1983 and began the process of renovat- riential education and academic supCall us today for your customized care plan ing and developing the property, doing port through High Quest (summer much of the work myself and with the education, leadership development for help of students and colleagues from Princeton, Trenton, Newark, and NYC the seminary. high school students) www.janscaregiverservices.com Moving into the Witherspoon Jack• Executive Director, Newark Habi-

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Issues: I am running for the Princeton Board of Education because I have: a life-long commitment to education and the positive growth and development of children and youth; the years of experience in and effective leadership of educational, community, and advocacy organizations; a collaborative and engaged approach to planning; critical listening skills and discernment of shared values. These are assets that our BoE and community need to fulfill our mission to educate students.

Three critical issues/opportunities that must be faced: reopening schools in the midst of pandemic and other societal “disruptions” and attending with care to the social/emotional wellbeing of students, teachers and staff while sustaining excellent academic programs and opportunities; 2) hiring the permanent superintendent whose vision, values and educational mission aligns with the district’s and community’s; 3) planning for growth of the student population over the next decade and changes in the local community, nation and world that will present over the next generation.

Jean Durbin

trial, which offered additional social an array of issues related to justice, de- courage play. and emotional learning around the is- mocracy and our political process.

I also served on the board of the sue of race in America. We also pulled During my recent service as a Mercer Princeton Education Foundation together to study and share notes and County Big Sister, I learned from our (PEF), and after that board service, cooutlines, which I understood to be high school students what it is like to chaired two PEF galas. I served as an quite different from the competitive feel marginalized based on your race, occasional class parent and enjoy raisday student experience. After gradua- ethnicity, income, or gender. These rev- ing money for our booster clubs. Fition, I pursued fulfilling work for the elations were shocking and saddening nally, my family and I have worked for City of Philadelphia Law Department, to me as a parent. My decision to run over a decade to support and promote where I learned from wonderful col- for the board is based in part on my youth sports, particularly through leagues how to analyze and defend service as a Mercer County Big Sister Princeton Little League, with an eye cases with integrity. and the Civil Rights Commission given towards community building. That serUpon moving to Princeton, I had to its regular work with our schools. vice has been an irreplaceable gift. leave the City of Philadelphia Law DeI’ve served our schools as a co-presThe issues: I’m volunteering to partment due to a residency require- ident of the Littlebrook PTO, member serve on the board because I’d like to ment. I was fortunate to be hired by of the PTO Council, and parent coordi- support our schools and community as Princeton University’s Office of De- nator of Littlebrook Chess Club. Chess we face difficult challenges, including: velopment as the liaison to the Office club was a highlight for me. I served of the President during a large capital for eight years and was able to partner 1) the hiring of a new superintendent, campaign. I served for five years in this with the PTO to implement a school- 2) ensuring equity and success for all fulfilling role. Then I raised money for wide chess residency, where each child of our students and working to close the Arts Council and the Institute for received instruction in the game and the achievement and opportunity gaps, Advanced Study before returning to each classroom and the afterschool 3) fostering authentic dialogue in our the practice of law. I counseled non- program were gifted chess sets to enSee CANDIDATES, Page 16 profits and individuals and also served as Assemblyman Andrew Zwicker’s policy director.

I currently lead the contracts management program in procurement services within the Office of Finance & Treasury at Princeton University and am in my fourth year. My work has enabled me to: (1) learn how a premier nonprofit educational institution functions at the highest level; (2) counsel organizations on an array of practical, strategic and legal issues; (3) manage and negotiate contracts while stewarding resources; and (4) effect strong public policy using evidence and data to inform decision-making.

My husband, Jon, and I moved our family to Princeton 14 years ago for a number of reasons, in particular for the excellent, diverse public schools. Jon is a history book editor and vice president at W.W. Norton. He is steady, loyal, and true. Both of our boys went through Golden Paws offers: PPS, and one is now a sophomore in college and the other is a sophomore Fun activity packages with playtime and exercise atGolden PHS. Paws Ad Content for Robbinsville Advance May 2018 Anniversary Issue

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Background & Family: I am from a small town in Somerset County in southwestern Pennsylvania. The area is known for farming, coal, and steel and has been economically struggling since I was a child. I went to a rural public school and then on to Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where I majored in English. After working in a publishing house, W.W. Norton & Co., for three years, I moved to Philadelphia to earn an M.S.W. at the University of Pennsylvania. I managed a health food store during this time.

Upon graduation from Penn I worked as a hospice social worker for several A selection of luxurious accommodations Community years. Then I pur• A trained and caring pet care team to pamper your pet involvement: sued a law degree I currently serve Meeting the needs of while working durFull service grooming to go home relaxed and refreshed on the Princing the day, and I our children in the face eton Civil Rights graduated from the Commission, evening division at of projected growth “Where We Treat Your Pets Like Gold.” where we are Temple Universiworking on a ty’s Beasley School with limited community Summer vacations are around the corner… Have you made your pet’s plans yet? Golden Paws Pet Resort & Spa of Law. number of vacation iniThis was the best resources will require tiatives to help 8 Sharon Road, Robbinsville, NJ 08691 educational expe- thoughtful collaboration. enforce equitawww.goldenpawspetresort.com rience of my life ble policies and  my Funclassactivity packages with playtime and exercise because practices within selection of luxurious mates wereA from all walks of life accommodations and our municipality and raise awarerepresented diversityandacross  A trained caringgender, pet care team to pamper yourlike petsystemic racness around issues age, race, sexual orientation, income, ism.relaxed Recentand collaboration  Full service grooming to go home refreshed with Princand religion. My classmates were par- eton University graduate students has ents, grandparents, bartenders, coun- helped advance the work of the Comselors, police officers, doctors, nurses, mission, as have community forums social workers, accountants, construc- focused on racial justice. tion workers, fitness trainers, plumbI am immediate past president of ers, retirees … you get the idea. the Princeton Community Democratic Every class was thrilling as I heard Organization, where I worked to prodifferent perspectives on an array of is- vide informative monthly programs on sues. This was during the O.J. Simpson

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schools and community around racial literacy and real-world issues, and 4) addressing projected growth in our schools and its impact on our limited community resources.

As a member of the Board, I would strive to ensure that we hire a superintendent with strong management skills and a demonstrated track record in fostering the principles of equity, access and inclusion. I’d work to support equitable policies and principles in our schools. This means every child — regardless of ability, disability, race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, income, citizenship, religion, or sexual orientation — is equipped with the tools they need to succeed and learn. I think of equity as equal access with equal outcomes. A quote by Dr. Naheed Dosani, a palliative care physician, encapsulates the difference between equality and equity: “Equality is giving everyone a shoe. Equity is giving everyone a shoe that fits.”

I would further support equity within our schools by: 1) supporting comprehensive curriculum, program and policy reviews to ensure that we are using current, balanced texts and resources and that our policies do not inadvertently adversely affect any group or class of individuals in our community; 2) ensuring that we recognize and defeat past patterns of destructive behavior especially as they relate to

discipline and the unfair labeling of children based on prior conduct or unfair assumptions; 3) ensuring that our administrators and staff have the professional development and tools they need to support equity and culturally responsive teaching; and 4) measuring equity outcomes of our initiatives so that we know where we are succeeding and where we are failing. This would include measuring growth for each child because we are committed to knowing each child.

Meeting the needs of our children in the face of projected growth with limited community resources will require thoughtful collaboration with a multitude of community stakeholders. Collaboration will include things like enhanced shared services, seeking capital funding from new sources such as PILOTs shared with our town and engaging in fundraising for targeted needs. What if, for example, transportation or select facilities improvements for athletics could be funded through public-private sponsorships? Or if we had a grant to support the purchase of electric buses?

We can mobilize as a district to plan and identify needs that will require additional funding. I’d like to contribute to this effort both with my substantial experience in development and by ensuring ideas for collaboration are brought to the table and explored. I’d also like to support our new administration in their commendable efforts to

continue to find operational cost savings and efficiencies.

With regard to how our schools are funded, we’ve never been fully funded by the state. Our school funding formula also fosters inequity across the state by relying heavily on local property taxes. While there is some equalizing state aid, it’s not enough. I’d like to seek legislative changes to make our school funding formula more equitable and to provide property tax relief. Public school funding in New Jersey should be elevated to a top priority.

Bill Hare Background: Originally I am from Clemson, South Carolina, and consider that my hometown. I studied chemical engineering at Clemson University and continued on until I received a MS in bioengineering. I worked for a number of years in the medical device industry in the Houston area while working on my law/MBA degrees in the evening.

After spending a few years at law firms in Washington, DC, we moved to Lawrenceville when I took a position at a generic drug company. I left the generic drug company to start a clinical trials service company and an intellectual property law firm. The clinical trials company was acquired, and now I am focused on the law firm. Along the way we moved into Princeton because we found we spent most of our free time in town and wanted our kids

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to attend the Princeton schools.

Family: My wife, Denise, is a nurse practitioner in a rheumatology practice at Capital Health. We have three children, William, Elizabeth, and Peter.

They initially attended the Princeton French School before moving over to the Princeton Charter School. After PCS, they each attended PHS. Wil-

I got interested in the Princeton Board of Education when one of the cross-country coaches at PHS was not given tenure. liam is now a junior at the University of Pennsylvania, Elizabeth is a freshman at Clemson University, and Peter is a junior at PHS. Community involvement: My kids have been involved in track and cross-country since sixth grade. I got interested in the Princeton Board of Education when one of the cross-country coaches at PHS was not given tenure. He was a highly respected math teacher and a good role model for the kids on the team. I attended the board meeting where tenure decisions were

made public. The room was filled to capacity with high school students attending to support this teacher. Boys and girls came up to the podium to speak. It was emotional listening to tearful high school boys at the podium speaking about the positive role this teacher had on them, both in class and at the track. And then the board ignored the students and let go of this respected teacher. There is something wrong with that, and I got interested in the decision making of the board.

The issues: After watching the tenure process for the math teacher, I decided to run for the board. I was elected in 2016 and spent three years on the board. I was pleased with a few outcomes I impacted, in particular the decision to ensure we added four to five classrooms to PHS. However, I was frustrated by the lack of ability to make a significant difference on the finances, generally because of a lack of creativity at the top, so in 2019 I decided not to run again.

However, this changed with the hiring of an interim superintendent and the opportunity to hire a new superintendent. Then I found that Paul Johnson and Karen Lemon were similarly dissatisfied with the district and were willing to run as a slate. If we are elected, we will focus on making the district more affordable to the residents, reducing the glaring and consistent achievement gap, and bring some much needed transparency to the operations of the board.

Paul Johnson Background: I am a fourth generation Princetonian whose family originated from a plantation in South Carolina. I grew up on Green Street, where I am currently raising my children. I graduated from the University of Virginia with a BA in anthropology. I am 36 years old and the founder of Inspire Sports Club and the GOAT Lab, where we train and mentor Student-Athletes.

Family: My beautiful girlfriend, Alison Wall, and I have five children between us, three boys (Joshua-16, Emmet-13, Makani-8) and two girls (Maddy-15, Heidi-10) three of whom attend Princeton Public Schools.

Joshua is a junior at Princeton high, while Heidi and Makani are in fifth and third grades respectively at Community Park. My girlfriend Alison is one of the area’s top makeup artists and estheticians and has her own business called A. WALL BEAUTY. Community Involvement: I have been heavily involved in our schools and community, coaching and mentoring many of our student-athletes. My experience as a college soccer coach at Drew University as well as RutgersCamden University, has enabled me to help families navigate the college recruiting process. I have also coached

high school sports around the Mercer county area. For the past three years I have run an after school soccer club as well as organized a holiday fundraiser in conjunction with the Community Park PTO. Issues: As the late, great John Lewis so eloquently put it, “To get in trouble, good trouble, necessary trouble.”

We are at a crossroads in our society and we must be proactive rather than reactive. It is time for a change on our school board, it is time we tackle our issues of equity/equality head on, without reserve. It is time for us to be honest with ourselves and admit we have fallen short of the promises we have made to our children in this town.

We have failed to be leaders for so-

I believe I can be part of the necessary change that will ensure our students and families a better tomorrow. cial justice and reform. We have failed to have open and honest dialogue with our families and our community. I am running because I believe I can be part of the necessary change that will ensure our students and families a better tomorrow. I am running because I genuinely care about the outcome of my five children, three of whom attend Princeton Public Schools, as well as all the children in our community. Most importantly I will work tirelessly until every kid and every family in our town feels like they belong. I will make sure our schools remain diverse, our town remains affordable, and there will forever be trust and transparency between the board and the public.

Karen Lemon Background: Originally from rural Ohio, I moved to New Jersey over 25 years ago. I have a bachelor of science degree in mathematics education and an MBA. I recently retired from +30 years at AT&T where I owned the P&L (revenue of +$500M) of a large global IT organization. I was also the Diversity and Inclusion Leader for +7,000 employees implementing programs to make AT&T a more inclusive workplace.

Family: My family and I moved to Princeton 10 years ago. Prior to Princeton we lived in West Windsor. One of our sons is a Princeton resident while the other’s job has taken him to another state. The family views Princeton as our home. Our two sons graduated from high school prior to us moving to Princeton. They both went to public school K-12 as did my wife and I. Community involvement: I have

mentored/sponsored Newark students, sit on the NJ board for Junior Achievement, and volunteer delivering food for Share My Meals.

Issues: My family and I moved to Princeton because we wanted to live in a diverse community. Princeton has a reputation as a leader in education, and this was an important part of moving here. We want to grow old here and we want our children and hopefully their children to live here too.

My biggest concern is the current Board of Education leadership believes we just need consistency. I believe we need strategic and creative leadership if we want to deliver excellent education and support our community in remaining affordable. The achievement of our low-income students, black and brown students, and special needs students has stagnated. We need to focus on the success of all children, and this is not sufficiently occurring today.

48 percent of our tax dollars go towards our schools. I believe there is an opportunity to improve spending through reducing the use of consultants, leveraging the reduction in our costs associated with bonds retiring in 2022 and 2023, implementing efficiency measures (i.e. I would look to move some of our IT resources to the cloud and consider shared services), and going after public and private partnerships. This will allow us to address not only the opportunity gap of our students but ensure we can meet criti-

I believe we can regain our reputation for providing excellence in education for all students, in a diverse community while doing so in an affordable manner. cal capacity and facility needs, while working to hold the line on our taxes.

Along with Paul Johnson and Bill Hare, I believe we can regain our reputation for providing excellence in education for all students, in a diverse community while doing so in an affordable manner. This must be done by including the voices of our teachers, families, and community members. We will push for transparency as the board makes decisions on spending your tax dollars. We know that building community trust is critical in all working together for our students.

Michele Tuck Ponder Background: I was born in New York City in 1958 and grew up in Teaneck, Bergen County, where I was one of the first children in America to be bussed to integrate the public

schools in my town. After graduating from Teaneck High School, I attended Northwestern University, earning a degree in journalism, and the University of Pennsylvania Law School, where I earned a law degree in 1983.

Currently, I am executive director of Destination Imagination, Incorporated, a global creative problem solving program for children, headquartered in Cherry Hill. I am a former mayor of Princeton Township, have served as executive director of the Women’s Fund of New Jersey, CEO of the Girl Scouts of Delaware-Raritan, Inc., interim executive director of the YWCA of Eastern Union County, assistant counsel to Governor Jim Florio, assistant director of the New Jersey Division on Women and New Jersey Division on Civil Rights, and congressional aide to former US Representative Louis Stokes and the late US Senator Frank Lautenberg. I was also a Community Builder Fellow with the US Department of Housing and Urban Development in Camden, and have served as a lecturer at Princeton, the College of New Jersey and Rutgers Universities.

In 1991, I purchased a home at Griggs Farm in order to live closer to my job in Trenton.

Family: Attorney/artist/activist Rhinold Lamar Ponder, is my husband. We have two children: Jamaica, age 21 (PHS ‘17) graduate, is a senior at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, who attended Community Park School and John Witherspoon Middle School. William, age 13, is an eighth grader at Princeton Unified Middle School who attended CP and Joseph Cappello School.

Community involvement: I served for six years on the Princeton Township Committee (1994-1999), including three years as mayor. I also served four years as the chair of the Princeton Township Democratic Municipal Committee. I am a member of the Princeton United Methodist Church, and served as the co-chair of its governing body, the administrative board.

I am past immediate board chair of the United Front Against Riverblindness, a global NGO, and former secretary of the board of Morven Museum and Gardens. For four years, I co-hosted “Reed and Ponder,” a public affairs program on Princeton TV30. I served on numerous boards including the Princeton YWCA, Girl Scouts of Delaware-Raritan, New Jersey After 3, the Center for Non-Profits, and co-chaired the NJ Food Marketing Task Force.

In Princeton Public Schools, I have been a class parent and presented several programs on Black History in my children’s classrooms, including a Kwanzaa Celebration and a lesson on “Black Lives Matter”. I have been a fundraiser for the PHS Girls Basketball Team and See CANDIDATES, Page 18

October 2020 | Princeton Echo17

HAPPENING For a full day-by-day calendar of events visit www.princetoninfo.com/ events.

Thursday, October 1, 7 p.m. Not in Our Town Princeton hosts a virtual panel discussion on “Building and Sustaining Racially Progressive Schools.”

Panelists include Interim Superintendent Barry Galasso, Princeton High School assistant principal Cecilia Birge; equity consultant Marceline DuBose; historian and former guidance counselor Shirley Satterfield; PHS teacher Joy Barnes-Johnson; PPS parents, Dr. Keith Wailoo and Dr. Lynda Dodd; PPS alumni Juan Polanco (class of 2013), Brianna Silva (2018), and Geoffrey Allen (2019); and PHS students Mojisola Ayodele and Eli Edelman (2022). www.princetonlibrary.org.

Thursdays, October 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The socially distanced Princeton Farmers Market continues in the Franklin Avenue Lot. www.princetonfarmersmarket.com.

omy, the recent social and racial unrest, equity concerns, and the coming presidential election. Tickets, $50, support restoration efforts at the house. www. thepaulrobesonhouseofprinceton. org.

Sunday, October 4, 4 p.m. Princeton Symphony Orchestra begins its season of virtual concerts with a performance featuring guest pianist Inon Barnatan, who plays his arrangement of Rachmaninoff ’s Symphonic Dances.

Tickets are $15 per device.

Thursday, October 8, 5:30 p.m. In addition to its virtual concerts, Princeton Symphony presents chamber music outdoors at Morven Museum and Gardens. A woodwind quintet plays Barber’s “Summer Music” and “Umoja”

by Valerie Coleman. Tickets are $35 per seating pod. www.princetonsymphony.org.

Thursday, October 15, 8 p.m. Princeton University Concerts launches its

season with a virtual watch party featuring the Takacs String Quartet performing works of Mozart, Debussy, and more. www.princetonuniversityconcerts.org.

Sunday, October 25, through Sunday, November 8. The HiTOPS Princeton Half Marathon takes place virtually, with runners encouraged to complete 13.1 miles on a course of their choosing all at once or in cumulatively.

Registration is $45. www.princetonhalfmarathon.com.

Saturday, October 31, 1 to 6 p.m.

In place of its annual masquerade ball, the D&R Greenway hosts a masquerade parade. Themed ‘floats’ will be positioned along the farm road on St. Michaels Farm Preserve, while decorated cars move past. Passengers are encouraged to create lively signs to the event theme of “I Love Land Because...”

Registration is $25 per car. www.drgreenway.org.

served on the Superintendent’s “Athletics 2.0” Advisory Committee.

Starting as a Brownie Girl Scout, community service has always been a passion of mine. I can’t remember a time that I didn’t serve on Student Council, join a service sorority, volunteer to clean up my neighborhood, or help feed people on Thanksgiving or make the world a better place in some way. It is a driving force in my life.

The issues: There are few more important duties of a community than ensuring that ALL children are provided with the best education possible. I am running for re-election to the Princeton Board of Education because of my commitment to equity in Princeton Public Schools. Good intentions and mission statements have proven to be ineffective in moving PPS to correct the inequities in our district. For the past three years,

I have used my voice and my vote on to working to ensure that we have adthe Board of Education to highlight and equate and appropriate facilities to supaddress issues of inequity in our schools. port our educational mission, without My priorities are: Equity AND Ex- unduly burdening taxpayers.

Budget and Safety: I am committed cellence: I will continue to address systemic and institutional racism in to ensuring a safe and effective teaching environment the district, parour children, ticularly in the arI will continue to address for teachers and eas of discipline, special education systemic and institutional staff. Covid-19 presents significlassifications, hircant challenges ing, and academic racism in the district. for this environachievement. PPS ment with resultmust have a coordinated response to inequity in our ing budget impacts for the foreseeable schools with a focus on measuring out- future. We need to make the necessary comes and accountability in order to investments to ensure that ALL of our provide an excellent education for all. children have the resources needed Facilities: Our schools are crowded for remote learning, that our teachers and predicted to become more con- have the training they need to provide gested in the near future. As a former excellent education whether in the elected official, I have experience in classroom or via technology, and that feasibility studies, design, and financ- when students and faculty and staff are ing public buildings. I am committed present, they are safe. I am particularly

concerned that our budgetary decisions do not disproportionately impact our most vulnerable students.

Equipping our students for the emerging future of Work: As the CEO of a global education company, I know how important it is to ensure that our students learn 21st Century skills to collaborate, think critically, be creative and communicate. As the world changes before our eyes, it is our job not only to provide our kids with the highest level of subject matter learning, but also with the tools to be able to implement those skills effectively, not only in school or the workplace, but in life.

Voters should feel free to contact me at mtp4boe@gmail.com, if they have any questions. You can also visit www. mtp4boe.com on the web, or on Facebook www.facebook.com/MicheleTuck-Ponder-for-Princeton-SchoolBoard-114971142506128 or Instagram at mtp4boe.

AT YOUR SERVICE

6 Issues $59 PER ISSUE. For more information call 609-396-1511

CANDIDATES, continued from page 17

Fridays, October 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30.

Great American Songbook singer Katie Welsh (pictured) uploads a weekly live performance to her YouTube channel.

Following the series Welsh will hold an Autumn Songs Project Live Q&A Session via Zoom on Sunday, November 1, at 4 p.m. www.katiewelsh.com.

Sunday, October 4, 3 p.m. The Paul Robeson House hosts a webinar featuring renowned New York Times columnists Paul Krugman and Eduardo Porter. The two best-selling authors will offer their perspectives on the econ-

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PARTING SHOT

When 1 percent matters most

By Pia De Jong

W

ith children, mothers, brothers, and many friends living an ocean away, life is not always easy. But in this perilous time when no one visits each other and every hug can be life-threatening, it doesn’t matter how far away you are.

Online we are all neighbors. Thanks to FaceTime, Skype, WhatsApp, and Zoom, we are instantly in each other’s living room. So close up that I can see the twinkle in their eyes, or the bags underneath.

That is, if people answer their phone.

Ah, and there’s the rub. Especially among the youngest. They are glued to their phones, constantly exchanging texts and videos, and are always connected. Yes, connected to each other, but not to their parents.

Last week it happened again. I was trying to reach my daughter. I urgently needed some information from her. No response, even after several attempts.

Ditto to texts and emails. When she finally called back — a lot later, it was early in the morning for her — her excuse was, “Oh, sorry, Mom. I only had 1 percent.”

The phrase “1 percent” has become a loaded expression in our family. I’m not talking about the 1 percent richest people in the world, the happy few, the millionaires or billionaires. No, I am referring to the supernatural phenomenon that, when I call, the battery of my children’s phone is suddenly almost empty. As if the electronics spontaneously give up when I get on the line.

They may just be able to say hello, but then they really have to end the conversation. Because they need that last drop of electricity for an emergency call, or to share a cute cat picture with a friend.

“Yes, I’m so sorry, but I really have to hang up now.”

I didn’t have that excuse back in the prehistoric days when landlines roamed the earth. If you picked up the receiver, you were, literally, hanging on the telephone cord. With electricity that just kept flowing.

Of course, we have taken the necessary measures over time. For example, there are chargers on every plug. But, it just so happens that they have always disappeared when needed. It goes without saying that it is never the fault of the children. Friends must have borrowed them. I usually find them later in

a backpack. They also received portable chargers for their birthday. But they just wind up in a different backpack.

Strangely enough, when the tables are turned, they expect me to always answer immediately. The I-only-have1-percent excuse doesn’t work for me.

“You just have to charge it more often, Mom. It’s a matter of planning well, isn’t it?”

Well, it must be these crazy modern days. Fortunately, my 90-year-old mother is still there. I call her every day. After all, these are tough times.

Illustration by Eliane Gerrits

She always picks up the phone, because she loves hearing from me. But yesterday, halfway through our conversation, she suddenly said, “Oh, I have to stop.

I only have 1 percent.”

Excuse me, my dear reader, I’m going to recharge. I only have 1 percent.

Pia de Jong is a Dutch writer who lives in Princeton. Her bestselling memoir, “Saving Charlotte,” was published in 2017 in the U.S. She can be contacted at pdejong@ias.edu.

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