Volume LXXIV, Number 9
African American Artistry is Focus of Sankofa Stitchers Talk . . . . . . . 5 Council Approves Thanet Redevelopment Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Thoughts on Baseball and Black History . . . 14 Calidore String Quartet Tribute to Beethoven . . . . . . . . 15 Bullock Enjoys Milestone Senior Weekend for PU Women’s Hockey . . . . 24 PDS Boys’ Hoops Wins State Prep B Title . . . 29
Mark Freda Kicks Off Mayoral Campaign . . . 10 Art . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Berkshire Hathaway Fox & Roach Realtors . .20, 21 Books . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Book Review . . . . . . . . 14 Calendar . . . . . . . . . . 22 Classified Ads . . . . . . 33 Mailbox . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Music Review . . . . . . . 15 Obituaries . . . . . . . . . 32 Performing Arts . . . . . 16 Real Estate . . . . . . . . 33 Religion . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Topics of the Town . . . . 5 Town Talk . . . . . . . . . . 6
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Council Meets With PU President Eisgruber, Plans for Collaboration Princeton University President Christopher Eisgruber made his annual visit to Princeton Council on Monday night, February 24, at Monument Hall, and the freewheeling conversation with Princeton Mayor Liz Lempert and Council members ranged widely over a number of issues that are important to both the town and the University. Collaboration — past and present, as well as future possibilities — was the main theme as the discussion focused on sustainability, equity, growth and development, public safety, and transportation. Starting with an appreciation for Mayor Lempert’s work, particularly in opening channels of communication, Eisgruber highlighted renowned Princeton mathematician Oscar Veblen and his impact on the University, the Institute for Advanced Study, and the town of Princeton. Eisgruber noted Veblen’s early efforts to help refugees coming out of Europe before World War II. “He helped to start us on a trajectory, a commitment that we share around this table,” Eisgruber said. “One of the things that I appreciate about this town and your leadership, Liz, is that you’ve set a tone of inclusivity, welcoming to immigrants, creating an atmosphere that allows people of all backgrounds to thrive and flourish.” Eisgruber went on to mention the University’s efforts, including a lawsuit against the federal government, to support the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. He also highlighted the current Princeton University Art Museum reconstruction as a project with significant benefits to both town and University. “I appreciate our collaborations,” said Councilwoman Leticia Fraga. “Most important for me has been building community, and there is much more we can do, many opportunities to work together to continue to make this a welcoming community and a vibrant community.” Eisgruber agreed and emphasized, with appreciation to Princeton Police Department (PPD) Chief Nicholas Sutter and his leadership, how important it is to faculty, staff, and students at Princeton University that the town is such a welcoming place. Council President David Cohen, who is Continued on Page 8
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Wednesday, February 26, 2020
“Visionary” Schools Leader To Step Down Steve Cochrane, superintendent of the Princeton Public Schools (PPS) since January 2014, has announced that he will be stepping down at the end of this school year. In a letter to the school community on Monday, Cochrane, 60, stated, “Retirement is uncharted territory for me, but my wife and I have made the decision to move closer to my mom who is now in her 90s and living on her own in my hometown of Seattle.” But Cochrane is not ready to leave behind the world of education. “I am also hopeful I can find a way to return to the roots of my career in higher education and take what I have learned over the last four decades to help prepare future teachers and principals,” he said. After growing up near Seattle where his father was an Episcopal bishop, Cochrane earned his bachelor’s degree in English literature from Princeton University and his master’s degree in education from Harvard University. Cochrane returned to Princeton in 1985 as admissions officer and associate dean of students. Thirty years ago he left the deanship to become an elementary school teacher, then an elementary and middle school
principal in Hopewell Township, and eventually assistant superintendent in the Upper Freehold Regional School District before moving back to Princeton. Cochrane reflected on his past six years as PPS superintendent. “Together we have faced some daunting challenges, and together we have produced some profound changes,” he wrote. ”I am proud that as a community we have shifted the direction of our district and charted a course towards wellness, racial literacy, and a vision of success for our children
that is grounded in joy and purpose.” PPS Board of Education (BOE) President Beth Behrend highlighted Cochrane’s successful tenure. ”We are grateful for Steve Cochrane for his steady leadership and dedicated service to the Princeton Public Schools over the past six years,” she wrote in an email. “Steve’s visionary leadership around issues of equity and student well-being has transformed and inspired our community — both within the schools and beyond — to the great benefit Continued on Page 8
Judy Hutton to Retire from YWCA Princeton, Leaving a Lasting Legacy In 2007 Judy Hutton, CEO of YWCA Princeton, and her counterpart at the Trenton YWCA were discussing racism within the broader community, when they decided they should go a step further. She recalled both asking, “But what are we doing to eliminate it?” And so Stand Against Racism was born, and a few years later was adopted by the national YWCAs. “Until we eliminate racism,” said Hutton, “we’re really not empowering women.” Stand Against Racism is among the
many successful programs Hutton will leave as her legacy at the YWCA Princeton when the she retires June 30 after leading the organization for 13 years. Board President Megan Adams announced Hutton’s retirement in a recent letter, posted on the Y’s website, in which she stated, “The YWCA Princeton, and the greater Mercer County community, has benefited immensely from Judy’s leadership and vision for a world free from inequity.” Adams called Stand Against Continued on Page 9
MIRACLE ON ICE: Nearly 40 years to the day after the U .S . men’s hockey team stunned Russia at the 1980 Winter Olympics, the Princeton High boys’ hockey team celebrates after it pulled off a miracle of its own in the Mercer County Tournament final last Friday . Trailing six-time defending champion Hun 5-0 in the second period and 5-2 with 3:57 left in the third period, PHS scored four goals in the next 2:26 to take the lead and then added an empty net tally to put the finishing touch on a shocking 7-5 victory . See page 27 for more details on the game . (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)