Volume LXXVI, Number 6
PU A Capella Groups to Appear at McCarter . . . 5 Public Hearing on SID Proposal Set for February 28 . . . . . . . 9 Connie Escher Writes Betsey Stockton Biography . . . . . . . . . 11 James Joyce By the Numbers . . . . . . . . . . 16 PSO Launches a Musical Restart . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Kelsey Theatre Presents Scenery . . . . . . . . . . 18 Stone Stars as PU Women’s Hoops Posts Weekend Sweep, Now 8-0 Ivy . . .30 PHS Wrestling Takes Fourth at Mercer County Tournament . . . . . . . 33
PHS Alumna Kelly Curtis Making Olympic Debut This Week . . . . . . . . . 32 Art . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Books . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Calendar . . . . . . . . . . 27 Classified Ads . . . . . . 39 Luxury Living . . . . . . . . 2 Mailbox . . . . . . . . . . . 14 New To Us . . . . . . . . . 28 Obituaries . . . . . . . . . 37 Performing Arts . . . . . 19 Police Blotter . . . . . . . . 6 Real Estate . . . . . . . . 39 Religious Directory . . . 38 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Topics of the Town . . . . 5 Town Talk . . . . . . . . . . 6 Valentine's Day. . . . . . 22
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Falling COVID Numbers, Ending Mask Mandates Bring Hint of Optimism With COVID-19 new case numbers falling rapidly in Princeton and throughout the state and New Jersey’s mask mandate scheduled to be lifted in schools and child care centers on March 7, Princeton Deputy Administrator for Health and Community Services Jeff Grosser was willing to consider the possibility of moving from the acute phase of COVID-19 into “a more manageable section of the pandemic.” On Monday, February 7, the Princeton Health Department reported 49 new COVID-19 cases in Princeton in the previous seven days, 132 cases over the previous 14 days, continuing significant declines in infections. The previous week’s January 31 tally was 83 new cases over the previous seven days and 209 over the previous 14 days. Case numbers also continued to drop at Princeton University and at the Princeton Public Schools. ”I believe the warmer weather on its way and the increased opportunity to spend significant portions of our days outside will continue to alleviate the disease burden we have seen through this winter,” Grosser wrote in a February 8 email. He went on to discuss the health department’s ongoing efforts to deliver an effective managed response. “There is risk associated with every activity we take part in, whether it’s driving to work or playing in an adult soccer league,” he said. “Each has risk associated with injury and even death. With COVID-19 we (as a civilization) are still working out those numbers and subconscious thoughts.” Grosser stressed the value of vaccinations, masking, and physical distancing as “tools to alleviate, decrease, and minimize those risks.” He emphasized booster doses and their uptake, primarily in the older population, as “a primary concern of the health department,” pointing out, “One of the most susceptible populations to COVID-19, those over 80 years of age, have a booster dose coverage of 75 percent. This is alarming considering the level of infection we recently saw from the Omicron variant and seeing individuals who were initially vaccinated but not boosted being hospitalized.” Noting that “individuals are at a substantially lower risk of severe illness and death if vaccinated versus being Continued on Page 12
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Wednesday, February 9, 2022
Rider Professors Ask Trustees to Remove President Early this month, Rider University’s chapter of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) created a resolution calling for the removal of President Gregory Dell’Omo from his position. The resolution says Dell’Omo’s strategic policies, which have included attempts to sell the longtime campus of Rider-affiliated Westminster Choir College in Princeton, “have led to a weakening of the University’s financial condition that includes but is not limited to multiple years of cash deficits — a first in the history of the University; dramatic and dangerous increases in University debt; and three downgrades of the University’s bond rating.” Also mentioned are “a 19 percent decline in fulltime enrollment, reducing Rider’s enrollment to its lowest point in over 20 years.” Last week, the AAUP sent out a survey to all of its members, asking if they support the call for the board of trustees to remove Dell’Omo. The survey remained open until 5 p.m. Tuesday. By mid-afternoon, returns stood at 86 percent in favor, according to Joel Phillips, a professor of music theory and composition at Westminster Choir College of Rider University. “This is not only an expression of no confidence,” Phillips said Tuesday morning.
“It’s ‘remove him.’ He has failed to meet most of the goals in his own strategic plan. Plus, his financial management has been abysmal. He has written to faculty and staff, and said that this year Rider would have a $20 million cash deficit. That’s astounding.” Asked for comment, Kristine Brown of the University’s Office of Communications wrote in an email, “No comment at this time.” The AAUP issued the resolution after
Dell’Omo announced a voluntary separation program to employees at the end of January, via email. Students were also notified. The goal of the program is to cut down payroll and benefit expenses to help supplement the $20 million deficit. The program would apply to faculty and staff who are not represented by the AAUP. Those who sign up would get a lump sum payment. According to The Rider News, it would be equivalent to one week per year of service for a minimum of six weeks Continued on Page 10
Rich Variety of Local Happenings Highlight Black History Month
Throughout the year, but especially during the month of February, Princeton and the surrounding area offer an assortment of opportunities to engage with, learn about, and explore the rich history and culture of Black Americans. Princeton University African American Studies Professor Imani Perry, in a recent interview with Jamie Saxon of the University’s Office of Communication, reflected on the origins of Black History Month and its meaning and importance today. Black History Month follows a tradition from the 19th and early 20th centuries set by Black teachers in the segregated
South of commemorating significant people and events in Black history during the week of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass’ birthdays. “It was a gorgeous tradition that grew in defiance of the standard narrative in this country, which held that Black people had contributed nothing of value to human civilization,” said Perry. Scholar and educator Carter Woodson began Negro History Week in 1926, and since 1976 every U.S. president has officially designated February as Black History Month. “In 2022, we find ourselves in a period Continued on Page 8
LOVE BIRDS: A pair of cardinals met recently in a local backyard, in advance of Valentine’s Day. The Princeton Public Library has invited the community to join the Great Backyard Bird Count, and is offering a variety of related programs and activities this month. Visit princetonlibrary.org/birdcount for details. (Photo by Charles R. Plohn)
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