Volume LXXV, Number 12
www.towntopics.com
COVID Numbers Rise; More Vaccine Doses On the Way Soon
Noted Chef to Host Virtual Arts Council Event . . . . 5 Scams are on the Rise, Especially Involving Seniors . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Reading Rilke and Salinger In the Rain . . . . . . . . . . 15 Dryden Ensemble Broadcasts Bach Performance . . . . . . . . 16 PU Men’s Hoops Star Desrosiers Heading To Hawaii . . . . . . . . 28 PHS Wrestling Looking Strong as it Goes 2-1 in Opening Week . . . . . 31
IAS’ Avi Wigderson Wins Abel Prize . . . . . . . . . . 12 Art . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Berkshire Hathaway Fox & Roach Realtors . . 20,21 Calendar . . . . . . . . . . 19 Classified Ads . . . . . . 36 Mailbox . . . . . . . . . . . 13 New to Us . . . . . . . . . . 23 Obituaries . . . . . . . . . 34 Performing Arts . . . . . 17 Police Blotter . . . . . . . . 8 Real Estate . . . . . . . . 36 Religion . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Topics of the Town . . . . 5 Town Talk . . . . . . . . . . 6
COVID-19 cases are on the rise again in New Jersey, which is leading the country in new positive tests. But along with fears of yet another wave, there are high hopes of a dramatic increase in vaccine doses coming next month. New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy has described the current situation as “a balancing moment,” and “a foot race.” According to Princeton Health Officer Jeff Grosser, “The results will be based on people’s behavior,” and, along with continuing attention to masking and social distancing, he recommends “thinking long and hard about any travel plans unless you have been vaccinated.” The Princeton Health Department on Monday, March 22, reported eight new cases in Princeton in the previous seven days and 16 cases in the previous 14 days, well below the totals at their peak in December. “We’re still seeing consistently one or two cases per day,” said Grosser. “We want to get that lower. We’re seeing random spread within households.” Grosser noted that Princeton is not facing spikes at this point like those in some other parts of the country, but he added that spring break is still ahead for most of New Jersey and that Princeton’s statistics often lag behind those of north and central New Jersey, where there have been recent outbreaks. Grosser expressed optimism about accelerating vaccine distributions. “We’re expecting a mass increase in vaccine doses in April,” he said. “It sounds like help is on the way. The vaccines will be available. It may depend on where the state distributes them, but most people should be vaccinated by the end of April.” Murphy, in his March 23 news conference, reported 3,429 confirmed COVID-19 positive tests and 27 additional confirmed COVID-related deaths. There were 2,066 COVID patients in New Jersey hospitals on March 22, the first time since February that number has been over 2,000. Noting that New Jersey leads the nation in new cases, Murphy warned, “We still have work to do together.” He added that most likely no additional restrictions would be lifted in the near future. On March 19 the state increased capacity limits to 50 percent for restaurants, gyms and health clubs, recreational facilities, Continued on Page 10
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Wednesday, March 24, 2021
Stop Asian Hate Rally Set for Saturday The Princeton community, town and University, along with many other voices and demonstrators from across the country, has responded strongly to the March 16 mass shooting in Atlanta, where a white male shot and killed eight people, six of whom were Asian American women. Several local organizations, led by the Princeton Chinese Community group, will be holding a Stop Asian Hate Rally and Vigil on Saturday, March 27 at Hinds Plaza outside the Princeton Public Library at 1 p.m. to mourn the shooting victims and speak out against the rise in racism against Asian Americans. Calling for solidarity with Asian American communities, the Princeton Chinese Community and 12 other local organizations issued a statement expressing outrage at the “racially targeted killings in Atlanta as well as the blatant racism and misogynistic dehumanization demonstrated toward the victims.” Their statement emphasized, “We ask for solidarity from all our brothers and sisters as we demand action and change. We ask our community leaders and elected representatives to respond to this violence with policies that support and protect our most vulnerable
community members.” The statement went on to point out longtime American stereotypes and systemic prejudices that have contributed to the rise of hate crimes. “We understand that the fundamental root of anti-Asian hate crimes is systemic racism and xenophobia in America,” they wrote. “The model minority myth is a stereotype that obscures the long history of racism, and hides the diversity within our communities. Asian Americans have ancestral roots in
more than 20 different countries. We are U.S.-born, naturalized citizens, and undocumented immigrants. We are working class and we are executives. Our differences are what make us Americans.” In an online post last week, Princeton Mayor Mark Freda called on the community and the nation “to reverse the increased violence, racism, and discrimination that has become too common over the last year.” He added, “Recent racist acts against the Asian American and Pacific Continued on Page 8
Council Introduces $66.6 Million Municipal Budget for 2021 At a meeting Monday night, Princeton Council voted to introduce a budget of $66.6 million, up approximately $2.3 million from last year. That translates into a tax increase of 2.9 cents per $100 of assessed property value. The ongoing pandemic has resulted in a decrease in revenue from such sources as court costs, permit applications, and parking meters. As part of the American Rescue Plan Act, the stimulus package recently passed by Congress, Princeton could possibly qualify for a portion of $3 million in federal aid.
“That will be the only way to cover our deficit without raising taxes,” said Councilwoman Michelle Pirone Lambros, a member of the town’s Finance Committee. “But we can’t count on this until we have more clarity on the requirements for what will be covered, and how it will be covered.” Now that the budget has been introduced, the town’s Finance Director Sandy Webb said staff will work with the Finance Committee to look for ways to make further cuts. The goal is get back to a zero tax increase by the end of April, and then amend the budget.
Continued on Page 11
CLIMATE STRIKE: Princeton Youth Climate Week, organized by Princeton High School junior Harmonie Ramsden, featured a rally in downtown Princeton on Friday afternoon . Participants share their greatest concerns for the environment in this week’s Town Talk on page 6 . (Photo by Charles R. Plohn)
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