Volume LXXIII, Number 7
Camp Guide Pages 27 - 32 Temple Micah Celebrates 50th Anniversary . . . . . 5 Bank of Princeton to Acquire Five Beneficial Branches . . . . . . . . . 10 Sacks Announces Candidacy for Princeton Council . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Richardson Chamber Players Honor Past, Celebrate Present . . . 20 No . 8 PU Women’s Lacrosse Hosting Temple in Season Opener . . . . 36 PHS Wrestler Monahan Primed for State Run . . . . . . . . . 40
Russian Doll's Natasha Lyonne Comes Back to Life with Love's Arthur Lee . . . . . . . . 19 Art . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Berkshire Hathaway Fox & Roach Realtors . .16, 17 Books . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Calendar . . . . . . . . . . 35 Classified Ads . . . . . . 46 Dining & Entertainment. . 33 Mailbox . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Music/Theater . . . . . . 21 New To Us . . . . . . . . . 25 Obituaries . . . . . . . . . 44 Police Blotter . . . . . . . . 4 Real Estate . . . . . . . . 45 School Matters . . . . . . 15 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Topics of the Town . . . . 5 Town Talk . . . . . . . . . . 6
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PU President Eisgruber Talks Town and Gown At Council Meeting
In his annual visit with Princeton Council on Monday night, February 11, Princeton University President Christopher Eisgruber cited the recent announcement that Google has established an office in downtown Princeton, part of a collaboration with the University, as an example of a “win-win” relationship between the school and the town. Eisgruber described the Google deal, which facilitates work the company is doing with University faculty and students on artificial intelligence, as “a win-win for the town as well as a win for the University,” he said. “These kinds of joint ventures really matter to our students.” He added that he hoped to see more such collaborations in the future. Asked by Mayor Liz Lempert what such companies are looking for, Eisgruber said that “flexibility and nimbleness” are key. “Companies, as they come in, want to be as proximate to the town as they can be.” Council President Jenny Crumiller thanked Eisgruber for opening up the free Tiger Transit bus to the community, and asked whether the University is considering the possibility of autonomous vehicles as a way to facilitate transit. Shared vehicles would likely be a better solution to transit problems, he replied. Council member Eve Niedergang spoke of her concerns that graduate students seeking housing might be moving into residences that would otherwise be available to community members. Eisgruber responded that the planned construction of the Lake Campus across Lake Carnegie will include more housing for graduate students. Council member Leticia Fraga told Eisgruber she applauds the University’s $50,000 contribution to the Habitat for Humanity project on Lytle Street in the Witherspoon-Jackson neighborhood, which University students will be helping to build. She suggested that when giving out gift cards to students, local establishments should be considered instead of mega-companies such as Amazon. Later in the meeting Municipal Administrator Marc Dashield reported on a letter Council received from the Princeton Merchants Association, recommending improvements to the Princeton Parking Plan. “We agree with them in one statement saying we should take a more comprehensive look” at the issues, he said. Continued on Page 8
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Wednesday, February 13, 2019
John Witherspoon MS Combats Flu Outbreak With over 20 percent of its students absent last Thursday and Friday and almost as many on Monday, John Witherspoon Middle School (JWMS) has been hit especially hard by what the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) is reporting as widespread influenza (flu) or “influenza-like illnesses” in all regions of the state. Princeton Public Schools Superintendent Steve Cochrane said that PPS has implemented “a disinfection protocol” at JWMS that began last Friday and will continue throughout this week. “Our number of students reported absent is down today at JW Middle School,” Cochrane stated in an email Monday, “and although the percentage is still close to 20 percent, we are moving in a positive direction.” He urged parents to make sure that
children who had the flu were fever-free for at least 24 hours before sending them back to school. So far, other Princeton schools have not reported high rates of illness or absenteeism. In accordance with NJDOH guidelines, the PPS has been in contact with Municipal Health Officer Jeff Grosser, “and at his direction the district has implemented a comprehensive disinfection protocol at JW,” Cochrane said. In a message sent to JWMS students, staff, and families on Friday, Cochrane stated, “Last night and again this morning, our custodial staff used hospitalgrade disinfectant to wipe down common surfaces such as handrails, door knobs, bathroom fixtures, and keyboards, which are frequently touched. To thoroughly
combat the spread of infection, we will continue to implement our disinfection procedures.” Grosser reported that he was notified about the absences by school officials last week. “Our public health nurses were working alongside school officials and nurses on Friday to communicate the situation to parents and other Princeton schools in an attempt to slow the outbreak,” Grosser stated in an email Monday. Continued on Page 7
Discount on the Dinky, Revised Road Closure Might Ease the Pain
Commuters angered by the ongoing suspension of the Dinky Line and the looming shutdown of Alexander Road in advance of bridge repairs have gotten a reprieve of sorts. Riders of the NJ Transit bus that has temporarily replaced the Dinky will be given a 25 percent discount until the train line is restored. And the Alexander Road closure for utility work is now going to take place on weekends instead of during the week. Assemblyman Roy Freiman announced the Dinky discount in a press release on Tuesday. “I would like to applaud NJ Transit’s decision to extend a 25 percent ticket discount to riders of the Princeton Dinky Line who have been inconvenienced as the line remains suspended,” he said. “While there is still work to be done, this discount will give a sense of relief to those who have had to go out of their way to find a different route to get to work.” Freiman continued, “I would like to thank Assemblyman Dan Benson for making my constituents a priority and spearheading the efforts to address their concerns with NJ Transit. I also would like to thank Princeton Mayor Liz Lempert for being a strong advocate for her residents. I look forward to continuing to work together to get full restoration of the Dinky Line as soon as possible.” The Dinky connecting Princeton with Princeton Junction has been out of service since October, when NJ Transit closed it in order to focus all personnel and equipment on the federally mandated PALMER SQUARE ON ICE: Live ice carving was a highlight of the annual Hearts Positive Train Control (PTC) in other parts on Fire winter festival on Palmer Square last weekend. The event also featured of the system. Though that project is commusic, a caricaturist, a Valentine craft station, and hospitality offerings at plete, the Dinky has yet to be restored and select establishments.
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