Volume LXXII, Number 25
Murphy Visits Riverside, Proclaims Bog Turtle State Reptile . . . . . . . . 5 Cyclist Brings Family on Anchor House Ride . . 11 Utopian Melodies on a Sunny Day . . . . . . . . . 13 Princeton Festival Presents Madama Butterfly . . . . . . . . . . 18 Micir Coming Home to PU Women’s Hoops . . 26 PHS Boys’ Track Excels at New Balance Nationals . . . . . . . . . 28
www.towntopics.com
Cochrane Reviews Referendum Plans, Responds to Concerns
About 100 local residents with a range of concerns and questions about plans for the October 2 Princeton Public Schools facilities bond referendum gathered in John Witherspoon Middle School’s (JWMS) auditorium Monday evening, as Superintendent Steve Cochrane presented “A Vision for Our Schools” and fielded follow-up questions. For about an hour and fifteen minutes, Cochrane described the needs for more space and infrastructure upgrades, for a plan that aligns those improvements with the district’s educational goals, and a plan to optimize the district’s investment in a first-rate, cost-effective education. He shared with the JWMS gathering extensive details on the tentative plans, recently submitted for approval to the State Department of Education (DOE) — plans to increase capacity at Princeton Continued on Page 10
75¢ at newsstands
Wednesday, June 20, 2018
Second Person Charged in Trenton Festival Shooting A second suspect has been charged in the shooting that closed down Trenton’s Art All Night festival early Sunday morning. Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri announced Tuesday that Davonne White, 26, who remains hospitalized in stable condition, is charged with three weapons offenses. Already charged in the incident is Amir “Mir” Armstrong, 23, who is hospitalized in critical condition. The exchange of gunfire inside the historic Roebling Wire Works just before 3 a.m. Sunday injured 22 people. Tahaij Wells, identifed as a shooter, is said to have been shot and killed by police. The incident is believed to have been gang related and the festival itself was not a target. Despite the tragic event, proponents of the popular 12-year-old festival and supporters of Trenton’s burgeoning arts scene are committed to its return next year. Billed as “24 Hours of Community, Creativity, and Inspiration,” the festival sponsored by Artworks invites anyone
to exhibit art and includes musical performances, interactive art, food trucks, and more. Over 400 people volunteer, in shifts, each year. Some 25,000 people were expected to attend this year’s event, which began at 3 p.m. Saturday and was scheduled to run until 3 p.m. Sunday. The 11-year-old community organization I Am Trenton has been a supporter of Art All Night since it was founded. “We are standing by, trying to be as helpful as we can,” said Vice President Iana Dikidjiva. “In the aftermath of this, I feel people want to have a positive healing conversation on the effect the arts are having. We are big supporters and we anticipate amplifying whatever the donation mechanism is to help Art All Night and Artworks rebuild.” Art All Night administrators did not respond to a request for comment, but a Facebook message posted Sunday morning announcing the cancellation of the remainder of the event read, “We know there are a lot of questions and a lot of speculation at this point. We’re still
trying ourselves to piece this entire situation together …. We’re very shocked. We’re deeply saddened. Our hearts ache and our eyes are blurry but our dedication and resolve to building a better Trenton through community, creativity, and inspiration will never fade. Not tonight. Not ever.” Continued on Page 8
Dillon Gym No Longer Available to Members Of the Community
For decades, members of the local community have been welcome at Princeton University’s Dillon Gymnasium and Stephens Fitness Center. But by the end of the year, use of the pool, squash courts, and other facilities will no longer be open to the public. “Due to space limitations and student demand for the fitness and recreation Continued on Page 8
Former Gov . Jim Florio at Princeton Library . . . . . 7 Art . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Berkshire Hathaway Fox & Roach Realtors . .20, 21 Books . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Calendar . . . . . . . . . . 23 Cinema . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Classified Ads . . . . . . 35 Mailbox . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Music/Theater . . . . . . 18 New To Us . . . . . . . 14, 15 Obituaries . . . . . . . . . 32 Police . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Religion . . . . . . . . . . . 33 School Matters . . . . . . . 7 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Topics of the Town . . . . 5 Town Talk . . . . . . . . . . 6
ART ALL NIGHT: All was calm at 8 p.m. Saturday, as viewers strolled through the historic Roebling Wire Works building in Trenton to view some 1,500 works by professional and amateur artists. But gun violence disrupted the festival seven hours later. (Photo by Erica M. Cardenas)