Volume LXX, Number 35
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No New Information About Swimmer’s Death At Community Park Pool
Baguette’s Feast Cooks Meals in Seniors’ Kitchens . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Netflix Sensation Stranger Things Taken to a Very Special Place by a Girl Called Eleven . . . . 16 Former Villanova, NBA Star Kittles Enjoying New Role as Coach . . . . . . 27 PHS Alum Smallzman Primed for Sophomore Season . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Since the August 20 death of 24-yearold Colin Simonelli of Princeton, who was found “unresponsive” at 2 p.m. in the shallow part of the main swimming pool at Community Park, the most pressing question has been how this could have happened on a busy Saturday afternoon with 12 lifeguards on duty, two at the main pool. According to the town’s spokesman, municipal administrator Marc Dashield, the matter is currently under investigation by the Princeton Police Department. A preliminary autopsy has been completed, but no information about any cause of death is likely to be announced until there are toxicology results, which could take “between six and eight weeks.” In the words of the original release, “pool personnel initiated life-saving efforts rescuing Mr. Simonelli from the pool and beginning medical treatment. The Princeton Police Department along with the Princeton First Aid and Rescue Squad responded and assisted with lifesaving efforts. Mr. Simonelli was transported to the University Medical Center of Princeton at Plainsboro where he was pronounced deceased later that evening.” Interviewed by telephone, Princeton Council’s liaison to the recreation department Jo Butler pointed out that Colin was a pool member, an active user, and a good swimmer, and that there appeared to be no evidence of “horseplay” or “foul play.” She called it “a tragic event not just for the family but for the community,” and praised Gary DeBlasio at Corner House for being available 24/7 for small group meetings or one-on-one with lifeguards or anyone else at the scene who might be in need of counseling. The death appears to be the only such water-related fatality since the pool opened in 1967. According to the obituary Town Topics received by way of Mather Hodge Funeral Home, Mr. Simonelli was born in Princeton where he was a lifelong resident except for three years in Pittsburgh. He was “a lovable and loving son, grandson, brother, cousin, and friend, whose heart, laughter, compassion, and courage will be sorely missed by everyone who knew him.” Mr. Simonelli was a 2010 graduate of Princeton High School majoring in philosophy and social policy at UMass Boston. His mother Susan Simonelli says “Colin
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Wednesday, August 31, 2016
PHS Athletic Director John Miranda Dies
Over the last two weeks, Princeton High athletes have been gearing up for the upcoming fall season, undergoing grueling practice sessions from the Valley Road complex to the turf field on campus. But as last Monday morning dawned sunny and clear, a pall was cast over the school and fields as the news that John Miranda, the district’s popular Athletic Director and Supervisor of Health and Physical Education, had passed away. In a statement issued Monday on the Princeton Public Schools website, it was revealed that Mr. Miranda, 57, died “suddenly” on August 28. He had taken a leave of absence this past spring due to health issues. The stocky, silver-haired athletic director was a constant presence on the sidelines of PHS games, chatting affably with players, coaches, and officials alike as he oversaw the action. Mr. Miranda, a native of Cinnaminson, New Jersey, who competed in football, baseball, and track at Riverside High, had been with the Princeton Public Schools since 1993, starting as a business education teacher at PHS before becoming Athletic Director and Supervisor of Health and Physical Education in 2005. He served as the head coach of the
PHS baseball team from 1996-2004, mentoring a number of players who went on to enjoy successful college careers. As Athletic Director he oversaw the installation of a new turf field and track. He actively supported the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame, attending induction dinners and soaking up the experiences related by the alumni. He spearheaded the homecoming initiative that started three years ago, featuring Friday night football under the lights and a number of other alumni activities. According to School Superintendent
Steve Cochrane Mr. Miranda’s “unexpected passing is a huge loss to our athletic community, to our district, and to all of us who cared about him. While John was out on leave through much of last year when the Athletics 2.0 Committee was meeting, he was always in our thoughts and, indeed, served as inspiration for many of the recommendations. He returned from leave this summer energized and excited to implement the new philosophy and new ideas.” In the view of Bob James, the Continued on Page 6
With School Opening, Superintendent Cochrane Wants Students To See Beyond Sound Bites Has there ever been a more challenging time to prepare young people to enter and engage with the world they will be living in? That’s the job of the Princeton Public Schools, and Superintendent Steve Cochrane has some ideas about how to do it. “The reality is, we live in a post-Ferguson, post-Dallas, post-Nice world, and our students are looking to make sense of that world,” Mr. Cochrane said. “It’s our job to help them.”
“They want to have conversations about race, religion, and culture,” he continued, “and we have a responsibility to facilitate those conversations. We also have a responsibility as educators to explore our own understandings and biases about race and culture.” Mr. Cochrane discussed the schools’ role in the troubled current day political climate, emphasizing the educational opportunities afforded by election-year Continued on Page 13
There’s a New Assisted Living in Hamilton! Tyler Lussi Helps PU Women’s Soccer Produce 2-0 Start . . . . . . . . . . 24 Art . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
There’s a New Assisted Living in Hamilton!
Books . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Calendar . . . . . . . . . . 21 Cinema . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Classified Ads. . . . . . . 32 Mailbox . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Music/Theater . . . . . . 16 New To Us . . . . . . . . . 23 Obituaries . . . . . . . . . 31 Real Estate . . . . . . . . 32 Religion . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Topics of the Town . . . . 7 Town Talk . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Continued on Page 12
BIKE CULTURE: Bicycle awareness is evident all over the Princeton University campus thanks to the expanded bike-share program. (Photo by Charles R. Plohn)
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