Volume LXX, Number 38
www.towntopics.com
Community Responds To Student’s Death With Deep Grief, Support
Vigil for Victims of Terrorism Friday . . . . . . 6 "Welcoming Week" Stories of People Who Have Helped Refugees . . . . . 9 PFARS Update on Move to New Building . . . . . 15 Nilo Cruz Returns to McCarter with Bathing in Moonlight . . . . . . . . . 19 Princeton Symphony Orchestra Opens 201617 Season . . . . . . . . . 21 Princeton Football Edges Lafayette in Season Opener, . . . . . . . . . . . 30 PDS Field Hockey Is Dominant at 5-0 . . . . . 34
Slim Gaillard Cooks Up a Jazz Feast-a-Roonie . . 22 Art . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Books . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Calendar . . . . . . . . . . 27 Cinema . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Classified Ads. . . . . . . 41 Mailbox . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Music/Theater . . . . . . 19 New To Us . . . . . . . . . 28 Obituaries . . . . . . . . . 38 Police Blotter . . . . . . . 12 Real Estate . . . . . . . . 41 Religion . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Service Directory . . . . 40 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Topics of the Town . . . . 7 Town Talk . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Owen Bardzilowski, 14-year-old ninth grader at Princeton High School who took his own life at his family’s home on Henry Street last Thursday, has been remembered and mourned by many different people in many different ways during the past week. Owen’s father Joe stated on Facebook Saturday, “The outpouring of love from our friends, our family, and our community have been comforting for us.” Mr. Bardzilowski emphasized the importance of openness and raising awareness in response to his son’s death. “I have no words,” he wrote, “But if you need to express your grief quietly or publicly or if you just want to hug one of Owen’s family members, we are not being shy or hiding from this tragedy. We as a community need to get our heads around this and do whatever we can to raise awareness.” Echoing Mr. Bardzilowski’s thoughts, HiTops, specializing in adolescent health, and Good Grief, a center for children’s bereavement, yesterday held an “Open Door” at Hi Tops headquarters on Wiggins Street for teens to come “for support and connection.” Counselors from both organizations were available. According to their websites, HiTops is “here to help ensure that our community’s young people have the information, tools, and resources they need to thrive and grow,” and Good Grief is “dedicated to the emotional and physical health of children, teens and families after the death of a loved one.” Bill Schofield, interim executive director of HiTops, stated, “Owen’s death has shaken the community in a lot of different ways.” Describing “a strong outpouring of support,” he added that HiTops has recently become more active at times of crisis. They held an “Open Door” event following the Orlando terrorist shootings last June. Mr. Schofield praised the Princeton Schools’ work in counseling students and said that HiTops’ goal is “to provide a safe space and an avenue for young people to express their thoughts and feelings.” Joseph Primo, CEO of Good Grief, added, “The death of a peer and friend can be a time of confusion, fear, and a host of other emotions that teens may not have yet confronted. Good Grief and HiTops are providing a safe place Continued on Page 38
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Wednesday, September 21, 2016
Democrats Open Headquarters, Greet Booker
More than a thousand Hillary Clinton supporters filled the Democratic Campaign headquarters, filled an overflow area in The Triumph Brewery below, and lined up on Nassau Street Sunday to celebrate their candidate and greet U.S. Senator Cory Booker. “What a wonderful problem we have that we did not anticipate,” said Mr. Booker, as he looked out over the crowd of enthusiastic supporters fanning themselves in the hot room that serves as the location for the Princeton for Hillary Campaign, run by the Princeton Community Democratic Organization (PCDO), as well as the statewide Hillary for New Jersey Campaign. The event officially opening the Princeton campaign headquarters and kicking off the fall campaign “exceeded our expectations,” said PCDO president Owen O’Donnell. “We were so happy at the turnout.” Urging the crowd to commit to phone banking and canvassing for Ms. Clinton, Mr. Booker stated, “This is going to be an election won on the fundamentals. It’s going to be won in the trenches. The most persuasive thing is neighbors talking to neighbors, friends talking to friends.” Mr. Booker urged the Hillary support-
ers to hold on to “ten two-letter words,” attributed to Dr. Martin Luther King: “If it is to be it is up to me.” Emphasizing Ms. Clinton’s character, experience, and passion for making a difference in the lives of children and others in need, Mr. Booker, who has campaigned extensively with Ms. Clinton and was on the short list as a vice presidential candidate, stated, “This to her is not just about winning. It’s about the unfinished business of America.” Other Democratic leaders speaking included New Jersey State Director of the
Clinton campaign Jennifer Holdsworth, State Democratic Chair John Currie, Mercer County Executive Brian Hughes, and State Senator Linda Greenstein (D-14). In looking ahead to the 50 days leading up to the election, Mr. O’Donnell discussed the importance of the PCDO efforts in neighboring Pennsylvania. “We’re not taking New Jersey for granted,” he said, “but we are doing everything we can to recruit people to go to Pennsylvania, that important swing state.” He mentioned that volunteers are Continued on Page 12
Mercer County Plans to Sue Over Stalled Bridge Projects Fed up with the ongoing shutdown of transportation projects including the replacement of a bridge on Carter Road, Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes has announced that the county has served a “notice of claim” against the State of New Jersey and the Department of Transportation. The stalled projects, which also include a bridge replacement in Hamilton Township, a new security fence at Trenton-Mercer Airport, and bridge rehabilitations in
Hopewell Township, are the result of an executive order by Governor Chris Christie on June 30. All ongoing work funded by the New Jersey Transportation Trust Fund Authority, which the State said would run out of money by the end of summer, were immediately shut down. On July 6, the DOT’s acting commissioner Richard Hammer issued a companion shutdown order requiring that all contractors secure projects and cease active work on Continued on Page 16
STANDING FOR JAZZ: Princeton’s 25th Jazz Feast drew a standing-room-only crowd to Palmer Square Sunday. Performers included Alan Dale and the New Legacy Jazz Band, Chuck Redd, Spanglish Fly, the Pete and Will Anderson Quintet, and Professor Cunningham and his Old School. (Photo by Emily Reeves)