Dear Editor, Recent press coverage about Lawrence Township’s experience with red-light camera installations at the Brunswick Pike/Franklin Corners/Baker’s Basin Roads intersection, in our view, fails to accentuate two significant positive first-year results – reductions over time in violations and total crashes at the intersection.   Based on our study of red-light camera installations in six New Jersey municipalities and research of national studies of red-light camera programs elsewhere, we found that, over time, the observed uptick in rear-end collisions at the Lawrence Township …

  There are eight million people in the Garden State according to the last census. We use an average of about 400-600 plastic and/or paper bags each year (EPA Municipal Solid Waste Report, and Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Edward Humes in Garbology). “So what?” You might ask. This is what... Each plastic bag costs merchants between 2-5 cents. Each paper bag costs 6-23 cents. There is no free lunch, and there is no free bag. Merchants pass the cost along to us, the consumers. Most merchants feel that they have to offer “free” bags because people expect them (we consumers can be picky …

Dear Editor:  While I don’t always agree with decisions made and actions taken by our township government, I have to acknowledge Township Manager Rich Krawczun’s recent negotiation with our local police union. Given the state of our economy, as well the FOP’s reputation for being difficult when it comes to contracts, I believe that Mr. Krawczun secured the best possible deal for the taxpayers.  The benefit time cap, shift changes, short-term limit on salary increases and longevity pay freeze are positive steps that will aid in stabilizing a local budget that has far too many challenges. Mr. …

There is as an astonishing new study about kids that finds over 42 percent do not play outside after school. This study and the concern about obesity in our children and the reduction of recess and physical education in our schools should be of a major concern for all parents. We drive our kids to school, shopping malls, organized sports and sleepovers. When kids are not in cars, they are being taken by bus to school and sporting events. I was at a youth baseball game and I noticed two kids were never taken out of the game for a substitute. This is commonly known as the “Parent/Coach” …

Dec. 31, 2012 To the Editor: Many years ago an editorial assured Virginia that yes, there is a Santa Claus. We beg to disagree. We at HomeFront know for a fact that there are hundreds, if not thousands, of Santas in our community. This year they exemplified the holiday spirit by making sure that homeless and recently homeless children and their parents shared in all the things that make the season special. Individuals, congregations and corporations came together to provide them with gifts, holiday meals, and even parties. We asked each of our client children to submit a ‘wish list’ for two …

To the Editor: Great public schools are one reason why Lawrence Township is a great place to live. That's why end-of-year donations to Lawrence Township Education Foundation are an excellent way to support our town. Your donation supports excellence, creativity and achievement in our schools. LTEF grants reach every student in every school in the district. On behalf of the LTEF Trustees - and the children of Lawrence Township - thanks for your support. We respectfully ask that you consider a donation this year, either online at www.ltefnj.org, or by mail to PO Box 6531, Lawrenceville, N.J. …

A new report from the state Department of Transportation confirms what many opponents of red light camera ticketing systems have long suspected: cameras lead to more accidents, more injuries and greater cost. The report contains data showing that both the total number and total cost of crashes have increased at intersections after cameras were installed. The commonly stated goal of red light cameras is to reduce injuries from right-angle crashes, generally the most dangerous type of collision that results from running a red light. At the 24 intersections in New Jersey that have had cameras …

The holiday season should be a time of joy. But each year, fires caused by Christmas trees and holiday decorations bring tragedy to families all across the country. Research by the US Fire Administration shows a significant rise in fires and the danger of fires during the holiday season. In recent years, the U.S. has averaged more than 200 fires each year that began with a Christmas tree or holiday lighting, many resulting in death or injuries. But there are simple steps that families can take to substantially reduce the risk of a fire over the holidays. The Christmas tree is a symbol of the …

If your property suffered “material damage” as a direct result of Superstorm Sandy, you may qualify for a reduction of your property assessment for 2013.  Normally, all properties are valued in the condition in which they existed on Oct. 1 of the pretax year, or as of Oct. 1, 2012 for the upcoming 2013 tax year.  There is an exception to this law, which applies when a property suffers “material damage” such as a major fire or other significant damage after Oct. 1, 2012, and before Jan. 1 of 2013.  In such circumstances, the property owner would be required to notify the tax assessor of their …

I am a resident of Lawrence and am very concerned about allowing deer hunting in the Pole Farm which is connected to Mercer Meadows, Rosedale Park and joined to the new soccer field on the Lawrenceville-Pennington Road. There has never been legal hunting in this preserved land and the numbers of people using this property including bicyclists, horseback riders, walkers and runners have increased since the trail improvements by the county. The deer hunting idea is very dangerous and is a safety hazard regardless of what notices are posted given the multiple access points on Cold Soil Road, …

My mother used to tell me that charity begins at home; it is in this spirit that I offer a thought: Local families are affected by the recent storm in ways that may not be immediately apparent. No water in the basement, no downed trees. And yet some families are at risk now of losing their homes. When a storm wreaks havoc and life comes to a standstill, many people lose time from their jobs. For some this can be a major inconvenience, but for others — hourly workers or those without the luxury and comfort of a savings account — it can be a tragedy. Conscientious, hard-working people, through …

The Lawrenceville School would like to thank all of the local emergency and tree removal personnel, as well as power company workers from all over the East Coast, who helped keep Lawrence Township safe during Hurricane Sandy and its aftermath. We also extend our gratitude to our school's faculty and staff for their dedicated efforts in keeping our campus secure during the storm. Sincerely, Elizabeth A. Duffy H'43 The Shelby Cullom Davis '26 Head MasterThe Lawrenceville School      

Three years ago, Lawrenceville Main Street provided the framework for the Lawrenceville Main Street Artists' Network to form as a part of their organization. Since then, they have graciously provided support for the gallery by allowing it to operate under their auspices. Lawrenceville Main Street organization has now directed the Artists' Network to separate from them, effective Oct. 31, 2012. The aid that LMS has provided the Artists' Network was organizational. The Artists' Network sustained itself financially. The immediate result of this decision is that the Artists' Network Gallery and …

To our dear families, neighbors, friends, and their friends and families from Lawrenceville and around the country who wrote cards, shared mementos, offered prayers, took care of our sons, made generous financial donations, and provided everything from their homes to bikes to computers to clothing to food and meals to soccer equipment. To our local firefighters, police, sports and religious organizations, businesses and school district that provided tuition-relief, valuable guidance and direction. To those we've never met who anonymously showered us with endless acts of kindness, complete …

Tensions between bicyclists and motorists are in the spotlight this summer and we believe it’s time we all took more responsibility for cooling the confrontation and sharing the road. We represent bicycle clubs and organizations with over 2,000 members in NW and Central NJ. Each of us is also a motorist. We understand sharing the road from behind the wheel of a car as well as on a bicycle. We are as upset as anyone when a bicyclist does not ride safely or a group of cyclists block the road and surround a car as reportedly happened in Tewksbury this summer. Our organizations train riders on …

A very lucrative business, in some suburban communities, is tutoring to prepare pre-kindergarten children for entrance into school. Parents are already making plans for their 5-year-olds to have an extra advantage in being accepted at an Ivy League School. In New York City, parents pay in excess of $20,000 a year to enroll their 5-year-olds in an exclusive, status-driven and competitive school. Parents spend months investigating school programs to be assured the selected school meets their socio-economic status. There is a built-in fear that other children may be getting a competitive edge …

  To the Editor, The United States is on the brink of a fire crisis. New lightweight construction methods and materials are making it harder and more dangerous for firefighters to safely extinguish blazes and for occupants to escape safely. It’s estimated that most homes built within the past 20 years contain these dangerous lightweight materials, which are designed to carry a greater load with less material by using prefabricated components. While these lightweight construction materials are touted as being more cost-effective and environmentally friendly, they also allow fires to spread …

Immunization is one of the most powerful tools available to protect the health of individuals and our communities. Vaccines are responsible for the control of many infectious diseases that were once common in this country and around the world, including polio, measles, diphtheria, rubella and mumps. Vaccines eradicated smallpox, one of the most devastating diseases in history. Over the years, vaccines have prevented countless cases of infectious diseases and saved literally millions of lives. August is National Immunization Awareness Month, a good time for New Jerseyans of all ages to protect…

On Tuesday, July 3, 2012, a fire broke out, leaving three homes on Revere Road in South Brunswick, N.J. destroyed or damaged, and at least six people displaced. After a protracted battle which pitted more than two dozen firefighters against a rapidly-growing fire, the six people who lived in the home where the fire originated escaped without any injuries. That home, however, was destroyed and the two adjacent homes sustained considerable damage. Fire spreads quickly in newer homes, such as those in the Dean’s Pond Crossing development, because they are constructed with lightweight building …

June 13, 2012 Dear Residents of Mercer County: I am writing to let you know that effective today I have withdrawn my name from the race for Mercer County Freeholder. My decision to seek the office was an extension of a commitment I made in the year 2010 to advocate for the residents of Mercer County and the open and accessibility of the county government here in Mercer. For the last thre years I have been crafting a plan to do this. Unfortunately, the change of leadership in the Mercer County Republican Party and the people that are behind the scenes in the Mercer GOP are standing in the way …