Volume LXXIX, Number 6
Morven Speaker Series Takes Visitors to Landmark Houses . . . . 5 HomeFront’s Week Of Hope Offers Opportunities to Make a Difference . . . . . . . . . 8 Jodi Picoult to be Interviewed For Podcast At Library Event . . . . 10 Born 111 Years Ago Today, William Burroughs Knocks On Our Door . . . . . . . .15 Doing Some Soul Searching after Defeat To Yale, PU Men’s Hoops Rebounds with 69-49 Win Over Brown . . . . . . . 25 Sparked by McNally’s Perimeter Shooting, Hun Girls’ Hoops Primed for Postseason Run . . . . 29
www.towntopics.com
School Facilities Bond Referendum Approved by Voters In unofficial results from a Tuesday, January 28, special election, Princeton residents cast their ballots in favor of all three parts of a plan that will provide $89.1 million for renovation and expansion in the Princeton Public Schools (PPS). “This outcome shows that voters understand that the continued success of Princeton Public Schools is vital to the community,” said Interim Superintendent of Schools Kathie Foster. “With these improvements, our district can prepare for growth and prioritize the neighborhood elementary schools and innovative educational experiences that our community values.” Expressing her gratitude for the Princeton voters’ support, PPS Board of Education (BOE) President Dafna Kendal wrote in a February 3 email, “The passage of the three referendum questions will allow us to address capacity issues at several of the schools, ensure the HVAC systems at PHS (Princeton High School) are functioning safely and efficiently, and plan for future student enrollment growth.” She continued, “The approval of the referendum is the culmination of a more than six-year process by the Board and administration to plan for rising enrollment and accommodate changes in teaching and learning. The addition of 23 classrooms and the expansion of common areas will ensure that the district has sufficient capacity to welcome all students for years to come.” Kendal also noted that the community will benefit from $19.9 million in state debt service aid to help pay for these improvements. With all votes counted except for provisional and a few more mail-in ballots, the tally on Question 1, calling for expansion and renovation at Community Park Elementary and the installation of new HVAC systems at PHS at a cost of $37.9M, was 2,075 (61.7 percent ) Yes and 1,317 (38.83 percent) No. On Question 2, proposing expansion and renovation at Princeton Middle School and the creation of more classroom space at PHS at a cost of $38.3M, there were 1,973 (58.32 percent) Yes votes and 1,410 (41.68 percent) No votes. On Question 3, voters approved expansion and renovations at Littlebrook Elementary at a cost of $12.9M, with 1,890
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Art . . . . . . . . . . . . 20, 21 Books . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Calendar . . . . . . . . . . 22 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . 33 Mark Your Calendar . .18, 19 New To Us . . . . . . . . . 23 Obituaries . . . . . . . 31,32
Performing Arts . . . . .16, 17 Police Blotter . . . . . . . . .11 Real Estate . . . . . . . . 33 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Topics of the Town . . . . 5 Town Talk . . . . . . . . . . 6
Wednesday, February 5, 2025
Tech Industry Leaders Join PU, NJ in AI Hub Princeton University and the state of New Jersey will be joined by two corporate tech giants, Microsoft and CoreWeave, in the creation of a “state-of-the-art” NJ AI Hub, “a collaborative ecosystem that integrates world-class research, innovation, education, and workforce development,” according to an announcement last Friday by Gov. Phil Murphy. The Hub will be located in space provided by Princeton University at 619 Alexander Road in West Windsor and, the governor’s press release stated, “will help position New Jersey as a leading East Coast center for AI innovation.” “The addition of Microsoft and CoreWeave as founding partners of the NJ AI Hub demonstrates how government, higher education, and the corporate sector are coming together to advance AI innovation and the regional innovation ecosystem — two of Princeton’s highest priorities,” said Princeton University President Christopher L. Eisgruber. “I’m eager to see many of the state’s other excellent colleges and universities join this effort as its development continues.” Murphy emphasized, “As the AI industry rapidly evolves, it’s imperative that we capitalize on this moment in New Jersey.
DSCAPING RDSCAPING CAPING DSCAPING SCAPING CAPING NDSCAPING SCAPING MOVAL MOVAL EMOVAL REMOVAL PU Women’s Squash Star Zein Wins CSA Individual Title . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
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I’m incredibly proud of this partnership with the top leaders in the industry and higher education, which further establishes our state as a hub for cutting edge AI innovation and talent. AI’s economic and innovation potential is vast, giving us the chance to take our state to new heights. This partnership will not only solidify New Jersey’s position as a global technology leader, it will also attract high-paying, sustainable jobs for our residents, allowing for a stronger and more prosperous future for our state.”
Last Friday’s announcement follows Murphy’s proclamation 13 months ago in his State-of-the-State address of an “AI Moonshot,” with New Jersey becoming a base for AI-powered discoveries creating new jobs and economic opportunities. Murphy and Eisgruber announced plans for an AI Hub in 2023, and last April the University and the state held a NJ AI Summit, gathering more than 600 academic, business, and government leaders at Princeton University to start
Michelle Pirone Lambros is running for reelection to Princeton Council, on which she has served since 2020. The primary election is June 10, and the general election takes place on November 4. Two seats on Council are up for grabs: One held by Lambros; the other by Council President Mia Sacks. While Sacks has yet to formally announce her candidacy, she will be running for reelection, she said Tuesday. A native of Princeton, Lambros has
served as Council’s liaison to Experience Princeton, the Pedestrian Bicycle Advisory Committee, and the Recreation Committee. She chairs the Princeton Public Art Ad Hoc Committee, the Communications Committee, and the Infrastructure and Operations Committee. She is also the Fire Commissioner and serves on the Finance Committee, among others. In an official statement, Lambros said that she wants to build on the foundation of work she has accomplished while in
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Michelle Pirone Lambros Announces Campaign for Third Term on Council
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TREASURE HUNT: Book lovers had thousands of works to choose from at the Friends of the Lawrence Library Book Sale, held last weekend at the Lawrence Headquarters Branch of the Mercer County Library System on Brunswick Pike. The library’s next sale is scheduled for May 15-19. (Photo by Thomas Hedges)
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