Content about Civics

Best-selling author and New York Times columnist Gail Collins kicks off the promotional tour of her latest book, “As Texas Goes … How the Lone Star State Hijacked the American Agenda,” Tuesday, June 5 at 7 p.m., at Princeton Public Library. 
 
Having long seen America's fundamental divide as a war between the Republican heartland and the two liberal coasts, Collins came to believe that Texas was the birthplace of the conservative political agenda that is now sweeping the country and defining our national identity.
 

In the June 5th New Jersey primaries, Princeton Democrats will be asked to choose their mayoral candidate.  It's between Liz Lempert and Kevin Wilkes.  Dick Woodbridge is the only Republican in the running. 

Richard Woodbridge, former Township mayor and former Borough Councilman, is running for mayor of consolidated Princeton.  He says that what the municipality needs most during this period of transition is “experience, experience, experience.”

Woodbridge has the unique background of having served on the elected governments of both Princeton Township and Princeton Borough.  He also grew up in Princeton, went through the public school system, and graduated from Princeton University. 

Borough Councilman and local business owner Kevin Wilkes is hoping to serve as the first mayor of consolidated Princeton.  If elected, he said that maintaining efficiency in municipal services would be his top priority.

“My goal is to effectively implement the consolidation program to manage our community affairs as one New Princeton,” Wilkes said.  “There is a high level of expectation in our community with regards to our two forms of government, and as they merge into one Princeton there can be no let down in service delivery to our citizens.”

If elected Mayor of the newly consolidated Princeton, Democratic candidate Liz Lempert promises she will commit to making the merger a success on every level.

A non-partisan workshop for new citizens and new voters will be held on 

Bill Bradley, former U.S. Senator from New Jersey, will open his national tour for his new book, "We Can All Do Better," with a public lecture on Wednesday, May 9, 2012, at 4:30 p.m. in McCosh Hall, Room 50, on the Princeton University campus. The address, sponsored by the Woodrow Wilson School, is free and open to the public. A book sale and signing will immediately follow the talk.

The Princeton-based Coalition for Peace Action (CFPA) today announced the results of its “Penny Poll” of how taxpayers mailing their federal tax returns on April 17, the filing deadline, would like to see their tax dollars spent.  

Free Admission. All are welcome. Video Screening of “The Princeton Plan: 50 Years Later” Featuring Guest Speakers, Ms. Shirley Satterfield and Mr. Henry Pannell, members of the first class to integrate in the Princeton School system. For more information contact, Debra Raines at (609) 497-2100 ext. 307 or draines@ ywcaprinceton.org

The Princeton Community Democratic Organization (PCDO) formally endorsed the current deputy mayor of Princeton township Liz Lempert in her bid to become the first mayor of the unified Princeton, along with four prospective candidates for Council:Lance Liverman, Bernie Miller, Heather Howard, and Patrick Simon.

In anticipation of the first election cycle of the soon-to-be consolidated Princeton Borough and Township, Sunday’s assembly at the Jewish Center of Princeton  drew a crowd of over 500 community members and eligible voters.

“Reed and Ponder,” a new political talk show produced at Princeton Community Television, will debut this Thursday, March 1st, at 8:00 pm.  The program will cover a broad range of important issues in New Jersey, with the aim of making public policy interesting and accessible to all. 
 
“The idea is to talk about politics, policy, and people in the local area, but the show will also have a state-wide feel to it,” said producer Diane Ciccone.    
 

Dear Editor,

TO THE EDITOR:

The Princeton Community Democratic Organization (PCDO) endorsed candidates for Federal, State and County offices at its monthly meeting on Sunday, February 26th. The evening began with presentations by U.S. Senator Robert Menendez and Representative Rush Holt before a crowd of well over one hundred that included PCDO members, elected officials and members of the public. Jackie Cornell-Bechelli, the NJ State Director of Obama for America followed with an update on the presidential campaign.

The YWCA Princeton now offering free GED preparation classes for English as a Second Language (ESL) students. At the request of students and community members, Paula Rossi, ESL Director at the YWCA Princeton, introduced the GED class last fall with success. She is proud to announce that this new program has resulted in its first student completing the test and obtaining her GED.

From 3:00-4:00 PM on Sunday, January 8, there will be an Interfaith Vigil on the first anniversary of the mass shooting in Tucson in Niles Chapel of Nassau Presbyterian Church, 61 Nassau Street, Princeton (across from Palmer Square). Those attending should enter the small door to the right of the large doors at the main entrance, then go down the hallway to Niles Chapel on the right.

The Princeton-based Coalition for Peace Action (CFPA) is planning a Celebration of the completion of withdrawal of US troops from Iraq by the end of 2011, nearly nine years after the War started.  
The Celebration, which will include Champagne Toasts with soft drinks and snacks also available, will be from 5:30-7:30 PM on Thursday, December 29 at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Princeton, 50 Cherry Hill Road (just up the hill from the light at the intersection of Route 206 and Cherry Hill). There is plenty of free parking at the church.  

Before mounting their streamer-clad bicycles and riding around downtown Princeton, three townspeople in the Occupy the Streets movement stood next to each other for inspection.  The organizer of the movement, a lady in a green jacket, had to check if they were standing in order, the signs on their backs featuring the words We, The 99% and Are. 
 
Are The 99% We.
 
“No, no.  Guy in the middle--move out to the end!”
 
The 99% We Are.
 
“No, one more time!”

“Rate the State: A New Jersey Political Mid-Term Review” will take place Thursday, Dec. 15 from noon to 1 p.m. at Princeton Public Library. Doors open at 11:30 a.m., and the event will be held in the library’s Community Room.
 
Moderated by WHYY Audio News Director Eugene Sonn, the event is being held as Gov. Chris Christie approaches the halfway mark of his term as New Jersey’s governor and legislators finish up their 2011 business.
 

Lawyers will be at the library for free private consultations on immigration and general legal issues. No appointment necessary; first-come, first-served. Spanish translators will be available. Call Lucía Acosta at 609.924.9529, ext. 245 for more information. Sponsored by the library, the Latin American Task Force, Lutheran Social Ministries, The Princeton Housing Authority and the Mercer County Bar Association..

In a town hall meeting with Princeton Township Mayor Chad Goerner and Princeton Borough Council member Kevin Wilkes, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie congratulated the two Princetons on the recent vote in favor of consolidation.

“We have to start not just talking about challenging the status quo, but actually challenging it,” Christie said, calling the Princetons an example for the rest of the state.

Monthly meeting of the Princeton Community Democratic Organization (PCDO)
Free and open to the public.

The Latin American Task Force offers a series of classes to assist in preparing for the U.S. Citizenship Test. History, civic lessons and a review of basic English necessary for the citizenship interview are covered. Classes continue Wednesdays through Nov. 30 (except Nov. 23). Conference Room
Co-sponsored by the library and the Latin American Task Force.

The Latin American Task Force offers a series of classes to assist in preparing for the U.S. Citizenship Test. History, civic lessons and a review of basic English necessary for the citizenship interview are covered. Classes continue Wednesdays through Nov. 30 (except Nov. 23). Conference Room
Co-sponsored by the library and the Latin American Task Force.