The happenings of the past year have shaped us all – from the COVID-19 pandemic to the economy, racial justice protests as well as politics – some have felt things more than others.
To understand the dynamics, Princeton Perspectives surveyed 80 local adults. The replies were anonymous but the facts remain clear, 88% of respondents felt strongly that 2020 has complicated their lives in some way. Nearly 80% are maintaining the same financial status this year (with most now working from home) and 55% have had no major health issues, but that doesn’t mean things are simple. Mentally and emotionally it’s been a challenge. Logistically, trips have been canceled, working-from-home get tricky and the expense of more groceries is challenging some.
“Economically, socially, financially, spiritually – everything has taken a negative hit in town. Mental health has also taken a hit,” shared one respondent.
The inevitable uncertainty of what’s to come is hard for many to handle.
“Actions that used to require little or no thought, because they were habitual or safe, now require forethought and greater planning,” noted another survey-taker.
Whether it was the balance of home maintenance, like coordinating pest control and HVAC workers with everyone home or the increased demand to care for children and help with their remote schooling, 2020 has added burdens and changed what had been predictable.
“I’m used to having children in school and a set routine,” stated another. “This year, depending on the week and COVID cases in school, kids may or may not be at school in-person. And that makes planning things as a mom trickier. Also, waiting in line at grocery stores only to find they are still out of Lysol and other cleaning supplies. Then off to another store I go!”
In this new normal we are living in, most of the people polled said Princetonians are doing a great job following protocols and helping to control the spread of the virus. 63% feel the resources and information provided (through the Mayor’s daily email, Governor’s briefings, websites, etc.) have helped them through.
With closures and limitations slowing life down a bit, many are taking advantage of spending more quality time with family, reading more books and enjoying time in nature. There are other beneficial changes, too. People are loving the outdoor dining on Witherspoon Street and around downtown, less traffic on local roadways and more available parking. Several of those surveyed have used the downtime to clean up their house (37%), take better care of themselves (26%), learn a new hobby (13%) and advance their education or career (8%).
With fewer places to go and a decrease in organized activities, one person noted maybe we were not thinking straight before.
This time has been “a pause to stop, breathe, take stock in how unsustainable the pace of so many of our lives may have been prior to the pandemic.”
The slowdown, however, has had its costs. Though 53% say they are willing to dine outdoors at local restaurants, there is an acknowledgement the downtown economy has sacrificed the most in 2020. To help them shop, curbside pick-ups were noted as a beneficial change and 48% said that is their preferred method of shopping today while 41% said they will go into specific stores as needed.
Having a social life, whether out at a town establishment or in other ways, has also suffered. Only one person admitted they would go inside to enjoy a bar today. People really miss being with friends and family, though they’re not willing to risk getting COVID to do so. Nearly three-quarters of respondents told Princeton Perspectives they stay at home much more than they used to. 83% of the people we heard from will only spend time with others outdoors, and 74% are hanging out alone, with their spouse or only within a small bubble of people. They feel this social loss for their kids, too.
“Our kids’ feelings of connectedness to others and independence from adults — no more play dates, walks in town, shopping on their own for a birthday or holiday,” explains a respondent.
67% of those surveyed have kids and 61% have chosen to take advantage of the hybrid model or in-person options for them, as opposed to complete remote schooling (though that number seems to be shifting towards more remote as winter progresses). Many also pointed out the changes in school attendance and school events are negatively impacting their children. When they’re not in school, parents are still finding ways for their children to socialize. Only 4% admitted their children do not play with others at all right now while 64% are permitting only outside play – most of that being within a tight bubble of friends or with only one or two peers.
While most take note of how the pandemic has affected them, there’s also the acknowledgement of the hardships facing others. 51% of those surveyed have donated more to non-profits than usual and 23% have volunteered more this year than in years past, including a heightened need to reach out to those that live alone. Isolation is a word we’ve heard more this year than ever, and something to be concerned with not just for the older generation but for children schooling at home as well.
If you learned at home, that used to be mean you were homeschooled. Today, that term is often confused with remote schooling, children enrolled in a public or independent/private school but learning at home. 2020 surely is a year that has made us redefine words and add new ones into our vocabulary, as one respondent cited.
“I think it would be interesting to look at the new terms everyone now knows after the pandemic: remote learning, hybrid model, social distancing.”
After the death of George Floyd, the terms social justice and racial justice became more commonplace than in recent years. And this re-energized movement has affected many. People gathered worldwide, including thousands by the Princeton gates, declaring a need for change. Yet, 60% of those we heard from said they haven’t seen much change with regards to the impact it’s had around town, noting it takes time. Respondents were fairly evenly divided in their beliefs that the biggest changes so far have occurred in our schools (20%) and with regards to interpersonal relationships (18%). Nearly 40% stated they haven’t seen any positive changes yet and one noted they think things have unfortunately gotten worse since June. One public change locally, which got unanimous school board approval, was the removal of John Witherspoon from the name of Princeton’s middle school.
“Changing the name of the school is a slap in the face of history. At the time slavery was socially acceptable. I am disappointed and do NOT Consider it an improvement,” commented one survey-taker.
Another added, “Changing the name of the school was a waste unless they change programming.”
It was noted in the Perspectives Revisited section last issue that Princeton schools have added several new racial literacy courses and more equity training for staff. The local private schools have also pushed forth new plans for racial equity.
The past year has also seen some major economic ups and downs, On one end, 5% of our survey respondents have lost jobs this year. Local non-profits, like the Mobile Food Pantry and Share my Meals say they have seen an increase in need for food as the months of the pandemic roll on, with 15% of those we surveyed finding 2020 to be financially difficult. On the other end, Princeton has the lowest unemployment rate in NJ and thanks to the strong rebound of the stock market, a handful of people told us they have found the year to be financially beneficial.
Some may say that’s thanks to President Trump, though he’s a leader the majority of Princetonians don’t favor. 57% claim the government has played a negative role in their lives this year and those same people believe 2021 will improve for them once President-elect Biden is sworn in. Living in Princeton recently as a Republican or Conservative-leaning voter has been difficult for several who commented on the survey.
“The inability to freely express your opinions in an open exchange of information and ideas has created a deep divide among friends and social groups,” explained one person.
This is a reality with politics and the pandemic, as the way people distance and when or where they mask-up has pitted more than one family against another. Stress amongst friends and family, caused by these issues as well as the pandemic in general, has weighed on many.
The struggles are real and it is easy to see the negatives. But with the vaccine rolling out and 2021 around the corner, there is hope that 2020 has shaped a different way of thinking that can lead us to better days going forward.
As one person put it, “I think we are more appreciative of what we do have.”
And another regaled, “It has been a challenging year, but Princetonians are resilient!”
Lisa Jacknow spent years working in national and local news in and around New York City before moving to Princeton. Working as both a TV producer and news reporter, Lisa came to this area to focus on the local news of Mercer County at WZBN-TV. In recent years, she got immersed in the Princeton community by serving leadership roles at local schools in addition to volunteering for other local non-profits. In her free time, Lisa loves to spend time with her family, play tennis, sing and play the piano. A graduate of the S. I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University, Lisa was raised just north of Boston, Massachusetts but has lived in the tri-state area since college. She is excited to be Editor and head writer for Princeton Perspectives!
In January 1777, Washington’s troops marched from Trenton to Princeton, for a successful attack on the British soldiers. Today, more than 240 years later, the Mercer Oak still stands as a witness to the success of the Revolutionary War’s Battle of Princeton. While life in 2020 has presented a very different type of war, the year has seen several battles and those who call this town home are fighting hard, determined to be the victors once again.
Never seen before, a Winter Village has formed throughout the downtown shopping district and at Princeton Shopping Center. Pop-up cabins selling handcrafted and specialty items take advantage of a safer outdoor space while offering a chance for small business owners to sell their goods. Stores around town are offering discounts if you have a receipt from another, to promote shopping local. For example, spend $20 or more at 
“There are the costs that are added, particularly in terms of packaging. When we do our pricing, those materials aren’t built into the pricing to the scale you now need to have to accommodate COVID-safety requirements,” shares Jammin’ Crepes co-owner Kathy Klockenbrink. “The fund was helpful in terms of stemming some of those costs. Then the amount of plexiglass that has to go up, and gloves – we go through more gloves than you’d imagine.”
Collaborations between retail and community are keeping vacant storefronts alive. You can see the 
“This quick redesign happened to coincide with the municipality’s longer-term Witherspoon corridor redesign initiative, and we are now considering making these changes permanent. We plan to create some additional parking on Nassau Street to help make up for some of the spots that were lost on Witherspoon – by converting the underused taxi stand into metered spots,” explains Lempert.
Adapting is a keyword for 2020 survival and 
Additional help is also being sought for those in crisis, so people are able to connect to better resources before the police may be called in. Princeton’s Department of Human Services is hiring a new outreach coordinator to meet these growing needs of our community. Changes in financial status, which had been assisted by the eviction moratorium, are also a concern. In the spring, 
Many of us are yearning to be with those we love for the holidays. Yet, COVID-19 still threatens the safety of doing so. After eight months of altering our lives to stay healthy and safe, we need a way to feel fulfilled. Food has a way of helping to heal some of these wounds (as many readers’ scales may attest to!). The right foods can bring back memories, create new ones and warm our souls. So, where better to find the best foods and recipes than amongst the amazing array of restaurants in the Princeton area. We reached out to some favorites and asked them to help us enjoy the season by sharing special recipes with our readers. Each chef or owner has a recipe that reminds them of their family and Thanksgivings growing up. They are also offering up a unique opportunity for you to create one of their restaurant dishes – one they are serving this Thanksgiving season! Whether you’ll be eating for one or a few, we hope these foods help you feel connected and nourish your soul. If you can’t be around the same table, share the recipes with your far-away loved ones and you can enjoy eating them together, virtually, this holiday season.
She embraced it by spending three days preparing, in order to provide a full spread of her Italian favorites as well as a traditional American Thanksgiving feast.
Foreign foods also played a big role in the childhood of 
A relatively newer restaurant to the Princeton scene is 
We live in the Garden State, which immediately brings to mind farming. But, did you realize that beyond the fruits and vegetables grown fresh around New Jersey, turkey farming is also here? Turkeys are raised and cultivated at four turkey farms in our area, bringing you fresh local meat you can enjoy for Thanksgiving and year-round.
Of course, you can purchase a supermarket turkey (or get your free one from 
Trying to outseat Kemler is 
Hoping to continue working alongside Cimino, 
Hoping to unseat her is Republican 
A first generation American, 
In Princeton, 48% of your tax bill goes towards the schools. That money goes into the budget of the Board of Education (BOE), overseen by 10 elected members (9 from Princeton, one from Cranbury). It has become the most contested local race for these November elections with eight candidates running for three open spots – two incumbents, one former BOE member and five newcomers.
I’m running for a second term on the Board of Education because I believe effective, equitable public education is the cornerstone of our democracy, and I care deeply about preparing our students for the future. I’m the daughter of immigrants; my family benefitted enormously from public schools, and we were taught the importance of giving back to our community. During my first term on the Board, we made big changes and accomplished a lot for our students; I’d love to continue the work and build on the positive momentum we have going. Selecting a new permanent superintendent, mapping out a strategic plan for the future, making real strides towards equity, planning how to welcome more students in appropriate learning environments. 
I want to maintain excellent and affordable schools for all Princetonians. While the schools have incredible financial resources available to them, Princeton Public School has the 3rd highest spending per student of 97 school districts in our peer group. And yet in the past, I believe
we have had mis-managed budgets lay off people who do the essential work, teachers and Academic Intervention Specialist coordinators (AIS). New Jersey itself has the highest property taxes of any state in the country and the schools in town are responsible for 48 percent of the tax bill. This is unacceptable to me. By cutting wasteful spending, living more within our means, and favoring our essential teachers over non-essential and expensive construction projects, as part of the board I can help us drive money back into classrooms and ensure that there is respect and transparency throughout the district. 
I seek to serve each student and their family, the administrative and support staffs, as well as the broader community of local advocates, volunteers and taxpayers--all of whom are Princeton's "educating community" by sharing the assets of my professional and personal background to further equip the Princeton Public Schools in fulfilling its mission. The assets I bring to service on the BOE include experience leading and working with innovative educational, advocacy and youth-serving organizations and communities; identifying, nurturing and mentoring talented leaders; and leading processes of envisioning the future, planning for growth and change and development of resources to advance excellent opportunities for all. 
With the myriad challenges facing our schools, the new administration at PPS, and the growing movement across our country surrounding racial justice and equality and opportunity for all, I am seeking the opportunity to lend my skills, intellect, and helping hands. My approach to problem solving is practical, and as a lawyer and social worker, I've been trained to look at issues from all sides. I tend to rely on research, data, and collaboration and conversation with people who hold both differing and similar vantage points. The role of a Board of Education member is to set goals, offer guidance and implement policy to support and enable the administration to run the District and provide the best education possible for our children that the community can afford. If elected, my goal is to work hard and to do so collaboratively and openly to strengthen our schools and community. I would do this by bringing my experience and ideas as well as the ability to work well with others. My family and I appreciate all that we've been fortunate to experience as residents in Princeton. I'd like to give back and work to help foster consensus and collaboration around difficult issues facing our public schools. 
I was on the board for three years with my term ending at the end of 2019. I considered whether or not to run again last year but I was too frustrated at the lack of (1) openness at the top levels for new and creative ideas and (2) a willingness to make changes. However, with an interim superintendent and the opportunity to help select a new superintendent, I saw an opportunity for our district become a leader rather than a follower, but that was not enough to sway me. Then I found creative thinkers like Paul Johnson and Karen Lemon who were willing to form a slate to give the majority needed to make real changes. That pushed me over the edge to throw my hat in the ring as part of a slate of candidates. 
As the late, great John Lewis so eloquently put it, “To get in trouble, good trouble, necessary trouble.” We are at a crossroads in our society and we must be proactive rather than reactive. It is time for a change on our school board, it is time we tackle our issues of equity/equality head on, without reserve. It is time for us to be honest with ourselves and admit we have fallen short of the promises we have made to our children in this town. We have failed to be leaders for social justice and reform. I am running because I believe I can be part of the necessary change which will ensure our students and families a better tomorrow. I am running because I genuinely care about the outcome of my five children, three of whom attend Princeton Public Schools (grades 3, 5 and 11) as well as all the children in our community. Most importantly I will work tirelessly until every kid and every family in our town feels like they belong. I will make sure our schools remain diverse, our town remains affordable, and there will forever be trust and transparency between the board and the public. 
My biggest concern is the current Board of Education leadership believes we just need consistency. I believe we need strategic and creative leadership if we want to deliver excellent education and support our community in remaining affordable. The achievement of our low-income students, black and brown students, and special needs students has stagnated. We need to focus on the success of all children, and this is not sufficiently occurring today. 48% of our tax dollars go towards our schools. I believe there is an opportunity to improve spending through reducing the use of consultants, leveraging the reduction in our costs associated with bonds retiring in 2022 and 2023, implementing efficiency measures (i.e. I would look to move some of our IT resources to the cloud and consider shared services), and going after public and private partnerships. This will allow us to address not only the opportunity gap of our students but ensure we can meet critical capacity and facility needs, while working to hold the line on our taxes. Along with Paul Johnson and Bill Hare, I believe we can regain our reputation for providing excellence in education for all students, in a diverse community while doing so in an affordable manner. This must be done by including the voices of our teachers, families, and community members. We will push for a transparency as the board makes decisions on spending your tax dollars. We know that building community trust is critical in all working together. 
I am a candidate for re-election to the Princeton Board of Education because in these critical times, our challenges require thoughtful, experienced and independent leadership. We have a great school system, and I am committed to ensuring that it is great for every child.