Princeton|News|
Plastic vs. Paper: NJ Legislature Readies to Tackle Battle of the Bags
With seven bills pending, advocates press for ban and fees on plastic grocery bags

Email: greta.cuyler@patch.com
Phone: (609) 865-9690
Hometown: Dennis, Mass.
Birthday: February 24
Bio: : I grew up in Massachusetts and earned a bachelor's degree in English from Wheaton College in Norton, Mass. Later, I earned a master's in business from Simmons School of Management in Boston.
In college, I was on track for a career in journalism- as news editor of my college paper, interning for weekly and daily newspapers and being published in The Boston Globe.
Then I found out how much reporters earned and took an immediate career detour. I spent eight years working in corporate banking before a corporate layoff convinced me to return to my first love- journalism.
Over the past six years, I have been a reporter at newspapers in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Pennsylvania.
As a reporter at the New Hampshire Union Leader, I broke two national stories. The first was the story of four municipal employees fired for gossiping about their boss. The other was about a 17-year-old boy who had sex with his 15-year-old girlfriend but was prosecuted for sexual assault. My reporting led to coverage in the Boston Globe, New York Times, "Good Morning America" and "20/20."
When I heard about Patch, I jumped at the chance to be part of this online, interactive venture. I consider it the future of journalism.
I have always considered Princeton my second home. My grandparents used to live on Wiggins Street and my grandmother later moved to an apartment on Nassau Street. I spent nearly every major holiday in Princeton as a child and remember shopping at Clayton's in Palmer Square and at Woolworth's and the Hobby Shop on Nassau Street.
Your Beliefs At Patch, we promise always to report the facts as objectively as possible and otherwise adhere to the principles of good journalism. However, we also acknowledge that true impartiality is impossible because human beings have beliefs. So in the spirit of simple honesty, our policy is to encourage our editors to reveal their beliefs to the extent they feel comfortable. This disclosure is not a license for you to inject your beliefs into stories or to dictate coverage according to them. In fact, the intent is the opposite: we hope that the knowledge that your beliefs are on the record will cause you to be ever mindful to write, report and edit in a fair, balanced way. And if you ever see evidence that we failed in this mission, please let us know.
Politics: I have voted for both Republican and Democratic candidates, but generally consider myself a Democrat. What worries me most about politics is the move towards more partisan and often hostile debate, instead of working towards compromise for the good of the country.
Religion: I was raised in the Episcopal Church, but I don't consider myself particularly religious. Local Hot-Button Issues: Consolidation is the biggest issue facing Princeton Township and Princeton Borough. Should the two municipalities collaborate between similar functions or pursue all-out consolidation?
Other issues include the future of the Dinky train station when Princeton University builds its new arts center and electing a new borough mayor when longtime incumbent Mildred Trotman leaves at the end of 2011.
With seven bills pending, advocates press for ban and fees on plastic grocery bags

Mercer County officials closed the road on Monday, Aug. 20 to begin bridge repairs.
Developer AvalonBay plans to raze for the former hospital building on Witherspoon Street and build apartments.
After months of work, the new website is now live.
The first in a three-part series about the new Princeton Police Department, including patrol coverage, community policing and Princeton University coverage.
The Princeton Township Committeeman faces charges after he refused a Breathalyzer test following an car accident.
Other highlights include Community Park Pool to stay open past Labor Day and a technology company founded by Princeton University students.
This week's crazy New Jersey police news includes runaway cows, a cash hiding place failure and a pair of boozy pants.
He was apprehended on Aug. 17.
With funding from Tigerlabs, four students created and launched a new technology company, Mapsaurus, this summer.
Princeton Township Police reported the following incident for Aug. 14.
With funding from Tigerlabs, four students created and launched a new technology company, Mapsaurus, this summer.
With funding from Tigerlabs, four students created and launched a new technology company, Mapsaurus, this summer.
Residents will be able to enjoy the pool for two additional weekends.
Princeton's Business Softball League seeks additional teams for next year.
This back-to-school season, the American Lung Association in New Jersey highlights tips for families of children with asthma.
Kenwood died during an attempted swift-water rescue during Hurricane Irene in August, 2011.
Kenwood died during an attempted swiftwater rescue during Hurricane Irene in August 2011.
The following incidents were reported by Princeton Borough Police for the period between Aug. 9-12.
The latest addition to the Princeton Shopping Center features an authentic Italian treat made by the grandson of the first gelateria owner in Florence, Italy.