If you want to play the "we knew them when" game, both Princeton and Trenton have had a great week. Princeton, specifically Princeton University, can now bask in the light of two prestigious presidential nominations: Ben Bernanke, the former chair of Princeton economics department, as the successor to Federal Reserve chairman Alan Greenspan; and Sam Alito, Princeton Class of 1972, the federal judge nominated to fill Sandra Day O'Connor's seat on the Supreme Court.

Trenton also gets a place in the spotlight: Alito was born in the city on April Fool's Day 55 years ago, raised in Mercerville, and graduated from Steinert High School before enrolling at Princeton. His father taught high school in Trenton. If confirmed, Alito would become the second Trenton native to serve on the court, joining Justice Antonin Scalia.

But that was then and we are going to step aside as our competitors at the daily newspapers in Trenton and on the Princeton campus scurry down memory lane in search of poignant memories. (Best of the lot so far: Alito's senior year statement in the Princeton yearbook: He researched his senior thesis "in various sidewalk cafes in Rome and Bologna" and he intended to go to law school "and eventually warm a seat on the Supreme Court.")

Instead we are concentrating on the here and now, and in that department Trenton has had an especially satisfying week. As reported on page 49, Trenton has scored a major coup: the relocation of the regional headquarters of Wachovia Bank from Scotch Road in Ewing to East State Street.

As Mayor Doug Palmer noted in his recent State of the City address, this complex is one of four major projects that will "infuse new life and dramatically change the view of our downtown."

Having a couple of home grown boys on the Supreme Court (whether you agree with their judicial views or not), is no trivial distinction. But having another 125 corporate jobs relocate to a city that has been down on its luck is a real accomplishment. They are smiling in Trenton today.



To the Editor:



Parks' Legacy

With the passing of Rosa Parks, the nation has lost a woman of strength, inspiration, and dignity. With her one simple act of quiet determination, she made a difference for an entire nation. Rosa is a reminder to us all that one person can make a difference and that it is the responsibility of each one of us to fight for justice and equality.

We at the YWCA of Trenton will work towards keeping her legacy alive as we strive towards our mission of eliminating racism and empowering women in order to attain our vision of peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. We hold Rosa in our hearts and her legacy in our thoughts. She will be missed.

Melissa L. Weeks

Board President, YWCA, Trenton



Correction



Scott and Lisa Ruddy (not Reddy) are the owners of the Original Soup Man franchise (October 26). And, notes consultant Robert Ilvento, Al Yegenah does have a stock interest as well as other compensation from the company.