VoWW Interview #16 - Yingchao Zhang ("YZ")
Overview
"Voices of West Windsor" is a joint project between the Historical Society and SR Mosaic to fill in the gaps in our records of our town's history. We interview contemporary inhabitants of groups not typically found in our archives so that future residents can get a perspective decades later - much like how our perspectives of old West Windsor were obtained through interviews of longtime residents in the past.
As a former council member, school board member, andcurrent West Windsor resident, Yingchao Zhang (YZ) is an active WW community member. This week, Voices of West Windsor sits down and talks with him about diversity, WW's youth, and education.
"Voices of West Windsor" is a joint project between the Historical Society and SR Mosaic to fill in the gaps in our records of our town's history. We interview contemporary inhabitants of groups not typically found in our archives so that future residents can get a perspective decades later - much like how our perspectives of old West Windsor were obtained through interviews of longtime residents in the past.
As a former council member, school board member, andcurrent West Windsor resident, Yingchao Zhang (YZ) is an active WW community member. This week, Voices of West Windsor sits down and talks with him about diversity, WW's youth, and education.
Talking Points:
(on what makes West Windsor unique)
A high quality lifestyle mixed with diversity and proximity to Princeton University. While diversity brings strength, the proximity to Princeton University provides for the brain power. At a time, our region was referred to as the Einstein Alley on similar lines as Silicon Valley. While Silicon Valley attracted a lot of IT and high-tech brains, Einstein Alley attracted a lot of people interested in research in other sciences.
(On what he views as his biggest accomplishments on the WW Town Council and what he wishes he could have gotten the chance to do.)
the plastic bag ban was a great accomplishment. The great thing about this initiative was that the awareness it created in the people. When a change has to be made effective, it must be felt at the grass roots level and percolate up to the government. The plastic ban initiative was a great drive that involved everyone in driving the point home. This is now being considered at the State level as well.
(On his views on development, open space, smart land use, and historic preservation in West Windsor)
WW has developed a great deal and evolved a lot in the positive direction over the years. It is inevitable to contain growth and development. However, development of a large community in the township may not be a good idea in a short time. It would be better to develop the area with gradual changes. An area of improvement could be to attract businesses to occupy the already available and developed office space in the township. We may need more smarter minds to handle the change and the development for future.
(On his experience on the WWP school board and how the district has changed and handled challenges)
Our school district has been quite responsive and very quick to react to situations. This has been a great experience and must be applauded. Ours is a high achieving school district which attracts more residents and students as well. This calls for better educational and overall development of children. The “whole child” program and priority of the school board is a good concept and must be held high by everyone. We must develop our future and bring up our children with a great balance on education and overall personality development. The open mindedness we gained from the “Whole Child” concept will help us develop a lifelong learners.
(on what makes West Windsor unique)
A high quality lifestyle mixed with diversity and proximity to Princeton University. While diversity brings strength, the proximity to Princeton University provides for the brain power. At a time, our region was referred to as the Einstein Alley on similar lines as Silicon Valley. While Silicon Valley attracted a lot of IT and high-tech brains, Einstein Alley attracted a lot of people interested in research in other sciences.
(On what he views as his biggest accomplishments on the WW Town Council and what he wishes he could have gotten the chance to do.)
the plastic bag ban was a great accomplishment. The great thing about this initiative was that the awareness it created in the people. When a change has to be made effective, it must be felt at the grass roots level and percolate up to the government. The plastic ban initiative was a great drive that involved everyone in driving the point home. This is now being considered at the State level as well.
(On his views on development, open space, smart land use, and historic preservation in West Windsor)
WW has developed a great deal and evolved a lot in the positive direction over the years. It is inevitable to contain growth and development. However, development of a large community in the township may not be a good idea in a short time. It would be better to develop the area with gradual changes. An area of improvement could be to attract businesses to occupy the already available and developed office space in the township. We may need more smarter minds to handle the change and the development for future.
(On his experience on the WWP school board and how the district has changed and handled challenges)
Our school district has been quite responsive and very quick to react to situations. This has been a great experience and must be applauded. Ours is a high achieving school district which attracts more residents and students as well. This calls for better educational and overall development of children. The “whole child” program and priority of the school board is a good concept and must be held high by everyone. We must develop our future and bring up our children with a great balance on education and overall personality development. The open mindedness we gained from the “Whole Child” concept will help us develop a lifelong learners.
