Originally I set the values in the local constructor but @ellisonbg was the one who recommended I redeclare the traits to be modified.  He said that the traitlet system was smart enough to understand redeclaration.  It's a matter of opinion on how it should be implemented.  I like your suggestion @minrk, that way I don't have to respecify the help string.  Unless the traitlet system will use the help string from the base class, then I can remove the help string and the method of redclaration will make sense IMHO.  I will ask @ellisonbg when I talk to him today at 3:10 PM PST.