We at U.S. 1, with a circulation area that spans a dozen municipalities in three counties, don’t normally concern ourselves with municipal elections. But we have been looking closely recently at Princeton, where the township and borough have recently consolidated in the hopes of making government more efficient.
The former borough, in particular, had been dominated in recent years by one political party. One question we have had is whether or not consolidation would bring with it a greater — and possibly more healthy — diversity of political opinion at the local government level. Two Princeton residents who have contributed opinion pieces to U.S. 1 in the past have recently weighed in with views on the November 5 election, which may shed some light on whether the two-party system can be revived in Princeton.
#b#Diversity, Anyone?#/b#
Democrat-controlled Council in Princeton touts representing all the people with openness, fairness, and dedication to true diversity. They constantly attack the Republicans as opposed to all this as the party of Princeton’s privileged elite. Contrary to their rhetoric, they seek to maintain total control and brook no opposition to their positions on public policy and programs even within their own party.
Having worked somewhat with current members of Council within the Transition Task Force (TTF) committees, at the end of the day, response to proposals for real change were most often rejected as “that’s not the way we do things.” Or it’s beyond our TTF role, and we will consider that after consolidation.
Don’t vote for the same mindsets and the status quo.
For a real change in the way Princeton does its business, let’s have a modicum of diversity of opinion. Fausta Rodriguez Wertz will bring greater diversity and a more balanced perspective to Council. She is pragmatic and cost-conscious in approaches to solving Princeton’s taxes, spending and related out-of-control municipal debt issues.
John Clearwater
Now that consolidation has passed it is time to expand beyond a monolithic one-party system and inject some fresh thinking into our new town government. This fall would be the perfect time to fill one of the two Princeton Council seats with a candidate who has fresh ideas and a broad-based background, namely, my good friend Fausta Rodriguez Wertz. She’s the best. She believes in a Big Tent, which encourages expanded participation in the democratic process, transparency in all aspects of government, and rigorous fiscal responsibility.
Republicans and Independents are concerned about the same issues as everyone else, such as public safety, schools, property taxes, and the general prosperity of our now united town. It is time to have an open mind and vote for the candidate best qualified for the job — Fausta Rodriguez Wertz.
Dick Woodbridge
