I am enjoying going door to door to meet the great citizens of the great Borough of Princeton.  I’ll admit to a bit of trepidation as I approach each door, but I must say that people have been wonderful – warm, interested and willing to listen.  I guess it helps that I am not asking for money!

One of voters’ main concerns is, of course, revaluation.  Not only are people concerned about their own property, but they also understand the impact that the revaluation will have on the socio-economic diversity in our town.  People understand the need to manage Boro finances carefully. Most folks have had to make adjustments to their personal finances over the past few years, so they welcome the same degree of diligence on the part of their elected officials.

meeting a voter on Spruce Street

I have also heard a great many complaints about the tenor of discourse at every level of municipal government—from the Council to the service providers in Borough Hall.

Samples include:

“Have you seen those people up there?  They act like buffoons.”  A resident weighing in on Boro Council.

“I think the Boro should be working WITH the neighbors to improve their properties, not putting up hurdles at every point.  I want things to be done right, but they don’t need to be so difficult.”  A resident weighing in on her neighbor’s trouble getting permits to improve her home.

“I am not interested in living in a community that won’t support the least of its citizens.” A resident concerned about the recent vote to fund Human Services.

“We need to set aside our differences and consolidate.” A resident concerned about taxes.

I intend to bring a collaborative approach to problem solving on the Council.  I am pleased by the support of Township Council members and believe that those relationships will be of vital importance in moving toward consolidation.  Anyone who witnessed the discord between Boro and Township Council members regarding funding for Human Services at the joint meeting last week would be right to be skeptical of the ability of these two groups to move forward – especially when it comes to shared services.  If you can’t agree on a one-person department, how can you agree on something as complicated as the police?

Hope to see as many of you as possible at the home of my friends Claire and David Jacobus on Sunday, May 16 at 4 pm in their garden at 37 Cleveland Lane.  The forecast looks great!