Letter: Liz Lempert for Mayor

To Princeton Patch Readers:

We are residents of Princeton Borough and Princeton Township, soon to be consolidated into one unified Princeton and are writing to support the candidacy of Liz Lempert for Mayor of the new Princeton. Since the consolidation referendum was passed in November, we’ve all become much more aware of our similarities across the borders of our two towns, and we’re getting accustomed to thinking together. We know that our plan captures economies of scale, and eliminates many duplicative efforts to achieve cost savings. We look to Liz Lempert, now Princeton Township deputy mayor, to carry consolidation to success by maximizing available resources, rounding out fiscally responsible measures of smarter government.

Liz Lempert knows how to build consensus across different opinion groups and individuals; this is her signature skill and perhaps is the most vital, as we move into a consolidated government.  She was instrumental in the initial process
of launching “Unite Princeton” and has taken an active leadership role in the
transition process. From the beginning she had her eye on the prize of
consolidation and helped to carefully select thought leaders to serve on the
Transition Task Force of the Township. She again exercised her leadership
skills by serving on the joint committee that selected an administrator for the
consolidated Princeton, a police chief, and several department heads.  What could have been a very contentious process was civil, reasonable, and productive under Liz’s guidance. Her service on the joint finance committee ensured that borough and township representatives would together look at the tax impact of consolidation, and any related costs – as well as savings – all of which are genuine questions on the minds of many voters.

Most local governments in New Jersey are experiencing fiscal stress from declining or static tax bases, stagnant levels of state aid, and escalating employee benefit costs.  We’ve put our trust in consolidation as an option for achieving long-term structural fiscal relief and we will vote for Liz Lempert to work with all of us to make that happen. We hope you’ll vote for her, too.

Doreen Blanc Rockstrom-Maidenhead Road

Yan Bennett – Markham Road

Donald Dowd – Mershon Drive

Barbara Essig – Trewbridge Court

Helen Heintz – Spruce Street