A Republican and a university student running as an independent to challenge Democratic incumbents.
By: Jennifer Potash
The race for Princeton Borough Council has gained two more candidates.
Michael Carnevale, 43, a lawyer and arbitrator, entered the race via a write-in candidacy in Tuesday’s Republican primary. He received 28 votes.
Concerns about the borough’s financial health led him to run for Borough Council, Mr. Carnevale said.
"Especially the financial issues and the effective provision of government services at an affordable price," he said.
Steven Rush Abt, 18, a sophomore at Princeton University, also filed a petition with the Mercer County Clerk’s office Tuesday to run as an independent.
Democrats Roger Martindell and Joseph O’Neill had an uncontested primary.
Mr. Abt, from Philadelphia, lives 8 months of the year at the university. He said he is seeking a seat on the council to help mend the town and gown relationship.
"I think there is a lack of respect for the borough by the students and of the students by the borough," Mr. Abt said.
A proposed borough ordinance that would permit police to cite underage drinkers on private property is one example, Mr. Abt said, who added that initially he does not support the ordinance but plans to do more research on it.
The council plans to wait until fall to take up the ordinance in order to give the students an opportunity to submit their views.
Also, Mr. Abt said, he has always been interested in politics and believes he "can offer something to the residents of Princeton Borough."
Under state election law, individuals seeking to run for local office must be a resident of the municipality for a year by the date of the election as well as a legal registered voter. Borough Clerk Penelope Edwards-Carter said Mr. Abt registered to vote in May.
The state statute, in defining residences, states "It is necessary that there be intention not only to live at the place but also to make a home there." But later in the statute, when referring to students living at residential colleges or universities, the law declares it is not in the state’s interest to place restrictions on voting by those students.
Neither Mr. Abt nor Mr. Carnevale fully backs the proposal for a parking garage and related development at the two municipality owned lots on Spring Street.
Mr. Carnevale said he "can see the need for a garage" but would want to make sure the development would not hurt the taxpayers.
Mr. Abt said he needs to do more research.
"I’ve only given it a cursory glance," he said.
Mr. Carnevale said not only Republicans but Democrats and independent voters encouraged him to run.
The Princeton Borough Republican organization interviewed a number of candidates, but did not complete the process in time for the April 12 filing deadline, said Pat Strazza, the borough’s Republican municipal chairwoman.
Mr. Carnevale should be able to attract a cross section of voters in the borough, Ms. Strazza said.
Mr. Abt said he is a registered Democrat, but missed the April filing deadline. Independent party candidates have until the date of the primary election to file a petition with the County Clerk’s office
With his arbitration practice based in Princeton, Mr. Carnevale said he will have the flexibility to serve on the Borough Council.
Mr. Carnevale’s family are longtime Princeton residents and he has lived in the borough for more than 30 years. He attended public school in Princeton, graduating from Princeton High School.
A Linden Lane resident, Mr. Carnevale received his bachelor’s degree from Villanova University and his law degree from Rutgers University. He is married and has two children.
Mr. Abt, whose father, Richard, is a member of the class of 1967 of Princeton University, said he has not selected a major but is considering economics or political economics.