More debate on procedure than the issue.
By: Jennifer Potash
The Princeton Borough Council resolved to give peace one more chance Tuesday.
The council approved a resolution urging President George W. Bush and the Congress to exhaust all diplomatic means before embarking on military efforts to force Iraq to disarm.
But the council had to engage in a bit of diplomacy itself, devoting more discussion to whether to consider the issue than to the resolution itself, submitted by the Princeton Community Democratic Organization and the Princeton Coalition for Peace Action.
Councilman David Goldfarb reminded the council of its policy not to take up requests for resolutions when the action does not directly affect the borough or in cases where council’s action is not likely to result in any change.
"The only way to keep our attention focused on the business of the borough is not to discuss this type of resolution," Mr. Goldfarb said.
Councilman Roger Martindell said he usually agrees with that policy but in the case of a pending war, and since a coalition of borough residents, not an outside group, proposed the resolution, he would make an exception. About 20 residents attended the meeting in support of the resolution.
In the end, Councilman Joseph O’ Neill moved the council agree to discuss the resolution.
Both Council President Mildred Trotman and Councilwoman Peggy Karcher said it was a struggle to make a decision to go against the council policy but were persuaded by the compelling nature of a pending war.
The council voted 5-1 to discuss the resolution, with Mr. Goldfarb voting no. Then, by a unanimous voice vote, the council approved the resolution, after deleting a section proposed by the PCDO and Coalition for Peace Action urging Congress and the president to focus more on homeland security.

