Enslin won’t seek another term on Princeton Township Committee

Vicky Bergman to enter race for his seat; Bernard Miller to run again.

By: Rachel Silverman
   After a six-year stint on the Princeton Township Committee, Bill Enslin declared yesterday he will not seek re-election in November.
   At the same time, Vicky Bergman, a former member of the Planning Board and Zoning Board of Adjustment, said she would run for Mr. Enslin’s seat as a Democrat, and Deputy Mayor Bernard Miller said he would seek another term on the committee, which is all-Democratic.
   "While I have greatly enjoyed my Township Committee and Planning Board tenures, it is the right time for me to announce I will not be running for re-election this November," Mr. Enslin said at a news conference Monday morning.
   During his two terms on Township Committee and 17 years on the Planning Board, Mr. Enslin has dedicated himself to a variety of causes. Currently a member of the Personnel, Flood Control, Environmental and Sewer Operating committees, Mr. Enslin previously has chaired the regional planning board.
   "Bill Enslin has been a staunch supporter of the acquisition and development of our parks and recreation facilities," said Mr. Miller, his colleague on the Township Committee and his running mate three years ago. "He has fought hard for planning and zoning. … Bill has brought a clarity and focus to the management of our community."
   Although Mr. Enslin will not run again, he said he may continue to play an active role in municipal affairs.
   "I would be willing to serve on task forces or committees formed for special purposes," he said.
   Ms. Bergman announced her candidacy for Mr. Enslin’s seat at Monday’s news conference.
   "I believe that my participation in Princeton community affairs, and my professional training and experience, provide a strong underpinning for productive service on Township Committee," she said.
   A 32-year township resident, Ms. Bergman was a member of the Planning Board for five years and the township’s Zoning Board of Adjustment for nine years.
   Ms. Bergman also has served as a budget and program analyst for the New Jersey Legislature, a public administration professor at The College of New Jersey and a public affairs officer for the White House Regulatory Council during President Jimmy Carter’s administration.
   Mayor Phyllis Marchand endorsed Ms. Bergman’s candidacy, hailing her as a "fine, independent-minded, but thoughtful individual."
   "She has a wealth of knowledge on the role of our local government in land use," Mr. Miller added. "She and her husband, Dick, have been active in senior citizen affairs."
   The news conference also carried a third political announcement, as Mr. Miller declared his intention to run for re-election to the committee.
   "I choose to run again because in my nearly 50 years of living here, Princeton Township has given me and my family much more than I can ever hope to repay by elected service to my community," he said.
   Mr. Miller enumerated a few of his priorities at the event, listing child safety, senior housing, improved local infrastructure and limited municipal taxation chief among them.
   Mr. Miller is a retired senior vice president at Lockheed Martin International. A member of the Cable TV Committee, Shade Tree Commission and Board of Health, Mr. Miller also is the township fire commissioner.
   Throughout the news conference, various Township Committee members, both incoming and outgoing, expressed their support of one another.
   "Bernie Miller and Vicky Bergman are highly qualified to serve on Princeton Township Committee, and both deserve our support in the primary and general election," Mr. Enslin said.
   "My enthusiastic support of these two candidates is unwavering," Mayor Marchand said. "Princeton Township has been in good hands and will continue to be in good hands with these two."
   In an e-mail message, Princeton Township Democratic Committee Chairman Dan Preston said, "We welcome them to the race, and look forward to working with them and any other candidates who wish to participate in our open process."
   The township Democratic organization called for increased grassroots participation and "an open process for recruiting and endorsing candidates for local office" in a separate news release Monday.
   "The official Democratic Party endorsement choice rests with the members of the Princeton Township Democratic Committee, who will weigh the input from the candidate selection subcommittee, the PCDO (Princeton Community Democratic Organization), the candidates themselves and other information," the news release said.