PACKET EDITORIAL, April 29
By: Packet Editorial
Four years ago, when West Windsor Councilman Shing-Fu Hsueh took on incumbent Carole Carson in the race for mayor, we weren’t at all sure he was ready for the challenge of shepherding this sprawling township through the transition from rapid (and often thoughtless) growth to more cautious, calculated, controlled development.
What West Windsor needed then was the calm, steady hand of a mayor who possessed not only a keen sense of direction for where the township needed to go, but the leadership skills necessary to take it there. Councilman Hsueh seemed hesitant at the time to articulate his vision for West Windsor, or explain how he planned to go about directing the affairs of the township, both in policymaking and in administrative oversight.
Today, West Windsor still requires the calm, steady hand of a mayor with both a vision and a plan for carrying it out. And now it has one: Mayor Shing-Fu Hsueh.
In his four years in office, Mayor Hsueh has been an effective, responsible, forward-thinking mayor. He has demonstrated his capacity to resolve thorny conflicts, such as the settlement of the township’s long, bitter affordable-housing dispute with Toll Brothers. He has successfully concluded complicated negotiations, obtaining an easement from PSE&G for a bike/pedestrian pathway and finalizing plans with the state Department of Transportation for rebuilding the Alexander Road bridge. He has shown skill in obtaining outside funding for important projects, including a bus rapid transit feasibility study and a proposal to redevelop the area around the Princeton Junction train station as a transit village.
Mayor Hsueh’s opponent, Councilwoman Alison Miller, was once his running mate and it’s unclear why she decided to make the switch from ally to opponent. On most matters of substance fiscal policy, effective land-use planning, smart growth, transportation improvements, open-space preservation Ms. Miller and Mayor Hsueh appear to be in almost complete agreement. But Ms. Miller, as if to justify her decision to challenge the mayor, strains to find areas of disagreement, emphasizing her commitment to "communications" and "public involvement." We fail to see any evidence that Mayor Hsueh, who has greatly expanded the number of ad hoc and advisory committees and seems to value their input highly, is deficient in this area. We urge his re-election.
In the race for two open seats on the Township Council, Linda Geevers and Heidi Kleinman are running on the "Community Vision" slate with Mayor Hsueh, and David Siegel and George Borek form the "Openness, Integrity, Action" slate with Ms. Miller.
Ms. Geevers, who has just finished two terms on the West Windsor-Plainsboro Board of Education, and Ms. Kleinman, an architect who serves on the Planning Board, have the experience, the familiarity with issues and the temperament to serve West Windsor well on the Township Council.
Mr. Siegel, a computer software developer, regularly attends council meetings, which may be both a blessing and a curse. On the one hand, he is plainly knowledgeable about township affairs. On the other hand, the transition from gadfly to government official is not necessarily an easy one. Mr. Borek, a Jersey City firefighter, has taken the low road in this campaign, accusing Mayor Hsueh and his associates of looking for a "yes man" on the council. This sort of political tactic may be the norm in his city of employment, but it doesn’t befit a candidate for public office in his township of residence.
We recommend a vote for the "Community Vision" slate Mayor Hsueh, Ms. Geevers and Ms. Kleinman on May 10.