Trotman sworn in as borough mayor

The first black mayor and second female mayor fills vacancy left by death of Joseph O’Neill

By: Marjorie Censer
   Surrounded by her son, daughter and grandson, Princeton Borough Council President Mildred Trotman took the mayoral oath of office at Wednesday’s council meeting.
   Ms. Trotman, re-elected to her eighth term on council Tuesday night, joked that it was the shortest term ever served by a council member — just 22 hours.
   Ms. Trotman’s appointment as mayor fills the vacancy left by the Oct. 21 death of Mayor Joseph O’Neill, who had more than two years remaining in his four-year term.
   Ms. Trotman is the borough’s first black mayor and second female mayor. The only other woman to hold the post was Barbara Boggs Sigmund, who served from 1983 to 1990.
   A graduate of North Carolina State University at Elizabeth City and The College of New Jersey, Ms. Trotman is the president of SAM Management Co. She has served on the council since 1984, and she has been president of the council eight different years, including 2002 to 2005.
   The Princeton Democratic Municipal Committee submitted three nominations for the mayoral post — Councilman David Goldfarb, Princeton University student Mark Salzman and Ms. Trotman. The committee highly recommended Ms. Trotman.
   On Wednesday, the council quickly moved through the process as Mr. Goldfarb nominated Ms. Trotman, Councilman Andrew Koontz moved that nominations be closed and the borough clerk led a roll-call vote. Each member of the council said yes as his or her name was called in alphabetical order. Speaking last, Councilman Roger Martindell said, "Yes and congratulations," as the audience exploded into applause and gave Ms. Trotman a standing ovation. Only Ms. Trotman remained seated as the council members and borough staff rose as they applauded.
   Ms. Trotman’s daughter, Sheryl, son Marvin Jr. and grandson Marvin III stood with Ms. Trotman as she repeated the oath of office administered by Borough Clerk Lea Quinty.
   Ms. Trotman moved to the center seat of the council desk — traditionally occupied by the mayor — and Mr. Goldfarb and Councilwoman Peggy Karcher also moved over, leaving the council vacancy on the far left.
   Addressing the audience and the council, Ms. Trotman said she was grateful for their support.
   "This is really such a humbling experience," she said. "I can say thank you to all of you, and I do, for playing whatever role you did to getting me to the point that I am at now."
   She kept the ceremony brief — and returned the council to the meeting at hand.
   "I do look forward to working with my colleagues and, indeed, with all of you as we continue to carry on the work of the borough — and I think it’s time we got started, she said. "
   As mayor, Ms. Trotman will serve a one-year term until the 2006 election — at which point there will be an election for the remaining year left in the term. There will then be an election in 2007 for a complete four-year term.
   The appointment process for the open council seat operates as it did for the mayoral seat. The municipal committee has 15 days to nominate three candidates — which it will do at a Nov. 21 meeting — and the council has 15 days to appoint one of the three nominees.