Goerner and Carver to battle in June primary race
By: Kara Fitzpatrick
Two Democrats, both recently in the public eye, have filed petitions for the lone available Township Committee seat.
Bayard Lane resident Chad Goerner and Dempsey Avenue resident Scott Carver will compete in the June primary for the Township Committee seat, to which Committeeman Bill Hearon will not seek re-election.
According to Township Clerk Linda McDermott, no Republicans submitted petitions for the seat. The deadline to submit such a petition was Monday.
Mr. Goerner had been favored by the Princeton Community Democratic Organization and the Princeton Township Municipal Democratic Committee to be appointed to Committeeman Hearon’s vacant seat before Mr. Hearon made an unexpected announcement to retract his resignation last month.
Mr. Carver was also being considered for Mr. Hearon’s unexpired term on the committee. However, citing a difference of philosophies in the Democratic Party as his rational, Mr. Carver withdrew his name from consideration for the appointment before Mr. Hearon changed his decision.
Mr. Hearon said he retracted his resignation because he wished to allow the Democratic process to unfold through a primary.
Mr. Goerner said he is running for Township Committee because, "I feel that I can bring a fresh perspective and a new voice to the Township Committee."
A financial consultant at Merrill Lynch who has lived in the township for more than nine years, Mr. Goerner said, if elected, fiscal discipline would rank high on his list of priorities. If elected, Mr. Goerner said he would support a non-partisan tax advisory commission that would have the responsibility of examining township budgets for potential savings.
Because he has been in the finance industry for more than nine years, Mr. Goerner said, "I can bring a lot of experience to the table in that area."
Mr. Carver, who has lived in the township since 1998, said, if elected, he would address development, aim to maintain the character of the neighborhoods and work to enhance the community’s resources. In addition, he said he would focus on smart land-use planning in order to enhance the quality of life in the township.
Mr. Carver said he believes his professional experience he is the vice president and senior counsel at LS Power Development LLC would be beneficial to the committee. He also said his history of community involvement which includes participation on the joint Princeton Environmental Commission demonstrates his devotion to the township.
"We have wonderful resources in the township, but I’m looking to expand those resources," Mr. Carver said. "One of the things I’d really like to look at is the possibility of bringing a teen center into the township." Like Mr. Goerner, Mr. Carver said he would aim to "pursue a course of fiscal responsibility."
The primary will be held June. 6.

