No surprises at Sunday session
By: Courtney Gross
As expected, the Princeton Community Democratic Organization has endorsed several state and local incumbents in preparation for the June Democratic primary.
State representatives and local candidates circulated petitions to more than 35 attendees in the Suzanne Patterson Center on Sunday evening in an attempt to solicit support from the organization. All 10 candidates in attendance plus Councilman Roger Martindell who did not attend the meeting received endorsements.
In the township, both Committeeman Lance Liverman and Mayor Phyllis Marchand received support from PCDO to seek another three-year term.
Mayor Marchand, whose tenure on the Township Committee has spanned more than two decades, said she has kept her enthusiasm throughout the years.
"My passion for this town is even greater than it was 21 years ago," she said of her experience on Township Committee. "As I’ve gotten older, I’ve gotten wiser."
During a short statement and question and answer period with attendees, Mayor Marchand also defended the status of relations between Princeton Township and Princeton Borough, stating both municipalities get along "very well."
When asked by an attendee if the borough and the township could consolidate even more services, Mayor Marchand said in the past 10 years it has been unclear if the municipalities are on the same track and if it would make economic sense to combine additional departments.
If elected to a second term, Mr. Liverman said he would continue his work with Princeton’s youth. He also assured attendees he would remain an accessible public official.
"If someone needs me for anything I say, ‘Call me,’ and anyone that calls me knows I follow through," Mr. Liverman said.
In the borough, Councilmen Andrew Koontz and Mr. Martindell are up for re-election as well as Mayor Mildred Trotman. All positions have a three-year term.
Mayor Trotman said she hopes to start public discussions this spring on the use of the Merwick track, which includes the Merwick Rehab Hospital & Nursing Care facility, following the anticipated relocation of the University Medical Center at Princeton.
Discussing the future expansion of Princeton University will also be on her agenda, she said.
"It seems more and more the university is creeping across the street," Mayor Trotman said. "And it is concerning."
Mr. Koontz agreed and suggested asking the university to clarify its intentions, especially in regard to the Dinky train station.
"The Dinky station is not a university facility," Mr. Koontz said. "It’s a community facility."
If elected to his second term, Mr. Koontz pledged to concentrate on the rehabilitation of Princeton’s parks and further incorporation of community policing tactics in the Police Department.
The state and countywide candidates the PCDO endorsed Sunday include state Senator Shirley Turner, Assemblyman Reed Gusciora, Assemblywoman Bonnie Watson Coleman, Mercer County Executive Brian Hughes, and Mercer County Freeholders Anthony Carabelli and Keith Hamilton.

