By Lauren Otis, Staff Writer
Princeton Borough Councilwoman Margaret Karcher joined her colleagues in discussions on police matters and sharing the Princeton health officer with Trenton during a shorter-than-normal pre-holiday council meeting Tuesday evening, which marked the end of her nearly decade-long tenure with the governing body.
Princeton Borough Mayor Mildred Trotman began the meeting with a tribute to Ms. Karcher’s years of service on the council.
”I would just like to recognize that tonight and say thank you, thank you, thank you for all the years of service to the borough,” Mayor Trotman said, prior to the Borough Council and staff giving Ms. Karcher an ovation.
”It has been a joy to serve on Princeton Borough Council,” Ms. Karcher said.
Noting, “We’ve had our differences,” Ms. Karcher said what she would remember was the civility and politeness of the policy debates on the council.
Ms. Karcher thanked former Borough Mayor Marvin Reed, who she said she considered her mentor.
”I appreciate everything that you have done, Marvin,” Ms. Karcher said to Mr. Reed, who was in the audience.
Ms. Karcher also praised borough staff, naming Borough Administrator Bob Bruschi, Borough Engineer Chris Budzinski and Borough Clerk Lea Quinty.
”I’m just so happy new Chief Dudeck that you are here,” she said to recently installed police Chief David Dudeck.
”Thank you for all you’ve done for the borough,” Chief Dudeck said.
Ms. Karcher dropped out of the Democratic primary for her council seat in April because of the demands of rehabilitating from a rare neurological condition. Her recuperation forced her to miss more than three months of council meetings.
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