PRINCETON: New council still without its president

By Philip Sean Curran, Staff Writer
   The six-member Princeton Borough Council that takes office in January still has to chose a council president, a decision that local officials are expected to make before the end of the month.
   According to political insiders, Councilwoman-elect Heather H. Howard had her eyes set on the mostly ceremonial job, although last week she said Friday that the council president would be someone else.
   ”It’ll be somebody good,” she predicted. Asked Friday if she ever wanted the job, Ms. Howard said: “I never set my mind on it.” Pressed to explain her answer, she said she had never “tried” for the post.
   The council president’s chief function will be to serve as mayor when Mayor-elect Liz Lempert is away or has to recuse herself due to a conflict of interest. Otherwise, the post comes with no greater powers than any other council member.
   Some officials have said it should not matter whether the eventual council leader comes from what are now Princeton Borough or Township because those distinctions will no longer matter come Jan.1, the date consolidation of the two communities takes effect. Yet Councilwoman-elect Jo S. Butler said Friday that she felt the council president should come from the borough, given that she thinks it important the person has experience with the borough form of government.
   For her part, Ms. Butler said, “I think it’s premature to be talking about who’s going to be president.”
   The six-member council, made up of all Democrats, will have four people from the borough and two from the township; Ms. Lempert is also from the township. The government takes office Jan.1.
   Earlier this year, when Democrats were forming their ticket for the November election, current Township Committeeman Bernard P. Miller and Ms. Howard indicated at the time that they would not mind serving as the president if asked, said Township Committeeman Lance Liverman on Friday.
   Mr. Liverman said both would make for good choices. He noted that Mr. Miller, also a former township mayor, has the longest tenure in government of anyone who will be serving come next year.
   For his part, Mr. Liverman, who will serve on the council next month, said he is not in the running for the job. Borough Councilwoman Jenny Crumiller said Friday that it is “undecided” whom the council president will be.
   Mr. Liverman said the council president issue might come up at either of the next two meetings the future government has planned, either Wednesday or on Dec.20.