Four candidates have emerged as contenders for two seats on Princeton Council – incumbent Council member Tim Quinn, Mia Sacks, Michelle Pirone Lambros and Adam Bierman.
Quinn, Sacks and Lambros filed nominating petitions with the Princeton Municipal Clerk by the April 1 deadline. Bierman, who is running as an independent, filed with the Mercer County Clerk’s Office.
The Republican Party did not field any candidates to run for the two open Princeton Council seats – one held by Quinn and the other held by Council member Jenny Crumiller, who is not seeking re-election. The term is for three years.
Lambros, Sacks and Bierman grew up in Princeton. Quinn moved to Princeton in 1990.
During an endorsement night meeting sponsored by the Princeton Community Democratic Organization, the three Democrats sought to make their case for the PCDO’s official endorsement ahead of the June 5 party primary.
None of the three obtained the necessary 60 percent of votes cast by dues-paying PCDO members for an outright endorsement, but instead gained the PDCO’s support. All three will be listed on the Democratic Party primary ballot.
Bierman will not be listed on the Democratic Party primary ballot because he is running as an Independent candidate. He did not participate in the PCDO’s endorsement meeting, citing his objection to having to pay dues to be able to vote at that meeting.
During a question-and-answer session at the March 17 PCDO meeting, the trio were queried on a number of issues – from what they could add to Princeton Council to the issues they would address.
Lambros said she would focus on neighborhood zoning issues. Each neighborhood is different, and the same standards should not apply to every one. She would place more stringent regulations on the demolition of existing houses.
Quinn said his priority would be to hold the line on municipal property taxes while still providing services to residents, noting that it is a “nuanced debate.” He also advocated for finding ways to share costs with the Princeton Public Schools as a means to cut costs.
Sacks said she agreed with Lambros that the land use ordinance needs to be reviewed. She would like to examine the remaining sites in town that could accommodate schools and affordable housing.
Sacks said she would work closely with her colleagues on Princeton Council. She has experience in program management and also pointed to her communications skills, which she could bring to Princeton Council. When an ordinance is introduced, for example, she would explain what it does and why it is necessary.
Lambros, who has been involved in several business start-ups, said her entrepreneurial background would be helpful to Princeton Council. She also has experience in negotiations, which would also help when the town negotiates with Princeton University.
Quinn said Princeton Council members have always worked well together, underpinned by mutual respect. If he is elected to a second term, he said, he would be the “senior member” on the council. He added that having grown up in a working class family, he knows what it is like and to make sure there is equal opportunity for all.
Although he did not take part in the PCDO process, Bierman laid out his campaign issues – beginning with the need to make Princeton affordable. He is basing his candidacy on competence and transparency.
Bierman said competence for municipal projects and transparency for all public undertakings and to make Princeton livable for all people are his goals as an Independent candidate for Princeton Council.
“The priorities of Princeton Council should be schools, safety, taxes and housing. Too often there is inaction by Princeton Council members. We need to send them a message,” Bierman said.