By Pam Hersh Special Writer
Bob Schieffer on Sunday’s “Face The Nation” (CBS News) noted how these past 11 weeks have been the most news-intense weeks of his long career in journalism — starting with the shootings in Phoenix through the horrors of the Japanese natural and nuclear disasters and including all the uprisings in the Middle East — Egypt, Bahrain, Yemen, Syria, Jordan, Tunisia and, of course Libya. And, he noted, we can’t forget the political uprising in Wisconsin.
He didn’t mention Princeton, which, most thankfully, has not experienced a shooting or a meltdown in any literal sense. But the town is headed towards a politically heated event on Sunday — the Princeton Community Democratic Organization’s endorsement meeting.
I anticipate a standing- room-only crowd of people armed with Princeton’s weapon of choice — words. Even though only dues-paying members of the PCDO can vote to endorse a candidate, I suspect that the room will be filled with formerly unengaged Democrats, plus independents and Republicans curious to see who is throwing their hats into the ring of the local Princeton Borough race for mayor and Borough Council.
Did you know that the hat/ring metaphor has its origins in the early 19th century boxing matches, in which a person threw his hat into the ring as an indication that he wanted to enter the contest? This seems kind of fitting.
Anyway, Mayor Mildred Trotman’s decision not to run for re-election unleashed this March Madness of political activity in Princeton Borough. Three candidates are seeking the mayor’s position — David Goldfarb, Anne Neumann, and Yina Moore, each with a long history of involvement in the Borough political scene, so that their warts and beauty marks are well known. Three candidates are seeking two council seats — Barbara Trelstad, Heather Howard and Thomas Zucosky, with Councilwoman Trelstad being the lone known entity to Borough voters.
More than likely, the primary fight among the Democrats may embolden the Republicans, who in recent decades have been unable to establish a electoral foothold in the community. And I know of two residents unaffiliated with any party who are seriously considering jumping into the ring.
Among all the candidates embarking upon the tossing- the-hat-into-the-ring activity, none wears a hat. I do, however, and I would like to throw my hat in the ring not to run for anything, but rather to take a run at offering a few unsolicited suggestions to the candidates.
1. Don’t be intimidated by Princeton’s schizophrenic personality disorder.
Princetonians want to change everything, but want everything to stay the same. They want strong leaders — who they can push around. They want immediate action — but only after studying the issue for years with a study commission. They want local, family-owned retailers — but still mourn the loss of the town’s original chain store, Woolworth’s. Princetonians hate traffic and cars, but are obsessed with finding parking spaces right in front of the stores they patronize. Many hate the thought of walking an additional few hundred feet to the Dinky station, but are trying to create a town of walkways and bike path connections. Residents chant their resentment of the university’s tax-exempt status, but love the educational, cultural, intellectual, aesthetic and economic benefits that exist only because of the university. They loathe tax increases, but want the government to fund the pool renovation, the beautification of the parks, the paving of the pothole filled roads.
The only way to respond to this situation is to embrace the schizophrenia — i.e., listen intently to both arguments, then simply make a decision based upon what your intellect and instinct say are right for the community.
2. Don’t start every speech or letter by telling audiences how long you have lived in Princeton and that you are “writing this letter” or “making this speech” to tell audiences how long you have lived in Princeton and why you are running for office. Sell your fresh, new creative thinking, perhaps enhanced by, but not necessarily the result of, your living in Princeton a long time.
3. In terms of campaign etiquette, please do not call me on the phone to ask for my vote — and do not have your mother, brother or celebrity friend call me. And please remove your campaign signs in a timely manner — well before the next election cycle, so I do not get confused.
4. Be positive, yes, Pollyanna positive. I do not want to hear about the warts of others — I can see them for myself. Give me reasons why it is good to live in Princeton and how you will make it even better.
5. Finally, use your clout to lobby the state legislators to tackle the 600-pound gorilla in the room — property taxes. If the State of New Jersey could figure out a less regressive means of raising money to fund the schools (which are more than 50 percent of the tax dollar), the municipalities’ angst over the various “-tions,” i.e., taxation, revaluation, consolidation, would be eliminated.
I look forward to seeing many of my friends and colleagues Sunday evening at the Final Six contest, which will be taking place in the Suzanne Patterson Center at 7:30 p.m. I am making no predictions, making no bets, just hoping that the best man/woman wins.
A longtime resident of Princeton, Pam Hersh is vice president for government and community affairs with Princeton HealthCare System. She is a former managing editor of The Princeton Packet.
