Joseph Small, Princeton
To the editor:
Anyone who paid attention to the May 11 League of Women Voters Candidates Forum couldn’t come away from it without acknowledging that Jenny Crumiller and Anne Neumann are hands down the two best candidates for election to the Princeton Council in the Democratic Primary on June 7.
I rated all six candidates on (1) Intelligence, (2) Knowledge of the issues likely to come before council, (3) Relevant prior experience, (4) Responsiveness to the questions asked, and (5) Practicality and reasonableness of their proposed solutions to municipal problems. On every one of those criteria (with a single exception) Crumiller and Neumann came out as number one or two.
You might vote for one or the other of the two other candidates based on other criteria (you know them, they play well in the sand box, they won’t challenge powerful people or institutions, you like the people who support them — for political or other reasons), but that would be a big mistake. If you want to have the really best people representing you and voting on how to raise and spend your hard earned tax dollars you’ll vote for Jenny and Anne.
Jenny has served on council since the two Princetons were consolidated and previously in the borough. No one of the other three knows better the facts and issues that are likely to come before council in the next three years and will be more prepared to do the work of council from day one than Anne Neumann.
Jenny has had the courage to challenge those who think they know it all, even in those times when she is outvoted. She speaks truth to power. Similarly, Anne has asked hard questions and taken positions that are in the best interest of the citizens and voters even when she met resistance from the most powerful institutions in town.
Remember we are voting not only to return the experienced Jenny Crumiller to council but also to replace Patrick Simon who single handedly has asked the tough questions that have resulted in better policies and saved tax dollars. Of the three other candidates, only Anne Neumann comes close to filling the big shoes of Patrick Simon. Her strength to take stands on tough issues is based on knowledge, analysis, and practicality. Unlike her two adversaries for the vacant seat she has not proposed fairy tale solutions like a constitutional convention (in the power of the Princeton Council to convene?) or simple nostrums like “neighbors don’t sue neighbors,” or “I’ll represent everyone.” These statements sound good to the naive, but it make no practical sense, and are the products of limited knowledge, analysis, preparation and experience.
You can choose “good guys” or the most competent to represent you. If the criteria for earning your vote, like mine, are designed to select the most competent, you can’t help but cast you ballots for Jenny Crumiller and Anne Neumann.
Joseph C. Small
Princeton
