To the Editor:

We are residents of Princeton Borough and Princeton Township, soon to be consolidated into one unified Princeton and are writing to support the candidacy of Liz Lempert for mayor of the new Princeton. Since the consolidation referendum was passed in November, we’ve all become much more aware of our similarities across the borders of our two towns, and we’re getting accustomed to thinking together. We know that our plan captures economies of scale, and eliminates many duplicative efforts to achieve cost savings. We look to Liz Lempert, now Princeton Township deputy mayor, to carry consolidation to a successful conclusion by maximizing available resources, rounding out fiscally responsible measures of smarter government.

Liz Lempert knows how to build consensus across different opinion groups and individuals; this is her signature skill and perhaps is the most vital, as we move into a consolidated government. She was instrumental in the initial process of launching “Unite Princeton” and has taken an active leadership role in the transition process. From the beginning she had her eye on the prize of consolidation and helped to carefully select thought leaders to serve on the Transition Task Force of the Township. She again exercised her leadership skills by serving on the joint committee that selected an administrator for the consolidated Princeton, a police chief, and several department heads. What could have been a very contentious process was civil, reasonable, and productive under Liz’s guidance. Her service on the joint finance committee ensured that borough and township representatives would together look at the tax impact of consolidation, and any related costs — as well as savings — all of which are genuine questions on the minds of many voters.

Most local governments in New Jersey are experiencing fiscal stress from declining or static tax bases, stagnant levels of state aid, and escalating employee benefit costs. We’ve put our trust in consolidation as an option for achieving long-term structural fiscal relief and we will vote for Liz Lempert to work with all of us to make that happen. We hope you’ll vote for her, too.

Doreen Blanc Rockstrom

Maidenhead Road

Yan Bennett

Markham Road

Donald Dowd

Mershon Drive

Barbara Essig

Trewbridge Court

Helen Heintz

Spruce Street

To the Editor:

I am writing because I feel strongly that Liz Lempert should be the first mayor of the newly consolidated Princeton. Many agree that one of Princeton’s most valuable assets, which has been consolidated for a long time, is our stellar school system. And, as a mother of two children who attend Princeton public schools (freshman at PHS, 5th grader at Littlebrook), Liz understands first hand the powerful role our schools play in making Princeton special. This understanding is vitally important for the mayor of Princeton.

Liz has given her time and talent to Save our Schools New Jersey (SOS-NJ). As a founding member, she helped SOS draft legislation to give taxpayers a say in whether we open additional charter schools in town. She has also cultivated partnerships with school board members and administration, understanding the need for communication and cooperation regarding many issues.

She has always supported our schools and as mayor will continue to make this crucial support a priority. That is one of the many reasons that I support Liz Lempert for mayor.

Carol Golden

Snowden Lane

To the Editor:

Liz Lempert has the intellect, experience, and vision Princeton expects of its leaders. She also has a special talent our community counts on, the ability to get things done. She knows how to rally support, form a coalition, lead a team, and tackle the toughest issues.

In the years I’ve worked closely with Liz on Princeton Township Committee, she’s impressed me with her grasp of the issues, collaborative style, and commitment to serving the greater public good. Liz’s accomplishments range from helping to preserve the Princeton Ridge and rebuilding our Community Pool complex, to passing zero increase budgets and implementing an historic municipal consolidation.

Liz is a leader we can trust to represent the new Princeton because she didn’t wring her hands and hope for the best for our community. She took decisive action to provide tax relief and preserve services by fighting for consolidation and working tirelessly throughout the transition to deliver results. She’s our best choice to represent the interests of the entire Princeton community and my choice for mayor.

Sue Nemeth

Bayard Lane

To the Editor:

It’s nice to have two good candidates for the mayor of Princeton. Our new mayor has a big job ahead. It’s a job that will and has already required a lot of planning, preparation, logistics, and a deep understanding of the issues, the departments, the combination of departments, and the careful management of the most precious resource, human capital.

One of these issues alone would require quite a bit of quality time … time to study the people, their strengths their weaknesses, the budgets; comparing one budget with the other, selecting the best in each budget, to make the operations use the best practices, to revise the logistics for the new geography and to make it all run as efficiently as possible.

There has been a long learning curve for those intimately involved. It has come from two distinct areas: one, from the daily, current activities of the town; and, two, from the planning, decision making and developing the consolidation plan.

So who is best qualified, today, to lead this effort. All things being equal, it is the person closest to the ground, with sleeves rolled up, understanding of what’s to come and with a demonstrated ability to work well with people with divergent opinions. Only one of the candidates has those qualifications. Only one has the shortest learning curve to successfully overseeing this critical time. And only one candidate is best prepared now. It is for these reasons, we support Liz Lempert for mayor.

Ross Wishnick, Iona Harding

Edgerstoune Road