To the Editor:

On November 6th, Princetonians will go to the polls in an historic election consummating more than two years of hard work by many members of our community. During the first year the effort was directed first at putting Consolidation on the ballot and then getting the measure passed. The second year saw an endless round of hearings and meetings as the transitional government was discussed and defined in anticipation of 2013, which will be our first year as a single, combined municipality. The stakes are high: from the first moment in January when the curtain rises on One Princeton, many will be watching and taking the measure of our success.

The stakes are thus inherently high in terms of our choice of mayor. But the decision is easy. Liz Lempert was at the forefront of the Consolidation effort since this round began and remained a major force throughout 2012 as the new government began to take shape. At no time has this involvement been simple. The Consolidation meetings were often contentious. The transition meetings were frequently heated, with jobs and influence at stake for many people. Liz and her colleagues were unfailingly fair, prepared, thoughtful, and courteous. They created a path to a sustainable municipal plan. And through all this, Liz was also a member of Township Committee, with all the responsibilities and commitments that entails. As anyone who has watched Liz on the job can tell you, this former NPR producer comes to her positions through intelligent analysis, holds them with fair and balanced leadership, and comports herself with an easy dignity at all times.

The first mayor of a combined Princeton must be someone who has been through the maelstrom of the last two years in Princeton, who heard the myriad concerns of our citizens and who dealt with the pros and cons of the various municipal frameworks that were open to us. Liz was immersed in these discussions. She spoke constantly with the people whose lives will be affected by change. She will be able to speak intelligently to the questions and objections that will arise as we work our way through a new system of government. In short, she is intimately familiar with the issues, background, and consequences of the Consolidation decision. She will govern with a sure knowledge of what led us to this point and what the options were then and now. She is a skilled and experienced leader.

I hope you will join me in pulling the lever for the candidate who truly understands how we arrived at the One Princeton decision and will be the best representative of all the citizens of our new community – Liz Lempert.

Casey Lambert

North Road

To the Editor:

I had the distinct honor or working with each of the candidates for mayor during my 27 year tenure as an elected official in Princeton Borough. I know that I can categorically state that Princeton was the beneficiary of their outstanding service to this community. I am, however, supporting Liz Lempert because I think she has demonstrated the kind of leadership that Princeton needs at this time.

As mayor you get to work more closely with the governing body members than would otherwise be the case. Because there are 16 shared departments between Princeton Borough and Princeton Township, there are constant interchanges between the two municipalities. I had the opportunity to interact with Liz on many issues that were germane to the Princeton community and witnessed — first hand — her ability to get things done. She listens well, she can communicate with all members of our diverse community, residential, educational, and business, and she has shown her ability to be fiscally responsible.

We will achieve the full benefits of consolidation and have a responsible government if we have leaders that can move us through the process as seamlessly as possible while, at the same time, maintaining a balance between economic opportunity, fiscal constraints, and abiding commitment to democratic principles and values. Such qualities and characteristics have been demonstrated by Liz.

Mildred T. Trotman

Former mayor of Princeton Borough

To the Editor:

Liz Lempert is the clear choice for mayor of our newly united Princeton. As Deputy Mayor and as a member of Township Committee, Liz understands today’s issues and has built a clear track record of success. There is a lot of talk about experience in the mayor’s race. Experience is certainly important and she is the only candidate that has both current experience and results. Results matter.

Township Committee has accomplished a great deal over the last several years. We have not only achieved consolidation — something that had been attempted and failed virtually every decade since 1953 — but we have also exceeded the 2013 savings from consolidation estimated by the consolidation commission.

We have held taxes flat for the last several years — something that had never been done before in the Township. We have negotiated a voluntary contribution from Princeton University — the first significant contribution in our Township’s history. We opened up the application process for our boards and commissions to encourage more diversity and participation and have created a Citizens’ Finance Advisory Committee to bring additional community expertise in budgeting and strategic financial planning. This was also a community first.

We have promoted common sense development for our community resulting in developments like Copperwood that have preserved a significant portion of open space in perpetuity and contributed to the establishment of the Princeton Ridge Preserve. We have achieved certification from Sustainable Jersey and have made great strides when it comes to environmental and economic sustainability.

That’s the record. Liz is the candidate who can build the bridge to a united Princeton and carry forward the record of results that we have achieved. She’s done it and as mayor she’ll continue to deliver results for our community.

Chad Goerner

Mayor Princeton Township

To the Editor:

I have had the privilege of meeting, working with and learning from Liz Lempert, candidate for mayor in the new united Princeton. We Princetonians really lucked out with this candidate. Liz has the talent necessary to be a first rate leader. She is a worker and does her municipal homework in depth. She is at ease with all kinds of people and knows how to match people and tasks. She has a ready smile, a quick wit, and great calmness.

Many of these positive attributes were very evident at the Republican/Democratic debate on October 11. Liz was deeply familiar with difficult contemporary legal and economic issues. In particular, she approached the problems of consolidation, which she was instrumental in crafting, with thoughtfulness and intelligence. She clearly won the debate.

I urge Princetonians to vote for Liz Lempert as mayor on Nov. 6.

Beth Healey

Moore Street