To the Editor:

In one month, on November 5, we will have an important election in Princeton. Our two Democratic candidates for Princeton Council — Mia Sacks and Michelle Pirone Lambros — are thoughtful problem solvers who would bring distinct and complementary talents to the job. They share a commitment to Democratic values in Princeton, as evidenced by their focus on promoting affordability; maintaining a welcoming town that finds strength in our economic and cultural diversity; and elevating community engagement, transparency, and accountability in local government.

Many friends and neighbors tell me that they have chosen to live in Princeton for the same reasons my family moved here — to settle and raise our children in a community that offers an exceptional quality of life and top-quality public education. We realize, however, that while Princeton has great advantages, its success is not a given, and requires proactive planning, community engagement, and collaboration. That is why I am supporting Mia and Michelle.  They have demonstrated a successful track record of public service in the community and are already deeply immersed in the issues they will face on Council. Mia serves on the Planning Board, and is a longtime member of the board of Sustainable Princeton and the Municipal Green Team.  Michelle is on the Zoning Board, and works on maintaining Princeton’s commercial vitality with the Economic Development Committee and the Princeton Merchants Association. This is the work of Democratic governance, and I believe we should be looking for just such candidates who are willing to roll up their sleeves and do what it takes to improve our town.

Our town faces urgent challenges that need creative solutions. How do we best meet our state affordable housing mandates and maintain affordability more generally for middle-income families? How can we strengthen the economic vitality of Princeton’s historic downtown center?  How do we grow our commercial tax base and negotiate productively with our tax-exempt institutions? We need smart, dedicated leadership that can bring our community together and take bold action to address these and other challenges. I signed on to chair their campaign this year because I believe Mia and Michelle will be these leaders, and I urge you to join me in voting for them, and their Democratic colleagues in Column A, on November 5.

Jeffrey Oakman
Chair, Princeton Democratic Campaign, 2019