By Anne Levin

Michelle Pirone Lambros

Michelle Pirone Lambros is running for reelection to Princeton Council, on which she has served since 2020. The primary election is June 10, and the general election takes place on November 4.

Two seats on Council are up for grabs: One held by Lambros; the other by Council President Mia Sacks. While Sacks has yet to formally announce her candidacy, she will be running for reelection, she said Tuesday.

A native of Princeton, Lambros has served as Council’s liaison to Experience Princeton, the Pedestrian Bicycle Advisory Committee, and the Recreation Committee. She chairs the Princeton Public Art Ad Hoc Committee, the Communications Committee, and the Infrastructure and Operations Committee. She is also the Fire Commissioner and serves on the Finance Committee, among others.

In an official statement, Lambros said that she wants to build on the foundation of work she has accomplished while in office, “ensuring that Princeton remains a thriving, inclusive, and sustainable community for all.”

Much of Lambros’ focus has been on economic growth and development. That, along with affordability and sustainability, are her three top priorities, according to her official statement. Regarding affordability, the focus is on “expanding housing options, eliminating exclusionary zoning, and implementing smart growth strategies to maintain Princeton’s socio-economic diversity,” she said.

The issue remains one of Princeton’s most challenging. “I will work to expand our housing stock by eliminating exclusionary zoning, promoting ‘missing middle’ housing options, and ensuring smart growth policies that do not increase the financial burden on taxpayers,” she said. “As part of the Council Redevelopment Committee, I have already worked on meeting our affordable housing obligations of the third round and will continue planning for the fourth round.”

Economic development is about “ensuring a thriving local economy by supporting businesses, fostering innovation, and strengthening our commercial tax base to ease the residential tax burden.”

She cited the opening of the new Graduate by Hilton Princeton hotel this past August, along with restaurants and retail spaces, as evidence of economic growth, and she plans to further those efforts.

Lambros’ efforts toward sustainability involve “investing in green infrastructure, improving public transportation with new electric buses, and enhancing recreational spaces for a healthier community.” She is committed to revitalizing Community Park South and Grover Park, “to support healthy lifestyles.”

Regarding civic engagement, Lambros said she will continue “advocating for policies that support a thriving, diverse, and inclusive Princeton.” The ongoing threat of deportation to undocumented residents is a concern.

“We’re looking right now at how to best protect our residents, and we’re very concerned. We want them to know that,” she said.

For more information, visit michelleforprinceton.com.