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Vol. LXIII, No. 14
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Wednesday, April 8, 2009
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Vol. LXIII, No. 14
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Wednesday, April 8, 2009
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With the deadline for candidates to file petitions for the June primary elections this past Monday, four residents have turned in applications for the Democratic primary in the Borough, according to Clerk Andrea Quinty. They are Jenny Crumiller, Jacob “Mendy” Fisch, and incumbents Margaret Karcher and Kevin Wilkes.
In a recent Princeton Community Democratic Organization (PCDO) meeting, the membership voted to endorse Ms. Crumiller for the primary since she received over 60 percent of the vote for a total of 97. Mr. Wilkes, Ms. Karcher, and Mr. Fisch garnered 72, 40, and 22 votes, respectively. Members could vote for up to 2 candidates, and 142 individual ballots were cast.
Though ballot placement is ultimately determined by the Mercer County chair, PCDO is recommending that Ms. Crumiller be placed on the primary ballot with the official party slogan, and that Mr. Wilkes, who received the second-highest number of votes, be placed on the ballot without the official party slogan.
Ms. Crumiller has lived in Princeton since 1991, raising her children and becoming involved in the schools and her neighborhood. “I’ve gotten involved in politics more and more as time goes on,” she said in a telephone interview. She served a three-year term as the president of PCDO, and got to know to a lot of people in the organization and in town that way, crediting her success in the PCDO vote in part to her tenure at the organization.
Studying the effectiveness of Borough-Township consolidation is a priority for Ms. Crumiller as well. “I’ve learned a lot in the time I’ve campaigned,” she said of talking to voters about their approval or concerns regarding combining the municipalities, adding that such a move would contribute to cost savings for the taxpayer.
“There have been problems with the police, and I’m interested in taking a look and finding out what’s causing them,” Ms. Crumiller said, citing recent administrative hearings and adding that “getting to know the police department, and meeting regularly with them,” would be a key pursuit.
Another major issue according to Ms. Crumiller’s website (jennycrumiller.com) is taxation and the budget. She aims to create a citizens’ advisory committee of experts to look at the budget and “make recommendations for cost savings and fiscal management.”
As for the impetus to become involved in local politics, Ms. Crumiller underscored a love for the community and people in Princeton. She finds an investment in local politics rewarding, and also personal. “It’s a place where you can really make a difference.”