Borough Council member Mildred Trotman will replace current Council president Roger Martindell as the board's leader, the Council decided Sunday. A member of the Council for 16 years, Trotman has served as president three times in the past.
According to Borough Mayor Marvin Reed, Martindell originally had indicated that he would prefer to continue his presidency for a third year. Trotman noted, however, that in the past the Council had tried to vary the leadership of the group, Reed said.
According to Reed, Martindell later withdrew from the running, and all six members of the Council unanimously voted for Trotman. Trotman will serve as Council president for one year.
"I think she'd be a very good leader to the Council," Reed said. "She has the most seniority and the longest service [to the Council]."
As president, Trotman said she will continue to address the issues the Council worked on last year, including parking improvements, the future of Palmer Square, and the overcrowding of the John-Witherspoon area.
Regarding two other key issues, Trotman said she does not plan to push for the proposed ban on smoking in public places or the ordinance that would allow police to cite underage drinkers on private property.
"I didn't support the smoking ban as it was presented. I have no problem with having designated areas in restaurants," she said. "[The smoking ban] has good merits, although I think right now there are enough areas [designated for smoking]."
Trotman added she believes that people who want to smoke should be shown "a little courtesy."
As for the alcohol ordinance, Trotman stressed that the Council's public safety committee has not yet made a recommendation about the ordinance but that it does not seem to be a pressing issue.
"I haven't heard anyone raving to do anything," Trotman said. "It's up in the air." Trotman noted, however, that the issue "is going to be put on the agenda . . . at some point in the future."
Though the Council will have several complex issues to deal with this year, Trotman said she is confident in the group's ability to work together to solve them.
"Teamwork is one of our strengths," she said. "We work well together as a team."
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