Two Democrats run in uncontested Borough Council primary

In preparation for the November 2001 elections, Roger Martindell and Joseph O'Neill have filed for Democratic candidacy in the Princeton Borough Council primary elections in a race for two seats. No Republicans filed for candidacy, and current councilman Ryan Lilienthal will not seek reelection.

In the past, Borough Council members have decided on salient issues affecting the University. With a possible alcohol ordinance concerning underage drinking on private property, redevelopment of the downtown and the controversial Millstone Bypass plan on the docket in the near future, next year's council members will hold critical positions in making those decisions.

With the number of open seats equaling the number of candidates, however, both the June 5 primary and the subsequent November election should prove to be mere formalities.

Roger Martindell is running for his fifth three-year term as councilman — a position he has held since 1989.

"There are three important issues that I'm involved in that I'd like to see completed," he said.

Martindell said the major concerns he will focus on during his campaign are civil rights issues including the alcohol ordinance, redevelopment in the downtown area and negotiating a financial contribution to the community from the University.

"Basically," he explained, "the University pays less than it can in taxes, and it's my job to ensure that they pay more."

All candidates are also uncontested for the primary in Princeton Township as two Democrats, Township Mayor Phyllis Marchand and Karen Hegenes, and two Republicans, Michael Bonotto and Robert Willis, run for two available three-year terms on the Township Committee.