On Nov. 4, Princeton Borough voters will choose a new mayor to replace Marvin Reed, who is retiring after 12 years. Two Borough Council members are also up for reelection.
Reed, a Democrat, is endorsing Borough Councilman Joseph O'Neill for mayor and incumbents Wendy Benchley and Peg Karcher for Borough Council.
"The three Democrats are well experienced, have been on the council, know the issues and of course have been involved in the community," Reed said.
No Republican candidates are running for positions in the Borough. There has not been a Republican mayor since 1983 and no Republican has served on the Borough Council since the early 1990s, Reed said.
Green party member Steven Syrek is running against O'Neill for mayor.
"My headline issues are stopping over-development, breaking the Democratic monopoly [and] supporting local business and supporting a strong economy on a local basis," he said.
Over the past several years, the question of how to revitalize the downtown area has dominated Borough politics. However, with construction of the new parking garage and public library and mixed residential and retail space off of Spring Street, there will be fewer fights over development for the new mayor, Reed said.
Both mayoral candidates say they do not support the proposed alcohol ordinance, which would allow Borough Police to cite minors in possession of alcohol on private property. The Borough Council suspended consideration of the ordinance last spring but will look at the issue again this December, Reed said.
The University does not endorse political candidates, said Pam Hersh, University director of community and state affairs.
"Party affiliation makes no difference whatsoever," Hersh said in an email.
Hersh declined to comment on how Borough relations might be affected if the Democrat O'Neill or the Green Syrek were elected. Both candidates "have the best interests of the community at heart," she said.
One issue the Borough mayor will need to address is the status of the University Medical Center at Princeton, formerly known at PMC, which is under new ownership and reevaluating its role in the town, Reed said.
The hospital may relocate outside of Princeton, which would mean its half-million annual visits would go elsewhere, O'Neill said.
Most University student dorms are located in Borough precinct one. Parts of Forbes College and Scully Hall are located outside of the Borough in Princeton Township.
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