Baehr '05 makes push for Borough Council seat

Evan Baehr '05 promoted his candidacy for Princeton Borough Council at a debate last night, portraying himself as a fresh perspective and needed University voice in local government.

Dozens of students and a few community residents were on hand to hear the 21-year-old College Republicans president debate with his opponents, Roger Martindell and Andrew Koontz. The three are vying for two open seats on the council this November.

Martindell, 54, is a Democrat who has served on the Borough Council for 15 years. Koontz, a relative newcomer, has chaired the local Democratic party and was appointed in February to fill the Borough seat vacated by Mayor Joseph O'Neill.

The debate took place in Whig Hall, and Baehr's home court advantage was evident as members of the audience asked pointed questions of Martindell and Koontz and at one point broke into applause for Baehr.

College Democrats president Jay Saxon '05, who co-chairs with Baehr the nonpartisan voter registration group Princeton Votes 2004, organized the event as a way to educate the University community about local issues.

One issue that hits particularly close to home — the alcohol ordinance — came up early in the evening.

Baehr strongly criticized the proposed measure, which would give authorities the right to enforce the underage drinking law on private property such as the eating clubs.

"It literally means police on the floor of a taproom," Baehr said. "We don't know how it will be enforced, but it gives people that right."

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Baehr argued the measure would discourage students from seeking medical attention for alcohol.

Martindell agreed, emphasizing that alcohol regulation should be initiated from within the University. "Tax dollars should not go to keeping Princeton sober," he said. "There are better uses for my money."

As the debate moved into tax policy, Baehr admitted there are many nuances he doesn't understand but faulted the current Borough for "irresponsible expenditures."

Throughout the night, Baehr positioned himself as an alternative to the status quo.

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"My opponents are campaigning together, they're at the same fundraisers, they go to the same cocktails," he said. "At least consider having one voice on the council that's going to challenge it."

But Martindell objected to being grouped with Koontz as "two peas from the same pod." People from the community, he said, see the two as having very different policies.

Audience reaction was mixed, even among the undergraduate population targeted by Baehr. Several students agreed that while Baehr stood out as the most well-spoken candidate, Martindell's experience was evident.

"Evan's a very polished speaker who clearly articulated his ideas," said Aaron Souza '08, who is registered to vote in Princeton. "But he sounded more like he was quoting statistics than presenting clear ideas for how he'd advance the will of the Borough residents, including students."

Elizabeth Dooley '07 added, "It became clear during rebuttals that some of his stronger statements against Mr. Koontz and Mr. Martindell were incorrect."

But some came out firmly in support of Baehr, and despite the rhetoric of much of the night, it appears the campaign will not be decided strictly along University and town lines.

"I was very impressed," said Pamela Long, a Borough resident who knows Baehr through the local Republican party. "If I could vote twice, I'd vote twice."