Martindell, Koontz compete in Borough Council race

Evan Baehr '05 has created quite a buzz on campus as the lone Republican vying for a seat on the Borough Council. But students have not been talking as much about Democratic incumbents Roger Martindell and Andrew Koontz, whose platforms are largely unknown.

While Martindell and Koontz are running on a number of issues, a few are of particular importance for University students.

Alcohol ordinance

In the past, the proposed Borough alcohol ordinance has continually been debated by students and Council members alike.

The ordinance would give Borough police the power to cite underage drinkers on private properties, like the eating clubs, if they have probable cause to enter the premises.

This ordinance, if passed, would alter the atmosphere at the University's 11 eating clubs. However, thus far it has only been drafted and has not been formally introduced for discussion and voting. Martindell said its introduction is "not likely." Koontz agreed that "currently it is not on the agenda as far as I'm aware."

Koontz emphasized the need for the Borough to work on the situation.

"What it comes down to is binge-drinking, which poses a problem for the Borough because the police are involved," Koontz added. "The bottom line is I don't want to see any tragedies on the Street."

He said that the monthly police report at Borough Council meetings always involves a large number of alcohol-related incidents and added, "I think everybody would like to see that reduced."

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However, he called for measures other than the ordinance, such as better security and the availability of nonalcoholic beverages at eating clubs.

"The ordinance has proved useful because it's brought the eating clubs, the administration and the Borough together to talk about the problem," he said.

Martindell said he firmly opposes the ordinance and even wrote an oped piece against it in The Daily Princetonian in 2002.

He said he opposes it "for three reasons. One is it leads to fourth amendment [illegal search and seizure] and civil rights problems. Two is that it penalizes more than rehabilitates and thereby tends to drive binge drinking underground, and therefore makes it more dangerous . . . Third is it's primarily a University problem — let the University deal with it. It knows the students. It has the ability to censure them."

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He acknowledged that "it's been useful to raise the subject," but also said the ordinance will "never be passed in its current form."

Borough-University finances

Finance has also been a source of tension between the Borough and University officials.

While the University pays no property taxes on most of its land, it still receives many services from the Borough.

To compensate the Borough, the University gives an annual donation which until 2002 was $100,000 or less and recently increased to $400,000.

But the Borough has requested that the University increase the amount even further.

Koontz said the issue is primarily between the mayor and the University administration.

"Currently the University has a ways to go to meet what I think is adequate compensation for the services it receives," he said.

"At the same time, I don't think the Borough Council should look [to] contributions from the University to solve all [its] problems," Koontz explained. "I think there are things the Borough Council needs to do within its own budget to address its monetary difficulties."

Martindell addressed the larger issue of tension between the University and Borough.

"In any University town, there's an inherent tension between the University and the town," he said. "There's no ultimate solution. There's just a negotiation and a temporary solution."

He was instrumental in negotiations to increase the size of the donation, and is currently trying to increase it to "a figure closer to $1 million."

Martindell emphasized that the donation should also compensate for burdens the University places on the Borough.

"The University takes up a lot of space that could otherwise be developed and produce tax dollars," he said. "Our taxes are almost 100 percent greater than they would be were the University not taking up property."

He acknowledged that the University "brings a lot to Princeton that would not otherwise come to Princeton — cultural events, academic events. Our real estate prices are up."

"There's no harm in asking [the University] to become a stronger partner in dealing with our tax problem," he added.

Baehr's Candidacy

Both candidates said they welcomed Baehr's presence on the ballot.

"It's terrific that he's gotten involved in this way," Koontz said.

"People assume Princeton Borough to be a Democratic town, but one of the things I've always focused on . . . is that we need to take every election seriously. We need to work hard for election," he said.

Martindell shared similar sentiments.

"It's great that a University student is interested in what goes on beyond Nassau St.," he said, adding that Baehr's presence promotes discussion of issues that affect the Borough and the University.