Mayoral candidates Mildred Trotman and Kim Pimley debated the possible effects of the University's planned arts neighborhood last night in front of an audience of more than 70 students and local residents.
The new development in the area near the Dinky station has come under fire in recent months over how it will affect the local community and the University's tax contribution to the Township.
In their first public appearance together, the two Democrats differed on their views of the proposed development. The panel entitled, "Uniting Town and Gown: Why Local Politics Matter," was moderated by Wilson School professor and Princeton resident Stanley Katz in McCormick Hall.
Trotman, the current mayor, said she was concerned with the proposal to move the Dinky station nearly 460 feet south, which could create a problem for senior citizens and for other community members.
Pimley, treasurer of the Princeton Community Democratic Organization, was more optimistic about the project that will create a new parking garage next to a fully operational train station and a relocated Wawa.
"If done correctly," she said, "it could be an amazing transportation hub."
Trotman agreed that the arts neighborhood "could be good for the community," adding that, "I think the plans are preliminary enough that I think [the issues] could be worked out."
She said major town concerns include the redesign of the entrance to the Borough on Alexander Street and the Dinky relocation.
Pimley said she saw no problem with changing the physical appearance and layout of an entrance into the town.
Both candidates described the relationship between the Borough and the University as a "partnership." Pimley said she would like to have more strategic planning meetings with University officials.
Meanwhile, Trotman said that she would like the University to make a permanent financial commitment to the Borough so it "would have something to work with," rather than depend on inconsistent commitments about once every two years. She also characterized Princeton students as "transients," in contrast to Borough residents.
Pimley disputed this characterization saying that she would like to establish an internship program for University students in the municipal government. "I'm heartened by the number of Princeton volunteers in the Borough," she said.
They also discussed rising property taxes, global warming and town consolidation.
Trotman said the Borough already tries to cut waste and expenses every way it can to keep taxes low. With state mandates, garbage pickups, fire and police departments and road maintenance, however, it is "impossible" to keep taxes constant.
Pimley said that if Borough expenses could not be reduced any further, then town revenues should be increased. She cited downtown development, the new hospital and Palmer Square redevelopments as crucial to increasing the tax base. The new retail stores that would be part of the new arts neighborhood would also contribute.
In closing statements, Pimley stressed that it was a time for change in leadership and that residents deserved a choice in candidates. Trotman said that her record of responsibility and fairness as mayor are reasons to reelect her. The Democratic primaries will be held June 5.
Audience reactions to the panel were generally positive.
"I thought it was really a success," Navin Bhatia '09, who a member of the College Democrats said. "I was really impressed by the number of students who showed up." He said that both candidates seemed strong but that he would have to do more research on them.
Borough resident Bob Carr said he was disappointed that the issue of historical preservation did not come up. Nevertheless, he said, "I thought the debate was reflective of the personalities of the two candidates."
The panel was organized by USG campus and community affairs chair Cindy Hong '09 and sponsored by the USG Projects Board, College Democrats and the Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Students.
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