Letter: Why Candidates for Mayor Don’t Run

Dear Editor:

The Princeton Packet editorial entitled “Wanted: Candidates for Mayor” (Feb. 3, 2012) lamented the lack of candidates for mayor and expressed the hope that the only declared candidate “…won’t be the last” as if asking – why aren’t there more candidates? A little hard reflection reveals why there aren’t more candidates.

First, the new mayor of the consolidated Princetons will have a full-time job. When I was mayor of the Township the position averaged 5.5 hour per day. If that is added on top of responsibilities for the Borough and throw in the extra problems inherent in the transition period it is clear that the new mayor will have to average 9 – 10 hours a day on the job. It isn’t humanly possible to hold a job, even a part time job, and perform the new mayor’s duties properly.
Second, the new mayor will have to preside over a difficult form of government. It is no secret that the old fashioned Mayor/Council form of government is less efficient than the Township Committee form. The Borough always takes 50% more time and effort to do the same tasks as the Township Committee.  As a former Borough Council President I know we went further into the night than the Township Committee dealing with exactly the same issues. It has nothing to do with the individuals elected, who were all smart, hard-working people. It had, instead, everything to do with the fact that the Borough Council is seven people and the Township Committee is five people. A group of five dedicated people can always get more done than a group of seven dedicated people. The fact that the Borough form of government is a “weak mayor/strong council “ means that the Borough Mayor isn’t always in sync with the Council – that hurts effectiveness too.

Third, the pool of potential candidates is relatively small. Neither the Borough nor the Township has elected a Republican or Independent (or a Green Party or a Tea Party) candidate for a full generation. As the editorial pointed out “We think that a community the size of Princeton should have a non-partisan election...”  The Consolidation Study Commission missed the boat when it didn’t follow the lead of Trenton and West Windsor in moving to non-partisan elections. Trenton and West Windsor may have their issues but at least they are politically diverse.

The last line of the editorial stated that “… we hope to hear where other potential mayors would lead too.” I have been asked by several friends on both sides of the political isle to consider running again for mayor. To get the ball rolling, I would be willing to run for the transition term as mayor. If you think it is a good idea (or a bad idea) please share your thoughts at rcwoodbridge@yahoo.com. Regardless, I hope that more candidates jump into the race for Mayor and Council and give Princeton some meaningful choices – and maybe even a fun and interesting campaign- this fall.

Richard C. Woodbridge 
Prospect Avenue, Princeton