Princeton Borough Mayoral Candidate Profiles

With local elections approaching, Patch asked both of the Princeton Borough Mayor candidates a series of questions to help provide readers with a better understanding of why each is running. The questions included:

• Why are you running for Borough mayor?
• What are the three issues most important to you and why?
• Why should residents vote for you?
• Do you support consolidation with Princeton Township? Why or why not?

Patch has posted each candidates response to the questions in full. 

Why are you running for Borough mayor?

Jill Jachera: I love Princeton and I am deeply concerned about our future as we face a dysfunctional and unproductive relationship with the University, property taxes which are  eroding affordability and diversity in our town, the possibility of consolidation and major developments over the next five years. Princeton needs a strong, proactive and visionary leader that can provide focused leadership that will help clarify our goals, develop a strategy and bring together the talent and energy of our citizens, regardless of party, to accomplish those goals. Princeton needs a leader with the skills and experience to work with the residents, businesses, the University, Township, State and County to confront whatever issues we will face and make Princeton the best that it can be for all of our citizens. I believe that I have the better skill set and experience to provide Princeton with the type of leadership it needs and deserves.

Yina Moore: Response delayed by email forwarding oversight.

What are the three issues most important to you and why?

Jill Jachera: a) The Town/Gown Relationship - Regardless of who you blame, the fact of the matter is that we are on a collision course with our largest employer, our largest landholder, our largest tax payer and the only non-profit or for-profit entity that is capable of making meaningful financial contributions to the community above and beyond our current revenue generation. Encouraging the University to further invest in our community can only be established through a constructive, respectful dialogue. I believe that I have the ability to establish that dialogue and move the relationship forward in a productive way.

b) Property Taxes - For the past 10 years, we have been on a path that has been eroding affordability and diversity in Princeton as our property taxes drive residents from Princeton and deter others from moving here. Princeton needs a leader who will be a fierce steward of its interests and resources. I have proposed the use of a zero-based budget to get control of our budget, realize potential savings and make Princeton more affordable.

c) Preserving the historic nature of Princeton, while taking action to achieve development at critical sites without unnecessary delays which would cause eyesores in the community and a loss of critical tax revenue and jobs.

Yina Moore: Response delayed by email forwarding oversight.

Why should residents vote for you?

Jill Jachera: I have the legal and leadership experience to provide strong, focused leadership that will help clarify our goals, develop a strategy and bring together the talent and energy of our citizens to accomplish those goals.

Through the alliances I have forged, I will be an ambassador for Princeton as I work with the residents, businesses, the University, Township, State and County to confront whatever issues we will face and make Princeton the best that it can be for all of our citizens.

Yina Moore: Response delayed by email forwarding oversight.

Do you support consolidation with Princeton Township? Why or Why not?

Jill Jachera: I will vote for consolidation, and if it is passed, I will work towards achieving the benefits of consolidation and minimizing the detriments to the residents of the Borough.

I believe that the potential benefits outweigh the potential detriments. Consolidation will improve the efficiency and effectiveness of our government operations, reduce delays on critical projects, improve public safety and relieve pressure to increase density in the downtown when we need additional ratables in the future. In addition, high property taxes are forcing citizens to leave Princeton. Consolidation, if done correctly and under the right leadership, can achieve important cost savings. Mayor Goerner has publicly stated that he will recommend my request to use a zero-based budget.  This will allow the newly formed  government to take advantage of a golden opportunity to engage in strategic planning and ensure the efficient allocation of our resources by building the new budget from the ground up.

Yina Moore: Response delayed by email forwarding oversight.