To the Editor:

Princeton is fortunate to have a competitive race to elect the first mayor of a united Princeton. Both candidates were public supporters of consolidation and generally perceived as dedicated to its success. Our good fortune is having a choice between two candidates with very different backgrounds skill sets and visions of Princeton’s future.

In my view, on January 1, 2013 we need to move well beyond the Consolidation Commission’s baseline of limited, favorable outcomes. Now is the time to aggressively pursue our once in a lifetime opportunity to set a high standard and road map for New Jersey in achieving consolidation’s synergistic benefits through politically bi-partisan collaboration, especially in the near term.

To make the right choice for Princeton’s future, we must elect the mayoral candidate best qualified by experience and on the job performance as a community Leader, hands on in local government.

Candidate Liz Lempert is intelligent, personable, and very politically active locally, state, and nation-wide. In a heavily Democratic town and with solid liberal progressive credentials, she was clearly a safe choice for maintaining Democratic Party control in Princeton. Her profile, however, with the exception of her current position as deputy mayor of Princeton Township, cites virtually no qualifications or experience, in either public or private life, which would prepare her to lead or govern a large, multi-faceted organization in the immediate future.

Dick Woodbridge’s profile is in stark contrast to that of Liz Lempert. His qualifications and experience in both public and private life reflect leadership roles together with broad professional skills, unmatched knowledge of the local community based on a lifetime in Princeton, and a consummate hands-on record of public service in highly responsible positions. His local public service, both as volunteer and elected official, included Princeton Borough Council President, Princeton Township Mayor, Police Commissioner and much more. He is a Princeton University graduate, an attorney and engineer. After a lifetime spent here, he understands the needs and motivations of the diverse groups in Princeton and will find pragmatic ways to get things done in a politically bipartisan, collaborative way for the betterment of his beloved town.

Princeton requires experienced and proven leadership to take the helm on January 1, 2013. The clear choice is Dick Woodbridge.

John Clearwater

Governors Lane