To the Editor:
We are living in uncertain times, and it’s easy to feel that the forces shaping our lives are beyond our control. But at the local level, we have more power than we realize. I am running for Princeton Council to bring practical policies and thoughtful stewardship to our town, designing solutions that improve the lives of Princetonians, regardless of what is happening in D.C.
As a refugee, I came to this country believing it was truly a land of opportunity. Call it naïve, but I still believe that. What I’ve learned through my work as a planner, architect, and sustainability consultant is that opportunity is not accidental; it is shaped by the choices we make every day. Our land-use laws are the specific mechanisms that determine whether our town remains accessible, resilient, and welcoming to the next generation. The good news is: we have full control over them.
Every day, I work with families, small businesses, and community organizations, helping them navigate housing and other use regulations. I see how our systems favor big national corporations and where thoughtful planning can instead create opportunities for green, organic, and gentle growth.
Just last week, the Zoning Board approved a revised plan for a project I designed that will allow a small local builder to create ten new homes in a walkable location. A neighborhood organization, Save Jugtown, which had previously opposed the project, spoke in support. That is the kind of homegrown collaboration I seek.
Our current land-use laws date back to 1968 and 1974. We missed the chance to update them following consolidation, but that update is finally underway. It is critical to have someone on Council who truly understands what is and is not working. I am raising my hand and offering to help at this important time, even though this will be a major disruption to my professional work, as I will step away from projects in Princeton to avoid any conflict of interest.
I am not running to theorize about problems; I am running to help solve them. As costs rise, congestion grows, and municipal projects like the development at Westminster Choir College are planned, we do not have the luxury of a long learning curve. We need leadership that understands how planning, green design, and municipal processes fit together on day one.
By practicing thoughtful stewardship of our land, listening to one another, and leading with solutions, our town can be a place of financial sustainability, environmental resilience, and togetherness for those of us lucky enough to be here today, for our businesses, for our future neighbors, and for our children.
That is the perspective and experience I hope to bring to the Council. Please visit MarinaForAmericanDream.com to learn more about my story and my ideas. I cannot do this alone. I am asking for your help, your support, and your advice in this important work.