To the Editor:
We are enthusiastically supporting Jon Durbin for Princeton Town Council. Jon combines community-mindedness, progressive values, and experience in the responsible management of budgets and resources. He will make an outstanding member of Council.
A resident of Princeton for 20 years, Jon has devoted himself selflessly to a range of political and civic activities. Like many people in town, we first got to know Jon from his work as president of Princeton Little League. His energy and enthusiasm helped cultivate broad support from parent volunteers and fostered a friendly, fun, and competitive environment for the players. His leadership helped raise the level of play (as attested by success at regional tournaments) while ensuring that all players got a fair chance to play and improve. Anyone who has spent any time around youth sports should recognize how hard it is to strike that balance.
Jon has also been a political leader. He organized house gatherings in Princeton and elsewhere in Mercer County on behalf of Barack Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign. He has been a stalwart member of the Princeton Community Democratic Organization, including as president, and has served on the Democrats’ municipal and county committees. Yet these commitments have never prevented Jon from listening to and learning from divergent views. Anyone who discusses issues with him recognizes his eagerness to hear what others think. He has pursued his candidacy with transparency and responsiveness and — if elected — will promote these goals on Council. He will encourage more town hall style meetings on important issues, such as plans for the choir college property.
Jon understands the dilemmas facing Princeton. He is committed to increasing affordable and workforce housing while preserving the town’s historical character and charm, to improving town resources without resorting to exorbitant property tax increases, and to sustaining Princeton’s inclusive values in the face of outside attacks. He has the leadership, skill, and judgment to steward our town’s resources and will approach that work without a personal or professional agenda. Please join us in supporting his candidacy.