To the Editor:
I’m writing to support Jon Durbin, a Democrat running to serve on the Princeton Council.
I met Jon 15 years ago through Princeton Little League (PLL), where Jon served as president for seven years. My first impression of Jon was of an endlessly enthusiastic, deeply committed community volunteer: the consummate civil servant, in the purest sense. It was Jon who sent upbeat messages reminding families to come to the homerun derby and the PLL trip to a Trenton Thunder game. It was also Jon, I later learned, who had, through energetic fundraising, careful stewardship of PLL’s limited resources, and dogged community outreach, transformed PLL from a struggling organization into a vibrant community hub. Even now, years after his sons aged out, he continues to play a pivotal, selfless behind-the-scenes role.
Since Little League, I’ve gotten to know Jon in other contexts. When I joined the Princeton Community Democratic Organization, I learned that there, too, Jon has long played an essential leadership role, having helped to eliminate the party line in local Princeton races well ahead of similar reforms statewide. Likewise, I learned from fellow historians how central a role Jon plays at W.W. Norton, the only academic publishing house wholly owned by its employees. In his decades-long career at Norton, Jon has both edited field-shaping works of American history and managed complicated budgets, pursuing major projects with the same zeal and dedication he brings to his community organizing efforts.
I am thrilled that Jon is now running for Council. Characteristically, Jon has embarked on his campaign with astonishing energy, enthusiasm, and commitment to community participation. Since January, he has spent his weekends knocking on doors, eager to hear directly from Princeton voters about their hopes and concerns for local government — a practice he has committed to continuing if elected. He has exciting ideas for improving the lives of Princeton residents: initiatives to revitalize and diversify the use of our parks, sustainable public transportation options to reduce traffic, the development of affordable, “workforce-style” housing to put Princeton home ownership in reach for more younger families. He has pored over state and local budgets, employing the financial expertise he acquired at Norton to diagnose the pressures Princeton faces in the current fiscal environment and to identify opportunities to realize our town’s progressive goals without breaking the bank. John’s campaign reflects the lessons he learned as a community organizer and fiscal steward: that effective leadership is rooted in the small-d democratic norms of community participation, active listening, and transparent decision making.
If Jon is elected, his long record of leadership shows us how he will govern. He will be open-minded and compassionate, fair-minded and transparent, fiscally prudent and committed to community uplift. The Trump administration’s unprecedented cruelties and the state’s budget crunch make clear that Princeton will face difficult choices going forward. I can’t think of a better person to lead Princeton at such a moment than Jon: an indefatigable, inspiring community builder with an eye on the bottom line and an enormous heart.