To the Editor:
It is my pleasure to write in support of Jon Durbin for Princeton Council.
The first time I saw Jon was about 20 years ago when, while walking in my neighborhood, I encountered a man holding a clipboard, with a focused gait, who greeted me with a friendly hello as we passed on the sidewalk. Soon after I learned this was Jon Durbin, who was pounding the pavement as he does every election season.
I’ve known Jon well since 2015 when I served on the Princeton Little League’s Board under his leadership. I was impressed by Jon’s open and collaborative style, his commitment to the players and families, and his seemingly endless energy to make Princeton Little League a dynamic organization, accessible to all with scholarships available to any player/family in need.
For decades, Jon has given his time and talents towards serving the Princeton community, not only by revitalizing Princeton Little League, but also by serving on the Princeton Community Democratic Organization’s Executive Board (for three years as president), and as a member of the Mercer County Democratic Committee. Jon was a leader in helping to eliminate, locally, the party line for elections — a harbinger of similar statewide changes.
Jon is a man of action. He says what he means. He listens. In his efforts towards earning our vote and becoming an outstanding Princeton Council member, he has embarked on a “knock on 1,000 doors” effort to hear from residents about what is important to us. Jon is a direct man of integrity, who has consistently shown through action his commitment to civic engagement.
Jon will come to the role of Council member with significant local community experience. If you talk to Jon, you will quickly see he clearly understands the crucial issues Princeton is facing now, including how to prudently manage the Westminster Choir College property, how to promote and expand public transportation, how to support affordable housing, and how to maintain the excellence of Princeton’s public schools.
Jon has already shown us what kind of Council member he will be, as we have seen the kind of leader he has been during 20 years of service to our community: An honest, hardworking, clear-thinking, and approachable leader whose style of collaborative engagement and thoughtful listening we cannot do without.
Please join me in voting for Jon Durbin for Princeton Council.