"It’s Like the Realization of the Biggest Fears of Those Who Opposed Consolidation"

It has not gone unnoticed that Bernie Miller and Sue Nemeth's joint campaign for Princeton Council has left incumbent Democrat Jo Butler out in the cold as she seeks re-election later this year. 

Last week Council President Miller and former Princeton Township Committee member Sue Nemeth announced they will run a joint campaign this year and seek the Democratic nomination for the  two expiring open seats on Princeton Council. 

Miller's term is set to expire at the end of the year, as is Butler's. Nemeth is not currently an elected official, but did serve on Princeton Township Committee with Miller until the end of 2012. 

"I was stunned by the news that Bernie Miller is trying to unseat Jo Butler," Princeton resident Peter Marks said during the public comment session of Monday's Council Meeting. "Jo seems like the one person who's been a lively independent voice. She doesn't try to curry favor with anybody. She takes positions not because she's trying to advance a political agenda because they're the right thing to do."

Marks said Butler stands up for the underdog, specifically for the Princeton taxpayers when it comes to the town's relationship with Princeton University. 

"You're all in the same party," Marks said. "You're the party that professes to represent the little people, that's exactly what Jo does."

Marks, who opposed the consolidation of Princeton Borough and Princeton Township last year, called the Miller and Nemeth's political maneuver "the realization of the biggest fears of those who opposed consolidation." 

In the combined Princeton, former Township residents outnumber former Borough residents by more than 2-1, leading to fears of a "Township" takeover.

"I would like to request that Bernie and Sue reconsider or at least that (current) members of council reconsider their endorsement," Marks said. 

Members of Council did not respond to Marks' comments because Lempert said it's illegal to conduct any political campaigning inside the municipal building.

On Tuesday afternoon, however, Miller did address the issue indirectly. 

"Differences between individuals of the same political party can't get in the way of getting our job done," he said. "It's the responsibility of all six Council members and the Mayor to get things done."