As a small business owner and elected public official who was born and raised here, I am looking to give the taxpayers of Princeton an opportunity to have their voice heard in the upcoming primary for mayor. I have heard many people say they want a candidate who has a proven track record of being financially responsible with taxpayer funds and isn't afraid to stand up for the taxpayers not stand u
p to the taxpayers. As an elected public official, I believe it to be my responsibility to keep a watchful eye on wasteful spending and the inefficiencies we often see in government and that is exactly what I've done while serving as Trustee for the last 6 years. As a small business owner, I understand the importance and benefits of using local contractors and the people who work for them. When we use local contractors for projects and jobs in our own community, we are essentially reinvesting in ourselves. It can be a boost to our own local economy because those tax dollars have a much better chance of being spent right here instead of seeing them used in other parts of the state or even across the country. It will be my mission to work on the infrastructure of this city in order to give our town a strong backbone from which to build in order to bring both the residential and commercial growth we so desperately need. I firmly believe in utilizing our own local resources when it comes to making decisions for our community regardless of political affiliation. That starts with listening to the needs of the people and businesses who live and work here as well as looking to the future to make this community a place where others want to invest their time and money. Lately we've been taking advice from people who do not live and pay taxes here for a "small fee" and we are told by them the things they think we need and want. I look to strengthen our community by engaging our young people and utilizing local success stories from the very people who grew up in the same neighborhoods they do and are now making a name for themselves here at home and across the country. They need to understand that they can do and be anything they want if they commit to themselves by working hard in the classroom and in their extracurricular activities which is something we need to give them more and better access to. I want our high school kids to further their education by either going away to college and earning a degree or through one of the trade schools which I believe is an often overlooked opportunity. I only ask that at some point in time in their life they consider coming back to a community that I hope will offer a diverse and rich lifestyle to raise a family with employment opportunities that offer above average wages. These are a few things that I would like to see for our town and I truly believe can happen. Whoever the next mayor is will be facing some very difficult decisions and circumstances. I don't pretend to have all the answers, just know that if given the opportunity, I want to have open and diverse conversations with the people of this town at coming up with solutions but will always be looking at what the effect is to the bottom line. I believe in growth, just not growth at all costs. I have three kids and I'd like to see them raise a family here that isn't saddled with debt.
