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To the Editor:
This week’s edition of Town Topics includes a flyer insert that outlines Jean Durbin’s background and candidacy for a seat on the Princeton Public Schools Board of Education. Please take a look.
This is an important Board election. There are eight candidates for three seats on the Board. We need Board members who contribute to the business of the Board in a professional, constructive, and collaborative way. We need members who take seriously the Board’s role, and who see that improving education for all our kids requires investments up front.
We need members who have the humility to know that consulting experts is sometimes needed to equip the Board with the information it needs to make complicated and weighty decisions for our schools. Jean Durbin would be one of those Board members. She has my strong support as a careful thinker who is professional, collaborative, and progressive. Jean is deeply committed to making our schools an equitable environment for all of our children.
Again, please take a look at Jean’s flyer so you can see the depth and breadth of her experience and commitment to our kids and our town. I hope you’ll join me in supporting Jean Durbin for a seat on the Board of Education, and vote column L on your ballot. KATHY TAYLOR Jefferson Lane
Mark Freda Has All Skills Necessary To Be Progressive, Effective Mayor
To the Editor:
I write this note in unwavering and strong support of Mark Freda for mayor of Princeton. I am extremely honored to write about my support for Mark’s candidacy as he has led Princeton into new heights. Mark’s connection to me and my family begins well before I was born. My grandmother and Mark’s mother were friends even before Mark was born. My mother, having been a few years younger than Mark, speaks very highly of him from a young age to now. I’ve had the pleasure to work alongside Mark in varying capacities over the past eight years in emergency services.
My professional capacity with Mark began when I was in high school as a wide-eyed recruit to Princeton Emergency Services. Mark always made me feel special, important, and part of the team. He has continued to do that throughout my time working alongside him. I feel it’s important to mention that beyond Mark’s leadership abilities, he’s a good man with great values. He is someone that you can count on. More importantly, he’s a compassionate and caring individual who, no matter how busy he is, makes time for you.
Mark’s leadership strengths are second to none. Mark con sistently steps up to lead in situations. He takes a natural command of situations. Mark has also shown decisive and effective decision making. Difficult situations come up often, and Mark is able to weigh the options quickly and decide what is the most appropriate course of action. He sticks with that decision and is very decisive. I’ve also noted that when situations evolve, so too does Mark’s responses.
Lastly, Mark’s communication skills are one of his strong suits as well. However, for Mark, communication seems to come naturally. I am confident in Mark’s ability to be able to communicate with individuals from diverse backgrounds in order to find common ground. Mark has continually shown that he is willing to talk about what needs to be discussed with all parties involved. Princeton residents will know his point of view and opinions for what they are. There will be no smoke and mirrors with Mark. I know for me, this is someone I want to be leading our town.
Mark has all of the skills necessary to be a progressive and effective mayor for Princeton. He will be able to communicate effectively and make smart decisions, while bringing important, respectable values to our municipal government. Mark has also been a loyal public servant to Princeton from a young age, having served our town in many different capacities. From this, one thing remains certain: he is committed to serving and improving this town. Knowing Mark in both professional and personal capacities for essentially my entire life has shown me his consistency in these aforementioned characteristics. Mark Freda will have my vote for mayor of our beloved town. For these reasons, I encourage you to consider Mark as your pick for mayor. BRYAN E. HILL Ewing Street
Behrend’s Guidance Has Been Essential in Tackling Issues to Achieve Long-Term Success
To the Editor:
We are writing in support of Beth Behrend’s re-election to the Board of Education (BOE). We believe it is crucial and necessary for Beth to continue her dedicated leadership to the BOE, our students, and our schools.
Since being elected to the BOE in 2017, we have witnessed Beth devote limitless time and skills in finding significant costsavings measures through the introduction of priority-based budgeting, reduced expenses, and tighter controls. She has also been a steadfast promoter of the district’s equity goals through restorative justice, racial literacy, and the implementation of free pre-K. Her leadership during the switch to remote learning has been crucial.
Our schools face immense challenges with funding,
overcrowding, equity, and aging facilities, to name a few. As president of the BOE, Beth’s stable guidance has been essential in tackling all of the district issues to achieve long-term success. She successfully lead the Board in finding an interim superintendent and, as we embark on finding a permanent one, we know her past experience will again guide our district to solid ground. We also know that Beth’s experience is needed now, more than ever, as we revamp and create a robust new way of teaching due to COVID. We were fortunate enough to work with Beth, as officers of the PTO Council Executive Board, before her election to the Board of Education. During that time, we gained insight into Beth’s collaborative leadership and her ability to handle com13 • TOWN TOPICS, PRINCETON, N.J., plex situations with thoughtful questions and consideration in her desire to be the voice for all of the children in the district. WE d We need an experienced, equitable, dependable, and dedicated leader in these times of constant change. That is Beth Behrend. NES day, SUE BOWEN Stone Cliff Road SEPTE CHRISTINA WALDEN Dodds Lane mb ER
Johnson, Lemon, Hare Are Right Team to Drive a Fresh Approach 23, 2020
To the Editor:
These are truly unprecedented times and now, more than ever, we need engaged School Board members focused on transparency and accountability in Princeton Public Schools. We firmly believe that Paul Johnson, Karen Lemon, and William Hare are the right team to drive a fresh approach in implementing solutions on issues of diversity and affordability. Most importantly, their focus on equity to make sure all children’s needs are met is critical in helping our schools evolve into the modern environment in which they exist.
We have had the privilege of knowing Paul personally over the last four years. His commitment to humanity, strong relationships within the community as a second-generation Princetonian, and creativity when it comes to fundraising are assets he will bring to the Board in his pursuit to make our schools a shining example to the rest of the world.
The excessive spending during the recent pandemic is a key example of where our schools would benefit from the transparency and accountability that Paul, Karen, and William hope to deliver. We moved to Princeton to provide our children the opportunity to attend top rated schools, however, expect that those same schools will be proactive in their ability to lead and continuously evolve.
Please join us in voting for Bill Hare, Paul Johnson, and Karen Lemon for the Princeton Board of Education. JOEL AND CAROLINE BURGER Walnut Lane
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