Informed decisions require knowledge of the topic, constructive questions, transparency, and open-mindedness — and then there is the most important and uncomfortable component, which is the discussion of difficult issues. The new Princeton is still in its infancy, and informed decisions by the elected officials are the key to making this a successful transition.
Lively discussions on the Princeton Council in the past year have involved contracts, conflicts of interest polices, and fiscal responsibility. These are tough issues that need to be aired in a professional and objective manner without personal attacks or predetermined outcomes. Open debate needs to be a welcome part of the decision making process. We rely on our public officials to have the open discourse that is needed to properly run the town.
Jo Butler has a proven record of pushing for informed decisions which are critical to the prudent use of taxpayer dollars. Jo served on the Transition Task Force and four of the Transition Task Force subcommittees, she has a strong background in finance, she continuously asks the hard questions, she removes items from consent agendas for more detailed and transparent discussions, and she is willing to listen and learn from her constituents.
Princeton has the opportunity to be an excellent case for consolidation, but to make this case, we need a Council with dedicated public servants like Jo Butler who consistently advocate for informed decisions.
Beth Ogilvie Freda
Beth Ogilvie Freda has hit the nail on the head. Without Jo Butler on the Princeton Council too many mistaken initiatives would have rushed through to implementation; too many critical questions would not have been asked; too many ill conceived proposals of too many powerful people and institutions would not have been questioned. Now more than ever when critical decisions about Princeton’s future are being made, we need a strong, independent voice and vote on council. To vote for echos and yes people, those whose primary goals are for “efficiency” in debate (since when was a debate supposed to be efficient? — dictatorships are efficient) and colleagues “who play well in the sandbox” (Princeton Council is not a kindergarten or a country club) is a wasted vote. You can vote for Jo Butler — or you can waste your vote. The choice is yours
Agreed.
Strongly disagree.