Wilkes ’83 seeks mayoral nomination

Wilkes said in an interview that his experience is one of the strengths of his candidacy. Wilkes has lived in Princeton since he graduated from the University 29 years ago and began his own business, Princeton Design Guild, which he still operates today. He won a spot on the Borough Council in 2008.

“I’m the best candidate because I have experience here in town,” Wilkes said. “I know lots of people in the community, and I know their life stories. I know the University’s life story [too].”

He noted that his experience in government is especially valuable, as the newly consolidated Princeton municipality is based on the structure of the Borough government rather than that of the Township.

“I have the knowledge of how issues are advanced in our style of government, and as mayor I would have the skills to bring along my colleagues in discussion and in policy,” he said.

Wilkes said he supported the controversial Arts and Transit Neighborhood proposed by the University.

“I completely support the Lewis Center for the Arts 100 percent,” he explained. “I think it’s extraordinary, and I applaud President Tilghman for trying to pull this off.”

The construction of the Arts and Transit Neighborhood will move the Dinky 460 feet south. Wilkes said he is less enthusiastic about the move of the Dinky than he is about the project as a whole.

“As the University expands, the community recedes, and the Dinky is a little bit of an emblem of that,” he said. Nevertheless, he said he thinks the University has made significant commitments to advancing public transit. While he said he is “saddened” by the move, he said he has come to terms with the relocation of the train station.

In Wilkes’ view, controversial negotiations with the University require special discussion. Wilkes said he worries that “there’s an erosion of town fabric on the University edges as the University expands into the community.” He said a primary facet of his platform is better planning of the expansion into these “edge neighborhoods.”

Lempert, Wilkes’ opponent, recently obtained the endorsement of current Princeton Township Mayor Chad Goerner, who noted in an email that she had a broad base of support.

“Liz is the only candidate that has support from members of both the Borough Council and Township Committee,” he said. “That is a testament to her ability to build bridges and connections in our community, and I believe it speaks volumes of her ability to lead the new Princeton in the right direction.” Lempert could be not reached for comment.

Wilkes has gained the endorsement of two former mayors of Princeton Borough, Mildred Trotman and Marvin Reed, both of whom cited Wilkes’ experience with government and civic leadership as the reasons for their support in a press release.