When Barbara Pfeifer and Will Anklowitz got together the first time, at the West Windsor Senior Center on Thursday, October 5, they were like affable dinner companions: seated at the same table, polite, respectful, and well-mannered.
At the second debate, held at the Village Grande on Monday, October 16, they seemed more like two boxers at a title-fight weigh-in: Each playing to the crowd, whetting the audience’s appetite for their impending fight.##M:[more]##
The decision will be handed down by the public on Tuesday, November 7, but if the trend continues, both council candidates will take off the gloves at the third and final debate, set to take place on Monday, October 23, at 10 a.m. at the Senior Center.
Each candidate took opportunities to get in their jabs. Anklowitz said he’s in favor of open, accessible government. “We can’t go running out of meetings if we don’t like what happens,” said Anklowitz, referring to Pfeifer storming out of a meeting this summer.
“An individual unsure of himself or who wavers as to who he represents and what he stands for will not lead others,” said Pfeifer, an apparent reference to Anklowitz’s decision to switch from Democrat to Republican. West Windsor’s government and elections are non-partisan.
In the second debate, Anklowitz’ upper cut was his history in the town. He was raised here, and that his family has been here since the 1930s. Pfeifer’s counter: Her position on council. Though she was appointed to the position and has served for a matter of months, she repeatedly reminded the audience that she is an incumbent.
While the first debate had most of its questions about the proposed transit village and the township’s impending re-development, the second was centered on senior citizen’s issues. Multiple questions were asked about the lack of bus service from the Village Grande to the senior center.
Anklowitz said he has fought for the creation of a bus line on the east side of the train tracks for just that purpose. “I remember my grandmother complaining about not being able to take a bus there, and I’ve talked to the State Department of Transportation, and they said this could be federally funded, but the mayor needs to apply for it. Though I’ve implored the mayor to do so, for some reason, they say they’ve never gotten an application from him.”
According to Councilman Franc Gambatese, the township has budgeted for the transportation to start in 2007, but neither candidate seemed aware of that fact.
The Village Grande debate was moderated by Ed O’Mara, who raised the issue of adding a turn lane from Clarksville, a county road, onto North Post Road. Both candidates supported his suggestion, and Pfeifer said, “I’m all about common sense. I want to schedule a meeting to make sure the county hears us. Maybe I can do that after I’m done campaigning for re-election, when I’m not taking care of my 7-year-old, or working on my start-up business.”
In the first debate, hosted by the Princeton Junction Neighborhood Coalition and the League of Women Voters, the differences between the two candidates were most apparent on plans for the redevelopment, and on the subject of executive sessions and open government.
“I adamantly disagree with the decision to stop recording executive sessions of council,” said Anklowitz, who is an attorney. “This town needs public participation. Executive sessions are allowed for certain reasons, and this administration violates the public meetings act with some of the things they discuss in executive session. It allows for suspicion. Have it out in the public, so you know what’s going on.”
Pfeifer defended the vote she cast against recording executive sessions. “Will might not understand the reasons why some meetings should be held behind closed doors because he isn’t on council,” said Pfeifer, who added that having executive sessions allows the council and administration to “freely be able to discuss certain issues. It allows for people to be more open in the sharing of views.”
Pfeifer said transit village housing will help ease the tax burden on all the residents of the township, in addition to providing incentive for businesses to open in West Windsor, further benefiting the township’s economy. She said she would not support the construction of the transit village if it did not lower taxes.
Anklowitz said he is not in favor of building a transit village with more housing in the upcoming redevelopment. “We spent all that time fighting Toll Brothers. Now we’re hearing planners say we need to build 800 or more new houses. I don’t believe the figure that says there will be .02 kids per household in a transit village. We don’t need more strain on our school system. I have knocked on almost everyone’s door while campaigning. I’ve asked what people want in this town. Nobody says there is a need for more housing.”
Anklowitz criticized Pfeifer for leaving a council meeting early this summer. Pfeifer had begun to read a prepared statement, and was stopped by Township attorney Michael J. Herbert and Councilman Charles Morgan, who said she was using her council position to make a political statement. Pfeifer left the meeting after she said, “I’m not prepared to discuss the issue.”
In response to Anklowitz’ criticism at the debate, Pfeifer said: “I was speaking up for ethical government. It took a lot of determination to speak to an issue like that. It took me leaving that meeting for people to understand how committed I was to seeing a positive change.”
In response to one citizen who asked about the importance of citizen involvement, Pfeifer said, “It’s critical. There are many people here who feel unconnected and who want connection. As a council person, I will be their representative.”
“Public input is important, and you can’t get that when you’re in executive session,” said Anklowitz in rebuttal.
The second debate was not recorded. The first debate will be re-broadcast at the following times on Channel 27: Friday, October 20, 9 p.m.; Saturday, October 21, 9 a.m.; Tuesday, October 24, 12:30 p.m.; and Thursday, October 26, 6 p.m.
