Call it Pfeifer vs. Anklowitz, Round 2. The two council candidates faced off in May, vying for an appointment to an interim council seat. Pfeifer won, selected by a 3-1 council vote to serve until the next election.
On November 7, the public votes. West Windsor residents will choose between the two to decide who will fill the seat until next year. In the month leading up to election day, Pfeifer and Anklowitz are facing off in three public debates.
The first was held Thursday, October 5, at the West Windsor Senior Center, after the News went to press. It was co-sponsored by the Princeton Junction Neighborhood Coalition and the League of Women Voters. The second will be Monday, October 16, at Village Grande. The final debate will take place at the West Windsor Senior Center on Monday, October 23.
Days before the first debate, both candidates said they had already reached out to West Windsor residents to take the pulse of the town and find out what issues are most pressing.
Anklowitz says his feeling is that residents interested in the local government would like to see an administrative change. “One of the issues voters have often raised to me is at least the appearance that we do not have an independent council because too many members are so closely aligned that their is insufficient protection of the public’s interests,” he said.
Pfeifer worked in support of Mayor Shing-Fu Hsueh’s re-election campaign, as well as the campaigns of fellow council members Linda Geevers and Heidi Kleinman. “I am my own person,” says Pfeifer. “I agree with the Mayor’s overall direction for our Township and support him and his administration. I have my own views on how we accomplish aspects of improving quality of life and community connectivity for residents and have spoken on issues that he and his administration may not see as critically important I view them.”
Pfeifer says uncertainty over the impending redevelopment has dominated her conversations with constituents. She says there is “a feeling of uncertainty. Not knowing what it will be. It is a major change to an existing area. And most can not visualize what that change and its impact will be. You can’t kick the tires on a completed transit village concept, and along 571 — since it has yet to be defined by residents.”
Anklowitz offers his own view of the township’s needs concerning redevelopment: “Many residents are demanding more parking and more stores at the train station than we have now. A successful town center means having a town center for the entire town. There is some genuine concern about overdevelopment and, yet, a desire for more commercial ratables in hopes of achieving property tax relief someday.”
Pfeifer, who lives on Beardsley Court, says she and Anklowitz are divergent candidates. “I believe that we have very different perspectives on who we are ‘as a community’,” says Pfeifer. “I am also personally very disappointed in how he has chosen to conducted his campaign strategy.”
Pfeifer did not elaborate on her problems with the Anklowitz campaign strategy, but said she can offer the township something she thinks he can not. She says she can offer “A deep connection to a broad base of our community regardless of how long a resident has called West Windsor home, and decisive leadership.”
Anklowitz says he has qualities Pfeifer does not that he thinks are important to West Windsor Townspeople. “My great grandparents came here in the 1930’s. My mom grew up here. I grew up here and I thought it was a pretty good place to grow up,” says Anklowitz. “Now my wife and I are raising our two sons here and I would like to contribute to West Windsor by serving Council.”
Says Anklowitz: “My doctorate in law and bachelors degree in public administration are suited to serving in a legislative governing body such as our Township Council. My experience on the Board of Trustees for my homeowner’s association for the past five years gives me the practical skills needed as a council member. That includes issues ranging from evaluating contracts and expenses to considering legislation and land use.”
Anklowitz believes council has taken the wrong direction in its recent handling of legislation. “Town hall should be a place where our Council can bring together the diversity and success of our residents on issues such as the train station redevelopment,” Says Anklowitz. “We deserve a Council that has the best skills to fight for lower taxes and preserving open space.”
His platform is focused on saving money for West Windsor residents through lower taxes. “Shared services can help cut the administrative costs from too many layers of government. While commercial ratables that have little impact on infrastructure are highly prized in the fight against increasing residential taxes, I call for a citizens’ constitutional convention to really address this issue,” says Anklowitz.
Pfeifer’s views on improving the township involve working to better the to the look and safety of the township. This summer, Pfeifer organized a media tour of the township’s blighted and unsafe locations to call attention to places she feels deserve to be improved. “My touring of the township to bring attention to areas in need of attention outside the redevelopment area is all me. The Mayor agrees that more needs to be done but has a better understanding of the timing and cost of some of the changes I have advocated for. Many of the locations sit on county or state roadways. We need strong inter local partnering to solve these issues.”
The Village Grande at Bear Creek will host the second debate between Pfeifer and Anklowitz, on Monday, October 16, at 7:30 p.m. The event, sponsored by the Village Grande Civic Association Executive Board, will give both candidates a chance to present their platforms and answer questions.
The Civic Association Executive Board members will ask prepared questions of the candidates.
The Village Grande also hosted mayoral debates when Gardner was managing the campaign of incumbent Shing-Fu Hsueh, who eventually was re-elected by a wide margin.
The third debate between Anklowitz and Pfeifer will be at the West Windsor Senior Center, on Monday, October 23. It will be hosted by the senior center and the West Windsor Retirees’ Group. The format for this and the Village Grande debate will involve opening statements, a question and answer period with prepared questions, timed answers and rebuttals, and closing statements.
