Following Gov. Jon Corzine’s Tuesday election-day loss to Republican Chris Christie, local Democratic politicians said they had no choice but to forge ahead with their state business in the now-changed political landscape and try to make the best of the situation.

   ”I am unhappy with the outcome, but willing to wait and see,” said Princeton Township Mayor Bernie Miller.

   Mayor Miller said Mr. Christie was “not crystal clear on several policies” but added he would keep an open mind toward the incoming governor’s ultimate policy initiatives and their effect on his municipality.

   ”While I am sad about the governor’s loss...I am very willing to work with the new administration,” said Assemblywoman Linda Greenstein, D-14, who won reelection Tuesday.

   ”One of the issues that is very important in this district is COAH,” said Ms. Greenstein, whose district includes West Windsor and Plainsboro.

   With the state Council on Affordable Housing’s process for determining a municipality’s affordable housing obligation and the process for meeting it so complicated, Ms. Greenstein said she looked forward to seeing if the new administration might revisit COAH.

   ”I think it will be interesting to see if there are any changes at COAH,” Ms. Greenstein said. “I think there will be big ones. Frankly, I’m in favor of that.”

   Ms. Greenstein said she believed state government could obtain greater efficiencies, even without layoffs, and looked forward to working with Mr. Christie to identify them. With her district’s interest in open space and environmental preservation, she said she wanted to ensure state environmental oversight by the Department of Environmental Protection remained strong.

   ”I want to make sure the DEP has adequate staffing,” she said.

   ”I think we are still going to talk about consolidation issues, and property taxes will continue to be a big issue,” said Assemblyman Reed Gusciora, D-15, a Princeton resident whose district includes Princeton Borough and Township.

   ”I thought the governor did deserve reelection but, that said, the public has spoken,” Mr. Gusciora said. “The Democratic Legislature is going to have to learn to work with the new governor for better or worse.”

   Princeton Township Committeeman Chad Goerner and Borough Councilman Kevin Wilkes expressed concern that ongoing talks with the DOT over regulation and enforcement of truck traffic through Princeton along Route 206 and other issues might lose momentum with the changing administration.

   ”We’ve made real progress this year, and I certainly hope this progress can continue,” said Mr. Wilkes, who won reelection to the council Tuesday. “I have some clear concerns.”

   Mr. Goerner, who ran unopposed Tuesday, said Princeton municipalities had had a mixed relationship with the DOT in the past, and a new administration obviously would result in a shakeup there.

   Princeton officials need to begin working with the new administration as soon as possible “so we can forge a relationship as soon as possible,” he said.

   Mr. Goerner said he also had a concern levels of state aid to Princeton might be cut.

   ”If state aid is cut, that translates into a revenue deficit, which we will have to make up, either by service cuts or increased taxes, neither of which I’m keen on,” he said.

   ”Christie is an unknown entity to me, as an administrator and policymaker,” Mr. Wilkes said.

   The Princeton Borough Council and the Township Committee remained all Democratic following the election. Mr. Goerner and Liz Lempert ran unopposed for two committee seats. Mr. Wilkes and Jenny Crumiller won the two seats up for election on the council, besting Republican Linda Sipprelle.

   ”I’m quite pleased with the outcome in both the borough and township,” Mayor Miller said.

   The reelection of Princeton-based Mr. Gusciora as well as fellow 15th District Assemblywoman Bonnie Watson Coleman, also a Democrat, was also a plus, he said.

   ”My plan is to continue to work very closely with Reed and Bonnie and (State Senator) Shirley Turner on matters that are important to Princeton Township,” Mayor Miller said.

   ”I’m not looking forward to it, I know that,” Ms. Crumiller said of the prospect of a Christie administration.

   ”I think we have to approach it with an open mind,” Mr. Goerner said. “We’ll work with Trenton the best way we can.”

lotis@centraljersey.com 

Staff photo by Mark CzajkowskiPrinceton voters follow the arrow to their local polling place Tuesday.