David Goldfarb Steps Down, Delivers Rebuke to University

What follows are David Goldfarb's final words as a member of Princeton Borough Council. He read the remarks on Tuesday, Jan. 4. 

After 21 years, I'm retiring from the Borough Council for health reasons. I'm fine as far as I know. It's my fellow Democrats who got sick of me. 

Still, one never knows what's around the corner, and I'd like to leave with the clear conscience. I know that I have annoyed, angered, offended, and disappointed many people in this room and many other residents, staff members, and elected officials. I apologize, and I ask for your forgiveness. 

I haven't quite finished annoying, angering, offending, and disappointing, however. 

I'd like to devote some of the few minutes that I have left to that non-profit educational institution across the street that shares the name of our town. During all of my time on the Council, its leaders have been unfailingly cooperative and responsible while asking for nothing in return other than to be treated fairly. Its students have devoted many hours to a large number of good causes in the community, and only a tiny fraction of them attract the attention of our police department or bother their neighbors. I'm speaking, of course, of the Princeton Theological Seminary. We're fortunate to have such a fine institution in our town. Its students- and the rest of us- would do well to adopt its community values. 

I wish I could honestly say the same of Princeton University, but I can't. With financial resources that dwarf those of virtually all other colleges and universities in the world, Princeton University still demands that the resident of our town subsidize it. On top of that, its president threatened to reduce its inadequate contribution in lieu of taxes if the town didn't comply with the University's wishes. 

When President Tilghman presented us with her ultimatum last year, we should have called her bluff. Instead, the leaders of our town capitulated, emboldening the University to make similar threats in the future. I hope that the town and the University will work together to restore the mutually respectful relationship that we enjoyed under prior University administrations. The University's commitment to leave the Dinky in place would be an excellent place to start. 

Finally, I'd like to thank the residents my present and former colleagues, and the Borough employees for their many kindnesses over the years. Those who have thanked me for my service should understand that I did it because I enjoyed it and that I'm now content to leave the work to others. I congratulate Mayor Trotman on her retirement from office, and I wish everyone a happy and successful new year. 

Thank you and good luck.