Princeton Mayoral Candidate: Kevin Wilkes

Name: Kevin Wilkes

Street of Residence: Prospect Avenue

Occupation: Architect; Owner, Princeton Design Guild

Previous Government Experience: Four years served on Princeton Borough Council

Other Civic Experience:

• Co-organizer, architect, Princeton Writers Block (2004) and Quark Park (2006)
• Princeton Future (2004 – 2008): Witherspoon Street Corridor Study, Merwick Planning Charrette, Design Alternatives to Princeton Station Relocation

Why do you want to be Mayor of Princeton?

 I am running for the unified Princeton because I have the desire and experience to lead people and projects forward. Our community is filled with extraordinary people and social relationships that our political outlines do not accurately reflect.  As an architect, a builder and a businessman, I understand how to analyze, reshape, and implement new structures, be they physical, social, or political—and I can weather the give-and-take that is necessary to accomplish significant and lasting new plans and boundaries.  I am committed to Princeton and advancing the cause of combining all of its parts into a better whole.

What differentiates you from your opponent?

As a public and community servant, as well as in my business, I’ve exhibited an ability to deconstruct and then rebuild—working with existing organizations to help them realize their future promise. I have led volunteers in creating community art parks, I have led teams from Princeton Future creating original neighborhood planning strategies, I have led the teams to improve and restore our parks and monuments, I have led the Borough Public Safety Committee to improve the administration and morale of our Borough Police Force, I led Borough Council to improved negotiating relationships with Princeton University and I lead a team of carpenters, masons, electricians and plumbers in building and remodeling every day. These facets of leadership set me apart from my opponent.

I’m the right person to lead the team building a new Princeton government because of my experience working with families in Princeton. As an architect, I'm called upon every day to come up with plans to realize a family's goals. As a builder, I help families realize their goals on a budget they can afford. We are a family.  I will do the same for Princeton, achieving a seamless transition from plan to product.

If elected, what are your TWO top priorities for Princeton and specifically what will you do to make those a reality?

1. Keeping budgets in line. I voted against budget increases in the Borough for four straight years. My experience and record shows that I can get job done within budget and without excuses. Responsible budgeting will include the effective merger of our two police departments.
2. While our towns are merging, that doesn’t mean we have to lose the things we know and love about Princeton. I am committed to preserving our open space resources, the character of our neighborhoods, and helping our local businesses thrive in our community.  My commitment to improving our streetscapes and beautifying our parks has been two of my signature issues on Council.