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A Vision for Princeton's Future: Vision Statement 

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"My vision for Princeton is to build a thriving, inclusive, and prosperous community where every resident feels valued and has the opportunity to succeed. I want Princeton to be known as a place of growth, innovation, and safety—a city where businesses flourish, families thrive, and our quality of life continually improves." 

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How to Achieve This Vision 

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To achieve this vision, Eugene Escobar Jr. plans to foster strong partnerships with residents, local businesses, and community leaders. By prioritizing transparency, effective communication, and community engagement, Eugene believes Princeton can address the challenges it faces and capitalize on its strengths to create a better future for all. 

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Main Goals and Priorities as Mayor 

 

Transparency

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• Reduce Executive Sessions – The sessions spent behind closed doors accounted for an estimated 56% of the city council meetings. There are two reasons why this occurs: the meetings are not organized and efficient, or it is intentional to keep the public out of the discussions. 

 

• Open Dialogue – I will ensure that we have more public discussions on each agenda item to encourage the council to openly discuss ideas, thoughts, and positions on items before taking votes on agenda items.

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• Proactive Communication - Agendas should be available to the public more than just the state minimum 72 hours in advance. We need time to absorb the information and reach out to our representatives with any questions. My proposal is to release agendas two weeks ahead of time, with any amendments clarified by the 72-hour mark. Amendments should be clearly defined, specifying what was added, removed, or changed, and why. It’s also crucial that the agenda be written in a way every resident can understand. Many Americans read at a 7th- to 8th-grade level, and 54% read below a 6th-grade level. We shouldn’t be making people refer back to legal documents to understand city matters. The city has a responsibility to explain these things clearly.

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• Executive Sessions Changes – I will welcome the appointed board chairs from each board into council executive sessions on matters being discussed that impact their decision-making. This will increase efficiency across boards.

 

• Ethics & Accountability – Our current council spoke about creating core values, but these are not woven into our HRC (home rule charter). I would like to create ethics laws that have real consequences for our elected officials if abuse of office or serious ethical violations are committed. The state has these mandates, but I would like to be sure they are expounded in our HRC for immediate recourse and not delayed by state proceedings.

 

Community Engagement

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• Creating Community Advisory Board— As a city growing as rapidly as ours is, we need to create more opportunities for residents to be involved in its governance.

 

• Town Halls - Create scheduled town halls where residents have an opportunity to ask questions and allow the council to engage in open dialogue. The only chance the public has to speak is in the first three minutes of meetings, and the council cannot engage.

 

• Build Stronger Candidates (Leadership Program) – We need to adopt a leadership program to train our residents interested in running for office or just wanting to be more educated on how municipalities work. We can work with a proven third-party entity until we have an established entity based in Princeton. This is the best way to ensure Princeton's future is safeguarded.

 

Economic Development

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• Workforce – Building a future workforce means making investments in education and training. With a heightened focus on working with our PISD, EDC, and CDC, I would like for us to create a program that allows us to take full advantage of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). This will provide site selectors an additional checkmark for why Princeton is serious about bringing jobs here.

 

• EDC (Type B) – Change our economic development corporation (EDC) to a type B that allows us to be more flexible with the sales tax dollars to address immediate needs within our city; i.e., public safety facilities, streets, roads, drainage improvements, demolition of structures, general municipally owned improvements, and maintenance and operating costs associated with projects.

 

• Broadband – We must continue to improve our connectivity for better broadband if we wish to attract industries that will provide quality jobs here in Princeton. Federal funds are still available for this, and we need to take advantage of them while in this growth stage.

 

Key Initiatives or Policies to Improve the Community 

 

Economic Development and Job Creation:

• Attract and support businesses that bring quality jobs to Princeton. 

• Promote small businesses by providing resources, reducing red tape, and offering incentives for growth. 

• Develop a long-term economic plan that leverages Princeton’s strategic location to attract new industries. 

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Improving Infrastructure:

• Launch a comprehensive infrastructure improvement plan, focusing on critical areas such as roads, drainage, and public spaces. 

• Ensure infrastructure projects support sustainable development and environmental responsibility. 

• Holding developers to the highest standards. ​

• Partner with state and federal agencies to secure funding for major projects. 

• Emphasize green infrastructure solutions to reduce environmental impact.  

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Public Safety and Community Well-Being:

• Increase funding for police and fire departments to ensure they have the resources needed to protect the community. 

• Strengthen police and emergency services to ensure they are well-equipped and trained to keep the community safe. 

• Implement community policing initiatives to build trust between law enforcement and residents. 

• Educate and inform residents of the current programs available to them such as the Citizen Police Academy.

• Implement neighborhood watch programs and community outreach initiatives to enhance safety and security. 

• Develop emergency preparedness plans to ensure readiness for natural disasters or other crises. 

 

Education and Youth Development:

• Continue to strengthen the relationship with our PISD to create a better path forward. Which would include but not limited to public, private partnerships for facilities and more. 

• Develop programs and partnerships that provide youth with opportunities for leadership, skills development, and career readiness. 

• Advocate for affordable, quality childcare and after-school programs to support working families. 

 

Community Engagement and Transparency:

• Foster an open and transparent government by improving communication channels and providing regular updates to residents. 

• Create platforms for residents to voice their concerns, share ideas, and participate in decision-making processes. 

• Hold regular town hall meetings and community forums to keep residents informed and engaged. 

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Fostering a Connected Community:

• Create more public spaces and community centers where residents can gather, socialize, and engage in recreational activities. 

• Support cultural events, festivals, and activities that celebrate the diversity of Princeton’s community. 

• Develop initiatives that encourage volunteerism and civic engagement, strengthening the sense of community and belonging. 

 

Building a Brighter Future for Princeton 

Eugene Escobar Jr. is dedicated to creating a Princeton that is not only a great place to live and work but also a city that takes pride in its sense of community, resilience, and shared success. By focusing on these goals and initiatives, Eugene aims to build a brighter future for all of Princeton. He invites every resident to join him on this journey, as together, they can create a city that reflects their values, hopes, and dreams. 

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Join Eugene in Building a Better Princeton 

With a proven track record of leadership, a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing Princeton, and a genuine commitment to service, Eugene Escobar Jr. is ready to lead Princeton towards a brighter, more inclusive future. Together, with your support, Eugene aims to bring about meaningful change and make Princeton a place where everyone can thrive.