PRINCETON — After serving the Princeton community for the past 19 years, Princeton Mayor Keith Cain will step down at the end of his term. Cain served three years as a commissioner for the city of Princeton and the last 16 years as mayor. He has decided not to seek re-election.

“We have a great city with great people in it,” Cain said.

Cain, appreciated by many for his years of service to the community, believes people will remember him as the guy who always tried for a positive attitude toward Princeton.

Now however, Cain is looking forward to spending more time with his family. By taking a step back, Cain said he will be more available for activities and events with his grandchildren.

“It’s a 24-hour job,” said Cain of his 16 years as mayor.

With the mayoral election in April, Cain will be exiting the council chambers and leaving his chair behind for good.

When Cain took up the position years ago, he said Princeton was in “fair” condition.

According to Cain, the city was in need of many expensive projects. Many of those projects have now been completed,
he said, which in return has increased the debt. However, he added, the current city's infrastructure has greatly improved in the last 20 years.

“The city’s infrastructure is in much better shape but still in need of more work,” Cain said.

During his time as mayor, Cain said the greatest hardship he faced was the recession. In what he referred to as, “the greatest recession since the Great Depression,” Cain continued to guide Princeton forward. Whoever takes over the position must be prepared to pick up that same torch and carry Princeton forward as Cain has done for nearly the last two decades.

Cain said this individual will need to “keep an open mind, but be able to make hard decisions, even if it doesn’t make you the most popular person.”

Before leaving office, Cain hopes to re-establish the business districts in the community. He said the business districts will provide citizens with job opportunities in the community they would be denied otherwise.

Although Cain hoped to establish the development of the north Logistic Park, he recognized there will not be enough time to accomplish this particular goal.

Cain said he will certainly miss being such an integral figure in Princeton. Involvement in the city’s affairs, business, development and the common interactions with new people has been a significant and enjoyable aspect of Cain’s life as mayor.

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