So Who Is Running for Office in Morrisville?

For being six weeks out, the Morrisville school board and borough council races are pretty quiet. Even our friends in Trenton have already had meet the candidate evenings. Do you remember when the stop the school people ducked out on telling the public what they stood for or even just dismissed as lies what they already planned to do. Look what we got.

Demand the candidates answer questions this time around.

School board candidates field voters' questions
Sunday, April 05, 2009
BY CARMEN CUSIDO

HAMILTON -- More than 100 residents turned out to ask candidates running for school board questions about the budget, school facilities and students illegally attending Hamilton schools who live elsewhere.

Seven of the eight candidates appeared at the forum last Wednesday. They are vying for three three-year terms on the board.

The majority of the residents at the candidate's night were from the Hamilton Democratic Club, which sponsored the event at the township library, but others were not affiliated with the club, said Marilyn Jose, the club's president.

"These candidates' nights are really nonpartisan," said Jose, "it gives (residents) a chance to sit down and talk with the candidates."

The most recognizable candidate is Richard Kanka, who along with wife Maureen, founded the Megan Nicole Kanka Foundation and helped establish Megan's Law for identifying child predators. The Kankas were in the national spotlight after their daughter's rape and murder 15 years ago.

Kanka is running on a slate with former township councilwoman Eileen P. Thornton and Chris Nnajiofor, supervisor of education for the New Jersey Juvenile Justice Commission.

"I'll bring stabilization to our funding," Kanka said.

Susan Ferrara, who previously sat on a school board in Dewitt, N.Y., said people are frustrated that students in the district are just getting by.

"We have to get kids out of the mindset that the world begins and ends in Hamilton," Ferrara said. Her running mate, Bruno Falvo, was not at Wednesday's event, and has not actively campaigned. Ferrara has said Falvo has been pressured to quit.

One man, who did not want to be identified, asked school board President Eric Hamilton, an incumbent in the race, about out-of-district students who illegally attend Hamilton schools. The township last year passed an ordinance that includes a $2,000 fine plus restitution for education costs for illegal students.

Hamilton said the district has been aggressive in removing out-of-district students and collecting fines. He is running on a slate with Troy Stevenson, the board's vice president, and Ronald Tola, who has a background in facilities management.

Donald Ryland, a Mercer County corrections officer, had not made up his mind who he'll vote for, but he was impressed with Stevenson because of his background in law enforcement as an officer in the county sheriff's department, and Nnajiofor because of his knowledge of educational leadership.

"I identify with (Stevenson's) law enforcement background the most. ... When education fails, it tends to lead to an increased chance of a life of crime."

Another voter, Tom Walls Sr., is inclined to vote for the Kanka, Thornton, Nnajiofor slate.

"Hamilton Township has to focus on the education of students, not peripheral things like sports, band and social life," Walls said, adding that he likes Thornton's experience in municipal governance and Nnajiofor's background in educational leadership. He thought Kanka, father of two district graduates, seemed to be in line with his slate.

Tola, Thornton and Nnajiofor have been endorsed by the Hamilton Township Education Association.