by Peter Geier, Staff Writer
MILLSTONE — Board President Thomas Foley and three new faces are vying for three full three-year terms on the Board of Education, and incumbent Salvatore Casale has thrown his hat in the ring for a two-year unexpired term.
Among the newcomers is Amy Jacobson of Clarksburg, 39, a stay-at-home mother with a 12-year old in sixth grade, a 9-year-old in fourth grade and two younger children at home in the local district.
Ms. Jacobson, who holds a doctorate in anthropology, said she believes that due to a lack of candidate interest, people who don’t have children are appointed to board vacancies.
”I don’t think it should be just taxpayers against children, but people who care about both,” she said.
John Pearson, 65, of Perrineville, is a semi-retired salesman for Metro Service Group who said he has lived in the town for 35 years.
”Now that I’m semi-retired, I’ve got more time and wanted to get involved,” he said.
Patrick Whalen, 42, is an attorney with a practice in Trenton who has one child in kindergarten in the district and a preschooler on the way.
”Given the economic situation and all the cutting in services going on now, you have to get involved to make sure that quality doesn’t suffer in education,” he said.
Mr. Casale, 39, said he has a kindergarten student and third-grader in the district. The salesman of retail investment products offered no reason for seeking a two-year term.
Mr. Foley did not return calls seeking comment.

