HOPEWELL VALLEY: League’s school board forum set March 31

Four Hopewell Township residents and one Pennington resident are seeking three seats on the nine-member board

   The Hopewell Valley League of Women Voters will hold its annual School Board Candidates’ Forum on March 31.
   The 90-minute debate will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the TV studio at Hopewell Valley Central High School, Pennington-Titusville Road, Pennington. The public is invited.
   Four Hopewell Township residents and one Pennington resident have filed petitions to run for three seats on the nine-member board. Hopewell Borough’s lone seat is not up for election this year.
   Vying for two seats in the township are Laura Desai of Federal City Road; Brian McHugh of Masters Way; Leigh Ann Peterson of Maple Lane; and Lisa Wolff of West Shore Drive. Only Ms. Peterson is an incumbent. The other township seat is currently held by Jeffrey Bartolino, who is not seeking re-election.
   In Pennington, incumbent Daniel J. O’Connor, of East Welling Ave. is the only candidate. Diane Potorski, of Sked Street, has withdrawn from the race.
   The regional school board is made up of seven Hopewell Township representatives and one each from Pennington and Hopewell boroughs.
   At the Candidates’ Forum, each candidate will have an opportunity to make opening and closing statements and then answer questions from the public. At the close of the program, residents will be able to meet informally with candidates.
   The day of the Forum — March 31 — is the last day to register to vote in the school election. Voter registration forms are available at libraries and Hopewell Valley’s three municipal offices. Forms are also available at www.njelections.org, where prospective voters can print a registration form, complete the required information, then mail it to the NJ Division of Elections in Trenton. Faxed or e-mailed copies are not acceptable, since an original signature is required.
   Tuesday, April 14, is the deadline for mailed absentee ballot applications to be received by the Mercer County Clerk in Trenton. The deadline for applying for an absentee ballot in person at the County Clerk’s office is April 20 at 3 p.m.
   The school board and budget election will be held April 21.
   The League of Women Voters, founded in 1920, has had an active Hopewell Valley chapter for 47 years. For membership, call President Joann Held at 737-0867.