Tuesday, February 27, 2007

School Board Hopefuls File

Monday’s school board filing deadline turned up the smallest field in four years, just five candidates for three three-year seats.

In contrast, 11 candidates vied for three seats in 2003 and also in 2005, with an additional five candidates battling that year for a one-year unexpired term. In 2004, six people ran for three seats and seven ran in 2006.

Incumbents Wilma Campbell and Martin Cox will be on the 2007 ballot again, but the Rev. Tracey Brown is not seeking another term. Campbell is a real estate agent along with her husband, John Campbell, at offices across from the high school. Cox comes from a family with a long history of community activism and youth involvement. He is employed at the city’s Senior Center.

David Graves, a city inspector, served on the board as an appointee. He ran for a full term on 2006 without success and also lost a bid in 2005 for a one-year term. Graves is a close observer of the school board.

Christian Estevez is a union activist who sought a City Council appointment last summer replacing the late Ray Blanco. The Democratic City Committee gave the seat to Harold Gibson, who then ran in the November general election. Plaintalker published four stories last year on Estevez. Click here to see them.

Evergreen Avenue resident Jeanette Criscione is making her first try for a board seat.

The school board election is April 17. The League of Women Voters will hold its Candidates Forum April 11 at the Plainfield Public Library. Other forums are to be announced.

--Bernice Paglia

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