Tim Harrison Quits Quiet Point Pleasant Borough Board of Education Race

Tim Harrison announced on Wednesday morning that he is withdrawing from the Point Pleasant Board of Education race for two seats and that he endorses the incumbents and the proposed tax levy that are up for a vote on April 27.

His name is on the printed sample ballots that have been mailed to the homes of all borough registered voters and will appear on the ballot in the voting booths on election day.

Harrison, who lives with his family on Cedar Street, said in a prepared statement, "I entered this election eager to offer my unique skill set to the Point Pleasant Board of Education and to the people of Point Pleasant.

"As a lifelong educator, both as a teacher and administrator, as well as a candidate for my doctorate in education, I have vast insight into the many difficult issues facing our schools today," said Harrison, the district supervisor of Language Arts for the Westfield School District in Union County.

"Yet, the demands of my job, family and graduate school have all unexpectedly increased, to the extent that I do not believe I can currently devote the time and energy necessary to a position on the Board of Education.

"Thus, it is with regret, but certainly with a desire to serve in the future, I find that the most responsible course of action is to withdraw my candidacy for Board of Education," Harrison said.

"Additionally, I must note that John MacDermant and Regina Foley have served the school system, the students and the people of Point Pleasant with distinction.

"Of the remaining candidates, their experience and dedication clearly mark them as the people for the job," he wrote.

"Therefore, I ask my supporters, as well as the electorate as a whole, to join me on April 27th and vote for Mr. MacDermant and Ms. Foley," he continued.

"Hopefully in the upcoming years, I will have the opportunity to serve with them," he concluded.

Other candidates are: James Barber, Middle Avenue, and Susan Ward, Riverwood Avenue.

Polls are open 2 to 9 p. m.  April 27.

Residents will also vote on a proposed average tax hike of $91 per year to support a proposed $29 million tax levy.

Harrison said he had decided to run because he does not want the district run solely on an economic basis.

"I think it is vital that decisions regarding our schools be made from a balanced approach," he said in an email. "We cannot just simply run our schools from a purely budgetary standpoint.

"We must also make sure we are giving our kids everything they will need to compete in an ever-changing, hyper-competitive world," he said.

"Don't get me wrong, I'm a taxpayer and hate paying taxes as much as anyone else, but I also know that making educational programming decisions based purely on an economic basis is bad for kids," he wrote. "Good schools aren't free.

"In short, yes I support the budget and hope our town will pass it," he said.

"Frankly, I am possibly one of the least 'political' candidates in existence," he said.

"My decision to run was not based on any political calculation," Harrison said. "I think my knowledge and skills make me ideally suited for the job.

"Unfortunately, I just have too much going on right now," he said. "The last thing I would want to do is get on the board and then neglect my duties. I am interested in serving in the future and will file to run again."

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