Milford’s Jacobs won’t enter mayoral race

Doug Jacobs said that while he has enjoyed serving as Milford’s mayor in the wake of Sean Strub’s resignation late last year, he will not run in this year’s mayoral election.

“The decision not to run has nothing to do with the burden of the work,” said Jacobs, who was sworn in Jan. 6. “Over the years, I have been involved in elections for Delaware Valley School District, Pike County District Attorney and other things. I said I would run for mayor when I was appointed but I will say it straight out, I am a Christian with very strong beliefs, and I am discouraged with politics these days – at all levels.”

Ensuring pedestrian safety

Upon taking office, Jacobs felt the borough needed to continue with a strong police force while ensuring pedestrian safety.

“One of the biggest goals I had when taking office was to increase pedestrian safety and Councilman Richard Provenzano has been someone working with the Department of Public Works to improve that situation,” Jacobs said. “It is also police action, as they handle enforcement.
”I have lived here for nearly 45 years and in that time the amount of traffic has changed dramatically,” the mayor added. “The courtesies between drivers and pedestrians seem to be non-existent. We enforce crosswalks as best we can but there are those who refuse to stop for people in the crosswalk and conversely there are those who refuse to use the crosswalk to cross the street.”

To that end, Jacobs says the borough will increase enforcement on both drivers and pedestrians using improved signage with flashing yellow lights. Jacobs said there have been incidents, including a person being injured and a dog being hit and killed.

Jacobs came to town with his wife, Sue Ann, in 1981 out of law school.

“I had a private practice for 45 years, served as district attorney in Pike County 20 years and have always been active with the Evangelical Presbyterian Church here in town,” said the mayor. “For the last 20 years or so we have been coaches with Special Olympics.”

Candidates

At least two candidates have thrown their hats in the ring to become Milford’s next mayor in this fall’s election: Democrat Candace Mahala, a member of the Milford Planning Commission, and Milford Councilman Peter Cooney, a Republican.

“My time on the council has been positive,” Jacobs said. “We all know one another and have worked together well. I appreciate that they had confidence in me to appoint me. I still encourage people to come in and talk to me so I can pass concerns along to the council or act as a buffer. The council makes decisions on things and I oversee and work with the police department. Otherwise, I am a tie-breaking vote.”