By: Abigail Whetzel
On Monday, March 9, 2020, Assemblyman Ronald Dancer, who serves in the New Jersey General Assembly representing the 12th Legislative District, visited students of the Law and Justice Academy. He took students on his journey from small-town mayor to an esteemed member of New Jersey’s Assembly. He spoke on numerous legislative processes ranging from Gerrymandering to sponsoring bills. Additionally, he is the co-sponsor to a bill that addresses the undisclosed formula to state aid for public schools. Assemblyman Dancer emphasized the importance of getting involved locally whether it is through committees or town councils. He assured students that you are never too young to get involved and make your voice heard in your community.
Dancer has a long history in Plumsted Township, initially entering the political realm as a member of the planning board in the 1970s. He became Mayor of Plumsted Township in 1990 and served until he was promoted by his constituents in 2012 to the state assembly after 22 years as mayor. He was elected to fill a vacancy in the General Assembly in 2002 by several Republican County Committee Representatives. Within the General Assembly, Dancer has served on numerous committees including Agriculture and Natural Resources, Military and Veterans Affairs, Oversight, Reform and Federal Relations and Tourism, Gaming and the Arts.
Throughout his presentation, Assemblyman Dancer stressed his love for local government, reiterating, “I like the local level, it’s where we raise our families it’s where we decide the quality of life, the quality of our education.” Assemblyman Dancers’ presentation was followed by a question and answer session in which students were able to openly ask any questions they had regarding the legislative process, the local township government, and topics directly influencing New Egypt. He repeatedly urged students to engage with their elected officials more often. He has an open-door policy and would love for more students to get involved in committees, planning boards, and politics in general.
Over the course of his presentation, Assemblyman Dancer presented students with a large map of the 12th Legislative District. In addition, students were each given a formal commendation from the New Jersey Senate and General Assembly which officially recognizes them as members of the New Egypt High School Law and Justice Academy. He elucidated that the 4 counties and 14 municipalities that make up New Jersey and asked students to name the municipalities and counties. He also explained the representation that the entire state of New Jersey has in the legislature and the 40 senators 80 assembly people that make up the total 120 legislators representing New Jersey.
Assemblyman Dancer completed his presentation by reiterating his passion for serving in local government. Serving in politics for close to 40 years, Assemblyman Dancer has seen first hand the formation and advancement of not only Plumsted Township, but the entire state of New Jersey.
To close, he left students with a final sentiment, “It doesn’t matter if you’re a Democrat or a Republican, it’s all about where your heart is. My heart is in local government, it is our home and it is where we raise our children.”