JACKSON – Mayor Michael Reina announced he is not currently seeking the seat of 12th District Assemblyman Ron Dancer, who died on July 23 at the age of 73 after a prolonged illness.
Dancer served as lawmaker in Ocean County for 20 years. Prior to that, he served as Plumsted Township’s mayor for 21 years.
Reina made a public statement saying, “I’ve made no mistake that one day I would like to represent the people of the 12th Legislative District as their Assemblyman but after much consideration and in consultation with trusted advisors, I have decided today is not that day.
“When I entered the race for Mayor of Jackson Township in 2008 I did so as a candidate truly devoted to the notion of public service, placing the needs of the hardworking residents of the town that I truly love before any personal aspirations. I’m proud to say that after nearly 14 years I have not waivered and remain resolute in my commitment to serving Jackson’s residents,” Reina added.
The mayor said, “Jackson Township is the most dynamic municipality in Ocean County, if not all of New Jersey. As our population continues to grow and become more diverse and as businesses continue to invest in our community, there is simply too much at stake to trust the work to unsteady and untested leadership. There remains much to be done and I intend to see the job through to its completion.”
“Thank you to the many supporters who encouraged me to seek the office of Assembly but effective immediately, I am withdrawing my name from consideration,” Reina said.
He concluded saying, “there remain many qualified candidates in the race and I hope that all Committee members will give due consideration to each.”
Ron Dancer Remembered
Members of the Township Council shared condolences and memories of Dancer during a recent meeting.
Councilman Steve Chisholm said of Dancer, “I really enjoyed Ron. Any time we interacted it was always an enjoyable conversation. He was a good and godly man which back in the day may not have sounded too unusual but in politics today – especially in New Jersey – that not a very common occurrence.”
“He will be sorely missed not just in the legislature in fighting for what is right but to his family and friends who knew him. My condolences to his family,” Chisholm added.
Councilman Alex Sauickie also expressed his condolences. “The residents of legislative district 12 lost a great man and while that district includes Jackson and while his roots were in Plumsted/New Egypt he certainly did a lot for Jackson.
“He certainly worked with this governing body very well. If we ever needed anything, he was there for us. My condolences to his wife Brenda and his family. He was one of those people who you see working in government and you aspire to be just like him,” Sauickie said.
Council Vice President Andrew Kern said Dancer’s passing “is a terrible loss to this community and a very large loss that the people don’t even realize yet how much Ron did. I had the absolute privilege to serve with him for the past two years on the Ocean County Board of Social Services.
“He was chairman of that board for over 20 years and he worked tirelessly to make sure people got the assistance they needed. That to me is the most important thing you can do while you are here,” Kern added.
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