Dancer to serve as mayor for 16th year

Ronald Dancer was unanimously elected mayor at Plumsted Township’s reorganization meeting.

By: Dana Lynn Flatekval
   PLUMSTED — Ronald Dancer was unanimously elected mayor for a 16th consecutive year at the township’s reorganization meeting Monday night.
   Accompanied by Municipal Clerk Dorothy Hendrickson, Mayor Dancer was sworn in by Assemblyman Joseph Malone (R-12th), who had words of praise for Mr. Dancer’s longtime dedication to the township.
   "I am proud to have worked with Ron," Mr. Malone said. "I have enjoyed working with the mayor these last few years."
   Mr. Malone also acknowledged the beauty of the township and asked the committee to continue its efforts to preserve land in town.
   Mayor Dancer thanked the committee for its support and attributed his success as mayor to its hard work and dedication.
   "In the Township Committee form of government there are five members who are all equal," he said. "No one has any greater authority. The mayor is just one of the five."
   He said the committee strives to make the town the best community to live and work in.
   "Each one of us has a different oar, but we are all in the same boat and we are all rowing in the same direction," Mayor Dancer said.
   Joseph Przywara was sworn in as deputy mayor. This will be Mr. Przywara’s ninth consecutive year holding that position.
   With his daughter Katie by his side, Ken Francis also was sworn in to the governing body. This will be Mr. Francis’ 15th year on the committee. He and fellow Republican Ada Roberts were re-elected in November, defeating Democrats Mich Geier and Don Knause. Ms. Roberts begins her second three-year term on the governing body.
   Mayor Dancer said the Township Committee will remain dedicated to stabilizing taxes, preserving land and revitalizing the township.
   "The Township Committee will make every effort to keep the payment of municipal taxes in Plumsted, once again, the lowest in Ocean County," Mayor Dancer said.
   The mayor said the township is looking to save hundreds of acres of land from development.
   He said so far the town has preserved more than 3,000 acres of farmland.
   With the Neighborhood Preservation Grant the town received in December, it will be able to continue its efforts to revitalize downtown New Egypt, the mayor said.
   The Township Committee adopted a temporary budget in the amount of $811,894. This money will be used to make purchases until the 2005 budget is adopted.
   The governing body also named individuals and firms to various municipal positions in town for 2005: Gilmore and Monahan, township attorney; John J. Mallon of Ernst, Ernst and Lissenden, engineer; William Antonides, auditor; John Maczuga of Schoor DePalma, professional planner and special project engineer; Citta, Holzapfel, Zabarsky, Leahey and Simon, prosecutor; and Brian Rumpf; alternate public defender.
   The Township Committee also made appointments to the town’s various boards and committees.
   Howard Cohen was appointed to serve a three-year term as health officer on the township’s Board of Health.
   Four people will serve one-year terms as officers on the Plumsted Township Council for the Arts. They are Liz Barnes, chairwoman; Laura Torrano-Jacobs, vice chairwoman; Tina DeAngelo, secretary; and Nancy Bembridge, treasurer.
   John Hague and Paul Emery will serve as new members of the Environmental Commission for three years and two years, respectively. Ralph Bitter was named chairman of the commission for one year.
   Douglas Hallock, Miguel Garces, Chester Broccoli, Robert Remm, and David McWilliams were appointed to the Planning/Land Use Board. Mr. Hallock will serve for one year, Mr. Garces for four years, Mr. Broccoli for four years, Mr. Remm for two years and Mr. McWilliams for one year. Mayor Dancer and Deputy Mayor Przywara will serve as Township Committee representatives to the board.
   Karen Amburgey, Jim Carr, Gary Conk, Sr., Jerry Dohn, Harry Miller, Raymond Murphy, Gerald North, Marc Russo and Gene Stone will serve as members of the Recreation Committee for 2005.