Simon won’t run
for re-election
EAST BRUNSWICK — Councilman Jeffrey Simon has announced, during a meeting of the Township Council Monday, that he will not seek another term on the governing body when his current seat expires at the end of this year.
Simon served last year as council president, but was replaced last month by fellow Democrat Donald Klemp in a 3-2 council vote. Simon, who is in the final year of his first four-year term, said the move surprised him because council presidents in East Brunswick usually serve two consecutive years.
"I’ve decided not run again," he told the Sentinel. "I’ve really been thinking of this for several months. To commit to run for another four years is a lot."
He said he wants to spend more time with his wife, Dana, and 10-year-old son, Erik, and that they helped him make the decision. He said he also wants to spend more time with his job as an e-mail specialist for Kroll Direct Marketing, Plainsboro.
He said he has immersed himself in local politics over the last four years, and feels it is time to get involved in other activities.
"It will be nice to not have to run to meetings several times a week," he said.
"I’ve been on the Rotary Club the past couple of years," he said. "There are other things I haven’t given the time I should. There are a bunch of other things I could get involved with."
Simon was elected in 1998 along with his running mates, Meryle Asaro and Saul Fink. All three of their seats will be up in the November general election. The Democratic Party has yet to announce who it will run in place of Simon. The other two members of the all-Democrat five-member council, Donald Klemp and Edwin Brautman, were elected in 2000 and their seats will expire in 2004.
Simon has been critical of Mayor William Neary, who is also a Democrat, on several issues over the past year, including his handling of projects such as the police training facility and the building of a skate park.
Regardless, Simon said he has "loved" being a councilman.
He said he was most proud of what was his first vote as a member of the governing body — authorizing the purchase of the Keleman farm, which gave the township about 25 acres of open space near the municipal building.
He said he also took pride in helping to make the skate park a reality, as well as helping the township respond to the threat of losing the use of the athletic fields at the Middlesex County Fairgrounds. He said negotiations with the fair association have been going smoothly in recent months.
"I’m proud of a lot of stuff we’ve done," Simon said.
He said his decision against running for re-election will have no effect on the work he will do on the council in the next 10 months. He said he would like to see the township continue its road improvement program and expand its recreation offerings.
Simon said he would also like to see the township use Crystal Springs as somewhat of a community center.
Both Simon and his wife have been involved with the local Democratic Party for years. He said he will continue to be active in the party.
Simon also sat on the Planning Board from 1999-2001.
By vincent todaro
Staff Writer