Simonsen Takes Office in Lower Township

VILLAS — Newly-elected Lower Township Third Ward Councilman Erik Simonsen received his oath of office the day after the Nov. 5 election from Lower Township Clerk Julie Picard while Lower Township Manager Mike Voll held a Bible.
Simonsen will receive his oath of office again in a public ceremony with his family at Township Council’s Nov. 18 meeting. He is returning to council after serving in 2010-2011.
Before being elected in 2010, Simonsen served as chairman of the Mayor’s Advisory Committee. He was born and raised in the township and is a graduate of Lower Cape May Regional High School.
Simonsen graduated from the College of New Jersey, Rutgers and has a Masters Degree in Education Administration from the University of Scranton. He is vice principal of the Richard M. Teitelman School.
Simonsen previously was a teacher at the county Special Services School, teaching Special Education, Music and Multi-Media. He also supervised an in-school program that helped place special needs students into the workplace.
Simonsen also coached wrestling at the Teitelman School and Lower Cape May Regional High School.
Currently, he oversees charitable projects at the Teitelman School including “Tigers Have Tolerance,” and participation in “Socks for Seniors.”
As he returns to office, Simonsen said his goals include economic development, bringing jobs to the township, helping established businesses, fixing infrastructure and addressing issues unique to the Third Ward.
Simonsen is also a singer/guitarist/songwriter performing in his band: “Twelve: 01.” He has recorded four albums of original music including a new children’s release entitled “E Is For Erik,” a 12-song musical journey introducing a multitude of subjects including language arts, math, science, tolerance, civil rights, culture, social skills, and “just plain fun.”
Simonsen and his wife, Anna, have two daughters, Katya, and Viktoria.