Unopposed: Simonsen Takes Ward II Council Seat

VILLAS — Erik Simonsen is the new Lower Township Ward Two councilman, having run unopposed.
Wayne Mazurek, the lone Democrat on Township Council, decided not to seek reelection. The Lower Township Democratic Party did not find anyone willing to run for the seat.
Simonsen has been serving 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, 41, is a teacher at the County Special Services School, teaching Special Education, Music and Multi-Media. He also supervises an in-school youth program that helps place special needs students into the workplace.
Simonsen said he threw his hat in the ring to run for the Ward Two seat as a candidate for the Lower Township Republican Organization. He has worked with the county NAACP and the Fishing Creek School Committee to help preserve the township’s one-room schoolhouse.
“There’s a lot of things that need to be addressed and I’m not one to sit back and complain,” he said. “I’m more of the type of person to get involved and do something about it.”
He said he is concerned about the issues raised by other candidates in yesterday’s election: economic development, shared services and using solar power in township buildings.
Through his work with the Mayor’s Advisory Committee, he said Delaware River and Bay Authority is aware they are now under the microscope to work with the township on economic development of the county airport. He said the committee often discussed issues that surfaced six months later in Township Council.
Simonsen graduated from the College of New Jersey and lived in Trenton for six years but returned to Lower Township.
“I always felt like it was a great place growing up,” he said.
He has a Masters Degree in Educational Administration.
Simonsen and his wife, Anna, have two daughters, ages five and nine. He said he attributes a lot of his success to the education he received from the schools in Lower Township.
After graduation from college, he had an opportunity to work with special needs students at the county Special Services School. He has coached wrestling at both the Richard M. Teitelman School and the regional high school.
Simonsen is also a singer/guitarist/songwriter performing in his band called “Twelve:01.” The band plays a number of local venues during summer. His band opened shows for artists such as Jewel, George Clinton and the P-Funk All-Stars, Nils Lofgren, and They Might Be Giants.”
Simonsen said he attends to do his homework and be well informed before arriving for Township Council meetings. He said he sees problem solving as being creative and keeping an open mind.
“I believe in progress, that’s the only reason I’m getting involved,” said Simonsen.
He said it is pretty clear what the priorities are for Township Council in the year ahead, the budget being in the forefront.
Simonsen said his priority is to do what is best for the township and not draw a line in the sand for political reasons.