Letter to the Editor

Letter: State Faces Tough Challenges Ahead

Assemblywoman Donna M. Simon

I decided to run for State Assembly because we had to fix New Jersey by cutting taxes to create jobs and grow the economy. After Superstorm Sandy, there has been strong bipartisan spirit in Trenton to work together during the long-term recovery. The people of New Jersey should expect the same resolve to tackle the tough issues that existed before the storm. Our state faces many challenges that will require commitment, dedication, and cooperation to keep us moving in the right direction. It is crucial to deliver tax relief to middle class families and businesses. That’s the best way to create jobs and grow our economy. We have taken strong steps toward putting our state back on track and we need to continue moving forward for the …

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Late Balloting Impacts Close Assembly Race, Turnout Tally

Storm-delayed votes by hurricane victims, first-responders.

The final chapter on New Jersey’s forced experiment with expanded voting is still being written, with an unknown number of faxed or emailed ballots that were not set to be counted until late Friday. While those ballots shouldn’t affect any federal contests, the challenger in the race for one of three Assembly seats on the ballot -- in the 16th Legislative District in Central Jersey -- is not conceding because she currently trails by less than 1,700 votes. And in a twist that is perhaps appropriately bizarre given the changed voting as a result of Hurricane Sandy, the presidential results in Hunterdon County, as reported on the clerk’s website, show negative votes for four of the independent candidates. If initial tallies are correct, this …

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Corfield, Simon, Vie for District 16 Assembly Seat

The following are candidate responses as reported by the League of Women Voters.

In its mission to inform voters, the League of Women Voters of the Princeton Area sent a questionnaire to the two candidates in the 16^th Legislative District, who are vying to fill the one-year, unexpired term in the State Assembly. Marie Corfield, Democrat and teacher responded. Donna Simon, Republican, who was appointed to fill the vacancy after Mr. Pete Biondi's death, did not respond. Here are Ms. Corfield's verbatim answers: 1. What do you consider the three most important challenges facing our state government? Briefly, how would you address them, including legislation you might sponsor? Getting New Jersey back to work by creating a business-friendly environment, including making it easier for small businesses to start up, and fund…

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South Brunswick Food Pantry Aided by Legislators

District 16 legislators Sen. Christopher “Kip” Bateman and Assembly members Jack Ciattarelli and Donna Simon delivered boxes of food collected in their district offices to the township food pantry.

With South Brunswick's Food Pantry still reeling from an overwhelming number of new families in need of help, the Social Services Department was aided by a recent food drive from the township's elected officials in the 16th District. Sen. Christopher “Kip” Bateman and Assembly members Jack M. Ciattarelli and Donna Simon last week delivered boxes of food that were collected in their district offices to the pantry. "The donations from Assemblyman Ciattarelli, Assemblywoman Simon and Senator Bateman, who came with (South Brunswick Township Councilman) John O’Sullivan, was a welcome surprise," said Social Services Director LouAnne Wolf. "They read about current lack of food in the pantry and helped us out when needed." The donations came at a…

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Letter to the Editor

Letter to the Editor: Assemblywoman Recognizes Teacher Appreciation Week

by Assemblywoman Donna Simon, NJ Legislative District 16 (Hunterdon, Somerset, Mercer and Middlesex)

Teacher Appreciation Week is a fitting time to thank the dedicated women and men of who have helped shape our children in public, private, special education and religious schools. Teachers have a key role in the emotional and academic development of students and are notably one of the most influential people in the life of a child. When my children were younger, I not only volunteered in their classrooms, but I also worked as a classroom assistant in other districts. I witnessed the fostering of confident students who are well-prepared for college and successful futures. Caring and qualified teachers offer a nurturing and academically enriched environment that remains with a person throughout life. We can all recall a teacher who made a …

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Assemblywoman to Hold Office Hours in South Brunswick

Assemblywoman Donna Simon will hold office hours at the South Brunswick Public Library on April 24.

In an effort to better provide 16th Legislative District constituents with access to her staff, Assemblywoman Donna Simon announced the opening of her first mobile office, which will be located in South Brunswick. The mobile office will be open April 24, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will be located at the South Brunswick Public Library, at 110 Kingston Lane in Monmouth Junction. Constituents are welcome to visit the mobile office at their convenience during the posted hours of operation, however, anyone wishing to make an appointment to meet with a member of Simon’s staff are encouraged to email the legislator at aswsimon@njleg.org Simon will hold additional mobile office hours at various locations throughout the district in the future. The …

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Assemblyman Explains Vote Against Local Approval for New Charter Schools

Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli said the state Department of Education will listen to the concerns of the community before approving a new charter school, after he previously expressed support for a public vote.

Earlier this month, the New Jersey State Assembly passed a bill that would require a local referendum for any new charter school before it opens in a community. However, local proponents of the legislation are unhappy with the 16th District's Assembly representatives, who voted against the bill. Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli (R-Hillsborough) and Assemblywoman Donna Simon (R-Readington), who represent South Brunswick, Princeton and Hillsborough in District 16, both voted against bill A-1877, which passed the assembly by a vote of 46-27. Ciattarelli said that he believes local input is important before a charter school is approved by the New Jersey Department of Education, but it's up to local elected officials to make sure that input …

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Plainsboro Parent

7:16 am on Thursday, March 29, 2012

Please provide the link where PIACS applied for and was denied a third planning year. I can't find any news on this.   more ›

Op-Ed: Public Employee Sick Leave Benefits a Ticking Time Bomb

by Assemblywoman Donna Simon (R-Readington), who represents South Brunswick in the 16th Legislative District.

There is a ticking time bomb in the 16th Legislative District. It would cause $27 million worth of damage to families, seniors and small businesses struggling to make ends meet. This is the amount it would cost local property taxpayers to cover all of the unused sick and vacation time accrued by public employees in the towns I represent in parts of Hunterdon, Somerset, Mercer and Middlesex Counties. The price tag statewide is a staggering $825 million. Public employees should use sick days when they’re sick, not as another retirement plan subsidized by overburdened families and seniors. As a former municipal official, I understand what a problem this is for property taxpayers. As a member of the Assembly State Government Committee, I …

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