Governor Philip D. Murphy
Executive Order No. 301 (2022)
An Order for Flags to Fly at Half-Staff in Honor of Assemblyman Ronald Dancer
Issued: July 25, 2022.
Effective: July 25, 2022.
WHEREAS, Assemblyman Ronald "Ron" Stanley Dancer was born on May 31, 1949, to Stanley and Rachel (nee Young) of the New Egypt section of Plumsted Township; and
WHEREAS, Assemblyman Dancer attended the Peddie School in Hightstown and the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers University; and
WHEREAS, Assemblyman Dancer served in the United States Army from 1969 to 1971; and
WHEREAS, Assemblyman Dancer's father was a Hall of Fame Harness Racing driver, and Assemblyman Dancer was a professional horse trainer and driver for the Stanley Dancer Horse Racing Stables for decades; and
WHEREAS, Assemblyman Dancer became active in local politics in the 1980s, and served as Mayor of Plumsted Township from 1990 until 2011; and
WHEREAS, Assemblyman Dancer was selected to fill a seat in the General Assembly following the passing of Assemblyman Melvin Cottrell in 2002, and has served in the General Assembly continuously since then, having been elected and re-elected 10 times; and
WHEREAS, Assemblyman Dancer was a dedicated representative of his constituents in parts of Ocean, Monmouth, Middlesex, Mercer, and Burlington Counties; and
WHEREAS, during his time in the General Assembly, Assemblyman Dancer served in leadership positions such as Assistant Minority Leader and Deputy Republican Leader, and on committees such as Agriculture and Food Security, Military and Veterans' Affairs, and Tourism, Gaming and the Arts; and
WHEREAS, Assemblyman Dancer was known for being a passionate champion for veterans, farmers, and the horse racing industry, as well as for his bipartisanship; and
WHEREAS, Assemblyman Dancer also served on local government and volunteer boards, such as the Plumsted Township Planning Board and Municipal Utilities Authority and the Ocean County Board of Social Services, Natural Lands Trust Funds Advisory Committee, Senior Citizens Advisory Board, and Human Services Advisory Council; and
WHEREAS, Assemblyman Dancer was married to his wife Brenda for 54 years, with whom he had two children and three grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, Assemblyman Dancer passed away at age 73 on July 23, 2022, following a long illness; and
WHEREAS, Assemblyman Dancer will be greatly missed not only by his family and friends, but also his former colleagues in the Legislature, Plumsted Township, and Ocean County; and
WHEREAS, as we mourn the passing of Assemblyman Dancer, it is appropriate to commemorate his history of public service, his many achievements in State and local politics, and his legacy of public service, friendship, and civility;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, PHILIP D. MURPHY, Governor of the State of New Jersey, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and by the Statutes of this State, do hereby ORDER and DIRECT:
N.J. Admin. Code Executive Order No. 301 (2022)