(Canastota, Oneida, NY – May 2016) Marianne Borgia Simberg, native of Oneida, has been chosen as the honoree of the 2014 James and Dolley Madison Dinner, which will take place May 22 at 6 p.m. at the Rusty Rail in Canastota.
Having herself helped choose the honorees at comparable events, the tables were turned on her by the Madison County Democratic Committee as it decided to call attention to the many ways individual citizens can promote access to equality and justice in our communities. Without being prodded by any service organization, Simberg has repeatedly found ways to help our society to meet its responsibilities for those who lack equal access to power and justice.
While growing up in Oneida and its public schools, Simberg remembers herself as always tending toward political activism.
As a pianist, she left Oneida to study music at Potsdam State University and then lived for some years in the Albany area. She says she “came full circle” back to this region when her husband Richard took a position with the state Department of Transportation in Utica.
Soon she became active politically in Madison County and ran for office, serving eight years on the Madison County Board of Supervisors, representing Wards 1, 2, & 3 in Oneida. This elected office engaged her with the Regional Planning Group as well as the Criminal Justice Committee and many other aspects of Central New York.
In addition to raising two children and now grandparenting four, Simberg has found many ways to provide advice and help to those suffering from inequality of access to justice. She was active in the first organization of a county bail fund program and continues today as President of the Board of the Madison County Bail Fund, Inc. as well as a member of the Board of Directors of the Madison County Legal defense Fund.
Simberg explains that much of her work grew out a concern for “people who do not know how to chip through the system.” Thus she also helped to found the Rape Crisis Service, a precursor of Victims of Violence, and has staffed its “hot line” on Friday evenings for much of her life.
In addition, she has served as Chair of the City/County Youth Board, a driver for the Oneida Area Meals on Wheels, President of Mohawk Valley Planned Parenthood, Consultant to the Regional Learning Service of Central NY, and Chair of the Community Action Program.
Currently she works as a Volunteer Receptionist at the Mary Rose Center in Oneida, another place where she aims to aid those with unequal access to well-being in our society. Other current responsibilities are as a member of the Board of Directors of Consumer Services of Madison County and as Board President of Bridges-Madison County Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse.
Raymond Lewandowski, Former Director of Madison/Cortland ARC, will be the guest speaker at the James and Dolley Madison Dinner.
Information about reservations can be found at www.madisonconydems.com.
Tickets are still available by calling Ann Jones at 420-0826.
Family, friends, and associates of Simberg are welcome to join in this celebration of her on-going volunteer accomplishments.