TOMS RIVER, NJ – In a rare split between the Orthodox Jewish religious community and their community leaders, the leaders of the Toms River Jewish Community Council (VAAD) has announced they will endorse Geri Ambrosio for Mayor in the June 6 GOP primary election. Mo Hill still has an overwhelming presence with those not engaged in the day to day politics involving religious lobbying.
VAAD leader Booky Kalusyner, a self-described religious lobbyist, this week announced he would personally be supporting Geri Ambrosio, a tax assessor with a shaky financial past, who was just awarded a $90,000 public patronage job instead of Hill.
Now, Kalusyzner is hoping to sway those members of this community still loyal to Mo Hill in the direction of Geri Ambrosio, who according to Hill, has promised to finish what Hill started.
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Hill’s change of heart comes after multiple polls showed the community doesn’t approve of his policies or future plans for Toms River. Hill conducted a poll in April that showed the majority of residents in town oppose his pro-development agenda.
The VAAD endorsement of Ambrosio is purely symbolic, it doesn’t change the fact that dozens of members of the Jewish community have already publicly endorsed Hill in conflict with the VAAD’s endorsement.
That leaves Hill and Ambrosio in a heated battle for the 900 or so votes to be had from the Orthodox Jewish community.
Hill, upset that the VAAD leadership abandoned him after he had done so much for them in the first four years, isn’t concerned and that the VAAD’s leadership will be tested in June.
He and his advisors feel he has done enough to welcome the community and those actions will bring Jewish voters to his column in June.
Two questions remain. Will ordinary community members follow the VAAD endorsement or continue to support Hill, who has been welcoming and accommodating to religious needs in town, including the need for houses of worship in residential neighborhoods and high-density, low-income developments in North Dover?
The other question is how will the announcement affect Councilman Dan Rodrick, who the Orthodox Jewish community in Toms River has essentially shunned.
Rodrick said he has no intention of moving in on the perception that the voting bloc is being fiercely contested by Ambrosio and Hill.
“I will be fair to everyone if elected Mayor,” Rodrick said. “But I will not meet with or make special deals with any special interest groups to get elected. I’m not making anyone any special deals behind closed doors. Instead, I intend to put an end to closed-door deals in our town.”
Jewish community leaders are upset with Rodrick, who has refused to meet with them in private.
“My stance and track record on the issues in Toms River is clear,” Rodrick said.
Hill said he doesn’t know what Ambrosio has promised Jewish leaders, but it was apparently more than he initially promised.
“I don’t know what Ms. Ambrosio and her allies have promised to get the TRJCC endorsement,” Hill said.