TOMS RIVER, NJ – Toms River Councilman Dan Rodrick has a reputation for saying no during his time on the Toms River Council. In fact, he prides himself in saying no to raising taxes unnecessarily. His opponent, Ben Giovine is campaigning on the platform that Toms River needs a ‘Yes’ man.
Giovine took to social media to criticize Rodrick’s no votes on development, downtown towers, and other pet projects that have cost Toms River residents millions in taxes.
According to Rodrick, Giovine has a reputation and track record of raising taxes.
“Property taxes are out of control in Toms River.,” Rodrick said today. “As Councilman, I voted against every tax increase and every increase in township fees. I’ve also opposed millions in wasteful spending. My opponent Ben Giovine voted in favor of increasing property taxes every year he was on the school board. Together with his running mate Michele Williams, they are responsible for $47 million dollars in new taxes.”
We attempted to contact Giovine through his campaign social media page, but Shore News Network has been blocked by the candidate after publishing a report about his 2014 drunk driving arrest in Neptune Township.
Toms River School Board meeting minutes show that Giovine supported the school referendum that increased school board debt by $147 Million. Now the district is paying an extra $10 million a year in debt service.
“That money could have been better spent,” Rodrick said. “Rather than making sure all the schools had air conditioning and state-of-the-art technology, Giovine and his friends were paving parking lots and changing windows. All that money became a slush fund for Giovine’s political friends and contributors. Now we’re paying the price and our kids are still sweating.”
Until now, Rodrick has been a lone dissenting vote on the Toms River Council when it comes to defending the township against wasteful spending, he said. If he wins in November, he says he will finally have the necessary votes to start cutting waste at town hall.
“With a full slate of council candidates, I will finally have the support necessary to cut the wasteful spending that has been driving up property taxes,” he said. “We also have a plan to reduce the township’s current debt load. As you know, interest rates have quadrupled, so it is important that we reduce debt and cut spending. If we don’t, taxes will skyrocket. We cannot afford to continue down the current path.”
Although Giovine has mocked Rodrick for just saying ‘No’ to spending plans presented by Mayor Mo Hill and the town council, he says he’s proud of his opposition, because that’s what he was elected to do.
“That’s why I was elected, to say no. There’s an old saying that, “you know a tree by its fruit.” I have never voted to increase taxes. On the other hand, my opponent voted to raise taxes every year he served in elected office,” Rodrick continued. “On taxes, I believe the choice in Tom River is clear. I stand by my record and I hope the people of Toms River hold Giovine accountable for his.”