CRANFORD, NJ – A New Jersey council candidate turned a routine township meeting into an unforgettable performance Tuesday night, breakdancing his way into the room, spinning to the podium, and confronting elected officials over what he called a “massive” and unexpected property tax hike.
Will Thilly, a declared candidate for Cranford Township Council, made his entrance mid-meeting, popping and locking across the chamber floor to stunned reactions from attendees. Thilly capped off his dance routine with a full backspin on the ground before launching into a sharply delivered statement accusing the council of overcharging residents following a recently passed referendum.
Thilly said his tax bill more than doubled compared to last year’s—far beyond what was communicated when voters approved the ballot measure earlier this year. “Why did my taxes go up twice what the referendum stated?” he asked, adding that the public had been misled.
The referendum, which passed by a narrow margin, was pitched to voters as a necessary increase to support town services and infrastructure. However, Thilly says the resulting jump in his bill shows the township far exceeded what was promised.
Council members sat silently as Thilly pressed for answers. No official offered a response during or after his remarks.
Without waiting for engagement, Thilly wrapped up his statement, struck a final pose, and danced his way out of the room, drawing a mixture of shocked expressions, scattered applause, and laughter from some attendees.