TOMS RIVER, N.J. — A series of text messages obtained by Shore News Network raises new questions about ongoing claims by Toms River Council President David Ciccozzi that Mayor Daniel Rodrick has excluded the Township Council from important municipal decisions.
On top of that, Rodrick said he cut the town council’s pay because they are not following a municipal ordinance they passed. That ordinance specifically says that unless the council completes Faulkner Act training, they cannot receive compensation.
Over the past eight months, Council President David Ciccozzi claims Mayor Dan Rodrick never communicates with him, but texts show it is Ciccozzi who is the one intentionally making the communication process as impossible and inconvenient for the mayor.
The messages show township officials repeatedly attempting to provide Ciccozzi with a township-issued cellphone after he surrendered his previous municipal devices for reasons unknown.
Ciccozzi repeatedly declined those offers, while simultaneously stating he would no longer conduct township business using his personal phone, leaving the mayor and the township with no viable means of effective communication with the council leader.
The exchange comes as relations between the mayor’s office and the Township Council remain deeply fractured over affordable housing, redevelopment projects, appointments and other municipal issues.
- Text messages show township officials repeatedly offering David Ciccozzi a replacement township cellphone.
- Ciccozzi declined the phone multiple times, writing “will not accept.”
- Ciccozzi acknowledged he would not conduct township business on his personal cellphone.
- The messages were exchanged amid broader disputes over communication between the mayor and Township Council.
- The text conversation has become part of the ongoing political battle inside Toms River government.
Mayor’s office offered replacement phone
According to the text exchange, Ciccozzi told township officials he had previously turned in his township-issued laptop and cellphone at the request of Township Attorney Anthony Merlino.
In one message, Ciccozzi wrote:
“I turned in my laptop & twp phone over a month ago.
He also stated that he believed emails regarding mandatory Faulkner Act training had been sent despite officials allegedly knowing he no longer had access to township equipment.
In response, the mayor’s office offered to issue him a replacement device immediately.
“I will have Jackie get you a phone immediately,” one message states. “Do you want Android or iPhone?”
Council president repeatedly declined
The conversation shows Ciccozzi declining the offer.
After being informed a replacement iPhone had already been ordered and configured with his township email, Ciccozzi responded:
“will not accept”
He later added:
“I’ll wait until I get my other phone back.”
When informed the new device had already been shipped overnight, Ciccozzi again replied:
“do not get that phone!”
The mayor’s office responded that the township account had already been activated and the device had been ordered.
“Going forward I don’t want township business from my personal phone”
One of the most notable portions of the exchange involves Ciccozzi explaining why he wanted another township-issued phone.
He wrote:
“Going forward I don’t [want] twp business from my personal phone.”
The statement appears consistent with his position that township communications should occur using municipal equipment rather than private devices.
However, the text messages also show him declining the replacement phone offered by township officials.
The mayor’s office responded by reminding Ciccozzi that important emails remained inaccessible because he had declined the replacement device.
Dispute expands beyond phones
The text exchange unfolded against the backdrop of broader political disputes inside Town Hall.
Rodrick has repeatedly argued that communication problems stem from council members refusing to cooperate with his administration.
Several council members, including Ciccozzi, have countered that the administration has failed to adequately include them in important municipal decisions.
The newly released messages provide additional context to that ongoing dispute by documenting attempts to restore Ciccozzi’s access to township communications.
Whether the texts fully explain the communication breakdown remains a matter of political disagreement.
Political tensions continue
Relations between the administration and the Township Council have deteriorated over the past year amid disagreements involving affordable housing, redevelopment proposals, municipal appointments and litigation.
Those disputes have frequently spilled into public meetings, social media and competing public statements.
The cellphone exchange is the latest episode illustrating the increasingly strained relationship between the executive and legislative branches of Toms River government.
- Why was a township phone offered?
- The texts indicate township officials sought to restore Ciccozzi’s access to municipal email and communications after he surrendered his previous township-issued devices.
- Did Ciccozzi accept the replacement phone?
- No. The text messages show him repeatedly declining the offer, stating he would “not accept” the device.
- Why is the exchange significant?
- The messages surfaced amid public claims that the mayor’s office has excluded the council from communications, while also showing efforts to provide the council president with a replacement township communication device.
- Has Ciccozzi responded publicly?
- Based on the information provided, no response specifically addressing these text messages has been included.
