TOMS RIVER, NJ – Tensions flared between the Toms River council members and candidates aligned with Mayor Dan Rodrick and those candidates and council members aligned with former mayor Mo Hill over a proposed homeless shelter at a local church.
Political infighting escalated at the May 28 Toms River Township Council meeting as Mayor Daniel Rodrick responded with sharp criticism of council members pushing for a downtown homeless shelter.
Rodrick repeatedly referred to Councilman Thomas Nivison as a “clown” and a “liberal left Democrat,” insults that carry particular weight in heavily Republican Toms River, where all elected officials are members of the GOP but split into rival factions over many social changes happening in the community.
The tensions boiled over just two weeks before the June 10 primary. Ciccozzi and Councilman James Quinlisk are seeking re-election against a Rodrick-aligned slate featuring Council President Justin Lamb, Byrne, Harry Aber, and Anthony Matarazzo. In Ward 4, Matarazzo faces a three-way race against Ciccozzi and Anthony Ricotta.
The Ciccozzi and Quinlisk, members of the faction aligned with former Mayor Hill, have opposed essentially all of Rodrick’s actions in town hall.
They oppose his fight to keep Toms River from becoming a hub for the state’s homeless population. They opposed Rodrick’s termination of the downtown twin tower apartment project, which both councilmen strongly supported, and they opposed Rodrick’s slashing of public patronage jobs at town hall, which had reached a peak during the Hill administration.
Rodrick predicts sweeping victory against the Mo Hill team candidates
Rodrick, during the meeting, projected a decisive win for his slate, predicting they would take 65% of the vote. He singled out Quinlisk, saying, “He’ll be lucky to get 20%.”
Roderick also noted that Nivison had the support of a liberal-leaning audience that night.
At one point, Rodrick turned to Nivison and said, “You are a far-left liberal socialist. The liberals are screaming for you, Tom. They are going to lose a massive loss. The next council meeting, it will be much quieter.”
Vice President Craig Coleman, once a running mate of Nivison, joined in the criticism. “Calls and texts to me from the silent majority may suggest you need some behavioral management counseling,” Coleman said of Nivison. “You’re a puppet of the opposition.”
Despite public outcry by a handfull of passionate protesters, Rodrick feels that his team has the backing and support of most residents in Toms River, who elected him to make tough changes in a government that was rife with corruption, nepotism, cronyism, and patronage handouts for decades.
