TOMS RIVER, NJ – At this week’s township council meeting, Toms River Mayor Rodrick delivered a strong message of transparency and fairness, sharply criticizing recent council proposals that prioritize political insiders over qualified town employees and taxpayers.
Anti-Rodrick council members try unsuccessfully to force Rodrick to hire their close friend in Toms River
Mayor Rodrick first addressed a proposed new municipal position for Noriko Kowalski, a political operative and campaign worker for the council majority.
“This position was never identified as a need in any department,” he stated. “Yet it comes with a $126,000 annual price tag for salary, benefits, and pension—with no job description, no scope of work, and no demonstrated necessity. It is a position created solely because of political connections. That will not happen on my watch. I will not approve onboarding Ms. Kowalski.”
Rodrick backs Police Chief’s decision after Council Defies Chief’s Request
Turning to the proposed police ordinance, Mayor Rodrick made clear: “This is not about public safety or improving operations—it is about extending a promotional list to ensure one of the council majority’s political allies can be promoted to lieutenant.”
He emphasized that the Police Chief opposes the move, as it would disenfranchise over 100 qualified officers eligible for advancement—including 88 for sergeant, 75 for detective, and 15 for lieutenant—delaying their careers for another year.
“That is not merit-based promotion, it is not competitive, and it is not fair. I will veto this ordinance to ensure that promotions are earned by the highest-qualified candidates—not handed out through political favoritism.”
Ocean County runs a great Animal shelter system countywide and is expanding
Addressing the animal shelter resolution, Mayor Rodrick stated, “Ocean County has agreed to run the animal shelter for us at no cost to the township.
The only reason the council majority wants to reopen the shelter locally is to restore jobs for their friends and family who previously worked there. This proposal isn’t about animal welfare—it’s about jobs for political insiders.”
Mayor Rodrick further explained, “The Ocean County Board of Health went out to bid and received proposals between $5 million and $6 million just to bring our former shelter building up to legally required standards—new dog runs, ventilation systems, cages, and other major upgrades. Why would we saddle Toms River taxpayers with millions in unnecessary costs for a redundant service when the county is providing it for free?”
“My administration eliminated $11 million in wasteful spending and unnecessary positions, keeping taxes flat for two years. We will not return to the failed practices of the past. We will not govern by patronage, disadvantage our police officers, or create unnecessary jobs for political insiders. The council has no authority under the Faulkner Act to create such positions, and these actions will not stand.”