TOMS RIVER, NJ – After the Toms River Township Council, minus Republican Dan Rodrick voted to approve a settlement agreement to allow for 2-acre zoning of houses of worship, Democrats heaped praise on Mayor Mo Hill.
Democrat Councilmembers at Tuesday’s meeting thanked Mayor Hill for working diligently with the Orthodox Jewish community to agree to repeal the 10-acre-zoning restriction meant to keep churches and synagogues out of quiet residential communities.
Terrance Turnbach and Laurie Huryk, both Democrats who represent Toms River’s North Dover wards thanked Hill for his work and voted to approve the consent agreement before them.
The day after approving the settlement, the Orthodox Jewish council known as the TRJCC moved the goalposts and said they were not happy with the new 2-acre zoning reduction.
Huryk, who was once quoted in the Asbury Park Press for calling Hill a liar when he denied he was working behind the scenes on the measure retracted her statement.
Huryk said she never called Hill a liar and that the Asbury Park Press story that quoted her in September of 2018 was a lie, and fake news.
“Headlines are not quotes”, she said. “He works day and night to do nothing but the best for Toms River.”
“It’s a prudent decision by the township,” Mayor Hill said. “I want to thank the council for moving forward on that.”
“Mayor Maurice Hill is a great man,” said Democrat Councilman Terrance Turnbach. “He goes to work every day for this town and cares about everyone in this town. You can learn a lot of traits about family and community from Mayor Hill.”
Both Turnbach and Huryk are Democrats and up for re-election in 2021. Both represent their respective wards which cover North Dover. They are the only two Democrats serving on the Toms River township council.
