Toms River, NJ — An emotional and unsettling moment unfolded during Wednesday night’s Toms River Township Council meeting when Council President David Ciccozzi, 69, unexpectedly relinquished control of the meeting to Council Vice President Thomas Nivison after appearing to experience an unexplained episode while seated on the dais.
The incident occurred during the public meeting as Ciccozzi stared downward for a few moments before remaining motionless with a blank stare. Without offering an explanation, he verbally handed the gavel to Nivison.
“I’m sorry, everyone. Tom, can you take over the meeting, please?” Ciccozzi said.
Concerned by what he observed, Mayor Daniel Rodrick asked Township Attorney Jonathan Penney to check on the council president.
“No, I’m good, thank you,” Ciccozzi replied.
Rodrick then requested that a Toms River police officer attending the meeting conduct a wellness check.
“Are you alright?” the officer asked.
“I’m fine, thank you,” Ciccozzi responded.
The meeting continued under Nivison’s leadership while Ciccozzi remained seated on the dais.
Emotional comments later in the meeting
Later in the evening, Ciccozzi spoke candidly about the personal toll he said serving on the Township Council has taken amid months of political conflict between himself and other members of the township governing body.
“I don’t know if I can do this anymore,” Ciccozzi said.
He reflected on his previous service under former Mayor Maurice “Mo” Hill, saying government operated differently during that administration.
“I’m so frustrated,” Ciccozzi said. “I was part of an administration where I had duties to do.”
He described the ongoing political battles as having a significant impact on his personal life.
“I don’t think I can keep on doing this. It’s affecting my life, my children, my friendships with everybody, and everybody says, ‘Dave, you gotta do this, you gotta do that and bang the gavel.'”
“It’s craziness,” he added.
At another point, Ciccozzi emphasized that he believes he serves independently.
“I love the town. Nobody owns me in this town. Nobody owns me. Nobody owns us.”
Mentions ICE activity in his neighborhood
During his remarks, Ciccozzi also spoke about recent federal immigration enforcement activity in his neighborhood, saying it had added to his frustration.
“ICE are doing raids in our town now, on my street, off Woodside Drive,” he said.
He later reiterated that Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity had occurred within his residential development and said those events had weighed heavily on him.
His comments shifted between the political disputes inside Town Hall and concerns about events occurring in his community.
Months of escalating tensions
Wednesday’s emotional remarks come during a period of escalating conflict between Ciccozzi and other elected officials.
The governing body has repeatedly clashed over legal representation, public meeting procedures, spending decisions, redevelopment issues, and other policy matters. Those disagreements have frequently resulted in lengthy and contentious council meetings, often filled with political theater.
Ciccozzi, who has served as council president during many of those disputes, has presided over meetings marked by heated exchanges among elected officials.
No explanation was provided during Wednesday’s meeting regarding what caused Ciccozzi to pause proceedings before handing the gavel to Nivison, and Ciccozzi repeatedly stated he was fine when asked about his condition.
By the end of the meeting, however, he made clear that the pressures of serving as council president have taken a personal toll, telling those in attendance that he was unsure how much longer he could continue.
Ciccozzi has not formally resigned his position, despite expressing the self-described physical and emotional distress he said the position has caused him.
