Toms river fire commissioner candidates oppose tax hike raise concerns over future department direction

TOMS RIVER, N.J. — Fire commissioner candidates Rick Tutela and Michael Hopson are campaigning on a platform of maintaining stable fire taxes and supporting volunteer firefighters while opposing what they describe as costly proposals from their opponents, according to a campaign letter distributed to local residents.

In the letter, Tutela and Hopson criticize candidates Tony Cirz and Jim Golden, alleging they support raising fire taxes and transitioning Toms River to a per-diem fire department, a move the challengers claim would lead to significant financial strain on taxpayers.

The letter also raises concerns about Cirz’s and Golden’s current employment, stating that Cirz already holds three public jobs—as a sub-code official in Berkeley Township, an inspector for Seaside Heights, and a paid firefighter in Howell Township—while Golden collects a public pension and works full-time for the Toms River Schools.

Tutela and Hopson argue that adding a fire commissioner role to their responsibilities is excessive and not in the best interest of taxpayers.

“We need people on the Fire Commission that put the taxpayers and volunteer firefighters ahead of personal gain and self-interest,” the letter states, urging residents to support their campaign.

Tutela and Hopson emphasize their combined 45 years of experience in fire and safety, pledging to ensure the welfare of residents while exercising fiscal responsibility. They are encouraging residents to return their mail-in ballots promptly and have provided a campaign contact number for further discussion.

The election comes amid ongoing debates over fire department funding and whether Toms River should maintain its volunteer firefighting system or shift toward a more expensive paid model.

Phil Stilton Latest posts

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

Readers can submit story tips, corrections, public records, or media inquiries through the official Shore News Network website or its verified social media channels. Shore News Network welcomes corrections and updates when new information becomes available as part of its ongoing commitment to accurate and transparent journalism.