Toms River, NJ – Toms River Mayor Dan Rodrick’s summer beach concert series and plans for a new sprinkler park for young children are under attack after threats were made to cancel them Wednesday night by Council President David Ciccozzi.
This week, Council President David Ciccozzi said he is against those events.
The newly seated anti-Rodrick council majority signaled that it is opposed to hosting Toms River’s summer beach concerts and fireworks in 2026 at the bayside Shelter Cove park, setting up a public clash over one of the town’s most attended and popular seasonal events.
Rodrick said he will fight any effort to cancel the concert series and fireworks shows, which drew large crowds last summer.
“I’m against the fireworks, [and concerts]” Ciccozzi said during public remarks addressing the future of the summer schedule. “We’re not in the entertainment business.”
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Council wants to create new positions in town hall instead
Since taking office in January, the new council members, led by Ciccozzi, have repeatedly criticized the mayor for cutting too much from the municipal budget. At the same time, they want to raise taxes by creating new politically appointed positions, such as a new position of “council liaison” under the township clerk’s office, at a cost of $120,000 per year.
That job, by the ordinance drafted by the council, could only be filled by Noriko Kowaleski, a political party insider and campaign worker. There is no job description for the position and no interviews would be conducted.
Rodrick said he will not create a new patronage job within town hall for a position he doesn’t need and that the township clerk did not request and at last week’s meeting said he did not need.
Rodrick, since taking office has reduced the municipal budget and kept taxes flat.
“It’s not going to happen,” Rodrick said.
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Concert costs are just a fraction of the amount council wants to spend on new positions
“This is not a costly event. Those jobs cost far more than what we spend on these concerts and fireworks,” Rodrick said.
During those concerts, the beachfront park at Shelter Cove attracts thousands of visitors, including those arriving by boat to watch the bands and fireworks. Local businesses report that many visitors stop by their restaurants and ice cream shops after the event.
Mayor Rodrick has cut the township budget by 9%, reducing spending by $11 million since taking office two years ago.
“They want to create new jobs and spend $130,000 to hire their friend and even more money to hire a lawyer, but want to cut the things people in Toms River actually want? It’s ludicrous,” Rodrick said.
Ciccozzi and ally Tom Nivison previously voted against funding the events, and newly elected council members Clinton Bradley and Robert Bianchini have since aligned with the two anti-Rodrick councilmembers in council votes since taking office.
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We’re not going back to the Mo Hill Days
“We’re not going back to the Mo Hill years where township government functioned only for the political insiders through jobs, contracts, and development approvals,” Rodrick said. “We need to continue doing more for the people of Toms River and our townspeople and to make Toms River a place where people can also have a great time with other members of the community in a safe, fun, and affordable family-friendly setting.”
Rodrick said the summer events created a regular gathering point for residents and families and drew consistent attendance throughout the season. He added that the township received extensive public feedback following the series.
Rodrick vows to defend the concerts against Ciccozzi and the newly elected council
“It’s going to happen one way or the other,” Rodrick said. “These concerts cost a fraction of what just one Dave Ciccozzi’s new patronage jobs will cost the town, and the people will get something worthwhile in return.”
Rodrick said he believes the council’s position is nothing more than a political challenge to the mayor’s broader disagreements over development, staffing, and the direction of downtown Toms River. He accused the majority of favoring additional taxes and patronage positions while opposing public events. The mayor said that regardless of council action, he intends to pursue alternative ways to continue the summer concert series and fireworks, stating that he is committed to keeping the events in place for the coming season.
“It doesn’t matter what he wants to do, whether it’s giving his political friends in town hall, or cutting a tradition that people of Toms River have enjoyed, and are looking forward to,” Rodrick said. “He can’t force me to hire his friends, and the concerts are under the bid threshold, so the show will go on whether he likes it or not, and we will build the sprinkler park for the children.”
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