TOMS RIVER – A group of residents upset with Mayor Daniel Rodrick’s leadership have organized a recall movement, but the mayor says these are political actors who are upset they aren’t benefitting from his cost-saving measures.
“The recall is sparked by community outcry over the mayor’s irresponsible actions,” the petitioners said. “The Rodrick Administration is failing to ensure residents’ safety, quality of life, and deterring businesses from succeeding in Toms River. Key issues include:
- Defund and failure to properly staff the Toms River Police
- Shut down Silverton EMS, taking needed ambulances off service
- Closed the Toms River Animal Shelter
- Failed to provide proper animal control services
- Cut code enforcement – properties falling into disrepair and slumlords invading our quiet residential neighborhoods
- Breach of public trust – complete lack of transparency at Council meetings and blatant disrespect to residents
- Government overreach – seizing an active church by eminent domain
- Targeting the vulnerable homeless after evicting them from encampments and shutting down Just Believe Cold Blue assistance”
Rodrick has been mayor since January of 2024. Prior to that he was a councilman.
Responding to the recall effort, Rodrick said, “This is the fourth time that the members of the Mo Hill club have claimed to be starting a recall petition.” This is in reference to the previous mayor, Maurice Hill.
“My administration has kept taxes flat for two years in a row, cut the budget by $11 million or 9%, stopped the towers, repealed 15-story zoning downtown – and last, but not least – we met the state’s 10-year affordable housing obligation without having to build any new apartments,” he said.
“These are just our headline accomplishments. We’ve also commissioned several new parks, two spray parks, a municipal pier, and we got grant funding to extend the boardwalk in Ortley Beach. I could go on, but there are too many accomplishments to list,” he said. “The fact is, these are just disgruntled people who fed at the trough of government for decades and they just won’t go away.”
Critics Of Current Leaders
The entire governing body is Republican, but from two different clubs. Rodrick, his administration, and his allies on the Township Council – William Byrne, Craig Coleman, Justin Lamb, and Lynn O’Toole – have faced a lot of criticism from a vocal group at council meetings.
Three of the most vocal opponents are the ones who signed the press release as members of the Recall Committee: residents Philip Brilliant, Dana Tormollan, and Chris Raimann. They provided quotes from other current and former elected officials.
Councilmen James Quinlisk, David Ciccozzi, and Thomas Nivison are three who are allied with the recall committee. They have criticized how the Township Council meetings have agendas published at the last minute, and that public comment is limited.
“The actions of Rodrick are unconscionable, putting the safety and security of our town in jeopardy. We must take action now, our town deserves better,” said Quinlisk, who lost a recent primary election to a Rodrick ally, Harry Aber.
“In the past two decades, our population has grown significantly, yet police numbers have declined due to the mayor’s failure to hire replacements. Our town faces unprecedented violent crime, including a recent stabbing in Ortley Beach, a fatal stabbing on Fischer Boulevard, a drive-by shooting in North Dover witnessed by children, and the murder of a homeowner whose residence was used to harbor a suspect who later committed suicide after a police standoff in East Dover,” Quinlisk said. “Since 2024, at least 15 officers have left, with 5 more expected to retire before the end of the year.”
Another point of contention is Rodrick’s interest in the town acquiring the Christ Episcopal Church on Washington Street.
Rodrick has said his plan for this property includes recreation. The church land would be a playground and other amenities. Other waterfront lots that the town has its eye on would be a municipal marina.
The town would negotiate in good faith to purchase the property, he has said.
Critics of the administration and council majority have said that the reason for the purchase was to block the church’s attempt to open a 17-bed homeless shelter there. The land use board that oversees that kind of plan declined it recently.
Councilman Ciccozzi said of the church plan: “This is pure evil! The mayor has violated his oath of office and his duty to the residents! The recall is the path to stop his destruction of Toms River.”
Former Councilman Terrance Turnbach, a Democrat who Rodrick’s running mate before Rodrick switched from Democrat to Republican, said, “Elected Officials who demonstrate an indisputable inability to lead must be recalled. The residents of Toms River can ill afford another two and a half years of the Dan Rodrick revenge tour.”
Council President Lamb lost in the primary election to Robert Bianchini, who wants the recall.
“Rodrick’s actions are egregious,” Bianchini said. “Toms River cannot afford two more years of his chaos. The recall will allow a more qualified individual to honorably and ethically serve our town.”
Councilman Byrne lost the primary to Clinton Bradley, who supports the recall as well.
“Upon joining the US Army, I swore an oath to support and defend the Constitution and uphold the duties of office. I take this vow seriously. Rodrick has no regard for the duties of his office or his responsibilities towards the residents,” Bradley said.
Recall Details
The state laws on recalling an official are restrictive, because if it was easy, every politician would get recalled. The petitioners need to collect 20,000 signatures in 160 days from when they filed the petition – June 27. This would be the first week of December.
They said they will hold rallies, education events, and fundraisers in the coming months. If successful, they would force a special election for mayor.
“His failed leadership has increasingly put Toms River residents at risk,” read a statement from the Recall Committee. “Join us to demand accountability and restore Toms River’s future. Together, we can make a difference.”
The group also operates the Toms River Residents For Transparency page on Facebook, and the website TRresidents4transparency.com.
Previously, they sought to recall ordinances passed by the governing body that closed the animal shelter and cut high-ranking police positions.
