TOMS RIVER — Mayor Daniel Rodrick plans to ballot residents to find out what led to 3 of his 4 candidates shedding in Tuesday’s hotly contested Republican main.
Rodrick mentioned he was not prepared to debate the election outcomes simply but. The mayor will probably face a hostile council majority in January; Rodrick’s allies management 4 seats on the seven-member council now, however his opponents will management 4 in January.
All seven council members, and the mayor, are Republicans.
Rodrick’s opponents, backed by Republicans for Toms River, and operating below the banner “America First Republicans,” gained three of the 4 council seats out there Tuesday. Robert Bianchini, representing Ward 1, Clinton Bradley, Ward 2, and Councilman David Ciccozzi, Ward 4, would be the Republican standard-bearers within the fall, defeating Rodrick allies Council President Justin Lamb, of Ward 1, and Councilman William Byrne, Ward 2, together with Anthony Matarazzo in Ward 4. Anthony Ricotta, who was supported by Ocean County Republican Chairman George R. Gilmore, additionally ran in Ward 4.
“I can not consider it,” Councilman David Ciccozzi mentioned of his victory. He mentioned he was “grateful” to residents for supporting him in Toms River’s GOP main, including that “the individuals voted and so they noticed the pretend fliers and the B.S.”
Ciccozzi, a frequent Rodrick critic, mentioned he didn’t need to say something extra.
Cicozzi was referring to fliers issued by candidates backed by Rodrick; solely a kind of candidates, Harry Aber, was victorious within the main. Democrats didn’t run anybody in Ward 3, the place Aber gained, so it is probably that he can be elected to his first four-year council time period in November.
However in Toms River’s robust mayor type of authorities, Rodrick nonetheless has nice energy. His administration prepares the finances, and makes appointments of division heads, with recommendation and consent of council.
Some political observers consider that the mayor’s plan to acquire Christ Episcopal Church by buying it, or seizing it through eminent domain, may have angered some voters. An ordinance approving the church acquisition is scheduled for a second studying on the finish of July. The mayor envisions changing the 11-acre church property right into a park with a soccer discipline, pickleball courts and a skatepark and playground.
It’s unclear if the church’s residential neighbors, or the vast majority of different township residents, assist the park proposal.
In the meantime, a vote is probably going tonight, June 12, on the church’s plan to construct a 17-bed in a single day homeless shelter adjoining to the Parish Corridor on its property. The controversial plan is opposed by the vast majority of neighborhood residents.
Jean Mikle covers Toms River, Seaside Heights and several other different Ocean County cities. She can be keen about Asbury Park’s musical historical past. Contact her: jmikle@gannettnj.com.
