We would hope if Toms River has learned anything about Daniel Rodrick over the past 7 years, since he was elected in 2017 as a Democrat and switched to the Republican party in 2018, is that he is a calculated bastard (they can say it on TV). So calculated, knowing he was in trouble as early as May with the Board of Education in Middletown Township, that he started his planning the minute he became Mayor of Toms River on January 1, 2024 with his puppets Council President Craig Coleman, Council Vice President Lynn O’toole, Councilman George Lobman and Councilman Justin Lamb. They all stepped into the spotlight as his affirmative votes on everything and anything he proposed, whereas Councilman Thomas Nivison quickly saw the true colors of Daniel Rodrick the minute he opened his mouth in 2024.
Just chew on this as you prepare to celebrate Christmas, Chanukah and Kwanzaa:
Immediately upon becoming mayor, he grabbed a vehicle and began driving to and from Middletown Township an expense of the taxpayers of Toms River Township. Made his car expendable and reduced some household expenses as the Toms River budget sucked up his vehicle expenses – that does include fuel by the way!
On May 22, 2024, used smoke and mirrors and an argument with Councilman Nivison over hiring the Law Firm of Donald Burke to handle the Ciba litigation, whereas Mr. Burke had already personally represented several Council Members in a lawsuit from Kevin Geoghegan relative to election abnormalities – this was a personal defense, so no clue if Mr. Burke was paid out of pocket at that time. Also at that meeting, Mr. Burke was added to the Township pool of attorneys and we know he has represented the Township on other matters and recently received a payment of $28,000 for services rendered. All this time, Mr. Burke was retained by Daniel Rodrick, as personal counsel, to represent him against the Middletown Board of Education in the fight of his job. This goes back to at least 2023, but we know this representation has been active in 2024.
We bet you thought that was all…it is not! Daniel Rodrick, extremely concerned about his employment in Middletown, but more arrogant than Kayne West or Donald Trump, so he might believe he can beat the wrap, started hedging his bets early in 2024. First, he lobbied in Seaside Heights against the merger with the Toms River School District, as he needed financial bad news for the District, so the incumbent on School Board could be vulnerable and he could put out lies and misconceptions about the budget and the sitting School Board members. Why?! So he could get at least 1 of his 2 candidates elected (Maria Matarazzo was elected, his code enforcement puppet), to add to his other puppets on School Board (don’t forget, Peter Griffin’s step-mother is on the Toms River School Board). Why? See it yet…HE KNEW HE WOULD NEED A JOB!!!
If Daniel Rodrick is wrong for the students of Thorne Middle School and Middletown Township, he is dead wrong for Toms River Schools. Elections have consequences, so in 2025 get an education and stay alert – don’t let Daniel Rodrick con Toms River anymore!