In the Simplest Terms – Daniel Rodrick is a Socialist and Dangerous

Since Daniel Rodrick took office on January 1, 2024, he has portrayed a “don’t care, don’t listen, and don’t communicate” mentality that has resulted in the reduction to the Toms River Police Department, the closing of the Toms River Animal Shelter, the closing of Silverton EMS, forcing out Chief Mitch Little and suing everyone who gets in his way. Ladies and Gentleman of Toms River this is SOCIALISM at its finest. “Socialism is a political and economic theory advocating for social ownership and democratic control of the means of production. It generally involves a system where the government owns or controls key resources and industries.” Daniel Rodrick may have reduced the number of Toms River employees, but he has built an inner circle with the sole purpose of CONTROL and SELF-GAIN.

Mostly recently at the June 30, 2025 Toms River Council meeting, Daniel Rodrick had the Toms River Council vote and approve (vote of 4-3, with Rodrick’s Puppets voting in favor, including Council President Justin Lamb who is a Sergeant in the Lavellette Police Department) an Ordinance to change the process and requirements for hiring new police officers. The Ordinance, due for second reading and approval on July 30, includes the Mayor and Business Administrator as participants in the interviews along with “other Township Official designated by the Mayor” and the exam to be written by both the Chief of Police (Toms River does not currently have one) and the Business Administrator. There are additional reductions in the requirements, such as no swim test in a municipality with miles of beaches along the ocean, river and bay, plus public and private pools and a reduction in the education requirements.

All of this because Socialist Daniel Rodrick wants sole ownership and control of the Toms River Police Department and has continued to ignore the facts, while sharing lies in letters to the residents of Toms River paid for by the taxpayers of Toms River. The facts are clear, as stated by then Acting Chief Peter Sundack in an email of April 24, 2025 to Daniel Rodrick and Jonathan Salonis in reference to “Urgent Police Department Staffing Shortages.” The official document is below, but Sundack, weeks before going on a leave of absence that continues today stated “Despite these critical vacancies, recent requests to hire replacements have not been approved or were canceled by administration. This continued attrition, without appropriate action to replace departing personnel, significantly undermines our department’s ability to fulfill its mission – to protect and serve the citizens of Toms River with the highest standards of professionalism and efficiency. Valid eligibility lists for both new hires and promotional appointments are currently active and available. The stated vacancies are already authorized by ordinance and fully funded in the current municipal budget. We are not seeking the creation of new positions; we are simply requesting the timely filling of existing vacancies to ensure operational continuity.” THESE ARE THE FACTS NOT THE LIES IN DANIEL RODRICK’S LETTER(S)!

In closing Acting Chief Sundack pleaded to Rodrick and Salonis, “Given the seriousness of this matter and its potential impact on public safety, officer safety and operational efficiency, I respectfully urge your office to authorize the necessary appointments without further delay. Continued inaction will only deepen the challenges we face.” As of July 14, 2025, according to Toms River PBA, there are 148 officers in the Department, whereas Toms River Code authorizes 161 full-time officers.

It has been said and reported that Socialists advocate for the abolition of the police, viewing them as tools of oppression. Daniel Rodrick has torn down the Toms River Police Department, that historically was one of the finest in the State of New Jersey and aside from not hiring and promoting officers, he is infusing himself into the hiring process. Daniel Rodrick is dangerous…drop the microphone!