Newly-elected Toms River mayor sits down for exclusive interview with News 12

Mayor Dan Rodrick discussed a variety of topics ranging from the protests, police captain retirements the hiring of eight EMTs and beach erosion.

Matt Trapani and Jim Murdoch

Feb 2, 2024, 3:22 AM

Updated 100 days ago

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Two resignations, more than 15 layoffs, protests and a chaotic Zoom meeting ending with an antisemitic rant – all happening within the first 30 days of newly-elected Toms River Mayor Dan Rodrick’s first term.
Rodrick sat down with News 12 New Jersey’s Jim Murdoch for his first-ever interview with the media. The mayor discussed a variety of topics ranging from the protests, police captain retirements the hiring of eight EMTs and beach erosion.
Rodrick also says that the Zoom Town Council meeting experiment is over.
“We are not going to try Zoom again. We are not going to put ourselves through that,” the mayor said.
Rodrick confirms that the town is investigating the person who made the antisemitic comments which ended the meeting early.
Murdoch pressed the mayor on issues such as the massive layoffs his administration handed out and the future of the township animal shelter, which, for now, is not closing – but won’t be accepting any new pets.
Part 2 of the interview will air Friday night at 5 p.m.


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