TOMS RIVER – Development, taxes, cannabis, and even the integrity of the position…there was no shortage of issues discussed by the Township Council candidates.
There are three, four-year terms on the ballot. The leaders of the Republican and Democrat slates were asked to provide brief bios and up to 200 words about what each candidate wants to do if elected. Additionally, there are two write-in candidates, one from each party. They were also asked the same questions. There are no incumbents.
The answers are presented here in alphabetical order, gently edited for such things as grammar and flow.
Craig Coleman, Republican, is a retired superintendent of schools and principal that spent 40 years in education. He spent the last 20 years of his career as a principal for Ocean County Vocational Schools.
“Mr. Coleman is disturbed by the out of control multi-family construction. He believes apartments bring in too many new residents that won’t pay property taxes. Craig is deeply concerned about the impact overdevelopment is having on our schools and has pledged to end overdevelopment and restore fiscal discipline.”
Ruby Franco, Democrat, works in banking. “However, due to employer restrictions, I’m limited in what I can share about the specifics of my role. I believe my financial and educational background offers a much needed perspective in helping to manage Toms River.”
“I’ve never held public office before, but I view that as an advantage. Too often, we have only career politicians making decisions, which leads to detachment from the everyday struggles and aspirations of ordinary citizens. We need diverse voices in leadership roles, and I’m stepping up to provide one.”
“I’ve always been drawn to civic groups that advocate for marginalized communities and the welfare of animals. One such initiative that I’m proud of is my involvement with Friends in Action, where I participated in their Christmas toy drives.”
“Over the next four years, I hope to improve the connection between Toms River’s leadership and its residents. My main goal is to make our governance more transparent, accountable, and receptive to the needs of all residents, especially those who feel underrepresented or unheard. I also look to enhance financial prudence and champion policies that prioritize the welfare of our working-class citizens and marginalized communities.”
Rhetta Jackson-Fair, Democrat, is employed with Public Partnership as a caregiver. “I am contracted with Ending Homeless Program as a Shelter Coordinator. And I volunteer my services at True Vine Ministries as a Senior Pastor and Counselor. I also volunteer my services at True Vine Food Pantry as a Director.”
“I have experience in public office as a Site Coordinator at one out of three Ocean County Code Blue Shelters where we provide overnight shelter, food, clothes, and counseling services to those who are experiencing homelessness. I also have experience in public office on the Advisory Board for Fulfill’s Ocean & Monmouth Food Bank where we collectively decide on food distribution throughout every city in Ocean and Monmouth County.”
“I currently lead a church who donates household supplies, clothes, food, and appliances to the community.”
“I would like to bring more unity in the community of Toms River by supporting local police, supporting non-profit organizations, enhance small business, and by providing more low income housing.”
Tom Nivison, Republican, “is the owner of Silverton Farms, our last farm in town. He studied horticulture at Rutgers University.”
“When others sold their land off to developers, Nivison preserved his family farm. Nivison’s family is in town since the Revolutionary War. Tom’s fifth great-grandfather, John Nivison, fought beside Joshua Huddy when the British burned down the village of Toms River. Mr. Nivison opposes more apartments and has pledged to end overdevelopment.”
Lynn O’Toole, Republican, “is President of Holiday City Silverton, one of our largest senior communities. She is a retired entrepreneur who studied business at Berkeley College.”
“O’Toole is deeply concerned about increasing property taxes and the impact the property tax revaluation is having on her fellow senior citizens. O’Toole wants to cut wasteful spending in town hall and stop the tax hikes.”
Dana Tormollan, a Republican, is mounting a write-in campaign, which means voters will have to write in her name on the ballot for the council spot.
“I have been in childcare full time for about seven years now, and I also am a part time server in the summer months over at the beach.”
“I currently sit on the Zoning Board of Adjustments for the Township of Toms River. I have been there for almost two years now.”
“I am a member of the Toms River Education Foundation. Our only goal is to raise funds for the Toms River Regional School District, to help offset the costs of any extra-curricular programs. This includes sports, arts, music and wherever else we can help. I was a part of Toms River Wrestling Club for ten years. My last three years with the Club, I served as the vice president. I also served on the board for Toms River Lacrosse. I spend most of my Friday mornings at the Presbyterian Church of Toms River, where I along with other community members work with Fulfill to feed those who are suffering from food insecurities.”
“Interacting with residents is my biggest mission; residents need to become involved. I have learned so much over the past years attending meetings of the council, planning and zoning boards. Residents would become informed if they could access videos to all three meetings.”
“I would love to see abandoned storefronts become homes to small and corporate businesses. I would advocate for small business owners, because they bring charm and pride to Toms River.”
“I would support our first responders and schools.”
“I would meet with the leaders of our senior communities to hear their concerns.”
“I would strive to see BASF and the DEP be held responsible for their role in the Ciba Geigy catastrophe. Backroom deals at the cost of our residents is completely unacceptable.”
“I will continue to be a part of the Downtown redevelopment discussion; I have attended every meeting regarding it. I believe the number of residents who turned out regularly was the turning point of the changes made to the initial plans. The residents made the difference.”
“I will not make promises, but I will put my best effort into the job…Promises ARE JUST WORDS…Efforts SHOW HARD WORK AND DEDICATION.”
Michele Williams, Democrat, is a retired educator. “During the last 40 years I have served as a teacher, vice principal, Director of Religious Education, and principal in two schools. In June 2017 I retired from my position as Principal of St. Joseph Grade School, Toms River after 14 years.”
“In November 2017 I was elected to the Toms River Regional School Board and in 2020 I was re-elected to a second term. In 2019, following many town hall meetings and thus gaining the trust of our voters, the $147 million referendum was passed so today and into the future Toms River students will enjoy a modernized environment and infrastructure.”
“In both terms, I ran on a platform to increase social emotional learning and increased presence of school counselors. SEL programs have increased each year and in 2022, a school counselor is in residence in each of our 12 elementary schools and that still holds true today.”
“In five of my six years on the board, I have been the Chairperson of the Insurance and Benefits Committee, gleaning a great source of information and knowledge that will benefit council decision making in this area.”
She has been a board member of the Central Ocean Rotary of Toms River and Toms River Housing & Homeless Coalition, and a former board member of Ocean’s Harbor House. She has also helped Communities that Care, Youth Involvement, RWJ Barnabas Institute for Prevention & Recovery, and Habitat for Humanity.
When asked what she wants to do during her four years on council, she said:
- “First and foremost, restore faith and trust in our Council by engaging with the community, listening to residents, and respecting the will of the voters in our decision making.
- Stabilize tax increases by implementing some or all the recommendations contained in the Township’s 2020 Efficiency Study which cost taxpayers $150,000. This is to be accomplished by an ad hoc committee of councilpersons and concerned citizens who will review and report their final recommendations during a council meeting presentation.
- Increase township revenue by revisiting the former committee recommendations on the cannabis issue, keeping in mind that 64% of Toms River voted YES on recreational cannabis.
- Support our school district’s superintendent and board by advocating and developing productive relationships with representatives in Trenton to restore school funding to our district.
- Notify residents of confirmed neighborhood well water contamination where wells are the primary source of water consumption to increase awareness and motivate residents to have their wells tested and to provide township assistance to residents to the state funded mitigation process.
- Promote big brand stores to occupy vacant commercial properties by reaching out to the corporate offices, making connections, creating relationships, and not taking ‘NO’ for an answer…being persistent!”
Paul Williams, Democrat, is running a write-in campaign. That means voters would have to write in his name on the ballot for the council position. He is not related to Michele Williams.
“I am self-employed and operate both ‘pcwImages,’ a photography and videography company, and ‘pcwMusic,’ a DJ Music service. I also work freelance as a paralegal for numerous attorneys and law firms that temporarily need my assistance with a particular matter.”
“I have never been a public employee, but I am currently serving my second consecutive four-year term as a publicly elected county committee member.”
“I have been the founder and president of Project HEURISTIC, a NJ non-profit corporation, since 2012 and have endeavored to reduce criminal recidivism and crime generally by assisting formerly incarcerated men and women to successfully transition from jail and prison to the community. With adequate, effective, and meaningful housing, food, and clothing being a fundamental necessity toward making a successful transition to the community, I have been constrained by the lack of funding, no public funding in fact, to almost only being able to provide information, referrals, and non-attorney advocacy for the formerly incarcerated and also their families who often do not know many options for how to best assist their loved one. To be as credible of a messenger as possible, I have been transparent and forthright about myself and my own criminal history to be a living testament of the saying that ‘we are not the sum of our mistakes’ and that, notwithstanding mistakes and even outright wrongdoing, we can do and be better … for not only ourselves but also our family and community.”
“I have also volunteered thousands of hours with numerous other non-profit organizations and community groups. I have donated hundreds, if not thousands, of hours of my photo and video services to numerous non-profit organizations and community groups within Toms River and even beyond; including the annual Halloween Parade by the Toms River Fire Department, the Downtown Business Improvement District, the annual Toms River PBA Vest a Cop fundraiser, DJ’s United, Ma Deuce Deuce, St Patrick’s Day Parade, Just Believe, etc… I have also done many hours of paid work for may non-profit organizations. Whether volunteer or paid work, I have made it a point to become very familiar with each organization and the value their work is to our community.”
If elected, he said he “will be what is desperately needed … a council member who is present and also transparent, forthright, and accountable to the people; who is not going to be dictated by partisan political interests or anything other than the best interests of Toms River; who has the intellectual capacity to carefully consider matters that come before the council and a healthy sense of skepticism for things that come from people who have a vested interest in the outcome; who will not only work cooperatively with the powers that be but will also speak truth to power on behalf of the people of Toms River.
“This, of course, is not ‘issue specific’ and it is intentional. It would be disingenuous of me to speak to any specific issue based on the question without being clear and certain of what my fundamental decision making will be dictated by … no matter what issue may be that comes before the council.”
“Lastly, I will, as I have been for many years, remain accessible to the general public, not only the perceived ‘elite’ and affluent, and will go even further to host and participate in ‘town hall’ style meetings throughout Toms River.”
