TOMS RIVER – While most of the town is concerned with the presidential election, there’s another vote to be had on November 5 that might get lost in the shuffle.
Republican Bill Byrne and Democrat Zach Dougherty are competing for the Ward 2 council seat. The winner will only have a year on the Township Council, and will have to run next year if they want to keep the spot. This is because the Ward 2 council member was Daniel Rodrick, who stepped up from that seat when he won the mayor’s race last year.
Both candidates were given questions about their backgrounds and experience. They were also asked what the biggest problem facing the town was and what they will do to solve it. They were also asked if there’s anything new that they’d want to start in Toms River. The answers are provided below, gently edited for such things as spelling. Direct attacks on their opponent were removed.
Bill Byrne
“My name is Bill Byrne, and I am a candidate for the Toms River Council. My campaign is driven by a commitment to work alongside Mayor Rodrick in our community’s shared fight against overdevelopment, corruption, and wasteful spending – a concern that deeply resonates with the residents of Toms River.
“Overdevelopment is a critical issue threatening our quality of life and the character of our community. In the eight years prior to Mayor Rodrick’s election, nearly 3,000 units of housing were approved in North Dover, significantly transforming our community. This development spree did not consider the long-term impacts on taxes, the schools, traffic, or our infrastructure. Following this, the administration of Mo Hill shifted its focus towards downtown Toms River, envisioning a cityscape dominated by high-rise apartments. This radical shift towards urbanization was not in line with the desires of our residents, who were happy with the suburban character of our community.
“Mayor Rodrick has taken bold steps to counteract these plans, demonstrating his commitment to preserving our town’s character. He has taken action against the developers by putting Capodagli, the developer of the towers project in default and canceling the redevelopment agreement, which offered a 30-year property tax exemption and gave valuable waterfront property away for nothing. When Mayor Rodrick put a stop to that deal, he demonstrated his dedication to the fight against overdevelopment and his respect for the voices of our residents.
“As we continue this fight, I fully support Mayor Rodrick’s repeal of the downtown Redevelopment Plan, that allowed for the construction of apartments buildings up to 150 feet tall. Such developments would permanently alter the landscape and essence of Toms River, something our community stands firmly against.
“Our new mayor stabilized taxes too. Rodrick and his council team passed a 2024 budget with no municipal tax increase. He did so by cutting waste and eliminating millions in unnecessary positions. Residents in my senior communities like the one I live in have really felt the squeeze of inflation and higher property taxes and we are happy with what Mayor Rodrick is doing.
“The residents of Toms River have clearly voiced their support for Mayor Rodrick’s initiatives. Like them, I stand with the mayor in our shared goal to protect and enhance the quality of life in Toms River. This commitment to our town and its future generations is the cornerstone of my candidacy. As the election approaches, I urge our residents to consider the importance of electing council members dedicated to fighting overdevelopment, corruption, and wasteful spending. With your support, we can ensure Toms River remains a community we are all proud to call home. Thank you for considering my stance and the future of Toms River.”
Zach Dougherty
Zach Dougherty is an Administrative Staff Assistant with the League of Women Voters of New Jersey. “Due to the nonpartisan policy of LWV-NJ, I transitioned from my role as a community organizer and government affairs agent to an administrative position as a result of my partisan candidacy.”
“I have worked for both houses of the United States Congress and the New Jersey State Legislature. I also spearheaded the creation of the New Jersey Legislative Youth Council, an official government forum for the state’s youth to advise the legislature.
“I’m an Eagle Scout and assistant scoutmaster with Toms River Boy Scout Troop 59, as well as the assistant roundtable commissioner for the Northern Lights District of the Jersey Shore Boy Scout Council. I’m an educational mentor for Envision’s National Youth Leadership Forum and I volunteer as a local AP Government tutor. I previously worked as a student coordinator for the Toms River Police Department’s TR UNITED community outreach program. I’ve coached several Toms River High School PLE teams for Ocean County’s mock trial competitions. Additionally, I volunteered as a Big Brother with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ocean County.
“The biggest challenge facing Toms River Township today is ineffective and apathetic leadership. We are grappling with a crisis of political mismanagement that has resulted in alarming decisions compromising public safety, including the defunding of our police department, the closure of our animal shelter, and the termination of Silverton EMS. These actions not only jeopardize the well-being of our community but also demonstrate a troubling lack of accountability from our leaders. It’s disheartening to see council members, including the council president, voting without fully understanding the implications of their decisions.
“As a councilman, I am committed to changing this trajectory. I will prioritize public input, rely on data and expertise, and uphold my conscience in decision-making; I refuse to be a yes-man. By leveraging Kingdon’s policy streams model, I hope to drive impactful local legislation by identifying pressing community issues that resonate with residents and align with current public sentiment. Engaging stakeholders and experts, I will evaluate feasible policy solutions that address these issues while ensuring they fit within our unique political landscape.
“As the county seat and New Jersey’s eighth-largest municipality, we must take an aggressive approach to pressing local issues, such as food insecurity and the lack of services for homeless veterans who deserve our support. I hear the voices of a Toms River High School North student worried about inadequate resources to address the rising mental health crisis, a mom and small business owner anxious about the costs of maintaining her shop in Toms River, and a Greenbriar senior concerned about traffic congestion.
“I intend to foster a new culture of civic virtue in Toms River. Virtue, the idea that integrity and values matter in politics, often seems lost today. Bad actors get away with bad things in government because the local process is left to those who know the rules of the game. Why should we leave policy making to the same lawyers and insiders? I’m making it my mission to lead on the ideal of civic duty, where we don’t just talk about good government, we demand it.
“As a young elected official, I will utilize technology to create digital platforms for communication and feedback, ensuring that residents can easily access information and engage with their government. By hosting regular town halls in diverse locations and at various times, I will make it easier for everyone to participate in discussions about local issues. Additionally, I will simplify communication by using clear language, making sure that all residents understand policies and decisions that affect their lives. I represent a new generation defined not by age, but by a state of mind – creativity over complacency, empathy over enmity, and community over chaos.”
