TOMS RIVER – In the June 4 primary election, the only contested race in town is on the Republican side of the aisle.
A primary election determines whose name will be on the ballot in November. Republicans choose their person and Democrats choose theirs.
Toms River is split geographically into four wards, and each ward has one representative on the Township Council. This primary election is just for the 2nd ward, which includes much of the northeastern section of the town, from Greenbriar Woodlands to Green Island, and also some neighborhoods surrounding Ocean County College, Intermediate East and Silver Bay Elementary.
The winner of this contest will only serve for one year, and if they choose, will have to run again for re-election. This is considered an unexpired term. Daniel Rodrick was the councilman for this ward, but when he won the race for mayor last year, his spot on the council opened up.
On the Democrat side, Susan Payne Gato is running unopposed.
On the Republican side, this is a match between William R. Byrne and Kevin Geoghegan. Since this side is contested, The Toms River Times sent questions to these two candidates about their past employment and other topics. The answers are lightly edited for such things as spelling and punctuation. Direct attacks on opponents were taken out.
Kevin Geoghegan was the first to respond. He said “I am the Business Administrator of Silverton EMS, a non-profit ambulance service founded by my father and a few other Dover Township Police Officers in 1964. I am also a MICU Paramedic (certified for 39 years) working currently for RWJBarnabas Health. I retired from the Toms River Police Department after 26 years as a sergeant. In the late 1990s/early 2000s I was the proprietor of two 7-Eleven stores in Toms River.
“I served as a Fire Commissioner for Toms River Fire District #2 in 2014 and 2015. I have served six years on the Township Council. In 2016 and 2017 I represented Ward 2 in the seat I am currently seeking again. In 2020 through 2023, I served as an At-Large member of the council, 2 years as Council President.
“In addition to Silverton EMS, joining when I was 16 years old, I am a life member of the Silverton Volunteer Fire Company, having served two separate terms as Fire Chief. I have held numerous other positions in my 40 years serving this great organization to also include President. I am also honored to be a Trustee of the 200 Club of Ocean County. This is a group that recognizes all First Responders and heroic actions that they may have done during the year recognizing them at an annual awards dinner.
“The current council majority has very little experience and knowledge of Toms River municipal government. I hope to work cooperatively with the other council members, sharing the benefit of my knowledge and experience, as we return the council to its proper role of a legislative body and the check and balance for the administration,” he said. “My extensive community service and deep roots in Toms River make me the obvious best choice in this election. I appreciate my opponent’s willingness to serve and contribute. There are many other opportunities for service and I welcome his contributions.”
William Byrne is retired. “I spent my entire career in trucking. First, as a Teamster Truck Driver for Gulf Oil, where I worked my way up to the Lead Drive Instructor for the entire northeast.”
When asked what experience he has in public office, he replied “None, but I believe that is a good thing. People are tired of career politicians.
“I have served as the past president of Holiday City Silverton, where I continue to serve on the board as a Trustee,” he said.
“I believe my position on taxes and development is more in line with the voters of Toms River than that of the previous mayor and council. Residents were tired of their pro-development policies and big giveaways to developers. Particularly when they gave away a $3.5M waterfront property to a developer for just one dollar to build two apartment towers downtown. They also exempted the developer from school taxes for 30 years. I would never vote for a policy like that.
“I believe we need to put a stop to overdevelopment and continue to cut the wasteful spending that has been driving up our property taxes. I have the support of the Official Toms River Regular Republican Club and the Ocean County Regular Republican Organization. I also have the support of our new mayor, Dan Rodrick. Hopefully I can count on yours as well,” he said.
