TheTOMS RIVER Times Vol. 19 - No. 35
In This Week’s Edition
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Government Page 9
Community News Pages 10-15
Dr. Izzy’s Sound News Page 18
Inside The Law Page 27
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New Mayor, New Direction For Toms River
Photo by Chris Lundy Senator John Bramnick swears Mayor Daniel Rodrick into office. By Chris Lundy TOMS RIVER – A new year, a new mayor, and (soon-to-be) four new council members marked a new direction for the town, the results of a tumultuous election last year. Councilman Daniel Rodrick was sworn in as mayor during the January 1 reorganization meeting, and his running mates joined the council: Craig Coleman, Tom Nivison, and Lynn O’Toole. Rodrick becoming mayor left a vacancy on the council,
and his replacement will be named shortly. After being sworn in, Rodrick thanked his running mates, family, and said he was “humbled by the support we received.” Before November’s general election, he won the Republican primary in June, besting three other candidates, showing a GOP that was fractured. “It’s time to bring everyone together in Toms River,” he said. He then said that his tenure will be different from his predecessor’s, where there was “eight years of the
township rolling out the red carpet for developers.” On that note, he was appointing six new Planning Board members, replacing those who voted in favor of the downtown apartment plan. The council also introduced a new ordinance that would rescind an inspection needed for a certificate of occupancy and another ordinance that changed the Public Works chain of command. “By tomorrow, half a million dollars a year in political jobs” will be gone, he said. “Just wait until you see what we do in the first 100 days.” Coleman, who was chosen to be the council president, was previously a principal at the Ocean County Vocational-Technical School. He said that his team will be looking at further ways to cut taxes and make government more efficient. He also expressed a desire to make the Toms River waterfront a destination, a (Rodrick - See Page 4)
January 6, 2024
Former Mayor Strada Remembered By Chris Lundy TOMS R I V ER – Ret i red coach and teacher Richard P. Strada, who served as mayor and com mit teeman, passed away on December 30 at the age of 80. According to his obituary, St rada taught in the social sciences department at Ocean Count y College, begin ning in 1968. He retired as Vice President of Academic Affairs in 2014. He coached men’s ice hockey, women’s softball, and women’s soccer at the collegiate level and additionally coached ice hockey and soccer at Toms River High School East. He was inducted into the Toms River Schools Hall of Fame in 2006. As an elected off icial, he se r ve d on t he Tom s R ive r Township Committee and as mayor. “One of his proudest accomplishments as mayor was helping to build the Winding River Skating Center in Toms River in 1978,” his obituary stated. In retirement, he enjoyed golfing, gardening, baking with the grandkids and attending their
games. He is survived by brothers Albert and Robert, children Phillip and Michael (Terese), grandchildren Dominic (Lindsay), Meredith, Gianna, Caroline, and Madeline, and great-grandchild Isabella. He also left behind dear friend Janet Hubbs and daughter Whitney Dionne. Strada had a fondness for cats and donated generously to rescues and shelters, and also leaves behind Daisy and Gatsby. Former Mayor Paul Brush gave his condolences on social media on behalf of himself and his wife Joanne, “He was a great friend who was always there to help. He was my first running mate in 1981 and the rest is history. He did so much for Toms River and OCC as mayor, coach, professor among other accomplishments. He loved sports, especially hockey which he coached locally and at OCC. His accomplishments stretch far and wide. We are deeply sorry and will miss him much.” The family asked that donations be made in his name to either the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society or Calling All Cats Rescues in Toms River.
Officers To Train At Newly Bought Shooting Range
Photo by Stephanie Faughnan Ocean County’s Acquisition of Shooters will make it easier for law enforcement officers to qualify.
By Stephanie Faughnan LITTLE EGG HARBOR - Weeks before the ink dried on the ordinance approving its purchase, whispers of Ocean County’s intentions to acquire Shooters Sporting Center on Route 539 had already begun to ripple through the local community. The news brought in a steady stream of patrons to the facility as 2023 came to an end. The air buzzed with the rhythmic crackle of gunfire
and the scent of gunpowder. While some braced themselves for their final rounds on the firing range, others milled about the retail store. Four of the five Ocean County Commissioners voted to approve the $10.5 million purchase of Shooters as a dedicated training facility for local law enforcement agencies on December 20, 2023. Commissioner Jack Kelly, though supportive, recused himself from the vote because
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of a past business tie with Shooters’ Managing Director, Tom Gormley. To finance the acquisition, the ordinance passed by the commissioners also authorized the issuance of $9.9 million in bonds or bond anticipation notes. With the purchase agreement and funding secured, authorities expect the deal to be finalized by the end of January 2024. This paves the way for the transformation of Shooters into a state-of-the-art law
enforcement training facility. “For the past ten years since I took office, finding a range for our officers to qualify has been a constant struggle,” said Ocean County Sheriff Michael Mastronardy. “The lack of one has cost us in both money and efficiency.” Several challenges plagued the search for a suitable law enforcement training range. Finding land (Range - See Page 4)
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