Fuhgeddabout keeping it civil.
A New Jersey shore town meeting exploded into a verbal smackdown fit for reality TV with council members calling the mayor a “a big piece of s—t” and a “despicable sociopath” as he hurled back wild insults.
The heated bi-monthly meeting in Toms River devolved into a four-and-a-half-hour, profanity-laced screamfest last week as Mayor Daniel Rodrick clashed with critics over an affordable housing plan, according to NJ.com.
“This is such a s—t show,” Rodrick said, at one point, of the chaotic meeting.
“After you made it a s—t show, Dan!” Councilman Clinton Bradley shot back, red-faced. “Because you’re a big piece of s—t.”
Rodrick repeatedly interrupted and talked over his critics during the meeting, tossing in disses like “clown,” “coward” and “crazy lunatic,” and declaring that they’d face political repercussions.
Councilman Thomas Nivison then bashed the mayor as a “despicable sociopath” as residents walked up to the microphone out of turn to loudly tell Rodrick to “shut up.”
“Shut the f–k up!” said Paul Williams, a local activist, prompting applause. “Shut up. Shut up!”
The only-in-Jersey local government dust-up came as a March 15 zoning deadline for an affordable housing plan approached and council members disagreed with the mayor about the project.
Toms River’s government has been plagued in recent months by infighting and acrimony, though Rodrick and all seven council members are Republicans in the GOP stronghold of Ocean County.
Long-simmering political rivalries and big egos have sometimes made it hard to get things done in the town of about 99,000, NJ.com has reported.
“We’re the laughing stock of the state of New Jersey,” said Council President David Ciccozzi, who chaired the marathon meeting. “If there’s anywhere I go, they’re like, ‘Oh my God, how do you do it?’”
The council ultimately failed to pass two of the three ordinances proposed by Rodrick, deadlocking on zoning changes that would allow multifamily developments near Routes 70 and 9.
“We’re the laughing stock of the state of New Jersey,” said Council President David Ciccozzi, who chaired the marathon meeting. “If there’s anywhere I go, they’re like, ‘Oh my God, how do you do it?’”