A New Jersey mayor berated a resident during a heated council meeting, telling her to “get a job” and asking whether she still lived in her parents’ basement.
Toms River Mayor Daniel Rodrick made the remarks after longtime resident Dana Tormollan accused him of including political material with residents’ tax bills on Oct. 19.
“I told you to stop sending me this crap,” Tormollan said as she approached the microphone during the public-comment portion of the Toms River Township Council meeting.
“I didn’t send you anything,” Rodrick replied. “Did you get a job yet, Dana?
“Are you still living in the basement at home?” the mayor asked sarcastically, prompting groans from the audience.
Tormollan attempted to answer, but Rodrick continued questioning her about where she lived while appearing to suppress his laughter.
“I live in my own house and pay my own bills, so back off, jackass, because you’re collecting benefits on these people’s backs. You’re a piece of crap. Shut up,” the angry resident shot back.
“Right, right—get a job,” Rodrick said, as Tormollan insisted that she already had one.
The confrontation soon spilled across the meeting room, with several attendees shouting over one another.
The broader dispute began after Council President David Ciccozzi urged Rodrick to stop “interrupting the public.”
Tormollan said she had received a letter from the mayor’s office in the mail that listed accomplishments Rodrick claimed to have achieved during his term.
“We had gotten our tax bills and his letter was in there, full of things that were not true,” Tormollan told NJ.com after the meeting. “I was going to go in and just say, ‘Stop wasting residents’ money by sending out your political nonsense.’”
During her public comment, Tormollan challenged the accuracy of the figures cited in the letter. Rodrick and an ally interrupted her and accused her of lying.
“It’s right here, you jackass,” Tormollan said, slamming the letter onto the desk in front of the mayor.
Tormollan said the exchange became especially heated because Rodrick had earlier “mocked older women” who spoke at the meeting.
“If he was speaking to my mother that way, I would not sit here…It’s really gross and extremely unprofessional,” Tormollan told the outlet.
At Tuesday’s meeting, the council voted 4-3 to pass a resolution of no confidence in Rodrick, citing his “reprehensible behavior, disruption of official proceedings and decorum violations.”
Rodrick survived a recall effort in February after opponents failed to collect enough signatures to force a recall election.
