Toms River Township Council Ward 4 Election: Paul C. Williams

TOMS RIVER, NJ — Patch is publishing profiles of local candidates in the 2025 election, set for Tuesday, Nov. 4.

In Toms River, voters will be casting ballots in four wards for seats on the Township Council. The council seats are four-year terms.

In Ward 1, Republican Robert Bianchini is facing Democrat Anthony Colucci. In Ward 2, Republican Clinton Bradley is facing Democrat Susan Payne Gato. In Ward 3, Republican Harry Aber is alone on the ballot as there is no Democratic nominee. Republican Jim Quinlisk, the incumbent, is running a write-in campaign. In Ward 4, Republican David Ciccozzi is facing Democrat Justin Moran. Democrat Paul C. Williams is running a write-in campaign.

The candidates were sent the same set of questions in mid-October. Here are the answers from Paul C. Williams.

Name: Paul C. Williams

Age: 55

Family: Unmarried and a father to a 21-year-old daughter.

Education: Some College

Occupation: Freelance Legal Assistant and Self-Employed Photographer/Videographer/DJ

Overdevelopment has been the hot button discussion for years. In August, the Fair Share Housing Center filed an objection to Toms River’s announced plan to meet affordable housing numbers for the fourth round. How do you suggest Toms River respond?

As a fundamental matter, it is important to know and understand something, if not as much as possible, about this “affordable housing” matter. Succinctly said, New Jersey state law, known as the “New Jersey Fair Share Housing Act of 1985” and along with the 1975 judicial precedent known as the “Mount Laurel doctrine,” requires municipalities to use their zoning powers to actively facilitate the creation of a "fair share" of affordable housing to meet the needs of their region; factoring in things like job growth and vacant land.

Against that backdrop, it is my understanding that Toms River has devised and presented a plan to meet its fair share obligation which the State Department of Community Affairs has set at over 600 housing units. To meet its obligation, Toms River intends to extend deed restrictions on 470 units and that will keep them as affordable housing for 20 more years. Toms River also says the town is entitled to a 275-unit credit from its third-round obligations, based on what it says is a court ruling that caps Toms River's third-round number at 1,000, while the town provided 1,275 units; resulting in an obligation to create zero new housing development. Two developers and a non-profit known as the Fair Share Housing Center, an advocacy organization that uses legal, policy, and community-building strategies to fight for housing justice in New Jersey and beyond, have filed objections to Toms River’s plan and the matter is currently negotiated. I would suggest that Toms River vigorously continue to attempt to reduce development while also being reasonable and making compromise that may be necessary.

The issue of homelessness in Ocean County is not going away. Rising rent costs combined with scarce availability have pushed even moderate-income residents to the brink and in some cases left them homeless. What role should Toms River have in assisting those in need?

Having been homeless and destitute as a teenager and young adult several times, the issue of homelessness and those contending with it is very close to me. My personal experiences with homelessness and also assisting those contending with it aside, I am very cautious about assigning any role of responsibility onto a municipality and its taxpayers. Nevertheless, I have contemplated that a homeless advocate position should be established within the Township and the County administrations, to assist those who are homeless or facing homelessness to identify options and facilitate the use of any options that may be viable. Also, I have repeatedly urged the Council and Mayor to establish a bona fide Land Use Committee that can carefully examine our Zoning Map and locate appropriate non-residential locations where a relatively small homeless shelter may be built/operated to accommodate Toms River residents who need housing assistance if other options are not available.

What is the issue facing Toms River that you believe is the most pressing and how would you approach solving it?

The most pressing issue facing our town is a reckless Mayor and a complicit majority of Council members, whose actions have undermined the stability of our local government and the quality of essential services and also threatens the public safety and quality of life throughout our community. Since taking office in January of 2024, they have attacked our Police Department, Animal Shelter, Code Enforcement, and the Silverton First Aid Squad to mention a few — with misleading and unjustified reasoning – and disregarded the realistic and detrimental implications of their actions for the immediate and long-term future.

My “plan” to address this issue is to use my stature as a Councilperson to raise public awareness, promote understanding of local issues, and encourage greater public participation. This is also something new that I want to do for our community that is not currently being done.

If elected, I will promote and host regular, informal, townhall style meetings with any and all interested and concerned members of the community. Unlike any Council member ever before, I would actively encourage engagement with the public. I firmly believe that Council members will benefit from encouraging and hosting townhall-style meetings with members of the community. These meetings will promote transparency, accountability, and civic unity. Key benefits include:

1. Improved Communication: Direct dialogue fosters mutual understanding and informed decision-making.
2. Community Input: Residents can voice concerns and influence policies that reflect real needs.
3. Increased Trust: Regular interaction shows officials are accessible and responsive.
4. Collaborative Problem-Solving: Collective brainstorming produces better solutions.
5. Civic Engagement: Public involvement cultivates shared responsibility and pride in our community.

Overall, townhall-style meetings have the very real potential to strengthen democracy by creating a more informed, engaged, and connected community. They also have the very real potential of revealing the true character and intent of people who purport to serve the people of this town versus serve the special interests of those with power, influence, and money.

I want people to see that my goal is to truly serve the people and not partisan political party bosses — while also motivating my Council colleagues to be more transparent and responsible to the public. Only through genuine dialogue can we move beyond empty political rhetoric and the divisiveness that paralyzes progress.

Throughout the past two township administrations, I have noticed that the governing bodies do not truly listen to their constituents and, in the past year, have also noticed what appears to be an increase in efforts to limit, if not completely suppress, communication between the public and the elected and appointed officials. Rightfully, this has increased frustration and distrust from members of the public. On more than one occasion, I have addressed my concern about this to the Council; reminding them of a very poignant quote by the late Martin Luther King, Jr: "A riot is the voice of the unheard."