PAUL C. WILLIAMS

for Toms River Council

COMMUNICATION AND

ENGAGING WITH THE

COMMUNITY

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

As a Council member, Paul fully intends to promote and host regular, informal, town hall style meetings with any and all interested and concerned members of the community. Perhaps unlike any Council member ever before, Paul would actively encourage engagement with the public. He firmly believes that elected Council members benefit greatly from encouraging and hosting town hall-style meetings with community members. Such meetings would tend to foster transparency, accountability, and civic engagement.

Key benefits appear to include:

1. Improved Communication: Town halls provide a direct line of communication between officials and residents, allowing for open dialogue and the exchange of ideas.

2. Community Input: Residents can voice concerns, share feedback, and suggest solutions; ensuring policies reflect the needs and priorities of the community.

3. Increased Trust: Regular interaction builds trust and demonstrates that elected officials are accessible and responsive to their constituents.

4. Collaborative Problem-Solving: Town halls encourage collective brainstorming and problem-solving; leading to more effective and inclusive decision-making.

5. Civic Engagement: These meetings empower residents to participate in local governance; fostering a sense of ownership and responsibility for their community.

Overall, town hall 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 want to serve the people of this town versus serve the special interests of those with power, influence, and money.

TRANSPARENCY AND

ACCOUNTABILITY

Transparency and accountability is essential for our elected public officials, because it serves to build public trust, ensure ethical governance, and empower residents to make informed decisions. By being open about decision-making, finances, and policies, officials demonstrate integrity, foster community engagement, and uphold the principle that government serves the people.

The need for greater transparency and accountability from our Mayor and Council has, unfortunately, been brightly highlighted since January of 2024. As a member of the public and if elected as a Councilman, Paul would urge and insist upon much greater transparency and accountability to the people by our local government. Personally, he commits to be completely transparent and accountable to the public on any and all things relevant to his role as a Council member.

PUBLIC SAFETY

Public safety must always be among the most paramount of a governing body's considerations. Our various career and professional first responders, including our police department officers, volunteer firefighters, and emergency medical personnel are invaluable assets to our community's public safety.

Unfortunately and since January of 2024, public safety considerations appear to have continuously eluded a majority of our Council members.

Within 3 weeks of our Mayor and new majority of Council members being sworn in last year, our police department, one of the best in the State, was put clearly within the cross-hairs of our Mayor for adverse and detrimental actions and a majority of the Council abdicated their responsibility and simply approved of it.

Emboldened, the Mayor also retaliated against and terminated the employment of the Department's media specialist (public information officer) who had abundantly proven to be an invaluable asset to not only the Department but also to the public and media and also to the Police Foundation.

As well, the Mayor also terminated the ability of the Police Department to dispatch the Silverton First Aid squad to any emergency; claiming "financial irregularities" and insinuating, if not outright claiming, criminality. Through time, this has shown to be completely unsubstantiated and detrimental to vulnerable members of our community and also motivated by pure malice and vindictiveness. In fact and despite referring the matter to appropriate law enforcement agencies, there has been no criminal charges and, through a lawsuit the Mayor caused to be brought against the Silverton First Aid squad, the most there may be is some civil dispute and absolutely nothing that justifies the action of not allowing the Silverton First Aid squad to be dispatched to the people of our community who need emergency medical assistance.

Additionally, the Mayor also forced the retirement of the Chief of Police who had been a member of the Department for 38 years, with an unblemished record, and that, along with the Public Information Officer, was responsible for helping Paul to not only overcome tremendous skepticism of our police department but to also grow to have such an extraordinary appreciation for the department that Paul regularly donates to and supports some endeavors of the Police Foundation and generally supports the men and women of the Police Department.

As a Council member, there is nothing Paul can do to change what has been done but he would seek to enhance public safety through increased community engagement and encouraging both the public and the Council to insist on much greater transparency and accountability from the Mayor on all matters but particularly those that could impact our invaluable first responders.

HOMELESSNESS

The issue and problem of homelessness within Toms River is one that Paul is all too familiar with personally; having been homeless and completely destitute multiples of times in his own life, particularly including his teenage years, and it having been perhaps the singular-most impetus for the beginning of his very young adult life heading down a destructive path that took him many years to get off of. Certainly, he is extremely empathetic to those experiencing homelessness. However, he is also empathetic to the quality of life concerns of the residents and business owners of our community; particularly in the downtown area. He understands that there has been and continues to be a need for careful balancing of the often competing interests.

Addressing this issue and considering the vast intricacies of it is not easy and there are no simple answers. It is also frustrated by those who, many operating behind the guise of religion, often purport to be benevolently concerned about and interested in assisting those who are homeless. Those who frustrate the ability to address this issue are either heads of, or are subordinate to those heads, who have made a career or simply their primary source of income from this issue ... its about money and little, to nothing, about genuinely helping the homeless.

In the interests of those experiencing homelessness and the members of our community concerned with the quality of life within their immediate purview, Paul has a plan that he believes is a viable option and strikes a fair balance of the competing interests. Whether he is elected or not, he intends to spread the word about his plan and encourage all who are interested and concerned to be a part of the discussion and decision-making about it.

DOWNTOWN

ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT

Our Downtown Toms River business district has been a personal point of interest and concern for Paul for many years. So much so that, for nearly ten (10) years now, he has dedicated himself to countless amounts of time, energy, and resources to volunteer to promote and spread the word about the great things that go on in the downtown area that are off the beaten track and do not have the benefit of being on a major roadway or located near popular destinations.

The area had long ago been recognized as being in need of economic revitalization and years and years of dedicated work was performed to establish and hone plans to fulfill that need. Great progress had been had and much more was still to come.

The plan included some redevelopment, particularly the construction of what Paul refers to as a "monstrosity" of a building and which he and some other members of the community have consistently and adamantly opposed. The plan also provided for restrictions on the types of businesses that could be constructed and operated in the area. He supported those restrictions.

One thing about the term "redevelopment plan" that appears to have been greatly misunderstood is that it does not only mean "building" but also restricting what can be "built" and even operated. The parts of the redevelopment plan that restricted what can be built and operated was invaluable to the plan and its intent to revitalize the downtown area.

Recently, a majority of the Council, at the insistence of the Mayor, simply and inexplicably rescinded all redevelopment plans for the downtown business and waterfront areas. Even more disturbing about this is that it was done without any alternative plan in place. This was, by Paul’s estimation, absolutely reckless and irresponsible.

As a Council member, Paul would seek to restore the plans, perhaps amend parts of them if appropriate, and get the downtown area back on track for the economic revitalization it desperately needs.

TOWNSHIP-WIDE

ECONOMIC

DEVELOPMENT

Paul is no economist by any stretch of the imagination but it is not necessary to know and understand that economic development throughout our Township is needed.

Paul does not yet have a solid plan for enhancing the economic development throughout our community but it has been on his radar for many years and he would like to be a part of our Council that reviews it and takes the necessary next steps.

QUALITY OF LIFE AND

CODE ENFORCEMENT

More than usual, Paul has been seeing and hearing the concerns of people throughout Toms River regarding many detrimental quality of life issues that would typically be within the purview of our Code Enforcement officials. He does not know and understand enough of the facts and circumstances at this time but he does understand that there appears to be a problem and the importance of Code Enforcement in addressing it.

Our Code Enforcement Officers play a crucial role in maintaining and improving the quality of life for residents by ensuring compliance with local ordinances and regulations. Their responsibilities typically include:

1. Property Maintenance: Ensuring properties are well-maintained, addressing issues like overgrown lawns, abandoned vehicles, and unsafe structures.

2. Zoning Compliance: Enforcing zoning laws to ensure properties are used appropriately (e.g., residential vs. commercial).

3. Health and Safety: Addressing concerns like illegal dumping, pest infestations, or unsafe building conditions.

4. Noise and Nuisance: Responding to complaints about excessive noise, littering, or other disturbances.

5. Business Regulations: Ensuring businesses comply with local codes, such as signage, parking, and operating hours.

By addressing these issues, Code Enforcement officers help maintain a clean, safe, and orderly community, directly impacting residents' quality of life.

As a Council member, Paul will be available and promptly responsive to all quality of life concerns of his fellow community members and will seek to ensure that our Code Enforcement officials are promptly and appropriately responding as well.

CANNABIS

Although Paul has not been one to regularly indulge in the consumption of cannabis during his life, he has long viewed its prohibition similar to that of the era of alcohol prohibition and watched carefully when, in 2020, New Jerseyans were considering and ultimately, resoundingly, approved a Constitutional amendment to legalize cannabis. In Toms River alone, approximately 63% of the voters voted "yes." Notwithstanding the clear will of the people, the Council passed an Ordinance that established a blanket prohibition against all classes of cannabis establishments, cannabis distributors, and cannabis delivery services. Additionally, the Council has also deprived our Municipality of the tremendous tax revenue benefits that would have existed by allowing cannabis establishments to operate.

As a Council member, Paul would support rescinding, or at least amending, the ordinance and insist on a considerable amount of any revenue being dedicated to supplementing the budget of our regional school Board of Education.

THE COUNCIL'S ROLE IN

PROVIDING CHECKS AND

BALANCES OVER THE

MAYOR

Under our form of government, the mayor and council operate under a system of checks and balances but, since January of 2024, it has become very evident that a majority of the Council has been abdicating its responsibility and completely deferential to the Mayor.

While the Mayor has executive authority, the Council can limit that authority through legislative actions, budgetary control, and oversight.

The Council cannot directly interfere with the Mayor's executive functions but can influence policy and administration through legislation and budgetary decisions.

As a Council member, Paul will urge the Council to restore itself completely as a viable means of providing the much needed checks and balances over the Mayor and his administration.

VISION &
PRIORITIES

"A society grows great when old men plant trees in whose shade they know they shall never sit."

This is considered a Greek proverb, signifying that a community thrives when people contribute to the future even if they won't directly benefit from it.

In many, if not nearly all, of the volunteer contributions that Paul C. Williams has made to our community, and continues to make, he does so as if with that Greek proverb in mind. Except for a few occasions, he has not received any compensation or even acknowledgement for all he does and yet he continues anyway, because he does what he does for the genuinely altruistic purpose of trying to help our community thrive.

His altruistic purpose includes his interest in being elected to serve on the Toms River Township Council … a position that, frankly, does not pay much at all. Paul C. Williams wants to see a change where we have at least a Council member, if not all of them, that is truly interested in planting trees in whose shade they know that they shall never sit … being much more about people over politics, being committed to the oath of office they swore, being accessible and responsive to the public, being transparent and accountable to the people, and encourages public engagement with the governing body.

Help him be the change he wants to see. This is not about him and what is, or even may be, in it for himself or his political allies, cronies or anyone other than the community of Toms River.

ABOUT
PAUL C. WILLIAMS

There is much to know and understand to sufficiently be able to discern whether to vote for Paul C. Williams, as there should be where anyone is seeking the vote of people who may not have ever heard of them. Paul believes that any and every candidate for election to public office should actually be required to actively engage with the voters, be open and transparent about anything relevant to their ability and willingness to uphold the oath of office that they will swear to and to fulfill the responsibility of the office they may be elected to, and that any candidate, whether an incumbent or not, who does not do this or has not done this should be viewed with great skepticism.

Leading by example, Paul is committed to transparency — even when it means sharing some deeply personal aspects of his life. Indeed, he welcomes open dialogue and encourages residents to engage with him, especially in town hall-style meetings that he looks forward to holding with the members of the community and where they can meet him, ask questions, express concerns, and truly get to know the person they may elect to serve them. His goal is not just to simply earn votes, but to foster a stronger, more personal, engaged and informed community.

Paul C. Williams is a lifelong resident of Toms River, born in Jersey City and having been moved throughout Ocean County, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania during his youth — always returning "home" to Toms River. Engaged in local and county politics since 2016, Paul has consistently grown increasingly frustrated with the political leadership in Toms River and throughout Ocean County, convinced that both the Republican and Democratic party elites prioritize personal influence, power, and financial gain over genuine public service and unabashedly perpetuate division among the people and use, manipulate, and mislead people to maintain their elitism.

Despite currently being a second term elected member of the Ocean County Democratic Committee since 2018, Paul is a no non-sense character when it comes to politics, government, and our community, has remained fiercely independent, frequently challenging party leadership on their lack of transparency, accountability, and the failure to serve the people effectively. His candidacy for Township Council is a bold step toward breaking through deeply entrenched political cronyism and advocating for a government that is truly transparent, forthright, and accountable to the people.

His presence and participation in Council meetings as a member of the public, particularly throughout the past year, has garnered him quite a reputation in several respects ... he has demonstrated his courage to speak truth to power and protest against our Mayor and Council that itself is chaotic, disruptive, disrespectful, and suppressive of the public's actual right to be present and participate in the meetings. When the Mayor resorted to having the livestream videos of the meeting removed from upon the conclusion of the meetings, Paul resorted to pulling the videos before they were removed and posting them on his YouTube channel. Paul has also resorted to using his own resources to video record every Council meeting and document the disparate treatment that the Mayor and Council receive, versus the members of the public, and has been contemplating the preparation of a federal lawsuit with a motion for a federal injunctive order.

Paul’s professional experience spans through legal advocacy, nonprofit leadership, and media work. As a freelance legal assistant, he has worked with various attorneys and law firms throughout New Jersey for many years, handling complex legal matters, including civil rights cases and criminal defense. He was only 17 years old when passed an Introduction to Paralegal Functions course and then successfully filed and won his first motion with the Court when he was 18. He has also had his analysis’ of Court appellate opinions published, has successfully represented himself in multiple legal battles, including a high-profile employment discrimination lawsuit against former NJ Governor James E. McGreevey and others, and also an ongoing 7 year old federal civil rights case.

Passionate about criminal justice, Paul is the founder and president of Project HEURISTIC, a nonprofit he established in 2012 to assist formerly incarcerated individuals to successfully reenter into communities. Through this initiative, he provides information, referrals, and non-attorney advocacy for those navigating the criminal justice system and returning to the community from incarceration, as well as support for their families, and does so without receiving any compensation. In this vein, he has also volunteered for several years to guest lecture for a now recently retired Police Chief’s sociology and criminal justice classes at a local university (Chief is also an adjunct professor); providing invaluable insight to future criminal justice professionals about our criminal justice system, recidivism, and prisoner reentry.

Additionally, Paul is the owner of pcwImages, a photography and videography company, and has been as an independent press photographer since 2017, credentialed by the New Jersey Press Association which provides its credentials on behalf of the New Jersey State Police and the New Jersey State Association of Police Chiefs, and mostly assigned to breaking news events. He also has volunteered his time and resources for many years to capture and share images of local events, including our annual Halloween parade and summer weekends Downtown Nights Out, to promote these events and underscoring his long-standing and deep commitment to support our community.

Often, Paul is chided by his friends and acquaintances for the often abundant amount and frequency of his generous contributions, if not outright volunteerism, of his time, energy, skills and resources to supporting our community events and businesses but he continues because he is motivated by a persistent feeling and personal desire to redeem himself, be an inspiring example, and to establish a genuine legacy that his daughter can hopefully, one day, be proud of him for. This relates to the inescapable facts that political adversaries particularly, and also others, have and will certainly continue to attempt to use his past to discredit him. He was, perhaps being most kindly described, “a menace to society” in his younger years, has a significant and extensive criminal history (most serious of which consists of 3 armed robberies by the time he was 21 years old) and has served an substantial amount of time incarcerated.

He readily acknowledges his history and will sit down with almost anyone to talk opening and candidly about it but he also refuses to be defined by it and encourages those who do not know him to at least pause, lean in, and get to know him personally before defining and condemning him by it. He embraces his mostly excruciating journey from his innocent and vulnerable childhood which, although not much of a religious person, he does believe has been guided with a lot of divine intervention and he has endeavored for many years to live as a testament of redemption, resilience, and the fact that people can be much more than the sum of their worst mistakes.

For some historical perspective: Paul was born to a woman with her own personal issues, without a present father or any other family, and was given up for adoption upon birth. He was returned to his mother, when she changed her mind several months later. Throughout his childhood, he was subjected to regular and severe physical and emotional abuse until his mother abandoned him to the State when he was 9 years old. He was then “raised” throughout an innumerable amount of foster homes, residential schools, and detention facilities, until he became a chronological adult.

There is a lot of psychology in all that but, clearly, Paul’s early life was marked by abuse, instability, hardship, and a lack of healthy nurturing. Since then and not by virtue of any design, but through various and extensive means over many years, he has developed a firm understanding of his childhood circumstances and its impact on him as he entered adulthood but not before he made many many mistakes as an adult.

As a teen, he was attracted to the distinction of the United States Marine Corps and aspired to enlist when he became an adult. Within 2 weeks of being released from a juvenile facility as an adult, he was arrested for possession of stolen property … a vehicle he had stolen and was living in. Released on bail two weeks after his arrest and any chance of military enlistment no longer being an option, a omnipresent circumstance of being homeless, destitute, and without any guidance, support, and resources, substantially contributed to his essential “life of crime.”

Released in 2011, Paul has consistently operated with a mantra of “be patient and focused” and a resolve to not let anxiety and depression over what he does not have, what he has not accomplished, whatever his situation may be, etc… overwhelm him. For the first seven days after his release, he was homeless and destitute, and he slept on benches in the downtown area and couch-surfed until finally being granted emergency housing assistance from the County Board of Social Services.

Since then and despite some mistakes and also some people maliciously attempting to use and manipulate his past to weaponize police against him, through exaggeration if not fabrication, in personal and political conflicts, he has not even considered resorting back to engaging in criminal behavior … he knows that he has actually earned the respect and trust of many people in this community, and also throughout the State, as a principled and honest individual when it comes to matters of our local politics, government, and community and he truly dreads the possibility of ever losing that on account of his resorting to criminal behavior.

He thoroughly understands the role of a council member. Among other things, it is to legislate, approve and oversee local government operations, and serve as a check on executive power. As a member of the community, he regards that responsibility as very serious and he pledges, if elected, to fulfill that responsibility, to consider the voice of the people, to work in bipartisan spirit and make decisions based on facts and integrity.

Paul C. Williams is not the sum of his worst mistakes — he is the sum of his determination, resilience, and unwavering commitment to his own personal growth and to our community.

THE BEST WAY TO PREDICT THE FUTURE IS TO CREATE IT

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