Frazier, Radio Host Debate Toms River Schools Vote On Twitter

TOMS RIVER, NJ — Anyone who has spent 5 minutes talking to Todd Frazier knows how much the Major League Baseball star from Toms River loves his hometown. The New York Mets third baseman has popped up at a variety of events offering his support for all kinds of projects, from anti-drug and anti-bullying forums run by the Ocean County prosecutor's office to fundraisers for various groups.

So it was no surprise when Frazier, a Toms River South graduate, showed up at a Toms River Regional Board of Education meeting on Jan. 16 and threw his support behind the district's request for $147 million bond package of projects for repairs and upgrades across the district. That package was approved on Tuesday, with 7,513 voters saying yes, to 5,383 no votes, with a total of 12.896 ballots cast out of more than 75,000 voters.

On Wednesday morning, those angry that the package had been approved were voicing their disapproval, criticizing everything from the scheduling of the vote in January to the voters who said yes.

Frazier didn't escape the criticism, either. But what started as an angry voter/Mets fan ripping Frazier for his support of the project turned into a full-blown Twitter argument between Frazier and Bill Spadea, the morning drive host on NJ 101.5.

Spadea had blistered the Toms River school district on Tuesday morning as voting got underway, calling out Superintendent David Healy and blasting the package of projects. Among the items that will be addressed are leaking roofs, replacement of flooring that in some areas includes asbestos tiles, and replacing wiring, both of which are original to many of the district's 18 schools, most of which are more than 30 years old. It also includes work on the three high schools' turf fields that are beyond their useful lifespan, and upgrades to science labs that were rejected by voters in 1991 and that date back to 1974 at Toms River North and 1979 at Toms River East.

Spadea mocked the projects, suggesting the district should make repairs to crumbling curbing with some bags of cement, and that kids should just wear their coats in cold classrooms. But the projects aim to not only bring buildings up to decent safety and comfort standards for students and staff, they also aim to improve and address equity issues across the district, such as access for students with disabilities, both in and out of buildings. Playground improvements include handicap-accessible equipment to accommodate students at Silver Bay Elementary School, which is home to the district's programs for students with multiple disabilities. Few of the buildings are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, an issue that created significant problems for students who use wheelchairs or even students who find themselves on crutches temporarily.

Spadea, an outspoken conservative voice who rails against any taxes and most Democrats, spent Tuesday urging voters to shoot down the project. So on Wednesday, when Mets fan Patrick Madden ripped Frazier over supporting the package, Spadea, who was tagged in Madden's tweet, jumped in.

"I'll tell you one guy who's on the "bad" list is @FlavaFraz21 ." Madden tweeted. "Talk about ignorance. "Oh, it's about helping the kids". What BS. He can leave NJ. He can choose to pay FLA property taxes. Tough for the rest of us."

"Oh know the “bad” list sorry Santa clause no gifts for me," Frazier replied to Madden.

That's when Spadea jumped into the fray, accusing Frazier of being used by the New Jersey Education Association: "Too bad @FlavaFraz21 let the education bureaucrats @NJEA use him this way. Stick to baseball Todd. We know the high taxes in Jersey won’t be hurting you."

Frazier was having none of it. "Who are you again?" he tweeted in reply, pointing out that Spadea, who lives in Princeton, was weighing in on a town where he isn't a resident. "Stick to whatever that is you do."

Spadea responded, saying, "Did you even bother to read the budget before you shilled for the @NJEA? I'm sure "NO" voters in Toms River love being dismissed and lectured to by a multi-millionaire athlete. Shame on you. You'd think with your NJ roots and all that talent you'd have more respect." It's not clear whether Spadea realized Frazier currently lives in Toms River.

Frazier wasn't backing down. "Really billy boy know (sic) 1 cares what you do or think," Frazier tweeted. "Don’t be that jealous guy. I worked hard for where I’m at. Stick 2 the the radio so no one can see you and hide. Also on a side note, who r you pointing at in UR picture? #allbarknobite"

Spadea fired off one last insult: "You seem upset. Try to focus on your job. Gotta do better than 77-85 next season right?" Frazier replied with laughter, but by this time, fans and friends of the baseball player were jumping in. It wasn't pretty for Spadea.

"I’d be careful Todd, dude is gonna scorch you on his show tonight at 2 am on My9," Twitter user Greg Schaefer wrote. "All three people left in a bar watching his show on mute are gonna be real fired up."

"Todd Frazier is a class act you mutton head," David Gaylor tweeted. "I’ve been a fan since he was a Reds rookie. Cut your losses, apologize."

Even Frankie Edgar, the Toms River East graduate and UFC fighter who also still lives in his hometown and who also spoke out in favor of the bond package, backed up Frazier: "This clown is coming at you for trying to give your kids the same opportunities we had? FOH! He's not allowed in TR anymore."

A Twitter user named Randall seemed to sum up the thoughts of most of those responding to the battle: "Yooo big Bill, on behalf of Toms River please don’t speak to our guy like that. You should be thanking him for replying to your original tweet in the first place. We’re giving this twitter fight to Todd strictly due to the fact that this is your profile picture."

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Todd Frazier speaks at the Toms River Regional School Board meeting Jan. 16, ahead of the Jan. 22 referendum on the district's $147 million bond proposal. Photo by Karen Wall, Patch staff