An independent candidate’s breakdancing performance at a local government meeting has gone viral, drawing national attention to simmering debates over property taxes and development in this Union County township.
Will Thilly, a genetics researcher who is making his third attempt as an independent candidate for the Cranford Township Committee, surprised attendees at the Sept. 2 meeting when he launched into a dance routine before posing questions about rising property taxes.
In 2024, Thilly received 1,346 votes out of 14,098 ballots cast for the Cranford Township Committee. In 2022, he earned 845 of 10,500 votes cast.
His moves included a moonwalk and backspin, followed by a pause to sip water and shuffle papers before he asked, “Why did our taxes go up so much?”
The video of his performance has been viewed more than 1.6 million times on social media, sparking a mix of amusement and discussion.
Thilly pointed to a recent school referendum, saying residents were told to expect an average tax increase of about $400, but that his own bill had jumped by roughly $900.
He questioned whether additional, undisclosed school expenses were contributing to the higher bills.
Mayor Terrence Curran, a Democratic trauma surgeon, responded with a quip. “Thank you, Mr. Thilly. I like the interpretive dance,” he said during the meeting.
Later, Curran dismissed the performance as a distraction and insisted the committee remains focused on services for residents. He said Thilly’s tax bill was in line with others in town and expressed frustration that the candidate rejected explanations about pilot tax exemption programs.
Curran claimed he does not support PILOTs and said, “I think that the entire fair share housing program is more of a money grab,” but Senate President Nick Scutari said the law is working.
In March 2024, Governor Phil Murphy signed landmark legislation sponsored by Scutari that set a course for future enforcement of the Mount Laurel Doctrine, New Jersey’s constitutional requirement for every town to provide its fair share of affordable housing.
“This demonstrates real progress in our efforts to make housing more affordable and more accessible in New Jersey,” said Scutari. “The law is working. It has cut red tape, streamlined the process, and lowered costs as it gives towns more freedom to create affordable housing that meets their own needs.”
According to an analysis by Fair Share Housing Center, 423 New Jersey municipalities have adopted and filed Housing Element and Fair Share Plans, which detail how they will meet their affordable housing responsibilities.
As chairman of the Union County Democratic Committee, Scutari helped Curran get elected.
Thilly is known for unorthodox appearances at the committee’s biweekly meetings.
“I’m running for the Cranford Township Committee to tell you the truth, to fight for what you need, and to defend our Town and schools,” said Thilly, in a statement on his website. “Did you know that in recent years the Township Committee under both political parties has awarded over $150 million in 30-year tax exemptions to billionaire developers at 750 Walnut and Birchwood?”
In past sessions, he has sometimes remained silent at the podium or called on developers to pay a greater share of local taxes.
His campaign platform opposes what he calls “resident-funded overdevelopment” and promotes greater community involvement in decision-making.
He has also organized protests against PILOT programs, or Payments in Lieu of Taxes, which grant developers exemptions from certain property taxes.
The unusual performance underscores ongoing tensions in Cranford over development, tax equity, and civic participation.
While Thilly’s methods are unconventional, his latest appearance has amplified conversations about transparency in local government and the role of residents in shaping policy.
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