Transparency is the cornerstone of good government, but in Cape May County, it appears to be in short supply. When I asked our five county commissioners to share their individual perspectives on pressing issues, I was met not with five voices, but with one. I received a single response from the county administrator, speaking collectively “on behalf of the board.” In doing so, our commissioners missed an opportunity to show us who they are as individual leaders.
I believe that elected officials have a duty to communicate openly with the people they represent. In August, I sent a letter to all five Cape May County commissioners. My goal was simple: to open a dialogue. My intent was not to catch anyone off guard or play a political “gotcha” game, but to give each commissioner an opportunity to share their perspective on important issues facing our community.
In that letter, I asked 10 questions about county government, with the hope that each commissioner would share their personal perspective. While the administrator’s answers were informative, the commissioners themselves chose not to speak directly. With an election just around the corner, that choice denied both me and the wider community the transparency and accountability we deserve.
When all we hear is a unified administrative response, we lose the ability to distinguish between commissioners, to weigh their individual values, and to make informed choices at the ballot box.
The Administrator’s Response
(Presented exactly as received, on behalf of the commissioners)
Most of the questions on your list are matters that should be addressed by the full Board of County Commissioners, rather than for any one commissioner to address individually. The commissioners act collectively as a board: they establish county initiatives, set policy, and make decisions as a governing body, not as individuals. Even where an individual commissioner serves as a liaison to a department, a decision on any of these issues requires the approval of the full board.
Director [Leonard] Desiderio asked me to respond to your questions since I am responsible for the day-to-day administration of county operations, carrying out the vision of the full Board of Commissioners, and supervising its departments and personnel. You are more than welcome to attribute these answers to me, as the county administrator, on behalf of the county.
1.What are recent accomplishments in the departments you oversee?
The recent county accomplishments include tax rate decreases three years in a row, and this past year’s decrease also led to a decrease in the overall tax levy, which is the first time it has happened in over 30 years. The county has been fiscally responsible, and, because of it, there is likely not a county in the state that is as financially strong as Cape May County.
The county has also completed an aggressive road paving program throughout the County in the last several years that has led to us paving 113 of the 213 miles of county roads. We also have been able to fund some of our smaller projects with capital raised in the budget.
The ad hoc committees that were created in 2024 have made real progress in their respective areas. The committees on Homelessness, Mixed Income Housing, Recreational Facilities, Expanding Educational Opportunities, and Revitalization of Rio Grande have all taken steps forward and will be making tangible differences in the lives of our residents and visitors.
2. Do you see efforts to improve efficiency and modernization in the departments?
Over the past several years, the county has made a concerted effort to modernize operations and improve efficiency across departments. We have invested in technology that streamlines services for residents and reduced reliance on paper-based systems. These efforts not only save time for the public but also allow our employees to work more effectively. The new scheduling program at the county Department of Fare Free Transportation is an excellent example.
In addition, the county has implemented zero-based budgeting to improve accountability and transparency, and we continue to pursue opportunities for shared services to reduce costs and avoid duplication of effort. We are also making infrastructure and facility upgrades to ensure our operations are both modern and sustainable.
3. How do you see AI improving your assigned departments?
The county has only recently begun to explore how we can use AI to enhance the work of our employees. It certainly has the potential to improve how we deliver services, as well as to streamline routine tasks. At the same time, we need to be mindful to use it ethically, responsibly, and in a manner that ensures accountability.
4. How is the effectiveness of your departments measured, evaluated and improved?
While all county departments collect some sort of data pertaining to the effectiveness of their operational functions, the effectiveness of county departments is primarily evaluated through regular internal reviews with county administration. Either the assistant county administrator or I routinely meet with county department heads to discuss their operations, issues, county initiatives, and how we can expand and improve.
5. What are your goals for CMC government in the near future?
As present, the county remains focused on delivering responsible, impactful, and collaborative government. If there is one issue that our residents care most about, it’s taxes, and our board has demonstrated exceptional leadership in leading the way. At the same time, we are advancing the work of our ad hoc committees, which are tackling important issues and developing solutions that make a real difference in residents’ lives. Major infrastructure priorities also remain at the forefront, including progress on the Bridge Replacement Program and the ongoing paving and improvement of county roads. The county is financially well positioned to meet our infrastructure needs. Finally, we always look for opportunities to partner with our municipalities to strengthen services, reduce costs, and achieve better outcomes for the people we serve.
6. Aside from the initiatives at the county airport, what is the county doing to spur economic development?
Primarily, by putting more money into the pocket of our residents and businesses. Reducing taxes provides direct relief to residents and businesses, allowing them to keep more of their own resources. When families have more disposable income, they can spend locally, supporting small businesses and strengthening the community’s economy. For businesses, lower taxes free up capital that can be reinvested in expansion, job creation, and innovation. New development and redevelopment are happening around Cape May County. We feel that the back-to-back-to back tax decreases helped create a positive cycle of economic development – encouraging growth, attracting investment, and ultimately broadening the tax base in a way that benefits the entire county.
We have also focused efforts in Rio Grande, which is one of the primary economic hubs in Cape May County. Our work at County Commons rehabilitated a once blighted property into a revitalized complex that brought Tractor Supply to the county, as well as a great entertainment complex for our families and visitors to enjoy. We believe this project is spurring further private sector development interests in the corridor. We continue to work with our friends at Middle Twp., and the board is very supportive of the Rio Grande redevelopment initiative.
We are also focused heavily on bringing technology and aviation businesses to the county. We have established the Cape-Atlantic UAS Test Range, the first in the country. Unlike a test site, the test range coordinates testing in the area. We work along with our team to bring companies from all over the Northeast and throughout the nation to do UAS testing here in Cape May County.
7. Do the commissioners support ongoing beach nourishment efforts? Can the program be improved? Is the schedule timely to benefit the county? Please explain your response.
The beaches in the county are one of the most critical components of the county’s tourism industry and essential for storm protection for our coastal communities. While Cape May County supports local, state, and federal efforts to sustain our beaches through renourishment, Cape May County has no county-owned beaches within our jurisdiction to maintain.
8. Are dunes the only way to protect the beachfront municipalities? Please explain your response.
I am not at all an expert in this area; however, I do not think they are the only way to protect our coastal communities. Dunes are critically important to protecting our barrier islands, but there are other helpful tools: beach replenishment; bulkheads, seawalls, and revetments; living shorelines – using natural features like marshes, grasses, and oyster reefs to stabilize the coast and provide habitat; and upgrading drainage systems to reduce flooding during heavy rains and tidal events.
9. What is your opinion on the role of the CMC commissioners in working with the municipalities and what expertise/assistance can CMC offer to its municipalities to make their operations more efficient and effective?
One of the director’s highest priorities is working with and supporting our 16 municipalities, as Commissioner Director Desiderio has stated over and over that the county is the sum of our 16 municipalities. The creation of the Mayor’s Roundtable by Director Desiderio, where he meets quarterly with the county’s mayors and business managers to discuss government services and solutions, has created an effective platform for our elected officials to address shared challenges and streamline public services across the county. In large part, the reinvigoration of our Open Space program was the result of several meetings/discussions with the municipalities over time at these roundtable discussions. Furthermore, the fight against offshore wind, and currently the NJPACT/REAL executive order, are shining examples of the towns and county working together. We have also continued to expand the services that we are sharing with our municipalities. A few examples include: countywide public safety dispatch services, traffic safety maintenance, animal shelter, snow removal, fuel resale cooperative, energy cooperative, special event support, and more.
The county is an advocate for working closely with our municipalities because we know we’re stronger when we work together. By sharing services and resources, we can cut costs, avoid duplication, and provide better value for taxpayers. These partnerships not only save money but also improve the quality of services residents count on – showing that teamwork across all levels of local government really benefits the entire community.
10. What do you think about permitted dredging areas? Are they the right locations for safe navigation? Is there a state/federal level commitment to safe navigation of our waterways? Please explain your response.
The administrator did not provide an answer to this question.
Why This Matters
On paper, the administrator’s answers highlight many positive initiatives. The assertion that these questions “should be addressed by the full Board of County Commissioners” misses the point. Commissioners act collectively when voting, but they campaign and serve as individuals. They ask for our votes based on their values, priorities, and experiences.
The community suffers when we cannot know an individual’s views. At meetings, public comment is allowed, but commissioners are not required to respond. This leaves constituents without the meaningful exchange we need and deserve from the very people elected to represent us. How can voters make informed decisions if direct answers are withheld?
Because no commissioner responded as an individual, this article had to shift focus. It is now about accountability and transparency – or the lack thereof.
Cape May County deserves more. We deserve commissioners who will speak directly, stand behind their own values, and trust their constituents enough to be transparent. Silence is not accountability.
