Cape May Appoints Inderwies Jr. as City Manager

CAPE MAY – Jerry Inderwies Jr. was appointed as Cape May’s city manager Feb. 4. Inderwies is a former elected member of Cape May City Council, son of a former mayor, and former chief of the city’s fire department.
Members of the council praised Inderwies’ work as deputy city manager, to then split their vote over complaints that the council’s process for Inderwies’ selection was, in the opinion of Councilman Zack Mullock, “flawed.”
The final tally was the common 3-2 split vote. The argument over process among members of the council has become a constant presence whenever non-routine business is conducted.
Inderwies’ previous service, as a member of the council, following the 2014 elections, was cut short when, in 2015, he resigned from his newly elected seat in a confrontation with Mayor Edward Mahaney over the failure of the council to make Robert Sheehan the permanent police chief one day before Sheehan’s probationary period expired.
Mayor Clarence Lear was involved in the Sheehan controversy, and Councilwoman Stacy Sheehan is Robert Sheehan’s sister. Stacy Sheehan and Mullock were the two votes against Inderwies’ appointment, although both predicted he would do a fine job.
The persistent complaint from Mullock and Sheehan is that the council process, used to arrive at significant decisions, often leaves them without necessary information until the last moment. Lear and Deputy Mayor Patricia Hendricks have denied the claims. Councilman Shaine Meier is a frequent defender of the council process for agenda formulation and decision making.
In the instance of the appointment of a new city manager, the resolution of appointment was not on the meeting agenda, and was added at the meeting, further alienating Mullock and Sheehan, who pointed to that fact as an example of a process they said excludes them.
Inderwies, a long-term city employee, said he looks forward to working “to keep Cape May great.” He takes over for Neil Young, who resigned as city manager after his three-year term expired. 
Young will retain his position as chief financial officer, allowing the city to maintain his expertise in the tasks of financial statement preparation, audit and budget formulation. He will work for his former deputy, Inderwies.
Before the vote on the appointment, Sheehan said that Inderwies was a candidate for the position, and then withdrew his name. The council moved to another candidate experienced in municipal government in another county.
Questions about if and when the candidate would move to Cape May County, how travel would be accommodated and similar issues prolonged the selection process. According to Meier, the reason that candidate also withdrew from the contest was “the council did not move fast enough.”
Sheehan said she was expecting a discussion about re-advertising the position when she was presented with a contract for Inderwies. She said that was a decision made without her involvement. 
Comments from Mullock implied that Inderwies was left with a split vote on an appointment that might have garnered unanimity if handled differently. He expressed regret at voting no on the appointment to underscore his feelings about the process.
The position of city manager makes Inderwies the chief executive officer (CEO) of the city under its form of government. He will hold all executive power, and the council possesses legislative power.
At times, Cape May city managers have seemed more like municipal business managers under the control of the council. It remains to be seen how Inderwies will exercise his authority as CEO.
The Cape May form of government does not give the mayor executive authority. The position of mayor is largely ceremonial, with the incumbent serving as an equal member of the council.
The difference between theory and practice, in Cape May, has been the source of controversy for several years, and across different administrations.
Inderwies’ appointment was greeted by applause from the council and the public, including from the two council members who voted against it.
To contact Vince Conti, email vconti@cmcherald.com.