WILDWOOD CREST – There was a change in the Cape May County Democratic slate for freeholder seats Aug. 8.
Joyce Gould, former Wildwood Crest mayor and present commissioner was selected to replace candidate Stephen Barry, who announced his withdrawal from the race citing health reasons, according to a release.
Gould will join with Elizabeth Casey of Ocean City seeking the two freeholder seats held by Republicans Gerald Thornton and E. Marie Hayes.
The replacement in candidates was made by the Democratic County Committee.
Barry stated, “As we see the freeholder board imploding with running mates Jerry Thornton and Marie Hayes dramatically exposing their abuses, we cannot delay our message of cleaning up county government. And I’m delighted that Joyce Gould is willing to join Liz Casey in turning government around and stopping improper activities of our elected county officials.”
Gould was first elected in Wildwood Crest in 1989 serving her first term as mayor.
She is presently in charge of the borough’s revenue and finance.
Gould was elected six times to the Wildwood Crest Borough Commission.
She sees overspending as a significant problem facing the future of county residents, according to the release.
“Gould has long called for checks and balances in county government, being narrowly defeated in a previous freeholder bid,” it continued.
“An independent voice would prevent such troubling misbehavior by prohibiting nepotism of county officials, treating employees fairly and having a hiring practice fair and open to residents,” Gould stated.
Casey “welcomed Gould as her new running mate while expressing gratitude to Barry for doing what he thought was best to win the election.
“Having Steve Barry’s insight and counsel guide our campaign coupled with Joyce Gould’s depth of experience are invaluable in our efforts to clean up county government and put it in the right direction,” Casey stated.
