Van de Vaarst Enters Cape May City Council Race

CAPE MAY – A 13-year resident of Cape May, John Van de Vaarst of Ohio Avenue, has filed a petition to run for City Council in the Nov. 6 election, according to a release.  
Van de Vaarst and his wife Mary retired to Cape May after he completed a 36-year career in the federal government. 
Van de Vaarst’s last position was deputy area director, Beltsville (Md.) Agricultural Research Center.  
“It was a nice title, and in reality, I was a city manager of a 6,600-acre facility with seven miles of public road and 600 buildings,” Van de Vaarst stated. 
“Working in a team environment with staff we were able to be very creative and developed new methods of managing a large facility.  This resulted in substantial cost savings as well as innovative and sustainable policies and procedures, and a five-year strategic plan for the facility.”
Van de Vaarst has been and continues to be active with the city by previously being a member of the Planning Board and currently serving on the Zoning Board.  
Also he is a member of the Green Team and vice chairperson of the Master Plan Reexamination Committee.  He also served as vice chairperson of the Search Committee for a city manager.  
This past year Van de Vaarst prepared and filed all the necessary documentation to incorporate and formally establish the Lt. Andy Boyt Memorial Fund, a not-for-profit now recognized by the IRS.
“Strategically planning for the future of Cape May is critical.  A long-range vision that incorporates fiscal, environmental, housing, tourism sustainability and historic preservation will allow Cape May to be a fantastic place to live and visit far into the future” according to Van de Vaarst.
“Working in an open and cooperative manner with the city leadership and citizens should result in a long-range plan and vision for the future of Cape May.  Working together works,” he concluded.