CAPE MAY – Zack Mullock of Cape May, a lifelong resident of Cape Island active in civic and charitable affairs, filed petitions today to become a candidate for Cape May City Council in November.
“There has been a rift in the town that needs to be repaired, and that won’t happen unless we focus not on what divides us but on what unites us,” said Mullock. “I say with pride that I have got along with everyone, and if elected I will bring people together for the benefit of everyone in this beautiful city.”
Mullock, whose family owns and operates the historic Chalfonte Hotel on Howard Street in downtown Cape May and Cape May National Golf Club, is a dedicated conservationist and preservationist who sits on Cape May’s Historic Preservation Committee. He was born and raised in Cape May, attended Cape May Elementary and Our Lady Star of the Sea before attending Wildwood Catholic High School. He graduated from Mount St. Mary’s University with a major in political science, and he then earned a Master’s degree in Business Administration at Saint Joseph’s University. As a businessman in Cape May, specializing in historic renovation, Mullock is also vice president of Cape May National Golf Club.
“Cape May is unique to the towns along the Jersey shore because of the many people before me who have worked tirelessly to preserve its history,” said Mullock. As a councilman, Mullock said that he will work hard to promote and defend Cape May’s historical treasures, while improving the city’s amenities. “I’ll work closely with the planning and zoning boards to improve parking for residents, visitors and workers,” he said.
“And I’ll push for a citywide plan, working with tourism officials and the Coast Guard, to create a ‘Six More Weeks of Summer’ program. I’d like to put together a fun event like Punxsutawney, PA does but for the summer season. They have their ground hog, we should have our dolphin, named by one of the school children at Cape May Elementary. We should invite all the dignitaries, newscasters, and school children to spot dolphins and declare, ‘Six More Weeks of Summer!’”
Mullock said, “I think that we should be very proud of the work that was accomplished as a town working together in renovating Rotary Park, one of the finest small parks anywhere in New Jersey.” Mullock added, “That’s something we might apply to many other areas, from Lafayette Park to the Cape May entryway to the gas lights along the promenade and other parts of town.”
He said that it is essential that the city serve as a “shining example” to other seaside towns by preparing for a changing environment and the challenges that the city could face in the future. “I’ll propose the expansion of our oceanfront promenade east to Pittsburgh Avenue, and an expanded effort to strengthen dunes and to plant dune grasses along the beach,” he said. “I believe that we should be able to acquire grants to help protect our fragile city, and recognize that we live on an island. We need a comprehensive plan to protect Cape Island in this time of rising sea levels.
“At the same time, as a businessman I understand that Cape May’s future will depend in part on its ability to attract families with children to live and work here,” he said. “We need leaders with long-term vision to help bring talented families, including entrepreneurs. We need to focus our efforts on building our residential base as much as we spend on building our commercial base.”
Mullock – along with his family, including parents Bob & Linda – have worked with orphanages in Ecuador and the Dominican Republic. He has volunteered, along with his family and campaign manager, Chris Gillin Schwartz, to help rebuild homes after hurricane Katrina. He has helped to raise money for local organizations and charities through events at the golf club and at the Chalfonte. “I’m especially proud of my role as a founding member of Save Wildwood Catholic, a small group of local folks who came together to reopen the school after it had been closed.” Zack also helps coordinate the Atlantic Cape Community College golf tournament whose sponsors have raised close to $300,000 for Cape May County students.
Zack is a proud husband to Justine and father to Bobby age 2 years 4 months, and Tallulah age 4 months.
Mullock announced that Chris Gillin Schwartz will serve as his campaign manager and that Martin Malloy will be his campaign treasurer.
