The Herald editorial board wished to get feedback on current county issues from all four candidates for the five-member Cape May County Board of County Commissioners. Commissioner Robert Barr, a Republican, is running unopposed for the unexpired two-year term of E. Marie Hayes, who vacated the seat to become county surrogate.
There are two other seats up for election, with three-year terms, one held by Jeffrey Pierson, who opted not to run again, and one held by Will Morey, a Republican, who is running for reelection. There are two newcomers seeking seats – Melanie Collette, a Republican, and Patricia O’Connor, a Democrat.
The Herald emailed six questions to the four candidates at the email address listed on the county election site. Only two – Morey and O’Connor – responded by the Oct. 26 deadline.
1. County taxes increased over $26 million in two years. What accounts for the increase?
O’CONNOR: The substantial increase in county taxes over the past two years is a matter of concern. We need to address this issue head-on by examining our budget, looking for more efficient ways to allocate resources, and exploring alternative revenue sources. Our residents deserve property tax relief, and I am committed to finding creative solutions to ensure that their hard-earned money is used wisely. The aspect of the budget that I care about is that approximately 40% of the budget is in an “other” category, which means that it is not in proper control.
The current commissioners have failed to engage in long-term strategic planning to mitigate increases in costs and reduce spending. For example, the current commissioners are likely to reference the increases in state health benefits as an inevitable increase, while other municipalities and counties throughout the state looked for creative solutions to mitigate the hike in costs by finding alternative plans. I recognize that every dollar paid to the county is a dollar that could be used to pay for groceries or gas. The taxpayers of Cape May County deserve leadership that is proactive rather than reactive.
MOREY: Fortunately, a growing real estate ratable base has contributed to greater county tax revenues, so much so that the county has been able to actually lower its tax rate.
This is really good news as it has enabled the county to make significant cash investments in its infrastructure, including the further funding of its comprehensive bridge replacement projects, very substantial investments in its road infrastructure, and other important capital investment projects. An additional benefit is the county has been able to grow its reserves and use lesser debt financing than it otherwise would have required.
2. The county’s auditor showed that the Crest Haven Nursing Home was losing money for years. Why were there no steps taken to stop the losses prior to 2023?
O’CONNOR: It is regrettable that action was not taken sooner to address the financial losses at Crest Haven Nursing Home. As your commissioner, I will prioritize proactive decision-making, addressing fiscal challenges promptly and exploring innovative solutions to ensure that our residents receive the quality care they deserve. We must learn from past mistakes and commit to a more transparent and accountable approach to managing county assets.
This is a good question for the current administration to answer to the taxpayers of Cape May County and the longtime employees of Crest Haven. Like the example given above, this is another example of the current administration reacting, rather than engaging in long-term strategic planning.
Moreover, Crest Haven workers and residents tell me that the county did not send out or collect invoices for nursing home services for up to six months. Plus, I was told Crest Haven was charging less than the Medicare rates.
MOREY: As this downward trend became evident, county administration made substantial efforts to address the issue and reverse the trend. It is not imperative for Crest Haven to operate at a profit; however, there is a magnitude of subsidy that has become greater than believed reasonable for taxpayers. Financial pressures along with changes in the health field over the past 10 years, a declining Crest Haven resident population and certain disadvantages of public sector operations caused the county to explore options.
Of note, Cape May County is one of only three counties in the state with continued management and operations of nursing/long-term-care facilities. Experience is showing that the private sector has the advantage of economies of scale, depth in and high levels of subject matter expertise, and a greater ability to act quickly to changing conditions and pursue opportunities.
The county had three primary goals in looking to convert to private sector operations and thus pursued an agreement that would 1) Be attentive to taxpayers, 2) Provide job continuation and mitigate adverse financial impact to Crest Haven employees involved in the transition, and 3) Assure high-quality care to present and future residents.
The county remains the owner of the Crest Haven Nursing Home building as well as the state license.
3. Does the county have a role in helping to create affordable housing and worker housing?
O’CONNOR: Without a doubt, the county has a significant role to play in addressing the urgent need for affordable housing and worker housing. Governor Murphy’s Workforce Housing Program, a $50 million initiative aimed at incentivizing the creation of rental units for middle-income residents, is a remarkable opportunity to make a real impact. We need to seize this chance to provide our residents with affordable places to live, thereby attracting more workers to our county and fostering a year-round economy. As your commissioner, I am committed to working closely with the state and local partners to ensure that Cape May County residents benefit from this essential housing program. Together, we can create a more inclusive and prosperous future for our community.
Tourism is the lifeblood of our county, but without workers, our service industry will struggle to keep up with demand. The county can take a leadership role along with our municipalities to improve opportunities for the people who work here, to make sure they can live here and raise their families here.
MOREY: Absolutely, I believe the county does have a role and responsibility to address the issue of housing sufficiency, meaning a range of housing options to meet the needs of the county’s workforce and residents. In my view, this is best done by utilizing a regional approach with county leadership, technical support and municipal partnership at the core of the initiative.
I view this as a new frontier for Cape May County and a top priority. It’s one of the principal reasons that I’m seeking reelection this year.
4. The county has often been accused of nepotism and hiring well-connected persons. What is your view of this?
O’CONNOR: Allegations of nepotism and favoritism in hiring are concerning and erode public trust. We must ensure a transparent, merit-based hiring process that values qualifications and experience over personal connections. I am committed to promoting fairness and accountability, so every resident has an equal opportunity to succeed.
The county needs leadership that will pick the best person for the jobs that need to be done – regardless of party or connections. Regardless of whether that perception is true or not, it is out there, and we need a commissioner who will work to make the county a place that will attract talent and qualified applicants.
MOREY: My sense is that government entities are generally challenged in this regard; however, I think that growing public awareness, greater attention to transparency, recognition of the real challenges that must be addressed, and a stronger focus on performance have brought this into reasonable balance in Cape May County.
5. What should be done to make the county commissioners’ meeting more accessible to the public? Is the current internet access adequate?
O’CONNOR: To make county commissioner meetings more accessible, it is crucial to consider various options, such as live-streaming meetings online, providing transcripts or summaries of meetings for those who cannot attend in person, and actively promoting public participation. The adequacy of current internet access should be assessed and improved if necessary to ensure widespread accessibility.
Holding meetings in the midafternoon (2 p.m. to 3 p.m.) while many people are still at work is inadequate. Nearly every municipality and local zoning or planning boards hold their meetings after 5 p.m., which actually provides an opportunity for a larger portion of the public to participate. The county should hold itself to the same standard and meet the public where they are.
MOREY: At a minimum, high-quality audio and visual/virtual participation should be easily accessed. Additionally, if the public expresses its interest, the county should consider periodic meetings that occur just after typical business hours.
6. Has the Tech Village at the airport shown any economic benefit to the county (as in the employment of local people in well-paying, year-round jobs)?
O’CONNOR: We are committed to evaluating the economic impact of the Tech Village at the airport. Our goal is to ensure local residents benefit from well-paying, year-round jobs resulting from this initiative. By working closely with our business community, we will strive to build a diversified economy beyond tourism, fostering prosperity for all. Moreover, without proper infrastructure, Cape May County cannot become a leader.
The county should support the establishment of new businesses and retaining workers in the county. In order to do that, we need leadership that is going to focus on responsible planning to make this an attractive and attainable location to set up a business, hire workers who can find housing, and raise families.
Many of the voters I visit in this county tell me that they register to vote as Republicans because they will not have a job if they register as Democrats.
MOREY: Absolutely, the first phase of Tech Village has produced approximately 50 well-paying, year-round jobs in the technology and innovation industry. Based on this success, the county has received a $2.9 million USEDA Grant for Tech Village Phase 2, a slightly smaller version of Tech Village 1, which is to break ground by year’s end.
Contact the author, Christopher South, at csouth@cmcherald.com or 609-886-8600, ext. 128.
