Focuses include diversifying the economy, open space, veterans
OCEAN CITY — Bobby Barr felt he had a seamless transition from representing a single community as an Ocean City councilman to representing 16 towns as a member of the Cape May County Board of County Commissioners.
He said nothing surprised him because he has worked at all levels of government and has interacted with county officials throughout his career.
“I was mostly familiar with how it all worked. There were a few things I had to learn … but not much,” he said in a recent interview with the Sentinel.
A lifelong resident of the northernmost barrier island in the county, Barr served as Fourth Ward councilman from 2016 to 2023. He resigned when he was appointed to the county board in August 2023 after Commissioner E. Marie Hayes was appointed county surrogate. He ran unopposed that fall to fill the remainder of her term.
Although the 16 towns that comprise Cape May County are fairly diverse — with the densely populated barrier islands and the more rural communities on the mainland — Barr said they all face a number of similar issues including a lack of affordable housing and veterans housing, budget issues and dealing with the state.
He said Ocean City holds a special place in his heart because it’s the only place he has ever lived, except for six months during a college internship, and he has a good relationship with the current council and Mayor Jay Gillian’s administration.
Barr said he’ll be sympathetic to concerns raised by his former colleagues, “but if another town needs something I’ll advocate for them just the same.”
Barr discussed a range of topics with the Sentinel.
Diversifying the
economy
He would like to see the county further diversity its economy so “we’re not being so reliant on the tourism industry. That will always be the big 700-pound gorilla in the room. It will always be what drives us, our focus, but each little sliver that you can create can create other full-time opportunities.”
He pointed out the county’s economic development team does a lot of work to further that end and he talked about the drone technology at the airport, an area he oversees as a commissioner.
“We have unique circumstances in Cape May County in that drone technology is taking off worldwide. In Cape May County we’re a peninsula; this is a great place where people want to come to test drones,” Barr said. “We have the ability to attract these drone companies and bring them in.”
He said with the companies come employees, adding the county is on the verge of a deal with the University of Alaska to have some drone testing done here.
“We have a tech village at the airport that is constantly bringing in new business and we’re looking to grow that.
“What I believe is putting that on steroids and being aggressive because there are hundreds of potential jobs. It’s not going to touch the level of tourism, but these are good-paying jobs we can bring into Cape May County.
“The more we diversify, the better we’ll be,” he said.
County airport:
New direction
Barr believes it is time to bring in someone else to run the Cape May County Airport.
“I’ve taken a year to look at it and see how it is run. My opinion: it’s time to move on from the DRBA (Delaware River and Bay Authority) and bring somebody else in to run that airport, somebody who is more focused on New Jersey and know our area better, understands South Jersey and what it’s all about.
“It was a good relationship, but I think the time has come where it’s time to move in a different direction,” he added.
The county signed a 30-year agreement with the DRBA in 1994 with the option to renew for another 30 years, but gave the DRBA a notice of non-renewal. The DRBA is obligated to stay and run the airport for another five years, after which another entity would be brought it.
“It’s possible we could keep negotiating and come to another deal with the DRBA, but I don’t see that in the offing,” he said.
Streamlining the
Open Space process
Barr said he is focused on open space and is on the county’s Open Space Review Board.
“The director tasked me with putting a fresh set of eyes on the Open Space Board and reimagining it,” he said. “I met with Lower Township and Middle Township and asked, ‘What do you want this program to be? How can we help you?’”
The commissioner said he has twice sat in on the director’s mayors roundtable, in which he has private discussions with all 16 mayors and the staffs, and was able to ask officials directly how they can make the Open Space program better for them.
“Open space money is the people’s money, it’s tax money. We want to give the money back to them. What is the best way to do that? Partner with local officials.”
Barr said they heard two main themes about open space: streamline the process to make it easier to navigate and consider active recreation.
Veterans
Barr said he has a passion for supporting veterans.
He noted his father served in Vietnam, leading many to believe his exposure to chemicals there may have resulted in Barr being confined to a wheelchair.
He said the county has recently completed the first phase of improving the Cape May County Veterans Cemetery, a process that took quite a bit of time.
Barr now is looking at sites for potential veterans housing in the county.
“Hopefully I’ll have some good things to say about that in the new year,” Barr said.
Good year ahead
Barr said he expects a good year ahead for the county with the benefit of having U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew, R-2nd, very close with President-elect Donald Trump.
Van Drew was a lifelong Democrat who served for years as a county freeholder and state senator, but after getting elected to Congress switched parties and vowed his loyalty to Trump. Van Drew has been re-elected twice as a Republican.
“That can only help us in terms of transportation and infrastructure money. We’re in the process of redoing all of our bridges. We’re going to need federal help,” he said. “What better connection is that with our congressman in terms of economic development?”
The commissioner said he is going to a ribbon-cutting every week, a positive indicator for the county’s economics.
“If you look around Cape May County, new businesses are opening all the time,” he said. “Businesses are popping up in every single town.
“There’s a lot of development going on. People are really investing in Cape May County and we have to capitalize on that,” Barr said. “Who wouldn’t want to be here, to be part of a nice, clean, safe town? That’s what all 16 towns are. You can send your kids safely to school here.”
Get in touch with him
“Those are all things I am working on; every single day I work on these things. It’s a passion of mine. It’s why I got into this, to make things better for people. That’s what I intend to do,” he said.
His phone number is (609) 703-0750.
“That is my personal cell phone. People can call me. I am willing to meet with anybody. If you call or email, I will email or call back.
“We are in the customer service business. I’m here to represent their ideas and my own. That’s where you get good ideas, listening to people. We get the credit, but it’s not about us. It’s the people, that’s who put us here. It’s my duty and obligation to speak to them and do what they wish me to do.”
Barr said he loves the work he is doing and is “absolutely running for office again. No doubt about it.” His term is up at the end of 2025.
Personal note
Barr said some people tell him he doesn’t support the local team because he is a Kansas City Chiefs football fan, not a Philadelphia Eagles fan.
He would like to correct them.
“I belong to the Ocean City Red Raiders. That’s my local team, not the Eagles.”
“I don’t go to nearly as many games as I can because my schedule is crazy, but literally if I have the free time, whether it’s baseball, basketball, I try to get there.”
On a personal note, he singled out Ocean City boys basketball coach John Bruno, a teacher at Ocean City High School.
“If not for him, I wouldn’t be sitting here talking to you. It took people like that to get me where I am today. I love that guy with all my heart,” he said. “This community game me a chance. I was the first mainstream student as a disabled person to go to Ocean City schools. They welcomed me with open arms. I work every day not to let down the community and the people who gave me a chance.”
– STORY and PHOTOS by DAVID NAHAN/Sentinel staff
