Willing to do research, not make rash decisions; refuses financial support
Editor’s note: The Sentinel has been running profiles of the nine candidates running for Ocean City Council in the May 14 election. This week features First Ward incumbent Councilman Terry Crowley Jr., the only candidate who is running unopposed. All profiles are on the newspaper’s website at ocnjsentinel.com.
OCEAN CITY — First Ward Councilman Terry Crowley Jr. takes it as an affirmation he is doing an effective job that he is the only one of nine candidates in the May 14 election running unopposed. He cites the research and analysis he does on issues before voting and the fact he refuses financial support so he can be independent in his decision-making.
Crowley believes he has been an effective councilman because he doesn’t “ever make a rash decision. I am always willing to do a lot of research, talk to a number of people and gather feedback, kind of analyze it all and then make what I think is the best decision for Ocean City.”
He said his work background, 25 years supporting Johnson & Johnson’s oncology business in New Jersey, prepared him well for his elective position.
“On a daily basis I’m tasked with business planning, budget formulation and implementation, managing projects and, most importantly, just achieving results. I think that parlays into what kind of your job description is for City Council,” Crowley said.
Most pressing issue
The number one issue facing council is inflation, he asserted, noting it’s the most pressing issue from both a governmental and personal standpoint because “we’re all paying more for everything. The city is not immune.”
Crowley said the cost of labor is up, health care costs have increased and, as an example of other costs, cited the $400,000 more the city has to spend in the 2024 budget just for utilities.
“All these things add up. Every decision we make has the pressure of inflation involved with it. It’s going to be up to City Council to be forward-thinking and versatile and willing to try new things and identify new revenue streams as we move forward,” he said.
Made in error
During the COVID-19 pandemic, New Jersey law changed the way police have to interact with teenagers, limiting their ability to search them if they spotted contraband and even to ask their names in most situations. That led to an invasion of unruly teenagers on the boardwalk and beaches, partying and creating problems with families trying to enjoy the boardwalk and businesses.
That, Crowley said, was one area where Ocean City should have reacted faster to control the situation.
“I think where we should have acted quicker was with the boardwalk situation. Coming out of COVID, it just became untenable with the ways laws changed coming down from Trenton and what we were allowed to do. I think it was a learning experience for us,” he said. “ I wish we would have acted quicker to take the steps we did take at the beginning of last summer because the boardwalk is so important to us.”
He said those problems harmed the city’s image as a safe place for families.
“I was just at a national meeting and people from all over the country came up to me and asked if the boardwalk was still going to be the same as it was last summer,” he said, referring to how the resort and its police force took steps to limit the disruptions and get the boardwalk back under control.
“It was a family-friendly environment last summer and we’re not willing to go back on that. I think what we did was successful. I just wish we had done something sooner,” he said.
Spending too much
Crowley doesn’t believe the city is spending too much with its proposed 2024 $113 million municipal budget and $160 million five-year capital plan.
“What I look at from my years in business is, how do the financial markets look at Ocean City? And when you look at the bond market, they look really favorably at us. To me, that justifies that we’re right-sized and making the prudent financial decisions to effectively run a business, which Ocean City is with a significant budget.”
Spending too little
Crowley doesn’t believe there is a question about the city not spending enough in certain areas. Instead, he sees an opportunity.
“People look at the headlines and they see the numbers or what projects are being approved. I think we need to do a better job — not just City Council, but the mayor and administration — on communicating the ‘why’ behind these decisions,” he said. “I think there are new platforms and technologies out there that we could embrace, including our website, to better explain the ‘why’ of the spend. I think when people understand why you’re making these decisions, it lets them process it and understand it to a fuller level.”
Why he’s unopposed and
deserves another term
“My friends give me a hard time for running unopposed, but I really take it as affirmation that people view I’m doing an effective and competent job for the First Ward and the entirety of Ocean City,” Crowley said.
“I’m a leader, someone who is fiercely independent. I’m not afraid to ask tough questions, do research, listen to residents,” he said.
“I also want to take the opportunity to clarify that I don’t accept any financial support from any individual or organization. My focus is solely on serving the community and making decisions that align with the best interests of Ocean City.
“By remaining financially independent from any influences, I ensure that my decisions are guided solely by principles of fairness, transparency and accountability.”
Crowley also added a public thanks to his campaign manager, Jennifer Bowman, who also is a family friend. She “has done a lot for me and the city of Ocean City over the years.”
Ocean City Council candidate forum
The Ocean City Sentinel is sponsoring a candidate forum from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday, April 29, at the Hughes Performing Arts Center at Ocean City High School. All nine candidates have agreed to participate. To submit a question for consideration, please email it to oceancitysentinel@comcast.net. No questions will be taken from the audience at the forum.
– By DAVID NAHAN/Sentinel staff