Meet the Candidate: Bob Barr

The non-partisan municipal election on May 10 will decide the four ward seats on the seven-member Ocean City Council. The winners will serve four-year terms.

Ocean City Patch asked each candidate to complete a questionnaire outlining biographical information, their platform and their stands on a handful of issues.

This week, Patch will run profiles of all the candidates who responded, beginning with the Fourth Ward, and proceeding in alphabetical order.

Profiles are presented here in the same format as the questionnaires given to the candidates. There were no further instructions, and none of the responses has been edited (beyond basic proofreading and formatting). Readers can make their own judgments on how the candidates did or didn't answer the questions.

First up: Bob Barr

Why are you running?

I am running because I believe I am the most qualified candidate that can best fight for the needs of the Fourth Ward. I feel the relationships I have developed at the state level can help to serve our community. I am an independent voice that will fight to make sure the Fourth Ward gets its fair share.

What do you feel are the most pressing issues?

We need to make sure we get our fair share of capital improvement money to make sure our roads are paved in a timely fashion, and that we address our flooding and drainage problems. I will continue to make sure that we toe a hard line on property taxes. We need to make sure that we keep our beaches on a three-year beach replenishment schedule. Cutting the red tape on back bay dredging is also very important, as is maintaining our boardwalk. I would work to ensure that we have development in town that makes sense for each individual neighborhood.

What changes would you make to what the current council is doing?

I wouldn't make many changes to what the current council is doing. I would bring a louder voice to the needs of the Fourth Ward, and make sure we are not forgotten.

What are some of the positive things you believe the current council is doing?

I believe the current council is doing a good job. They have put more into capital development and maintaining the level of great services that our town enjoys. However, that does not mean more cannot be done.

What do you bring to council that no one else can bring, i.e. strengths, experience, etc.?

I believe I bring three unique things to council:

1. I have cerebral palsy and have been wheelchair-bound my entire life. I know what it's like to have to fight for everything. I know what it's like to have to work extra hard to get things done. I have a relentless work ethic that I cannot wait to apply to city council and fight for the needs of the Fourth Ward

2. I bring positive relationships with our state legislative team that can help us in ways others cannot.

3. I bring a true independent voice who will be free to do what I think is best for the town and not someone else’s agenda

What is your political background?

I am a Legislative Aide to Senator Jeff Van Drew. I am honored to be one of Governor Christie's appointees to the New Jersey Pinelands Commission. I currently serve on the housing Authority Board of Directors for the city of Ocean City, where I am chair of the finance committee. I previously served on the Utility Advisory Committee for the city. I serve as the state representative for the Regional Family Support Planning Council of Cape May County which advocates for the needs of those with disabilities in our county. I am past president of the Ocean City Community Association. One of the best memories I have is being chosen as the Association's “Person of the Year.” It was an honor to see so many people from both political parties and all walks of life there to honor me. I am also a member of the Ocean City Exchange Club.

What offices have you held/run for in the past?

I have never run for elected office before.

Personal Background.

I am a lifelong Ocean City resident. I graduated Ocean City High School in 1999. I graduated from Richard Stockton College with a degree in communications. I graduated both high school and college with honors.