State Senate Approves Appointment Ocean City's Bob Barr to Pinelands Commission

After two delays, Ocean City native Bob Barr is the newest member of the Pinelands Commission.

However, his approval on Monday came in controversial fashion.

Barr was approved by a vote of 22-16 by the State Senate on Monday, the Burlington County Times reports. However, the vote came after Barr was denied a spot on the commission by a vote of 19-18 about an hour earlier. It was unclear why two votes were taken.

Representatives from numerous environmental groups were outraged by the second vote. They had spent the day protesting Barr’s nomination, according to the report.

Barr will replace Robert Jackson on the 15-person committee. Jackson and D’Arcy Rohan Green were removed from the commission after they voted against a controversial proposal to allow South Jersey Gas to build a 22-mile gas pipeline through the region.

Gov. Chris Christie has been accused of attempting to pack the Pinelands Commission with people who support the proposed project.

New Hanover Township Mayor Dennis Roohr was nominated to replace Rohan Green. Both were initially nominated in May of last year, but the Senate never took a vote on the nominations.

Barr was nominated for a second time on Jan. 16. Roohr was not nominated for a second time.

Barr was questioned on Jan. 26, but no action was taken until Monday’s two votes.

Barr is an aide to State Sen. Jeff Van Drew, a supporter of the proposal,according to The Press of Atlantic City. Van Drew endorsed the nomination of Barr.

Barr is the president of the Ocean City Democratic Club and president of the Ocean City Community Association.

He grew up in Ocean City, graduating from Ocean City High School in 1999. He graduated from The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey in 2004 with a degree in communications.

He also serves on the Ocean City Utility Advisory Commission and is a member of the board of Directors for the Ocean City Exchange Club.

The attached image of Bob Barr was previously provided.

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