Write-in Eric John Morey for Cape May County Commissioner

My name is Eric John Morey and I am running for Cape May County Commissioner as a member of the Democratic Party.

I've been gathering support for a write-in campaign for the Democratic Primary Election to get my name on the General Election Ballot in November.

If you or anyone you know has not yet voted by mail or early at one of the county libraries, please write in my full name Eric John Morey on your primary ballot. I’m sure many of you here have already voted, but we only need 300 people to write in my name in this primary election to ensure that a democratic candidate for County Commissioner is on the ballot this November.

As someone born and raised in Cape May County, I, like many of you, have been looking for ways to make a difference locally. I’ve been connecting with so many members of Local Democratic Clubs and Volunteer Organizations here in Cape May County who care. Meeting with many of you and hearing from you has been rejuvenating and inspiring. People in Cape May County care about our community. And when we leverage our government institutions to support all individuals in our community and help them thrive, our community is more resilient, stronger, and better.

Our democracy works better when we have choices and elections are not won by default without a legitimate choice for contention against incumbents. It has always disappointed me to see uncontested elections in Cape May County. I want to give people a choice in November. 

My grandfather Bill and his brother Will established what is now known as Morey’s Surfside Pier in 1969 by installing a giant fiberglass slide on the beachfront side of the boardwalk in North Wildwood. The cultural connection that grew between Morey's Pier and Cape May County is something I am proud of my family for establishing. While I’m no longer involved with the operations today, I have great memories of working at the amusement pier and spending the majority of my time in my teen years and early 20s on the boardwalk.  I loved meeting and making friends with visitors, mainly from Cape May, South Jersey, and the Philadelphia area, but also visitors from around the US and the world including International students. 

Memories of summers in Cape May County are a huge part of the identity and culture in our community. It’s a vital part of our economy. I’ve seen estimates showing as much as 90% of our economy being tied to tourism. This comes with unique issues that are best addressed with the understanding of what is unique about Cape May County.  

My father has been left paralyzed on the left side of his body requiring full time care following a botched surgery. I have been dealing with our healthcare system and health insurance from this perspective for the past 7 years. It has highlighted just how capable people within healthcare are in assisting others. At the same time it has revealed how limited they are due to the system they work within. At the county level our commissioners decided to cut funding for eldercare by selling the Crest Haven Complex to a private entity resulting in reduced care and outcomes. We can take steps to ensure that quality of care and outcomes are maintained and improved for residents requiring daily assistance in the future.

The general climate of reduced spending on social services and infrastructure from the federal government requires a new approach to ensuring that residents of Cape May County are provided services effectively. Federal grants and direct spending could be relied on since WWI, but this has changed under the current Congress and Presidential Administration and we need to start planning without the assumption of federal dollars always being available going forward.

Our current commissioners have shown discomfort with public questions around plans and decisions of the county government. Cape May County residents need representation that is open and inviting of public discourse. Furthermore, the county should be making its operations as transparent as possible making it easier for residents to engage with the commissioners in guiding county operations.

After speaking with people throughout our county, both recently and over my decades of living here, I see many opportunities for improvement to address many aspects of life in Cape May County including:

Government Transparency and Accountability

Seasonality

Childcare

Eldercare

Healthcare

Public Safety

Criminal Justice and our Courts

Housing and Development

Substantial Wealth Inequality

Growing opportunities for business and employment in the county.

Education [ Tech School - Special Services - ACCC ]

Issues due to unique Demographics

Support for our Coast Guard Community 

Support for Veterans

Environmental Stewardship 

Infrastructure

Public Transportation

Intergovernmental coordination [ DRPA ]

I don’t assume to or want to give the impression that I have all of the answers. I will continue to listen to the experiences and views of our community so we can elevate the quality of life in Cape May County. 

A little more about me

Born in Cape May County at Burdette Tomlin Memorial Hospital 

Education:

Philip P. Baker Elementary School

Wildwood Crest Memorial School

Wildwood High School

Rowan University (BS Finance - Business Administration)

Professional and work experience:

Bartender

Waiter

Electronics Manufacturing Technician

Small Business Owner/Manager

Corporate Credit Risk Management (Fortune 100)

Credit Risk Consultant

Mortgage Loan Officer

Caregiver

Please spread the word to write-in Eric John Morey for Cape May County Commissioner.

Thank you and have a great Summer in Cape May County!