Ocean County Commissioners GOP Primary 2021: Bobbi Jo Crea

TOMS RIVER, NJ — With Primary Day for the 2021 general election coming up June 8, Patch is sharing profiles of the candidates for local office.

Barbara "Bobbi" Jo Crea is one of four candidates seeking the Republican nomination for the two, four-year seats on the Ocean County Board of Commissioners on the Nov. 2 general election ballot.

Patch asked each candidate the same questions. Here are Crea's answers.

Your name: Barbara "Bobbi" Jo Crea

Age: 72

Town of residence: Little Egg Harbor Township

Position sought: Ocean County Commissioner

Party affiliation: Republican

Family: Widowed, stepmother of two with six grandchildren

Education: Graduate of Hamilton High School West, Mercer County Community College coursework, Graduate of Certified Public Managers Program

Occupation: Retired Bureau Chief, New Jersey Division of Taxation

Previous elective office, if any: Little Egg Harbor Township Committee 2002-2007, 2017-present, Little Egg Harbor Township Mayor 2006-2007, 2019-2020

Do you or anyone in your family work for the state, county or local governments? No.

Why are you seeking office? I feel with my life experience as a public servant, I will make an excellent addition to the County Commissioner Board. As a past mayor and current committeewoman, I am dedicated to helping provide a better quality of life for the people of Little Egg Harbor and I will be dedicated to use my same experience on the Commissioner Board to serve the entire county as well.

What do you feel is the most pressing issue facing the community, and what do you want to do about it? I think at this current time, COVID has caused many issues for many of our Ocean County towns. Ocean County has many tourist communities and all of our small businesses that have been closed for a long length of time or that had not been able to open at full capacity is a major impact on our county. As we move forward in the upcoming year as we get COVID under control, Ocean County may be facing new issues such as reopening our schools and getting the kids back in the classrooms, small business owners rebuild their businesses, help the community who are dealing with mental illness, depression and drug abuse. I will work alongside with the Board of Commissioners to ensure an accountable plan.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking to serve? Having served as mayor of Little Egg Harbor, I feel the main difference between my opponents and myself is the years of experience I have working as a public servant and making real decisions for taxpayers. It has made me aware of the everyday needs of the residents, which has allowed me to make a positive impact on their lives.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform. Ocean County taxpayers need a strong leader they can depend on to fight for them against Phil Murphy's radical policies that hurt Ocean County. I will continue to fight hard for all the residents in every town to provide the service and improvements that are needed in each and every community.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you will be effective in office? As a loyal and active public servant for years, my contributions to my community have extended beyond elected office. I am proud to have successfully brought Interfaith Health and Support Services of Southern Ocean County to Little Egg Harbor. This organization helps homebound and elderly who may be unable to drive to their medical appointments or get to a grocery store. Their volunteers provide many more services as well for seniors. I am also a member and liaison to the Little Egg Harbor Township's Senior Advisory Board, a member of the Board of Directors for the Ocean County Health Department, a member of the American Legion Auxiliary Post 493 and a trustee to the Great Bay Regional Volunteer EMS.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions? As a stepmother of two and grandmother of six, fighting for the future of America matter to me. I will ensure that the leadership of Ocean County is a model for how we go forward. I am proud that I live in Ocean County. Ocean County is the greatest place to work, retire and live in and I will fight hard as a commissioner to keep it that way.

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