Zack Mullock

Since childhood, Zack Mullock has been shaped and molded by community and family for his current role as Cape May’s mayor. The Mullocks’ endeavors in both the hospitality and historic preservation industries ingrained in him a respect and understanding of Cape May’s distinctive rhythm and dynamic.

Not yet 40 years old, he is serving the first year of his second elected term, making him one of the youngest mayors in Cape May’s history. 

Zack and his wife, Justine, are often seen with their three children: Bobby, 11; Tallulah, 9; and James, 6. Whether on the beach, walking the mall, watching the fireworks or waiting in line at their favorite ice cream parlors, Zack and his family are a testament to hometown pride and community values.

What are the most memorable moments of your childhood in Cape May? 

I had an awesome childhood in Cape May. Anyone who grew up in Cape May would recognize the childhood I had. I grew up in my parents’ bed and breakfast, The Victorian Rose on Columbia Avenue. We had a house in Cape May Point but were always at the bed and breakfast. Like many locals, I began working at about 12 years old and I loved it! Being in town, the hustle and bustle of summer was a cool way to grow up.

It truly is part of the culture of our resort community that kids are put to work very early. 

My parents’ idea of babysitting was to give me a paintbrush. But of course, getting a frozen Coke and heading to the arcade was just as memorable. I also have really fond memories of my summer friends. You know, the ones who you miss all during the off-season. 

When I interviewed Linda Ewing [Cape May Parking Enforcement Officer] she remembered taking care of you in the Cape May summer camp when you were little.

That’s right! Miss Linda took care of me and Shaine Meier, who is now on City Council. 

I’d like to learn about the challenge that being a public figure has to your private life. When spending time with your family at a restaurant or on the town, do people disrespect boundaries and approach you about political issues? 

Sure. It happens a lot, but it doesn’t bother me. 

Does it bother your wife? 

No, she knows I like it. The kids love it too. That’s really an honest answer. The kids think it’s cool that their dad’s the mayor. When James was four and five years old, we tried to explain to him what it meant that I was mayor. And he asked, “Does that mean you’re the president of Cape May?” I said, “In a way.” It’s kind of funny. 

Have people ever approached you in public and become irate? 

Sure, it’s happened, but not often. And when they do approach me and are heated or emotional about something, I really make an effort and try to understand where their upset or anger is coming from. There might be people who are upset because they were told “no” to something they wanted. But most of the time when I deal with someone who is very emotional it’s because they love this town. They may have an approach or idea that they feel is right for Cape May. So, I always have to remind myself that their upset and passion is coming from a good place. 

More than any other mayor in recent years, you have mastered social media. I feel your social media posts really allow the public to see the town from your perspective. It makes you very relatable to us.

A lot of the social media activities have to do with my age. I am much younger than any of the recent mayors and among the youngest of elected officials in town. Many of my social media posts aren’t necessarily me doing it as mayor. I just want to give some updates to others in the same casual way that I like being informed.

What Cape May figure of the past do you admire the most? 

My road to becoming mayor began by being on the Historic Preservation Commission. I loved being on that commission but mostly revered the people on HPC. Those people are truly responsible for the Cape May we have today. Tom Carroll and Dave Clemans both come to mind as figures I admire. Those guys are examples of great men who stood up for what they believed. Former Mayor [Robert] Elwell has always been helpful to me and has always given me good advice. I always felt Mayor Elwell maintained a finger on the pulse of this town. 

My observation is that you are the first Cape May mayor since Bruce Minnix whose passion for historic preservation is truly making a difference. Your service as mayor seems to have rekindled the fervor of the town’s Victorian revival in the 1970s. 

Wow, I consider all that quite a compliment. Bruce was an awesome mayor who really saved this town. Look, I was born in a bed and breakfast, and my family currently owns the oldest hotel in town. To me, there is so much contained in Cape May that makes it special. Of all the shore towns along the Jersey coast, we have two things that are above and beyond the others. First, it’s community, and the second thing is our historic nature. I still run into people who are surprised to learn that we are a National Historic Landmark City. Yes, I do have a passion for this town and seeing that our history and architecture is properly preserved. In the 1970s, it was all about preserving these beautiful old houses. Now that we’ve done that, it’s about maintaining those houses and their historic and aesthetic value. 

That said, there is a specific house I want to ask you about. The house at 505 Broad Street seems to be the last forgotten historic property in town. It’s really a shame to see this beautiful Victorian cottage abandoned and falling apart. I know two people who live in its vicinity who have expressed official concerns and complaints about its condition. It seems to me it will end up as another casualty of “demolition by neglect.” What’s happening with it? 

It’s interesting you brought that up. We just had a city council meeting in which we introduced an ordinance not allowing demolition by neglect. I honestly don’t think we will have any problem passing that ordinance. Basically, it means we will no longer accept demolition by neglect. Anyone who thinks they can just allow their house to fall into a severe state of disrepair in order to tear it down will not be able to do that. The house you are asking about is one of the ones the Historic Preservation Commission has listed as a concern. 

I hope that house can be saved from further deterioration. Or I hope someone with some vision will purchase it and restore it.

You know, so many times with houses like that, I have seen situations where someone might have passed away, and perhaps surviving family are stalled in settling the estate. I have also seen situations where there is no heir at all to the home and it may take years to go through various legal processes. 

Can’t the city just step in and do something? 

Not unless there is an extreme circumstance for doing it. Property rights are very strong and for very good reason. What I can say right now is that this new ordnance will be a huge step in the right direction for historic preservation and for places like the house on Broad Street. 

You are always out and about with your family. Have you ever overheard someone saying something about Cape May that has made you identify yourself to them? 

(laughing) I love that question because I am listening to people all the time, whether in line at the grocery store or at one of the coffee shops. I love to hear people talk about Cape May. So many times, they’re not really correct about something but it’s funny. Often, they are talking about how much they love the town. I think it’s important to listen to what others are saying because they may be expressing something that they will never address to me or to the city and it could be something in need of improvement. Earlier this summer I was standing in line at Bagel Time Cafe. There was a family in line with a few young kids, and one kid was a special needs child who had difficulty walking. I heard them saying how cool it was that there was a young mayor who made the Kiwanis Club Park and playground handicap accessible. I heard them say how they wished their hometown would do the same thing. I wasn’t going to say anything, but they were making some beautiful and heartfelt comments. I introduced myself and told them I appreciated what I heard them say. 

How about a situation where you overhear something that makes you identify yourself and set the record straight? 

Sure! Here’s one I remember. I was sitting alone having breakfast at George’s Place while working on the city budget. I was seated in a booth and had my black binder opened on the table. Behind me, a group of people started talking about the occupancy tax. At the time, the city was discussing whether it should be increased or not. Anyway, the one lady said, “Well, I hear the mayor owns the Chalfonte Hotel so I’m sure they won’t raise the occupancy tax.” I couldn’t resist! I turned around in my booth and said, “Hello! I’m Zack, the mayor.” They all started laughing and then I explained to them if we raise taxes, they are raised for everyone, even me. I always laugh when I remember that morning. 

You have always been so supportive of artists in town. I thought it was so cool when you had sand sculptor Brendan Schaffer make the gigantic Philadelphia Eagles sculpture on the beach during Super Bowl week. 

You know, we always talk about our history and architecture in Cape May but equally as important is our arts and culture. Especially supporting the many artists like Brendan. Cape May has always attracted artistic people. We’ve done so much this past year with East Lynne Theater Company. We talked a minute ago about the advantages Cape May has over other shore towns, well, we have two professional Equity theater companies here. We have several museums and art galleries. The importance of supporting our arts community is a no-brainer to me. 

What advantages do your kids have growing up in Cape May that you didn’t have?

It’s always so easy to think of what was better when we were kids. Let’s see, I think an advantage they have is we live on a street that is a bit quieter than what I remember from being at the bed and breakfast when I was a kid. There are actually a few more families on our street. The advantages are huge but not much different than when I was growing up. I mean I can send Bobby to the Acme to get something, and we can walk to church. Bobby can walk to the beach and go fishing. 

What kind of fish does he catch? 

He catches anything and then tells you about it for days! 

I want to conclude with one of the coolest memories I have of you as mayor. It’s of you and your family the morning after the Christmas parade. You and your kids had brooms and trash bags and were helping to clean the curbs and the sidewalks from all the parade festivities the night before. Are you instilling in them the same respect and service toward community that your parents instilled in you? 

My parents always wanted us to serve our community and be involved. When I was younger, we traveled to several orphanages in South America. We helped with clean-up after Hurricane Katrina too. My parents taught us that God gave us gifts to help others. I try to teach our kids the same.