A lifelong resident of Gloucester City, NJ, age 80, passed away with his family by his bedside on April 26, at the home of his sister and brother in law Edna and Rich Geiser. Survived by his daughter Mary Jane (George) Muncey, grandchildren John Black and Melissa (Colin) Law, and great granchildren Nicole Black and Cameron and Avery Law. Walter was the son of the late Charles P. and Catherine Smith, Sr. Dear brother of Margaret (Tom Schoell) Hargesheimer, Edna (Rich) Geiser, both of Gloucester City, John (Lorraine) Smith and James Smith both of Westville. His God Son Mike Hargesheimer, special friends Kenny and Chrissy Martin of Cape May, and many nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews also survive him. He was predeceased by his siblings Catherine McCormick, Lena, George, Harry and Charles Smith, Jr.

In his younger days Walter enjoyed roller skating with his sister Lena and going to the casinos with his brother in law Rich. A proud Army Veteran of WWII, Walter was a member of the Townsend C. Young VFW Post #3620, and The American Legion Post #135 of Gloucester City.

Relatives and friends are invited to meet on Tuesday evening from 7:00 to 9:00 PM and again on Wednesday from 10:00 to 11:00 AM at the Etherington-Creran Funeral Home, 700 Powell St., Gloucester City, NJ. Walter\’s funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM. Interment Woodbury Memorial Park, West Deptford, NJ.

GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ-The Gloucester City Pond Gang poses for a photo taken in the 1950\’s at Martins Lake, Brown Street and Sparks Avenue.

The \”Rough & Ready\” guys are (bottom) from left, Jungle Murphy, Pete Coppola, Bob Grub, Beaver, Butch Shaffer, Jake Burkardt, Bill \”Wiby\” Yeager, Frank \”Reds\” Grandizio, Jim Clements, Stanley Schellcroft.

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After becoming Chairman of the City\’s Democrat Organization last month, my first order of business was to issue a letter to all registered Democrats in Gloucester City seeking individuals who would be interested in running for either City Council or the City\’s Democrat Committee. The letter appeared in the GCN and a number of people answered the call. I held discussions with the current members of the Democrat Executive Board, as well as the Independent Mayor and Council. The purpose of these discussions was to ensure that the Democrat Party put forth the best candidates for Gloucester City. As a result, I am pleased to say that the Democrat organization is putting forth a united slate of candidates for Gloucester City\’s future.

Before I address this year\’s candidates, I first want to address those individuals who will not be seeking reelection this year. Democrat County Committee members not seeking reelection include: Roseanne Michel, Paul Kormann, Margaret Barr, Jim Rauchut, Jean Kaye and Patrick Keating. These fine individuals have been the backbone of Democrat campaigns for a number of years. They have promoted Democrat values and worked diligently for every Democrat candidate on the ballot. Their service has not only been appreciated by me, but by the entire organization. Their tireless work will not be forgotten, and it is my hope that they will be able to pass some of their experience on to those individuals who will be running this year.

City Council members not seeking reelection include Anthony \’Rocky\’ Kormann, Elsie Loebell and Jean Kaye. Rocky has served the residents of the 1^st Ward for a number of years with honor and dignity. He has worked to ensure their interests, as well as the interests of all City residents, were met. Elsie replaced my grandfather on City Council, and I still recall stuffing envelopes in her living room. As the senior member of council, she has served on all most all committees and has truly been a voice for the residents of the 2^nd Ward. Jean has led the fight on the housing committee to ensure our City\’s housing stock is held to the highest standard. She has been a tireless worker for the residents of the 3^rd Ward and she has always been accessible to their needs. Rocky, Elsie and Jean, I thank each of you for your years of service to Gloucester City and the Democrat Organization.

As was mentioned in last week\’s GCN the endorsed Democrat council candidates for 2007 include: John Hutchinson – 1^st Ward; Bruce Parry – 2^nd Ward; and Kellie Ferry – 3^rd Ward. These individuals have been involved with various organizations for a number of years and I believe that they will continue the tireless work of their predecessors on City Council. The 2007 Democrat Committee candidates include: 1^st Ward – AnnaMarie Smith, Carol Stafford, Patrick Hagan and Robert Saunders; 2^nd Ward – Bernadette Flinn, Vanessa Courant, Raymond W. Coxe and Frank Wunsch; and 3™ Ward – Mary DeFoney, Helen \”Lynn\” Bucher, Daniel Cosner and Sean Murphy. Again, these fine individuals are not new to Gloucester City. They will continue promoting Democrat values as well as Democrat candidates. They will be there to be YOUR liaison to your respective council persons.

On a personal note, last week\’s GCN article stated that \”.. .the newcomers of the City Democrat organization have won out,\” and \”.. .the New Organization.\” These statements are truly false and it is a disservice to have these statements printed in the City News. The only winners are the residents of Gloucester City. They will have individuals who are willing to work tirelessly on their behalf to continue economic development, improving our infrastructure, working with our Board of Education and striving to take Gloucester City to that next level. There is no new organization, and an apology should go all too all current and past members of the Gloucester City Democrat Club. Each month the Club advertises its meeting and in the advertisement it states to \”.. .bring a friend,\” so while we may have new members joining, which is a good thing, I can assure you, there is NO new organization.

Raymond W. Coxe Chairman