NOW THE WORK BEGINS

Gloucester City\’s Reorganization Meeting Begins With A Number of \”Bombshell\” Surprises

Photos by Bruce Darrow; article by Bill Cleary

January 4

Gloucester City-Council chambers was packed with friends and supporters to witness the swearing in of three new council members along with a incumbent councilman.

Taking the oath of office (above from left, was incumbent Democrat Councilman William Hagan (1st Ward), Independent Democrat Councilman Jay Brophy (3rd Ward), Independent Democrat Mayor William James, and Independent Democrat Councilman Nick Marchese (2nd Ward). On hand to administer the oath of office to the foursome was State Assembly Speaker Joe Roberts.

In November the three unknowns without any political experience knocked their opposition off their feet to win the Mayor post along with two council seats. Even so the majority of power remained with the Democrat machine as the incumbent councilman Hagan was thought to be entrenched with those who had been in control of the city for many years.

Apparently though Hagan was not happy with the way the Dem\’s had been running the community. He showed his displeasure with his vote during Thursday meeting. A motion was made to do away with the position of Confidential Aide to the Mayor. A $40,000 full time job to assist a mayor who held a part-time volunteer position. With the vote tied 3-3 Hagan voted with the Independents and the position was eliminated.

It was also evident during the proceedings that the incumbents were surprised by the motion that Councilman Marchese made to begin broadcasting the council meetings on the local cable channel. The motion carried 7-0 but you could tell several of the incumbents were not happy with what they claimed was supposedly a motion that was still in the \”talking stage\”.

Several years ago, the Democratic council did away with that practice. The reason given was the public played up to the camera during the open forum of the meeting. One council member said at the time, \”they use the opportunity to have their 15 minutes of fame.\”

It was no surprise that Solicitor Jim Maley wouldn\’t be re-appointed. A fixture at city council meetings for nearly two decades the solicitor with the big wide grin on his face was replaced by attorney James Kearney of Haddon Heights.

Following the meeting the Independents held a celebration for family, friends and supporters at O\’Hara\’s Pub on King Street. It is interesting to note that Mayor James father, Bill Sr., served on council in the 60\’s and 70\’s and Councilman Brophy\’s father, Jack, served on council in the 80\’s.

The photos of the proceedings and the festivities can been viewed in the column to your left.