Commentary:
The Time Has Come For Change
By William E. Cleary Publisher Emeritus
If you have been reading the Gloucester City News or ClearysNotebook in recent weeks I have pointed out what I felt are numerous problems with our City. If you need a reminder, go to the left hand column and look at the articles I have written. Listed under Bills Point of View.
Each November the faces of the “Professional Politicians” in Gloucester City may change but the rhetoric remains the same. For an example the drumbeat continues for revitalizing our riverfront, which was first proposed in 1984.
Here we are two decades later we are still waiting for the grandeur proposals to become a reality.
The “professional politicians” have had their chance. It is time to give someone else a turn.
Consequently, I believe the “James Ticket” consisting of Bill James for Mayor, 
Nicholas Marchese Jr., for 2nd Ward Councilman and Jay Brophy, for 3rd Ward Councilman are the best choice to lead our community in a new direction.
They are qualified, enthusiastic and each man processes that rare attribute of charisma. Over their adult lives, they showed their love for Gloucester City by volunteering for numerous organizations. They are not politicians. As such, they owe allegiance to no political machine.
They have grown up in our town and know from experience what needs to be
done to reverse the downward spiral.
All three are registered Democrats who like the rest of us have grown tired of the same old “political spin”. They have stepped up to the plate and are running as Independents. They have promised they won’t rubber stamp every ordinance/resolution that comes up just because the “Party Boss” says this is what you must do.
You will have to agree it would be nice just occasionally to hear an opposing view from a member of City Council. I know for myself it would be a welcome breath of fresh air to what we have witnessed over so many years. Those in charge say they hash it out in caucus.
Well I find that hard to believe that those differences of opinion are never carried over to the regular council meeting.
Don’t let this opportunity slip by. There are fewer and fewer true Gloucesterite’ s that see a wrong and are willing to fight to change it. I, like you, want to see less talk and more action.
In my 40 years of reporting on Gloucester City, I have never endorsed a local candidate for office. Not once.
That is until now.
I believe so strongly in these three individuals I refused to stay silent.
Thus, I urge you to join with me and vote on November 7th for the “James Ticket” Column 4 on the ballot.
(Note: the opinions expressed are those of the author. Moreover, these views do not represent the opinion of the Gloucester City News.)
