Memories: President Jimmy Carter visits Gloucester City
Sunday, December 14, 2008
William E. Cleary Sr. | CNBNewsnet
GLOUCESTER CITY NJ--During my 40 plus years as a journalist, I have covered many events some are memorable others I like to forget. Going through some old photos recently I stumbled upon this photo of President Jimmy Carter with the Knights of Columbus Council #674 banner in the background. Many residents are unaware that President Jimmy visited Gloucester City in 1979 during a campaign stomp through New Jersey when he was running for a second term.
A local family from Gloucester City, the Rafferty's were chosen to host a chat with the President to be held at the Knights of Columbus Hall on Monmouth Street.
Several thousand people crowded Monmouth Street hoping for a glimpse of the President. When his motor caravan stopped in front of the K of C Hall, the President got out of his limousine and waded into the crowd. The Secret Service stood back as "Jimmy" shook hands with some of the onlookers. Behind the limo were two buses of news reporters along with television camera crews. Needless to say the public was upset with the bus drivers for blocking their view of President Carter. The jeers came and the buses moved over to the Library parking lot.
PHOTO BY ED TUCKER
Inside the Hall about 50 invited guests of the Rafferty's waited in anticipation. The President was very relaxed as he answered prepared questions from the audience. Besides the Rafferty family, there were the Gormans, the Wards, the Nolans to mention a few.
Sitting in awe in the section designated for the press was this reporter along with my father George Cleary who was publisher of the Gloucester City News at the time. Two chairs over was my idol TV newscaster Sam Donaldson. The heck with the President, I wanted to meet Sam and got a chance afterwards to shake his hand and chat.
The following week Rosalyn Carter paid a visit to South Jersey campaigning for her husband. She met with Democrat supporters at a Rally held the Silver Lake Inn, Clementon. Dad and I also got a chance to attend that event.
Among those photos was a picture of a young Father Brian O'Neill demonstrating at a protest in the 1980's in Gloucester City. I hold that story and photo for another time.
