The Hammonton Gazette 09/24/14 Edition | Page 5

Reagan spoke locally in 1984 Page 4 • Wednesday, September 24, 2014 • The Hammonton Gazette REAGAN, from Page 1 gan stood at a podium in the middle of Bellevue Avenue on a huge raised platform erected for the day that stretched between the building that now houses offices, including The Gazette and what is now Wells fargo Bank. the reagan rock, placed by the Greater Hammonton Chamber of Commerce in 1988, commemorates the location of the dled all that kind of stuff. the people from texas were on the phone with the hardware store in Hammonton, and they told them how to mix ‘presidential blue’ paint. i just thought it was amazing, because it all happened so fast,” Weiss said. Weiss said he recalled looking out at the crowd of 30,000 from the dais on that day. “it just looked like a sea of people. He was up in the front, and you were looking past him. it was an enormous crowd,” Weiss said. After the speech, some local people had a chance to interact with reagan. “We had a chance to meet with him in the bank [now Wells fargo Bank] and have a picture taken with him. He was so cordial. i told him, “Mr. President, i think you’re doing a great job.’ And he said, ‘Well, thank you sir.’ He was so friendly, you wouldn’t believe it,” Weiss said. TAKE OUT & PIZZA there were two sharpshooters on top of the bank during the address, Weiss said. A special platform was built on the roof of the bank so they could have a clear view over the wall that used to be on top of the bank’s roof. the late republican Councilman Andrew Berenato Sr. unveiled a street sign with the words “ronald reagan Dr.” on it. “that’s never happened to me before. i’m very honored and very proud,” reagan said. Central DELIVERy Delivery Charge $1 GS WIN See PRESIDENT, Page 14 Ask us about our everyday specials! 567-8111 501 3RD STREET HAMMONTON Corner of 3rd & Fairview Hours: Open Daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. NOW OPEN MONDAYS! Slice of Pizza $1 ~ 2pm-4pm Limit 2 per customer. All toppings extr