WHEREAS it is the intention of the Mayor and Council of Cherry Hill Township to focus attention on noteworthy individuals; and

WHEREAS on Sunday, March 3, Merchantville resident Gerald Smith came to the aid of a woman in distress outside a Cherry Hill supermarket; and

WHEREAS on that evening, Mr. Smith, who was waiting in a nearby vehicle, witnessed a man approach the woman, steal her purse and attempt to flee; and

WHEREAS without a moment’s hesitation or regard for his own personal well-being, Mr. Smith jumped out of his car, chased the suspect, and apprehended him until Cherry Hill Police arrived on scene; and

WHEREAS because of Mr. Smith’s quick thinking and selflessness, the victim suffered no additional loss, and the suspect was taken into custody; and

WHEREAS society as a whole benefits when citizens do the right thing, as Mr. Smith did in this situation, and we owe him a debt of gratitude for his willingness to jump into action when the situation presented itself.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, CHUCK CAHN, by virtue of the authority vested in me as Mayor of the Township of Cherry Hill, County of Camden, State of New Jersey, do hereby declare Tuesday, April 9, 2013, as

Gerald Smith Day

in the Township of Cherry Hill and do urge all citizens to join with me and Council in thanking Mr. Smith for his quick thinking and selflessness, and in looking to his act of courage as an example we should all hope to follow.

_____________________________
Chuck Cahn
Mayor
April 8, 2013