John W. Wormack Sr for Council

Wormack Candidate For Council

Cumberland, Maryland, Tuesday, April 9, 1974

John W. Wormack Sr., 413 Central Avenue, a retired B&O Railroad employee, announced yesterday that he will file for City Council in the May 7 primary election.

Prior to his retirement, Mr. Wormack had attained the position of stationary engineer-in-charge of the B&O's power plant.

A union member for 24 years, he served as financial secretary-treasurer of the B&O Firemen and Oilers Local 439 for 10 consecutive years. He also represented his craft on the Joint Railroad Labor Council.

Mr. Wormack completed a one year term as chairman of the Citizens' Advisory Committee to the Mayor and City Council in 1973. He served as exalted ruler of Fort Cumberland Lodge 176, Improved Benevolent Protective Order of Elks of the World for eight years and was also elected secretary of the Municipal Planning and Zoning Commission's Minority Group Subcommittee.

Mr. Wormack is vice chairman of the Cumberland Parks and Recreation Board, and a member of the B&O YMCA board of management of the County United Way allocation committee, the Cumberland C&O Canal Association; financial secretary of the Senior Citizens Social Retirement Club, and a member of Ebenezer Baptist Church, where he serves as chairman of the board of trustees.

In announcing his candidacy, Mr. Wormack stated:

"If elected, I will immediately resign from those organizations that might conflict with my duties as a public official.

"I will welcome the opportunity to help implement any program that might be introduced in the City Council and fully cooperate with the elected Mayor and Council for the betterment of the community.

"There should be greater citizen involvement in finalizing important city programs, but, before we can expect any great amount of citizen participation, we must show some definite signs of city government unification.

"My frequent contacts with city officials while serving as chairman of the Citizens' Advisory Committee to the Mayor and City Council, and my regular attendance at council meetings have proven very educational and rewarding.

"I sincerely believe that prayer is the key that unlocks the door to good, honest, responsible city government. Spiritual guidance should not be overlooked in our day-to-day decisions, and I will constantly seek that guidance in the performance of my duties.

"Your vote will be indicative of your confidence in my efforts to help promote an efficient city government and a mandate to deal promptly and fairly with present as well as future situations.

"Being retired and not employed in any capacity will enable me to devote an unlimited amount of time to the affairs of the city.

"Your confidence and support is needed; in return, I offer you four years of honest, devoted service. Will you give me a chance?"

Mr. Wormack and his wife, the former Beatrice Kent, have five children. A sixth child, A-1C Jerry Wormack, died at the age of 21 while serving with the Air Force.

Other children are Lee Retta and Shirley, both registered nurses, and John W. Wormack Jr., an IBM engineer, all residing in New Jersey; Joyce, a freshman at Rutgers University, and James, who when he graduates will be the sixth Wormack child to receive a diploma from Fort Hill High School.