Walter Ward

Who was Walter Ward?

Walter Ward was a member of the New York City Council for a quarter of a century, serving 13 terms from 1968 until 1993. Ward, who took courses at the Dale Carnegie Institute, was the owner of the Ward Advertising Company, which specialized in outdoor signs. Ward sold the business in 1971 to devote himself solely to representing the 32nd Legislative District, which incorporated Broad Channel, Howard Beach, Ozone Park, South Ozone Park, and the Rockaways. Towards the end of his tenure, Ward was the oldest member of the legislative body, and had earned the unofficial title “Dean of the Council.”

Throughout his 25 years in office, Ward worked ardently for clean beaches and against airplane noise, issues at the heart of his constituency near the coast and around John F. Kennedy International Airport. Ward became chairman of the City Council Committee of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs, and a member of the Council’s General Welfare Committee. Ward also cast one of the deciding electoral votes for President John F. Kennedy after being named a Democratic elector for New York State in the 1960 presidential election.