One of Wellington County’s longest-serving politicians and a man whose name is inextricably linked to community service was honoured, and lightly roasted, at a tribute evening here on April 11.
Nearly 200 friends, family, co-workers and cohorts were on hand for the tribute to John Green, which began with a dinner at the PMD arena.
Green, who moved to Drayton from the Paisley area in the 1960s, has been involved in municipal politics for 37 years and served on local councils in the former village of Drayton and later the amalgamated Township of Mapleton.
Green was a mayor for 22 years and Wellington County warden three times. He also served five years on the board of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO), four years on the provincial advisory committee on rural planning, six years on the Wellington County Police Services board and 22 years on the board of Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health.
Green’s community involvement has included volunteer work with minor Sports, Kinsmen, Palmerston and District Hospital and the Drayton Community Citizen’s Association. He was also the founding chair of Drayton Entertainment. Green has been honoured with a Kinsmen life membership, Paul Harris Fellowship from Rotary, a provincial citation for contribution to the arts in Ontario and, in 2003, the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Medal.
Green served his final term in office from 2010 to 2014, as Wellington County councillor for Ward 2. He served as finance committee chair during the term, before losing his re-election bid by a narrow margin in the Oct. 25 election.
“That might have been the only way dad would actually retire from local politics,” said his daughter, Barbara Jo Green-Roads, who joined the tribute via Skype from her home in Australia.
“Dad’s political career has been varied, both in its scope and in its success,” she added.
Green’s other daughter, Robyn Green, told the audience she often falls back on one of her father’s guiding principals in her own life.
“One of the most valuable lessons I learned from him was that one must remain strong on their own for as long as they can, while at the same time knowing when to ask for help.”
Perth-Wellington MPP Randy Pettapiece presented Green with a certificate from the province recognizing his contribution to local government.
“Thirty-seven years in municipal politics. That’s quite an accomplishment. It really is,” said Pettapiece.
Wellington-Halton Hills MP Michael Chong said, “For over 35 years you have served the community and the county and contributed a lot – it’s quite remarkable.”
Chong noted that in addition to his political work, Green has contributed to community life through various service clubs and a fundraising golf tournament he hosts annually.
“There are large numbers of people who have enjoyed a better quality of life because of the work that you contributed.”
Longtime friend, former council cohort and fellow Kinsman Ron Ellis said, “If I was going to come up with a word that could describe John the only word I could come up with is involvement.”
He added, in addition to Green getting involved in a wide range of organizations and causes himself, “it’s his ability to involve others” that sets Green apart.
Noting the many community improvements which occurred during Green’s tenure, including construction of a sewage system in Drayton and the establishment of a local medical centre, Ellis said, “The way things turned out we couldn’t have followed a better leader than John Green.”
Among the causes Green spearheaded over the years was the restoration of the 1909 opera house in the village of Drayton, which became the first venue operated by Drayton Entertainment.
Artistic director Alex Mustakas, in a letter read by Ellis, recognized Green for his “personal vision and unwavering belief,” in the project.
“Under his leadership,” noted Mustakas, the theatre obtained, “plush new seats, an elevator, air conditioning and many other amenities.”
Jean Campbell, former clerk of the village of Drayton, spoke of Green’s leadership style with local council.
“He would sit back … listen to what everyone had to say and when they would finish he would examinee their contribution, give his remarks … even then he was very persuasive as a speaker and he often got his own way,” she said.
Campbell also recalled working with Green on volunteer projects and noted his talent for engaging others.
“Once John learned that you would volunteer in the community, he would have any number of uses for your capacities.”
Current CAO Patty Sinnamon recalls Green as a determined leader who quickly got things done once he set his mind to it.
One Saturday morning in 2008, Green called her to a meeting, she recalled, and “by the end of the day we had planned out a new Seniors Centre for Excellence,” meeting a deadline for a grant application later that same week.
“John is a man who always gets things done,” she stated.
This July, Green is slated to become Ontario Grand Master of the Masonic Lodge in Ontario. “If you lead our Grand Lodge the way you led your municipalities we will survive and we will flourish,” said fellow Mason Tom Siemernyk.
Doug Raycroft a former AMO president, said politicians from across the province respect Green’s leadership style.
“In his quiet and efficient way he’s done nothing but enhance the profession.”
Another former AMO president, Terry Mundell of Wellington County, recalled being one of eight rookies on county council when Green was elected Warden in 1989.
“We were young and he was immature and it was a perfect fit,” he quipped.
Wellington County CAO Scott Wilson, who as an Orangeville councillor is also a politician, said Green is “probably the most well-known politician ever produced by Wellington County.
“It was impossible not to know John Green from Drayton,” he added.
Wilson said municipal staff appreciates Green’s approach. “The lower on the totem pole you are, the more he gives you credit for the county’s success,” he said, adding those on the top of the flow charts faced exacting demands from Green.
Wilson said that both as warden and as finance chair, Green worked hard to ensure budget dollars were directed effectively and that staff had the resources needed to carry out council’s direction.
“If you live in Wellington County or Dufferin County or Guelph, chances are your qualify of life is better because of John Green,” said Wilson.
Along with the laurels, the evening included plenty of jibes at Green for his direct manner, Liberal leanings and fondness for a good time, all of which he took in stride.
“That was the best comedy hour I’ve had in a couple of years,” he quipped when handed the microphone to wrap up the evening.
Green noted people often comment on the many years he served in local government and he addressed one of his reasons for not retiring sooner, also offering some tounge-in-cheek advice to others.
“Before you do retire, take a week off and watch daytime TV,” he suggested.
Green thanked a number of supporters who went door to door with him during election campaigns over the years, including Ellis, Campbell and the late Jim Murray, and also the many people who worked with him on community projects over the years.
“There are a lot of people that build a community. We did many things here through community service and those people are heroes in this community,” he stated. “I love this county and I love this community.”
