A former mayor of Nanaimo makes history by receiving the Freedom of the City Award.
At Monday’s council meeting, John Ruttan was given the award by mayor and council, which recognizes those who have provided an exceptional service to the community. It’s the highest honour council can award to a person, organization, or military unit.
Only 34 recipients have gotten this award, including Ruttan, who says it’s a huge honour.
“It’s one that I don’t think anyone ever expects to receive, but becomes intensely proud when they do,” said Ruttan.
“I appreciated all the attention that I got as a result of it, and it shows to me that Nanaimo is not only a wonderful place to raise your children, to live and work in, but it’s got a great future.”
The City says Ruttan got the award for his 61 years of community service and his run as mayor, where the city saw big growth through expanding the Nanaimo airport, promoting tourism, downtown development, and community safety.
Ruttan says in the build-up, he didn’t know he had been nominated.
“As time progressed, I found out for 4 to 5 months, they had been talking to my daughter and getting all kinds of information from her about it, and they said to “not tell him,” and she never did,” said Ruttan.
“It’s hard to put into words the emotional effect it has on you when you end up with a standing ovation from the audience, and it was a really heartwarming thing to feel.”
He says for the future we need to look at transportation and homelessness and how to deal with those issues.
Files provided by Justin Baumgardner, Vista Radio Staff
