Heather Bell
RADFORD – The Radford City Council made it official at its most recent meeting, authorizing the name of a street at McHarg Elementary School “Mr. Green’s Way” in honor of retired McHarg staff member Josh Green.
At the City Council’s Aug. 8 meeting, the council unanimously passed a resolution authorizing the name of the street, pursuant to the city’s policy of naming facilities and streets. To have a city-owned facility or street named after a person, the city council had to adhere to the policy that honors individuals who have benefited the city by extraordinary efforts with investments of
their time, talents, and/or financial resources.”
The resolution says Green fits the bill, noting the “recognition of Mr. Josh Green as a McHarg Elementary School employee for 37 years, coming to work with a smile on his face every day, investing in the lives of Radford’s children, and dedicating himself to the City of Radford,” and resolving that “the drive entrance to McHarg Elementary, is named ‘Mr. Green’s Way’ in honor of [Green] for his service and commitment to Radford City Public Schools, his support and love of the students in Radford, and his dedication to the people of Radford young and old, pursuant to the authority of the city council.”
Radford Mayor David Horton thanked Green for his years of service.
“You’re every kid’s best friend at McHarg Elementary School,” Horton said.
The Radford City School Board requested the street name approval from the city council, and several school board members and Radford City Schools Superintendent Robert Graham were in attendance at the council meeting, along with Green and his wife, Diane.
When the school board unveiled the plan at its July meeting, Graham spoke about how many roles Green unofficially took on during his decades of service.
“Your title was custodian and head maintenance supervisor, but really you wore more hats than that, serving as a teacher and a mentor, a school nutrition worker, a counselor, a physical educator, and all sorts of things,” said Graham during the July meeting. “You mean so much to this community. We’re hopeful that when folks travel this street there will be some sort of osmosis, and our students will absorb the positivity, humility, energy, and all of those wonderful characteristics that you brought to us every day.”