Originally appeared in the OSCAR, April 1999
Mayor Jim Watson honored 27 local residents who have helped make Ottawa a better place to live at the First Annual Mayor's Awards for Community Service ceremony, Thursday March 4. The award winners were selected through a nomination process which included input from members of the community."Following last year's ice-storm, it struck me that far too often we take for granted our unsung heros," said Mayor Watson. "These men and women put so much back into their community and neighborhoods.
"Since becoming Mayor just over a year ago. I have come to realize that it is not just natural disasters that bring out the best in people: it is a phenomenon that happens every single day. A day doesn't go by when I don't see the great work of volunteers in our city," said the Mayor. "This ceremony was a way of saying 'Thank you so much for all you do."
Old Ottawa South’s Greg Wright was one of the recipients. For years, Greg has been an exemplary leader in our community. He has been extensively involved with issues and activities affecting the well-being of the community.
Greg has served on the OSCA board of directors, serving four years as president. During this time, he also chaired the traffic study steering committee among his many other responsibilities. He was also a founding member of the Coalition of Inner City Community Associations and the City Centre Coalition, a group opposed to the Airport Parkway Extension.
His tireless efforts on behalf of and between residents of Old Ottawa South have done much to improve the quality of life of all of us. He demonstrates that community action can lead to tangible results and he has inspired and motivated others, who might not have got involved in community affairs, to do so. In particular Greg has a talent for bringing together residents with divergent views and helping them arrive at a common vision.