John Ruttan, Nanaimo's 24th mayor, was conferred with the city's highest honour during a recent council meeting.
Ruttan, who worked as mayor from 2008-14, also served as Loyal Nanaimo Bathtub Society commodore, chairperson of the Nanaimo Port Authority and president of Tourism Nanaimo.
Mayor Leonard Krog presented the Freedom of the City during council's regular meeting on Monday, January 20, donning his formal chain of office.
The presentation makes Ruttan the 34th individual conferred with the honour, and seventh former mayor to be following John Barsby, Victor Harrison, George Muir, Earle Westwood, Peter Maffeo and Frank Ney.
"We are gathered here in rather extraordinary numbers for a council meeting for the Freedom of the City award to John Ruttan," Krog noted. "It's the highest honour the city council can award an individual, organization or military unit to recognize their exceptional service or contributions to our community."
Those attending included several members of the former mayor's council, including George Anderson who now serves as MLA for Nanaimo-Lantzville.
Krog quoted Ruttan's nomination, describing Ruttan as "a tireless advocate" and "a steady and reliable force in our community demonstrating that effective leadership is build on trust and moral principles."
"John, I just want to offer my strong personal congratulations, I had such respect for the guy, when was MLA I figured out very early on he took his coffee black and at all those myriad of events and banquets I insisted on bringing him his coffee because I figured it was a small token of respect – and after all, I didn't have to pay for it either," Krog joked.
In a fall press release announcing council's intention to bestow Ruttan with the honour, the city stated that the former mayor's leadership "was pivotal during a period of significant city growth," including the expansion of the Nanaimo Airport in his role as chairman of the support YCD committee.
A unanimous vote of all members of council is required for a Freedom of the City honour to be granted.