GROVELAND — After serving for 17 years as a Groveland City Council member, John Griffin will be retiring this November.
Griffin was recently honored by Congressman Daniel Webster with being presented with a flag that was flown over the Capitol in Washing D.C. Webster presented the flag as a way of showing his appreciation for Griffin’s time with the Groveland City Council, and also in recognition of his time severed in the military.
Webster was not alone when he presented Griffin with such an honorable gesture. Those among him at the ceremony were Griffin’s wife Laverne Griffin, Executive Administrative Assistant Lisa Cortese, Groveland Police Cheif Shawn Ramsey, and many of Webster’s fellow staff members.
Griffin was not only a City Council member for the city of Groveland, but he also managed to be a successful owner of a sign company while raising cattle. Griffin also participated in the popular Dade Battlefield re-enactment.
While a member of the City Council, Griffin supported several initiatives such as several new parks and even a new senior center. Griffin was also a supporter of the creation of The Groveland Historical Museum, Publix SuperMarket, and Trilogy Development.
At age 73, John Griffin decided to forgo running in the election earlier this year due to being bedridden for the last several years.
During the presentation which was in his honor Webster started, “We are grateful for your service to the community. You are a loved person.” Griffin replied, “It’s been an honor today, and I thank you.”
Griffin has served his community well and was appointed vice-mayor in 2008, and was re-elected in 2009. Griffin chose to concentrate his efforts into lowering the crime rate and affordable housing.