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Dozens of friends and constituents of Eugene Greene took some time out of last weekend to let the township supervisor know what he has meant to them. The last time the township hall lot had this many vehicles in it was maybe during the 150th township anniversary celebration last summer. Guitar and violin music wafted out town hall doors as a quartet serenaded well-wishers reconnecting with "The Chairman." The sheet cake was gorgeous and the afternoon sunshine literally bounced around the white-washed interior of the quaint town hall.

Town Board Chair Greene did not file for re-election this year after serving as a Franconia Township supervisor for 36 years. He said there was no single reason for the decision, it was just a good time.

Joe Johnson, unofficial mayor of the village of Franconia, down on the river's edge, said Greene was "...always trying to do what was in the best interest of the township." Sue Thompson, just elected last month as a Franconia Town Supervisor, said when she started attending township board meetings she was immediately struck by Greene's style and how he worked with others.

Greene, in very brief remarks at the podium, said he worked with "...alot of good people who made me look good." The outpouring of affection and respect last Saturday touched him-- this was something he never expected, he added.

When Greene started as a supervisor he was appointed to fill someone's term who died. Greene said Harlan Vitalis "urged me to run" for election when the appointment ended, and Greene won. Then he was re-elected about 10 more times.

The town owned one piece of heavy equipment in the 1970s and now there's several. Large loaders, road graders, a water truck...each expensive item came onto the township inventory as part of a planned process. A large pole building was built for storage. Many more township roads have been paved. Greene said when he started, the Franconia budget was one-tenth what it is now ($60,000 versus $600,000.)

Chairman Greene donated an American flag to the township . He was presented with a commemorative gavel and striking block. And, there is still a Greene in the chairman's spot, Verner Greene, jr.-- Greene's nephew-- is the new township chair.

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