Viewfinder: A Retirement to Remember

Honoring a longtime, respected city attorney on April Fools Day seems a fitting homage to a man who once gave a pooping pig toy to a coworker.

About 100 well-wishers showed up in to see off at a light-hearted celebration at on April 1, a day city commissioners officially decreed as John Hubbard Day.

Several attendees stepped up to a podium to offer a few words (mostly jokes) about the 37-year city attorney.

“It’s the end of an era,” one well-wisher said.

“John is absolutely a guy who speaks up. He speaks up for the right thing,” another well-wisher said.

Dunedin Fine Art Center, where Hubbard spends time and contributes, announced a new scholarship to be awarded in his name.

After all the laughs, John Hubbard addressed the crowd.

“I’m having a hard time identifying myself as anything other than the city attorney of Dunedin,” he admitted, then recognized three heroes that he feels set a shining example for him: his aunt, Vivian Skinner Grant, a former city commissioner; Herb Donald and his wife Martha; and Gladys Douglas Hackworth from the Dunedin Fine Art Center.

Hubbard admitted that the demand of his job prevented him from spending as much time with his family as they deserved, then issued heartfelt advice to City Manager Rob DiSpirito, who was in attendance with his wife.

“There’s nothing more important than your family,” he said.

He closed with words of appreciation.

“It’s been a great pleasure and a great privilege to serve you,” Hubbard said.