Donald Green stands at the Festhalle Market Platz in this January 2017 Times photo. The farmer’s market was established during his administration as mayor.

A lot of familiar names are associated with success and leadership across Cullman.

Woody Jacobs, Max Townson, Kenny Culpepper, the late Chester Freeman, and many more. They all share one person in common who has been a part of their lives — Donald Green, former teacher, coach and mayor of Cullman.

Green, 82, entered local politics during what proved to be an exciting period of growth for Cullman. Discussion of the Duck River Reservoir first surfaced. The Festhalle Market Platz became a reality. Depot Park was developed by the hands of mostly city employees. Heritage Park, one of the city’s greatest sources of pride, came into being.

After 22 years in public education and 30 in politics, Green is still excited to see Cullman grow and marvels at how the citizens are as much a driving force in the community as anyone who holds public office.

“I’ve been in Cullman all my life, except for some time in the Air Force and some studies at Texas A&M, and people here when they agree on something just go to it,” Green said. “People also care about each other. I’ve seen that in the schools and the community.”

In 1978, when Green received an appointment to the Cullman City Council, his years in education began to pay off. It seemed he knew everybody as a former physical education instructor. The relationships began to pay off, not for personal reasons, but for the city.

“Part of the success we had, and I mean as a group of council members, department heads and employees, was based on relationships,” Green said. “I know as a teacher you meet and interact with people from a lot of backgrounds and points of views. The first time I ran for mayor I was told my opponent had a lot of signs out across the city, but I knew a lot of people and worked from that.”

His willingness just to go forward and meet people on the campaign trail worked well, never losing an election. But more important to Green was to embrace new ideas and working as a team to see what could be accomplished for Cullman.

He remembers meeting Chester Freeman and Dyson Hamner, two men who carried a vision for a more expansive parks and recreation program. From their vision and the cooperation of city leaders came Heritage Park.

“Parks and recreation is a gem for the area,” Green said. “Buddy Jones was the best nuts and bolts guy you could have in that leadership role, and then came John Hunt, who was the best at marketing. He’s doing that now at Terri Pines. He works hard, and you have to do that to make things begin to work.”

Through his terms of office the McGukin Civic Center was built, the need was seen and realized for a farmer’s market downtown, a job that Woody Jacobs, now serving as mayor, championed as city council president.

Early in his political career, Peggy Smith came on board to the Cullman Economic Development Agency, Rehau invested in Cullman, followed by many other industries that have expanded since coming to the city.

“I know that economic development has taken a lot of personal time for those involved in it, but it has paid off. Peggy has done a great job and she brought Dale Greer in and they’ve had an effective team that’s always looking after the city’s needs,” he said.

Green also recalls seeing the Walmart Distribution Center coming to Cullman and meeting the company’s founder, Sam Walton.

“I think the distribution center was maybe the highlight to me. I became personal friends with Mr. (Sam) Walton. He flew over Cullman and said this is where we need to be. He loved the people here,” Green said.

Accomplishments are fond memories, but Green is quick to remind that what Cullman is enjoying today and in the future comes from hard work, cooperation and being able to disagree and move on.

“We were always honest with each other, the mayor and council and department heads. We would say what we needed to say and move on. You still see that and that’s how people can work together and accomplish things,” he said. “Not everyone can be right all the time or win. When you accept that, you build strong relationships and plans are accomplished for your community.”

And what of some of those memorable students from years gone by?

Martha Williams, who was part of Green’s first girls swim team, serves as a circuit judge in Cullman County. Max Townson served two terms as mayor and enjoyed a successful career in sales.

“Martha was a great diver on the team,” Green remembers. “She’s gone to a great career.”

“Max was a pretty good football player, but Kenny Culpepper may have been better,” he chuckled.

Green is especially fond of Townson and Jacobs, who is in his first term as mayor.

“They both talked to me before the election and I told them I couldn’t come out support either one of them,” Green said. “Max was my student and Woody was council president when I was mayor. I consider both of them friends and have a lot of appreciation for what they’ve done.”

When the election was over, Jacobs won a tight race against Townson. Both men spent time together and never a harsh word was exchanged after the vote was counted.

“I don’t think Woody wanted to run to beat Max, he really just wanted to be mayor. The way they handled the race and the transition of office was remarkable. That’s the way it should be. I think Cullman was in good hands no matter who won,” he said.

Educator in the Cullman City Schools system

Appointed to Cullman City Council in 1978

Served as council president and two terms as mayor

Walmart Distribution Center opens during Green’s tenure

Heritage Park and McGuykin Civic Center open