New Haven’s city clerk took on a new job duty: climbing a pole to save the day.
Clerk Michael Smart assumed that duty at the corner of Shelton Avenue and Ivy Street.
Smart was not looking to perform heroics at that corner. He showed up to help honor a community hero who led a church for decades and pioneered a path for women in New Haven to enter the ministry.
Smart’s assigned role was to present an official city proclamation renaming the spot Pastor Martha V. Green Corner.
The proclamation, sparked by Newhallville Alder Delphine Clyburn, details how Pastor Green preached her first sermon in 1963 and established St. Marty’s Unison Freewill Church on Grand Avenue in 1973, shepherding its moves to 49 Goffe and now 24 Kossuth, from which it plans to move soon to 266 Shelton. At least eight female preachers have followed in Pastor Green’s footsteps into ministry.
The proclamation notes how the 95-year-old North Carolina-born Green has won numerous community awards and worked as a Veterans Administration supervisor for 22 years.
“[M]any ministries have been birthed under Pastor Green’s leadership, namely the Men’s Ministry, as well as the Community Outreach Ministry which serves breakfast to the Homeless,” states one of the proclamation’s “whereas” clauses.
As usual at corner namings, organizers of Saturday’s gathering wrapped the new street sign in anticipation of the unveiling.
Michael Smart, no stranger to such events, noticed something missing when he delivered the proclamation. Two things actually. Either of which is usually employed to remove the covering.
“She’s 95. She’s standing there. No ladder. No pole,” he later recalled thinking.
“I said: “We’ve got to get this done.’”
So Smart, who pumps iron, swung into action …
Contributed photos
… climbing a good 15 feet up the pole …
… and triumphantly presenting the new name for all to see.
That gave the crowd two people (pictured) whose acts to celebrate.
Love the story in his past life as an Alderman Michael Smart chaired an Aldermanic Committee focused on helping older adults with city property tax problems to get to solutions He was passionate about it It doesn't surprise me that he would hike up a pole to get it done for Pastor Green