Meet the New Recreation Director

Jonathan Green just completed his first month as Jasper County Recreation Director, and he has no intention of slowing down.

He officially met all the commissioners at Monday’s meeting, and they met him, as he told a little about himself.

“I have a strong value system which includes God, my family, my job, and friends,” he said. “I was born and raised in Clayton County where I graduated from Lovejoy High School in 2000. I participated in the recreation department growing up and was involved in sports throughout my school years.”

Mr. Green attended the University of West Georgia where he earned a bachelor degree in science with a concentration in physical education and health. He was actively involved in wrestling and intermural sports while there.

He then returned to Lovejoy as the ISS coordinator, a health/physical education teacher, run game coordinator, wrestling coach and assistant/head JV baseball coach.

“In 2006, I married my beautiful wife and ultimate supporter, Katie. We bought a house in Jackson, and started our family. We have two beautiful children, Cooper, who is 8, and my daughter, Peyton, 5. Katie and I have been married for 11 years on July 15, and we just sold our house of 10 years and moved permanently to Jasper County. My family is by biggest supporters. While in Butts County, I also coached recreation baseball for five years.”

While doing that, Mr. Green earned his master’s degree in curriculum and instruction/technology from Grand Canyon University in 2010.

“After working at Lovejoy High School for seven years God led me to Strong Rock Christian School. While there I taught high school technology/photoshop, and middle school health/PE and strength training. I was also the offensive coordinator for football, head wrestling coach, FFA coordinator and coached baseball.

“So here we are today, and you may wonder why I took this job. I took this job because it takes my education and athletic experience and wraps it up into my dream job as Jasper County Recreation Director. This job will allow me the opportunity to spread my vision and the vision of the Jasper County Recreation Department.

The vision statement that he created for the recreation department is:

We create community through people, parks and programs. We will promote fundamentals and fun while developing physically, emotionally and socially in a safe and encouraging atmosphere. While working with the community and local businesses to provide quality programs for all of Jasper County’s citizens.

Enhancing our current recreation activities and developing new quality programs that offer a year-round schedule of programs for our community.

“I believe in working hard and working hard for the things we want. We have to surround ourselves with an atmosphere, and colleagues that will help us reach our goals and who also work hard and have some of the same goals.”

He also listed many of his goals for the park.

Mr. Green is assisted by Roger Minter, assistant director, and Nick Johnston, program director. He said that he created a job description, and they all three work together for the good of the department. He said he may do more office work, but they all cut grass, work on fields, pick up trash, whatever. Some of the things he has already done is an extensive clean-up of the area leading to the park. Mr. Green said it is “not my park, it is our park.” He said he is appointed to manage and facilitate the community’s park.

Mr. Green said they have worked on the fields, aerated them, and they plan to do a lot more this winter. He has the website up to date, current and running.

He is responsible for a ball game planned next Thursday, July 20, at 7:30 p.m. at the recreation department called the “public safety cup.” It will pit employees of the sheriff’s office against the fire/rescue personnel. Everyone is invited to come out and cheer for their favorite team, meet the recreation director and recreation board, and visit the park. Concessions will be available, and those who sign up for fall sports that night get a free hot dog.

Mr. Green can be reached at the recreation department at 706-468-4916. He said he may not answer, but he does return calls.