The unveiling of Syd Adie Corner, next to a set of traffic lights on the corner of Brockville Rd and Kaikorai Valley Rd, has marked the end of Mr Adie's run as chairman of the Dunedin Ratepayers and Householders Association.
The placement of the corner is relevant: Mr Adie battled for 40 years for improvements at the intersection, and was finally able to commission the lights himself in 2005.
At a ceremony yesterday, in front of about 35 people including various media, Mayor Peter Chin helped Mr Adie remove a New Zealand flag from the sign, saying it was the only piece of road reserve in the city dedicated to anyone.
"This is really a very special time, and a very special event," Mr Chin said. "You've kept the council honest in the work that it does."
At the same time, Mr Adie had treated the council with respect, and been polite in his dealings.
Mr Adie acknowledged the support of his family, which "had to put up with a lot", with a husband and father who had become involved in public life.
He was honoured by the recognition.
"Normally, you've got to be dead before you get one of these things," he said after the ceremony.
Mr Adie said it was important to question the decisions made by a local authority, and he had not completely given it up.
He was still writing about subjects that interested him.
