Trending
Discussion continues as to what to name a new township road accepted during a recent Washington County Commission meeting.
The road was built at the southern end of the Warren Local School campus as a way to access the elementary school. As it was built using funds from Ohio Department of Transportation, it could not be owned by the school district, and it could not become a county road because it dead ends.
After it was accepted as a township road, testimony was heard from proponents from both Barlow Township and the school district.
Warren Local School board member Bob Allen asked the commission to designate it "Big Blue Way."
"It's a huge, exciting time in our district. (County Engineer) Roger (Wright) has been great to work with. He has assisted us in dealing with ODOT," he said. "We have a good system in place for entering and exiting school grounds."
John Hannan, Barlow Township trustee, said if it was a township road, the township should have a say in its name.
"We're open to suggestions on that, but we'd like to have say if it is a township road," he said. "We based that on the 911 namings of most of those roads that went to a pioneer or someone in that area. I think we sent a letter to your board to express our feelings."
Melcie Wells, school board treasurer, said they received many suggestions through a request on the district's website and the board passed a resolution to request the name "Big Blue Way."
"The Warren Local board did pass a resolution making a recommendation for the name for 'Big Blue Way,'" Wells said.
"I did want to say the district put it out to the public on our website for several weeks … a few months maybe. For suggestions, and we got many, many suggestions for names."
Dick Best, township trustee, said most rural roads are named after people who lived on it.
"The school really didn't want nothing to do with this road after it was built. They didn't want that responsibility," Best said.
"Most of the roads out there in Barlow Township are named after people who used to own the land. Mr. Wall gave the right of way for the road to the school to build that property. We think that would carry some weight in naming the road."
He also made the request to stay away from the school naming it, as high school seniors will steal the sign, which the township cannot afford to keep replacing.
"Another reason, and it probably seems kind of small, but if the school names the road, every senior that graduates is going to want to take a sign with him. Here's where it's going to be on his bedroom wall," Best explained.
"That's why we try to stay away from the school naming it."
He said by the time the township pays for the sign and a new post, along with paying people to install it, it could cost $200 or $300.
Wright refuted Best's argument by saying the county road in front of the schools is Warrior Drive and they've had no issues with signs being stolen.
Allen stood back before the commission and said the board has purposefully tried to refrain from naming any facilities after an individual, because they want it to be a district-wide naming process.
He said they are working with families in the district, as well as townships in various ways, including selling the former Little Hocking and Warren elementaries for $1 to Belpre and Warren townships to keep the property available to all.
"We think designating it 'Big Blue Way' lets everyone know they are entering into an area that's close to the school with access to the school," he noted.
After comments, Commission President Ron Feathers said the matter could be kept as unfinished business, but Commissioner David White said he'd like to let it ride for a little bit and hear suggestions from the township or a resolution for a suggestion from them.
"I believe they do have a right to have a say in the name in this. It is a township road and generally speaking, we don't name a township road without input from the township," White remarked.
"We never have. Notwithstanding, I understand the school district's desire to have it named appropriately for the school, but gentlemen from the township make a good point that it is not the school's road. It is a township road and there may be more interest than just the school involved here."
Any name suggestions other than "Big Blue Way" would have to be run through the 911 center to make sure there are no duplicates, as that name has already been checked, Wright said.
Commissioner Kevin Ritter made a motion to extend the deadline for name suggestions for a week. White said he preferred any name suggestions in writing or through email and sent to Ben Cowdery, the commission clerk.
White said he wanted to hear an official recommendation from the township on what they would like to have it named.
"Barlow Township already did. That's why we have it on unfinished business with the road change and they put in a resolution from approximately four weeks ago," Feathers said, adding the name suggested was Wall's Way.
"That's why it's been laying here for over four weeks," he added.
"It's been laying here because the road had not been accepted as a public road yet," White replied.
The matter will be up for discussion at the commission's meeting at 9 a.m. Thursday.
Michele Newbanks can be reached at mnewbanks@mariettatimes.com.