BY MARK J. CRAWFORD
Starke wants to name the railroad overpass on State Road 100 for heroes far and wide.
Heroes Memorial Overpass would honor military veterans, law enforcement, firefighters, paramedics and other emergency responders.
Commissioner Danny Nugent, himself a veteran, brought the idea to the rest of the commission last month after speaking with members of the local American Legion. He was in Washington on business Feb. 4 and could not be present for the approval of the resolution.
The idea was the name the overpass in honor of all veterans and not a single individual. Other commissioners were surprised by the abrupt presentation of the idea on Jan. 21 and commented on the lack of time to consider the request, not than anyone expressed disapproval. Ultimately, through discussion, it was decided the honor belonged to others as well, including law enforcement, correctional officers and emergency responders.
Mayor Andy Redding suggested the name include the word heroes, and Commissioner Janice Mortimer, also a veteran, suggested Heroes Memorial Overpass, recognizing military and other public safety personnel.
There was some additional discussion about how the inclusive change would be received by veterans, but Mortimer distinguished the line between being open to opinions but not getting stuck trying to appease everyone. Redding said it is the commission’s responsibility to do its best for the greatest number of people.
Chief Administrative Officer Jimmy Crosby will take the resolution approved Feb. 4 and work with local legislators and the Florida Department of Transportation to formalize the naming.
