Lyon commissioners vote to begin process to rename Old Dayton Valley Road 'Pres. Trump Way'
The Lyon County Board of County Commissioners voted on Thursday to start the process of renaming Old Dayton Valley Road “Pres. Trump Way.”
Buildings on Old Dayton Valley Road include the high school, Bureau of Land Management offices, and other county buildings, according to commissioners.
A staff member pointed out that there could be a significant financial impact to the high school by switching the name.
Commissioner Robert Jacobson stated that the public should be involved in the decision making process of choosing a name, and was the only commissioner to vote no across the board.
Some suggestions for the street were “President Donald Trump Way,” “President Trump Way” or “45 Way” until “Pres. Trump Way” was decided upon.
Most of the public comment on the agenda item voiced opposition to the proposal, citing issues such as Trumps’ polarization, not involving the public in choosing a name, and the fact that the name change would affect a public school.
One citizen stated they believed there was “a better use of county funds than renaming a street for someone so polarizing and divisive,” and suggested renaming the street for someone everyone in the county agreed upon.
One citizen stated they did not want the name to be changed at all because Old Dayton Valley Road was important and historical to the residents of Dayton.
Another citizen, Allison Woodman, suggested putting the vote to the entire community so they could be involved in the renaming. She asked for the commissioners to wait to see if Trump will be prosecuted for criminal behavior before they rename a sign after him. She also stated it’s inflammatory to put it on a street with a school.
A resident identified by their first name, Lainey, stated the vote should be postponed until it’s been finalized that Mr. Trump doesn’t face criminal charges.
Resident Steve Singer asked whether or not any other streets in Lyon County were named after contemporaneous presidents, and said that the proposal was inappropriate, stating “It’s an insult to those of us who would prefer no presidential names on a street."
Rita Heidkamp from Smith Valley stated she supported the proposal since 70 percent of the county voted for Trump.
One citizen stated that there were citizens who were against the renaming of local streets for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. who “was equally controversial” and that people “will get over it in time.”
Commissioners voted to direct staff to begin the process to rename the street with Commissioner Jacobson voting against.