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Council backs recommendation to state to name bridge for Schwab Foundation and walkway for pedestrian killed in incident
Summary
The Common Council voted to forward a positive recommendation to the state to name a bridge after the Schwab Foundation and to name the adjoining walkway after Nick Guffey; the recommendation advances to the state process but final naming requires state approval and legislative steps.
The Martinsville Common Council voted July 14 to forward a positive recommendation to the State to name a bridge for the Schwab Foundation and to name the adjoining walkway in honor of Nick Guffey.
Councilor Phil Deckard presented the request on behalf of the Schwab family; the family received preliminary state approval contingent on a city letter of support. Deckard said the foundation’s requested name recognition would honor Bill and Helen Schwab. He also asked the council to name the walkway for Nick Guffey, a pedestrian fatality the family wished to recognize; the council accepted the combined recommendation.
Council members and staff noted the state process requires review by a Summer Committee for Roads and Transportation and, if supported, a bill would be introduced in the legislative session; the council was told the matter is not guaranteed and that naming is typically granted for fallen military personnel or law enforcement. The council vote on the recommendation passed with five ayes and two abstentions; staff will forward the city’s positive recommendation to the state as requested by the family.
The state process remains separate: if the state committee supports the request, the naming would proceed through the legislature in the next appropriate session. City staff said they were informed it may be too late for review this summer and that the legislative step could occur in the next session cycle.
