Resident proposes renaming Central Avenue for Vice President J.D. Vance

Candace Keller, a Middletown resident, asked City Council on Feb. 4 to rename Central Avenue “J.D. Vance Boulevard” in honor of the city’s native son, James David (J.D.) Vance.

Keller told the council she had collected nearly 500 signatures in support and said Vance’s life story and public profile merited a prominent municipal recognition. “I respectfully ask council to consider this request to honor our most famous living native son,” she said.

Why it matters: The request seeks to rename a major east–west thoroughfare that Keller described as “a microcosm of all the things that Middletown is.” Renaming a primary street would be a city-level decision with practical effects on addressing, signage and local businesses; Keller referenced Ohio Revised Code section 723.04 as allowing local control over street naming.

Details and local responses: Robert Osborne, a resident who spoke after Keller, said a street renaming should be “something more grand than a small plaque.” Council members noted recent city actions recognizing Vance: Council Member West referenced the recent JD Vance signage and said the city recently installed welcome signs. Council did not take any vote or instruction on Keller’s request during the meeting; no agenda item on renaming Central Avenue appeared on the published motion or legislation items.

Next steps: Keller said she will submit the signatures to council in February and asked the city to consider the proposal; no staff report, ordinance, or timeline for further council consideration was presented at the Feb. 4 meeting.

Ending: The proposal was raised during the public-comment portion of the Feb. 4 Middletown City Council meeting; any formal street-renaming process, including possible ordinance introduction, was not initiated at that session.