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Residents urge council to consider local names for rec center and recommend ‘Danny’ for council vacancy
Summary
During the public-comment period residents asked that the Brown and Killen community center naming be reconsidered and urged council to appoint a local harm-reduction leader (identified as Danny) to a forthcoming council vacancy.
Three citizens spoke during the public-comment period on Dec. 16.
James Lynch, a Northwest Roanoke resident and long-time community volunteer, urged council to name a local community center after Milton Brown and Miss Killen, noting their history operating a rec center and serving youth. Lynch asked staff to follow up to identify the historical record associated with the existing name in question.
Emily Kate (surname Copenhaver) described experience with Virginia Harm Reduction Coalition and said the coalition’s executive, Danny (described as managing a roughly $3.5 million annual budget for VHRC and coordinating relief work), would be a strong candidate for the council seat that will become vacant. A second resident similarly urged the council to consider Danny (referred to by supporters as Danny Clawson in public comments) for the appointment, citing public-health and outreach experience.
Council thanked the speakers and asked staff to follow up on historical-name research and appointment timing.
What’s next: Council will consider applications for the upcoming vacancy following its stated appointment process and staff will report back on the naming-history research.
Sources: Public comments at the Dec. 16 Roanoke City Council meeting (James Lynch; Emily Kate; other public commenters).
