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Roanoke names Fire Station 5 community room for former Chief Raleigh Qualls and honors outgoing officials
Summary
Council adopted resolutions honoring Haywood Fralin as Roanoke’s 2024 Citizen of the Year, presented keys to outgoing council members and voted to name the community room at Fire Station No. 5 for former fire chief Raleigh Qualls; the fire department plans a plaque and dedication ceremony.
Roanoke City Council used its Dec. 16 meeting to recognize long-serving civic leaders and to approve a commemorative renaming.
Mayor Sherman P. Lee announced W. Haywood Fralin as Roanoke’s 2024 Citizen of the Year, citing his decades of civic work, board service and philanthropy supporting local institutions. Council read and adopted a resolution honoring Fralin’s contributions; Fralin responded with remarks thanking the city and noting new research- and employment-related opportunities he expects to benefit the region.
The council also presented ceremonial keys and resolutions recognizing several outgoing council members, including Beverly Fitzpatrick Jr. and Stephanie Moon Reynolds. The resolution recognizing Moon Reynolds was adopted with one abstention recorded by Moon Reynolds herself; other votes on ceremonial resolutions passed by roll call.
Separately, the council adopted a resolution naming the community room at Fire Station No. 5 on Orange Avenue Northwest for Raleigh Qualls, the city’s first African American fire chief. Former Chief Qualls spoke at the meeting to accept the honor and described his gratitude; the fire department said a bronze plaque has been produced and a dedication ceremony will be scheduled.
What’s next: City staff will coordinate the plaque and dedication event; copies of the adopted resolutions will be provided to the honorees.
Votes at a glance: - Resolution honoring Haywood Fralin (Citizen of the Year): Adopted (unanimous Aye). - Resolution honoring Stephanie Moon Reynolds: Adopted (roll call: one abstention by the honoree). - Resolution naming the community room at Fire Station No. 5 for Raleigh Qualls: Adopted (unanimous Aye).
Sources: Statements and roll-call votes during the Dec. 16 Roanoke City Council meeting; remarks by Haywood Fralin and Raleigh Qualls.
