Council keeps County Road 67 as Second Avenue Northeast after veterans decline commemorative name

Pipestone's City Council voted to designate County Road 67 as Second Avenue Northeast after hearing that the local American Legion does not support naming the street for veterans.

Council returned to the item after it was tabled Nov. 4. Council members said the lack of a recognized street name has caused mail and delivery problems at a city water treatment site, and they urged a final decision. Staff said the Post Office does not recognize county road names and the address issue had persisted for several years.

During public comment, Ryan Ly, who identified himself as a city resident and representing the American Legion post, told the council the post voted last week not to support naming the road "Veterans Drive." Another speaker identified in the transcript as "iron Coots," who said he represents about 150 veterans, echoed that position and suggested proponents should have consulted the post before proposing the name. "We took a vote on it and we're essentially saying thank you but no thank you," the speaker said.

After those remarks the council called the question and approved naming the road Second Avenue Northeast by voice vote. Council members noted that keeping the street on the municipal grid would avoid confusion for emergency services and delivery, and they said the decision responds to residents' preference and the veterans' post position.

The council took no separate action to designate a commemorative name; council members said the issue could be revisited if a veterans group later asks for it and supports the change.