Ohio looks to honor Sgt. Cory M. Endlich with road renaming
MASSILLON – A fallen U.S. Army soldier is in line to receive another honor in the form of a street renaming, but this time along a more traveled city roadway.
City Council on Monday night introduced a proposal to support Ohio legislation that aims to dedicate a section of Lincoln Way W — from 17th Street NW to 32nd Street NW — to Sgt. Cory Endlich, further recognizing the local soldier who died June 9, 2007, in Taji, Iraq, from wounds he suffered in enemy fire.
The 15-block stretch of road is on target to be renamed "Sgt. Cory M. Endlich Corridor."
State Rep. Reggie Stoltzfus, R-Paris Township, briefed council on the proposal Monday, saying that a series of meetings and Transportation Committee hearings would take place prior to a vote on the issue, which likely will be in March.
City Councilman Michael Snee, R-Ward 6, said that the Endlich family originally requested that a part of Lincoln Way W be renamed for Sergeant Endlich. However, a family matter prompted the city to dedicate Lincoln Park Drive to Endlich in September.
Honor road: Family, Massillon officials meet to dedicate Sgt. Cory M. Endlich Parkway NW
The new "Sgt. Cory M. Endlich Pkwy. NW" runs about 1,000 feet from 17th Street NW to 19th Street NW.
Ohio legislative approval is necessary for the Lincoln Way renaming because the road, also known as state Route 172, is a state highway.
The city's legislation to endorse the road renaming is up for first reading consideration by council next week.
Endlich was a Massillon resident and 2003 graduate of Washington High School. He had been in Iraq about two months before being killed in action at age 23.
Massillon officials accept Aqua Ohio donation for Eighth Street project
Last week, Mayor Kathy Catazaro-Perry and other city officials accepted a $265,250 Aqua Ohio donation to go toward the upcoming Eighth Street SW waterline and sewage system project.
The bulk of the $885,000 infrastructure effort is being funded via an Ohio BUILDS (Broadband, Utilities and Infrastructure for Local Development Success) state grant.
The work along Eighth Street is to run about 1,200 feet from Webb Avenue SW to the end of the roadway.
The project has gone through the design process and is now out for public bid.
Reach Steven at steven.grazier@indeonline.com. On Twitter: @sgrazierINDE
This article originally appeared on The Independent: Ohio Legislature aims to rename Lincoln Way for Sgt. Cory Endlich
