Robin's commentary --
With the recent murder of officer Chris Kilcullen, there is talk and even a Facebook page that is been set up with the proposal of renaming Highway 126 to the "Officer Chris Kilcullen Memorial Highway"
While the idea is honorable... please let me explain why I don't think it's a good idea versus actually placing a memorial bronze plaque or statue at 52nd Street and 126.
We have several roads which have been renamed in Eugene area, such as beltline renamed to Randy Pape Beltway, Leo Harris Parkway and Bob Straub Parkway. who in the hell are these people?
not to be rude... but unless you happen to know who these people are and why a street was named after them... it's really rather meaningless.
Think about it!
That's why I think that in addition to a tree that has been planted at the location of his murder 52nd Street and 126, adding a plaque or statue or something at that location would be more appropriate because you could also add an explanation of what happened and who officer Kilcullen was and what he meant to the community.
Just my opinion.
additional information KEZI
By the way, there is a bill pending in the current legislature, here is a bill pending in the current legislature, HB 3039, that would allow ODOT to honor police officers who die in the line of duty by erecting and maintaining a highway memorial sign in their name. ODOT suggests you provide your thoughts to your state legislators HB 3039, that would
allow ODOT to honor police officers who die in the line of duty by
erecting and maintaining a highway memorial sign in their name. ODOT
suggests you provide your thoughts to your state legislators.
5 comments:
I agree with your take. I know that Straub was an Oregon governor, but have no clue regarding Pape and Harris. It would be more fitting to place an informational memorial at the site itself.
Actually, I imagine that the most appropriate thing to do would be to site a mental hospital there.
Harris served as Oregon's athletic director for 20 years, stepping down in 1967, shortly before Autzen Stadium was completed. binat
Randy Pape was a local businessman who served on many community boards and committees. He provided scholarships to LCC's vocational programs and donated heavily to the U of O. IO never met the man but people that knew him said he was extremely generous with his time and his money.
You just don't want to change the name because he was white. You must be a racist (snicker, snicker).
Bob Straub was lane county commissioner, state senator, state treasure and governor. See the biography "standing at the waters edge, Bob Straubs battle for the soul of Oregon."
He built his first house and raised his six children next to where the parkway starts. (From mainstreet, go to next stoplight, house is up hill on left with a flat roof, nothing flashy.
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