BY LISA DONOVAN
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Cincinnati City Councilman Charlie Winburn wants Fort Washington Way renamed in honor of slain police officers.
His proposal Thursday raised several questions, including whether the city has naming rights over downtown Cincinnati's expressway, a federal route maintained by the state.
Mr. Winburn proposes to name the east-west connector, linking Interstate 71 to Interstate 75, either Police Memorial Way or Pope & Jeter Way. Officer Daniel Pope and Police Spc. Ron Jeter
were killed in Clifton Heights in December after trying to arrest a man on domestic violence charges.
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Council members Minette Cooper, Dwight Tillery and Tyrone Yates said council should consider the historical significance of the expressway's current name before acting. Fort Washington was the area's first military outpost and was the launching point for campaigns during the Ohio Indian war of 1791-1794.
"I applaud council member Winburn's very fine intentions, but it is highly unlikely that the members of council will change the name of Fort Washington Way because of its historic relationship to the origins of the city of Cincinnati and its connections to the name of President and General George Washington," Mr. Yates said.
Mr. Winburn said the name change is within council's authority.
"I think we need to do something bigger and better and more visual to support our men and women in blue who have lost their lives protecting us," he said.
Police Chief Michael Snowden supports changing the name to Police Memorial Way.
"There's a lot of police officers who have given their life, and unfortunately there will be more," he said Thursday. "That would be a reminder to people as they drive through the area."
A police memorial sits on Ezzard Charles Drive, and discussion continues about expanding it to a Police Memorial Plaza linking the memorial to police headquarters across the street.
John Deatrick, a city engineer, said he has not yet determined whether Fort Washington is an official name or whether city council has authority to rename it.
Mr. Winburn said he will introduce the measure when council reconvenes in September.
