Saturday, October 02, 1999
Township plans to legalize 'West Chester' name
Voters must approve, but signs are ready
BY ANNA GUIDO
Enquirer Contributor
UNION TOWNSHIP — For the past several days, a new sign welcomed southbound Ohio 747 drivers into this Butler County township. But it didn't say: “Welcome to Union Township.”
Instead, it was: “West Chester, Ohio. Where Families Grow and Businesses Prosper.”
It was the first of several West Chester signs planned for entrances to what is officially still Union Township.
Morning commuters Friday saw the sign. But by the time they passed by the same location on the return trip home Friday afternoon, it was gone. However, the disappearance didn't indicate any potential controversy over a push to change the township's name. Officials just didn't like the way it looked.
“The reflective material was too green,” said Paula Wyrick, administrative secretary to township administrator Dave Gully. “That won't be the sign we will be using.”
The sign had been the only one posted. At other entrances into the community, motorists still are greeted by Union Township signs. Officials are confident the name change will become official within months.
In at least one informal petition drive, thousands of residents and business owners have supported the name change; former Ohio Gov. George Voinovich approved the name for three exit signs along Interstate 75, and Union Township's own post office bears the West Chester name.
The main gripe about the Union Township name is the confusion it causes.
Often, the township gets deliveries, mail or bills meant for other Union Townships. In Ohio alone, there are 28 Union Townships, including one in Clermont County and one in Warren County.
“It's difficult for businesses and people coming into the area,” trustee Catherine Stoker said. “We're just trying to let the world know where we are, and simply trying to make our legal name the same as the name we're known by. I don't think it will be a problem, because you've got to remember, the postmaster calls us West Chester.”
A new Ohio law allows the issue to be placed on the ballot and to pass with a simple majority vote, Mr. Hayden said.
“Before this law was passed, we would have had to get signatures from 50 percent of the total number of registered voters,” he said. “I just hope that people support it, because it would be a real plus for us.”
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