By Scott White

Managing Editor

Following a month of discussion, debate and multiple drafts, the Midway City Council adopted a resolution for a formal procedure for naming a street, or a portion of a street, after a notable person, group or event. 

Councilperson Logan Nance, who led the effort, said Midway has a precedent for naming streets, with three already in Midway. 

“This creates a formal process for a thoughtful decision instead of being governed by the ‘now,’”he said. “I think most people in Midway love local history, and so I think most people will enjoy this.”

The resolution creates an “honorary street naming dedication” program. The Public Works and Services Committee will oversee the process. To be considered, a form, created by the resolution, must be filed with the city clerk and accompanied by a $100 fee to cover the cost of the signage if selected.

The nominating person must explain how the nominee has “a connection with Midway, made a demonstrable and significant positive impact in the city or have contributed to the vitality of the city or made an extraordinary contribution in the service of humanity, must be deceased and . . . may not already (have) been honored with an official street name or honorary dedication” in Midway. 

The completed form will then be sent to the Public Works Committee. After review, the committee will make a recommendation to the City Council. The Council will make all final decisions on the nominated honorees annually, selecting no more than two a year. The annual deadline for nominations is January 31. Any applications after that date will be considered the following year.

The honorary signs will be uniform in design and size and placed at a different height than the standard name for the street to avoid confusion and creating a safety hazard.

During public comment, Steve Simoff, a newly elected council member yet to take office, asked the council to “slow down in deciding the street naming process.” Simoff said he was not necessarily against it, but, “I am worried about deciding who is most deserving. Who is most important? Who is most historical? Maybe we need to put more thought into this.” 

In a disjointed and confusing presentation, Simoff cited other decisions made by the council that he suggested the town had come to regret  — such as bourbon warehouses, keeping the old fire station with a new station now built, building the dog park in a swampy area, a road going up from the Corner Grocery, which will lose access as a result of a possible land sale, saying,  “I was momentarily distracted, maybe three seconds, trying to read a sign yesterday.”

Mayor Grayson Vandegrift acknowledged Simoff’s “main concern about picking winners and losers,” but added, “There are two ways to do this. In an organized way, or how it’s been done – how people feel at the time.” Vandegrift went on to say, “I think it’s best to create a formal process, the worst thing is we may disappoint some people.” 

Nance agreed, saying, “We disappoint people with things we do from time to time, and that is just part of what we do.”

Councilmembers honored

The City Council honored two members who retired this year instead of seeking reelection: Sara Hicks, who has served on Midway’s City Council since January 2013, and Verna “Dee” Mason, who has served since January 2023, both native Midwegians. The resolutions honoring them named Dec. 30, 2024, as Dee Mason Day and Jan. 1, 2025, as Sara Hicks Day.

After receiving heartfelt thanks for their service and collegiality from Vandegrift and all the other councilmembers, Hicks said, “It’s been a true joy helping to make a better Midway, and I know you all will continue to do that too, making Midway a better place for all.” 

Mason said, “I’ve enjoyed it. I won’t miss getting yelled at.” Mason also noted that the Council is now down to two women, Kaye Nita Gallagher and Mary Raglin, after being at five with former Mayor Stacy Thirman, who resigned earlier this year.

Bid award

The Council accepted the low bid from Buchanan Contracting for the I-64 waterline extension project necessitated by the water provider switch from Kentucky-American to the Frankfort Plant Board. In recommending the bid of $347,200, David Brown, the city engineer, noted in addition to being the low bidder Buchanan had successfully completed prior projects for Midway.

Vandegrift pointed out this bid was lower than the expected cost of $400,000. He said the service is needed to maintain adequate water pressure in Midway and Midway Station.

Wasau Place encroachment

The Council approved an encroachment request to place two dumpsters in the right-of-way on 120 Wassau Street that are needed for the demolition of two derelict buildings at that address, as requested by Elizabeth Feagin.

Iron Horse Marathon

The Council approved a permit requested by John’s Run Shop in Lexington for the Ironhorse Half Marathon  to be held on Oct. 12, 2025, beginning at 7:45 a.m. until 10:49 a.m., for partial and full street closures along the route. Between 500 to 1,000 runners are expected to participate.

In recommending the approval, Vandegrift noted the event will not take place the same weekend as the Fall Festival this year, and there were no concerns or complaints made about this year’s event.