BOARDMAN Residents to decide on street's name

A public meeting concerning the name will be held in a few weeks.
By JOHN W. GOODWIN JR.
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
BOARDMAN -- A Jennette Drive by any other name just isn't the same.
That is the feeling of one township resident who wants the street's name to be spelled as it was in the township's earlier days. Jeannette Drive, as it is now spelled, was originally Jennette Drive until someone added an "a" without officially changing the name.
All signs on the street now have the newer spelling
Jeannette/Jennette Drive resident Judith Kuti has researched the issue and made a formal request to township trustees and Mahoning County commissioners that the signs be returned to the original spelling.
Kuti has been living on the street for 33 years and says she remembers how the change took place. She recalls seeing a street sign missing from one corner sometime in the late '70s. When the sign was replaced, it had the newer spelling. Over the years, as the signs on the street were replaced, the newer spelling was added.
Kuti said it is not fair to the long-time residents that the name was changed without a petition and proper action by county commissioners. She said the street should maintain its historical name and not be altered.
Residents' wishes
Township Trustee Tom Costello said Kuti is correct in that the official name of the street is Jennette Drive. He said the street could be officially renamed Jeannette, or the signs and other related documents could be changed back to Jennette depending on the wishes of residents.
Several Jeannette Drive residents signed a petition in January to officially have the street name changed to Jeannette Drive. An official street name change must be done by county commissioners.
Gary Kubic, county administrator, said commissioners are aware of the situation and looking to do whatever residents think is in their best interest.
"What we decided to do, since we have residents who signed the petition to leave the name as it is and this interested party requesting it be changed back, is to hold a public meeting to see how the people on the street feel," he said. "This happens very rarely, and we want to make sure we do what the residents want us to do."
Kubic said if the name is restored to Jennette Drive, residents will likely have to modify all legal documents to include the changed spelling. He said street signs, the 911 database and auditor records will have to be changed as well.
Kubic said a date for the public meeting will be announced within a few weeks.
jgoodwin@vindy.com