Board of Honor Meeting: Street Naming and Sign Removal Discussions - May 7, 2026
Board of Honor Meeting: Street Naming and Sign Removal Discussions - May 7, 2026
The Board of Honor met on May 7, 2026, at 2:00 PM in City Council Chambers, chaired by Barbara Floyd. The board considered three agenda items: two street-naming requests (recommendations to city council) and a request to remove an existing honorary street sign. The meeting included public testimony, board deliberation, and votes.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Ranshea Allison (sponsor of Kimani Latig designation) testified that she was inspired by God to advocate for honoring Kimani Latig, a 13-year-old girl who was murdered. Allison described Kimani as an honor student, basketball player, and an "old soul," and emphasized remembering her "triumph" not the tragedy. She noted that a community memorial exists on Wilmot Street.
- Stephanie Russia (Fremont, Ohio) spoke in support of the Kimani Latig designation, stating that honoring young lives could help address suicide and show that children matter.
- Lee Paul (nephew of Sister Margaret Ann Paul) requested removal of the Monsignor Jerome Schmidt sign. He described his aunt's accomplishments as a nun and hospital administrator, and her 1980 murder by Father Gerald Robinson. He testified that Deputy Chief Ray Vetter and Monsignor Schmidt delayed justice for 26 years, based on sworn testimony from the 2006 trial.
- Claudia Versalati (advocate) detailed the investigation, alleging Monsignor Schmidt intervened in the interrogation of Father Robinson, causing the case to stall. She stated that the sign was dedicated on the anniversary of the murder and that its presence emboldens wrong behavior.
- Tom Antonini (General Counsel, Diocese of Toledo) read a statement asserting that Monsignor Schmidt is an honored citizen and that no competent authority has suggested any wrongdoing.
- Jim Vetter (son of Deputy Chief Ray Vetter) argued that Monsignor Schmidt was brought in to help obtain a confession, not to cover up the murder. He cited a 1986 Blade article where his father expressed disappointment in not solving the case.
- Andrea Luna (retired Lucas County Sheriff's Office) supported removal, stating that two sworn law enforcement officers testified that Monsignor Schmidt interfered, and that DNA was destroyed. She noted that another sign (for Monsignor Doyle, at a Catholic charity building) was removed based on unsworn allegations.
Discussion Items
- Street Naming for Kimani Latig (Wilmot Street): Board members discussed whether a 13-year-old victim of tragedy meets the criteria for honorary street naming, which typically requires community contribution. Some members argued that even a short life can have impact and that honoring her sends a message to young people. The board voted 5–0 (all present) to recommend approval to city council. Chair Floyd clarified that the board's decision is a recommendation, not final.
- Street Naming for Lee Liddell and Vernon Liddell (Junction Avenue and Indiana Avenue): Councilwoman Sandra McPherson presented the request, noting that Lee Liddell Sr. opened a barber shop in the 1960s, later moved to Junction Avenue, and that his nephew Vernon Liddell continued the business. The barbershop is the last surviving African American business from the Dor Street area. Discussion focused on sign placement; it was agreed to rename one street sign at the intersection. The board voted unanimously to recommend approval.
- Request to Remove Monsignor Jerome Schmidt Street Sign: The board heard extensive testimony for and against removal. Board members expressed concerns about adjudicating a 26-year-old case, the need for procedural clarity for removal requests, and the lack of institutional knowledge about prior repeals. Councilwoman McPherson suggested further investigation into whether the city has ever removed an honorary name. A motion to defer the vote for 30 days to allow additional research (including the original 2002 ordinance and city policy on removals) was made and seconded.
Key Outcomes
- Kimani Latig street designation: Recommended to city council (unanimous).
- Lee and Vernon Liddell street designation: Recommended to city council (unanimous).
- Monsignor Jerome Schmidt sign removal: Vote deferred for 30 days (motion carried 3–1; Spitler, Collins, Stooky in favor; Floyd opposed). The clerk will schedule a new meeting within 30 days and notify all parties. The board will research the original ordinance and any prior removal processes.
Meeting Transcript
Hello, welcome everyone to the uh meeting of the Board of Honor. Um, my name is Barbara Floyd, and I'm a um a community member of this board, and also I am chairing this particular meeting. So we are ready to begin. Um, we have three orders of business in front of us today. The first one is the uh designation of a block and will my street for Kamani Latig. Is there somebody the person who made that recommendation here who would like to speak to it? Tell us your name. My name is Ranshea Allison. I'm sorry. Okay, and um I presented it just well, for one, if I be real and transparent because it was something that God spoke to me about. I had never done anything like this before. Um, and once he spoke it, I said, okay, God, you have to lead me. So that's what he did. He led me what to do. Um I have been advocating for this baby going to court and helping out at the memorial. And this was something, like I said, that God put on my heart to do. So that was why I did it. Um would you like to speak something about her and why you think this is an appropriate honor? Um, I think it is definitely an appropriate honor. Um, for one, of course, you know, the details of what had happened and how it happened. Um, and it would definitely be something to memori to memorate her and her honor. Um, the memorial um that's there. There's a memorial on Wilmot Street that like I said, there's a few of us that we take care of it. Um, so that's why I said, you know, to do Wilmot and not Miami Street. Um, and just her light, her light that she shone, um, was a basketball player, um, the smile, and just to remember her as well as other or any other kids, um, but this is like I said, specifically in honor of Kimani, but again, to um allow her name to live on and her legacy. Does any of the board have any questions? How old was she? Oh, well, she didn't do that. 13. But that yeah, that's funny. Um, you want people to remember about Kimani? What do I want them to remember about her? Um, I want them to remember for one, she was 13, so she went to spring elementary. She played basketball. Um, she was an old soul. I have um her grandmother actually gave me one of her um soundtracks, and she was an old soul, but I want people to remember um not the tragedy, but I want people to remember the triumph. Right. Thank you. Oh, the only concern I have is as a it was a tragedy. Oh I do not admit, but I I don't know if it's uh what does she contribute to the community that we're you know trying to honor? That's what this program was set up, is to honor something that people have contributed to the community. I don't take away that she was a you know a great kid and all that stuff, but a memorial has been placed there. There is a memorial another memorial in the city for children that have been uh have lost their lives. Um, so I I just I mean I I question whether it's you know worthy of the sign up there for that. I guess the purpose that this was set up for. Do you have any response to that? And I would say community-wise, I mean at 13 years old, she contributed. She was a basketball player. Um as far as you know, community goes. She was um honor student at spring elementary.
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