Utah Rejects Proposal to Rename Roads After President Trump

In a meeting held on Monday, January 27, the Garfield County Commission reviewed a proposal to rename two local roads after former President Donald Trump. After hearing public feedback, the commission voted 2-1 to maintain the current names of the roads, opting not to make the proposed changes.

The proposal offered two options for renaming key roads in southern Utah. One suggestion was to change the Burr Trail Scenic Backway—a country road connecting Boulder, Utah, to Highway 276—into the “Donald J. Trump Presidential Burr Trail Backway.” The second proposal called for renaming John’s Valley Road, which connects Antimony, Utah, to Scenic Byway 12, to the “Donald J. Trump Presidential Highway.”

During the public hearing, the commission listened to passionate arguments from both supporters and opponents of the name changes. Proponents of the new names argued that honoring Trump with road names would recognize his contributions to both the region and the nation.

One vocal supporter emphasized Trump’s dedication to the country, saying, “He may not have gone to war, but he went to war for this country and he took a bullet for this country.” Supporters believe this recognition would serve as a tribute to Trump’s impact.

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On the other hand, opponents voiced concerns about erasing local history. Robert C. Burr, the great-grandson of John Atlantic Burr—the historical figure for whom the Burr Trail is named—expressed strong opposition. He argued that the road names carry significant family heritage and should be preserved. “I love Donald Trump. I voted for him, but I don’t love him that much to change my heritage,” Burr said, noting that the Burr Trail was originally established by his ancestor in the 1800s as a cattle route.

Devaki Murch, a Garfield County resident who started a petition against the renaming, echoed Burr’s concerns. She stressed that maintaining the historical names of the roads is essential to preserving the area’s unique history.

After hearing from both sides, the commission ultimately voted to keep the original names of the roads. However, several attendees suggested alternative ways to honor President Trump, such as naming a hospital wing after him or creating a mural in his likeness, allowing for a compromise that preserves the region’s history while still acknowledging the former president’s legacy.

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keelee-mccain

Keelee McCain is a junior at Weber High School. This is her second year on staff, this year as Assistant to the Chief. She does have a life (probably) but she can't think of anything to write in here, so she's probably just going to ramble now. She has an orange cat who she likes better than any human. If you see her being quiet or not sitting on top of a desk, there is something very wrong. In her free time she enjoys harassing her favorite teachers and sleeping. Her life plans include making it through high school and leaving. Happy lifeing.

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