Renaming a local landmark took center stage during a meeting of the Benham City Council on Thursday. Former council member Lacy Griffey addressed the council with a proposition to rename the Coal Miner’s Memorial Theater.

“I just wanted to make a proposition tonight,” said Griffey. “Our former mayor Betty Howard is very ill. The biggest thing that she did was get the theater renovated. I would like to propose that we name that theater in honor of Betty Howard.”

Griffey pointed out the theater was in large part Howard’s project.

“She spearheaded it. We were there, but we didn’t really know what we were doing. She knew all the steps to go through. She did see that it was done. If you haven’t been there, you should go in there. It’s a beautiful place,” said Griffey. “That’s why I asked the mayor if he could give me a spot on the meeting tonight so that I could propose that we do name that theater in honor of Betty Howard.”

Applause broke out among many of those in attendance after Griffey made the request.

Some members of the council were originally against this proposition, fearing it would be an insult to coal miners.

“It’s named the Miner’s Memorial Theater and I think it would be a disgrace to the miners to change it,” said council member Doug Robinson.

A motion was made and passed with no opposition to rename the theater the Mayor Betty Howard Coal Miner’s Memorial Theater.

In other council activity:

* A motion was made and passed approving the minutes of the last meeting.

* Dodd requested permission from the council to purchase a new mower for the city.

* The council went into executive session to discuss possible litigation. No action was taken.

Reach Joe P. Asher at 606-573-4510 or jasher@heartlandpublications.com