A vital expressway in Hamilton County may soon bear the name of former Hamilton County Auditor Brigid Kelly, who died after a two-year battle with cancer in March. She was 40 years old.
During a June 20 Hamilton County Commissioners meeting, a resolution was passed to support Senate Bill 254, which was introduced in the statehouse by Sen. Catherine Ingram. The bill would rename part of the Norwood Lateral to the "Brigid Kelly Norwood Lateral."
"We all knew Brigid well. We all respected her," said Commissioner Denise Driehaus. "Public service has always been near and dear to Brigid's heart."
Kelly only served one year as Hamilton County Auditor when she resigned to enter hospice care, but she also served in the state legislature from 2016 to 2023. Driehaus also pointed out that Kelly served on Norwood City Council in her early 20s.
"I think it's especially interesting and poignant that we would name the Norwood Lateral after Brigid Kelly," Driehaus said. "Not only because she was a councilmember there, she also went to Xavier University, very proudly, which is also in Norwood. There's a lot of connected tissue pieces here."
Kelly only served one year as Hamilton County Auditor when she resigned to enter hospice care, but she also served in the state legislature from 2016 to 2023. Driehaus also pointed out that Kelly served on Norwood City Council in her early 20s.
"I think it's especially interesting and poignant that we would name the Norwood Lateral after Brigid Kelly," Driehaus said. "Not only because she was a councilmember there, she also went to Xavier University, very proudly, which is also in Norwood. There's a lot of connected tissue pieces here."
Hamilton County Democratic Party Chairwoman Gwen McFarlin released a statement after Kelly entered hospice care, saying she has been one of the party's hardest workers.
"Auditor Kelly is an outstanding auditor and gave tremendous service to the residents of Hamilton County," McFarlin said. “Kelly has been one of our most hard-working campaigners, canvassing tirelessly for our endorsed Democrats. We have all thoroughly enjoyed working with her and her support for the slate has been significant and meaningful."
"Auditor Kelly is an outstanding auditor and gave tremendous service to the residents of Hamilton County," McFarlin said. “Kelly has been one of our most hard-working campaigners, canvassing tirelessly for our endorsed Democrats. We have all thoroughly enjoyed working with her and her support for the slate has been significant and meaningful."
The bill currently sits in the Senate Transportation Committee.
Follow CityBeat's staff news writer Madeline Fening on Instagram.
