The Village of Dennison will honor its mayor, Greg DiDonato, with a bronze plaque.
Spearheaded by administrative assistant Tammie Taggart, council approved legislation to name the intersection of N. 3rd Street and Grant Street as DiDonato Square.
“As the downtown started to come together Greg kept calling this intersection our new square. Over and over, and it is the hub of our downtown. This is the corner where everything happens including school traffic, and it is a major intersection.”
The resolution, as read by solicitor Patrick Williams, notes that DiDonato is Dennison’s longest serving mayor.
“To recognize the tireless effort Greg DiDonato has spent to improve the Village of Dennison. Whereas Greg DiDonato has been the longest serving mayor in the history of the village and has been instrumental in developing the downtown and the overall excellent care of the village of Dennison. Whereas Greg DiDonato has represented the Village of Dennison or the citizens of Tuscarawas County in various other capacity’s including village council member, member of the Ohio House of Representatives, State Senator, he was the senate minority leader for the Ohio general assembly, and numerous civic organizations.”
DiDonato served as mayor from 1984 to 1990, from 2008 to 2009, and then in 2020 to present day. He was also on council from 1980 to 1983 and again in 2012 to 2020.
Councilman Mike Clark said the mayor needed to be honored but disagreed that the village had an actual downtown square like New Philadelphia and Dover.
“I think he’s done a wonderful job in everything he’s done. A ceremonial naming of an intersection I think is a slap in the face to him. You want to name something name this building after him. He’s done all kinds of things within. Building’s hundred and some years old. We want to do something to recognize him that is meaningful, put his name on the building. Call it what you want but it’s an intersection. That’s my opinion.”
Councilwoman Helen Borland interjected.
“Greg said to me one time we’ve got these little benches, we’ve got our clock, we’ve got our own little square, so to him that’s the square.”
Taggart argued against renaming the village building, which houses the administrative offices, police and fire departments, and a community room. It has been known as Dennison Village Hall since it’s construction over 100 years ago.
The plaque will be dedicated at a future ceremony.
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