On Thursday, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine spoke at a ceremony for the renaming of a part of State Route 562 in honor of the late Brigid Kelly, a former Ohio state representative and Hamilton County auditor.
Category
🗞
NewsTranscript
00:00All right, good afternoon. I'm State Representative Cedric Denson from Ohio's 26th House District,
00:05and we welcome you all here today being with us for such an awesome occasion for our dear friend, Bridget Kelly.
00:13Bridget Kelly was a dear, dear friend to me, and if you're lucky, you get to meet somebody just like her.
00:19I'll be very brief about what I'll say about her.
00:22She often would say to me, Sid, this is why we can't have nice things.
00:26And I thought this morning, I said, hey, Bridget, we got something nice today.
00:33We really have something nice.
00:40And then as I got on the Norwood lateral to go somewhere today, another thing she would say is,
00:45Sid, you can't make this stuff up.
00:48And then I thought about what we were going to be doing this afternoon, and I said, Bridget, you can't make this stuff up.
00:53So it truly is an honor to be able to do this for her.
00:56She was all Norwood, Norwood, Norwood, Norwood.
01:00And so I know her parents, her family.
01:03I miss you all.
01:05You all still have to invite me to the yard sales and everything.
01:07Remember that.
01:09Okay.
01:09All right.
01:10But my other job to do before I bring up Senator Ingram is to acknowledge some of the elected officials in the room.
01:17Forgive me if I don't get to you, but we'll get a chance to recognize you.
01:20I did see come in Commissioner Alicia Reese.
01:28Judge Berkowitz.
01:33Former Mayor John Cranley.
01:38Councilwoman Britt Bourne.
01:42Councilman Dan Driehaus.
01:44Judge Tom Baradon.
01:52State Representative Donny Isakson.
01:56State Representative Cecil Thomas.
02:02County Treasurer Jill Schiller.
02:06State Representative Rachel Baker.
02:11Norwood Councilmember Susan Hoover.
02:13Norwood Councilmember Sam Bowling.
02:22And we also have Councilmember Dan Pillow from Addison.
02:28If I missed anyone, please raise your hand to be recognized if I missed anyone.
02:36Councilwoman Mika Owens.
02:37Well, she's speaking, but we do also have County Auditor Jessica Miranda.
02:53Norwood Treasurer.
02:55There you go.
02:56And I do see representation from County Commissioner Stephanie Summerall, Dumas' office, Bishop Bobby Hilton.
03:06Anyone else?
03:08Councilmember Board Member Alas-Berrigan.
03:11Thank you for being with us.
03:13We have one over here.
03:26Oh, you all got it going on over there in Addison.
03:28All right.
03:30We are here today because Senator Kathy Ingram has put this event together, and I know she's got a lot to say about why we're here.
03:39But we used to do a lot of rides up to Columbus, and it would be Jessica Miranda, Kathy Ingram, myself, and Bridget.
03:47And boy, if those windows could talk in that car.
03:50It was some good times.
03:51But to who has hosted us today, I'm going to turn it over to Senator Kathy Ingram.
03:59Thank you, Rep. Denson.
04:00And Rep. Denson is in the room, too.
04:02But, of course, though we were all elected, the most important people in Bridget's final were the people that she worked for.
04:12And that were her constituents at her union, UFCW, and, of course, her constituents here in Norwood that she represented when she was at the State House.
04:25Thank you all for being here.
04:27Is it raining yet?
04:29It's raining now?
04:30Okay.
04:31Now, I'm not going to be, I'm not going to say what I was going to say about the ODOT people.
04:38No, thank you so much, because ODOT made sure that we were here, the governor and the governor's office, and his people made sure that this, we made this a special day.
04:47And I said, you know what, Bridget was going to hold off the rain until the end, and then it was, she was going to let it rain on us.
04:54But, since we're inside, I just want to make sure that you recognize that a lot of people loved her.
05:01And a lot of people think that she was doing the right thing.
05:05And so, the bill that was introduced, now, Senator Blessing is not here because, ha, ha, he has committee.
05:12He's in Columbus.
05:13So, I was thinking, when Giles told me it was today, I'm going, oh, God, please don't let me have committee.
05:20So, fortunately, after two days, two grueling days, I got home late last night, and so, fortunately, I'm here today.
05:28But, the bill was introduced to simply do, it was a simple bill.
05:32What was it, two paragraphs, a paragraph?
05:36That's the best bill you're going to get.
05:40And what it said was, is that we should rename the Norwood Lateral to the Bridget Kelly Norwood Lateral.
05:47Isn't that fabulous?
05:48And the reason for that was because Bridget not only worked across the aisle, she worked across people.
06:05And what more fitting than that lateral, from 71 all the way to 75, to have that named after her.
06:14Isn't that fabulous?
06:14What a connection.
06:15So, as Representative Denson said, Bridget would say, you can't make this stuff up, only she wouldn't say stuff.
06:29But I do have here, and I'm so really very proud that he decided to come down, and as a matter of fact, we tried to make sure that he would be available,
06:39because he recognized, too, that Bridget was a very special person.
06:43And this, of course, was a very special gesture for us to do today.
06:47So, I'm going to introduce our governor, Governor Mike DeWine.
06:59Senator, thank you very, very much.
07:02Wow, I walked in the door, I couldn't believe it.
07:04I saw the line back there.
07:06What an amazing, great, appropriate tribute for Bridget.
07:12This is, it really is.
07:14I love seeing the green.
07:16I tried to get, I tried to get the right color, but it didn't quite do it.
07:19But, look, this is, I think, for all of us, kind of bittersweet, but it is a celebration of all that Bridget did.
07:32And the Senator said it very well.
07:33She pulled people together.
07:34So, naming the lateral makes a lot of sense.
07:41I've been involved in politics for, I think, close to 50 years now.
07:46And the people who are the most effective are the people who, one, get it for the right reasons.
07:53They want to do something.
07:55They want to make a difference.
07:56And, two, they have the ability, because of their personality, to get to know people, to work with people.
08:07And Bridget did that.
08:10And did it so very, very, very well.
08:14Sometimes we forget in legislative bodies, yes, it's about laws and a lot of different things.
08:19But a lot of it is about personal relationships.
08:22And the Senator was talking about the ride, and the representative, the ride you guys would make up to Columbus.
08:32But it's about that.
08:34And I don't know anybody in the legislature that didn't just love Bridget.
08:41Anybody who came in contact with her, anybody who worked with her.
08:44And, frankly, that made her, that ability, that skill, that passion, made her, you know, such a very, very effective member of the state legislature.
08:57So, you know, I was honored on December 19th to be able to sign the bill to name the lateral after Bridget.
09:06And I'm honored, very much honored to be here today.
09:10Let me invite, we get the chance now to unveil a sign.
09:16My understanding, ODOT will be out putting signs up in the morning.
09:21So, we look forward to that.
09:22Let me ask Bridget's family to come up and help us do that, for everybody to come up.
09:27So, we're going to have some remarks from the family, and Ned has been relegated to that opportunity.
09:57All righty, good afternoon.
10:04Holy cow.
10:06So, first of all, on behalf of Bridget's husband, Steve Colter, and our family, we are just so, so grateful.
10:15And, frankly, astounded that Bridget is being honored in such a significant and lasting way.
10:26Our most sincere thanks goes to Senators Ingram and Senator Blessing for introducing and really championing this effort,
10:38and certainly Governor DeWine for his signature of approval.
10:42My sister loves supporting and serving others, and she served in countless roles, where she led with unmatched compassion and of the utmost integrity.
10:57She was always a legend to us, but something feels just very official about today that others felt it also.
11:05So, Bridget would be humbled and really delighted at this gesture.
11:13For those of you who are close to Bridget, you know that she was never really at a loss for words.
11:20But I truly think that this level of recognition would have rendered her speechless.
11:29And Senator Denson took all the quotes that I was going to use.
11:34So, truly, from the bottom of our hearts, thank you for keeping Bridget's spirit alive
11:45and for recognizing her as the legend that we always knew she was.
11:52We'll continue to be just in absolute awe of the reach of her impact, which surprises us daily.
12:00And the official Bridget Kelly Norwood Lateral, the integral connector that links communities in Cincinnati the same way that she did.
12:12So, thank you all.
12:25Thanks, Ned.
12:26And, yeah, my intent was to do the parade, just come and hang out in your yard anyway.
12:38But, yeah, this is much better.
12:41And then, of course, too, her book club.
12:44I just have to comment about those folks, her book club.
12:48Do any of you want to say, I'll give you a second to say something.
12:52You could even talk about the book you read.
12:53Of course, you do know that means there was no book.
13:04I'm going to give you the order of the next speakers.
13:07And then, of course, they'll know where they are.
13:09Hamilton County Auditor Jessica Miranda.
13:11And then Liam Shanahan is from the Norwood Firefighters.
13:14Oh, a PFF Local 445.
13:19We don't want to get it mixed up with 455.
13:24Because that's St. Bernard.
13:26And they're over there.
13:29We're over here.
13:30So, and then, of course, Hamilton County Commissioner Denise Driehaus and the Mayor of Norwood City Council.
13:37And a City Council member, if you want to introduce one, Victor Schneider is the Mayor.
13:43And you'll come in that order.
13:45Thank you, Senator Ingram.
13:51For those of you who know me well, a lot of what I have written to say to you today has already been said in so many words.
13:58But I'm going to stick to my remarks.
14:00That way I don't fall into telling you about our White Castle drive-thru stories on those carpools you've heard about.
14:05It is with deep honor and deep emotion that we gather here today to unveil the newly named Bridget Kelly Norwood Lateral.
14:14For those of us who knew Bridget, this moment is more than just a new sign on the highway.
14:20It's a lasting symbol of the path she paved for working people, for women in public service,
14:27and for every Ohioan who believed in fairness, dignity, and for doing what's right, even when it's hard.
14:36Bridget didn't show up.
14:38She fought.
14:39She fought for the labor movement, for our public schools, for equal pay, and for a government that truly serves its people.
14:48She carried the voices of her community with her in every vote, every negotiation, every speech.
14:56And even in quiet moments, she led with compassion, integrity, and unmatched determination.
15:03And nobody loved their hometown more than Bridget loved Norwood.
15:08She loved this city's grit, its heart, and its people because they were her people.
15:15She was proud to be from here, and she never forgot where she came from.
15:21Thank you to Senator Ingram and Senator Blessing for getting this worthy dedication to our friend, Dunn.
15:28A beautiful moment in our county's history that you both worked together and across the aisle to make this happen.
15:34Honestly, Rep Denson and others took this quote already, but if Bridget is looking upon us like I know she is now,
15:43she'd be whispering in my ear, Jess, you just can't make this shit up.
15:47And yet, deep down, we know it would mean the world to her.
15:55Not because she ever wanted the spotlight, but because she loved this community and gave it everything she had.
16:04Now, every time someone travels this route, in and around the heart of Hamilton County,
16:10they'll pass a name that meant something, a name that still means something.
16:15Bridget Kelly was more than a public servant.
16:18She was a champion, a daughter, a sister, an aunt, a godmother, a wife, a mentor, a friend, and a force.
16:29And it is only fitting that a road that connects people and communities
16:33now carries the name of a woman who spent her life doing just that.
16:40May her memory be a blessing, and may this road forever remind us
16:44of the incredible journey she led, and the work we must carry forward in her name.
16:50All right.
17:08Good afternoon.
17:10My name is Liam Shanahan, and I'm a proud member of Norwood Professional Firefighters, Local 445.
17:15To Governor DeWine, the elected officials, all the guests, welcome to Norwood, the true gem of the Highlands.
17:22We gather here today to honor one of Norwood's own, Bridget Kelly.
17:27Bridget was a daughter of this city, and she fought, and she, sorry, she never forgot where she came from.
17:33Whether she was serving right here on Norwood City Council, representing this city at the Ohio House,
17:39or as our Hamilton County Auditor, Bridget brought her values with her, fairness, integrity,
17:45and a deep commitment to working people.
17:47She was a tireless advocate for Ohio's workers, one of labor's fiercest and most loyal allies in the Statehouse.
17:53She didn't just support our issues, she understood them.
17:58She listened, she showed up, and when it was time to stand up, she never hesitated.
18:03Bridget had the moral courage to say no to policies that would hurt the people she served.
18:08She never turned her back on her community, never traded her values for convenience or politics.
18:15No matter the pressure, Bridget stood firm.
18:18She refused to lend her vote or her voice to anything that didn't serve the people of her district.
18:26And in doing so, she earns something rare in politics today, trust.
18:31On behalf of the past and present members of Local 445 and the Ohio Association of Professional Firefighters,
18:38I can tell you this.
18:40Bridget wasn't just a champion for our union, she was our friend.
18:43It's especially fitting that today is May 1st, International Workers' Day,
18:49as we celebrate the legacy of someone who spent her life fighting for Ohio's working class.
18:55The naming of the Bridget Kelly Norwood Lateral is a permanent tribute
18:58to a life of service, a deep love for community,
19:05and an unshakable belief in the dignity of work.
19:08To Steve, Bob, Martha, Ned and Heather, Greg and Fee, and the entire Kelly family,
19:17this dedication is more than a name on a sign.
19:20It is lasting proof of the impact that Bridget had on the city that she loved
19:25and the state she served.
19:28Good afternoon.
19:50Fate whispered to the warrior,
19:52you cannot withstand the storm.
19:56The warrior whispered back,
19:57I am the storm.
20:00This quote so reminds me of Bridget Kelly.
20:05And when asked to provide something just about a year ago,
20:09this was the quote that came to mind for me because as all of you know,
20:13she was a fighter.
20:14She was determined.
20:16She had a moral compass that she got from her parents.
20:20And she knew who she was.
20:22And she knew what she believed.
20:23And I was with her at difficult times in the statehouse where she was getting phone calls
20:28about a certain position that she had taken.
20:31And Bridget said, I'm going to do the right thing here.
20:35And thank you for your call.
20:36With all due respect, I'm going to vote the other way.
20:39Because she knew what she was doing.
20:42And she was determined to do it.
20:44And she could not be talked out of something that she knew was right.
20:49And that was Bridget Kelly.
20:51Bridget, though, also had a lighter side.
20:53The book club with no books.
20:54We all know.
20:57And the secret's out, man.
20:58So, sorry.
21:00We also had, she ran or walked the marathon a couple years ago in a relay.
21:06We all had bee tattoos on us that were in green, of course.
21:10We had a dinner club where Bridget, you may know, didn't cook much.
21:14Steve knows this.
21:16I know, right?
21:17But she always was in charge of dessert.
21:19And she used to bring an ice cream cake.
21:21And we're like, okay, that's good enough.
21:22We'll take that.
21:23But she was fine.
21:25I used to knock doors with Bridget.
21:26She loved knocking doors.
21:28And the reason she loved to knock doors was because she loved people.
21:31She loved being with people.
21:33And so this was just who she was.
21:35But most of all, she was a person that was a person of compassion and a person that loved other people.
21:41And, you know, her family is here, Steve and Martha and Bob and Ned and everyone else.
21:48There we go.
21:49Yeah.
21:49So, you know, she was a person that loved, loved people.
21:53And she always lets you know that no matter what she was doing, she came from Norwood.
22:00Everybody knew Bridget came from Norwood.
22:02And we had to do the parades.
22:04We had to do the festival.
22:04We had to do all the stuff.
22:05And so this, I am just thrilled.
22:09I'm so excited.
22:09Thank you, Catherine.
22:10And thank you to Senator Blessing as well for making this happen because she would be thrilled about this.
22:17So much fun for Bridget.
22:19And I think that it is the Norwood lateral, and Mayor, I know you'll attest to this, is just beyond fitting for Bridget Kelly.
22:27And so we will always remember her for the toughness, the determination, the fun-loving nature of her, but also her love for not only Norwood, but for the county, for the state, and for really all the people that she encountered.
22:39Because I bet each and every person in this room would say, Bridget Kelly was my friend.
22:45She was your friend.
22:47Because that's who she was.
22:48She loved everybody that she came in contact with.
22:50So it's a thrill to be here.
22:52And thank you again to Catherine.
22:53Thank you to the governor for being here.
22:55It's a real honor.
22:56I paid attention to the directions.
23:06I'll make sure.
23:08Hello, and welcome, everybody.
23:09I'm Norwood Mayor Victor Schneider.
23:11We're glad to have you in Norwood.
23:12I know most of you have never been to Norwood, so you probably had to use your GPS to get here.
23:17No.
23:18Probably everybody here has been to Norwood.
23:20And we're very glad that you are here today.
23:23Susan Daniels is here, who's our president of the Norwood Historical Society.
23:27This is a historical event.
23:28This is something that you'll be able to tell your kids about, your grandkids about, and hopefully your grandkids will tell them about.
23:34I'm not a big proponent of signage all over Norwood because Norwood has a lot of signage.
23:39We have signs everywhere.
23:41But these signs, I'm very proud that they are being put up in Norwood.
23:45I'm very proud.
23:46And I think that everybody in the city of Norwood is very proud of all the accomplishments that this woman was able to achieve in her time here on Earth.
23:56Bob, I grew up with your Kelly signs.
23:58As a kid growing up, Kelly signs were all over the community constantly.
24:03And then when she started running, the Kelly signs came back.
24:06And I was like, that's, it's good.
24:08It's just, it's what makes Norwood, it's the green Kelly signs that were always out there.
24:12But many people, I can't really go on much more about Bridget because there have been so many good things said about her already.
24:19And they're all factual.
24:20And they're all the truth.
24:21She was everybody's friend.
24:22It didn't matter if you were a Republican or Democrat or independent.
24:25You were just a person.
24:26And you were a good person to her.
24:27And she'd give you the benefit of the doubt.
24:29Always, always trying to give people the benefit of the doubt.
24:33And I think that says something for the family.
24:35I think that says something for the roots that she had in the family.
24:40Norwood's very proud to be able to have a lot of strong families that have gotten involved in politics.
24:45And people say, like, I'm not putting myself out there.
24:48But there are a lot of people in Norwood and a lot of people in other communities.
24:52I know we've got other small communities here that are represented.
24:54And very much so, you have to put yourself out there.
24:58She was willing to put herself out there.
25:00She was intelligent.
25:01She knew how to treat people.
25:03And that's why this is, it's great to have the signs, but we'd rather have Bridget sitting here.
25:09But we've got to remember this.
25:11And hopefully you will tell your grandchildren about this great person, Bridget Kelly.
25:16So thank you, everyone.
25:17I appreciate the time.
25:24Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
25:27I think, folks, that's it.
25:30It hasn't all been said, but most of it has been said.
25:34I think that it's important for us to recognize why we're here.
25:38And the fact that there is that bridge, that lateral, that will now be called the Bridget Kelly lateral, Norwood lateral.
25:47That means that we have to pay attention to how we treat people, how we treat one another.
25:55And hopefully when we think about that, we'll do better.
25:58I promised Bridget I'd do better.
26:01She used to tell me, I'm going to meet with so-and-so.
26:04Don't you want to come?
26:05I go, oh, no.
26:08You go.
26:09But thank you all so very much.
26:14I was hoping for outside, folks.
26:17But even here is fine.
26:20We're good.
26:21Thank you so much for coming.
26:22And I think we, do we have cookies?
26:24Yes.
26:25We have green cookies or something.
26:28So thank you.