By Robert Perea
For several months, the Lyon County Commission has been seeking recommendations for a name for the new Dayton Government Complex. At their Sept. 18 meeting, the Commission voted to name the building for Charlie Kirk.
The building will be the future site of the Dayton Justice Court, District Attorney’s Dayton Office, Human Services Dayton Office, and Sheriff’s Office Dayton Substation. The building permit application for the facility has been submitted to the Community Development Department as well as Central Lyon County Fire Protection District.
A date for the groundbreaking of the facility has not yet been announced. On July 3, the commission approved a contract with Core Construction to serve as the construction manager-at risk for the project.
At the direction of the County Commission earlier this summer, County Manager Andrew Haskin sent an item to the Dayton, Silver City and Mound House Community Advisory Boards seeking recommendations for a name for the building.
Haskin said the Mound House CAB recommended something general like the Central Lyon County Government Complex. He said the Silver City CAB did not send a letter, but the consensus among those who attended the meeting was also in favor of a general name reflecting Central Lyon County.
The Dayton CAB submitted a letter of recommending it be named the “Walmsley Government Complex,” in honor of a prominent Dayton family. Ray and May Walmsley were among the founders of the Dayton Museum and May Walmsley was from a pioneer Dayton family.
“My recommendation would be to go with Lyon County Dayton Government Complex,” Haskin said. “It describes what it is, it makes the focus on Lyon County and if the board chooses at a later date to assign a different name, then that leaves the door open.”
Commissioner Tammy Hendrix said in light of recent events, she would like to move to name it the “Charles J. Kirk Government Complex.” Chairman Scott Keller seconded the motion to allow for further comment.
Haskin read the guidelines in Lyon County Resolution 22-02 that describes the county policy to name facilities, parks, cemeteries open space and drainages based on neighborhood or geographical identification; a natural or geological feature; historical or cultural significance; a historical figure or individual (living or deceased) who has made significant land, monetary or civic contribution to the facilities, parks, cemeteries, open pace and drainages; gave their life while serving the United States of America in military service; gave their life while serving Lyon County as an employee or volunteer; or as required by purchase agreement or grant agreement.
Charlie Kirk was an American right-wing political activist, entrepreneur, and media personality who was a prominent voice in contemporary conservatism. He was shot to death while speaking at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10.
“If board chooses to move in that direction, I think we would probably need to change that policy first,” Haskin said.
Keller disagreed that the name would require a policy change.
“I think I can make a reasonable judgment that there is an impact from him in Lyon County, so I don’t think we’d have to change anything on that,” he said.
Keller then opened the discussion for public comment. Six speakers spoke in favor of naming the building for Charlie Kirk, one proposed either the name Sutro, saying the building will be built near the Sutro Tunnel, or the Lyon County Government Complex. One speaker suggested naming it after former Lyon County Sheriff Sid Smith.
Keller then called for the vote on Hendrix’s motion, which was approved 5-0.
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