Plaque in park for JD Vance’s ‘mamaw’ proposed by Middletown councilman

FILE - J.D. Vance, the venture capitalist and author of "Hillbilly Elegy," holds his book as he speaks with supporters after a rally on July 1, 2021, in Middletown, Ohio, where he announced he is joining the crowded Republican race for the Ohio U.S. Senate seat. Sen. Vance, R-Ohio, sharply criticized Donald Trump during the 2016 election cycle, before changing course and embracing the former president. Vance is now one of Trump's fiercest allies and defenders and among those short-listed to be Trump's vice presidential pick. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean, File)

Credit: AP

Credit: AP

FILE - J.D. Vance, the venture capitalist and author of "Hillbilly Elegy," holds his book as he speaks with supporters after a rally on July 1, 2021, in Middletown, Ohio, where he announced he is joining the crowded Republican race for the Ohio U.S. Senate seat. Sen. Vance, R-Ohio, sharply criticized Donald Trump during the 2016 election cycle, before changing course and embracing the former president. Vance is now one of Trump's fiercest allies and defenders and among those short-listed to be Trump's vice presidential pick. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean, File)

A spirited city council discussion about recognition of Middletown native and Vice President-elect JD Vance ended with an idea pitched to memorialize another city resident who guided Vance growing up.

Bonnie Blanton Vance, who died in 2005, was a native if Kentucky moving to Middletown with her husband in the 1940s. In Vance’s book “Hillbilly Elegy” he credits “Mamaw” with grounding him while growing up while his mother struggled to get her life on track.

Councilmember Paul Horn said he was made aware Bonnie Vance lived close to Miami Park on Reinartz Boulevard bordered McKinley and Miami streets.

Mamaw with Bonnie (left) and Hannah Meibers.

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“Maybe we think about a memorial or something strategically at Miami Park as a token of our appreciation of her choosing to live here … if you read the book and watched the movie that person grounded him while his mother was trying to get clean and get her life together and was close to him,” Horn said.

Miami Park in Middletown on Reinartz Boulevard. NICK GRAHAM/STAFF

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He added the family would have to be consulted and may not like the idea, “but I was told that park was important to him and maybe a memorial not for JD, but for his Mamaw.”

Mayor Elizabeth Slamka called the proposal a “nice thought.”

“I really appreciate that because in his book he talks about how he would not be where he is today without the help of friends and family mentors,” Slamka said. “It really speaks to what support can do for people.”

Council and city staff are continuing to have discussions about signs at the entrance of the city and other possible events to honor Vance as next month’s inauguration nears.

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