Portion of Warminster Road Considered for Renaming

Earlier this month, State Representative Tom Murt (R-152) sent a letter to Upper Moreland Township manager Dave Dodies in regards to renaming a portion of Warminster Road.

In the letter, Murt explained his reasons for wanting the name change:

A very sad reality about the Vietnam War is that many of the young men and women from the Commonwealth who died in Vietnam, have never been recognized for their service and sacrifices. There are seven men whose home of record was Hatboro, who died in Vietnam. I am currently working on recognition for one of these men.

Murt was referring to SP4 Harold E. Cashman. According to Murt, Cashman, a member of the elite First Cavalry Division, grew up on Corinthian Avenue in Hatboro, and died in action Jan. 31, 1968 in Quang Tri Province, South Vietnam.

Murt, along with Cashman’s family, has expressed interest in renaming the portion of Warminster Road closet to Cashman’s residence in honor of the fallen Vietnam veteran.

Specifically, Murt is requesting a name change for the portion of N. Warminster Road that runs from Byberry to E. County Line Road, which is jointly owned by Upper Moreland Township and the Borough of Hatboro.

Murt also adds in the letter that the name change would be an honorary or commemorative renaming, and would not affect postal delivery or other public services.

He ended the letter saying that Hatboro Borough, “has already indicated a willingness to cooperate on this initiative.”

The letter was brought up at the May 21 Finance and Administration Committee.

Ward 7 commissioner James McKenna, who also sits on the committee, was first to speak. He expressed reservations over the renaming, and recalled past attempts to rename a road in other municipalities, when residents voiced concerns about confusion for traffic and public services.

“Everyone on the street should be notified that this is in the works on their street,” McKenna said, later adding, “I think the cause is wonderful, but I think it’s the effect that’s painful.”

Chair of the committee and Ward 6 commissioner Sam Valenza pointed out that the honorary name change would likely not effect public services, as indicated in Murt’s letter.

“But, it would effect Ward 7 residents,” Valenza said.

Ward 2 commissioner, speaking from the audience, said that he would like to hear more public input on the matter prior to any board action.

Further discussion on the name change is expected to take place at next month’s committee meeting.

Should Upper Moreland pass an ordinance to change the requested portion of Warminster Road, the new honorary name of the road would be:

“SP4 Harold E. Cashman Memorial Highway.”