"Charlie Kirk Memorial Highway"; Lake County commissioners approve Schofield Road to become memorial designation

Lake County commissioners unanimously voted to approve Schofield Road as a memorial designation, honoring Charlie Kirk as Charlie Kirk Memorial Highway. 

This designation will be seen as brown signs alongside the road.

The road will remain as Schofield Road for addresses and title purposes. 

The proposal was made by Commissioner Anthony Sabatini, who said he knew Kirk personally.

During the county's commission meeting Tuesday, Sept. 23, the topic sparked strong emotions from the crowd. 

Commissioners listened to residents and their opinions, receiving both positive and negative feedback. 

"I don't think any normal, sane person would ever speak out against naming a significant road after somebody as great as Charlie Kirk," Sabatini said. 

A resident of Lake County suggested the part of the road be named after Lake County Sheriff Bradley Links, who was killed in the line of duty August 2024.

"Wouldn't it be more suitable and ideal to have a memorial to honor someone who fought to serve and protect us, have a true, actual Lake County resident who was a brave American hero?" the resident asked. 

"How dare you use that deputy’s name for your petty bullshit political argument! How dare you!" Sabatini said. 

That reaction sparked commotion in the audience with some residents leaving the meeting. 

Some residents appreciated the commission's efforts to honor Kirk, and one resident said her 16-year-old son is looking into starting a chapter of Turning Point USA at his high school. 

It is not known when the new signage will be put up and if Orange County will follow Lake County's footsteps. 

This marks the first local government in the nation to honor a road after Kirk.

To watch the full meeting, click here.