Background/Discussion
In 2017, the City Council passed Resolution 17-195 establishing a Commemorative Renaming Policy relating to street signs.
An application has been submitted to rename Gleason Avenue in honor of Tom Houser.
Tom Houser was a lifelong Council Bluffs resident who was killed in action on January 3, 2005 in Fallujah Iraq, he was just 22 years old. Tom had a one of a kind personality and made sure to make all feel included. Tom was a very hard worker and tried to lead by example, thus the request for “Tom Houser Way”, many who have come after Tom have been told the stories of how hard he worked to become successful. Tom’s passion of service for his community, and his country is something I still carry with me to this day.
Tom was very active during his time at St. Albert, and has a monument on school grounds honoring his sacrifice. The school shares Tom’s story with its students regularly to inspire a strong commitment to their school, church, community, and country. (Honoree significance and nexus from application)
In accordance with the Policy, the application was reviewed and each of the five factors were satisfied. The application has been approved by the Public Works Director and Mayor. It is appropriate to honor Tom Houser as a person and as a Marine who made the ultimate sacrifice for his country.
The proposed signage will read “Sgt. Thomas E Houser Way”.
The proposed locations for the commemorative signs are at the intersections of Gleason and McPherson and Gleason and Bonham.