8/4 Memorial Committee to Host Community Resiliency Forum

City of Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley, in conjunction with the Oregon District Business Association, has convened a committee to lead the efforts to develop a memorial to honor to those who were lost and affected by the events that happened in the Oregon District on Aug. 4, 2019.

The primary focus of the committee will be to listen to the community and create a memorial that helps the community heal after the tragedy that happened on Aug. 4, 2019. This work includes collecting input from the broader community, which will start with a Community Resiliency Forum that will be open to the public. The meeting will be held at the Dayton Metro Library on October 21 at 6 p.m. Attendees will have the opportunity to discuss where we are two years after tragic violence impacted our community in the Oregon District. Helpful information and resources will be provided for those individuals who are still struggling. Input will be collected for a memorial.

Anyone who would like to attend the forum can RSVP to [email protected] or call/text 937-985-1628 by Wednesday, October 20. Information about the meeting will also be posted on www.downtowndayton.org and the Oregon District Business Association website at www.theoregondistrict.org. In addition, both websites will include a link to a survey for anyone in the community to take after the Community Resiliency Forum.

“This memorial will be an important step in the healing process for our Oregon District community and our entire city as we remember those who were lost and grieve with those who were affected by this tragedy in the heart of our community,” said Natalie Skilliter, president of the Oregon District Business Association and 8/4 Committee member.

Whaley has asked Downtown Dayton Partnership President Sandra K. Gudorf and Sandy Hunt, the Director of the Victim and Witness Division of the Montgomery County Prosecutor’s Office, to co-chair the planning committee.

“The goal is for this memorial to support our community as they continue to heal from the tragic events on August 4, 2019,” Gudorf said.

“The 8/4 Memorial Committee will be working with survivors, victims’ families and those directly affected in our community, but also is seeking input from our community, because we recognize the impact it had on us all,” Hunt said.

Along with Gudorf and Hunt, members of the Aug. 4 Committee include: Survivors, representatives of victims and victims’ families, Oregon District businesses and neighborhood residents, and others from across the Dayton community.