West Pennyroyal News

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. - On August 28, the City of Bowling Green honored Joe Denning for his service to the citizens of Bowling Green.

Joe Denning holds the record of serving the longest number of years on the City Commission. Additionally, he was the City’s first Black police officer, mayor and city commissioner.

“Joe Denning is such an important piece of the fabric of this community it is only fitting that we honor him today in a way that future generations will always know his contributions to the city of Bowling Green,” City Manager Jeff Meisel said. “Mr. Denning holds the distinction of being the longest serving commissioner in the city’s history. Also, he is a trailblazer.”

The City announced the naming of the City Hall lobby as The Denning Commons and unveiled a plaque listing Mr. Denning’s service to the city. The plague is attached to a column in The Denning Commons.

“We want everyone who walks into this building to know who Joe Denning is and what his contributions have been,” Mr. Meisel said.

Commissioner and Mayor Pro Tem Sue Parrigin originally asked city leadership about honoring Mr. Denning.

“Bringing forth the idea to somehow honor Joe and his legacy of unwavering service to our community resulted in the renaming of the lobby area of our beautiful, historic City Hall,” Mrs. Parrigin said. “Having had the distinct honor of serving alongside Joe Denning it is with pride and pleasure to see him honored in this way here today.”

Mayor Todd Alcott applauded Mr. Denning’s service to Bowling Green.

“Joe’s commitment to the citizens of Bowling Green is obvious by his more than 27 years of service on the Board of Commissioners,” Mayor Alcott said. “There isn’t a single department within the City that Joe hasn’t in some way touched through his tenure on the commission.”

The Bowling Green Police Department honored Mr. Denning for being the city’s first Black police officer, a job he took on June 4, 1969.

Original source can be found here.