Regarding the renaming of a Staunton city street after Martin Luther King Jr... The following is an email I sent to each Council member this afternoon. I have received positive feedback from Mr. Curren, Ms. Oakes, and Ms Dull in that order. Mr/Ms Council member, I see there is going to be discussion about potentially naming a city street after Martin Luther King. I think this is potentially a good idea but not the right person. Dr. King has thousands of bridges, roads, and buildings bearing his name. One more in our little town serves not much of a purpose. I understand to a degree what he meant for civil rights and the battle he waged. I cannot totally understand the full affect of his accomplishments since I was not alive when he was active. Obviously, things are still not where they should be but I do not see naming a street after him influencing this battle. I sincerely believe that Staunton lays claim to many prominent citizens of African decent that we can celebrate. Let Staunton prominently celebrate a person such as Alphonso Hamilton, Oliver Tate or Rita Wilson. Again, there are many people that lived here that touched the lives of white and black people. Mr. Robert Holly is another beloved man to people of my generation. My thought is to rename Constitution Drive that runs through Gypsy Hill Park in honor of this person. A nice plaque detailing this persons background and influences he or she had in our community will serve Staunton and the surrounding areas far better than copying other localities and using the MLK name on an established road. What is easier? Surely using the MLK name is quick and easy. Do we need easy? Do we need to do this at all? The answer to both is a resounding NO. However, I believe we should do something like this...but let us get it right. Take the time to hear our citizens. On facebook there is already a strong sentiment to go with what I described and the conversation just started 18 hours ago. Gypsy Hill Park is Stauntons crown jewel. I much prefer that prominent location over Montgomery Hall Park. Visitors that are both local and traveling through can learn a bit about our honoree if we can choose that location. Montgomery Hall Park does not get the traffic or attention an honoree deserves. I am sorry for the length of this email but I feel strongly about honoring someone local versus someone who already has countless honors throughout our country and state. I Would love to have a chance to talk with you or anyone else about this matter. Sincerely, Fred Shaner
Posted on: Wed, 12 Nov 2014 21:57:33 +0000
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