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Ministers Calm Tense Situation |
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Ministers
Press Conference (Statement) 12-06-05 ----- 10:00am My name is Lloyd
Joiner, Pastor of Progressive Baptist Church.
I am here today representing a coalition of religious ministers
from our community, primarily from the north side of Lafayette. This
press conference is called for the purpose of addressing a community issue
that has fueled emotions and fostered many ill feelings in our community.
The recent controversy involving the renaming of Willow St. to M.L. King Dr. is the subject of our inquiry. The issue we have addressed is one of determining if there is reasonable justification for LCG Parish Council members to vote against forwarding a Willow Street name change to the LCG Planning, Zoning & Codes Department for further processing. The street renaming began with the honorable intent of paying tribute to a great American, Martin Luther King Jr. However, today, instead of honoring him, we find his name in the center of a controversy. We do not want the name M.L. King associated with or linked to or implicated in a controversy that tarnishes his name or image. We believe the name of this great American should never be placed on the same stage as political division and internal strife. It appears that we face a volatile situation that pits citizens against each other with Martin Luther King Jr’s. name stuck right in the center. After having visited with our councilmen concerning this street renaming issue, we wish to release to the public our findings and recommendation in the following resolution. Ministers
Press Conference Resolution 12-06-05 Whereas: We became aware of the political relationship that exists between councilmen and found a lack of cooperation and cohesion; and Whereas: The cost factor in renaming Willow St. though not officially determined, will be mitigated by allowing residents and businesses a six month period before address changes would go into effect, thereby reducing the impact of changing business cards, letterheads and notice to all concerned; and Whereas: The citizens of Lafayette Parish elected nine Councilmen with the anticipation of having a council working together to make policy decisions that uplift our communities and our lives, but instead, we have a Council unaware of the impact their decisions are having on the lives of many citizens, especially in north Lafayette,; and Whereas: Our Council’s refusal to forward a Street Renaming Resolution to the LCG Planning & Zoning Dept. for processing is unjustified; and Whereas: Willow Street extends from the Northside through Lafayette to Scott, is not contained in the boundaries of any single neighborhood or district and crosses several primary thorough fares which would make it a visible and constant reminder of the great legacy of Dr. King which challenges every citizen to pursue the highest personal integrity; and Therefore be it resolved: That the debate on this issue and every issue before the Lafayette City Council be conducted in such a way that the integrity and respect of which Dr. King dreamed is the common practice of those elected to serve the citizens of Lafayette. The greater calling is not to change the signs which name a street but to have a greater vision for a community that solves its problems through honest dialogue grounded in the highest level of human respect and compassion. With a sense of community in mind we respectfully ask that our Parish Council reconsider its position regarding the renaming of Willow Street to M.L. King Drive by January 17th and forward a resolution to the LCG Planning and Zoning Dept. for further processing, and determination. Thank you. We will have further comments later this evening when we address our Parish Council at their regularly scheduled meeting.
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