Commission members will meet at 9 a.m. Feb. 3 to discuss renaming a street and a building for the slain civil rights leader.
By MEGAN SCOTT
Published December 19, 2003
DUNEDIN - There may be a Martin Luther King street in Dunedin after all.
Commissioners have agreed to conduct a special meeting in February to discuss renaming a street or a building after the civil rights hero - the top two recommendations from a committee formed in March to explore ways to embrace and promote diversity in the city.
Last month, commissioners agreed to move forward on the three other recommendations, including a Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration, Diversity Week in Dunedin and markers on the Pinellas Trail to commemorate King and other Americans. But a recommendation to rename Patricia Avenue for King was dismissed after business owners complained about the possible economic impact.
There was little discussion about renaming the Dunedin Community Center for King.
"We gave this inclusion committee an assignment," Commissioner Dave Eggers, who requested the special meeting, said during a previous interview. "They worked hard. I didn't feel like we gave their efforts much respect - at least as it related to discussions of street renaming and facility naming."
City staff members announced Thursday night that the meeting will be held at 9 a.m. Feb. 3. They also presented an update to commissioners about upcoming plans for the Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration in Dunedin. This will be the city's first celebration.
The event, which is estimated to cost about $6,000, will be held from 3 to 7 p.m. Jan. 19 at Pioneer Park. There will be presentations from the Dunedin High School step team, the Pathway Deaf Choir and the Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church choir.
That entire week, known as Diversity Week in Dunedin, will include programs at San Jose, Garrison and Dunedin elementary schools, a diversity-themed Fun Night at the Stirling Center and the showing of films such as In Remembrance of Martin, To Kill a Mockingbird and Selma, Lord Selma.
There will also be a wheelchair dance troupe and African dancers.
"Everything is moving right along," said Assistant City Manager Maureen Freaney. "We think this is going to be real exciting."
Mayor John Doglione, who had opposed the idea of having a special meeting, seemed on board Thursday. He presented awards to some of the members of the inclusion committee for their hard work, but pointed out that this is only the beginning.
In the meantime, a few of the committee members will be waiting to see what happens on Feb. 3. Their No. 1 recommendation was to add King's name to the community center.
"I wanted something my grandchildren would be able to touch," committee member James Brown said in a previous interview.
