Gill said from what he is hearing in from people in his church, they agree that a “memorial” designation and signage would be sufficient to honor Dr. King on South Jefferson Street without businesses having to change addresses.

“The city can’t pay for anyone’s moving expenses,” said Gill. “It’s against the law. That puts that question to rest.

Council President Harold Wales suggested tabling the matter until NAACP representative could meet with Rich on his recommendation. However, at the urging of NAACP officials, the council went ahead with the vote. Wales asked for a second to Gill’s motion to rename South Jefferson Street, but the motion died for lack of a second.

Mayor Dan Williams encouraged a new motion that would allow the council to vote at the next meeting to “put this matter to rest. I think Mr. Rich’s proposal is a way to do this and get on the business of this city.”

Wales spoke up to explain what appeared as a turnabout from his position of favoring the renaming of South Jefferson Street two weeks ago.

“I respect Mr. Simelton and hope he will think this is in the best interest,” said Wales. “Two weeks ago I would have voted on this, but six weeks ago someone on this council asked me if I had been down there and talked to those people (business owners). Since then, I’ve gone to see them all. And I have to ask myself why I should do something where Mrs. George is the loser…It’s taken two years to get this going, two years of hammering away on this. It took Dr. King and lot longer than two years to get the Civil Rights movement started. I want to do what’s right, but it’s wrong to take their street away from them.”

Councilman Ronnie Marks asked if he could go ahead and introduce a resolution for action at the July 16 meeting to name the Breeding Park extension for MLK, because he said if it were to be introduced at that meeting, unless it got unanimous council approval to suspend the rules, it would have to lay over yet another two weeks.

At first Simelton balked at the suggestion, but then acquiesced, and Marks introduced the motion.

Council synopsis coming in Wednesday’s edition.