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Controversy Over New Name For Dallas Road

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Jun 10, 2008 6:54 am US/Central

Controversy Over New Name For Dallas Road

Reporting
Stephanie Lucero
DALLAS (CBS 11 News) ― There is some controversy over a proposed new name for a busy Dallas road. A city-sponsored survey asked people to pick the new name for Industrial Boulevard. The majority of those who took part in the survey selected Cesar Chavez Boulevard, named for the civil rights activist, labor leader and non-violent crusader.

"I think this, by far, demonstrates what people want in the community," said Dallas City Council member Steve Salazar.

The poll was seen as a way to get North Texans excited about the nearby Trinity River Project. But what started out as fun could turn out to be divisive. That selected name is running into opposition, and that has Hispanic leaders upset.

"I don't like to see us name things for people," said Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert. "I like to see more general names and that sort of thing. I've always felt that, has nothing to do with this."

But Hector Flores from the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) asked, "Why go through this exercise if you're not going to pay attention to the voters, to the taxpayers? Why spend this money if they weren't going to listen to their constituency?"

Some city council members maintain that they are listening to their constituents, but still want to name the road after the waterfront area that is now the Trinity River.

City council member Jerry Allen said that the Cesar Chavez name can be used elsewhere. "There's plenty of streets out there to do," he explained. "I just personally do not think that the Trinity River and what we are trying to capture is the time and place to do it right here."

"That's politics," said LULAC member Rene Martinez. "But I think if you really want to be sincere about inclusion and being sensitive to the community and the demographics and diversity in the community, you do what's right. And what's right is Cesar Chavez."

How do both sides move beyond this controversy? Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Dwaine Caraway said, "If this thing gets a little sticky, the voters should have the final word, and I would be the first to push for it to go on a referendum."

Flores has another idea. "Let's call it Cesar Chavez Riverway. How's that? Maybe we can get both ideas together. Maybe that's what we should call it, Cesar Chavez River Drive. How's that?"

The first official discussion of the poll takes place on Tuesday at Dallas City Hall. As of right now, the city council has final say on the renaming of Industrial Boulevard.

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