Gay Dallas City Plan Commissioner Neil Emmons says that if Ross Avenue isn’t renamed after labor leader Cesar Chavez, the Dallas North Tollway should be, according to The Dallas’ Morning News’ City Hall blog. Emmons argues that the tollway goes through the heart of Dallas’ Little Mexico and that its construction forced the early Hispanic community to relocate. He also says that as more toll roads are built, they will need recognizable names so people can differentiate between them. I guess my only initial thoughts about this are that the tollway is primarily used by rich white people from North Dallas, and that Chavez likely never would have supported the idea of an elitist toll road. What do you think?
UPDATE: WFAA-TV sure seems to think this is a big deal. Here’s their noontime report on Emmons’ proposal.
I think it is best if we go forward with renaming Ross. Chavez deserves to be honored and Ross shows much significance to those who are passionate about this.
Anita:
I am not sure if you own a business or are a resident on Ross Ave or even live in the neighborhood or not…but I do. Do you? Have you really taken the time to look at what this will cost the city? Are you a taxpayer? If you are, are you not concerned that this money could be used in better ways? How about using them to improve the road or to add additional city services that we currently do not have.
Do you own a business? These business have been on Ross Ave. Their address is Ross Avenue and it should stay Ross Avenue. They have built their businesses and their “brand” by being on Ross Ave and you cannot build a brand in a year. Why don’t you go visit some of the property owners on Ross Avenue especially the ones that have been here a long time. One in particular has been here for over 80 years! That business has been committed to making this neighborhood a better place. The Ross Avenue neighborhood. Tell me something Anita – if a name change is to go into effect, when will I see you on Ross Avenue? Will you be here to help make the neighborhood a better place? Will you actively participate in the neighborhood crime watch? Will you support the business’ up an down Ross Avenue? Or do you really even care about the neighborhood in which I live? As far as those that are passionate. The city of Dallas sent out notifications to get feedback from the 244 property owners on Ross Avenue. They got 94 returned to them and 93 opposed the name change. Only one was for it.
Are you even familiar with the history of Ross Avenue? Do you know the pioneers that helped to build this great city that you live in? Did you know that Ross Avenue was the first paved road in the city? Did you know that when the Trinity River would flood that it was the only way into and out of town? Ross Avenue is already there honoring a hero. Two LOCAL heros. Two TEXAS Heros. Ross Avenue IS A HISTORIC STREET with historic business’ on it. A street that has had historic events take place on it.
Ross Avenue should not be about race, that is what is so great about it. But unfortunately many people are making it about race. Ross Avenue is about the Ross Brothers who came to this area, and helped build the community. They gave land to the people of Dallas, to build churches and to build schools and they gave to the citizens of Dallas a 3.5 mile stretch of land – designated Ross Ave. Kind of a nice gift the Ross Brothers have provided you. So if you really think that we should go forward with a name change? Think again. ROSS WAS HERE FIRST!