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identify any specifics. This comparison also indicates a street is acceptable but not in my <br />backyard. There was the appearance of voter tampering, many of the electronic voting surveys <br />had the same responses. <br />The two survey results do show conflict however the electronic survey results high lite a term <br />called "not in my back yard ". During the 1960's the term "not in my back yard" was coined to <br />identify government and community projects that people were in favor of but they dial not <br />want them in their area or on their street. This sentiment is quite normal but it can be taken to <br />the extreme where a community may lose out on an opportunity. <br />The elephant in the room was race. This was exhibited by the following comments; <br />• Where are the white people? <br />• Put the street in a black only neighborhood <br />• The street name will attract black people and crime <br />• During two meetings we had to pause the meeting to let the participant know that the <br />comments made to each other were racial <br />• During the wrap up meeting the three business owners acknowledged that race was <br />involved in some concerns <br />The attitude of "not in my backyard" and having race enter the discussion of naming a <br />street are facts of life. During the 1960's government leaders discovered that when thy <br />make a decision, the attitude of "not in my back yard" dissipates over time. <br />The concern for racial justice and social injustice can only be addressed by strong <br />leadership. However, these two should not guide decision making. A leader has to step <br />forward and make the right decision. <br />Recommendation <br />During the public meeting a consensus could not be reached on a particular street. The Street <br />Renaming Committee recommends-the following streets. Item one is the initial <br />recommendation by the committee. The Western Avenue was identified during the public <br />meetings and on the survey forms. <br />1. Extending the existing Dr. Martin Luther ICng Dr. north on Marion to Michigan Street, <br />and extending it south to Wester and south on Prairie Street to the city limits. <br />2. Western Avenue was the street identified in both surveys. <br />5 <br />