[bwna] on behalf of the Beaumont-Wilshire Neighborhood

[ApeLainJoy at aol.com]

Dear Mayor Adams and Commissioners Fish, Fritz, Leonard, and Saltzman:

At the June General Meeting of the Beaumont-Wilshire Neighborhood 
Association, a motion to oppose the renaming of 39th Avenue passed by an overwhelming 
margin. Thus, BWNA joins the other 
neighborhoods directly affected by this proposed name change in urging our 
city leaders to maintain the name of 39th Avenue, while seeking an 
alternative option for honoring Cesar Chavez in a way that befits his legacy as a 
champion of social, political, and economic justice.

The testimony voiced at our meeting was both factually compelling and 
personally moving. Those speaking in favor of the motion to oppose the renaming 
cited surveys indicating that over 90% of neighborhood residents are against 
the change and that an even greater percentage of businesses along the 
10-mile stretch of 39th feel the same. Accordingly, there is considerable 
frustration with a decision-making process that has seemingly turned a blind eye to 
potential economic and social repercussions on local residents and 
merchants most directly affected by the proposed change. Those opposing the motion 
were primarily troubled by the possibility of an affirmative vote being 
equated with racist motives and/or disrespect for Cesar Chavez. We concluded the 
meeting with unanimous agreement on emphasizing that the Association's 
resolution to oppose the name change 
of 39th was neither racially motivated nor intended in any way to denigrate 
the name and 
accomplishments of Cesar Chavez.

As President of the Beaumont-Wilshire Neighborhood Association, I am 
encouraging our residents to
speak up on this issue--either via e-mail or, better yet, by participating 
in person at the City Council Hearing on June 23rd (beginning at 6:00 p.m. 
in City Hall). It is essential that the Mayor and Commissioners hear from the 
people who stand to gain or lose the most from this decision--those who 
live and work in our neighborhoods.

A welcome change is the best kind.

Sincerely,

Al Ellis--BWNA President
503-287-0477



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