Will always be Clark Avenue

Dear Editor:I cannot believe how much of a commotion the renaming of Clark Avenue has caused. I understand how the mayor and the City Council, in their political zeal to be able to add this monumental achievement to their list of accomplishments, have put all their efforts into this most important of city projects. I also can see the impact it would have on those who it would affect most. This time and effort is so nicely described by Hugh T. Hoskins in his Oct. 30 piece, "Long Live Clark Avenue" (Letters to the Editor). I can only add that the City Council is disillusioned if they truly believe that by the stroke of a pen or a gavel, that anyone who already knows Clark Avenue as Clark Avenue will magically start calling it by its newly-appointed name. That name change will have to be for those of the next generation. To those of us who know it, it will always be called Clark Avenue. - Ed Romero, Downey

Dear Editor: Changing the street name Clark Avenue to Columbia Way was not done the democratic way; it was done without people representation that live on Clark Avenue. The survey was flawed. It was done quickly in two days without 60 percent of the parcels' opinions. Renaming Clark Avenue to Columbia Way was a sham by city officials. It was not done the proper democratic way by asking the majority of the residents their opinions. It was a "done deal" to change the name before the flawed survey. I conducted my own survey from Foster Road to Imperial Highway. Not one resident of 21 I spoke to was for the change. The many inconveniences listed in Hugh Hoskin's letter were right on. The special 5:30 p.m. City Council meeting was done in haste, not giving residents time to respond at a regular 7:30 p.m. council meeting. Most residents work. City of Downey, you made a mistake on this one! - Bill Minasian, Downey

********** Published: November 6, 2009 - Volume 8 - Issue 29

OpinionEric Pierce