Kennett City Council to honor humanitarians by renaming streets

Carl Williams requests Kennett City Council to concider renaming two Kennett Streets. Staff photo by Amenda Alexander [Click to enlarge]

The City Council will be preparing an ordinance to rename a couple of city streets in Kennett after two Humanitarians who have done many things for Kennett.

During the public participation of Tuesday's council meeting, Carl Williams, a citizen of Kennett, asked the council to take into consideration the renaming of Second Street. Williams also asked the council to consider hosting a ceremony in recognition of the renaming of the street.

According to the Street Department, after several request from citizens to rename two streets, the department asked the council to consider an ordinance designed to rename Second Street from Kennett Street to South Main as Sheryl Crow Drive and Third Street from Kennett Street to South Main as Leonard Younger Drive.

City Attorney McVey will have an ordinance written for the next meeting.

Reports were given from all departments the city following the discussion of the renaming of those streets.

According to City Administrator Ken Gosley's report, the city's revenue is lacking, although the city has been careful not to spend any funds unless it is truly necessary.

"Do we have sufficient funds in the city's account?" asked Alderman Jake Crafton.

"The city's revenue is down and there is usually a cash flow problem during this time of the year," Wheeler replied.

"When the residents begin paying city taxes, the general fund will improve."

Police Chief Barry Tate and Fire Chief John Mallott also provided reports to the council, agreeing that both of their departments did a great job during and after the storm on Sunday.

"The Delta Fair is coming soon and the police department is ready for the events," Tate said as a side note.

"We had several fights last year at the fair and this year we are not going to tolerate any of this kind of behavior. Those people will be asked to leave the fair and if they refuse they will be escorted out," the Chief added.

Chamber of Commerce President Jan McElwrath also addressed the council meeting about the fair and the parade. She informed that at 5:30 p.m., beginning at North Street at the north by-pass, a section of the road will be closed to all traffic, with the exception of parade bands and floats.

McElwrath also presented Mayor Wheeler and the council with a Community Betterment Certificate, for the work which has been done on the downtown area.