At Monday night’s Indianola Board of Aldermen session, the city’s officials voted to table a request by citizen Clanton Beamon to rename a portion of Hannah Street in honor of former Club Ebony owner Mary Shephard.
Beamon appeared with a proposal and signed petition.
A discussion issued and arguments were presented that warranted a need to possibly consult with the city’s historical committee before moving ahead with the decision since the street is part of the national register district and may require prior approval from the Mississippi Department of Archives and History and the National Parks Service.
However, Alderman Marvin Elder was adamant about going ahead and granting permission at once.
He made the motion to allow, but Alderman Darrell Simpson quickly made a subsidiary motion to table it and that passed.
A yes vote would have resulted in three names for one section of road.
The street is now Depot from Main Street to the railroad tracks and Hannah Street from the tracks south to Jefferson Street.
Beamon’s proposal is to rename the section from Mill Street to Jefferson in honor of Shephard. That would mean Hannah Street would only exist for a few hundred feet between the tracks and Mill.
As a former member of the historical committee with some knowledge of the proper procedures, Citizen David Rushing made the suggestion that the city consult with the historical committee before making a determination.
Rushing said any decision they make could prove premature. He suggested tabling it and emphasized that he was neither for, nor against the project, but only wanted to share what he believed the process is.
However, Alderman Marvin Elder was not for waiting. He mentioned the inadequacy of the signage that now exists in the spot that runs along the south side of Club Ebony and called it an “embarrassment” because tourists come looking for her street. He noted that no one raised an objection to placing that sign there. Rushing shared that the sign was on private property, not a public street.
Unrelenting, Elder insisted, “In the meantime, if this board needs to walk something back later on, but tonight it’s something we need to do. First of all, let’s give her her roses while she can smell them.” Rushing again emphasized that if the board followed through with granting the change it would not only be in violation of its own ordinance but also state and federal law.
Alderman Ruben Woods said he didn’t mind tabling it, but he would like to see the entire portion from Second Street to Jefferson Street renamed. Rosenthal suggested that they consider how the decision would affect businesses and corporations along that portion of the street. He proposed adding an additional sign above the existing Hannah Street sign to honor Shephard without officially changing the name of the street.
Alderman Sam Brock questioned whether the names on Beamon’s petition were from the homeowners or renters, citing that it makes a difference. He then questioned the historical significance of renaming the street to honor Shephard, which evoked another discussion.
