Suburbs

The suggestion of naming a section of a Hernando street after conservative activist Charlie Kirk resurrects a debate in my mind about when to honor someone who has passed away.

This question is not directed at Kirk’s Sept. 10 assassination on a Utah college campus. This is more of a “general” observation, and whether there should be a waiting period before taking such steps.

As North Mississippi reporter Brandon LaGrone wrote earlier this week, a move by Hernando aldermen – led by Kit Kitchens -- to name a section of McIngvale in Kirk’s honor failed to get the required votes. Several aldermen wanted more time to consider the idea. Later, billboards recognizing Kirk’s life appeared in several places, including a couple in Hernando.

While the billboards are a good way to honor Kirk — being temporary and all — renaming the street becomes a bit stickier. Changing a street name is more permanent and has the potential to inconvenience more people. Even if you rename a cove or a one-block street, there can be businesses and residents that must change every document containing that address. Credit cards. Medical records. Utility bills. And plenty of other pieces of identification.

And as LaGrone reported, this was an official renaming. Not an honorary designation, like the short stretches throughout the city.

Governments should let emotions cool before taking such a step, whether it is the naming of a street, a building or a park.

Will the person’s contributions stand the test of time? Or is the recognition based on a sudden, unexpected death?

Will later generations wonder: “Who the heck was that?”

There’s the Jo Reed Bridge at Howard McVay Park in Germantown. Reed was a volunteer around the city and died after she was struck by a car on Poplar Pike, while pulling up illegal signs in 1996.

And, by the way — there is no one named Howard McVay. That is named after the intersection where the park is located.

Reed is just one example of a recognition that needs a reminder. There are plenty of other places around the county that bear the names of the famous and lesser-known.

The Bob Hailey Athletic Complex in Germantown. The A.G. Warner Jr. Water Treatment Plant in Bartlett. At least the five east-west streets in Downtown Memphis are named for the initial U.S. presidents. Going any higher would have meant having Adams twice.

Maybe such a naming should be delayed a year or three. After the waiting period, if people still think the person is worthy of such acknowledgement, so be it. The decision would be based on accomplishments rather than emotion.

And maybe keep the local recognition for those whose actions directly benefited the respective city.

Again, this isn’t focused on Charlie Kirk. His death just resurrected the conflict of whether something should be named for someone immediately after death and whether such honors should be limited to those with local ties. - Suburbs editor Clay Bailey

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