Short History of Fight for MLK Blvd in Melbourne

By David Walker

The Melbourne city council appointed a citizens’ committee, to recommend “the naming and re-name opportunities” for honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his legacy. Each committee member was hand picked by a member of the Melbourne city council. The committee made its recommendation, to rename Airport Blvd., which had the least impact on any business or citizens along this route, there are only 19 occupational license and about the same number of homeowners.

4-17-06: Brevard NOW officers Michele Paccione, Desiree Nall, and Robbin Cochran -- photo by Scott D. King

Melbourne has renamed more than 200 streets, to my knowledge; of which no one opposed with such opposition as to the point that Pat Poole a former member of the city council, stated that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. only stirred people up and caused a lot of riots, he had extramarital affairs and even once called him a communist. One opponent said that renaming this street would attract drugs and other crimes (along a street where the 19 business and homeowners are not black).

Others opposing the change stated that, the cost of changing stationary would be too great of a cost; people could not find the airport any longer; which this street does not lead to the airport. As I stated before, over 200 streets were renamed, even zip codes changed, telephone number prefix and area codes, and even the merger of two cities: Eau Gallie and Melbourne were two separate cities and with this merger; there were no ill effects or riots.

Citizens that were for the renaming of Airport Blvd, such as business owners stated that the cost to change stationary had little or no impact on their business in the past and would not have any impact now, there were others stated that change is good and 19 years is two long to deny this recommendation and refuse to re-name a street after Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and thy support the renaming of Airport Blvd. to honor Mr. King.

In the end, the Melbourne city council members voted: No to the re-naming of Airport Blvd. and proposed renaming the Melbourne Auditorium after Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Even with opposition of one official from the Maxwell King Center for the Performing Arts stating that people will be confused with two King Centers in the same city.

The second and final vote is May 2, 2006, at which time all parties concern; expects the city council to vote: Yes on the renaming of this auditorium. It is that in the past, time changes things; not so in Melbourne, Florida; where it seems that time has stood still. Some would call it racism, others would record it and deem it to be democracy in action; I see it as a shame and deplorable to what Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. vision and actions of those that marched with him, including Mrs. Corretta Scott King and her children, continued carried out his vision and act upon what he stood for until her death; their children and society that support them hold this banner upright.

Please see below the previous voting outcome of rejecting, change and supporting Diversity in our communities:

Council Members:

Sources: Brevard Ebony News Florida Today Space Coast Progressive Alliance

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