Item 6: PH - Ordinance Renaming 3rd/4th Connector

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KULLBY Kent R From: twhnotes@aol.com Sent: Tuesday, May 02, 20064:04 PM To: KULLBY Kent R Cc: GUZOWSKI Ken J Subject: Concerns re: Road Renaming Dear Kent, Thanks for notice of the City Council Hearing May 8. You might recall my earlier support of use of "Shelton" for the 3rdj4th Connector and interest in "Avenue" (especially since it fit with your rationale), and my comments about other nomenclature, especially "Boulevard", which sounds very inappropriate to each Shelton and McMurphey descendant we've been able to consult. I don't yet know if I can alter a long-planned work absence in order to speak at the Hearing. Nor has timing permitted me to send a written statement to the City Manager's Office by the deadline. I would hope that my comments sent to you herewith can be relayed and can have as much effect. The only report of the Planning Commission Hearing which reached me said that "Shelton" could not be used alone because "another street in Eugene is named Shelton" (perhaps a reference to Sheldon Way?). I suppose that "Thomas Shelton Avenue", or "T.W. Shelton Avenue" (using the name by which my great-grandfather was known publicly), would be alternatives. In any case, we are concerned by the heaviness of the name Shelton McMurphey Boulevard, and by multiple confusions for citizens which use of two surnames (including one which, record and experience show, is misspelled about half the time) would invite. My main purpose in appearing -- or in writing -- would be to reason and plead, on behalf of the descendants, for nomenclature other than "Boulevard". As an excample of our unanimous reactions, I spoke most recently with Jan McMurphey, another great-grandchild of the Sheltons, grandchild of the McMurpheys -- telling her, without expressing anyone's opinion, the recommeded name "Shelton McMurphey Boulevard". She said, "'Boulevard' stood out immediately as too much", and then I told her that several descendants had said it sounded pretentious for that site. "Pretentious indeed", she agreed. As for use of two surnames in a street name, she said, "Well, I've never heard of such a thing...". I will provide her address and phone number, if they are wanted, as she asked me to. Communicating only bye-mail about this process, I have not learned who proposed use of "Boulevard" with its connotations of grandness, world capitals, and commerce or rows of great residences -- a term all of us have instinctively felt is misfitting for what was historically an access lane. Pretense was uncharacteristic of the Sheltons, the McMurpheys -- or indeed the Johnsons (we well knew Eva, who deeded the house to the public). It is not right, we feel, to backtrack in time and change today's impression of how the route, or people who accessed small warehouses or their home from it, were, over 125 years. I must stop for now -- using a Portland Library computer with time limit, my computer having petered out._________ __________, Thanks for any consideration of our concerns. FiF.:<:i'::i\'~~D Very sincerely, Tom (Thomas Winthrop Harding) [-------------.--------J----. MAY - 2 2006 ~."----~-"---_. CITY 0':: EUGf:JH:: Pl.A.Ni':INC DEPAHT\\.'ENT 5/2/2006