HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-381 - Street Renaming (N. Plantation Ave to N. Garden Ave & W. Chattel St to W. Reflection St)
Fondren, Chanci
From:cblumenberg@gmail.com
Sent:Tuesday, April 8, 2025 4:08 PM
To:Agenda Item Comment
Subject:Fayetteville, AR City Council Meeting 04/08/2025
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The following pertains to “New Business” section “C.1. Street Renaming (N. Plantation Ave to N. Garden Ave & W.
Chattel St to W. Reflection St)” of the Fayetteville, AR City Council meeting scheduled for 04/08/2025.
Let it be known that a group of home owners whom reside on N. Planation Ave and W. Chattel St are not in
agreement with nor approve of the proposed street name changes, nor were any provided ample or o?icial
notification before today (it was discovered on Facebook) that the proposal would be presented during the city
council meeting today, thereby attempting to keep our voices from being heard. This proposal has been submitted
by a resident whom does not even live on one of the referenced streets, and thus is attempting to impose the will
of a few on those whom it most a?ects.
Merriam-Webster defines “plantation” as 1) a usually large group of plants and especially trees under cultivation,
2) a settlement in a new country or region, 3) a place that is planted under cultivation or an agricultural estate
usually worked by resident labor. No where in that definition does it refer to “slavery” nor does the street sign
reference “slavery”; which is the argument presented to change the aforementioned street names.
Additionally, the primary definition provided by Merriam-Webster “chattel” is an item of tangible movable or
immovable property except real estate and things (such as buildings) connected with real property. Merriam-
Webster does also provide a secondary definition as an enslaved person held as the legal property of another, but
given there are multiple definitions provided doesn’t that imply it is dependent upon how the word is used? The
referenced street name is “Chattel”, not “Chattel Slavery”, thus how can it imply any meaning other than “an item
of tangible movable or immovable property except real estate and things (such as buildings) connected with real
property?
The word "service" originates from the Latin word "servitium" meaning "slavery, condition of a slave, servitude,"
which itself comes from "servus" meaning "slave," and evolved through Old French "servise". I believe there are
many “services” provided by the city to include things such as police, fire, medical, trash and recycling, sewer and
water, public health, social, transportation, etc, etc. Is it implied that the people whom provide such services are
“slaves”…no, thus how can it be implied that the above referenced street names refer to slavery? If yes, then the
word “Service” needs to be struck from every public reference. It’s all a matter of interpretation.
Should all the above be disregarded, then the street name “MLK” should be changed as well given the fact it was
proven he plagiarized part of his doctoral dissertation and other public speeches, was an known adulterer, and
was known to have indiscrete relations with prostitutes and arrange sex with women he met at his speeches. Is
this what we want our children to idolize? Kind of absurd right? But, Dr. King also did many good things…it’s all a
matter of interpretation.
Sincerely,
Charles Blumenberg
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