“Obama Boulevard” passes committee, sparks divisions
The push to dedicate a city street to the president-elect passed its first hurdle today, but further roadblocks could lie ahead.
A divided City Hall panel gave preliminary approval to the plan, which would designate Delmar Boulevard in St. Louis as “Barack Obama Boulevard.”
The street name would remain Delmar on all maps and official documents. But, under a bill at the Board of Aldermen, signs would be hung at six intersections along Delmar noting its honorary title as Obama Boulevard.
Some aldermen on the board’s Street Committee, which held today’s hearing, said their constituents are wary of naming a street for a president who hasn’t even been sworn-in yet.
“The overall sentiment I hear is that most people feel that this is premature,” said Alderman Lyda Krewson, whose ward includes a portion of Delmar in the Loop entertainment district.
The effort passed a short-handed committee with three aldermen in favor, including Krewson. The two other committee members in attendance - Benton Park’s Ken Ortmann and Fred Heitert, the only Republican alderman - voted “present.”
Comments from several aldermen suggest that the push may have trouble gaining the support of the full board, which will consider it at their meeting Friday.
Even though Barack Obama’s candidacy received broad support at City Hall, some of those officials appear reluctant to put his name on street signs before he moves into the White House.
“I’m not going to support it. I’m not going to oppose it,” Ortmann said. “I think it would be much better if it waited.”
The bill could prove a political test for its sponsor, Alderman Kacie Starr Triplett, a vocal Obama supporter who, at, 28, is also the board’s youngest member.
“I didn’t expect this bill to be controversial,” said Triplett, who was elected to her first term last year. “But, as an elected official, you never know.”
“I didn’t expect this bill to be controversial,” said Triplett, who was elected to her first term last year. “But, as an elected official, you never know.” Kacie you’re prettier than you are smart
- What an exceptional waste of time and energy. I have talked to a number of big Obama supporters, all of whom have said this is a stupid idea. It is typical of our aldermen to do all this showboatin’ in the face of a crippled economy and a city on the decline. All sizzle, no steak - Barrack has sizzle and steak!
Petition to have the BOA cut back from 28 to 14. That would scare them into toeing the line a bit more.
This is VERY premature btw. Shameless showboating at it’s finest.
How silly and borderline stupid is Triplett? I heard her on TV saying that her theory is to laud someone while they are still alive. Sure, but before they have done ANYTHING as president? I’m a huge Obama supporter, but I recognize that he could be the best or the worst president ever; it remains to be seen. This is a dumb idea by an ineffective alderman who has not done much to show that she has merit beyond being young and being a decent campaigner. Who are her advisers? Shame on them too.
This amounts to honoring Obama just because he is the first black president. and that is not what his campaign was about at all.
Relax…all of this is honorary. Not a big deal. Obviously some of you just want to gripe to gripe
Absurd.
This is nothing. Wait until he’s sworn in…then a naval ship will be named after him.
Yeah, this’ll be great. I can see a future news story … “The shooter headed south from Martin Luther King Drive toward Obama Boulevard.” Yeah, quite an honor.
……..I think this gesture is premature and silly, but not really surprising.
I have no objections, but I would wait his being sworn into office. I would name a few items after politicans in addition. I would have a “Bush” sewer treatment facility or perhaps a Blunt facility of sewage.
Let me know when Triplett does something meaningful to change the city.