Representatives of the local chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People once more brought their campaign to have a city street named in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. to the Athens City Council.

This time, NAACP member Wilbur Woodruff placed the responsibility for determining and naming a street for the slain civil rights leader in the council’s lap.

“We’ve been working on this a long time,” said Woodruff. “First, it was Hine Street, and that fell through, then it was Brownsferry Street, and that fell through. We expect the council to do the right thing for the city.”

The group said naming a new street is not an option, because new streets, which are in subdivisions, have limited visibility. Several weeks ago the group proposed renaming Elm Street on the city’s northern edge for King. Residents and businesses along Elm signed a petition opposing the plan because of having to have signs and business materials reprinted and because of confusion.

Council members, who unanimously say there should be a street named for King passed a resolution several months ago authorizing Mayor Dan Williams to write a letter to the Alabama Department of Transportation, requesting that a portion of U.S. 72 stretching through Athens be renamed for King with appropriate signage erected. Williams said he has never heard back from ALDOT.

NAACP members have always been cool to the idea of a “plaque” designating U.S. 72 as Martin Luther King Jr. Street.

“Some 600 cities in the U.S. have named a street for Martin Luther King Jr.,” said Woodruff. “We’re kind of like dragging our feet.”

Woodruff went on to name several city streets that are named in honor of either local or national leaders. “Are we saying that Dr. King is just not good enough?” he asked.

NAACP Chairman Bernard Simelton said he had moved here five years ago and he is generally happy with the community. “I’m concerned that this town does not take naming a Martin Luther King Street seriously.” Simelton said naming a street after King would “set a good example” for people relocating to the city with BRAC.

Simelton ended by promising, “We’re not going to give up.”

Marks asked Councilmen Harold Wales and Henry White if either of them wanted to introduce a resolution to rename Elm Street in honor of King. Councilman Johnny Crutcher is on vacation and Councilman Jimmy Gill was recovering from throat cancer treatment and unable to come to Monday’s meeting.

“No, I do not want to (introduce a resolution) now,” said Wales. “Hypothetically, if we heard tomorrow or next week that the state was willing to name a portion of U.S. 72 for Dr. King, would you guys say ‘Job well done?’”

Simelton responded by saying, “A plaque is not enough. There is already a plaque that says Joe Wheeler Highway. Do we put more and more plaques up.”

White said he would “feel more comfortable” in introducing a measure if the entire council were present.

Simelton presented a petition in favor of renaming Elm Street to City Clerk John Hamilton so it could be included with the minutes of Monday’s meeting.