Pearl considers changing name of George Wallace Drive

The Pearl agency tasked with promoting the city's business community is located on George Wallace Drive, named after the former segregationist governor of Alabama.

The Pearl Chamber of Commerce has asked the city to change the street to Commerce Drive, a name chamber president Gene Newman called "more appropriate." But it's not necessarily a progressive act, Newman said.

"The main purpose is (because) it's named after somebody in Alabama. We ain't in Alabama. It’s that simple," Newman said.

Wallace is infamous for declaring "segregation now, segregation tomorrow, segregation forever" in his 1963 inaugural address.

Pearl's proposed street renaming comes at a time when the state of Mississippi is also considering changing the design of its state flag, which currently features a Confederate flag within it. Just a few months ago, the University of Mississippi chose to omit the Confederate battle anthem "Dixie" from its band's game-day routine.

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The Pearl Board of Alderman took up the matter at its last meeting Dec. 20, but the item was tabled until its next meeting in January. Aldermen expressed concerns that constituents, particularly those who live or own businesses on that street, were not involved in the decision.

"We just wanted to make sure they were aware that this change was being talked about and give them time to make necessary adjustments with their bank accounts and things like that," said District 4 Alderman Casey Foy, who proposed holding the matter but made clear that he is not against the renaming.

District 6 Alderman Gavin Gill, a history teacher who worked at Forrest Hill High School when it changed its mascot from the "Rebels" to the "Patriots" in 2008, knows the contention that comes with these kinds of changes. He remembers the compassionate pleas from community members who wanted the Forrest Hill mascot to remain the "Rebels."

“There are some people that have lived on that road for a long, long, long time and do not see an issue with the name and don’t want to change their addresses ... I’m a representative of the people. If the people want it changed, then so be the will of the people,” Gill said, adding that none of his constituents have contacted him to share their opinion on the renaming.

George Wallace Drive is a relatively short street, though, and only contains six properties, most of which are businesses. Those include the Golden Rule Daycare, a Kroger and Pearl Manor Apartments, owned by Realtor Steve Maulding.

Maulding said he first heard about the proposal three or four months ago but was not notified of the most recent meeting.

Pearl Manor has 18 rental units, most of which are home to elderly folks. One family has lived there and used the George Wallace address for 30 years, Maulding said.

"If it was tabled to give notice, I certainly appreciate that," Maulding said, adding that he is not opposed to the name change.

Newman could not speak to the street name's negative affect on the chamber, but acknowledged that some people remember Wallace for his racist remarks as opposed to other aspects of his administration.

"There’s a perception out there by somebody that it has a negative connotation. I can’t say what somebody else thinks. If it was, I certainly wouldn’t want it to affect the chamber," Newman said.

Contact Anna Wolfe at 601-961-7326 or awolfe@gannett.com. Follow @ayewolfe on Twitter.