Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Honorary Street Naming topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council approves honorary ‘Martha G. Scott Boulevard’ for Rhode Island Street
Summary
The Highland Park City Council approved a resolution to add the honorary name ‘Martha G. Scott Boulevard’ to Rhode Island Street and directed staff to prepare the sign‑installation plan; residents and family members spoke in support during public comment.
The Highland Park City Council on June 2 approved a resolution to add the honorary name Martha G. Scott Boulevard to Rhode Island Street to recognize Commissioner Martha G. Scott’s long record of public service.
Council Pro Tem read the resolution into the record, which described Ms. Scott’s long tenure in local and county government and asked the city to place commemorative signage near the corner of Woodward Avenue and Rhode Island Street. Councilman Al Shafi moved to place the resolution on the agenda; Councilwoman Manuka seconded. The council adopted the resolution on a roll‑call vote with all members present voting yes.
Several residents and speakers addressed the council during public comment, urging the body to honor Commissioner Scott while she is living. Deborah Scott identified herself as the commissioner’s daughter and spoke about her mother’s decades of service to Highland Park and neighboring communities. Derek Hale, listed as legislative aide to Commissioner Scott, also addressed the council in support.
Council members discussed consistency and precedent for honorary street namings and requested that staff confirm the city’s prior practices so future requests can be handled evenhandedly. Council members asked that the resolution not change the legal street name but add an honorary placard, consistent with other city recognitions.
By council action, staff will prepare placement plans for signage and handle the logistics for the honorary designation. The council did not change the official street name; the action creates an honorary secondary name to be displayed on a placard.
Votes at a glance: resolution to add Martha G. Scott Boulevard as secondary/ honorary name for Rhode Island Street — approved (Ashafi, Martin, Manuka, Robinson, Thomas: yes).
