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RC Citizen
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Judged:
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As I drove home today, and pulled into my drive way, quietly got out of my truck and looked under my vehicle as I typically do, to see if my suspension was still intact after driving over pot holes that a family of 5 could reside in undetected. Amazed that my tires were still in alignment, I slowly walked to my front door, somehow not tripping and breaking my neck on the sidewalks that have not been suitable for human traffic since the beginning of time. I chuckled to myself thinking that the sidewalks in front of my house would be great 4 wheel drive proving grounds. Later, I sit down and have a conversation with my wife (who heard from another person), that indicated to me that Royse City Council was having a meeting tonight about whether or not the citizens of my glorious street would now have to pay to have their drivers licenses changed to reflect the new street name that was voted on by the council months earlier.(With out any notification to the residents of South Houston street by the way) I pondered this for a moment, looked at the clock and said Hmmm. That was really interesting to me that the city would name our street after a councilman that is currently sitting on the council and not a fallen hero, or perhaps a president, heck not even after a astronaut. As I reflected upon this, I thought about the current name, Houston St, and pondered to myself the wise men and women that named it after Sam Houston so many many decades ago and their tribute and meaning behind their decision. It has been this name for generations and now all of a sudden its not. Unbelievable. After a few moments I was really getting peeved thinking, so now I have to notify every person, utility, friend, family, god and country that my address is now different AND they are now deciding whether or not I have to pay for this myself in a meeting that we were not notified of? Now with that said, as I go off to work everyday I pass dozens and dozens of brand new shiny streets being built, all beckoning for a name, yet they change mine. I wonder how much money was spent for the new (really nice) street signs for the heritage district with the name "Houston" (put up last year by the way), that are now effectively scrap metal. I really love this town, its people and what it means to live here, but the city management really needs to focus on what is really important to this city and not patting themselves on the back. I am seriously concerned about where this town is headed both financially and more importantly, the potential that is being lost through decisions of city leadership that affect the people that vote for them. My humble opinion…
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PODunk
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Not so fast I don't think this is a done deal. Please take the time to contact members of the council and voice this same opinion. I intend to do so and make my thoughts known to all the council.
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RC Citizen
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Trust me I am contacting the city about this and
I hope your right but according to the newspaper this is a done deal...
Royse City Herald Banner Jan 2008
"The council voted unanimously (with Becknell abstaining) to rename Houston as Becknell Blvd.
In other discussion, the city council plans of further discussing other name changes to be made on city streets. Noted was a change to Bulldog Blvd. for FM 2642 where it occurs within city limits."
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Dale
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Judged:
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nothing should ever be named for a person that is currently serving on the city council, school board, or an administrative position
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bulldog grandpa
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Judged:
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Again I not only question the renaming of Houston street, but I question why that street should be a 4 lane blvd at the cost of 3 million dollars. Why not just a wide 2 lane street at a lesser cost.
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RC Citizen
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Bulldog, I completely agree, although the 4 lane improvement is for north Houston only and not south Houston where I am, 3 million bucks would go a long way in improving just about EVERY street at least in the downtown area. Sidewalks as well, they started putting in nice cobble stone sidewalks north of 66 but stopped short on completing the project. (I would imagine due to budget restraints)
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PODunk
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Judged:
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Monday night at the town hall meeting the engineer stated that N. Houston would be 31 feet wide I think that's a slight overside of a two lane roadway(?). Lots of drainage (all the way to pond branch creek), repositioning of utilites..water, sewer to side of road instead of in the middle of the road, curbs and sidewalks too. I also wonder why S. Houston not included.
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bulldog grandpa
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If in fact the street is only 31 feet that is a two lane, my information about the 4 lane was wrong. sorry
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Rafer
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RC Citizen, I have to say, your post is great. I understand your feelings. You should put that post in the local newspaper. Although it could be too truthful and open and they may not publish it.
Mr. Becknell has been a loyal long time resident. He deserves some sort of recognition for his contributions to the community. I am not sure naming a Boulevard is appropriate until his tenure is complete. But I really have no problem with it either. I can see the problems it will cause on addresses and it does affect probably several dozen people. Of course with the emphasis on the historical district, it is amusing that Houston Street should be renamed. However, if you research this further, you will find that Houston Street was not named Houston Street years ago.
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RC Citizen
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Judged:
1
Rafer, I appreciate your comments, I in no way am attempting to lessen Mr Becknell's contributions nor am I in a position to determine whether his or others work for our community is not deserving of some type of recognition. But there are ways of recognition such as the new meeting room named after the present mayor. I guess what just gets under my skin the most is the dozen or so people directly affected by this type of change were not given the opportunity to voice our opinion and what the effects of this change would be. I envisioned the scene from the 10 commandments when the pharaoh said "so let it be written, so let it be done" and wham-mo the street name changes... Moreover, what I have read and heard is Houston St is not the only streets that are in the cross hairs for this type of recognition. All I have to say is just let us have a voice in these types of things.
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Rafer
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You've got a point. One can understand the power entrusted in our elected officials. We elected them by majority, so they are expected to be able to change some facets of the city. I do think that egos are a big factor when these type of changes begin. Mr. Becknell and Mayor Mellody do deserve some recognition. Both have reared their children in this community. Both have volunteered their time for a better community. Some further consideration should always be allowed for the effect it has on the citizens. Maybe having a Mayor Mellody or Mr. Becknell Day would be more considerate. Or maybe naming even the city park or the new water spray park. You do have a valid pont. Moreover, I think your reference to the Pharoah is great. Sometimes egos, beget Pharoahs and thier kingdoms are affected in more ways than they expect. Here's hoping they consider toning down their heavenly control and come back down to the level of the meek and meer citizen. They must remember that the common folk put them where they are, and the common folk do keep an eye on these things. Congratulations to Mr. Becknell, he is deserving of the honor and he is a good choice. It is the administrative process however that is tainted. Hopefully, the powers that are will put a little more thought into their decisions in the future.
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No Name
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Has all of this been made public? Probably does not matter, but I'm just curious to know if the people of the city are kept up to date.
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Rachel
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I think it's time they start spending more time on recognizing the needs of the city and less time recognizing themselves. Talk about egos...wow! Don't you think that recognition belongs to the people that worked from sun up till sun down keeping this town functioning. Seems to me that there are a whole heck of a lot of Royse City pioneers that deserve that recognition first. Their good names have been waiting in line much, much longer and they have done much, much more.
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Rachel
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bulldog grandpa wrote: Again I not only question the renaming of Houston street, but I question why that street should be a 4 lane blvd at the cost of 3 million dollars. Why not just a wide 2 lane street at a lesser cost. And this three million dollor boulevard leads directly to Mr. Becknell's home. Hmmm, how convenient.
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Tom
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According to the phone book, Mr. Becknell lives on Walnut Street, not Houston
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Ellen
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Is this name change for South Houston only? Won't it cost us money to have the title on our homes changed not to mention the trouble with our bills etc.
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Jerry
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Are there any other streets to be named? And why has this turned into a religious forum?
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Dale
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Jerry wrote: And why has this turned into a religious forum? God only knows
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RC Native
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Judged:
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FM 35 which is opening up Saturday 4/5 will be renamed for Mr. Ernest Epps, long time resident and former council member from the 80-90's. He is one of the most admired men in RC. I think that this is one renaming that actually makes sense.
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Dale
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Naming the road after Mr. Epps is a fitting tribute. I have no problem with naming a street after Mr. Becknell, either, but it should not be done while he holds office.
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