The Grass Valley City Council will consider renaming the longstanding project after the slain U.S. Ambassador, who was born here.
What do you think?
Filed under: Uncategorized
Should Dorsey Drive interchange be renamed after Ambassador Chris Stevens?
Posted on January 4, 2013 by jeffpelline
Jeff, this is an excellent idea. Phil
I think re-naming the Dorsey project in honor of the ambassador is a great idea……but who is Dorsey? Maybe we should find that out before a decision is made.
No. I would rather have it named after his grandfather Elmer “Chief” Stevens who had a greater impact on the community rather just the distinction of being born here.
Would you share with us what you know about Elmer “Chief” Stevens? You make a good point.
Greg, what I know about Elmer Stevens is that he spent his life giving to this community. He was an educator teaching civics at GV high school in 40′s and NUHS to the late 60′s I believe. He was heavily active in community service belonging to both Odd Fellows and the Lions Club. He was also very active in the local boy scouts and little league. (And a host of other projects he dedicated his time to.). At the time, many tried to encourage him to run for congress but he chose to stay and devote his time to this community. It is said that it was “he” that was Chris Stevens inspiration to pursue civil service.
“Chief” Stevens was also an avid historian and was instrumental in the forming of the Nevada County Historical Society.
Who was the Dorsey exchange named after???
I would agree more with PeteK. I would like to see it named after someone that spent more of their life here in this community. Ambassador Stevens deserves to be honored but it may be more appropriate near his ‘home’.
How about the Stevens interchange?
How about “Chief Ambassador Interchange”? or
“CIA Turnoff”?
Sharon, are you trying to be amusing?
JJ Dorsey born in Indiana in 1823, came to GV in 1852. He married Miss EJ Burton and they had 5 children. He was a County Supervisor from 1865-69, County Assesor from 1869-72, and served several terms as a GV City Trustee prior to GV incorporating.
I have not read the staff report for this item, and I assume Dorsey Drive will stay Dorsey Dr., and they will possibly name the “new” interchange.
I also think Amb Chris Stevens is an excellent choice for naming the new interchange.
Thanks, Mark, for the bit of history. Sounds like Dorsey was a good citizen whose name should remain on the street, but the interchange is a different matter.
Agenda http://www.cityofgrassvalley.com/services/departments/admin/STAFFREPORTS2013/AG010813/ITEM11.pdf
I agree with those who believe the interchange should be named for somebody who lived here and made a contribution to the community. If the city wants to honor Ambassador Stevens, it would be more appropriate to place a plaque near the various memorials we have for our war dead.
But if the city insists on naming the interchange for him, it wouldn’t set a precedent. The Grass Valley library is named for Josiah Royce, who left town when he was a kid and made his name on the East Coast.
Naming the overpass after someone from here who died in overseas service is an existing pattern. The current bridges along 20/49 are already war memorials to servicemen, mostly from the area, who died in Vietnam: http://www.cahighways.org/017-024.html#020
How about honoring a woman?
Sharon in this community you’ll need to find some woman who “obeys her husband, has the house looking like something from Sunset magazine, the childrens bottom’s wiped clean, the dog walked and everything else done” before they will think about honoring her (which’ll happen a hundred years later…..)
LOL!!!
I am not sure I see the humor in Brad’s post. The last two City of GV dedications/honors I can remember are: A City Star for former longtime and councilman Gerard Tassone, and the dedication of the City’s newest park(over a million dollars to build/improve) as DeVere Mautino park on Alta St(2001 – I think). Dee served several terms as a councilwoman in the 1990′s, and was the City’s first woman Mayor(1994-96). Dee and I had are our disagreements over the years, but we also worked together on many issues. I bet Dee would not see much humor in Brad’s post too.
Without thinking too much, I can point out several examples of community facilities named for hard-working women in our community: (Dee) Mautino Park, Elizabeth George Water Treatment Plant, Madelyn Helling Library, Margaret Scotten School.
Thanks for the humor Brad – I appreciate it. There seems to be an automatic assumption that naming this interchange will go to a man. You can name and count the women being honored here on one hand. I will take the very serious tone of the men posting here – and strongly suggest that a woman be considered.
Sharon,
I’m glad someone got it…….. LOL!!!!
Some of these people are very quick to assume that someone’s attacking their man-hood when in reality, if they actually cared that much about women’s issues, they’d be a bit-more-concerned that the women in the country make 40% less than someone who has a penis (for doing the same work), let alone the process of naming sections of freeways, that in 30 years no one will appreciate/understand anyhow….
Good one Brad (those of us who know you understand your sharp wit). I agree with Sharon that there are women who helped shape this community – many go unnoticed. They probably did all the work while their old men got all the credit.
FYI… SR Jones is a female.
Automatic assumption? Why dont you be proactive and suggest some community leaders that happen to be women, Sharon?
Jon, you have a sterling idea. Which woman should we suggest to name the overpass after? Even if the title goes to the Ambassador, we will have a list of wonderful female citizens for the council to think about the next time they name something.
How about Cindy Maple?
EXCELLENT!!
I tend to agree as Ms. Maple has been a fixture in helping the needy in our community for a very long time.
Pearlie Mae Feldman or Laura Wilcox or better yet both of these ladies.
Like that too!
How about Huell Howser?..lol
Who are Cindy Maple and Laura Wilcox? I’m delighted that this topic has brought such interesting discussion.
Cindy Maple is the director of the Hospitality House. Laura Wilcox was sadly murdered by a madman as was Pearlie Mae Feldman.
OOps! Of course, I know who Laura is as well as her wonderful mother, Amanda. I meant to ask, who is Pearlie Mae Feldman?
How about the Lola Montez Overpass?
Council passed a motion to work with Caltrans, political officials and others to “make this happen.”
Frances Milhous. Hetty Williams.