13 - RENAMING A PORTION OF CENTER STREETItem No. 13
memorandum
TO: Mayor & City Council
FROM: John Godwin, City Manager
SUBJECT: RENAMING A PORTION OF CENTER STREET
DATE: August 17, 2017
BACKGROUND: Rita Jane Haynes has served as the Executive Director for the Red River
Valley Fair Association for very many years, making a tremendous contribution not only to a
great annual fair, but through her leadership of the association she has also served the community
and its youth through the educational component s of the association's many activities. Further,
she has been an outstanding steward of the association's assets as well as the city's property,
consistently reinvesting in the fairgrounds site in excess of amounts required by the association's
management lease with Paris.
STATUS OF ISSUE: In recognition of her long - standing service and many contributions to
Paris and Lamar County, Texas, we would like to rename that portion of East Center Street that
lies inside the fairgrounds "Rita Haynes Boulevard." We would replace the existing street sign
with unique signage similar to that used in 2012 to honor singer Gene Watson, and also provide a
copy of the new sign to Ms. Haynes. The street segment in question is one block long, running
west from 6t" SE, and is the route to Ms. Haynes's office at the fairgrounds.
RECOMMENDATION: Authorize name change.