FYI - the Dallas City Council (DCC) did a survey to select the new name of Industrial Ave.; the results came back with 52% in support of renaming it Cesar Chavez. But the investors and the DCC said that the Cesar Chavez was “not marketable”. DCC told the Latino leaders to do some research, studies, and community meetings to decide on another street. After doing the required action items the leaders decided that Ross Avenue was ideal to rename Cesar Chavez because of multiple reasons you can find in http://www.cesarchaveztaskforce.com

The Latino leaders will honor the history of Dallas, they plan to commemorate the Ross brothers with a historical markers and the preservation of a segment of the avenue where they once resided. You are correct in ONE thing, Cesar Chavez was not born in Texas, but in Yuma, Arizona; however, he improved the working conditions of hardworking Texans and US citizens.

Editor’s Note: Since this comment was the result of a Commentary piece, the rebuttal is in the same vein.

The “survey” referenced in this comment refers to a phone poll that was overwhelmingly skewed in its results as reported by all major local media outlets. When visiting the URL listed, there are NO reasons listed let alone “multiple” reasons. It’s magnanimous of the “Latino leaders” to honor Dallas’ history by throwing up token historical markers on a historic street that is a major thoroughfare through downtown Dallas. Not only would this initiative cause undue financial and environmental hardship upon the business owners along this stretch of road by affecting all their marketing, printing and business activities, but it also places undue hardship on the Postal service, the city resources which would be better spent taking care of road repairs and adversely affecting the entire Arts District community. Mr. Chavez is already recognized by having a school and park plaza named for him - if a street must be added to this list, it would easy to incorporate a new street up for development.

Mr. Chavez worked for FARM LABORERS rights NOT Latino rights yet this task force is promoting it as a Latino issue. If that is truly the case, this editor for one finds it unusual that they aren’t promoting one of the Latino families that helped build Dallas into the city that it is today.

In order to be balanced in coverage of this piece, those readers that are PRO saving Ross Avenue’s name and integrity can get involved at http://www.saveross.com.

Until such time that the politicians and special interest groups realize that once Dallas begins honoring her own heritage, then and only then will we as a collective whole be open to honoring activists that were not Dallas nor Texas residents.

It is NOT about immigration, but about Honoring an America Hero of the Latino descent, to change the name of Ross Ave. to Cesar Chavez Ave. will show great respect to all latinos here in Texas, he is a hero to the latino culture. He came to Dallas (most recent visit 1991) and rallied for the rights of ALL laborers of all ethnic groups who worked in conditions Cesar Chavez helped change. He promoted better rights and wages to workers in Texas and the Nation, thousands of workers in Dallas grew up in workin conditions that Cesar Chavez worked to improve. It is about diversity, inclusion, respectin, and honoring Latinos and our contributions to Dallas.

Editor’s Note: There are many wonderful Latino families that contributed to the development of Dallas over the years. Mr. Chavez already has a school and park named in his honor. It’s time to honor Dallasites of all races that helped build this city. Once Dallas’ own are recognized, then the populace as a whole would be more willing to honor outside activists of different races and agendas. In regards to the Ross renaming; it’s an unnecessary request that places undue financial, environmental and marketing hardships for the companies and non-profits that would be affected.