JONESTOWN — The Jonestown City Council voted to approve changing two street names after two longtime residents during its monthly meeting in April, but some steps must be taken before everything is finalized.
Madison Street would be named after Betty Baugh, while Harrison Avenue would be named after Celia Gooden.
The residents must be notified, changes must be made in the 9-1-1 emergency management system and the Coahoma County Board of Supervisors must approve the new street names.
Alderwoman Josephine Brown-Cosby, who is the head of the beautification committee, brought the proposal to the council.
“I had a lot of discrepancy about that,” Cosby said. “I was going to bring it to the board and see what they would say about that.”
Mayor Kenny Lester said every time street names are changed, an update must be made in the 9-1-1- system.
“Mayor, this is the first time I’ve done this,” replied Cosby.
Cosby said she would notify Coahoma County Emergency Management Agency executive director Johnny Tarzi of the changes.
“The only thing I have to do is talk to Johnny Tarzi and move that sign down,” Cosby said.
Cosby said she has talked to residents about the changes.
Lester said he did not have a problem with renaming streets, but he did have concerns about making sure everything was in order with the emergency managment system.
Lester specifically said Gooden deserved to have a street named after her because she has lived in Jonestown for so many years.
“I agree with that,” said Lester of Gooden. “She’s been there forever, a long time.”
Cosby said she planned to write a letter to county administrator Morgan Wood to have the matter addressed at a Board of Supervisors meeting.
“It’s really not hard,” Cosby said.
Lester said he did not want to see street names changed every six months.
“Mayor, we’re not changing names every six months,” Cosby said. “This is the first time, the very first time and, hopefully, it will be the last time.”
Jonestown resident Evelyn Veasley posed a question during the discussion.
“Have you notified the residents that live on those streets because they’ve got to notify the electric department of the addresses?” she asked.
Cosby said she had talked with the residents on the streets.
