Webster endorses Jackson County namesake change; county will discuss issue
With the Jackson County Board of Commissioners’ first public discussion about changing the county’s namesake scheduled for Jan. 12, the third of Jackson’s four municipalities has approved a resolution asking commissioners to make the change.
“I think that this is a unique time in history where we’re starting to take into consideration our history and look at it with open eyes and see what we can do to be respectful of minorities and their challenges,” said Webster Mayor Tracy Rodes. “A change like this is something that will get attention, but it’s not something that comes at a high cost, so I really think it’s a no-brainer to support it.”
Sylva OKs resolution to change Jacksons thesylvaherald.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from thesylvaherald.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Sylva endorses county namesake change Walter S. Jackson.
The Town of Sylva joined the Village of Forest Hills last week in formerly supporting a request from the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians to substitute former Principal Chief Walter S. Jackson for former President Andrew Jackson as Jackson County’s namesake.
With a 4-1 vote, the body passed a resolution in favor of the change during its Dec. 10 meeting. Commissioner Mary Gelbaugh provided the sole opposing vote.
“On Oct. 29, unanimously the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians passed a resolution requesting that the namesake of Jackson County be changed from former President Andrew Jackson to Walter S. Jackson, who by my reading was quite a remarkable individual and someone very important to the tribe,” said Commissioner Ben Guiney, who introduced the resolution.