Banners suggested to mark MLK Way

A main thoroughfare through Seneca soon will reflect the city’s tribute to a late civil rights leader, but not in time for the national holiday this month for his birth date. At a meeting planned January 15, Seneca’s Ed Halbig says leaders of the Oconee Chapter of the NAACP will be consulted as to whether banners or metal signs would be the most appropriate to declare South Sixth Street as Dr. Martin Luther King Way. Halbig, director of planning and community development, told the mayor and city council last night that whatever is chosen won’t be ready in time for this year’s MLK holiday, but should be in place during Black History Month in February. Halbig says his personal choice would be banners as they, he said, would offer a greater visibility along the roadway. City Administrator Greg Dietterick announced last night that Seneca will parlay its MLK tribute into a further project to recognize the African-American community, through development of the Strickland Museum. Dietterick says Dr. John Martin, curator of the Lunney Museum, will take the lead in the project which will include a February 7 luncheon, at which the featured speaker will speak on desegregation.