Connecting Fairfax City's Past and Present to Build a More Equitable and Inclusive Future

It seems that the results of the paper survey that was provided to all residents of Mosby Woods speak for itself. The large majority of residents voted against the name change with over 80% responding for some of the streets. Likely, if you extrapolate the data for % “no’s” for residents that vote on their own streets it would likely be higher. I’m sure it would be in the 90%+ for those residents that actually live in Ranger, Traveler, and Scarlet. The best solution, with the least amount of burden, is to place a plaque at the front of the neighborhood acknowledging the history of the neighborhood nomenclature but highlighting the inclusion and welcoming spirit of the residents. This would cost both the City, tax payers, and residents less money and allow for the Carter School partnership to still feel like they got something accomplished with the time and money they collectively spent with the City.

I am curios if Mason St and George Mason Blvd were included in the discussion to change out and if the decision to leave them in place was made, why. Everything civil war seems to be getting erased in town and while George Mason was from our founding days, he was a holder of many slaves. The idea of slave holders is also as reprehensible as our (US) civil war past. I am a northerner by birth and have only been a city resident for the last 21 years. I am saddened to see our past be wiped away forever.

Regardless of which side you land on with this debate, I did see a suggestion below of having cost estimates for proposed changes. That does seem prudent because some of the biggest concerns I've heard against renaming are the costs to complete the change, along with the difficulty of the address change that has to be handled by residents. Having cost estimates for any change seems like helpful data to understand the financial impact of at least how much the city would be spending on the effort.

The difficulty for residents to change addresses probably is a bit harder to completely solve for. I don't expect it to be that difficult given the list of sources that residents are responsible for. Perhaps you could plan for workshops where residents come in and work through all their address changes together and help each other.

There are several references in the responses below regarding the online poll results provided to Mosby Woods Community Association members. Another paper survey was provided to all residents of Mosby Woods regardless of whether they belonged to the community association. Since nearly 1/3 of Mosby Woods residence do not belong to the community association, the reason for the survey was to give everyone both information and a voice as part of the community. In this survey, which only allowed one vote per home owner, and which required a street name/number and signature, the results were a bit different from the online survey but did lean in the same direction as the online survey. The primary difference is that no street received a "Yes to change" response rate of 35%.

The survey had 126 total responses representing 126 homes or roughly 25% of the homes in Mosby Woods. Here are the results by street named for change (apologies for the formatting but this is the best that text will allow):

Ranger Road No change Yes change Left blank Total
Number 102 18 6 126
% of total 81.0% 14.3% 4.8% 100.0%

Plantation Pkwy No change Yes change Left blank Total
Number 80 40 6 126
% of total 63.5% 31.7% 4.8% 100.0%

Confederate Lane No change Yes change Left blank Total
Number 73 44 9 126
% of total 57.9% 34.9% 7.1% 100.0%

Raider Lane No change Yes change Left blank Total
Number 101 16 9 126
% of total 80.2% 12.7% 7.1% 100.0%

Reb Street No change Yes change Left blank Total
Number 72 43 11 126
% of total 57.1% 34.1% 8.7% 100.0%

Scarlet Circle No change Yes change Left blank Total
Number 103 14 9 126
% of total 81.7% 11.1% 7.1% 100.0%

Singleton Circle No change Yes change Left blank Total
Number 98 19 9 126
% of total 77.8% 15.1% 7.1% 100.0%

Traveler Street No change Yes change Left blank Total
Number 105 14 7 126
% of total 83.3% 11.1% 5.6% 100.0%

Lee Highway' No change Yes change Left blank Total
Number 89 26 11 126
% of total 70.6% 20.6% 8.7% 100.0%

Old Lee Highway No change Yes change Left blank Total
Number 89 25 12 126
% of total 70.6% 19.8% 9.5% 100.0%

Mosby Road No change Yes change Left blank Total
Number 91 22 13 126
% of total 72.2% 17.5% 10.3% 100.0%

Stonewall Avenue No change Yes change Left blank Total
Number 87 28 11 126
% of total 69.0% 22.2% 8.7% 100.0%

Lee Street No change Yes change Left blank Total
Number 88 27 11 126
% of total 69.8% 21.4% 8.7% 100.0%

As a Mosby Woods resident, I offer my point of view. While some by be dismayed and troubled, I am encouraged that there are at least 40 percent of all respondents that do not want to change "Plantation". At least there are a few even minded people not "clutching their pearls" because of a street name. What saddens me is some of my neighbors say that I can be safe and welcome as long as I think as they do. If I said, "you can only be safe and welcome as long as you think as I", you would stone me in the town square. We would both be wrong... you do not have to think as I for me to welcome you to conversation. There are a lot of feelings in these comments however, not one study has provided proof that the name on my street has caused violence towards another person. Not one study has provided evidence that the name on my street has kept someone from realizing their full potential. Not one study has provided an anecdote that the name of my street has caused damage to the gentle psyche of those who live here. If the name on our streets can keep you from functioning properly, you have grander issues. Fellow MW neighbor, what saddens you, encourages me.. at least there is an exchange of differing ideas. Try not to judge others because their sins are different than yours. I request that the City Council make the right choice, leave the street names as they are and work on something of more importance than an street moniker. There are alternatives. Neighbors make a location welcoming, not a street name; this project has just divided neighbors.

It is encouraging to see all of the dialogue on this page — some effective and to the point, others over-generalizing or bringing in unnecessary bias, but all heartfelt. I would like to add one comment.

As a resident of Mosby Woods, I was dismayed by the results of the recent neighborhood “poll” that offered one vote per household (or member, or voter if folks ended up casting multiple votes). I was particularly troubled to see that 40 percent of all respondents, or around 100 out of 250 votes, advocated to keep the street name “Plantation.” Around 35 percent of the participants from the neighborhood voted to keep the name “Confederate.” And broader majorities voted against replacing other Confederate-themed street names. In addition, around half of those who replied voted in favor of keeping the neighborhood name that honors a Confederate officer who attained legendary status in the South for his men’s deadly raids targeting Union (U.S. Army) troops.

This saddens me. It also flies in the face of other data collected over the past two years, including MWCA’s own Community Forward initiative and the City of Fairfax’s study on making the City equitable and welcoming for all residents (both of which did not incorporate “votes” and “polls” specifically in order to avoid a focus on numbers versus creating a space for safe dialogue).

I request that the City Council make the right choice regarding street name changes. There really is no alternative, if this City’s common space for open dialogue is to truly remain safe and welcoming for all.

It is funny to see all these people who purchased a home in this neighborhood, regardless of the names on the streets, "wake up" and decide they need to change the names. Although, it is probably not the residents who want a name change. The thought that "proposals for the city to cover the cost" is the definition of irresponsible behavior. It is going to cost the city money; this money comes from taxes, taxes that should be used for something useful. The city does not work, the city does not pay taxes. If the people who own property on a street want to change the name of the street, they should incur the total cost on their own. Those people, who have to apologize for history, want to spend funds on something that will not change the neighborhood. The same people who live and work in the neighborhood are going to continue to live and work in the neighborhood. Does the neighborhood really need "to engage the community in healing"? This statement is an over exaggeration; just like the post below from a "witness...to a man who volunteered to post himself on the frontline of hate". I guess a person can only voice an opinion if it is the same a everyone else. Another post below with an "imaginary young African American boy" who cannot walk down a neighborhood street at night because of the street name is so irrational that it spews "Liberal Arts Education". Let us look at the real world. Changing the name on a street does not change the people who live on the street. I doubt that a street name was the reason anyone purchased a home or purchased property to open a business. I can see the next step to this fruitless exercise. Step 1: Change the name of the street. Step 2: Have the dissenters move so the eutopia can be recognized.

Tonight at the April 18th Open House for Street Name Feedback, I witnessed a woman walk up and verbalize anger at a man I was waiting in line to speak to. I only overheard her angrily vent that she and none of her neighbors had been informed of this process and that this name change would cost her thousands of dollars before storming off, and most of what I saw was that this man who had volunteered his time and efforts, apparently subjecting himself to the frontlines of hate, to create a more welcoming and inclusive community for all of us, was visibly shaken by her verbal attack. This behavior was not civil or respectful. This was wrong.

I ask that those of you who feel that these proposed name changes will be problematic to read in the Stakeholder Advisory Group recommendation all the care the group has taken to make every consideration possible to mitigate the burden on those whose street names will be changed.

Plans to mitigate financial impact, proposals for the city to cover the cost of the change of licenses, to have the city make as many of the changes themselves as possible, to provide a designee for residents to be able to call for assistance, to engage the community in healing, to inform the community for reasons and rational for changes.

Aside from recommending all city residents and interested parties to read the hard earned fruit of what seems to be over a year of hard work by the Stakeholder Advisory Group, even longer by so many other organization and people, the final report and recommendations; I would like to express my deep gratitude and heartfelt, sincerest appreciation for the tireless, thankless work, deep care, and loving concern of all those involved in these efforts to help us all move towards a more just and equitable society that reflects and asks its citizenry to uphold the values of humanitarianism and freedom for all.

I am a resident of Mosby Woods and I am in support of all street name changes as proposed by the Stakeholders' Advisory Group's final report.

Thank you in advanced to all my neighbors for all your future efforts to discuss, engage, and connect in utmost respect for all and true civic mindedness for all of us, each as our own responsible part of a larger cohesive neighborhood, city, county, state, and nation.

Thank you again to the Stakeholders' Advisory Group for all your hard work. I hope all your proposed changes will be implemented.

Changing any of the names listed does not change the situation. Financially, this is not responsible. There are no cost estimates and there is no plan to pay for the changes. Taxes are not supposed to pay for this; this does not benefit the society that paid the taxes. If a neighborhood wants to change the name of a street, they can take care of it internally. I do not want to pay for these unnecessary “feel good” changes. It is always easy to spend other people’s money. If you have not noticed, we need to spend our taxes better. The name of a street is not going to change demographics, or raise property values. I doubt any of the home owners who want to change the names of a street are going to sell their property at a loss to increase property equity among those who are a triggered by a name. Let the names on a street stay as they are, spend limited resources better. Maybe beautify a location, pay our police more, lock up more criminals…spend our taxes better. If a person is not going to come visit you because the street you live on triggers their sensitivity, they were looking for an excuse to not come visit you.

1) I have heard friends and neighbords immediately dismiss the notion that street names should be renamed, saying "you can't rewrite history" or that this effort is somehow about rewriting history. I don't agree. I see the impacts of this specific history of the Civil War and the slavery economy it upheld every day of my American life in Northern VA. These are real -- our segregated neighborhoods, police force statistics, and in small every day ways that African American peers simply can't relax in the same places, times and ways that I can. To me this effort is not about rewriting history---we are living that history. We can't avoid it and in fact to me, that is what this is about. To look at our history straight in the eye and ask: why should I let those who held authority and power (ie Cofederate Congress) determine what and who is celebrated NOW and what and who is not. People are free to honor their heroes, but people are not free to subject their heroes onto others. This effort affords us the opportunity to celebrate and honor resources or other "entities" that are equally accessible and relatable to all. To not change street names is actually avoiding our history and our responsibility to it. Why should those in power decide the names we all have to live with and WHEN can we decide?
2) This IS an opportunity to make a different choice, rather than be subject to choices made and ifnormed over the last 150 years. I understand people who have lived on streets for a long time may have sentimental attachment to the names. But I am completely unwilling to live in a society that treats some people as second class citizens, in which ever way I can do something about it. Changing street names is one choice I can make, one small way to able to say to the children that we adults mean what we say about treating everyone the same and having a level playing field. I know first hand: children can tell when people aren't treated equally, when they don't have the same rights, whether children or adults. I have an abundance of natural resources and parks in the neighborhoods surrounding Ranger Rd. Then I imagine a young African American boy--say he is just old enough to go to the play ground with his friends without an adult. But unlike his peers, who are free to stretch out their playing time and experience the luxury of summer, this little boy knows he cannot afford to walk home if its gets too close to dark. He could get into a trouble that his white friends won't. And his parents have to worry in a way other children's don't. I don't want to live like this. These names -- from Mosby's Rangers, Plantations, Confederates all safe-guarded a violent way of life built on an economy that inflicted trauma on an entire race of people. And even if you don't pay attention to it, we deal with the results of this trauma every singe day. I would rather we had names that welcoming B) and that are built on resources everyone has access to equally. Therefore, I am a proponent of the proposal to rename all streets based on navtive flora and fauna. I am not interested in giving any child the message that I celebrate anybody's war, especially one that was devoted to systematically victimizing black bodies.
3) All or some? In the spirit of what I have written before, it seems to me that this time is a precious opportunity to consciously make choices based on OUR values, rather than the values from 150 years ago, and based on the world that we WANT to erect, rather than the world that was. In this respect, I support a broad scale re-naming of all streets. I woud think of this as a re-christening, in all aspects of that word, to usher in the new and stand or higher ground than we did before.

I have read the other comments, and many people have shared wonderful points. We live in a historical city, we are going to have some names of people that had to do with our local history. I do not think most streets and roads should be renamed. I do agree that Confederate Lane and Plantation Parkway should be renamed. It's the people, not the names of roads, that make our area inclusive.

I am a resident of Stonewall Avenue. The street does not have a statue, it is not a public building. It is a quiet suburban street with 15 lots and homes. It seems an over reach to change the name placing the burden on the home owners. Informing and updating government IDs, family, creditors, financial institutions, mortgages and any other important record requiring an address. Stonewall Inn and Stonewall Kitchen are connotations that are just as easily applied to our street. Perhaps even a wall constructed of field stone or tightly interlocked rocks. Yes, I understand the original intention was most likely General Jackson as a connecting street was named after General Stoughton. Should we rename Stoughton as not to memorialize his incompetence and failed confirmation. The flyer and mailer were appreciated to communicate the City’s effort to stimulate an open process. More detail on the process needs to become transparent.
How will the discussion be managed?
Will the streets be considered together or separate discussions?
Will the city propose names?
Will the individual residents propose their streets adopted name?
Is there a time line?
Other commenters note that there are different levels of concern among names. Confederate Lane, Plantation Parkway certainly carry more weight than Scarlet Circle or traveler street. What percentage of the general public associate Traveler with Robert Lee’s horse?
There are many comments that stimulate thoughtful discussion, i did not see any solid projection of cost to the city and homeowner.
Thank you for the opportunity to comment.

If you change the name of the subdivision, you are over 95% done. Of the list you sent out only Reb and Confederate say Civil War in anyway. We have Rangers in today’s army and when a Seal Team engages the report is always Seal Team ? raided the compound, or the village. So, we have raiders in the Navy. A Plantation is an agricultural estate, usually growing one type of crop. It does not require slaves to be a Plantation. There are many of them in many places, countries, including the US. Scarlet is a color. I had to look up Singleton. How many people do you think knows that was Mosby’s middle name?! I admit that I did know the name of Lee’s steed, not unusual for a girl from Richmond, but again I would guess most people don’t.
Drop the Mosby and all you have are words that mean or can be used to describe many things that have zero to do with that horrible time in our history.

Changing Street Names to a Shenandoah Park Theme

Mosby Woods is a wonderful place to live because of its proximity to park land. Why not rename certain streets (Confederate, Reb, Plantation, and other references to the Confederacy) to celebrate our local VA parks and their flora and fauna?

According to the votes conducted by the Mosby Woods HOA and the signs in residents' yards, the name most people do not want changed is Ranger Road. Following the new theme, Ranger Road could stay as a reference to a park ranger.

Here is a slideshow I have put together to propose these changes:

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/12bvV8NkoZdggXRARboX3oQwKjk4Bb98hdzC7GrusYn4/edit?usp=sharing

See you tonight!
-Marissa

I am a long time Mosby Woods resident. I spent my childhood on Antietam Avenue for 20 years and have lived on Brigade Drive for the last 23 years. I do believe some streets need to be changed to be more inclusive but believe there can be alternative / unique ways that can be utilized to minimize the impact that also provide a historical perspective of healing to our neighborhood. The City should work to be more intentional and inclusive in hearing the voice of all impacted residents, as well as transparent in sharing the costs (both in time and monetary) to those potentially impacted by changes to their own street name, as well as all City Taxpayers who will also bear the costs.

Here are my recommendations

Recommendation 1 - Each Street / Street Name Sign in Mosby Woods should have a Historical Plaque.
I believe all of our streets should have a plaque on the street sign name to provide the historic background of the name. Providing a paragraph or two on the plaque on each street sign name would promote an understanding of the history of the street.

Many of the streets in Mosby Woods have a United States / Union Army theme. However, I also believe that some streets have a negative impact (such as Plantation and Confederate). I have had friends come to my home and ask what’s up with the street names. Plantation and Confederate are offensive to many, have left a negative impression of the neighborhood, and should be changed.

Recommendation 2- Re-brand Some Streets with Same Name / New Representation -
The Stakeholder advisory group made a number of recommendations to the City (included at the bottom of this email). One of those recommendations was: “ b. Minimize negative Impacts for residents and businesses on those streets.”

Rather than rename every name of a street with a Confederate tie, I believe we can be creative in our approach. For some streets, we can re-brand the streets that have a Confederate theme to a neutral or United States (Union) theme with the same name; re-branding would reduce the impact to a greater number of neighbors.

For example, Ranger Road could be renamed (which impacts 104 homes). Instead of the street being remembered as Mosby’s Rangers, we could remember the Loudoun Rangers. They were a special unit that was formed to combat Confederate partisan rangers in Virginia during the Civil War — an independent cavalry unit drawn from the largely Quaker and German farming communities of northern Loudoun County, Virginia.

https://www.loudounhistory.org/history/loudoun-cw-rangers/

The Street Name History Plaque could commemorate these local Loudoun Rangers.

Another example, Singleton Circle (10 homes) could no longer represent John Singleton Mosby, but now represent William Henry Singleton. William Henry Singleton was born to his enslaved mother, Lettice, and her master’s brother, William Singleton. At the age of four he was sold away from his mother, but ran back to her several times throughout his life. When the war broke out, he escaped to Union lines and volunteered for service. After being dismissed, he rallied one thousand Black soldiers and received a promotion as a sergeant.

https://docsouth.unc.edu/neh/singleton/singleton.html

There are potentially other “Confederate” tied street names that don’t have to be renamed - but can pivot to now represent those who fought against slavery. We need to do the due diligence of history research to see how we could re-brand these names. By having the Street Name Plaques, as well as having a “Memory Lane” or Neighborhood Website with the full historical context, we can publicize the re-branding / pivot of street names. This effort should be undertaken in order to meet the Stakeholders recommendation and can eliminate the impact to at least some street residents where rebranding can occur.

Recommendation 3 - Intentional In Person Engagement with impacted homes -
The Stakeholder group also advised: “The city should intentionally engage residents who live on streets and in neighborhoods that are recommended for change, as well as similarly affected businesses.”

While the City has published open forums to begin the discussion - to my knowledge, no one has gone home to home to speak directly with neighbors about the upcoming process, what it entails, to hear directly from those that will have to spend hours and their own dollars to make these changes. I live in Mosby Woods, and no one has come to my door to explain the process. It appears most of this work has been done without a deep understanding of all of the process involved. To move ahead without directly engaging those neighbors is unfair, undemocratic, and non-inclusive of the willingness to hear all voices in the community.

Recommendation 4 - Publicize the anticipated costs in time and monetary funds to those impacted with a potential street name, as well as to City taxpayers.
The Stakeholder group also advised:

“The city should adopt a plan to mitigate the financial impact for any residents, homeowners, or businesses located on the streets and neighborhoods being renamed. We propose having Fairfax City cover any costs to change licenses, etc. and to have as many changes as possible made by the City government itself”

“Provide support for residents and businesses in making the changes. There should be a designated phone number to call that will connect residents with an employee who can assist those that need assistance”

Having recently gone through a name change, I know the impact of having to notify a multitude of parties: driver's license, Federal/State/local authorities, utility providers, schools, employers, mortgage provider, banks, legal documents (wills, trusts, etc.) and much more! I am still making some of these changes because it is a multi-step process and time-consuming process.

To my knowledge, the City has nowhere publicized the costs of effort, time, and funds to complete these many changes or informed those specifically impacted of this potential pending work. I am especially concerned the elderly may not fully understand the complexity of the process. What are the legal ramifications if people don’t change everything in time or correctly? If someone does not change their legal documents (such as their will or trust) where their home address is included, what is the impact? The City must be transparent ahead of the process so people can understand and raise their voice / opinion in support of the change (or not).

Recommendation 5 - Publicize stories of redemption and reconciliations.
The Stakeholder group as recommended: “Engage the Fairfax City Community in a reconciliation/healing process

“The Group recognizes that the issue of street and neighborhood name changes has caused tension and has impacted relationships among neighbors, particularly in Mosby Woods. A reconciliation or healing process is needed following the decision to allow the community members on all sides to move forward together to build a stronger Fairfax City community.”

I believe looking for stories of redemption and the potential for change would be beneficial to bring healing to our neighborhood, Virginia, and country. All of us can grow in our understanding of cultural situations.

Even after fighting as a Confederate, John Mosby was able to change and grow in his perspective. He became a friend and supporter of Ulysses S. Grant (former head of the Union Army), serving in his Presidential campaign and other political posts. This information should be posted somewhere in the neighborhood so people can heal.

“As late as 1902 he (John Mosby) mused, “in retrospect slavery seems such a monstrous thing that some are now trying to prove that slavery was not the cause of the war.” Mosby thought this was humbug. He was unrepentant in his admiration of Grant, or for turning Republican, writing the year before his death that “my animosity toward the North has long passed away.” https://encyclopediavirginia.org/entries/mosby-john-singleton-1833-1916/

“Mosby and Grant would form an unlikely friendship. “Since the close of the war, I have come to know Colonel Mosby personally and somewhat intimately,” Grant later wrote. “He is a different man entirely from what I supposed.”

Meanwhile, Mosby became active in the Republican Party and campaigned for Grant. He fought for reconciliation and tried to secure similar pardons for other Confederate veterans, but many of his ex-Confederate comrades weren’t interested—they saw him as a traitor.” https://warisboring.com/confederate-veteran-john-mosby-knew-the-lost-cause-was-bull/

Additionally, it would be helpful and conciliatory if Fairfax City Council members and other residents who are in favor of name changes volunteer to help those residents whose street names are being changed. Dedicating their time to help others should be a part of the process.

Recommendation 6 - Include Women and People of Color in the new street names:
The Stakeholder group recommended: “Engage the community in a process for selecting new street and neighborhood names.”

New Neighborhood Name: Memory Lane

Focus: Remembering those who fought to end the abuses of slavery during the Civil War.

Some of the streets in Mosby Woods already remember the Union’s fight to end slavery. For example, William Tecumseh Sherman fought in the battle of Atlanta (covering 3 Streets: Tecumseh, Sherman, Atlanta). Blue Coats were worn by the Union Army (Street: Blue Coat).

I would like to recommend potential names for new streets. This would recognize women of color who fought in the Civil War:

Harriet Tubman - Tubman a prominent Marylander who courageously fought to liberate her family. She also took a very active role in the Civil War, as a Spy, Nurse, and Cook. She nursed here in Virginia. Tubman became the first woman in the country’s history to lead a military expedition.

https://www.army.mil/article/126731/harriet_tubman_nurse_spy_scout

https://www.nursing.virginia.edu/news/flashback-harriet-tubman-nurse/

Maria Lewis - Lewis was from Albemarle County, Virginia. Maria Lewis fought for the Union Army. For her disguise, chose to portray a character from Uncle Tom’s Cabin – George Harris. Maria – a former slave – was a cavalryman, remained disguised as a man, and scouted, fought, and skirmished on horseback.

https://www.timelinesmagazine.com/publication/civil_war_courier/courageous-women-of-the-civil-war-soldiers-spies-medics-and-more/article_420d36de-4ce5-11ea-8f9b-93384ca70ef1.html

Thank you for your consideration of looking at all alternatives in a creative way to minimize the impact to our neighbors, but also provide a new historical context for our neighborhood.

https://www.fairfaxva.gov/Home/Components/News/News/11813/18

The Mayor and City Council continue the process to rename certain city streets, as recommended by the Connecting Fairfax City for All Stakeholder Advisory Group Final Report and Recommendations:

"....2. Because The Way In Which These Changes Are Implemented Is important as the changes themselves, the City Council should adopt several key strategies:

a. Engage the community in a process for selecting new street and neighborhood names.

o The city should intentionally engage residents who live on streets and in neighborhoods that are recommended for change, as well as similarly affected businesses.

b. Minimize negative Impacts for residents and businesses on those streets.

o The city should adopt a plan to mitigate the financial impact for any residents, homeowners, or businesses located on the streets and neighborhoods being renamed. We propose having Fairfax City cover any costs to change licenses, etc. and to have as many changes as possible made by the City government itself.

o Provide support for residents and businesses in making the changes. There should be a designated phone number to call that will connect residents with an employee who can assist those that need assistance.

o Set a date for change with enough notice to give affected residents an opportunity to plan for the changes (this should be as soon as staff can identify is reasonably possible).

c. Engage the Fairfax City Community in a reconciliation/healing process

o The Group recognizes that the issue of street and neighborhood name changes has caused tension and has impacted relationships among neighbors, particularly in Mosby Woods. A reconciliation or healing process is needed following the decision to allow the community members on all sides to move forward together to build a stronger Fairfax City community.

d. Inform the community on the reasons and rationale for changes.

o Consider the impact of current names on future generations and whether these names reflect inclusivity, foster a sense of community and make it more welcoming. Make clear that the goal of these changes is to promote caring and inclusivity.

o Focus on the modern-day impact of the names on community members.

o Recognize that looking forward to make changes does not require condemning actions or people of the past.

o Share a set of the most impactful facts from the Listening and Learning sessions that will serve to give perspective to our recommendation (i.e. - “Fair Facts”) - share lessons learned and/or approaches from other communities as highlighted in the Listening and Learning sessions


o Share benefits from making changes. For example, renaming could give us an opportunity to recognize local community members that have had a positive impact on Fairfax City. A ceremony could be held to honor those individuals, and a cash prize to those whose street name proposals are selected. We could also direct the rebranding work to local businesses and residents."

When we consider renaming streets, let's focus on those that are recognizable as associated solely with the Confederacy or slavery. For example, why change a name which, when taken in a neutral context, will be assumed by many (including myself) to be honoring the World War II heroes who stormed the cliffs at Normandy (Rangers) or risked their lives behind enemy lines (Raiders). Similarly, why rename a street named after a color of lipstick? Why not name a street after a wanderer or traveler? My point is: remove the offensive names (Confederate, Plantation, Mosby, Reb) and the other names will not hearken to slavery or the Confederacy. Another example is Singleton. When I try to associate (on a Google search) Singleton to slavery or the Confederacy (since I am not familiar with the name) I get a family in South Carolina which owned a plantation and slaves or the middle name of John S. Mosby. I do not know if either is the reason for the street name, but neither is a very compelling argument for changing the street name.

I want to comment on the renaming of streets. I don't think Ranger should be renamed. There are many rangers from Ranger Rick to the Lone Ranger. Neither should Scarlet be renamed. It is a color and a woman's name. Traveler should not be renamed. He was a horse who was loyal to his master. He did not have any choice who his master was.

The others should be changed.

Sarah Bennett

When the City budget is in the black, taxes have been reduced and all future projects are fully funded, THEN start talking about changing street names. Until then, stop wasting tax payer money on this pointless exercise! Is there truly no other place that money needs to go -- no projects, no charitable endeavors, no improvements to libraries, parks or transportation? I find the City's willingness to even consider name changes to be galling. Have you read your own web page? "The city celebrates its past and embraces the future, and encourages it residents, business leaders and visitors to find out more about this fascinating city." It will be pretty hard to celebrate a past that you are busy trying to erase.

While it is nice that they are trying to get feedback from diverse stakeholders across the community, the changing of the neighborhood roads really should be left to the votes of the home owners on their individual streets. That or the City should help compensate for the costs associated with the name changes since it is very easy for folks that don’t live on the recommended streets to request the name changes since they have no further consequences once it is implemented.

I was out of town and missed the poll. As a resident of Plantation Parkway, I strongly feel that this street name, along with Confederate Lane and Reb Street, should be changed. There is absolutely no reason to honor a failed rebellion that sought to maintain the institution of slavery. (Yes, other street names possess a connection to the Confederacy, but the association is not nearly as strong or immediate. These three are the most egregious by far.) I would be in support of renaming all of the neighborhood streets, but at the very least, these three street names need to change.