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The Tennessee Conservative Staff –
The City of Forest Hills is suing the Tennessee Historical Commission, claiming that the group is not authorized to prevent them from selecting new names for the streets of one of the suburb’s subdivisions.
The Tyne Valley Estates subdivision was developed in the late 1950s to early 1960s. Developers named the streets after several historical figures and themes that were a part of the Civil War era.
The city wants to rename six streets: Robert E. Lee Drive, Confederate Drive, General Forrest Court, Jefferson Davis Drive, Robert E. Lee Courts, and Jefferson Davis Courts.
Tennessee’s Heritage Protection Act was instituted in 2013 after public outcry over several Confederate memorials in the state.
According to that law, “any statue, monument, memorial, bust, nameplate, plaque, artwork, flag, historic display, school, street, bridge, or building that has been erected for, name, or dedicated on public property in honor of any historic conflict, historic entity, historic event, historic figure, or historic organization” is protected from removal or renaming. In order to have those names changed, the 29-member historical commission must formally approve the change.
The city filed their suit in Davidson County Chancery Court on December 20, as reported by The Tennessee Lookout, asking that the courts rule that they do not have to have the commission’s permission.
The lawsuit contends that this law does not apply to subdivision streets that are created and named by private developers before they become public property. They claim that residents have complained and requested that the city change those names.
“Of course people back then – the developers back then – had certain ideas about whom they would like to honor so they honored the individuals who are mentioned in our petition,” said Forest Hills City Attorney Marshall Albritton. “But that had nothing whatsoever to do with the city. This land was privately owned. The city has no input into the naming of that subdivision.”
The commission heard the argument back in November but ultimately determined that the city’s claims were unfounded, nothing that the law does not state that a memorial must be “named or dedicated by a public entity.” They also believe it is “sufficient” that the roads are now public property and that the law does apply to their names.
No date has currently been set for the case.
5 Responses
Ah the revenge of the historically illiterate and now woke. Poor babies. Too much time on their hands.
“Every statue and street building has been renamed, every date has been altered. And the process is continuing day by day and minute by minute. History has stopped. Nothing exists except an endless present in which the party is always right.” -1984- George Orwell
WOKEISM in Tennessee. Changing a name will NEVER cancel HISTORY!! Get a life and stop being Stupid.
I agree with all the statements. The sad part of trying to rid our society of past history is that they are dooming future generations to make the same history. They will one day be fighting for the same freedoms our founding fathers fought for. The powers in charge now are creating division in America. Everything under the sun promotes DEI wokeism at its worst. They are either to dumb or ignorant to realize that they are losing more of their freedoms as each day pass by. WAKE up people before it is too late.
In God we trust not government or man.
Have a blessed day.
Nashville Liberals are some of the most arrogant pieces of manure that exist. What a way to anger your neighbors who are not racists but who are proud of their southern heritage. Lots of Tennesseans have ancestors who served on both side of the Civil War.