Families fight for street name in Fort Valley

FORT VALLEY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – One man wants a street named after his mother, but the controversy is it’s already been dedicated to a man who lost his life in the mid-1900’s.

Samuel Jones Street, off State University Drive, lays parallel to a portion of the railroad tracks in Fort Valley. 

Harry Ross says his mother was born in Lumpkin, Georgia, and later relocated to 209 Samuel Jones Street. Ross says she died at 93-years-old. 

He believes she was an influencial part of the Fort Valley community, and has history on the street, which is why she deserves to have it in her name-Pinkie Ross. 

According to Fort Valley Mayor Barbara Williams, Samuel Jones was killed in an tragic accident at the old Pearson Mill, when heavy debris fell on top of him. 

Jones’ daughter, Geraldine Jones Emerson, along with Ross went in front of city council in June to discuss their opposing views of the issue. 

In a statement, Emerson says to the mayor and council, “We ask you not to rewrite the history of our community.”

“On one hand, I hear it, but because that was my mother, I’m subjective of course,” says Ross. 

Mayor Williams addresses the issue during a phone interview with 41NBC’s Taylor Terrell. 

“We find it hard to go back and change some thing like that,” Williams says,”He said that she was born there, but we just haven’t seen the history. She lived there for a period of time.”

Currently, the city has no policy on renaming streets. Williams says after this is settled, they may have to put one in place. 

The issued has been tabled for now, but Williams says it’s likely it will be on council’s agenda in September at Ross’ request.