Posted on September 18, 2008 at 11:10 p.m.

Scott Doyle? Are you the same Scott who has been on this blog?

The Historical Marker has always been part of the renaming of Ross Avenue to honor Cesar Chavez. I've mentioned it often. It is a both/and proposal. We would educate the public from this day forward about the history of the Ross brothers and also expose people to one of the greatest Hispanic leaders of the 20th century, as well as the hispanic history in Dallas the Cesar Chavez Avenue name would represent.

It is almost impossible to visit with any random group of Hispanics and not find some who have ancestors, relatives, or who themselves benefited from the work of Cesar Chavez.

Now, IF Industrial is renamed as Cesar Chavez Blvd then the Cesar Chavez Task Force agreement to pay for the Historical Marker is not needed. I personally would still like to see the Ross brothers history honored by a Historical Marker after seeing how few knew about them. Why would you not join with us to have them remembered with your own $100? Were you honest about your devotion to Ross history?

On Changing Ross Avenue to Cesar Chavez makes logical sense

Posted on September 18, 2008 at 10:59 p.m.

Todd, I still strongly believe that Ross is far superior to Industrial for many reasons, most of which we have talked about online for some time. However, if you look back online, you can see that I was fighting for Industrial some time back. Look at the bottom of the web pages at http://www.studentmotivation.org/Cesa... . Industrial is where this started. Study that photo. This process can also end with Industrial if it is in fact permanently renamed, as was perceived as having been promised some months ago, in honor of Cesar Chavez.

All of our online statements about Ross being the only alternative were made with the understanding that Industrial was off the table. (I certainly never understood why.)

Knowing what I know now I would have worked hard to never place Industrial into consideration. I would have worked only for Ross Ave. However, we have history. I did in fact support Industrial and will go with that if it happens. If it does not, then Ross is the only alternative. It may even take a few years depending on what happens this next month. The process will help education about Cesar Chavez to happen, maybe marches, many debates. I think debates may involve empty chairs as I perceive that many against the Cesar Chavez renaming of Ross would not want to engage in a fact checked debate on the issues we have only touched on in this blog.

The process could be fascinating for the large majority of Dallas citizens as a pride in their heritage grows and their ability to use the methods of Cesar Chavez are developed. Our children could only benefit.

The next 4 weeks will be very interesting, with potential extremes of emotion, and a true test of Dallas. I have increasing confidence it will be peaceful. I was not so confident at noon today.

On Changing Ross Avenue to Cesar Chavez makes logical sense

Posted on September 18, 2008 at 10:34 p.m.

Jason, sounds great. If we can get about 20 others to join with us it will be enough. According to information online the application is $100 plus the $1,600 cost of the marker (according to http://www.reporternews.com/news/2008....) I'm told the West End Merchants were supportive and may also join in. It would make their area more "historical" and add to the charm.

First we need to get Industrial boulevard renamed in honor of Cesar Chavez. Are you willing to help? Can you join us at the Council meeting Wednesday and then the Planning Committee meeting the next day? Do you know some of the "Save Ross" folks who could join us?

On Changing Ross Avenue to Cesar Chavez makes logical sense

Posted on September 18, 2008 at 9:02 p.m.

Today has been a truly confusing day. It appears it is possible Industrial Blvd will be renamed Cesar Chavez Blvd. While Ross would for many reasons be a much better choice, Industrial was actually the first street chosen until others were offered for consideration. If that happens, and therefore Ross Avenue remains as Ross Avenue, I would be incredibly puzzled if those on this list and elsewhere supporting the "Save Ross" efforts would not want to still establish a historical marker in the West End to honor the lives of the Ross Brothers.

Once Industrial Boulevard is finally named in honor of Cesar Chavez I would be honored to join with others and make my own $100.00 donation toward such a historical marker. The Ross Brothers should never again sink into the anonymity they suffered from 6 months ago.

Would any Save Ross people, or others on this list who spoke out to 'save Ross,' want to join in with me if this happens? We should not forget our cities history!

On Changing Ross Avenue to Cesar Chavez makes logical sense

Posted on September 17, 2008 at 8:32 p.m.

Don't have to.

On Changing Ross Avenue to Cesar Chavez makes logical sense

Posted on September 15, 2008 at 11:39 p.m.

but Todd Anonymous asked ...

On Dallas should rename Ross Avenue for Cesar Chavez

Posted on September 15, 2008 at 9:23 p.m.

Todd Anonymous wrote: "If this thread is going to be closed - please do it after Bill explains the "tax savings"."

The 65% of students in Dallas ISD who are Hispanic represent the large majority of the dropouts from Dallas ISD before graduation from high school. It is estimated that only about 37% of 9th grade Hispanic students make it through graduation. For all DISD students that number was only 41% for the class of 2008. (All statistics are found in bar charts and spreadsheets to be found at http://www.studentmotivation.org. It would be very valuable for anyone to find errors on those pages, especially errors countering these conclusions.)

I helped start a dropout prevention project in 2005 at Quintanilla Middle School that to date has cost taxpayers almost nothing other than envelopes and paper for about 1,600 students who have participated, about 400 each year for the past 4 years. The method of the project is to focus students onto their own futures. This is done by documenting their past, their heroes, their families, their hopes and goals for the future. This is all written in a letter students write to themselves which is then placed into a 350-pound vault bolted to the cement floor in our lobby and under spotlights. This vault is the School Archive. It functions as a time capsule, holding the letters until the class 10-year reunion when the return for the reunion, to pick up their letters, and to speak with then current students about their recommendations for success. They are warned to prepare for questions such as "Would you do anything differently if you were 13 again?" See more details at http://www.studentmotivation.org as to how this project has apparently been a factor in lowering the 9th to 10th grade dropout rates by an average of 25% at the two high schools our students attend. Something very positive is happening. The only thing both high schools have in common is Quintanilla Students.

One small element in this entire process is the making visible of role models for students to help form their visions of the future, and themselves. Actions such as placing the name of Cesar Chavez as the street name at the church many of my students attend, or the school headquarters where all of them attend school, will help raise the level of self respect among these same students. He is a leader they can much more easily identify with than a four letter street name that has no personal connection for any of them, nor for many other people in Dallas it appears.

To see the name of a leader, one they can much more easily identify with, being honored in public will increase the potential for them to do the extra work needed to finish school. Even if only 1/10th of 1% of the 63% of Hispanic students who drop out of Dallas ISD were to finish school due to such a positive public display of respect for a Hispanic leader, the City will reap a hundred-fold return, increasing annually, on it's meager investment in this street name change.

I think I can safely say I understand dropout issues better than most folks having been a social worker in Dallas for 28 years, investigating child abuse most of that time. I am certain this simple change of a street name, due to the visibility of the location of the street, will lead to much more than a 1/10th of 1% decrease in the Hispanic dropout rate. The Cathedral being the gathering place for a significant part of the Dallas Hispanic population each Sunday is one big reason.

The dropout program I now have in operation is achieving a 25% decrease in the dropout rate, probably even more than that since our Quintanilla Students are being mixed in with students from three other middle schools. If we were able to follow only Quintanilla students it is highly probable that the decrease in the dropout rate would be much more than 25%.

Ultimately we will save a lot more than tax money with this relatively simple change of a street name.

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to write this out.

On Dallas should rename Ross Avenue for Cesar Chavez

Posted on September 15, 2008 at 8:29 p.m.

Todd Anonymous said: "Sure, it won't be the same street as the church and march for illegal immigration..."

Todd, to belittle or try to lessen the role of the Church in the life of Cesar Chavez indicates your lack of willingness to study and understand him. Then to continue with the ridiculous summary of the Mega March as a "march for illegal immigration" indicates something possibly even more sinister. It would be nice to think it was only a lack of understanding.

Mike, are you going to close down this blog? I want to add my vote in toward that goal.

On Changing Ross Avenue to Cesar Chavez makes logical sense

Posted on September 14, 2008 at 10:36 p.m.

Thank you Mike. Well said. There are certainly additional issues in Dallas. I just know how big this one is to so many who are not online. Handled right it will be a very big plus for Dallas, and save tax money, and ultimately make Dallas a much better place to live.

On Dallas should rename Ross Avenue for Cesar Chavez

Posted on September 14, 2008 at 8:32 p.m.

Mike, How many requests to close the thread have you gotten. What does it mean if you close it? Do all the postings disappear or are they archived?

On Dallas should rename Ross Avenue for Cesar Chavez