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To designate the 2900 block of Brook Road in honor of James E. “Duke” Stewart, III. (3rd District)
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WHEREAS, upon information and belief of the Council, James E. “Duke” Stewart, III, served as a firefighter with the City Richmond beginning in 1969 and ending several years later after a long and distinguished career; and
WHEREAS, upon information and belief of the Council, James E. “Duke” Stewart, III, served in many prominent capacities with the Richmond Fire Department, including as a lieutenant and Battalion Chief, where he was recognized for outstanding service in fighting fires, training personnel, and promoting fire prevention and suppression; and
WHEREAS, upon information and belief of the Council, James E. “Duke” Stewart, III, was not only an outstanding firefighter himself, but he also worked tirelessly to develop opportunities for minorities and women in the City’s Department of Fire and Emergency Services, including as a member of recruitment teams to hire minorities and as an organizer of the Black Professional Firefighters, Inc., whose goal was to ensure equality within the fire department; and
WHEREAS, the City desires to memorialize the life of James E. “Duke” Stewart, III, for his contributions to the civic life of the city of Richmond by designating the 2900 block of Brook Road in his honor; and
WHEREAS, because this designation is honorary only, the provisions of sections 8-7 through 8-10 of the Code of the City of Richmond (2020), as amended, do not apply to the designation made hereby or to any signs erected pursuant to this ordinance;
NOW, THEREFORE,
THE CITY OF RICHMOND HEREBY ORDAINS:
§ 1. Designation of Street Block for Honorary Name. The 2900 block of Brook Road shall be designated in honor of James E. “Duke” Stewart, III, pursuant to this ordinance.
§ 2. Effect of Designation. The designation of the portion of the street made pursuant to this ordinance shall be honorary only, shall not replace the existing name of the street, and shall have no effect on the address of any property with an address on the designated street block. The sole effect of designation pursuant to this ordinance shall be to authorize the placement of commemorative signs in accordance with this ordinance memorializing the designation in honor of the named person.
§ 3. Administration of Ordinance. The Department of Public Works shall implement this ordinance by installing, as soon as practicable after the adoption of this ordinance, and maintaining commemorative signs in accordance with this section. The commemorative signs shall be clearly distinct from the street signs used to identify the portion of the street in question such that a reasonable person could not conclude that the commemorative signs reflect the actual name of the street. The commemorative signs (i) shall be affixed to a sign pole installed at each end of the portion of the street designated in section 1 of this ordinance for the purpose of fulfilling the requirements of this section or to any existing sign identifying the portion of the street designated in section 1 of this ordinance located at each end of the portion of the street designated in section 1 of this ordinance and (ii) shall bear the name of the person set forth in section 1 of this ordinance.
§ 4. Effective Date. This ordinance shall be in force and effect upon adoption.