Alyssa Miller
The MLK Mediation Group will make a public statement at 10 am today at Price Hall in Muncie to address the renaming of Broadway Avenue to Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard.
The Muncie city council decided against renaming Broadway last year in a 7-2 vote that sparked controversy in the community. The council agreed that some business owners on Broadway would experience financial loss as a result of the change.
When tensions rose, the city brought in a federal mediator to help supporters of both sides of the controversy negotiate and work toward an agreement. Members of the mediation team include Mayor Dan Canon, city council member Monte Murphy, and Reverend Thomas Perchlik.
The group has reached a final recommendation agreement and plans to file a proposed ordinance with the Muncie Common Council. The council will vote on the proposal again later this year.
Chairperson of the MLK Mediation Group Thomas Perchlik said the mediation team was effective in negotiating and the time spent was invaluable to those involved in the process.
"Everyone who has been working with us has learned, " Perchlik said. "We've grown and formed relationships through the process."
Perchlik also said there are still race issues that need to be recognized and resolved in Muncie.
"Our goal is to get people to think about issues of race," Perchlik said. "It's still a factor here and still drags people down."
The meeting today is open to the public, and the mediation team plans to answer any questions from citizens at that time.
"At the meeting, we are discussing why we're moving forward on the agreement," Perchlik said. "The city council needs to show they are taking some action to resolve the situation."
Perchlik said he still expects Muncie residents to be divided on the issue.
"Some people are positive and enthusiastic about it, and others are not supportive of the change at all," Perchlik said. "We want to honor Martin Luther King Jr. and all those who have fought for civil rights and justice in America."
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