Feathers Ruffled Over Renaming Of Medgar Evers Park In Harvey
HARVEY (CBS) -- A Harvey park commissioner says he has a solution to the controversy over the naming of a park, which now honors him instead of the late civil rights activist Medgar Evers.
The ceremony was this week, changing the name of a park in Harvey from Medgar Evers Park to Commissioner Eric Patterson Park.
"We're stunned. Because, while Mr. Patterson is a good man, clearly he's no Medgar Evers," said Harvey town spokesman Sean Howard.
Patterson says he's hurt that everybody is not happy.
"It's kind of baffling to me that they're making it seem like I'm the villain because I didn't ask for the part. But I'm honored to have a park named after me."
Patterson's idea now?
"To put his name back on the park and put mine under his. That's my solution. But the commissioners have to vote on that."
Patterson says the Harvey Park District is planning to honor Medgar Evers with a plaque and display in a museum and with a computer center.