Neighborhood activist protest renaming of Madison Elementary

Terry Webster

Thursday, Dec. 16, 1999 | 11:35 a.m.

Plans to re-name Madison Elementary School on J Street to the Wendell P. Williams Elementary School is drawing criticism from a neighborhood activist group.

Supporters of the Westside Action Alliance Korps -- Uplifting People (WAAK-UP) said Wednesday they plan to attend the Clark County School Board meeting tonight to protest naming the school after Assemblyman Williams, D-Las Vegas.

The board meeting is set for 5:30 p.m. at the Greer Education Center, 2832 East Flamingo Road.

Madison is slated to be torn down and rebuilt. According to the district's school construction schedule, a completion date for the project has not been determined.

Citing Williams' past, which includes a bankruptcy and a court order to pay $52,000 in back child support, WAAK-UP founder Marzette Lewis said she does not want the assemblyman's name on the school.

"We can't allow this," said Lewis. "Just because this man is black, that doesn't mean he should have his name on it. We want someone we can feel proud of. We need a school that will shine. I don't care if they want to put his name somewhere else. Just don't put it in west Las Vegas."

Williams was not available for comment today.

A Clark County School Board resolution to name the school after Williams was pulled from last week's meeting agenda. Lewis said she told school officials that residents want to give input on the item.

"He hasn't done anything for this community, at least not that I know of," said Estella Kline. "He's just not the one. I'm not going to put him down, but it's just not his time."

Others spoke more harshly of Williams.

"We don't want our children to emulate his bad habits," said Helen Toland, a former Clark County School District principal who lives within a few blocks of Madison Elementary School.

Local attorney Uri Clinton agrees. "I just think that in this day and age we've got to set the best example for children," said Clinton. "He doesn't set the best example."

Clinton said there are other people more deserving of having a school named after them.

Meanwhile the School Naming Committee on Wednesday came up with a list of recommendations. For elementary schools, they are: Ethel Winternheimer-Staton, Lucille Rogers, Neal Twitchell and William Snyder.

Persons being recommended to have a secondary school named after them are: Marvin Sedway, Jack Schofield, Kathy and Tim Harney, Frank Fertitta and Mario and Joann Monaco.

The School Board must approve the names before they become official.