MANAGER'S REPORT:
This resolution would name the area located around the whale sculpture as “Mayor Bill Overstreet Park”. Bill Overstreet served as mayor of Juneau for three terms in the 1970s and 80s. Among many other good deeds and significant professional and volunteer achievements, Bill was instrumental in defeating the capital move vote in the critical 1982 election.
After serving as mayor of Juneau, Governor Bill Sheffield tapped him to be Alaska’s trade representative in Tokyo. While living there, Overstreet saw a full-scale humpback whale sculpture at the Tokyo Museum of Natural History and Science, which inspired him to undertake efforts to have a similar sculpture placed on Juneau’s waterfront.
Because of his tireless efforts on behalf of Juneau, it is appropriate to honor Mayor Overstreet by naming the park in his memory.
A motion recommending the park be named for Mayor Overstreet was approved by the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee at its June 6, 2017, meeting. The Lands Committee considered the resolution at its July 10, 2017, meeting and approved a motion to forward it to the full Assembly for its consideration. |