Title
Dept/ Agency: Offices of Municipal Council/City Clerk
Action: ( ) Ratifying (X) Authorizing ( ) Amending
Type of Service: Ceremonial Street Designation
Honoree: Ms. Josephine “Ms. D’s” Stephens
Date(s): Saturday, June 24, 2017
Official Street Name(s): Clinton Avenue and 15th Street
Ceremonial Intersection Name: Josephine “Ms. D’s” Stephens Way
Sponsor: Council Member John Sharpe James
Additional Information:
Signage to be located on the Northeast corner of Clinton Avenue and 15th Street
body
WHEREAS, Ordinance 6PSF-E, adopted on May 20, 2015, authorizes the designation of an intersection, etc. for honorary and ceremonial purposes; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Josephine Stephens and her husband Mr. Jose Stephens were the proud proprietors of “Ms. D’s” Southern Style Restaurants, one of the most iconic African-American businesses located in the City of Newark; and
WHEREAS, opening their restaurant in 1978, “Ms. D’s” quickly became a pillar in the community, along with Stewarts and Je’s, as the favored eating establishment not only for the City’s movers and shakers, but for ordinary people and out-of-town visitors seeking a good southern cooked meal in a family atmosphere.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, THAT:
1. The Municipal Council does hereby authorize the honorary and ceremonial renaming of the intersection of Clinton Avenue and 15th Street as Josephine “Ms. D’s” Stephens Way.
2. The official name of the said streets shall remain Clinton Avenue and 15th Street in its entirety.
STATEMENT
This resolution hereby authorizes the naming of the intersection of Clinton Avenue and 15th Street (Northeast corner), as Josephine “Ms. D’s” Stephens Way, for honorary and ceremonial purposes.