Shelby plans lasting tribute to the late Mayor Hunter
By David Jacobs
Shelby City Council at its Monday, July 7 meeting plans to address legislation that would give Shelby's Leslie Lane a secondary designation in honor of the late mayor, councilman, and educator James W. Hunter.
He passed away on May 22 at age 82. He had lived along Leslie Lane, an ordinance being presented to Shelby City Council shows.
Leslie Lane would retain its name and carry a secondary designation of “Mayor James W. Hunter Memorial Street,” with the legislation stating that “the designation shall in no way affect or impact postal or other deliveries.”
The legislation includes the directive: “The Clerk of Council present an authenticated copy of this Ordinance to the Hunter family.”
The ordinance would take effect after its passage, the signing by current Mayor Steve Schag, and “the earliest period allowed by law.”
The proposal appears as Ordinance No. 22-2025, first reading enacting Section 204.08 (Hunter Memorial Street) of Chapter 204 (Official Standards) of the Codified Ordinances of Shelby.
It directs Shelby's director of public service to “place appropriate signage indicating said designation.”
Shelby City Councilman at-large Steve McLaughlin is the ordinance sponsor.
The legislation outlines the late mayor’s public service, stating Hunter was elected to council in 1997 and 1999 from the city of Shelby’s historic First Ward.
Hunter was elected mayor in 2001 and “served with distinction from Jan. 1, 2002, to Jan. 1, 2006.”
The proposed ordinance notes his 33-year career as an English teacher at Shelby High School, as well as his longtime role directing and advising Whippet Theater and announcing Shelby Whippets home football games for more than 40 years.
The ordinance states it is “in the interest of the public health, safety, morals, and general welfare of the citizens of the city of Shelby” to commemorate Hunter’s memory and service through the secondary street designation.
The ordinance will be presented for its first reading at Monday’s council meeting. Three readings are planned before a vote on passage unless it carries an emergency designation.
The council session begins at 7 p.m. Monday in council chambers, 29 Mack Ave. The Lord's Prayer and moment of silence is set for 6:59 p.m.
