While Ogden officials debate volunteer street names, Satnam Singh Drive petition is put on hold according to local news
OGDEN – The urge to name 675 North after Satnam Singh, a convenience store operator who was shot dead in his shop on Feb.28, has to wait.
Jesse Redden, a regular at the Super Grocery store, filed two petitions Monday to Ogden officials for the Honorary Designation of Satnam Singh Drive for 675 North.
“That way he can stay on this street forever. His legend can stay on this street forever, ”said Redden. He launched an online petition to honor North Ogden Street and collected nearly 2,700 electronic signatures on Monday afternoon. He also applied for a door-to-door street along 675 North and received assistance from around 70% of the people who live on the street.
The exterior of the Super Grocery at 675 N. Monroe Blvd. is pictured on Monday, March 8th, 2021. Satnam Singh, the shop owner and operator, was shot dead on February 28, 2021, and a supporter is trying to give the honorary title of Satnam Singh to 675 North on the south side of the shop.
But Mark Johnson, Ogden’s chief administrative officer, said later Monday that city officials are taking a fresh look at how honor street designations are being granted in the city amid controversy that erupted publicly last month over part of 2nd Street being separately renamed has been. Until this review is completed and new policies may be implemented, new proposals like Redden’s will have to wait.
Singh was shot dead at Super Grocery late in the evening on Feb.28, resulting in a heavy outpouring from neighbors and others visiting the locale such as Redden. The alleged shooter is a young person, younger than 16 years old, who is charged with serious murder and robbery in the youth court of the 2nd district.
The turn of events shocked and saddened many in the neighborhood around the supermarket and resulted in the formation of an impromptu memorial of balloons, candles, signs and more outside the store. Customers described Singh as a friendly and sociable shopkeeper who looks after the people in the store and is ready to help those in need.
“He’s treated me right over the years. I wouldn’t say we’re friends, but we talked, ”said Redden.
According to Redden’s suggestion, the official name of 675 North would be retained. But the street that stretches east from Jefferson Avenue to Gramercy Avenue would be given the secondary honorary designation of Satnam Singh Drive, with the signage on the existing street signs showing so much. Super Grocery is located at 675 N. Monroe Blvd.
As it is, Ogden currently has five street names of honor, according to city documents:
Martin Luther King Jr. Street on 24th Street from G Avenue to Harrison Boulevard;
Cesar E. Chavez Street on 30th Street from Wall Avenue to Harrison Boulevard;
Tiger Way on 30th Street from Harrison Boulevard to Polk Avenue at Ogden High School;
Jayhawk Way on 24th Street from Harrison Boulevard to Buchanan Avenue, near the west entrance of St. Joseph Catholic High School; and
Scots Way on Ninth Street from Harrison Boulevard to Monroe Boulevard in front of Ben Lomond High School.
The Change.org petition launched by Redden found that Singh operated his business at 675 N. Monroe Blvd. for around 20 years. “This man has always helped someone in the church and he doesn’t deserve this goal,” it says.
The online petition signatories offered their own honors. “Everyone knows Satnam’s shop in this area. It’s his neighborhood that he looked after. He stayed open for a long time to care for his community. He gave us so much, his family deserved this honor and so did he, ”said a message.
Messages outside the Super Grocery at 675 N. Monroe Blvd. written on the floor. are pictured on Monday, March 8th, 2021. Satnam Singh, the shop owner and operator, was shot dead on February 28, 2021, and a supporter is trying to give the honorary designation of Satnam to 675 North on the south side of the shop on Singh Drive.
In any event, the controversy over renaming part of 2nd Street spurred city officials to review the entire naming process, an initiative that began and is ongoing before Singh’s death. Greg Montgomery, Ogden’s chief planning officer, gave Redden the news after submitting his proposal. Once the city council completes its process, “your request will be reviewed based on their new processes, regardless of the final product,” said Montgomery in the message to Redden.
Anna Keogh, a historian from Ogden, made a proposal to the city last year that 2nd Street between Century Drive and Wall Avenue should be given the honorary designation of Bingham Fort Lane. In the mid-19th century, the area north of Ogden was a fortress for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The Ogden Planning Commission voted 7-0 to recommend the change. However, the Ogden Diversity Commission voted 9: 1 to reject the change, “based on the belief that the proposal did not accurately reflect and respect the perspectives of all peoples in the region at the time,” according to a summary of the prepared matter by the city council .
The city council discussed the proposal to change the name on 2nd Street on Feb.2, when officials decided to initiate a review of the honorary name process and postpone name changes.
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