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To honor and recognize the life and service of Walter Cates ‘Mayor of Main Street’ October 26, 1942 - February 22, 2020
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WHEREAS, Walter was well known around the corridors of Columbus City Hall, speaking on behalf of forgotten Near East Side Neighborhoods, he was known as “The Mayor of Main Street.” and
WHEREAS, Walter was the proprietor of his own Main Street Business Association, which he managed out of his storefront office on East Main Street; and
WHEREAS, Walter was credited with advocating for every street light or sidewalk improvement that he could wring out of City Hall for the challenged corridor on the Near East Side; and
WHEREAS, Walter worked in a leadership position for the NAACP. That was a time when the NAACP was successful in suing the Columbus school district to bring about desegregation; and
WHEREAS, Walter served on the boards of the Columbus/Franklin County Affordable Housing Trust Corp. and the Community Metropolitan Area Community Action Organization; and
WHEREAS, Formed Mayor Michael B. Coleman called Walter one of the greatest hellraisers and community activists in the history of the city. He said Walter pushed for a community policing center on East Main Street that was ultimately built now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS: That we hereby honor the life and service of Walter R. Gates Sr.’Mayor of Main Street’ and recognize his dedication to the Near East Side Neighborhoods Community.