Who is Samuel Alfred Wahnish? The importance of knowing our history| Bill Proctor

Who is Samuel Alfred Wahnish? Samuel Alfred Wahnish, was a founder of Temple Israel Synagogue and a lifelong resident of Tallahassee who also worked 45 years for the state of Florida. The governor and cabinet declared December 31, 1969, as Sam Wahnish Day, in Florida. The street named Railroad Avenue was changed to Wahnish Way, in recognition of his service to the Tallahassee community in 1966.

Samuel Wahnish, a former mayor and city commissioner of Tallahassee was also president of the Leon County Democratic Party and was president of the Elks Club and served as president of the American Legion. I ponder why this former mayor, city commissioner, and founder of Temple of Israel should have his name removed from a street by the Tallahassee City Commission.

The Jewish support for African American civil rights and racial progress is a significant dynamic, especially Jewish commitment to our nation’s historically Black Colleges and Universities; civil rights movement; and other causes. This backdrop makes Mayor Wahnish’s name compatible to the FAMU and southside communities.

Procedurally, an ask from Florida A&M University was to the City Commission to rename a segment of Wahnish Way from Orange Avenue northward to FAMU Way. The City Commission approved the request which was then forward it to the County Commission to grant its approval.

Unanimously, the County Commission endorsed the City Commission’s initiative to rename Wahnish Way to Althea Gibson Way from Orange Avenue to FAMU Way. This segment of Wahnish Way runs through and touches FAMU’s campus.

During the County Commission discussion, a staff person presented us with an unfamiliar policy that prohibited the partial renaming of a street. We were informed the entire stretch of a street had to bear the same name.

The County Commission was stunned to learn of a rule requiring a new renamed roadway to bear the name of the entire stretch of the previous titled street name. As such, the name Wahnish Way would have to extend beyond FAMU’s campus down to Bragg Drive. This move would have then eliminated Mayor Wahnish’s name completely. I am pleased the County Commission chose not to wipe away the name Wahnish Way. We are open to revisiting our policy that forbids renaming segments of streets.

Unfortunately, the county’s stance infuriated Mayor John Dailey who subsequently sent FAMU President Larry Robinson a letter about the city’s intention to eliminate the Samuel Wahnish name from Tallahassee’s street.

Dailey wrote Robinson: “As outlined in our agreement with Leon County, the City of Tallahassee performed the necessary due diligence and submitted the information to the County for final processing of the request to rename the entirety of Wahnish Way from FAMU Way to Bragg Drive, to Althea Gibson Way.”

I do understand and empathize with members and friends of Temple Israel who have requested that Mayor Wahnish’s name be kept alive in the public domain.  I hope the current City Commission understands the same.

Adding Althea Gibson's name to the portion of the road that passes through FAMU is commendable. Eliminating Samuel Wahnish’s name is not.

Bill Proctor is a Leon County commissioner representing District 1. He has been an instructor at Florida A&M University since 1986.

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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Who is Samuel Alfred Wahnish? The importance of knowing our history