Martin Luther King Jr. was more than a symbol.

He was certainly more than a street sign, and to reduce his impact to such would be a disservice to those who took his message from inspiration to movement.

All of which led St. John the Baptist Parish Councilman Lennix Madere to express frustration last week at some of the unsightly features on Louisiana 3179 in Reserve, which has been designated for renaming by the state to Martin Luther King Jr. Highway.

“My whole thing is that I want this area to look as good as it possibly can for the ceremony,” Madere said.

State Rep. Randal Gaines (D-LaPlace) said the official name dedication ceremony waits on clean-up efforts and a sign that will come from The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development.

Considering what King meant to this country and what local leaders say is a lack of buildings or roads named after him in St. John Parish, all steps should be taken to make sure the official naming of Louisiana 3179 as Martin Luther King Jr. Highway is more than just erecting a new sign.

If the road is unkempt and structures around it abandoned, just what would we be honoring by attaching King’s name to that location?

In other honorary news, we offer our support to the resolution that passed through the Parish Council last week amending the name of the Reserve library branch to The Leroy D. Williams Memorial Public Library.

“It is an honor he does deserve,” said Tammy Houston, library administrative service coordinator. “He was instrumental in getting the library buildings done. He has played such an important role in how we have grown as a system and in the new technology we have.

“We have a top-notch library here. A lot of it is to his credit.”

Williams’ name will ultimately adorn a library, officials said, that is growing in usage and patrons.

His name will stand as more than a symbol, but as an entry point into a community service that benefits all residents.

That is a legacy worth celebrating.