Theotine "Theo" Ulysse Dardar
June 23, 2009
Diana Benoit Toms
June 25, 2009
It’s been 14 years in the making, but the Franklin Martin Luther King Committee would argue better late than never.
The group unveiled a memorial Saturday celebrating the civil rights leader, which stands at the corner of Martin Luther King Boulevard and First Street in Franklin.
The committee’s publicity chairwoman, Diane Wiltz, said the majority of the money to cover the cost of the memorial was raised at the “What Manner of Man” Awards Banquet, which is held annually to celebrate the accomplishments of city and civic leaders to improve race relations.
“It seems like we’ve been raising money almost forever,” she said, “but that’s because we have received no philanthropic donations for this memorial. Every dollar that went into this salute came from everyday, ordinary folks, most of whom attended the banquet.”
Situated on MLK Boulevard in Franklin, a marker pays tribute to the civil rights leader. * Photo by HOWARD CASTAY JR.
