By Kevin Hanson, The Courier-Herald

Plans to honor one of city's outstanding businessmen took a detour last week, when members of the Enumclaw City Council hedged on renaming a city street after Dwight Garrett.

Council members were quick to praise Garrett and his many contributions to the community, but were also sensitive to objections from business owners who said a name change would bring nothing but headaches.

City staff had recommended renaming the full length of Second Street - between Battersby Avenue on the north and state Route 410 - in honor of the man who revolutionized the timber industry with his equipment designs. Garrett's mark on the community came through financial donations that led to the city park carrying his name and key improvements to Enumclaw Community Hospital.

City staff had initially suggested that Second Street become Garrett Parkway, then decided Garrett Street was a better fit.

During the April 26 council meeting, former mayor Keith Blackburn and businessman Jim Puttman stepped forward, telling of Garrett's many good deeds for the betterment of the community and encouraging the renaming of Second Street.

Les Johnson, director of the city's Department of Community Development, had earlier pointed out there are 18 businesses that would be impacted by the name change. Seven of those had offered their opinions, in writing, to the city, and all opposed the idea.

Those against the name change pointed to the need for new invoices, new business cards and new lettering on vehicles. Ads in telephone directories have already been placed, some said, while others wondered if shipments would be delayed while carriers figured out the name change.

Several council members made it clear their sympathies were with the Second Street businesses and, in the end, the council voted to return the matter to its Community and Economic Development Committee for further review.

Kevin Hanson can be reached at khanson@courierherald.com