Crowning Achievement

credit marred: His dream of a Philadelphia roadway named after Martin Luther King realized, Sonny Driver finds himself angry that others are belittling his contribution. Photo By: Michael T. Regan

Sonny Driver's day finally arrives, no matter what Mary Mason says.

by Doron Taussig

As Sonny Driver pulled his champagne Honda up to the Fairmount Park's Horticultural Center, he hoped he was reaching the end of a long journey. Five years ago, this merry "seasoned citizen" decided that West River Drive should be named after Martin Luther King Jr.; he's since pursued the goal relentlessly.

The idea garnered a lot of support, but Driver had a difficult time navigating the city's bureaucracy. It wasn't until Mayor Street endorsed the proposal in late January that it seemed possible. So, last Wednesday, the Fairmount Park Commission considered the name change.

"It's what you call "about time,'" Driver said, pulling a white cardboard poster from his trunk showing photos of King. Driver's only consistent campaign companion, the poster had posed with him for both City Paper and Daily News photos. He also brought copies of his community paper, Scoop USA, featuring King on the cover, and petitions with more than 5,000 signatures.

The meeting was held in a greenhouse. While the commission rolled through its agenda, Driver sat quietly waiting for commission president Robert Nix to get to the MLK proposal. Finally, Nix said he had a letter from the mayor asking the commission to rename West River Drive. He then paused. Driver strained to hear.

"The commission," Nix said, "is in complete support." Then, he thanked Driver.

A surprised but jovial smile spread across the seasoned citizen's face. He began shaking hands and absorbing applause.

Then, Mary Mason, the radio host and commission member, rose to speak. She felt someone had been overlooked. "I have a great deal of respect for Sonny," she said, but "there are some women who've been on this for 30 years." Never shy, Mason named one of the women: "Mary Mason."

After the meeting, several reporters came over to Driver. Mason joined them, reiterating her importance. She said that en route back from King's funeral, she had mused that Broad Street should be named for the civil rights leader. WB17's story that night showed Mason listing the celebrities she would invite to the unveiling ceremony and featured a quick quote from Driver.

Since the meeting, Mason has continued her publicity push, and Driver is perturbed. "All the Johnny-come-latelies, claiming credit, truthfully, are sick," he says. "They're spotlight-getters riding on other people's backs." Still, he didn't let the drama ruin his big day. After his interviews, he stood soaking in the good greenhouse vibes until everyone else had left, then headed back to his car. As he loaded his poster into the trunk, he paused.

"I don't have to use this anymore," he said, looking at his hero's pictures. "It's all over with."