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Interim mayor says no plans to rename controversial streets while she's in office

Last year, the Phoenix City Council looked like it was moving to rename Robert E. Lee Street and Squaw Peak Drive, but nothing has changed.

Interm Mayor Thelda Williams said in a statement she does not plan to pursue any street name changes in her time as mayor, in an email sent to 12 News. 

Williams said the reasoning is because she does not believe there is enough support on the council to change the names, and it would be something for the next mayor to pursue. 

The two streets that are the focus of a potential change are Squaw Peak Drive and Robert E. Lee Street. Both road names carry negative connotations for some people in Phoenix. 

PREVIOUSLY: Debate over ‘Squaw Peak Drive' rages on years after peak renamed

Last summer, then-Mayor Greg Stanton pushed for a policy change allowing the city council to rename streets without resident approval. 

With a 6-3 vote, the council approved the measure, allowing the mayor and three council members to push for the change. 

Since then, Staton resigned to run for Congress, and any potential change has gone nowhere. 

Mayoral Candidates Kate Gallego and Daniel Valenzuela voted in favor of the policy change. One of the two will become Phoenix's next mayor. 

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