City legislation pays tribute to 2 from Shelby's past

Concluding its February legislative calendar, Shelby City Council gave final approval to pieces of pending business and a first reading on a plan to honor an athlete of historic importance.

The newly introduced legislative proposal seeks to commemorate the birthdate of Charles Follis, the man recognized as the first African American professional football player.

“Mayor, the other day I stumbled across something about Charles Follis and realized that he is an individual who is worthy of recognition,” Councilman Garland Gates said last week in sponsoring new legislation along with Councilman Charles Roub.

“The anniversary of his birthdate is February 3rd, and this ordinance would establish February 3rd as Charles W. Follis Day in the city of Shelby and would commemorate that in ordinance” going forward Gates said.

This is being done through Ordinance No. 8-2023 amending section 204.03 (commemorative dates) of chapter 204 (official standards) of the codified ordinances of the city. A first reading was held and passed 5-0.

Follis played football as a member of the Shelby Athletic Club, later the Shelby Blues from 1902 to 1906. He made history as the result of the contract he signed, the city noted in 2020 when it changed the name of a portion of Black Fork Street to Charles Follis Drive in his honor.

Also last week, council approved Ordinance 3-2023 enacting section 204.06 (Mayor James E. Henkel conference room) of chapter 204 (official standards) of the codified ordinances of the city of Shelby.

The front conference room at Shelby City Hall now is to be renamed in memory of Henkel who died in office on Aug. 19, 2008. He was 63. Henkel was Shelby’s mayor when in 2007 the city purchased the building that is now Shelby City Hall.

The legislation, which received a third reading and was approved 5-0 Feb. 21, was sponsored by Councilman Gates, a former Shelby mayor.