I think the mayor may be too young to remember when it was called “Byron Simmons Drive” instead of simply “Simmons Drive,” but many of us recall that.  Simmons Drive was named after W. Byron Simmons, who was called “the father of good roads in Orange County” in the Orange Leader.  Because of his efforts, his widow, Mrs. W. B. Simmons, was asked to cut the ribbon dedicating the new IH-10 crossing into Louisiana in 1961.  Mr. Simmons was named Master of Ceremonies at the 1937 dedication of the new $250,000 Orange County Courthouse in 1937.  
I can see no reason to revoke the name of Mr. Simmons.  The drive was named after him to honor him, and those who want to erase history have no place in it.
My $.02

Dale M. Parish
Orange