Friday, July 13, 2012

An end to politically-motivated renamings?


From Eyewitness News:

A proposed law could prevent New York City landmarks from being named after people who are still alive.

City Councilman Peter Vallone is fighting for a ban on the practice of renaming city-owned property for living politicians.

This comes after the Queensboro Bridge was renamed for former Mayor Ed Koch and City Councilman Fernando Cabrera announced his campaign to name the Willis Avenue Bridge for former Mayor David Dinkins.

Vallone feels the new tradition could be used to get endorsements or campaign help from people who are still involved in the city's politics.


The Daily News points out that Vallone's name is plastered on public garbage cans in his district. D'Oh!

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

We could at least still name dumps and sewage treatment plants after living politicians..,,

r185 said...

I'd go even further - the person should be dead for a certain number of years (10? 25?) to see if their reputation stands the test of time.

Anonymous said...

Vallone used this as an excuse for cutting back groups in his community that he opposes - even ones that supported his position on the bridge.

One of the reasons that Queens is the way it is: member monies are used to take away a citizen's right for freedom of speech.... so we all end up talking and acting as stupid as the pols to get the crumbs of our own taxes back into the community.

Anonymous said...

Limit naming dumps and sewage treatment plants after living politicians

&

Only the Pol should be dead for a certain number of years (10? 25?) to see if their reputation stands the test of time.

Perfect! Thanks!

Anonymous said...

Renaming things is just a waste of taxpayer money.

Anonymous said...

How about we just stop naming things for politicians, dead or alive?

There are plenty of private citizens out there who deserve our recognition more than some slimebag in a suit.

Anonymous said...

It used to be that we did exactly what r185 suggested. I believe New York first started with the renaming after the living when the well-respected Jacob Javits was dying of ALS, and people in government wanted to do something nice by him while he was still around to appreciate it. It was a mistake, but very well-intentioned.

Alfredo C said...

Meanwhile we in Whitestone can't get a playground named after a local boy that gave his live in Afghanistan defending his country! A PLAYGROUND!

Anonymous said...

Meanwhile we in Whitestone can't get a playground named after a local boy that gave his live in Afghanistan defending his country! A PLAYGROUND!

HOW MANY VOTES DID HE GET YOUR COUNCILMAN? HOW MUCH MONEY DID HE RAISE FOR HIS NEXT STEP ON HIS RESUME?

Anonymous said...

r185 is spot on. Case in point, the Bruno (Arena?) in Albany.

StillWorking said...

Nothing should be renamed. Only new buildings, establishments should be named after these people. And they usual standard was that they were dead & buried for a while. And stop renaming stuff to something that has no relevance compared to the previous name. The most recent being the Triborough Bridge.