Slow county 'name game'
Apparently a lot of emotion — if one is to judge by the debate about changing the names of Salt Lake County buildings to honor prominent people who have passed away. After recent wranglings over re-naming the Salt Palace after the late Gov. Calvin L. Rampton and a seniors center for the late Sen. Ed Mayne, county officials are considering an ordinance similar to one in Taylorsville. That one sets up a committee that convenes at least three months prior to the changing of names on public places. This allows time to sort through feelings. The ordinance only permits the renaming of buildings and other venues after public officials who have been out of office for five years. And the bar is high — those celebrated must have made "exceptional contributions."
We think the country would be wise to adopt such a plan. Cool heads are usually wiser heads.
After the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, Cape Canaveral, Fla., was re-named Cape Kennedy. Today, the name has been switched back to Cape Canaveral. Some wish New York City's airport would drop the Kennedy name, and some even feel if there had been time for rumination, maybe Theodore Roosevelt wouldn't look quite so out of his depth on Mount Rushmore with Lincoln, Jefferson and Washington.
The same might be said of community-minded people who have gone the extra mile to help their cities, towns, counties and states.
As the old saying goes, cream rises. And perhaps, in the process, a knee-jerk decision can be avoided. A person's legacy never goes away. But those with a truly lasting legacy will find that legacy grows even larger over the years.
Taking a little more time to separate the contenders from the true champions will make for stronger decisions and a stronger process.
Recent comments
"It is a senior center. Hardly a building that others were fighting...
Wilkey | Dec. 8, 2007 at 11:55 a.m.
It is a senior center. Hardly a building that others were fighting...
WC | Dec. 8, 2007 at 10:52 a.m.
What really bothers about the rush-to-name trend is how it goes hand...
Wilkey | Dec. 8, 2007 at 8:44 a.m.
