Public Hearing February 12, 2014 Naming Rights My Comments

Naming Rights February 12, 2014

I am concerned that the process used for naming rights for individuals has become a political process for lobbying groups instead of a person with credentials of long-lasting significance.  There should also be a policy in place to remove naming signage that has run its course.

We already have in place the Hometown Hero Award for residents who have shown exemplary service to the town. This too has become not only for merit but political expediency.  A large lobbying group has the ability to bully the Board of Selectmen into voting for their applicant. In order not to offend, the person is approved.  

Using the naming policy to place a name on a town building or road should be applied to someone who has exemplified exceptional service to the town that will continue to be longstanding.

There is a sign on Iron Horse Boulevard stating Helen’s Way. Who approved this sign? Who approved Dave Holden’s field? Why should Jim Gallagher have his name on a sign for attending meetings over a long period of time?

I started the Simsbury Farms Paddle Team over 35 years ago and am still a member of the team. Should I have a Joan Coe, gold plated sign on the paddle courts?

Tom West was a member of the Golf lobby for the Simsbury Farms Golf course which made costly renovations at taxpayer’s expense.  According to a letter to the editor Tom West has already had a bench named after him and he was selected as a Hometown Hero.  Should the town place his name on the alcohol road that allows golfers to exit Simsbury Farms after imbibing at the Golf course that he was instrumental in creating?  He has already received enough acknowledgements of his accomplishments. When is enough enough?

Perhaps the town should approve a sign naming First Selectman Mary Glassman over the Marijuana Building on 100 Grist Mill Road since under her administration the character of Simsbury was changed forever.

Before this board votes to permanently place Tom West’s name at Simsbury Farms there should be a moratorium on all naming rights until the process is reviewed and implemented with the highest standards for receiving this reward.  

Changing a name on a building or sign is a costly event. The taxpayers should not pay for this expenditure. 

I urge this board to deny the application to have Tom West’s name placed on a building at Simsbury Farms until the naming policy is fully vetted.