RENAMING OF PUBLIC PLACES AND SPACES - by Helen Finley submitted by Helen Finley

[Emerald]

RENAMING OF PUBLIC PLACES AND SPACES

Does our historic City have a naming policy that includes the renaming of public places and spaces ? If it does, is it being followed in the instance of the Market Square? If it does not, it appears the City needs to develop such a policy promptly and with the opportunity for public input.

The Market Square has been in existence since 1801 – that is more than 200 years. It’s name is simple and describes its function. The Market Square is loved by many of the citizens of Kingston and in truth, we are privileged to have such a venue. But remember, Kingston is a City where history and innovation are supposed to thrive. However, if both are to thrive, the City must not destroy history in pursuit of innovation.

One has to wonder why the fund raising committee of the Market Square project, felt it was at liberty to offer our two-hundred year old Market Square name, in return for a contribution or for anything else. This is a public space which has belonged to the citizens of Kingston for 200 years and surely, if its name is to be changed, it would be appropriate to ask for Council’s formal permission before making such an offer.

Failure to do so has put Council in an extremely awkward position, making those council members who may want to retain the historic name, seem ungracious and ungrateful, which indeed they are not.
I have suggested that the Market Square name remain and the rink or skating area be named for the family which is willing to make such a generous contribution. I realize that the committee may have wanted to sell the naming rights to that as well as to the Market Square. However, I strongly suggest that the City should draw the line and determine that there are certain public places and public spaces, such as the “City Hall”, “City Park” and “Market Square” which should retain their historic names. This is necessary if history is to thrive.

Helen Finley
May 17, 2005

[Lydia]

:mad:
Thanks Helen, for this input, you are right on the money with your views on renaming historical sites. If the city councilors can rename places at whim just because someone who has MONEY thinks people will remember them if they place THEIR names on the places, then why stop there. Let's sell off every place that Sir John A MacDonald ever when. Why not start renaming every place of history. Why not rename Fort Henry as Fort Finley, or why not rename Memorial Centre for MacPherson Centre. Oh i know why, Helen, you and I didn't give them the money. :mad: :mad: :mad:

I fully agree, thanks for your input.

[Emerald]

The blogger addressed the same subject - see Most recent articles - June 05

[billygoat]

I take it that all of you expressing your outrage over this issue are also notifying your city councillors with your desire to pay more taxes so that such donations are unecessary.

Now if you'll excuse me, I have to visit someone at the Kidd wing of KGH.

[Lydia]

billygoat
Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 6

I take it that all of you expressing your outrage over this issue are also notifying your city councillors with your desire to pay more taxes so that such donations are unecessary.


No Billygoat
I am NOT expressing my outrage over this issue and notifying my city councillors BECAUSE. Taxes are collected and MISUSED. It is a shame that historical places can be renamed at will by council JUST BECAUSE SOMEONE HAS MONEY. If the Springer family really wants to have their names placed on something then lets have Springer LVEC or Springer Multiplex instead of take the historical name away from the citizens of Kingston?

If this family really cares so much about Kingston and want to contribute a wonderful gift, then why not Leave Market Square as Market Square.
I would be more than happy to have their name represented on the LVEC or the Multiplex because i believe that they should.

People are not upset with their desire to be known by the City as wonderful people at all. People are upset that City Councilors just changed the names without consultation with the public.

Isn't it SAD that people don't know how their taxes are MISUSED. Take an example from the Kingston Whig's Article June 21, 2005, on how our School Boards had a 95% failure grade in teaching our students. 95% BELOW average of all school in Ontario. Hum, Good use of our TAX dollars there. That is ONLY one example of misuse.

With better MANAGEMENT and ACCOUNTABILITY just maybe the city WOULD NOT NEED DONATIONS to make this city a better place.

[macphail]

I take it that all of you expressing your outrage over this issue are also notifying your city councillors with your desire to pay more taxes so that such donations are unecessary.

Now if you'll excuse me, I have to visit someone at the Kidd wing of KGH.

My perception is that the root cause of the angst expressed towards Council regarding the renaming of Market Square has to do with Council's blatent disregard for its own rules and proceedures, circumventing them at will and neuturing public participation in the name of cost savings and expediency.

Personally, I am in favour of economic development initiatives and financial assistance/donations from private enterprises and individuals. However, due process must still be followed and public input sought in a meaningful way, otherwise, you will have the backlash against the sitting council we are experiencing today.

Cheers, Derek

[Lydia]

Okay MacPhail,
Stop showing off with your wonderful way of saying EXACTLY what the issue is about. You are dead on the money on this one.

Nobody is against the family itself, they are upset with the WAY council did it.

lol :p

[billygoat]

Well I can understand the points made by Lydia and McPhail about the misuse of tax dollars and abuse of process. No argument there.

However I remain sceptical, or perhaps bemused is a better word, that the focus of people's attention is a name. I'd be right on board if instead people were taking action specifically about our schools in Kingston, or the sneaky way that our local politicians do things in general. It's not the first time that they've done things such as holding in camera sessions with no authority to do so - the police services board does it all the time. So if, as McPhail suggests, the outcry is really more about the way it was done, I fully sympathise. But the issue of the name itself is pretty far down on my list of priorities.

[Lydia]

You are correct Billygoat, MacPhail and I are upset with the way things happen. I have a question for you.

How important is your city's name? Would you be okay with Kingston be changed to Springerville instead? I know, I know far reaching, However if people can just change names of places and historical places at that at whim of an elected body, Why not ask a Billionair to change the name of Kingston?

I am fully in support of having our next NEW Park, Street, Neighbourhood, Entertainment centres, Shopping centers, etc having the name Springer associated with it. I am fully in support of honouring the Springer family because of their wonderful donation to the city.

However, I am against changine historical names just at the fancy of someone with money. If this is something that can be done at whim of council then why not change St. John. A MacDonald to Springer Avenue.

However, I do appreciate your views because I believe you might think that people are against honour these influencial families. Trust me I am not against them at all. I believe we should BRAG about having these people living in our community.

[Evelyn King]

:mad:
Hey Lydia and Derek:

As usual, you folks are bang on.

I might also add that, WHY is the contract with the Springers/Frontenacs so secret?? The money used is taxpayers dollars and when people try to find out what the deal is, they must file a Freedom of Information form and what they receive is a blacked out page.

That is why the taxpayers of this city should demand more bang for their taxpayers dollars. This is just the tip of the iceberg folks, I am sure there are many shady deals going on under the leadership of "THE DON" (Rosen) and his group of henchmen and women. Shame on them all!!!!!!!!!

Hope you are well Lydia and Derek,

Best regards and keep cool,

Evelyn