City Council discusses street, facility naming guidelines
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula City Council
Published: May 02, 2008
The naming of future streets and facilities and the concern that the latter could be confined to only the dearly departed led to City Council discussion at the April 21 meeting.
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula Times
The naming of future streets and facilities and the concern that the latter could be confined to only the dearly departed led to City Council discussion at the April 21 meeting.
“The reason I brought this up is, with East Area 1 on the horizon” and other development, Councilman Ray Luna said facilities will be constructed that will need names. “My concern is that the policy” not exclude the living from such honors.
Luna said that he already has two names for consideration: Jim Colborn and Bob Flores, professional athletes whose names could be considered for public recreation facilities or fields. “I would like the community to start to be aware if they have any names to submit” and a list be readied, said Luna.
Councilman John Procter questioned the policy on street names, and noted that developers often want those that are appealing to potential home purchasers. The city has a list of suggested street names, said City Manager Wally Bobkiewicz.
Luna noted Santa Paula Union High School District policy that prohibits facilities and buildings from being named after those still living, but Bobkiewicz said the city has “different rules.”
Councilman Dr. Gabino Aguirre said that the issue presents some quirks: “You have to look at who might potentially be suggested” for naming honors, and in the case of athletes in general, “you have seen some that have violated certain codes” that led to criminal prosecution. “I don’t see the value of adding the name of a person who is still alive and kicking, as that person might be kicking another way,” he noted.
“It’s the legacy of the individual at a time when the community has had time to reflect and a certain amount of detachment” on the person that might be honored. “When you get into naming individuals that are still around, we are creating problems for ourselves and in the community,” Aguirre said, which might find the issue divisive.
“Look at Richard Ruiz,” the namesake of the Little League field, noted Luna. “It was really nice to see his wife and family reap the benefits” of the honor with Ruiz. “To me, Tony Vasquez is a hero in my heart and he’s still alive; they can still benefit - at least they know we care about them.”
There are others who make the “ultimate sacrifice,” such as those military members who lose their life in war, said Aguirre. “They should be at the top of the list... they are at the top of my list.”
Vice Mayor Ralph Fernandez noted that citizen input should be considered, and asked about the process. The list of potential names is changed per Council resolution, which has added nine names in five years, said Bobkiewicz.
Luna suggested that Limoneira Co. President/CEO Harold Edwards be notified in case the company has specific names they would like to include if East Area 1 is developed.
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