The Cayuga County Legislature's Public Works Committee failed the public this week by refusing to OK a request to place a road sign at Emerson Park.
Even in the face of enormous public support for a memorial to Auburn native and Tony Award winner Thommie Walsh, committee members on Tuesday tried to excuse their inaction by saying that because there is no “policy” in place to steer them, they couldn't possibly approve of such a thing.
At its reorganizational meeting in January, the county Legislature unanimously approved a resolution honoring retiring U.S. Rep. Walsh's “distinguished and successful political career” that specifically mentioned the James T. Walsh Sea Wall (at Emerson Park) for which Walsh “was instrumental in securing federal funds for.”
The county didn't need a policy to name the sea wall, and it doesn't need a policy to put up a road sign at the same public park.
A written policy wouldn't do any good, anyway. It would have to be hinged to some type of “qualification” that can't possibly be measured.
There is no definitive criteria that can be used to determine why a person deserves to be honored.
Plenty of political decisions are made on a case-by-case basis, and this one should have been no different.
In this case, it defies common sense that the county - while working to establish a world-class theater festival - wouldn't want to embrace the memory of the area's most accomplished performing artist.
And it's important to remember what a simple and understated memorial this would be.
This request is for a simple road sign - a sign, by the way, for a roadway that currently has no name.
The committee members who failed to move this proposal forward should be ashamed.
If Jim Walsh (of Syracuse) can be honored for his distinguished career, surely Thommie Walsh (of Auburn) can be honored for his.
At its reorganizational meeting in January, the county Legislature unanimously approved a resolution honoring retiring U.S. Rep. Walsh's “distinguished and successful political career” that specifically mentioned the James T. Walsh Sea Wall (at Emerson Park) for which Walsh “was instrumental in securing federal funds for.”
The county didn't need a policy to name the sea wall, and it doesn't need a policy to put up a road sign at the same public park.
A written policy wouldn't do any good, anyway. It would have to be hinged to some type of “qualification” that can't possibly be measured.
There is no definitive criteria that can be used to determine why a person deserves to be honored.
Plenty of political decisions are made on a case-by-case basis, and this one should have been no different.
In this case, it defies common sense that the county - while working to establish a world-class theater festival - wouldn't want to embrace the memory of the area's most accomplished performing artist.
And it's important to remember what a simple and understated memorial this would be.
This request is for a simple road sign - a sign, by the way, for a roadway that currently has no name.
The committee members who failed to move this proposal forward should be ashamed.
If Jim Walsh (of Syracuse) can be honored for his distinguished career, surely Thommie Walsh (of Auburn) can be honored for his.
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Post your comment - click hereThere are 11 comment(s)
irritated wrote on Apr 17, 2009 7:19 AM:
northender wrote on Apr 17, 2009 3:57 AM:
anonymous wrote on Apr 17, 2009 12:21 AM:
anonymous wrote on Apr 17, 2009 12:20 AM:
Can you say Budweiser Lane? Think of the boatloads of money corporate sponsorship could bring in. "
MaryLS wrote on Apr 16, 2009 10:06 PM:
Politicians are not giving their own money for projects. They are simply advocating for our money. So, why do we keep naming things after them? How about this for a name, "The Taxpayers of Cayuga County Seawall"?!!! We deserve some recognition and so does a two time Tony Award winner, Thommie Walsh! Jim Walsh, politician, probably can't even do a time step. "
cnyraised wrote on Apr 16, 2009 5:16 PM:
BRAVO!!! "
huhuhuhu wrote on Apr 16, 2009 5:08 PM:
Thommie traveled that road many times and due to his influence he inspired others to travel that road…both ways.
Recognition of his fame has led no small measure of audience members to drive in on that road to support MGR and Auburn with their dollars.
Recognition of his accomplishments has led no small measure of actors and technicians to drive out that road to pursue their own fame on Broadway and other national venues…with great success. There is a large contingent of native Auburnians who, like Thommie, have gone on to earn their living in the theatre. That doesn’t happen in a vacuum.
For the above reasons, I feel naming that road in honor of Thommie is appropriate and smart publicity for our area.
If you feel Auburn must have a procedure in place for future name recognition, by all means pursue that as a task. But in this instance you are making a mountain out of a molehill. Name the road and get on with it, stop wasting your time (and ours). "
DR Boombatz wrote on Apr 16, 2009 1:54 PM:
oscar wrote on Apr 16, 2009 10:27 AM:
THe EXIT DOOR!! Google Thommie Walsh, and learn ..if your from Throop or Fair Haven take the Leadership Cayuga Class..learn about Auburn and Cayuga County before you impart your wisdom on the taxpayers...Now or will you destroy more Auburn Histroy at 5 am on a Sunday? "
horseradish wrote on Apr 16, 2009 7:46 AM:
In all honesty, who cares? The road doesnt need a name, ITS NOT EVEN A ROAD!
Roads shouldnt be dedicated to people anyways, its ridiculous. "
PositiveAuburnian wrote on Apr 16, 2009 6:50 AM:
A major mistake was made by those in the legislature that tabled this resolution, and by those forces behind the scenes that may have put pressure on the legislators. Major mistake.
Luckily, we live in a democracy, and this can be fixed.
This is an important issue on many levels. This issue not only has an impact on the image of Emerson Park, Merry Go Round, and our city, but more importantly is a matter of doing the right thing. "