December 12, 2001

Name-dropping in Cote-Saint-Luc

IRWIN BLOCK

In one of its last acts, the city of Cote St. Luc has decided to ‘honour and memorialize' seven city councillor by renaming parks and auditorium after them.

The resolution, introduced by Mayor Robert Libman and passed at the at week's council meeting, cited the councillors for having served ‘' with great distinction for many years`.

Get ready for Ruth Kovac Park, Rchard Schwartz Park, Glwenn J. Nashen Park, Isadora Goldberg Park, Micthell Brownstien Park and Allan J. Levine Park.

The hall in the city hall/library complexes becomes Harold Greenspoon Auditorium, after the dean of Cote-Saint -Luc councillors. A park has already been named in his honour.

While most of the parks' original names are of former councillors or philanthropists, a nice little playground named after Sir Walter Scott, author of the classic Ivanhore, is being renamed Isadora Goldberg Park.

Said Goldberg, 76 `I think it's quite an honour that I can live to see a park named after myself, especially after serving as councillor since 1982.'

Though he never asked for it, Goldberg siad he feels comfortable about having a park named after him while he is alive.  "This is sort of a new trend.  I feel quite honoured."

Goldberg suggested it was a way of showing appreciation to councillors..

"Severance pay is practically nil compared to what other people are getting."

Thanks for years of effort

           Parks

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Councillor's base salary, including a non-taxable allowance of about $5,600, totals about $17,450.

Goldberg said the gesture is 'nice for next of kin, family. And it's not a costly thing to change a few signs'

Libman, now a Montreal megacity councillor, agreed. ‘ I felt it was necessary to honour some of the individuals for their civic commitment, who unfortunately were dealt a severe blow by this legislation (forcing municipal mergers).

‘ I suggested it to members of (Cote Saint Luc) council and they humbly accepted because it's sad what this legislating did.'

Libman saw no problem with naming parks or halls after living people.

‘ Why should people have to pass on before public gratitude can be bestowed upon them?

‘Let them enjoy and appreciate the thanks that they get for their commitment.'

Libman conceded renaming landmarks after city councillors had never come up in public meetings, though it was applauded at last weeks meeting.

Though Nashen, Brownstein and Schwartz are in their 40's, Libman said they should be given ‘due recognition' for the 10-to 20 year's service to the city.

The cost of the changes is not significant, Libman said.

"(Councillors) get calls all hours of the day and on weekends, and this is a small way of thanking them."

Irwin Block's E-mail address is iblock@the gazette.southam.ca