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Vallone: Don’t name landmarks for the living

Councilmember Peter Vallone Jr. wants to give the death knell to renaming landmarks after individuals that are still alive.

The Astoria councilmember made waves recently when he announced he would draft legislation banning the renaming of city property after living persons.

That honor, Vallone said, should be reserved for people who have perished and not used to curry favor.

“When city property is renamed after a living person there is the possibility that it was done for an endorsement or contribution or because the person was powerful,” Vallone said.

Vallone adamantly opposed renaming the Queensboro Bridge after Ed Koch, but said he’s disappointed the former mayor got caught up in the maelstrom.

Street co-namings is another area that has gotten out of hand, said Vallone.

Vallone’s father, former Council Speaker Peter Vallone, Sr., neatly fits the category the councilmember believes should wait until they are departed for their name to grace city property.

“I think my father would deserve some sort of honor, but if it’s city property it would have to wait until after he’s deceased,” Vallone said. “And that’s not something I even want to think about.”