The Green[e]house Effect: a Weblog

A Modest Proposal

Over in Atlanta, the city has a panel right now looking into ways to pay homage to Ivan Allen and Maynard Jackson — two former mayors who died within a few days of each other earlier this year. The paper reports that people have already sent in 5,000 suggestions:

The suggestions for honoring Jackson and Allen run the gamut. Ninety-one percent of the 2,424 suggestions related to Jackson dealt with the airport; 39 percent were for and 39 percent against changing Hartsfield's name. Twenty-three percent suggested other airport-related honors, such as a combined Hartsfield-Jackson name or renaming a portion of the airport, like the international terminal.

"There is no overwhelming consensus saying that the airport would be the most appropriate honor for Mayor Jackson," Correll said.

While most suggestions were serious and thoughtful, some were not. Three people suggested renaming Atlanta to Jacksonville. Another person wanted the city's Herbie Curbie trash bins named for Jackson, the mayor who instituted them.

I think the city ought to try to save its money by honoring both men at once. My suggestion? A concert. It's a no-brainer idea, really. I can see it now, emblazoned in lights:

Ladies and gentlemen, the First Annual Allen-Jackson Chattahoochee Music Festival!

So, are you with me? No? C'mon ...

Posted by Greg Greene at August 15, 2003 11:23 AM