Count us as strongly opposed to an effort in the Utah State Legislature to rename Legacy Highway after former Utah Gov. Mike Leavitt. Fortunately, the state Senate may be cooling on this bad idea. Last week, a Senate committee put Senate Bill 177 on hold.
Our opposition is not a slam to the former governor, who did the state proud during his tenure. The fact is, in general we don’t support naming roads and highways after human beings. And Legacy Highway is a term that has already gained considerable traction within the state and the Top of Utah.
Other than SB177’s sponsor, state Sen. Stuart Reid, R-Ogden, is there anyone who really wants to make this change? The name Legacy Highway was chosen in honor of our state’s pioneers’ contributions.
Leavitt himself noted their sacrifice when ground for the Legacy Parkway was broken.
Also, as Davis County Commissioner John Petroff Jr. has noted, there are other reasons to oppose renaming Legacy. The county has worked to develop a brand with the name Legacy. Perhaps that is the reason that the Davis County Chamber of Commerce also opposes the name change.
The Legislature only meets for several times a year. It’s best to focus on the most important issues. We can respect former Gov. Leavitt and always appreciate his many contributions to Utah without naming a highway after him.
This is a waste of time and energy. Keep the name Legacy Highway and do away with the idea of the Leavitt Legacy Parkway.
Comments