Naming Public Places in Return for Payment

The T has decided to sell naming rights for its various stations throughout the city in order to bring in more income.

It is probably bad public policy to begin naming our public places for a price to virtually any corporation who wishes to pay it.

Like everything else having to do with policy, the city needs to maintain strict control over such changes made in the names of public transit stations.

Mayor Thomas Menino should be heard on this new T venture.

It is cost effective but terribly indiscrete.

We urge the city to employ its powerful sense of right by ordering the T to submit name changes before taking the money.

In doing so, the mayor will be able to do right what he tends to do best, which is protecting the public image of the city.

The T’s need to raise money should not allow the dumbing down of our public places.