While I’m flattered with John Green’s nomination, I don’t believe these footbridges should carry the names of people, dead or alive. The Harrison Pathways plan which I fought for in 1983 includes several such river crossings. From a geographer’s point of view, these should be named for the streets they connect. Thus, for ease of identification and location, we should have the Maple Street, Riverbend, Springs Park, Walnut and Balsam footbridges across the Meama River. I don’t begrudge Ruth Altendorf any honour or recognition but believe that sentiment should give way to practicality in the naming of such transportation links.
Historically, only two former mayors have been immortalised in Harrison place names. Colonel Naismith incorporated Harrison in 1949 and Buster McCombs laid down the North-South arterial Road which carries his name. Council should be looking for an opportunity to recognise the visionary mayor who created Harrison’s tourism industry by building our beach, John Green. It is unfortunate that they continue to degrade that wonderful beach by filling it with concrete, rocks and other non-beach urban elements and making it resemble Surrey Centre rather reflect the rustic beauty of Harrison Lake.
John Allen
