The Doug Duncan Library???

Well it looks like only a thumbs up from County Executive Ike Leggett separates the new Rockville Library from being renamed in Doug Duncan's name.

My question does not lie in naming something after the three-time County Executive but rather in what's the rush??? Is Duncan on his death bed? Personally he looks great to me.

There is a standing County Administrative order that nothing can be named after someone until they are five years out of office. (Conveniently buried in the last line of the entire article.)

What's the point of having such a rule if you end up ignoring it the very first time you have to use it?

This headlong rush to name something has been led by County Councilman George Leventhal from day one. I understand why George is so hot to trot on this matter. Duncan added him to the "End Gridlock" slate in 2002 without which George would have had a much harder time getting on the Council. So I applaud George for wanting to honor his benefactor. It shows loyalty. Something that is sorely needed.

Still all the applause for Duncan is morbid. I don't like it. It sounds hollow to me; not genuine. Both at the Spring Ball and at the swearing-in for the new Council in December Duncan was feted more with eulogies than honors. You usually name something after someone is dead (or no longer a threat) and the last time I looked our former County Executive still has a pulse. Duncan is a young man (at least to my middle age eyes) and he has "some game" left.

So I ask why now?

Another item left unmentioned in this article is that the two members from Rockville, Duncan's base, are against it. City Councilwoman, Anne Robbins, and local resident Gayl Selkin-Gutman were the two "no" votes. What does that tell you? Disconnect in his hometown perhaps.

Still I return to my only concern -- yes, honor Duncan with something -- but how about following the guidelines that currently exist.

Let's table this idea until December 2011. That is five years and see what the folks want. If Ike wins re-election in 2010 then he will still be Executive when the time limit has passed and he will still honor a man he worked with for many years. I expect George to still be with us and he too can lead the parade for his "Rabbi" (Chicago political speak for your mentor).

I expect there will still be something left in the county to name in his honor another library, a road, a school, a park in 2011.

Naming the library after fallen soldiers from the latest war -- folks that actually have died; not the figurative wreath that is being placed around Duncan's neck now -- is the more genuine one. Fallen warriors should trump living politicians.

Naming the library after Duncan, who played a small role in its design, reminds me of the rush to honor President Reagan with an airport that he had no role in creating. We can do better than that.

Honoring Duncan will be more sincere if the full five years have past. Right now it looks like he has died and this confirms it with a rush to honor a man that has dominated the county for the past twelve years.

Let's spend some time between now and December 2011 thinking of a proper way to honor Doug Duncan. He deserves it.