9 Comments

1. Benny

   If there can be a Ronald Reagan National Airport, there can be a Duncan Library. I personally believe Doug Duncan was a good shepherd of our county. At the very least, I hope there will honest debate about renaming the library.

2. Brad Rourke

   I added the edit becuase a reader (who prefers to remain anonymous) pointed out the post was not balanced — did not present the supporters’ side.>

   I happen to like Doug Duncan and think he was a great County Executive.

   –Brad

3. kiothedog

   Great, but is that reason to name the library after him? I thought I read somewhere that he was initially opposed to the downtown revitalization, but I may have that wrong. Personally, I don’t think it should be named after Duncan, whether he was a great County Executive or not. Were there no other “great” County Executives that were good shepherds of our county? Why Duncan? It just seems like a mistake to me.

4. Brad Rourke

   Much as I like Duncan (and I do), I actually focus on the fact that Leggett would have to waive the 5-year rule to do this. If I were in Leggett’s shoes, that would be a red flag for me. What’s the urgency? Will there be no other suitable structures to name after Duncan in five years?>

   Also, sicne most libraries are not named after people, why should this be? What is the justification for deviating from the norm?

   Like Duncan as I do, there are other ways to honor him.

5. Cindy CG

   I never thought that the recommendation would make it this far. I thought it was some political buddies giving Duncan a favorable nod and then the right decision would be made.>

   I don’t want our libraries named after people. Keeping it Rockville and adding the Memorial for those soldiers who have fallen during the time it was built and opened would be awesome.

   It’s not just Leggett who can step up and do the right thing here. Duncan can set this straight by refusing the honor. Both of them should make it clear that the 5-yr rule shouldn’t be ignored and that our library should remain Rockville to celebrate our great new downtown – finally a real place.

   And yes, Duncan was an excellent leader, so much so that I briefly helped out and volunteered in his administration.

6. Benny

   Has there been any consideration to corporate sponsored naming rights? It would be an opportunity for businesses who have a track record of supporting education to contribute to the library system.

7. Bob Drummond

   Duncan’s a neighbor, and I’ve always kind of liked the guy.>
   But — I recall that he initially wanted to put off a new Rockville library for a number of years, even as the old Rockville branch deteriorated. The only time I’ve put a placard in my front yard was when the neighborhood got together and lined West Montgomery with bright red signs pressuring Duncan to speed up the library funding.
   So, as much as I like the guy in general, he was initially an impediment to the very library they’d now put his name on. That’s why I think it’s a bad idea.

8. Herb

   The Rockville library should remain exactly that: the Rockville library. Geographic names help avoid confusion, and there’s already too much of that. I like Doug, and speculate that his library is already housed in his house.

9. tracey

   The 5 year mark has passed now, and Doug Duncan has not done the honorable thing, in my opinion, and passed on the honor. Who can think so highly of themself that they would take the honor away from fallen soldiers? Not to mention the name would include the location of the library, which frankly just makes sense. My sister will speak to the city council tomorrow about this issue. She was reading to her 1 year old son at this library on the afternoon that 2 soldiers waited at her house to notify her that her husband was killed while serving in Afghanistan. Sadly, it will forever be rockville memorial library to her.

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