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DEL.ICIO.USIt looks like the end of the road for Brown’s modesty list
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A House committee has stalled the effort by state Sen. Robert Brown (D-Macon) to create a registry of people who don’t want any public building, road, or bridge named after them once they’re gone.
State Sen. Robert Brown (left) and Michael O’Sullivan, aide to Secretary of State Karen Handel. Elissa Eubanks/AJC
A House committee voted 4-0 to table S.B. 191 after a representative for Secretary of State Karen Handel spoke against it.
In essence, Georgia is too good for the legislation. Too modest. So many people might sign up that the list could become an unacceptable financial burden for the secretary of state, whose staff would have to maintain it.
“That could go on forever. You could have tens of thousands of people calling to have their names put on the list,” said Michael O’Sullivan, legislative affairs director for Handel.
There was also the issue of people who might change their minds, or the case of a bitter ex-spouse who nominates a former partner without permission — robbing said ex of a chance at immortality.
Brown likened the registry to a do-not-call list, and said the measure would help people avoid embarrassment when unwanted honors are heaped upon them. The Senate minority leader offered to add a $5 fee to the bill, to cover any unexpected costs that might arise from an outbreak of mass saintliness.
We might even make a profit, Brown said.
No dice. The committee tabled the legislation. It could come back, but it doesn’t look likely. Because the people of Georgia are just too darn swell.
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