from CBC
Planners overlook Louis J. Robichaud Street pledge
Moncton planning commission will review decision to name street Frampton Lane
CBC News
Last Updated: Jun 05, 2012 8:28 AM AT
Moncton city councillors are questioning why the Greater Moncton Planning Commission overlooked a plan to name a street after former premier Louis J. Robichaud.
In 2006, Moncton council decided to name a street connecting Mapleton Road to University Avenue after the late New Brunswick premier.
Instead, the local planning commission opted to select the name Frampton Lane for the new street east of Mapleton Road.
Moncton Coun. Daniel Bourgeois demanded an explanation at a council meeting on Monday as to why Robichaud's name was dropped from the street.
“When we look at this map and you have put for whatever reason Frampton Lane to go on the east side of Mapleton that would be contrary to what council had decided before,” he said.
Coun. Pierre Boudreau retold the story on Monday about how the name was chosen for the street in 2006.
“I know Dieppe wanted the name. There was question of naming the airport the Louis J. Robichaud International Airport. It was finally decided by consensus, in finding a suitable honourary place for this illustrious [premier] of New Brunswick, that this would be the ideal place,” Boudreau said.
Boudreau said the street was chosen to honour Robichaud because it leads to the University of Moncton, which he often said was his greatest achievement as premier.
Robichaud was premier of New Brunswick from 1960 to 1970. Along with creating the University of Moncton, Robichaud is known for the creation of the Official Languages Act and the program of Equal Opportunity, which was designed to ensure quality social services across the province.
The planning commission agreed to review the proposal to name Frampton Lane.
Other street controversies
But the omission of Louis J. Robichaud Street wasn't the only controversial issue faced by the planning commission on Monday.
Bourgeois is also raising questions about the wisdom of picking the name Marriott for a new street in the city.
The hotel chain chose the name and it was approved by the planning commission for a street leading to the new hotel that is being constructed.
But Bourgeois said the idea lacks foresight.
“Every once in a while, in the hotel business, the hotels do change hands. And I'm thinking down the road 15 to 20 years later, the Howard Johnson is located at 440 Marriott Drive,” he said.
Other councillors were upset that the Royal Oaks subdivision is only using English names for its streets.
Coun. Charles Léger suggested that all future street names be chosen at random from a pre-approved list.
personal note - I certainly don't have a problem naming the new connector between Mapleton Road and UdeM after Louis J. Robichaud. He was a great man and deserves the honour. I buy the argument that it should be named for him because this street will lead to the main entrance to the university that Robichaud was largely responsible for founding. Also, although the new road may be an extension of (the existing) Frampton Lane, it is destined to become a major city street and and a principle entry to the "vision lands". It might therefore be a bit incongruous calling it a "lane"! 
I do have a problem however with the idea of slavish attention to a "name bank" and the concept of dogmatic linguistic equity in terms of naming new streets. I believe that developers should have some latitude in naming the streets that they are developing and adding to the city inventory. This freedom should not be absolute of course, as the names chosen should be appropriate and reflect well on the city and it's residents. I'm just not a fan of rampant statism. Personal liberty should count for something! 
Finally, the little dust-up over the name of "Marriott Drive" reveals something - the fact that the new Fairfield Inn out by the airport must still be on!
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