Naming of preserve for Bredes advances -- despite setback

Legis. Vivian Viloria-Fisher’s bid to name the nature preserve at Forsythe Meadow after the late former Legis. Nora Bredes failed to gain enough votes last week from the committee that makes recommendations on naming county properties.

The committee voted 3-0-1 in favor of going forward with naming the site after Bredes, a major leader in the fight over the Shoreham nuclear power plant, but the resolution needed four votes for passage because the full membership of the committee is six.

A key vote was the abstention of Robert Martinez, an aide who was representing Legis. Ricardo Montano, who worried about setting a precedent of ignoring committee guidelines, which say nominations should not made until six months after a person’s death.

Fisher said she was “very disappointed” at Montano, saying she thought he would have extended the “courtesy” of approving her resolution before she has to leave office Dec. 31 because of term limits.

Legislative Counsel George Nolan said the six-month rule is only a guideline, not a mandate, and that lawmakers can act sooner based on other factors if they wish.

Later in the week, the parks committee did just that -- and approved the naming resolution on the motion of Legis. Tom Barraga. Nolan also noted that Bredes’ name would not go up until February at which time six months will have passed. A vote by the full legislature is expected Tuesday.