Excerpt
The following was broadcast on Fox 4 News on Oct. 18, 2011. SMU ethics professor Rita Kirk provided expertise for this story.
October 28, 2011
PLANO, Texas - Money is tight for many municipalities. So some cities including Frisco, Lewisville, Plano and others are getting creative by selling naming rights.
Specifically in Plano, leaders are considering allowing Plano-based business to pay about $25,000 to put their names on buildings such as recreation centers and inside libraries....
While many residents said they were okay with the idea, Southern Methodist University ethics professor Dr. Rita Kirk said it disturbs her.
“One of the things we really need to think about is that government buildings are owned by the taxpayers. They are the people’s houses. So our tax dollars have already supported them and the people that work there. Once you begin to brand them, what you’re doing is saying it no longer bellows to us the people. It belongs to some corporate entity. At least it appears to have more influence than just an everyday citizen would,” Kirk said.
Read more on myFOXdfw.com: http://www.myfoxdfw.com/dpp/news/101811-frito-lay-plano-public-library-a-possibility#ixzz1c6whomTd