Want name on building? Gotta retire

The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors has approved a policy that bans the naming of county buildings after sitting elected officials, as reported by my colleague Joe Nelson.

Supervisor Janice Rutherford introduced the policy, which gives naming rights to elected officials only after the official has been retired for three years.

"Elected officials are public servants who serve an important role in directing funds to needed projects, but they should not be allowed to use taxpayer money to build their political legacies by having their names attached to buildings, parks and other public facilities supported by county funds," Rutherford said in a statement.

You can't help but assume Rutherford is talking about the most famous building in this city named after a public official -- the Paul A. Biane Library.

Former Supervisor Paul Biane, Rutherford's predecessor, helped steer $1 million to the Victoria Gardens library and received naming rights in return. After Biane was arrested on felony charges linked to the controversial Upland Colonies deal, the City Council considered making changes to its naming rights policy but ultimately decided not to change it. The majority of the council thought changing its policy would limit contributions made to public projects.