1891 Name Choice Still Our Best Bet Costs Add Up Changing Spokane’s Name Would Create An Enormous Headache For Businesses, Agencies And Individuals.

Here’s today’s multiple choice question.

Clinton Falls is:

(a) A town in Indiana

(b) A town in Minnesota

(c) The headline Newt Gingrich dreams about

(d) A renowned tourist destination

The answer? All of the above - except d.

Contrary to what some advocates of changing Spokane’s name might tell you, just tacking “Falls” on the end of a city’s name doesn’t make it a tourist destination.

Nevertheless, the Spokane City Council will decide on Monday whether to give voters a chance to undo the decision made in 1891, when Spokane Falls became Spokane.

Restoring the name James Glover gave to the city, some say, will show reverence for the spectacular falls in our city center, will honor tradition and will send the world an irresistible invitation to see in person the splendid natural attraction for which our city is named. Tell that to the people of Cedar Falls, Iowa, who are about 50 anonymous miles up the Cedar River from larger and much more widely known Cedar Rapids.} Or to the people of tourist meccas like Beacon Falls, Conn.; Klamath Falls, Ore.; Moravian Falls, N.C.; Boyne Falls, Mich.; or … Any of them on your list of dream vacation spots?

Changing Spokane’s name would create an enormous headache for businesses, agencies and individuals that would have to purchase new stationery, business cards, mailing labels, brochures and other promotional and advertising information.

Unless map publishers were uncharacteristically responsive, Spokane would wind up in an identity crisis for years. National and international businesses with whom people here are trying to establish trading relationships would be needlessly confused.

Yes, Spokane should showcase its marvelous attractions - including the falls. Something as superficial as a name change would identify Spokane not as a magnificently picturesque city but as one so capricious and indecisive that it is reconsidering decisions more than a century after they were made.

To justify the proposed change would require a reason that outweighs all the difficulties. There is no such reason. Let Spokane be Spokane.

, DataTimes MEMO: For opposing view, see headline: A way to celebrate great gift of nature

The following fields overflowed: SUPCAT = EDITORIAL, COLUMN - From both sides CREDIT = Doug Floyd/For the editorial board