By Dan Murphy
Yes, I realize that I called the Mario Cuomo Bridge the Tappan Zee Bridge in the headline. That is because most of us in Westchester still call it the TZ Bridge, despite the name change, and the controversy surrounding the change by former Governor Andrew Cuomo to honor his father, Governor Mario Cuomo, in 2017.
Now that Andrew Cuomo has resigned in disgrace, there are some calls to change the name of the bridge once again, back to the Tappan Zee Bridge. For several reasons, I say don’t do it.
1-As Chris Churchill writes in the Albany Times Union, “The Tappan Zee name never died. Many in the Hudson Valley — the bridge connects Rockland and Westchester counties — refused to say “Cuomo Bridge,” no matter what the highway signs told them. The name continues to inspire resentment.
2-Political motivations are behind the proposed name change. “With Andrew on his way out the door, let’s erase a visible symbol of him bullying legislators and citizens alike,” said State Senator Mike Martucci, a republican sponsor of the bill.
3-Mario Cuomo was an honorable man, and public servant. Removing his name from the bridge, tarnishes a Governor who served the people of New York with honor, and distinction. His thoughtfulness and eloquence, should not be forgotten. Gov. Mario also had to work with a republican state senate for his 12 years as Governor, and he did so without the hyperpartisanship we see today.
“It would be petty to take down the Mario M. Cuomo Bridge signs, erasing an honorable man’s memory to punish a less than honorable son…Mario’s true legacy was integrity, fairness, compassion and a clearly articulated view of government as a tool to raise up those who couldn’t do it on their own…Mario Cuomo’s ideas and their impact on a generation will outlast any building, any bridge,” writes Howard Glazer, who worked for both Mario and Andrew Cuomo, in the Daily News.
A website, saveourtappanzee.com, was formed in 2017 after the name change to “return the Tappan Zee Bridge its original name, and to preserve the history of the Tappan Indians (Tappan) and Dutch Settlers (Zee is Dutch for ‘sea’) who inspired the name. The original name of the span crossing the Hudson River between Westchester and Rockland counties must return. We have over 157,000 signatures, and our numbers are still growing.”
Now that the call has return to change the name back to the TZ again, the website and the idea, is gaining momentum again. But if all of us in Westchester, and Rockland, still call it the Tappan Zee Bridge, why spend the $200,000 that it will take to change the name back? Can’t we just move on?
