Published Wednesday, November 26, 2008 6:05 AM
Romei name may be pulled
By MATTHEW WATKINS
matthew.watkins@theeagle.com
The arts center in College Station bears P. David Romei's name in metal letters that face Dartmouth Street.
P. David Romei's name is displayed more than a half-dozen times on the P. David Romei Arts Center in College Station.
It's prominently exhibited in metal letters on an outside wall that faces Dartmouth Street. It's etched in granite inside the building's doors.
On Tuesday, the Arts Council of Brazos Valley board of directors voted at its regularly scheduled meeting to take steps to remove Romei's name from the building. The issue will now go before the City Council.
"I have been authorized to enter into conversation with the city of College Station about removing the name," board President Carol Wagner said.
Arts Council officials said removing Romei's name could cost thousands of dollars -- perhaps more than he was convicted of stealing -- because it is in so many spots. If the city agrees to the change, the council will hire a construction company to do the work, officials said.
Romei was convicted over the weekend on a felony theft charge of stealing $7,400 of College Station money paid to the Arts Council. He was found not guilty of stealing more than $25,000 of the council's money. On Monday, he was sentenced to the minimum of two years' probation.
Arts Council board members have said that more than $400,000 was missing from their coffers when Romei left his position. Wagner said on Monday that the council was reviewing its legal options in regard to the case.
The building was constructed with city and Arts Council money in 2003, when Romei was executive director. At the time, Romei was lauded for dramatically increasing the Arts Council's budget and improving arts in the community.
Mayor Ben White said Tuesday afternoon that the Arts Council executive committee requested that the city name the building after Romei and that the council agreed.
Romei declined to comment Tuesday, but he repeatedly stressed during his trial that he did not seek to have the building named after him. Romei's lawyers said the City Council insisted at the time that the building be named after Romei if the agency was to receive city funding.
When Romei was indicted in 2006, city officials said they would wait until the legal process was completed before deciding whether to change the name.
"People have been asking when are we going to change the name for two years, now," said Padraic Fisher, executive director of the council, who said he did not have a vote in the matter.
White said the council probably would consider changing the building's name at an upcoming meeting.
He said that the circumstances surrounding Romei may cause some to question whether cities should name buildings and memorials after people who are still living because of risks that the person may get in trouble.
White's grandfather is the namesake of a major road in Austin, Ben White Boulevard.
"He was alive at the time, and he was very appreciative," he said. "I think you can figure both sides. I would like to think that what has happened in our case is an anomaly, and the benefit of naming something after someone when they are alive outweighs the other option."
Comments
14 comment(s) found!
Posted by:
A Grateful Bryan Resident Says Thank You City Council On:
Friday, November 28, 2008 2:32 PM
Comment Title:
The City of Bryan can refuse permits for buildings, etc, but it cannot refuse to let a person reside within the city limits. Being aware of the lack of internal controls of this organization the council limited Bryan's contributions to this organization. Were it not for an astute Bryan City Council this building would have been in Bryan and therefore, untold thousands of dollars would be wasted removing this embarrassing name.
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Posted by:
Keeping it real. On:
Friday, November 28, 2008 11:54 AM
Comment Title:
If this building was in Bryan they would keep it on. Bryan loves it crimes in government and on the street. Bryan people and it's city government hit all time lows almost everyday in Bryan. Removing this Bryan resident name from CS is some justice. It his crime would have been in Bryan it would be put under a rug.
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Posted by:
On:
Friday, November 28, 2008 12:28 AM
Comment Title:
You college station folks need to do some serious review of your leaders. its will cost you major bucks to remove this guy's name from all places it appears. And to think your mayor pro tem thanked Romei for being honest and straight forward.
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Posted by:
On:
Thursday, November 27, 2008 11:20 AM
Comment Title: council insisted on the name or no funding
Do they actually believe we are THAT stupid?
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Posted by:
On:
Thursday, November 27, 2008 11:16 AM
Comment Title: sell the name
Since the name was apparently for sale- maybe Citibank, AIG or another would like to buy the naming rights?
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Posted by:
On:
Thursday, November 27, 2008 11:14 AM
Comment Title: MAY??? be pulled
It won't be soon enough. I suggest ripping it down, spraying over it, filling it up or grinding it off and leaving an ugly exposed area before letting that name stand one more day!
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Posted by:
How about The Tim Bryan & Ron Silva Arts Center On:
Wednesday, November 26, 2008 1:55 PM
Comment Title:
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Posted by:
On:
Wednesday, November 26, 2008 12:38 PM
Comment Title:
Just figure out a new name using the same letters. That way the city can save the "thousands of dollars" the signs cost.
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Posted by:
On:
Wednesday, November 26, 2008 12:17 PM
Comment Title: Name Change
Most people wouldn't know this, especially after he purger himself on the stand. Romei guilted the city council into naming the building after him by telling the council he had cancer and was dieing. Not wanting to deny a "dieing" man his final wish, the city council named the building after Romei. I doubt this comment will stay on the comments section long as Romei or a supporter of his will report it for abuse to hide the truth.
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Posted by:
On:
Wednesday, November 26, 2008 11:50 AM
Comment Title:
Romei objected to having his name on the building. Now you suggest he should be forced to remove it?
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Posted by:
On:
Wednesday, November 26, 2008 9:54 AM
Comment Title: Think first then act
This is a prime example why buildings etc. should not be named for a living person. For many years this was the rule but suddenly we find the need to worship the living. It has always been a huge mistake and that remains the case. That includes libraries etc. unless that person donates the total cost and names the facility.
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Posted by:
On:
Wednesday, November 26, 2008 9:50 AM
Comment Title: Name Change
Tear the building down before the name stays slimeromeii. What will be the new name "Silva" after all the good CS mayor vouched for this piece of work. He stole way more than we will have know.
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Posted by:
On:
Wednesday, November 26, 2008 9:18 AM
Comment Title: Romei name
Unless of course you want it done right...
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Posted by:
CountyGuy On:
Wednesday, November 26, 2008 8:34 AM
Comment Title:
Removing P. David Romei's name from the building sounds like a good "community service" job for a convicted felon as a condition of probation.
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