Reader comments
Marketing firm recommends name change for South Salt Lake

Greg | 6:21 a.m. May 19, 2009

I don't usually comment on stories, but...the article says that:

"The city is already pinching pennies in trying to balance its 2009-2010 budget. City employees will get no raises this year and some vacant positions have been eliminated. The city is also cutting back on capital expenses after shelling out about $800,000 for its own ambulance service."

And yet they think its necessary to hire a design and marketing firm to help them change the name of the city?!? Ridiculous!

Expensive name change bad idea | 6:52 a.m. May 19, 2009

If a community needs a name change to make it self more appealing, it is some underlying cause that makes it unappealing, not the name.

Wouldn't it make more sense to attack the root cause? or else the new name will soon grow stimigmatized too.

South Salt lake is a city of industry and of people of moderate means. There is nothing wrong with either and a name change will change neither of these facts.

If several hundred thousand is to be spent, planting greenery or a tax cut might be a better choice to make the city a better place to live.

Anonymous | 7:07 a.m. May 19, 2009

Didn't "Best Valley City" try this a few years back??? What a waste of money.

Comments continue below

Knowwhat | 7:37 a.m. May 19, 2009

How about North Murray?

WOW | 7:48 a.m. May 19, 2009

i could think of a more appropriate use of that kind of money. Name Change?? REALLY???

Former Resident | 7:53 a.m. May 19, 2009

This is a prime example of the brainless city council, they focus so much on their image with the rest of the county, and care less of what image they portray to their own citizins.

I hope to see a follow up story of what happens when the citizens get a chance to voice in on it. Or will their Police Gestappo silence the citizens once again.

City Council - Mental Note - Your image is bad because you're always in the news for Crime, your city codes are not enforced so it looks like trash. Try starting there, Then South Salt Lake will actually mean something. A name change won't fix the real problems.

Here's an idea: | 7:57 a.m. May 19, 2009

"Salt Lake City"

Rather than wasting money in lame attempts to establish separate identities, let's combine as many of the suburban towns INTO Salt Lake City.

This will combine resources, eliminate duplication, and allow a focus in the valley.

Right now, everyone wants their own "downtown". Well, they have it already. Lots of crumbling little strips every five miles along State Street.

There's only ONE "downtown", and as soon as everyone starts supporting IT and waking up to reality, the better everyone will be.

Look at Jacksonville, Florida as an example of success. One city encompassing an entire county, and getting better all the time.

Spencer | 8:03 a.m. May 19, 2009

How about we call it Check City? After all, signage is already taken care of since the Check City logo appears about every 20 feet in South Salt Lake.

paul | 8:14 a.m. May 19, 2009

It is amazing how politics and people who nothing to do but figure out ways to spend money foolishly spend there time. Lets use the money wisely.

Stole my name | 8:15 a.m. May 19, 2009

North Murray was my choice. CCOW. Crime Capital of the West?

Martie | 8:30 a.m. May 19, 2009

Just three days ago I told a friend I've long thought the following cities need a name change: South Salt Lake, North Salt Lake, North Ogden, South Ogden, West Jordan, South Jordan (either one, name one Jordan, the other something else). How about getting your own name? What's with the lack of creativity and piggy-backing on another city's name?

The problem occurred when the cities were first named and it's time to remedy it. To name an area by a geographic coordinate is one thing, to formalize it by naming a city that way is just lazy and lame.

Sue | 9:10 a.m. May 19, 2009

Whoever thought of this one must have nothing better to do. If that is the case, get off your duff and start cleaning up some parts of South Salt Lake. This type of money could be put to better use than a name change, especially when some people don't know where their next meal is coming from. I have known South Salt Lake since I was a kid. LEAVE IT ALONE, WE LIKE IT THE WAY IT IS. THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME HAVE MY SAY!!

Been there done that | 9:39 a.m. May 19, 2009

Used to live in West Pittsburg, CA. Had a bad reputation for crime, poor schools, etc. An earlier historic name was Bay Point. We voted to change the name. Spent the next ten years explaining to people where we lived. Gradually as people became aware of the change, our town got a new nickname. "Gun Point".

As other posters have already commented - you want change you have to start somewhere else. Just changing the name doesn't mean anything.

nice quote | 9:46 a.m. May 19, 2009

thats the estimate they gave you? anywhere between $6500 and $600000? yikes thats like the cable guy saying "oh ill be there anytime between 8 am and 10 pm."

John | 9:54 a.m. May 19, 2009

How about South Central Salt Lake?

Ratman | 9:56 a.m. May 19, 2009

Given all the shady businesses in SSLC, how about "Gomorrah?"

my vote is | 10:07 a.m. May 19, 2009

pleasantville.

or peasantville.

or little TJ.

Revenue Generation | 10:11 a.m. May 19, 2009

Like the Delta Center ... I mean, Energy Solutions Arena, the city council ought to look at ways to generate revenue from this deal.

What about DORITO Village? CIRCUIT CITY City? Or my favorite: SUPERDELL Totally Aweseome Township?

Hatuletoh | 10:13 a.m. May 19, 2009

Whoa, whoa, whoa. "North Murray"? Don't associate the best run, most aesthetically pleasing city in the valley with South Salt Lake. It would only degrade the name of the beloved home of my ancestors.

How about | 10:41 a.m. May 19, 2009

. . . "Not Salt Lake City?" That seems to go straight at the real issue.

I would say... | 10:51 a.m. May 19, 2009

Fire the entire City Council for this ridiculous waste of time and money.

I would say... | 11:12 a.m. May 19, 2009

Get rid of the city council for such a ridiculous waste of time and money.

The stigma from the name comes from how bad the city is. Change the city, and the stigma around the name will inevitably change. Duh...

So SLCer | 11:15 a.m. May 19, 2009

I'm with Martie. For some reason Utahns display an uncanny knack for blandness and lack of creativity when it comes to naming towns and other places (South This, West That, Valley This, Mountain That, South Valley, West Mountain, etc.). It's no surprise that the communities then suffer from the bland images associated with the names. It seems short sighted to blast a community for investing some money to enhance the image for everyone, which would ultimately lead to more revenues due to enhanced public perceptions. It doesn't hurt to listen to the marketers; they're in the business and they've done their research.

Tammi Diaz | 12:04 p.m. May 19, 2009

I Love South Salt Lake City. The Mayor and City Council needs to work on bring the Community Together.
Mayor and City Council needs to start Listening to the Residents of South Salt Lake City.

wastamoney | 12:16 p.m. May 19, 2009

Been to city council or city court? How about Gulag? Or SuperDel sounds good.

wallofvoodoo | 12:20 p.m. May 19, 2009

My vote is for East West Valley.

Anonymous | 12:51 p.m. May 19, 2009

Leave SSL as it is, have Salt Lake change its name to North South Salt Lake.

Spaghetti Bowl City | 12:57 p.m. May 19, 2009

Nothing could be worse than "Sandy." A city named after Little Orpahn Annie's dog?

Dave from Midvale again | 1:08 p.m. May 19, 2009

Chiming in with "Here's an idea: | 7:57 a.m."

Ever sense moving to Utah in 1975 (full time in 77), I have thought it would be very smart to consolidate Salt Lake County into Salt Lake City. I grew up in Jacksonville, Florida and was a part of consolidating Duval County into The City of Jacksonville. It saved A LOT of money and would do the same here. There are so many squabbling entities in Salt Lake County, to silence them would be almost enough. . . But it would be very important to ensure that all "get a voice at the table." That's been historically the sticky point with consolidation; some valid points about representation, some is political posturing. . . but most is turf protecting. It will be a hard row to hoe to get all the politicos in the county to let go of some of their power.

But it IS about time. . . Salt Lake County should be Salt Lake City!!! Issues like a South Salt Lake name change would then be moot.

Another John | 1:13 p.m. May 19, 2009

If "a rose by any other name is still a rose", is "a crime-ridden dumpy looking town by any other name still a crime-ridden dumpy looking town"?

Sandy is a better candidate | 1:15 p.m. May 19, 2009

I agree that it is Sandy that needs the new name. The name makes it sound like a wind-blown, sage-brushed, desert area with dunes along the road.

South Salt Lake doesn't have an identity at all, but it has bigger worries than building it's brand.

Wodge | 1:18 p.m. May 19, 2009

When leaders start to consider window-dressing P.R., then I lose confidence in the leaders, as well as in the ability or will of the organization to make genuine substantive improvement.

Anonymous | 1:24 p.m. May 19, 2009

I like the name Commerce, Utah.

re Martie | 8:30 a.m. May 19 | 1:34 p.m. May 19, 2009

You don't like it when cities piggyback on other cities names?

Would you propose a name change for New England also?

Truth or Consequences | 1:38 p.m. May 19, 2009

How about name it the way the city of Truth or Consequences New Mexico got its name?

A game show paid that city to name itself after the show.

The city council should find a company or another game show to pay for naming rights. This way South Salt Lake would get a cool new name, and some money too.

Tammi Diaz | 1:45 p.m. May 19, 2009

Stop giving the South Salt Lake Chamber $50,000 have them go Earn there Pay Check.

Knowwhat | 2:59 p.m. May 19, 2009

How about Unoriginality, Utah.

Ratman | 3:46 p.m. May 19, 2009

Yes, T or C 1:38, or sent out to bid. The problem is, SSLC might end up being called "Energy Solutions." :)

Naruto | 4:03 p.m. May 19, 2009

Why do you need a marketing firm to come up with a name? People name things all the time, why pay a ridiculous amount of money to name something, I mean when people name there pets or kids they don't pay someone to come up with a name. How about the city gets to vote on-line from a list of several different names, however they must pay a dollar to vote, therefore you re-name the city and raise money at the same time.

Actually | 5:07 p.m. May 19, 2009

not all members of the city council are for wasting money. It is the majority. There are 3 members that are actually there for the residents not for thier own personal gain. It is funny how the last 4 years SSL has had major financial problems, but the 4 yrs before that the budget was always balanced and the city council never had any problems with it, it always passed. And Tammi is right, make the Chamber earn thier money. Not have it given to them. They don't do anything worth while anyway.

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