CRISPY CRITTER BOULEVARD

Jodie Lane was the woman who tried to rescue her dog from an electrified manhole cover in January of 2004, only to be electrocuted herself. In her honor, the city has just named the site of her horrifying death, 11th St. & First Ave., "Jodie Lane Place."

Our question is: Do you think she'd want to be remembered forever as the victim of a utility company's incompetence? Wouldn't it be a better idea to name it "Avoid the Manhole Covers Place," or "Electrical Hazard Street"?

If the city starts naming streets after unfortunate victims like Ms. Lane, where do they stop? Every time a drunk driver jumps the curb and clips an eight-year-old, or some bricks crumble off a building facade and kill a passerby, or a drug dealer is gunned down on a street corner by an unsatisfied customer, will they get those spots named after them, too? If they're naming a street after Ms. Lane, how would the city justify not doing the same for the families of those other people?

Yes, her death called attention to a widespread problem, but it's a widespread problem that's still there. Nothing's been done about it. Con Ed faked some repairs, but people and animals are still being shocked by metal plates, manhole covers and exposed wires. Did her death really accomplish anything? And does this lessen the meaning of nearby Joey Ramone Place?