Hello, there! You may have seen that The Emperor's Bridge Campaign is proposing that the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge be named for Emperor Norton in 2018 — the 200th anniversary of the Emperor's birth in 1818. The Emperor's "bicentennial" is an enormous, once-in-a-lifetime symbolic opportunity. An opportunity that we think can — and should — be used to mount a serious effort that defines itself as a *pro*active YES to an *Emperor Norton* bridge-naming — rather than being cast as a *re*active NO to a *different* naming (as inescapably happened in 2013). We're not talking about "renaming" the bridge, in the sense of doing *away* with the name — "Bay Bridge" — that people have been calling this grand structure for nearly 80 years. What we have in mind is simply *adding* a name — like "Emperor Norton Bridge" — to stand *alongside* the original. THIS WOULD FOLLOW STATE PRECEDENT. There are a dozen or so other state-owned bridges that have two or more "main titles." The "Emperor Norton" name could be memorialized with a single prominent overhead sign on either end of the bridge and perhaps other such signs at a handful of key bridge approaches around the Bay Area. This plan would leave in place existing names for the bridge and its constituent parts ("spans," tunnel, bike/pedestrian path, etc.). Last week, I sent to Campaign supporters and followers a letter (see link) outlining the bridge-naming proposal and options for pushing it forward. :: :: :: We'd love to have your thoughts about the letter — and also, of course, would love to see you as part of the coalition that will be required to ensure the success of this effort. :: :: :: The Campaign is under no delusions. We're aware of the histories of the failed bridge-naming attempts of the past dozen years. We're aware of the current sensitivities. We know that naming the Bay Bridge for the Emperor will take considerable legal and political savvy; connections; and creativity from those who know — from direct experience — what it takes to get something like this done. We know that it will take the financial generosity of true believers in this idea — including those who are willing and able to donate amounts in four and five figures. We know that it will take a corps of perhaps thousands of California voters who consider themselves subjects of the Emperor and citizens of his Empire. :: :: :: We also know — for these reasons and so many more — that, *if* We are to get the Emperor's name on the Emperor's bridge in 2018, then We — not the small-w "we" of The Emperor's Bridge Campaign but the big-W "We" of the larger Norton coalition — have to start planning *now.* With all this in mind, please let us know your thoughts. Also: If you know of anyone else you think should be on the ground floor of this effort — including legal / political experts — and "angels" — and elected officials — and Emperor-loving influencers of all kinds — please let us know. You'll find a number of ways to reach us at http://www.EmperorsBridge.org/contact/. Thanks so much for your help — and for your support of efforts of The Emperor's Bridge Campaign to honor the life and advance the legacy of Emperor Norton. We look forward to hearing from you! Cheers, JOHN LUMEA The Emperor's Bridge Campaign San Francisco