Zero2Cool
13 years ago
http://packersnews.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110210/GPG0101/102100606 

Despite their appreciation for the Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers, Green Bay aldermen are divided over whether to rename a street in honor of coach Mike McCarthy.

Some aldermen support Mayor Jim Schmitt's proposal to put up a permanent tribute to the coach whose team beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 31-25 in Super Bowl XLV.

But others oppose the street name change as needlessly difficult and expensive and quite possibly, they say, a political ploy during a hard-fought campaign season.

At least one alderman thinks the tribute should be put on hold until after the city's mayoral election in April.

The debate erupted Wednesday a day after Schmitt appeared at a Super Bowl rally at Lambeau Field with a McCarthy's Way street sign with some aldermen decrying the issue as a political football.

Schmitt faces six challengers in his bid for re-election.

Alderman Jerry Wiezbiskie advocated postponing a decision until after the election.

"I think it's time that we put a lid on it I really do," Wiezbiskie said.

On Wednesday, Schmitt said he had not decided which street, although he ruled out Oneida Street and Military Avenue. He said he would consider Ashland Avenue, Ridge Road and a smaller downtown street near the City Deck attraction.

The process could take several months, Schmitt added, saying that he would consult aldermen, property owners and possibly neighboring municipalities.

Renaming the street will require approval from the City Council and possibly support from neighboring municipalities.

Schmitt said he had no firm estimates on city costs for renaming a street. But he put the cost of each street sign at $50 and said money should not be an issue.

Asked about the political overtones, he said: "This is an odd time of service. It's so politicized. Everything I do gets criticized."

Tuesday's primary will narrow the mayoral field to two finalists, who then will square off in the April 5 general election to decide Green Bay's top elected leader for the next four years.

Alderman Chris Wery, who also is running for mayor, issued a statement Wednesday calling the street renaming announcement a "publicity stunt" on Schmitt's part.

Wery, whose district borders Lambeau Field, said that although he also is proud of the Packers, renaming a street for McCarthy would be an "unnecessary expense and hassle for our residents."

"I will fervently oppose any attempt to change residential streets in my district," he said.

Wery sent a copy of his statement to other aldermen, one of whom also announced opposition to the McCarthy tribute.

Alderman Shae Sortwell said the cost of new street signs and the labor to put them up is too much in the current financial climate.

"We simply do not have the money without taking it from primary city services," Sortwell said.

Others, however, voiced support for the mayor's idea.

Alderman Tom De Wane, another candidate for mayor, said it has become a local tradition to recognize Super Bowl heroes with street names, including former coach Mike Holmgren, quarterback Brett Favre and defensive end Reggie White.

DeWane said he would steer clear of a major street like Ridge Road. But, he added, "It's a good idea, if we can find the right street."

Alderman Guy Zima, a frequent critic of Schmitt's, said that while he questions the mayor's political motives, he would go along with naming a street after McCarthy.

"Certainly I think there's a way to recognize the coach," Zima said.

Many others on the 12-member City Council said they were undecided on the subject and wanted to know more about which street would be recommended, how much it would cost and whether it would have neighborhood support.

Ken Dax, the mayor's chief of staff, said he first suggested the street renaming idea to Schmitt after the Super Bowl victory.

After seeing Wery's reaction, Dax said he feared the gesture was becoming politicized.

"We're not going to fight the aldermen," Dax said. "If they want to kill this, let them kill it."

"Scott Williams" wrote:


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wpr
  • wpr
  • Preferred Member
13 years ago
It can't hurt to hold off and look at the issue at a later time.
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Dulak
13 years ago
I just see people trying to vie for power and not care about the men they are supposed to be representing (this goes for those that are for the renaming and against).

IMO if this is what was in place before then it should be the case.
nerdmann
13 years ago
Ridge Road and Ashland? Dunno man, those are major streets.
“Winning is not a sometime thing, it is an all the time thing. You don't do things right once in a while…you do them right all the time.”
PackerTraxx
13 years ago
They named a street after Holmgren after winning 1 Super Bowl, then he choked in one and deserted Green Bay. McCarthy plans on staying, that already puts him one up on Holmgren...he should have a street named after him.
Why is Jerry Kramer not in the Hall of Fame?
wpr
  • wpr
  • Preferred Member
13 years ago

They named a street after Holmgren after winning 1 Super Bowl, then he choked in one and deserted Green Bay. McCarthy plans on staying, that already puts him one up on Holmgren...he should have a street named after him.

"PackerTraxx" wrote:



Holgren had no plans on choking in the 2nd SB nor did he plan to leave town after they won the 1st SB. So based on what you are saying they should hold off on the street for a while.
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PackerTraxx
13 years ago
I wish they would have held off with MH... but since they didn't I believe they set a precedent and Mike McCarthy should get his street. I don't think it's a bad precedent but it should be consistent. I would also like to see streets named for HOF'ers, make it a real "football" town, especially around the stadium. JAT
Why is Jerry Kramer not in the Hall of Fame?
dhazer
13 years ago
Well I see them arguing about money, but didn't mention the rest of the costs. Now you would have to go thru and change all maps, also the people that live on the road have to change their address. Utility, cable, phone and post office would have to spend hrs changing this in their systems. They mentioned some big roads to change, not a small road that is a way and not even a road.
Just Imagine this for the next 6-9 years. What a ride it will be 🙂 (PS, Zero should charge for this)
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PackerTraxx
13 years ago
Just put a new street in, name it, and let the taxpayers pay for it like a good politician. LOL
Why is Jerry Kramer not in the Hall of Fame?
nerdmann
13 years ago
Find a smaller street that's mainly businesses. This is what they did with Holmgren Way. They used Gross St, but only the part of it on the other side of Lombardi. So it was mainly just an industrial park with some taverns and shit. But Ridge? Damn, I used to live like 4 houses off of Ridge Rd. That thing goes all the way from Mason St. past Cormier and Ashwuabenon High. I guess Ashland Ave would be easier, being that not alot of people live on it, at least south of Lombardi.
“Winning is not a sometime thing, it is an all the time thing. You don't do things right once in a while…you do them right all the time.”
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