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."
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