What's in a Name? Probably Depends on that Name?

Mayor Harry Baals

Alright, I may try to keep a straight face on this blog most of the time, and I try to pick stories that have what I consider substance. At the same time, I am just a college student.

Harry Baals, pronounced bawlz, the ex-mayor of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was removed from the running for the renaming of a new public building in the city's center. The online campaign to name the structure the Harry Baals Government Center was ignored, in favor of Citizens Square. City officials explained the move by saying they feared Baals's moniker would be mocked. Go figure.

The runner-up suggestion was Thunder Dome.

The four-term mayor served Fort Wayne during the Great Depression and World War II, and was the second-longest serving mayor in the city's history. He already has a street named after him.

Family members may pronounce their name differently, but that doesn't hinder pride for their deceased great-uncle. “I think it would be a great honour to have the building named after him,” said great-nephew Jim Baals. “So many people have voted for it, I say let the people have the say.”

It's unfortunate the public cannot overlook a phonetic coincidence. A man's impressive career can be tossed aside and defamed simply due to a family name he had no voice in choosing.

With that said...1313 Mockingbird Lane, Dewey, Cheatham, and Howe Government Center, The Money Pit, the Derek Zoolander Center for Kids Who Can't Read Good and Wanna Learn to Do Other Stuff Good Too...just a few of my suggestions!