Quote :

"Ex-mayor's name too funny for Ind. center FORT WAYNE, Ind. — A former Indiana mayor who won four terms in the 1930s and 1950s is proving less popular with modern-day city leaders, who say they probably won't name a new government center for him because of the jokes his moniker could inspire. Harry Baals is the runaway favorite in online voting to name the new building in Fort Wayne, about 120 miles northeast of Indianapolis. But Deputy Mayor Beth Malloy said that probably won't be enough to put the name of the city's longest-tenured mayor on the center. The issue is pronunciation. The former mayor pronounced his last name "balls." His descendants have since changed it to "bales." Supporters said it's unfair that the former mayor can't be recognized simply because his name makes some people snicker. But opponents fear that naming the center after Baals would make Fort Wayne the target of late-night television jokes. "We realize that while Harry Baals was a respected mayor, not everyone outside of Fort Wayne will know that," Malloy said Tuesday in a statement to The Associated Press. "We wanted to pick something that would reflect our pride in our community beyond the boundaries of Fort Wayne." An online site taking suggestions for names showed more than 1,000 votes Tuesday for the Harry Baals Government Center. That's more than three times the votes received by the closest contender. Jim Baals, 51, who has lived in the city his entire life, said it's unfortunate that his great-uncle's name won't be considered for the building. "Harry served four terms and was a wonderful mayor. I don't know what the problem is," he said. "I understand people are going to poke fun at it. That's OK. I've lived with that name for 51 years now and I've gotten through it. I think everybody else can, too." City spokesman Frank Suarez said the city has no regrets about opening the name selection up to people online. "It is a new way of reaching out to the community," he said. "The fact that 17,000 votes have come in tell us the buzz created by this is really good. When was the last time somebody could say they had fun with their government? We've had fun with this." Suarez told The Journal Gazette that Mayor Tom Henry will meet with local groups and choose from up to 10 finalists from the suggestions submitted. Online voting ends Friday."

http://www.wral.com/news/strange/story/9079229/

[Edited on February 9, 2011 at 1:59 PM. Reason : .]

2/9/2011 1:58:59 PM

Hope they line the interior with swag carpets...

So basically we are getting yet another Colbert renaming situation.

2/9/2011 2:03:01 PM

I was gonna post this, but I couldn't think of a catchy title so I gave up

2/9/2011 2:13:00 PM

Haha, I couldnt think of a funny title either. Oh well.

2/9/2011 2:15:30 PM

i bet it smells inside.

2/9/2011 2:17:03 PM

wow, you two are right, I was trying to be witty and come up with one... There's really not much else you can make Harry Baals funnier...

2/9/2011 2:17:52 PM

Should've gone with the Harry Baals Visitor's Locker Room at IU

It worked for James Fail at Alabama

http://blog.al.com/bamabeat/2008/12/coming_to_bryantdenny_the_fail.html

2/9/2011 2:21:14 PM

Harry Baals slapped on public building

2/9/2011 2:27:31 PM

^we have a winner

2/9/2011 2:30:56 PM

Harry Baals, straight shooter for Ft. Wayne

Harry Baals gets scratched of the list

Ft. Wayne trips over Harry Baals

Cocked and ready, Harry Baals building


That's about as good as I can think of them.

2/9/2011 2:34:08 PM

Fort Wayne's Harry Baals Removed From Pole

2/9/2011 2:36:48 PM

Harry Baals hangs on top

2/9/2011 2:38:18 PM

What's funny is that they don't understand that this is already gonna draw late-night TV jokes, which will have run their course before the name is even decided on.

Oh, and

Harry Baals Shaved From List

Beth Malloy Doesn't Like Harry Baals

Fort Wayne's Harry Baals a Laughingstock

Fort Wayne Not Proud of Harry Baals

2/9/2011 2:48:47 PM

Fort Wayne voters lend hands to Harry Baals

2/9/2011 2:51:31 PM

If another person's name wins,

[Name] Licks Harry Baals

2/9/2011 2:52:21 PM

Support for Harry Baals shriveling in February.

Supporters wish to place Harry Baals on the face of the government center

Chances of selection for Harry Baals dropping

Supporters of Harry Baals itching for name change

[Edited on February 9, 2011 at 3:01 PM. Reason : ]

2/9/2011 3:00:11 PM

Harry Baals waxed by competition

2/9/2011 3:02:12 PM

Growth of Harry Baals slips ahead in polls

Large demand over Harry Baals

Harry Baals kills the competition

Govt discharges public voice over Harry Baals

Harry Baals tucked away for good

Popular demand stimulates Harry Baals to new heights

2/9/2011 3:08:42 PM

Harry Baals too salty for Deputy Mayor Beth Malloy.

2/9/2011 3:19:47 PM

Children of Harry Baals turned out just fine
or
Children of Harry Baals don't get it

Fans of Harry Baals come together online

2/9/2011 3:29:28 PM

Uproar Over Harry Baals

Jim Baals: Honor Older Baals

Mayor Unsure How to Handle Harry Baals

Naming Commission Toys with Harry Baals

2/9/2011 3:37:09 PM

Fort Wayne Officials Fearful of Shame Due to Harry Baals

By the Hands of City Leaders, Harry Baals Not Erected

Harry Baals Connected Fort Wayne to the Butt of Jokes by the Taint of his Good Name



[Edited on February 9, 2011 at 3:53 PM. Reason : .]

2/9/2011 3:39:03 PM

ITT TWW becomes a poor man's Fark

2/9/2011 3:46:22 PM

Harry Baals name will stay with Elevator Shaft

2/9/2011 4:54:33 PM