Rename Pottsville? part II

There had some some discussion over changing the name of Pottsville to something more vibrant and I was a leading proponent. That is why the name still remains Pottsville.

My prior suggestion of renaming Pottsville has attracted some fanfare. Our county seat could adopt a new hip image as Mauch Chunk did years ago. when it became Jim Thorpe. It is now universally accepted that the name Pottsville is often confused with either Pottstown or Pottsylvania (a la Rocky & Bullwinkle). It appears that there is no longer any objection to renaming the city in honor of a celebrity who had no contact with the city. Mauch Chunk got away with it, and Volgograd became Stalingrad without much dissent. We can do likewise and get away with it. Already our city honors Henry Clay who never set foot here. John Kennedy who stopped briefly at the Garfield Diner for a bowl of chicken noodle soup never did one lap in the pool that bears his name. Even Stooge Moe Howard has an Avenue named in his honor despite never playing the Hippodrome. Many influencial people now agree with me that Jerry Garcia would be a great choice for a new name. However PADCO has been informed that his remains are not for sale. No if, and or buts. So we may have to lower our expectations. All is not lost; the Grateful drummer's old drummer had also died. His name was Pigpen. That was not his baptismal name. I think it was Ron McNernan and I am sure his remains could be negotiated at a much lower cost to the taxpayers than Garcia although the name Pigpen, PA would take time getting used to.

So we need alternatives. Many want to go with the name of a deceased Native American or sports figure. Charismatic and heroic figures such as Crazy Horse, Squanto, and Geronimo are beyond our budget. Pocahantas would tie up the city in litigation for years with the Disney Corporation. Other names that come to mind are Jay Silverheels or the crying Indian from the "Keep America Beautiful" Ads or the Indian from the Village People. I am not sure if they are alive or dead.

Sports figures are too expensive. Darryl Stawberry maybe needs the money but he is still alive. We cannot wait. We need a new name now. I think our city coffer can only afford the likes of Gorgeous George, or Derby winner Secretariat. If we want to a local sports figure, Pottsville has produced Charles Guetling, who loaded up his wheelbarrow with a keg of beer from the Yuengling brewery. He pushed the wheelbarrow 880 miles to the Chicago's World's Fair. Maybe we can strick a deal with the Guetling estate?