CLIFTON– A proposal to change a street name has left at least some of its residents unhappy, with those residents telling News 4 New York they’re worried about becoming the butt of jokes and even fear reduced property values.
At a city council meeting next Tuesday officials will discuss renaming a short stretch now known as Ellsworth Street to Dick Street. Dick Street connects Van Houten and Howard avenues, but a contiguous segment runs between Howard to Katherine Avenue and is called Ellsworth.
Officials would like to change Ellsworth’s name to make it easier for first-responders to find.
A number of Ellsworth residents, however, fear the new address would conjure up off-color associations.
“People laugh when they think of Dick Street,” Kenneth Roman told News 4. “It’s not exactly a good name for a street. They can name it anything they want except for Dick Street.”
Other residents say such concerns stretch back for decades, but at least one resident doesn’t see a problem.
“I know people who are named Dick, or their name is Richard and they’re called Dick,” John Sedlak told the station.
Paul Milo may be reached at pmilo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter@PaulMilo2. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
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