Chris Wery and 'McCarthy's Way'

Naming a Green Bay street in honor of Super Bowl XLV Champion Head Coach Mike McCarthy is not a controversial move. It's a given. Right?

Wrong.

Green Bay Alderman Chris Wery and mayoral candidate isn't on board with Mayor Jim Schmitt's proposal.

What is Wery's problem?

From the Green Bay Press-Gazette:

Green Bay Alderman Chris Wery today said he would oppose renaming a street for Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy as an “unnecessary expense and hassle.”

Wery, who also is running for mayor, called it a “publicity stunt” for Mayor Jim Schmitt to announce the renaming idea Tuesday at a Super Bowl XLV celebration at Lambeau Field. Schmitt is running for re-election.

“I will fervently oppose any attempt to change residential streets in my district,” said Wery, who represents areas around Lambeau Field.

Schmitt held up a street sign that read “McCarthy’s Way” during Tuesday’s event and told the sold-out crowd Tuesday he wanted to pursue a street renaming in honor of the city’s newest Super Bowl championship coach.

Schmitt today said he would not tamper with Oneida Street or Military Avenue, but he mentioned Ridge Road and Ashland Avenue as possible candidates for renaming. He also said it could end up being a downtown street near the City Deck attraction.

“This is something we very much think is appropriate and could have some fun with,” he said.

Good grief.

Mike Holmgren was honored with "Holmgren Way" after the Super Bowl XXXI victory. The street's name wasn't changed after Holmgren lost Super Bowl XXXII and bolted from Green Bay a year later.

A precedent has been set.

Of course Mike McCarthy should receive a similar honor. It's not a political ploy by Schmitt. I see it as a duty.

Chris Wery is absolutely nuts for opposing the move.

Wery is the one guilty of injecting politics into the celebration of the Packers' victory.

His judgment is stunningly poor.
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UPDATE, February 10, 2011: Law Firm Offers to Pay for McCarthy's Way