A town in New Jersey approved changing its Kennedy Center's name to the Barack Obama Center on Aug. 5, and some residents aren't thrilled, The Washington Times reported.
A resident suggested to Willingboro Township officials that the new title is needed to remind generations to come that Obama was the first black president of the United States, Philly.com reported. Willingboro Township Deputy Mayor Jacqueline Jennings requested the name change afterwards, recalling how the African-American population in the area reacted with joy at the campaign and eventual election of President Obama.
"I think that people have a sense of pride about him...we had so many new people register to vote, people who had never voted before, people who were disenfranchised," Jennings told Philly.com. "All of a sudden, we had maybe 8,000 people register to vote. We had lines...people wrapping around the buildings when the polls opened. It was a sense of history, everybody wanted to be a part of it."
The single "no" vote came from Mayor Eddie Campbell, and Jennings arrived late to the meeting, missing the opportunity to vote.
The name change comes during renovations to the town structure, which is home to a senior center, the Willingboro Parks and Recreation Department, a banquet hall and an auditorium.
But some town residents aren't happy with the move to rename the building.
"What's next- naming malls after terrorists since he negotiates with them!! What a disgrace to America!!," Kristina Darlin wrote on the Burlington County Times Facebook page, according to The Washington Times.
"It is a horrible idea to rename it in the first place, regardless of who they are renaming it after. It's a disgrace if they go forward with it in the name of politics and hopes that the president might give the town some recognition. It has always been JFK and should remain that way," Ophelia MW said on the same Facebook page.
Still, the controversial vote didn't catch the ire of all residents. Thomas L DeGroat said on Facebook:
"JFK and President Obama are two different people. They both tried to do great things. One was assassinated and the other had his presidency assassinated by the racist majority in Congress."
