N.J. town can't seem to decide what to call itself

[April 20, 2009]  WOODLAND PARK, N.J. (AP) -- Would a New Jersey town by any other name smell as sweet?

West Paterson voters narrowly passed a referendum last November to change the Passaic County town's name to Woodland Park this year. But some supporters of the change claim borough officials are secretly supporting a grass-roots campaign for another referendum that could change the name back to West Paterson.

Among the reasons cited by Woodland Park supporters is that many signs haven't been updated with the new name of the small community just west of New York City. They claim that's an endorsement by town officials of the Save West Paterson group.

Councilman Keith Kazmark says borough officials decided to gradually implement the name change to save money.

At least three other times residents rejected new names, including Garret Mountain in 2001.

[Associated Press]

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.