BOISE, Idaho — An Idaho legislator said Monday Chicken Dinner Road in Canyon County is a historic name and that he opposes an animal protection group’s request to rename it.
Republican Rep. Scott Syme on Monday introduced a concurrent resolution urging fellow lawmakers to support the existing name.
Concurrent resolutions do not need the signature of the governor and don’t have the force of law.
In July of last year, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals asked Caldwell Mayor Garret Nancolas to change the name of the rural road to what it said is the “kinder and simpler” Chicken Road. "Just like dogs, cats, and human beings, chickens feel pain and fear and value their own lives," said PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman. "PETA is asking Mayor Nancolas to change this road’s name to one that celebrates chickens as individuals, not as beings to kill, chop up, and label as ‘dinner.’”
Nancolas posted to his personal Facebook page that Chicken Dinner Road is not in Caldwell’s jurisdiction to change, adding: “ … When I first received the letter, I thought it was a joke, I literally laughed! When I realized the letter was for real, it made me extremely irritated that they would waste our time with such a ridiculous request!! If they had actually done their homework they would have realized that Chicken Dinner Road is not even within Caldwell’s jurisdiction...that being said, even if it was, NO WAY, NO CHANCE I would ever consider this truly unbelievable request!! We have many issues to consider, but this IS NOT one of them!”
Syme said the original name stems from a 1930s resident famous for her chicken dinners -- who helped persuade then-Democratic Gov. C. Ben Ross to improve the road in Canyon County.
(Associated Press contributed to this article)
