A Massachusetts town is at odds as residents clash over whether the local school mascot should stay or be scrapped.
Lenox, a small town of 5,100 located near the New York-Massachusetts border, has long been home to the town's high school mascot: Millionaire Man.
Unlike many controversial mascots across the US, which typically feature references to Native Americans, Lenox's mascot is reminiscent of the popular game character Mr Monopoly.
The cheery tuxedo-clad figure in a top hat marked with a dollar sign has long been a point of contention in the small town, home to the summer retreat of the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
Some argue the mascot reflects the town’s history, pointing to the Gilded Age era when wealthy families, including those tied to J.P. Morgan, built summer estates in the area.
Others just say it leads to unnecessary taunting during games.
'I don’t think there’s anything unique about being a second home to wealthy people,' Lauren Bridges, a senior at the school, told The Wall Street Journal (WSJ).
The complaints have gotten so common that the superintendent hosted a poll, allowing all students – including preschoolers – one vote to decide whether the mascot should change.
Lenox Public Schools is currently allowing students and families to vote on whether or not to change the school mascot
Lenox High School is currently known as the Millionaires, but many residents and students say it brings in unnecessary taunts and perceptions
Families also get one vote each, and if need be, it can be extended to the general public, WSJ reported.
Bridges believes the long-used mascot 'makes it seem like we think we’re superior to other people,' she told WSJ.
The average household income in Lenox is $106,080 – a far cry from their millionaire connection.
For Gabriela Sheehan, that's the very reason she doesn't want to keep the mascot.
'I don't want the perception that we're millionaires,' she told the outlet. 'We're a very middle-class family.'
However, for others, they have fond connections to the name, including long-time resident and graduate of Lenox High School, Steve Chessare, who helped take his basketball team to the state championship in 1974 with the name.
'It became an incentive for us to excel,' he told WSJ of the taunts.
'Our attitude was that you can make fun of the Millionaires now, but we’re going to kick your ass. You’ll always remember the Millionaires because we’re going to beat you.'
Mom Gabriela Sheehan is in favor of changing the mascot. 'I don't want the perception that we're millionaires,' she told WSJ. 'We're a very middle-class family'
The voting is currently going on, and all the votes will be funneled to the town clerk to review. After the review is complete, the final tally will be reported back to the school district.
The Revolutionary War town, which was originally called Kokuntown, first saw settlers in 1750 and was largely a settlement of farmers, traders, merchants, and innkeepers, the town government said.
Writer Nathaniel Hawthorne lived in the town over, but walked to the Lenox post office daily to receive his mail. He lived in the area while writing The House of Seven Gables.
By the late 1800s, Lenox became the place of summer homes for the rich, with many coming from New York City, Boston, and Newport.
Andrew Carnegie bought George Vanderbilt's home there, and is the place where Carnegie died.
The town changed in the 1930s, when it became a place where music lovers flocked.