City officials in Danbury, Connecticut are moving closer to naming the city’s sewage treatment plant after comedian John Oliver.
It started when Oliver seemingly randomly called out Danbury on his show, Last Week Tonight. Mayor Mark Boughton responded by threatening to name the city’s $110 million sewer plant after the comedian.
Oliver offered to donate $55,000 to local charities if Boughton went through with it.
“Listen. I didn’t know I wanted my name on your *bleep* factory, but now that you’ve floated it as an option, it is all that I want," Oliver said on his show.
Boughton said the city has received dozens of letters from residents in support, but the name change needs approval from Danbury’s City Council. The plant is in council member Farley Santos’s district.
“The sense of Danbury pride this has ignited amongst our residents is a much needed boost during these dreary times," Santos says, "it’s good to see our community stand together for our city.”
Most city officials say they support the name change, including council member Warren Levy.
“John Oliver should know that every time I smell the plant, I’ll think of him ," Levy says, "so have a good evening, Mister Oliver!”
The council plans to vote on the name change later this week.
