PostStar.com5.11.09
'Dilligaf' debate picks up steam
Monday, May 11, 2009 10:25 AM EDT
LAKE GEORGE - Business owner Bill Massry wishes the village of LakeGeorge would just say "Dilligaf," his trademark slogan, more often.Instead, some community members and visitors to the resortcommunity are appalled by the acronym, a message that impliesprofanity.But there's no indication the saying, printed on clothing at Massry'sCanada Street stores, is going away."Granted, it does stand for, 'Does it look like I give a' ... but that 'f'could stand for fudge, freak, whatever you want," said Massry, wholaunched the product line about six years ago.Massry plans to submit an application to the planning board to renamehis Stormin' Norman's business as Dilligaf, despite being denied by theplanning board for a similar application two years ago.Citing freedomof speech, Massry said he has a right to name his business whateverhe wants.Planning Board Chairman Robert Mastrantoni did not return a callseeking comment."It's a fine balance between his freedom of expression and our freedom of expression," planning board memberPatricia Dow said.She said the local youth commission avoids the store windows, where"Dilligaf" shirts hang, when they go to Shepard Park."I've had to explain the windows to my kids when they were little, andit's not something I appreciated doing," Dow said.Nevertheless, the shirts remain one of Massry's biggest sellers. He saidthey promote a positive message, encouraging people to express anattitude that helps them live less stressfully.Local residents and shoppers surveyed at random last week agreed."It
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