Reporting by Mike Murphy, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
The Ontario County Board of Supervisors has formally opposed changing the name of Lake Ontario to “Lake America,” joining other local governments that have rejected the proposed change.
The board voted Oct. 15 on a resolution opposing the name change, which follows an Aug. 27 executive order from President Donald Trump directing federal agencies to use the new name for the smallest of the Great Lakes as part of a trade dispute with Canada.
Trump’s order requires federal agencies to use his chosen name on official maps, contracts and other documents. It does not require New York state agencies, counties, cities and towns to immediately change signs, websites, brochures or marketing materials.
The Ontario County supervisors join the Rochester City Council and the Wayne County Board of Supervisors in formally rejecting the “Lake America” name.
Why Ontario County supervisors oppose the name change
Rather than focus on who proposed the change and the politics surrounding it, Geneva City Supervisor Jan Regan said the new name would erase the lake’s Indigenous-derived name, which means “great lake” or “lake of shining waters,” and “suggests an ownership that really does not exist.”
Regan also said the change would create unnecessary confusion for maps, navigation, tourism, education and scientific research. She emphasized that opposing the name change is not a partisan issue.
“For those of us who represent Ontario County, this is more than just a name on a map,” Regan said Thursday night. “Lake Ontario is part of our regional identity, our geography, our history and our connection to the Great Lakes. Its name is woven into the identity of our very own county.”
Ontario County was created Jan. 27, 1789, and at one time extended to the southern shore of Lake Ontario.
How did Ontario County supervisors vote?
All but one of the supervisors present supported the resolution. Seneca Supervisor Roslyn Grammer cast the lone “no” vote and did not explain her reasoning during the vote. Grammer did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Canandaigua City Supervisor Nancy Yacci also supported the measure, saying in an email that the proposed name change disregards history and the respect New York state and Canada have for Indigenous people.
“We have honored this history through native names such as Cayuga, Canandaigua and yes, Ontario,” Yacci said. “Our region has a proud and historical significance, reflected in our county’s name. If Ontario County cannot condemn this arbitrary name change then who can? Let Ontario County proudly renounce the renaming of Lake Ontario.”
Mike Murphy covers Canandaigua and other communities in Ontario County and writes the Eat, Drink and Be Murphy food and drink column. He can be reached at mmurphy@messengerpostmedia.com. Follow him on X at @MPN_MikeMurphy.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle.
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