MINDEN, Neb. -- Controversy in the Christmas City, a sign in Minden has caused quite a commotion in the small town.
Although the sign was removed by its owner just hours after it was put up, it's still causing a stir in the community of Minden, and it's sent shockwaves across social media.
The sign reads, “Aids, Ebola, Obama, Thanks Africa.”
On Monday, a resident posted the sign on his property, located near Subway on 13th Street, off of Highway 10.
“I got an email to the effect that it was creating quite a stir in the community," said Mayor elect Ted Griess.
It didn't take long before a photo of the sign made its way across the internet.
“It was being transferred all the way across this nation from one Facebook account to the next,” said Griess.
Newly elected Minden Mayor Ted Griess tracked down the owner.
“It was so large and it was coming into the community alongside the highway and, as the mayor-to-be, I didn't want that type of image to be portrayed in Minden, Nebraska. We’re called the Christmas City,” said Griess.
After reasoning with him, Griess convinced the man to take down the sign. Current Minden Mayor Roger Jones says he was shocked by the reaction.
“I thought it's stupid I can't believe anybody would do that, but it’s no big deal,” said Jones.
Many residents are upset with the message.
"I’m stunned that America has come to this place where the hatred and the vitriol is so wide open now,” said Minden resident Bruce Lindstrom.
Others say it's freedom of speech.
“I believe everybody has the right to their own opinion and if they would like to state it there should be nothing wrong with that,” said Minden resident, Dwayne Wilson.
Many in Minden say it doesn’t express the opinions of the city as a whole.
“The majority of Minden, I don't believe, would've put up a sign like that,” said Lindstrom.
Griess wouldn't release the man's name, but he says the situation was handled quickly and should be over with. He told NBC Nebraska he thinks if this were a few years ago, before social media, it wouldn't have attracted this kind of attention.
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