I was intrigued to read that an area resident was suggesting changing the name of our county ("Take the 'Sex' Out of 'Middlesex County,' " Letters to the Editor, Sentinel, May 8). He suggested a name change to "Middle" in order to get "sex" out of the name because it is not appropriate to our society.

This is certainly an interesting concept and would be beneficial if we had something to hide and wanted to get off to a fresh start.

However, the name change could create problems. The media, in its constant effort to provide detail and inform, would probably wind up saying "Middle County, a.k.a. Middlesex." Thus, the name change would result in greater curiosity about the name change.

The "sex" reduction would result in a one-third decrease in the name from nine letters to six. Therefore, if we want a twothirds reduction, the name would have to be shortened to "Mid" County.

As a longtime resident of this area for more than 30 years, I have been to all parts of the county, and I find very little evidence of sex anywhere. In fact, so little evidence, I must conclude that "sex" must be a dirty word.

Perhaps what we need to do is create additional interest in our county and reach out to the hot businesses that exist in other communities. A name change to "Middlesexy" County just might do that.
Joel Henkin
East Brunswick