---

KERMIT-Several years ago the City of Kermit welcomed Kermit the Frog to their town, but now the Muppets star is being asked to hit the road.

Kermit the Frog has kept an eye on the City of Kermit for nearly seven years, but now the City's new Manager, Pete Kampfer, is planning on painting over the city's little prince.

One resident said this is a good thing for the city and doesn't know why they took down the high schools mascot in the first place.

"Nobody really cares about Kermit the Frog, no offense," said Andrea Thomas.

Kampfer said that based on a survey, the vast majority of his citizens preferred to be affiliated with the high school's mascot, the yellow jacket.

Another resident said that she never understood why they made such a stir about a puppet, but that she's glad it happened.

"They made a big deal out of it and ever since we've been having those celebration days," said, Susana Garcia.

Garcia worries that if the Kermit is painted over, the annual Kermit celebrations will end as well.

Kampfer ensured us that the City's annual celebration days will survive without Kermit being on the water tower. Residents can expect to see the local high school's mascot back on their water tower in about a year.

Even though Kermit won't be watching over the town anymore, his street name will still remain.

---