Was Rajneesh, Ore. : It’s Antelope Once Again

Voters in this central Oregon community controlled by disciples of Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh followed the wishes of their jailed leader to change the name back to Antelope, but a former mayor called the change an “empty gesture.”

Tuesday’s vote for the name change was 34 to 0.

Acting Mayor Ma Deva Parmita said today she was a “bit surprised” that there was not more of a turnout in the community of 90 residents, 75 of them followers of the Indian guru.

Former Mayor Margaret Hill said she voted to change the name back to Antelope, under which it had been incorporated in 1901.

“I think it was an empty gesture,” she said. “The only people who called it Rajneesh were the Rajneeshees and news people.”

Hill said that even though the town’s name will change, the Rajneeshees will still be in control as they have been since 1982, with the majority of the longtime residents eventually moving out.

She said she is still bitter about having to pay high property taxes when there were none before the Rajneeshees came and living in a community where the street signs and the park have Hindu names.