Garcia said the common sentiment among the Portuguese community is that no one ethnic group in the city should be awarded a special distinction.
A few years ago, when it was proposed to change the name of Ashworth Street to commemorate the Portuguese, the community was against it because of the city's diversity.
Garcia said that even though it is widely known that the Indian community "cleaned up" Pioneer Boulevard, putting up the signs would send the wrong message.
"Artesia is a really small city. That's the only freeway we have," he said. "If they designate that 'Little India,' [Artesia] pretty much becomes Little India."
Despite the two years of bickering, Bermudez believes the Little India signs will become a reality this year.
The Assembly is expected to pass the bill, which would require private donors to fund the two signs -- one for each direction of the freeway.
Bermudez said there are people who have promised to sponsor the signs.
"Some people are misinformed as to what the bill does," Bermudez said.
"The bill does not change the name of the city. The bill does not change the name of Pioneer Boulevard," he said. "What it merely does is create a directional sign on the exit to one of California's finest destinations."
