Friday's Internet Edition, July 25, 2008.
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| With some assistance from coach Coral Osborne, Colby Ring prepares to have his picture taken during photo day at the YMCA. |
The policy, written by the town attorney Warren Kasper, will invite leaders of all faiths to participate.
Over 100 residents attended the council meeting, filling all chairs. Several dozen people stood in the adjoining vestibule outside the council chambers for much of the four-hour session. Fourteen people spoke at the public comments portion of the meeting, all urging council to continue prayers in council meetings. Two spoke in opposition.
Kasper was charged by council to write a policy that would legally conform to the Constitution of the United States. Council members voting for the policy were Mary Cameron, Mark Smith and Larry McClellan. Councilmen Jim Hayes and Chris Jones voted against the policy, preferring sectarian invocations.
Kasper said he modeled the policy after one in Chesterfield County, Virginia that was acceptable to the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Non-sectarian is interpreted as meaning the invocation should generally invoke the guidance of God as a Supreme Being, but should not contain references that are peculiar in any particular religion, denomination or sect.
The policy will be listed separately... Subscribe to the Courier, P.O. Box 765, Clemmons, NC 27012.