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County Board may put Ten Commandments monument to popular vote

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[County Board members took the first step toward letting voters decide whether or not to put a Ten Commandments monument on county property.

The board held off on a final decision about a public referendum in April until the Nov. 17 meeting, when County Clerk Willie McClusky is expected to tell board members when the deadline falls for putting referendums on the April ballot. He also will bring information to the board about binding or non-binding referendums.

The Building Committee recommended putting a monument to the Ten Commandments on Courthouse property.

"We all agreed to vote in favor on this question, this plaque on county property," Building Committee Chairman George Henley said.

Bruce Tolley offered a counter-proposal, saying owners of the Clearwave Building had offered to host a monument that would face the Courthouse, provided funds are raised for the project. The proposal got $600 in backing from office-holders and board members almost immediately. However, the board did not firmly settle on that proposal.

Tolley said his religious beliefs are not in doubt and he supports a Ten Commandments monument, but doesn&#39;t want to put the county treasury in jeopardy by courting a lawsuit. His proposal skirted that possibility, he said.

"That keeps us from being sued by the local atheists and Nazis," Tolley said.

Danny Gibbs said it is time for board members and residents to take a stand and defy courts and groups that would oppose a Ten Commandments monument. Gibbs led a gathering earlier this month promoting a Ten Commandments monument on public property.

"We are saying we are fearing someone else suing us. I don&#39;t have that fear," Gibbs said.

Gibbs said he is tired of bending over backward and leaving his religion behind when he enters a public building.

"I see nothing wrong with voting to place the Ten Commandments on the Courthouse lawn. I am tired of substitutes," Gibbs said.

Although they obviously agreed in principle, Henley and Gibbs had a brief exchange. Henley seemed to favor Tolley&#39;s proposal once it was explained.

"Are you trying to prove a point or get the Ten Commandments up," Henley said.

"I understand what you mean," Gibbs said, then suggested it is time to let the public decide the issue.

"Why does it have to be in one certain spot if we get them up for people to read and study," Henley said.

"It seems like we are losing something every day in this country," Gibbs said shortly afterward.

"No arguing that," Henley said.

Bob Oglesby said board members have to consider monetary consequences of their actions. Provoking a possible lawsuit that could result in money losses and, eventually, layoffs of employees, is not necessarily wise use of county money, he said.

Board Chairman Jim Fowler carried a bill during his four years in the state legislature that would have allowed schools to post works such as the Ten Commandments as historical documents.

"During my four years in the state legislature the worst whipping I took was over this issue," Fowler said.

Fowler said he still carries wounds from that experience.

"However you approach it, it&#39;s going to be an uphill battle," Fowler said.

"It will take the support of the entire county."

Stephen M. Ledbetter, who said he is the singer not the pharmacist, spoke in favor of the Ten Commandments monument before the board brought up the subject.

"The problem is, today a lot of people don&#39;t go to church," Ledbetter said.

He said putting up the monument probably wouldn&#39;t be earth-shattering, "But it will make a statement about this county."

Ledbetter left the meeting immediately after making his comments.