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People on both sides weighed in on the Ten Commandments issue at the County Board meeting Tuesday night.
In October, board members decided to take the first step toward putting a referendum on the ballot on whether or not to erect a Ten Commandments monument on Courthouse property. The proposal, referred for the time being to the Building Committee, has drawn support from several in the county and opposition from at least one corner -- Rob Sherman, an atheist activist from Buffalo Grove who has become involved in several such proposals.
Sherman spoke to the board and audience about what he said is the inappropriateness of a Ten Commandments monument on public property.
"Government is in the business of providing services and not opinions about religion," Sherman said.
When the government editorializes about religion it creates a climate of bigotry toward those who don't subscribe to the view being promoted, Sherman said.
Sherman talked about a similar situation in which a board backed away from erecting a religious monument, which prompted people around town to put out crosses and other religious displays, which created a "celebration of religious freedom," Sherman said.
Sherman said he hopes to help the board and local residents find a way to stay within constitutional bounds while still reflecting their values.
Several other people who spoke on the issue contended our founding fathers intended such religious displays.
Roger Roark, who said he is "a representative of the Bible and the lord Jesus Christ," said the common law and Constitution has its roots in the Ten Commandments. The chief justice of the Supreme Court has a Ten Commandments display above his chair; religious artwork is displayed in Congress, Roark said.
Jeff Mings said the nation's founders always had Christianity in mind when establishing settlements and state governments. He pointed to the Mayflower Compact of the pilgrims and its phrase, "For the advancement of the Christian faith." He also noted the constitution of Delaware signed in 1776 required an oath to Christianity in order for men to serve in the state legislature.
"You could not take office in those 13 states unless you were a Christian," Mings said.
In South Carolina, a church was not recognized if it did not profess the Protestant faith, Mings said.
"The founders intended the Christian religion ... to be across this land," Mings said.
People on both sides weighed in on the Ten Commandments issue at the County Board meeting Tuesday night.
In October, board members decided to take the first step toward putting a referendum on the ballot on whether or not to erect a Ten Commandments monument on Courthouse property. The proposal, referred for the time being to the Building Committee, has drawn support from several in the county and opposition from at least one corner -- Rob Sherman, an atheist activist from Buffalo Grove who has become involved in several such proposals.
Sherman spoke to the board and audience about what he said is the inappropriateness of a Ten Commandments monument on public property.
"Government is in the business of providing services and not opinions about religion," Sherman said.
When the government editorializes about religion it creates a climate of bigotry toward those who don't subscribe to the view being promoted, Sherman said.
Sherman talked about a similar situation in which a board backed away from erecting a religious monument, which prompted people around town to put out crosses and other religious displays, which created a "celebration of religious freedom," Sherman said.
Sherman said he hopes to help the board and local residents find a way to stay within constitutional bounds while still reflecting their values.
Several other people who spoke on the issue contended our founding fathers intended such religious displays.
Roger Roark, who said he is "a representative of the Bible and the lord Jesus Christ," said the common law and Constitution has its roots in the Ten Commandments. The chief justice of the Supreme Court has a Ten Commandments display above his chair; religious artwork is displayed in Congress, Roark said.
Jeff Mings said the nation's founders always had Christianity in mind when establishing settlements and state governments. He pointed to the Mayflower Compact of the pilgrims and its phrase, "For the advancement of the Christian faith." He also noted the constitution of Delaware signed in 1776 required an oath to Christianity in order for men to serve in the state legislature.
"You could not take office in those 13 states unless you were a Christian," Mings said.
In South Carolina, a church was not recognized if it did not profess the Protestant faith, Mings said.
"The founders intended the Christian religion ... to be across this land," Mings said.
Don Simmons said separation of church and state is intended to curb religious oppression. He cited the example of Constantine, the Roman emperor who converted the empire to Christianity. Simmons contended Constantine converted to Christianity to conquer territory and oppress the people in the empire. This was what the founding fathers intended to curb.
"It wasn't for taking away your opportunity to worship God," Simmons said.
The Building Committee will meet after the new year to work up a recommendation to the board about a referendum, committee Chairman Danny Gibbs said. Sherman asked Gibbs to let him know when the meeting will take place.
It is feasible to put a referendum on the April 5 ballot, but deadlines are fast approaching, County Clerk Kim Buchanan said. Buchanan plans to take a timeline to the Building Committee.
Coroner
Citing a much bigger workload at his funeral home, Coroner Randy Reed resigned his office effective Dec. 31 after six years in office. Jerry Watson was appointed to replace Reed.
"The coroner's case load has steadily increased each of the last six years, demanding more and more of my time," Reed said. "At the same time, with the closing of Gaskins-Jones Funeral Home last year, my business, Reed Funeral Chapel, has increased tremendously, demanding more and more of my time as well."
Reed asked board members to respect the wishes of voters who re-elected him two years ago and appoint a Republican in his place. Republican County Chairman Bob Holmes said the party Central Committee met Dec, 13 and decided to recommend Jerry Watson, a funeral director and former deputy coroner, as a replacement.
Watson received quick and unanimous approval from the board.
Budget
Treasurer Danny Ragan and Budget Committee Chairman Danny Ragan warned board members the county is facing a rocky road financially in the immediate future.
The state is behind $395,000 in expected payments to the county, which has caused a cash-flow problem. If no action had been taken, the county would have ended the month with a $193,800 shortfall in the General Fund. Board members agreed to take money out of a fund that includes 2009 tax receipts totaling $351,320.
Ragan said he hopes things will smooth out after the first three months of the new budget year.
Tolley said office-holders can expect a letter soon asking them not to buy items that cost more than $500. The Budget Committee does not want to reopen the budget in the first three months, Tolley said.
A letter will be sent to the attorney general's office stating Lavon Henshaw, the violent crimes advocate for State's Attorney Mike Henshaw, has been laid off because grant money supporting her job is not being paid to the county.
Laptop
A request by Jonathan Prather to enter closed session to discuss personnel ended up with a matter regarding a laptop being referred to the Audit and Inventory Committee.
Prather asked to enter closed session to discuss personnel. Tolley, the parliamentarian, said the closed session is not appropriate unless it involves hiring, firing or performance of a specific employee or employees. Once the ground rules for closed session were clarified, Prather agreed and decided to bring up the matter in open session. The County Board sold a laptop to Buchanan's predecessor, Willie McClusky, for $1 at the regular November meeting. Buchanan's computer freezes, Prather said. Not much else was said about the matter before it was referred to a committee.
Tolley said the matter does not involve personnel and is not properly on the agenda.
"As presented, I don't think we have an actionable agenda item," Tolley said.
It was determined the issue should be referred to the Audit and Inventory Committee before consideration next month.
