Dan Stork broke his report on Tuesday’s wide-ranging Twentynine Palms City Council meeting into two parts. Today: The auditor’s report, and public prayer…again…
After the Council heard a favorable summary of the City’s financial reporting practices by an outside auditor, public prayer again dominated the Twentynine Palms City Council meeting. During public comment, several speakers previously heard on the issue reiterated their positions. There were some fresh perspectives. From LeeAnn Clarke: “I believe we had two comments already made that financially we’re doing quite well. I really want to account that in the fact that the Council for 18 years, including the current Council, has always put God first.” From Ray Miller: “You have plenty of time to pray at home. You have plenty of time to pray in church. You have plenty of time to pray before work. You can pray before the Council meeting.” Council member Jim Harris took pains to indicate that he was not proposing following the Chino Hills model, in which anyone can use the public comment opportunity for religious expression; he had only intended to put it forward for discussion. That idea found little support on either side of the issue. In the end, Council voted 4-1 (with Jay Corbin opposed) to continue the current policy of invocations, pending any decision of the U.S. Supreme Court to the contrary.
TWENTYNINE PALMS CITY COUNCIL PART 2: PRAYER BEFORE MEETINGS WILL REMAIN
