Reading Nash's column reminds one of the fundamental ongoing problem: A council with no leadership.
Sitting supinely while Dan Coffey merrily hijacks meeting agendas may qualify as borderline presidential (the Wizard of Westside's contract with Mayor Gahan probably stipulates it), but it makes for the reinforcement of New Albany as regional laughingstock.
Hope you can make it next time, Matt. Sanity in the council chamber currently enjoys the same status as water in California. Witness this passage from the newspaper's coverage:
Coffey acknowledged some separation should exist, but added many people in New Albany are of Christian faith. “This is a Christian nation, with Christian values, and if people don’t like that, at least come out in the open to try and change it,” he said.
Groan.
NASH: The council and prayer, by Matt Nash (News and Tribune)
... The reason I had wanted to go to the meeting was that the council was to vote on a resolution denouncing Indiana’s Religious Freedom Restoration Act, and calling for its repeal. I wanted to be there to show my support and to hear what our council feels about the legislation. I would have never predicted that the final outcome would be 8-0-1 in favor, especially after some of the debate.
The debate is usually where it gets entertaining and where it easily takes off on multiple tangents. This week’s meeting was no exception. Somewhere along the way while they were discussing a state law that many people believed to be a license to discriminate in the name of religion, the subject of praying before meetings was brought up. As things tend to go it must have escalated from there.
For the record, I sent this this to Daniel Suddeath. I don't know how the correction process works, and I haven't seen the print edition yet.
ReplyDeleteDaniel:
I read Baylor's blog with the following excerpt:
"A council member, when it’s their designated time to offer opening remarks, could present a prayer, but it would be limited to the Lord’s Prayer under Gonder’s resolution."
That is completely incorrect. The offering of a prayer would not be limited to the Lord's prayer, or even a Christian prayer. To stipulate otherwise would turn the intent of the resolution on its head.
Thanks,
John
John, don't you have more important things to do like cut Gahan's credit card by spending your city into bankruptcy, ensure no more illegal board appointments, perhaps questioning how a mayor can usurp the authority of the Police Merit Commission and take an officer's pay and benefits away while pending a hearing. I suspect after the primary if Dough Boy wins you will fall right in line with your Party's standard bearer like you always do. I know reform and independent thinkers, you sir are not that.
ReplyDelete