Council approves ‘In God We Trust’ motto

The motto “In God We Trust” is headed to the City Council Chambers in some form or another, following a vote Monday on a proposal by Councilwoman Cathy Green and Councilman Joe Carchio.

The council voted 4-2 to approve the motto and form a committee to work on a design for its display, with Mayor Debbie Cook and Councilwoman Jill Hardy in opposition. Councilman Keith Bohr abstained, saying he didn’t believe it was an issue council members should weigh in on.

A couple of supporters spoke at the meeting, saying it would send a positive moral message. About a dozen spoke against the move, saying it would impinge on religious freedom.

An alternate motion by Cook to “turn this over to the Human Relations Task Force to decide exactly what patriotic message they would like to have presented in the Council Chambers” failed 3-4. Bohr and Hardy supported this motion.