Pair Files Suit Against County Commission Over Prayer

Friday, June 15, 2012

Two local men who last week told the County Commission they would file suit if the commission did not stop the practice of opening the meetings with prayer did so on Friday morning.

Attorney Robin Flores filed the complaint for Tommy Coleman and Brandon Jones in Federal Court.

The suit names Hamilton County government, the individual commissioners and County Attorney Rheubin Taylor.

It notes that Attorney Taylor led the prayer on the day the pair attended the commission meeting.

They did not stand up as others did during the prayer. The suit says the Taylor prayer was ended with "in Jesus name." Attorney Taylor is also a minister.

Mitch McClure, also a minister, introduced a young Church of God pastor for the opening prayer on Thursday.

The suit says when courthouse employee Michelle Hubbs spoke in favor of public prayer that Commissioners Greg Beck and Joe Graham applauded.

The complaint calls the county prayers "a blatant endorsement of the Christian religion." 

 

 


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