Williams renews quest to remove Ten Commandments
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“He brought up an envelope last week indicating his request was still in effect,” Rogers said. “He wants me to remove the Ten Commandments from the display.”
Williams caused considerable controversy last year when he first began his campaign to have the document removed from the Warren County Administration Building. At that time, the county executive put considerable effort into providing the county with a legal basis to resist Williams’ attempt, eventually opting to present the document as part of a historical display, a ploy some legal experts had advised might offer some protection, having been used successfully in some other jurisdictions.
This move seemed to thwart Williams intentions as he had offered no further opposition and his initial threat of legal action against the county never materialized. But a Sixth Circuit court decision finding against such displays has apparently encouraged Williams to renew his campaign.
The letter, addressed jointly to Rogers, in his capacity as county executive, and the Warren County Commission, was short and to the point, but left no doubt as to Williams’ intentions.
The body of the letter states:
“Now that the Sixth Circuit has confirmed the unconstitutionality of the Foundations of American Law and Government display, I renew my request that you remove the Ten Commandments from the Administrative Offices Building. For your convenience, I am enclosing a copy of ACLU v. McCreary County, Kentucky.”
Rogers said Williams has challenged several area counties with similar displays.
“He’s been in DeKalb County wanting them to remove theirs,” Rogers said.
Though Williams’ current letter doesn’t specifically threaten legal action, he did threaten such action during his previous challenge, reporting he had the backing of the ACLU in his campaign. The possibility of a legal challenge lead Rogers to consult County Attorney Larry Stanley.
Since more and more jurisdictions are being forced by the courts to remove these types of displays, Rogers feels there is a chance the county may be required to do so as well.
“I just hope that the people in Warren County see what’s happening,” he said. “It’s time for the Christians in Warren County to take a stand I feel like.”
Rogers feels the idea of the separation of church and state is being taken to extremes.
“They’re saying that government and religion don’t mix,” he said, “but I disagree, because every day I ask for God’s help in the decisions I make that day. Without him I don’t see how any elected official can cope with the problems of each day that you have.”