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Controversy at McDowell County meeting as commissioners vote on posting Ten Commandments
Summary
Chair Tony Brown moved to post the Ten Commandments on the courthouse lawn and in county buildings; several commissioners raised separation‑of‑church‑and‑state and legal concerns and asked for attorney guidance before implementation. The transcript records a vote sequence and dissenting 'nay' votes but does not show a clear final implementation decision.
Chairman Tony Brown moved at the Dec. 8 meeting that the county place the Ten Commandments on the courthouse lawn and in all county buildings, framing the motion in historical and religious terms and urging municipalities and the school system to do likewise.
"So therefore, tonight, I make a motion that we put the 10 commandments on our courthouse lawn and in all county buildings," Chairman Tony Brown said after a brief historical preface citing the First and Fourteenth Amendments.
Several commissioners raised caution and legal concerns. One commissioner read Article I, Section 13 of the North Carolina Constitution and warned that as a government entity the board should "stay out of religion" and examine the legal implications to avoid opening the courthouse lawn to other private expressions. That commissioner said the board must consider whether permitting a religious display could require the county to permit other beliefs.
Another commissioner said he supported posting but urged the board to confirm the legal permissibility first. Multiple commissioners asked whether the county attorney had been consulted and requested the issue be placed on a future agenda so members could consider it with legal advice.
The motion was seconded and put to a voice vote amid calls to seek counsel; several commissioners voiced "nay" during the roll call. The transcript records opposition and discussion about amending the motion to seek attorney guidance first, but it does not contain an incontrovertible final tally or a clear record that an implementation plan was approved that evening.
What it means: Commissioners expressed disagreement about the legal and policy consequences of placing a religious text on county property. Commissioners who opposed the immediate action emphasized legal risk and the county’s obligation to treat private religious expression equitably if it allows displays on public grounds.
Next steps: Commissioners asked for guidance from the county attorney; one commissioner suggested changing the motion to request an attorney opinion before executing any display. No definitive implementation timeline or placement plan for the Ten Commandments is recorded in the meeting transcript.
