Battle Ground residents clash over restoring invocations; motion to unseal legal opinion fails

A motion to add consideration of a legal opinion on invocation to the public agenda failed at the start of the May 18 meeting, leaving the city’s prior legal advice confidential. The council then heard a prolonged citizens‑communication period in which multiple speakers urged reinstating invocations and others urged inclusion and caution.

Proponents framed invocation as a long American tradition and a source of humility for leaders. Skyler Martin, who said he is a Battle Ground resident, told the council: "By renewing prayer before the task of governing this city, you will stand in a long history of great civic leaders." Several other residents echoed that view, invoking historical examples and saying a moment of prayer would encourage moral reflection.

Opponents urged care about equal treatment in a religiously diverse community. Xander Garcia said controversial invocations at a prior meeting had included speech the speaker called "vile" and urged the council to adopt a fair, civil policy for invocations. Jessica Cole, a resident who said she had reviewed the proposed proclamation language, warned that revisiting a legal question the city already studied would incur additional taxpayer cost because legal services are contracted.

Council members heard both perspectives. After public comment the council ultimately voted to move forward with reconsideration of the RV municipal code item discussed earlier; the invocation motion to unseal the opinion had already failed. No ordinance change on invocation was adopted at this meeting.

The record shows broad civic engagement on the issue and underscores the sensitivity of religious prayer in public forums. Several speakers urged the council to craft an invocation policy that protects civility while avoiding exclusion; others urged the council to restore invocations outright.