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—In God We Trust— request divides Tallery council; members split on scheduling agenda item
Summary
Council members debated whether to place a proposal to display the national motto —In God We Trust— in council chambers on a future agenda; members cited past controversy in other cities and divergent local opinions. Two councilmembers supported placing the item on a future agenda, while at least one opposed moving forward now.
Tallery —2 —3 A proposal to place the national motto "In God We Trust" in Tallery's council chambers prompted a pointed discussion on June 16 about timing and community response, and councilmembers expressed differing views about whether to add the item to a future agenda.
Vice Mayor Steve Herold and other proponents urged the council to place the ceremonial motto on a forthcoming agenda in recognition of the nation's 250th anniversary. Supporters framed the language as a patriotic ceremonial phrase used federally and in some other local government chambers.
Opponents cautioned that similar actions in neighboring jurisdictions had prompted heated controversy and that the phrase can be exclusionary in a religiously pluralistic community. One councilmember asked to defer the matter until after the Nov. 3 election to avoid inflaming local politics amid ballot measures and campaigns.
After discussion, a majority of councilmembers indicated support for placing the matter on a future agenda for formal consideration; at least one member expressly opposed immediate action. No final ordinance or placement was adopted on June 16; staff will add the request to the agenda following the council's direction.
