City Hall Meeting

For the last several years I have attended city hall meetings as much as I could. Sometimes I just shake my head, these are adults and I wonder if they are listening to themselves and each other. This meeting a young police officer asked the board if he could use the park this summer to engage kids in sports and even a Bible Study. I remembered reading an article about how the President and Vice President and other staffers are having Bible Studies at the White house. I expect good things when we begin to honor God. The other thing is it seems we do follow leadership. My disappointment was when the only Minister on the city counsel started to speak first and told how she carefully wears the different hats she wears, I am sure she was referring to being the Pastor of a local congregation and also being on the city counsel. Went on to talk about her Bible Study she does on Wednesday and then said, she could not support this young man and his activities. She mentioned separation of Church and State. I think those against Christianity have been very successful in hindering any efforts to live our faith publicly. This idea that it violated separation of church and state is false because our forefathers wanted freedom of Religion and not from religion. What is so puzzling to me is schools can teach Muslim faith as part of diversity yet when a Christian attempts something on his own just wanting permission to use a park, he gets shut down. It really bothered me that this objection came from the only minister on the city counsel. Instead of trying to help a young man who as a police officer is trying to right some of the wrongs we see in our country, she shoots him down. Why not seek to help and advise in acceptable ways to promote an activity that is meant to foster a better relationship between police and our youth. As I think about this, one friend was trying to organize a Christian fellowship at his place of employment. His application was shot down thirteen times before it was finally accepted. On the other hand an LGBT group was approved on the first try at this same company, at the same plant. Actually I think it was the 15th time it was finally approved.  The  officer was not asking for any funds, just permission to use the park. He was willing to pay out of his own pocket. Might I add here that our police officers are the lowest paid officers I know of. In this town they are at minimum wage and supply their own gun and vests.  I did try and support our police department last year by donating funds for at least one vest when there was a grant to supply our officers with vests but was one short of the officers on payroll. I am not sure the money was actually used for the vest because they also had a need for firearms, and I allowed them to use the funds as they saw fit. This board needs new blood and I am hopeful myself and others can win elections this year. Every position including the mayor has a challenger and I am so pleased with the people that are running against the incumbents. There is only one incumbent I would like to see reelected. Time is getting closer, but I am really  encouraged by the people I see running for the city counsel. God help us, even in a small town, we need God's help. God bless, LVZ.