 Artist rendition of proposed Kissimmee city logo |
Commissioners in the city of Kissimmee, Fla., have rejected a proposal to add “In God We Trust” to the municipality’s logo after the mayor launched a diatribe against the opinions of the commissioner who proposed it.
According to the Orlando Sentinel, Mayor Jim Swan read a statement at this week’s meeting criticizing as “irresponsible” the opinions expressed by commissioner Art Otero.
The report said Otero has cited the “socialist” leanings of the administration of President Obama and had objected to the president’s advocacy for homosexuality, abortion and legalized marijuana.
Such opinions, stated Swan, had brought “criticism, ridicule and sensationalism” to the city.
The newspaper said the mayor reported answering 60 e-mails about the issue.
The commission voted 4-1 against Otero’s proposal.
“The city of Kissimmee doesn’t want to be seen as anti-anything,” the newspaper quoted Commissioner Cheryl Grieb saying, “We’re such a melting pot.”
Otero had proposed the addition of the national motto to the city’s logo to promote patriotism and values, the newspaper reported. The paper also said Otero subsequently declined to comment to a reporter but said he would pray for the reporter.
The opinions on the newspaper’s comment page ranged from, “Our Founding Fathers decided this from the very foundation of our nation and government,” to, “Where you christians go wrong is you don’t ever question what you think. … It’s about thinking! Something you wouldn’t understand.”
In the middle was, “I am an atheist and I believe it is a good thing to have ‘In God We Trust’ on the logo. Our nation was built on Christian values which I agree with. I do not agree with the evil religion of islam which wants to kill all non believers, degrades and abuses women.”
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WND Staff