VERO BEACH — Religious proclamations could become a thing of the past if a proposal drafted by the City of Vero Beach’s attorney, the city’s clerk and Vice Mayor Tracy Carroll earns support of the city council.
Proclamations recognizing everything from Boy Scouts and milestone birthdays are common at the start of City Council meetings and typically go off without a hitch.
That was until last month when Mayor Craig Fletcher publicly stated that he refused to throw his support behind a group of humanists asking that a week be set aside in June that recognizes the deeds of many humanist nationwide. Fletcher said he refused to support an organization that did not accept Jesus as their lord and savior.
Carroll also chimed in saying her research on the internet led her to believe the group was essentially an atheist group.
Within hours, emails from all over the country starting flooding City Hall denouncing the words of Fletcher and Carroll. Locally, a petition has been circulating in an attempt to throw Fletcher and Carroll out of office.
Without bringing up the June meeting, members of City Council on Tuesday reviewed a 3-page resolution that if passed clearly spells out guidelines.
“Proclamations shall not be issued regarding the subject matter of ideological, religious, spiritual or philosophical beliefs, practice of theories or for matters or events espousing hatred, violence or racism,” states one of the guidelines.
Councilman Jay Kramer was the only member to express concern. He said expressly barring religious proclamations could be perceived as interfering with the First Amendment.
The council will vote on the matter when it meets next on Aug. 20.
