VERO BEACH — An unusually large crowd filled Vero Beach City Hall Tuesday in what appeared to be a show of solidarity against the remarks made two weeks ago by the mayor and vice mayor when they refused to support a proclamation for Humanist Recognition Week.
Two residents called for Craig Fletcher and Tracy Carroll’s resignations while a third, Brian Heady, reminded the City Council that he was ousted from his spot on the Utility Commission because he swore during a meeting.
Heady played the video of the May 2012 City Council meeting that forced his ouster. Within the video, then-Councilman Craig Fletcher said Heady crossed the line and it was appropriate to take action.
“This City Council set the precedent,” Heady said Tuesday when he stopped short of asking for resignations, but asked that now-Mayor Fletcher and Vice Mayor Tracy Carroll step down from their posts and new leaders be selected.
Linda Hillman told the council she was outraged by the “bigotry and prejudice” on display two weeks ago when Fletcher said, “I refuse to support any organization that does not support believe in Jesus Christ;” and Carroll chimed in saying she wanted the record to reflect she didn’t sign the proclamation because her internet research found that humanists and atheism went hand in hand.
Hillman warned the two of them that if they did not resign, she would begin circulating a petition asking that they be removed. Her words were met with a large applause from the audience.
Fletcher and Carroll’s remarks two weeks ago set of a flurry of emails both locally and all over the country to Vero Beach City Hall decrying their actions.
“Bravo to those on your city council who voted to approve the measure declaring a Humanist Recognition Week, and shame on you to the opponents, and in particular, the mayor for mixing your religion with your job and failing at both,” wrote Colorado resident Abram Herman. “Your job is to serve your constituents, including atheists, agnostics and humanists; your job in NOT to use your position as a platform to proselytize. If you could live in Iran or Turkey for a year, and see what it’s like to be on the receiving end of a government forcing beliefs on you with which you don’t agree, you might change your tune and remember that our country was founded on freedom of religion – including freedom FROM religion.”
The executive director of the group Americans United for Separation of Church and State said it would be monitoring the Vero Beach City Council and possibly send a letter informing them that they are doing so.
Two of six people who spoke on subject of the Humanist proclamation stood behind Fletcher and Carroll.
“This whole thing has a stink of political correctness,” said James Richardson.
When all was said and done during public comment, the Vero Beach City Council opted not to address either side and went on with business – business that later included a brief discussion of coming up with ground rules on future proclamations and religious invocations.
Fletcher asked that the city come back with paperwork that would restrict the city from issuing proclamations that revolve around religion.
