Sandpoint council debates monument's future

SANDPOINT — Most who attended Wednesday’s meeting want the city’s Ten Commandment’s monument to stay right where it is — at Farmin Park.

No decisions were made at the City Council meeting, which brought out more than 100 people. Instead, city officials added the item to gather public opinion over the potential removal of the monument from public property.

The controversy which erupted last week followed a letter received in November from the Freedom From Religion Foundation recommending the city remove the monolith.

Hiram Sasser, managing director of strategic litigation at the Liberty Institute, provided the big discussion point of the night by offering to represent the city free of charge should a lawsuit occur. An organization based in Plano, Texas, the Liberty Institute is a nonprofit law firm involved in many high-profile religious litigation cases.

“We’re pretty much the leading experts in the country on these types of cases,” Sasser told council members.

According to Sasser, the city has a good case if it’s ever required to argue for the monument’s placement in Farmin Park. That’s because the Ten Commandments monument meets several characteristics that have been important factors in previous cases. First, the monument, which was originally placed in 1972, has a 40-year history free from significant controversy or complaint. Second, the monument was originally donated by the Fraternal Order of the Eagles to the city for secular purposes, not religious ones. Finally, the monument, when combined with other plaques and commemorative items, adds to the historic context of the park, he said.

Based on those characteristics and the investigations the city has already conducted on the issue, Sasser said there’s a strong foundation in place if the city is ever sued.

“Your city attorney has been doing a great job in his research,” he told the council.

“I think the city has taken all the right steps toward handling this issue,” he added after the meeting. “It appears to me they want to make sure they’re following the law and conducting a thorough investigation.”

Many meeting attendees were grateful to hear about the offer for legal defense. Of the dozens of comments spoken or filed for the record, the large majority were in favor of keeping the monument where it stands.

“If you want to put something up on the other side of the park that reflects your beliefs, am I going to be offended? No!” said Mark Watts.

Bonner County Commissioner Glen Bailey also attended the meeting to express his support for the monument’s placement.

“I think it’s a historical document as well as a religious document, and I support it being there on a historic basis,” he said.

However, some individuals turned out to offer a dissenting opinion. Aidan Millheim, a member of the National Guard, represented the Inland Northwest Atheist Alliance in advocating for its removal. He said he originally moved to Sandpoint because he felt it was a town welcome to all viewpoints.

“The only reason we object to this monument is on the issue of separation (of church and state),” he said.

Similarly, Celeste Lawrence said that no one was suggesting the monument be taken from the people — only that it be moved from public property.

“If everyone is to enjoy the park equally, it should be neutral and free of religious monuments,” she said.

Pastor Ken Lawrence of River of Life Fellowship offered a moderating voice in his turn at the microphone. He thanked city officials for their work and encouraged attendees to be respectful as discussions continue.

“What I would like to do is encourage everyone to be loving and understanding of those they might disagree with,” he said.