The Adobe Flash Player is required to view this multimedia interactive. Get it here.

Ohio mayor vetoes city council prayers

Butler County Fair Results, Thursday, July 29
3:20 p.m.
Suspect sought in ‘vicious’ fatal assault
3:00 p.m.
Jewelry store thieves hit store in about 2 minutes
2:58 p.m.
No swimming, fishing advisory for Grand Lake St. Marys continues
2:24 p.m.
Vastly different portraits emerge of Baby Vanessa's father
Updated 1 min. ago
> More headlines

E-mail this page

The Associated Press 1:21 PM Thursday, October 15, 2009

SHELBY, Ohio — A mayor has vetoed a proposal that would have required a city council in Ohio to start meetings with a prayer.

Shelby Mayor Bill Freytag told the council in an e-mail that he took the action Wednesday on the advice of the city's law director, who felt the ordinance was unconstitutional.

The measure was approved 3-2 earlier this month by council members in the city of 49,000 about 65 miles north of Columbus. Supporters pointed out that the Ohio Legislature and the U.S. Congress open sessions with a prayer.

The mayor noted that the proposal had been the subject of much debate and had resulted in numerous phone calls and letters to his office, some from outside the area.

The city council may try to override the veto, which would require a vote of 4-1.

___

October 15, 2009 05:15 PM EDT

Share this article

ADD COMMENT

Comments feed

I'm not a religious fanatic, an atheist or a politician. I am an American. Please don't allow another step in removing God from our Country. America was founded on the belief in God and freedom of religion. As Americans that is what we are and where we came from. If you don't like to pray (where ever or when ever), then don't. You have that right and no one should bother you about or deny you that right. But if someone does want to pray, let them. Don't lose a right due to fear.

Steve Savko
7:17 PM, 10/16/2009

REPORT ABUSE

We welcome your comments. Please remember this is a public forum and behave appropriately. Your comments must conform to our visitor's agreement.