Friday, October 01, 1999
Grant Co. backs off biblical posting
Ten Commandments display called risky
BY PATRICK CROWLEY
The Cincinnati Enquirer
WILLIAMSTOWN — Fearing an expensive lawsuit that would be difficult to win, Grant County officials have decided against posting the Ten Commandments in the county fiscal courtroom.
Though some other county governments and school districts elsewhere in Kentucky have recently posted the commandments, Grant County Judge-executive Darrell Link said the fiscal court has decided to wait until legal questions surrounding the issue have been answered.
“Every member of the fiscal court feels deep in their hearts in favor of some time hanging the Ten Commandments in our courtroom or (courthouse) vestibule,” said Mr. Link, who has a copy of the commandments hanging in his private courthouse office.
“We don't want to get into a lawsuit with the (American Civil Liberties Union) and spend $100,000 defending something we know we are going to lose.”
The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that such a display violates the Constitution's ban on government-established religion.
The Kentucky Attorney General's Office has been asked by the Pike County Fiscal Court under what circumstances the Ten Commandments can be posted in county buildings — particularly if public money is not used.
The U.S. House has passed a bill that would allow the commandments to be posted in government buildings. The legislation is now in the Senate, which has not indicated if or when it will act on the bill.
“But we're going to remain patient until the law is on our side,” Mr. Link said.
So far there have been no legal challenges in Kentucky. However, the state associations that insure school boards and counties have told local governments they will not pay for any legal costs regarding the postings.
Last month, the commandments were posted at courthouses in Morehead in Rowan County, and in the Pulaski County seat of Somerset.
School districts that have posted the commandments recently include those in Jackson, Harlan and Breathitt counties in eastern Kentucky.
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