LOWELL — Aldermen approved a resolution Tuesday night to place the phrase, “In God We Trust,” in a prominent place in City Hall.
The city council approved the measure, sponsored by Alderman Kendell Stucki, unanimously and with little discussion.
“I think it’s a good idea,” Stucki said after the meeting. “I think we’re losing touch with God. If we can do something as a city to help, we should.”
Stucki said he got the idea from the council packet, which included a mass e-mail from an organization called In God We Trust - America, Inc., based in Bakersfield, Calif.,
“I didn’t check on the price for a sign,” Stucki said. “But I don’t think it would cost more than a couple of hundred dollars.”
Stucki said he thought the slogan would look good near the seal of the city of Lowell, located behind the mayor’s chair in the council chambers.
City Attorney Tom Kieklak said the sign is legal on a public building.
“They didn’t need to pass a resolution,” Kieklak said. “All they needed to do was pass a way to fund it.”
He doesn’t foresee any legal problems with the move, Kieklak added.
Lowell Mayor Perry Long wasn’t so sure.
“There’s always someone who might have a problem with it,” Long said. “But that’s what the council chose to do and it’s my job to uphold it.”
The e-mail from the In God We Trust - America group says its goal is to encourage each city in American to “predominantly and permanently” display the national motto, “In God We Trust,” in every city hall.
The correspondence also says the Pacific Justice Institute, a nonprofit group based in Sacramento, would defend any government entity facing legal issues at no charge.
An accompanying letter from City Clerk/Treasurer Janette Lasater says 42 cities in Arkansas have passed a resolution placing the motto on city halls and several more cities are pending.
Lasater’s letter cites the website of the Arkansas In God We Trust organization.
Additionally, the city council approved a 2010 Master Street Plan that will dead-end Monroe Avenue at a parking lot near the city park.
Plans are in the works to build a Senior Citizens Center and First Tee golf course adjacent to the park
The council directed the Planning Commission to come up with an alternate east-west corridor to Monroe Street within 60 days.