Forest Hills adds prayer to open village meetings

By Rose Hooper

"At least during my term anyway, I would like to see us begin our meetings with prayer. I know I, for one, could use a little guidance in helping us to conduct the peoples' business," Davis continued.

Board members discussed the legality of prayer at a public meeting. Jim Wallace said if state legislators could have prayer as part of their meetings, surely the Village of Forest Hills could, too.

Dick Iobst said legislators on a federal level also begin with prayer, so he didn't think it would be any problem for Forest Hills to do likewise.

After much discussion, board members agreed unanimously to add prayer to their meetings, and Davis, taking the lead, began the Feb. 4 meeting with a short prayer.

Board members also agreed to forge ahead with sending the message that the village will not tolerate loud late-night, early-morning noise and parties. Jackson County Sheriff's Deputies Ronnie Melton and Kim Hooper attended the meeting and explained the county's noise ordinance, which they said is applicable in Forest Hills.

Both officers stressed that for effectiveness, residents must be willing to sign issuing papers and to testify in court against offenders.

"You have to take it one step further than just calling in a complaint," said Melton. "You have to follow it through the court system. The more of you who are willing to band together to do that, the more effective you will be."

Board members also discussed employing an off-duty deputy three nights a week ­ Thursday, Friday and Saturday ­ for approximately three hours each night. The deputy, who would be in a patrol car and instantly accessible by cell phone or dispatch, would be paid $20 an hour, if approved.

Financial officer Jim Weir cautioned that although the village did have surplus funds, the budget contained no line item with funds to hire a deputy. If they so choose, the board must vote to allocate specific funding for that purpose, he said.

Wallace, assisted by former mayor Irene Hooper, was asked to draft a letter to residents asking their opinion on the matter. The letter will be reviewed and the issue brought up at the village's next meeting.

Back to Archive: 02/07/02.