This is the APPLE Biter Blog, commentary and news on local religion and secular government.

Friday, August 22, 2014

Invocation Rejections from Local Elected Officials - ECSB and Escambia BOCC

UNDER CONSTRUCTION - actual emails
Many just didn't respond. I will post the emails of:

Escambia County Commission - rotates between commissioners
Robertson - rejected, basically: knows plenty of ministers; I don't need your help
Valentino - accepted by phone, reneged later, despite frequently calling on repeats
May accepted - after some badgering
-others (Robinson, Barry) said wait until new calendar because spots filled thru election

Escambia School Board - rotates between school board members
Bergosh - no, not ever ever on my watch
Boone - "i will not need your service"
Hightower - accepted at first, reneged at board meeting
Moultrie, Slayton - no answers, asked thrice
** I know for a fact that the entire ECSB has requests from several other minorities, which they are trying to ignore and screen for POV, instead of taking them in order received, before asking others who didn't request invocation spots.  Generally, they don't deal with requests, they just hand pick representatives of their own beliefs or churches.

Pensacola City Council - they have one OUTDATED rotation instead of invitations chosen by each representative.  They accepted with some prodding, but have delayed new non-clergy speakers and have previously picked speakers according to someone's preference (and the issue at hand).  One preacher called for "Biblical righteousness" in his prayer  - during a meeting about a domestic partnership registry.   Their spreadsheets don't reflect a clear or fair rotation. 

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