FRESNO, CA (KMJ) After more than two hours of debate, the Fresno City Council on Thursday evening passed a controversial measure that will put the motto ‘In God We Trust’ on the wall of council chambers.
The vote was 6-0 in favor. Councilman Oliver Baines was absent.
District 6 Councilman Garry Bredefeld was behind the drive to place the motto in chambers, however his motives have been questioned by critics of the concept.
‘It went 6-0, it was a unanimous vote, and I am so gratified to the council. We are now the largest city in the state of California to have done so and it sends a very positive message that this is a community that is patriotic that has great values and its a faithful community, of course, not everybody is – we accept that – that is the greatness of our country.” – District 6 Representative Gary Bredefeld.
Public comment was limited to two minutes because so many people signed up to voice their opinions.
Council member Paul Caprioglio voiced concerns over any possible litigation and the subsequent costs that he estimated could be upwards of $100,000 dollars to defend the City of Fresno, but reportedly the city will not being paying for the signage or any lawsuits relating to the installation, instead, that will be privately funded.
Click below to listen to a report by KMJ’s Liz Kern:
