07072009 Regular Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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Robin Steele, 130 Split Rail, pastor of Promise Land Church and representing the congregation, and Vice President of the San Marcos Ministerial Alliance, stated that he fully endorses invocations at City Council meetings. There is an historical precedence that has been set over 200 years, and the constitution fully supports it. He would like the invocations to be open to all faiths because this is what America is about. Prayer should represent the faces that are in this town. If Christians are the only ones that come to pray, they should be allowed to pray. The final reason to pray is that it works. Joshua Norris, 318 El Camino Way, stated that he is attending the Merchant Marine Academy. He has visited many places around the world, and San Marcos is the most amazing place he has ever been, and it is because of the people. He knows there is no such thing as luck, but he has been blessed. San Marcos is not great by luck, but because God has blessed us in every way. Lisa Coppoletta, 516 Harvey, spoke about the Springtown development. She is opposed to this because we are in an economic recession. Consumers have less expendable income, and we need focus on existing local businesses. We should retain these businesses rather than subsidizing national chains. This will also affect the integrity of some of our neighborhoods. The City Council should focus on small business owners who are struggling, and the role of City Council is to insure they make it through the tough times. Daniel Scales, 516 Harvey, thanked the Mayor for his appointment to the Complete Count Committee even though he had been applying for the Human Services Advisory Committee for a long time. Gary Gilbert, 201 Pioneer Trail, stated that prayer is to the God of the universe, and said that spirits cannot come to men unless they are invited. If we don't ask, we will not receive. He noted that seven years ago the City Council did not pray before the meeting. Peggy Reimenschneider, 147 Tonkawa Trail, said she worships in San Marcos and expects to be a potential resident. The constitution protects every American from any prohibition against practicing their religion. Anyone at the meeting does not have to bow their head. It is an historical fact that our country was founded on Christian principles. The ACLU originally was founded on protecting our civil liberties, but they have shifted to removing our religious liberties. She said a better name would be Anti-Christian Liberties Union. It is freedom of religion, not from religion. She asked the Council to keep invocations on the agenda. Terry Blackstone, 108 Lauren Lane, Kyle, said that prayer has made our nation great and made the city a great place to live. It has made us strong as a city. He believes that since prayer has not been allowed in schools, the education quality has gone down. Earl Moseley, Jr., 250 Stagecoach Trail, read a letter on behalf of Pastor Paul Bunton supporting prayer that provides for the general welfare and governance for the City. He strongly supports opening the meetings with prayer. He may not always agree with the Council, but he believes in the Council's collective wisdom to lead this city and believes prayer has assisted in that area. Prayer is part of the founding principles of our country. He asked the Council to vote their RM070709 Minutes Page 3