Published: December 04, 2006 07:41 pm         

Committee discusses appearance, disappearance of Moses

While his spirit may live on in the hearts of thousands of Cumberland County residents, a statue bearing the resemblence of Moses holding the Ten Commandments has been removed from the sidewalk directly in front of the county courthouse. The wooden chainsaw-carved Moses statue had been in front of the courthouse since last June during Depot Days and recently was removed.

"A friend of mine left it there after it was on display for Depot Days and it stayed there for a while. It was picked up and gone for a while and then put back and now it's been removed again. It may even come back again," said Cumberland County Mayor Brock Hill.

Hill was responding to citizens who attended a buildings and grounds committee meeting Thursday night in order to discuss the statue.

No action was taken at the meeting and commissioners are waiting for an opinion on the matter from county attorney Jim Thompson.

Several residents at the meeting questioned why the statue was put on the sidewalk in the beginning and who gave permission for it to be there and why had it remained there for so long. Some also asked about a similar carved nativity set on display at the far end of the courthouse lawn.

"The county mayor gave the OK," Hill said.

According to members of the buildings and grounds committee, the committee has given the county mayor the authority to OK or disapprove any displays on the courthouse grounds. Anyone who wishes to put up a display can fill out an application from the county mayor's office and Hill decides if it's OK or not.

"We're not being insensitive to other religions or beliefs. We've never turned any others down and we've never been asked by any others," Hill said.

"So does anyone have the right then?" Cumberland County resident Louise Gorenflo asked.

Gorenflo had requested the subject be put on the agenda for discussion at the meeting.

"My understanding of it is it's the law. If we OK one then we have to OK any others. If we let one, then we have to let them all. I mean they would have to fill out the application for approval," building and grounds committee chairman Harry Sabine said.

"I don't know why I'm here. It's such a clear decision. Why all the games? We're all adults. I shouldn't have to be here like this. Didn't you take an oath to swear to support and uphold the Constitution?" Gorenflo asked.

"Well, yes. Of course," 9th District Commissioner Carmin Lynch responded.

"It hurts me to have to be here like this ... One of the reasons I have always loved this community is that we are a law abiding community. Why violate the Constitution?" Gorenflo asked.

"Well, we haven't yet. Nobody else has asked," Hill said.

"One way or the other we need a rule on this," said 1st District Commissioner Harry Sabine.

Jeff Brown, 8th District commissioner, offered a motion that the grounds be open to every religion and 3rd District Commissioner Lynn Tollet supported the motion saying that the applicants must follow the process and procedure.

"I feel uncomfortable making a policy with only five people here on the committee," Lynch said.

"Well, we can make it so it has to come before the entire commission," Brown said.

"Frankly, it scares me to just how much we are opening the door to anyone by leaving it the way it is," Sabine said. "I have spoken with other people over this and other attorneys and they've said we ought to get rid of it and do none. If we permit it to stay, then we open the door. I don't want to see us having to let all of the others," Sabine said.

Brown then withdrew his motion and made another motion to wait for any action until hearing the opinion and recommendation from county attorney Jim Thompson over the matter.

Commissioners Sabine, Tollet, Michael Harvel, 7th District, and Brown voted in favor of the motion. Lynch voted no. The county will now wait for Thompson's opinion over the matter.