Request for Pledge recitation sparks debate in WM council chambers

Request for Pledge recitation sparks debate in WM council chambers

First- year councilman asks that saying the Pledge be reinstituted for 2018

news@theeveningtimes.com

It started as a simple request and quickly blew up into a call for a special work session for the West Memphis City Council.

“Why do you want to bring controversy where there is none?” West Memphis City Councilman Marco McClendon asked fellow councilman Wayne Croom in a pre-council work session, after Croom called for consideration of reinstituting the Pledge of Allegiance before city council meetings are called to order.

Reciting the pledge is not a current practice at city council. Crittenden County Quorum Court Justice of the Peace Lorenzo Parker was at the meeting in his capacity as the city’s Parks and Recreation Department director. He noted the Pledge is said before each Quorum Court meeting.

Mayor Bill Johnson wanted to follow any procedural precedents with regard to the Pledge.

“I don’t know what the proper procedure is,” said Johnson.

Croom indicated he had met with the City Attorney Mike Stephenson and that an agreement among city council was all that was needed. Stephenson said reciting the Pledge had been a past practice and reported his research to the council.

“I don’t know how it started, and honestly I do not know how it stopped,” said Stephenson. “It wasn’t an ordinance that began it and it wasn’t an ordinance repeal that stopped it. I provided a statute which said council can set the agenda, and the rules of the agenda. I believe it could be done by the rules of the agenda and that is how it could possibly be done. It’s up to council. I have not fully investigated it. I heard about this only a few days ago and have done the best I could in a short period of time.”

It seemed like everyone in the room reacted out loud all at once, some Councilors for saluting the flag and others ambivalent about initiating saying the pledge before a public meeting.

Councilor Melanie Hutchinson explored the issue.

“I understand the request, how did this come about?”

asked Hutchinson.

“I’ve been on city council for a year and always wondered why it wasn’t done,” said Croom. “We are a government body that was formed for the people, by the people and we’re expected to have no self-interest. The Pledge is part of the thread that holds us all together.

Councilwoman Ramona Taylor felt rushed to make a decision.

“This is not something that needs to be decided today,” said Taylor. “It’s not a resolution. It’s not on the agenda and we’d have to add it.”

Croom re-emphasized that it did not have to be a resolution, just an agreement, and wanted the Pledge in place in time for the first city council meeting of 2018.

“I think we need something in writing,” replied Taylor. “I’m not so sure this is a good idea,” said Taylor. “I’m not comfortable with this is all. I think we need to have a work session to look at this.”

Croom pointed out that the ongoing meeting was a work session and asked the body to work through the request.

“What kind of agreement are you going to have to have?” asked Johnson.

“Because it is a problem if one participates and one does not. I am being serious now.” “It’s up to the individual to stand or not,” said Councilwoman Helen Harris. “You see it all the time.”

“We have a member of Quorum Court that does not stand now,” said Croom.

City council moved into its regular meeting without a resolution on the issue. In council chambers, during the announcement portion of the agenda, Councilman James Pulliaum set a spe- cial work meeting to consider reinstituting the Pledge of Allegiance on Wednesday, Jan. 3, at 4 p.m. at West Memphis City Hall. Pulliaum had patriotic rationale is championing the move.

“I understand why Mr.

Croom brought it up; he is a veteran and I am myself,” said Pulliaum. “I think we need to have a work session and vote it up or vote it down.”

Five flags are posted in city council chambers as a backdrop behind the bench centered around the city crest. Lined up in proper order are the flags of the United States of America, the State of Arkansas, the City of West Memphis along with a pair of international flags. The Tricolour of France and the Hinomaru of Japan stand with respect for the international businesses operating in West Memphis.

By John Rech