Humorous Event

Here in Cape Coral we have a council which was voted in last year and has divided itself into two camps. One consists of the mayor and four councillors who are known as the fab five and four others. The fab five always vote as a block and control every aspect of the business transacted. The mayor and council are updating the rules of order and are stuck on the type of prayer which should precede the business of the day. Our mayor introduced the idea that instead they should have a large copy of the ten commandments placed at the entrance of the council chambers. This would inspire the council members to a high standard.

You can imagine what an uproar this caused and the news media had a field day with the idea. They have pretty well settled this matter after a public outcry but are still concerned over the matter of a silent or verbal invocation at the beginning of council. Perhaps they should just tend to business and stay out of a field that is completely foreign to them. It makes for good comic relief.

Years ago when I was Mayor of a small city in Ontario I had to make up the agenda for the first meeting of the year. We had five new alderman and I was a new Mayor. It was traditional to have a special meeting to more or less introduce the new council and get them started on the right foot. It was also tradition to invite a member of the clergy to say a few words of wisdom in the form of a prayer. I was covering all the bases when I came up with the idea of inviting several members of the clergy.

I invited my friend the Bishop of the Roman Catholic Church, The chairman of the Protestant Clergy Association and the Jewish Rabbi. With pomp and ceremony the Bishop blessed the council and asked God's help in bringing wisdom to the council in making good decisions. The Protestant Minister did likewise and asked God's help in giving the individual Aldermen strength and wisdom in carrying out their duty.

The Rabbi, who had a great sense of humour and command of the audience, stood and silently looked every member of the council in the eye, turned to the gathering of citizens and began to pray for the citizens. We all took it in good faith and it was a good reminder of what we were sent to do as elected officials. Later after the meeting the Rabbi said after hearing all the serious invocations a little humour would not hurt. I agreed.