A letter to the editor that tells the city that they should remove the church directory on courthouse.
To the Editor,
Please join in on the “sticker” game to convince Athens County Commissioners Charlie Adkins, Chris Chmeil and Lenny Eliason to remove that damn, ugly, now-empty church directory from the face of the courthouse wall. In the first place, it should never have been installed on the courthouse because it violates James Madison’s doctrine “separation of church and state.” And it’s become an embarrassing eyesore.
Even commissioner Chris Chmiel admits the directory is “bulky.” But both he and Adkins have been bullied by long-time commissioner Eliason to ignore this “church-state” situation. In a letter in 2013, Eliason said the commissioners have nothing to do with the directory. In reply, Eliot Kalman and I have told him that the commissioners have the responsibility to monitor what items are installed on and in the courthouse.
You are encouraged, on your own, to join in the campaign to attach bumper stickers and other paraphernalia on the surface of the Plexiglass on the directory. In time, perhaps the growing ugliness of the directory will convince the commissioners to remove the damn thing. In its place should be placed the bronze plaque that is located at the south end of the courthouse wall. It was paid for by taxpayers during the courthouse remodeling project in the 1990s. Enjoy!
John Spofforth is an alumnus of the Ohio University School of Art
