Comments on: Pastor Says New Life Has Never Paid Utility Bill Since Moving Into Old High School

By: Tax payer

Tax payer — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 17:18:28 +0000

“Since August of 2004………………………
It was an oversight,” Stallworth said in his first interview on the issue. “We’ve never had a bill, so the trustees have never had anything to pay.”

Come on people, leave religion out of this problem..It will only confuse this already cloudy picture! And I’m sure the District and Mr. Stallworth could come up with a better response than this..give the tax payer and voters a little more credit than the cheap response given from both sides!!!!! The problem seems larger than they want people to know….keep digging concern citizens, the Truth will come out!

By: Trish

Trish — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 13:52:36 +0000

Max,

This may shock you, but I agree with you. Like I said, I like to look at all sides of the picture. When people communicate we see not only what we don’t have in common but more importantly what we do have in common. That is what makes a great country.

By: Max

Max — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 04:33:25 +0000

Now to respond to your pole comment. Yes they were afraid of being arrested. BUT what happened, there were those who attended and absolutely nothing happened. We still have organized “See you at the Pole” events here in our own local school district. AND we still have bible clubs in our own local school district schools. The only thing is that they must be student led. The students may lead and the teachers may join. I may not be old enough to remember the first events that you speak of, but I am not so old as to not remember these events that occured as recently as this last school year.
I see no reason why we can allow our students to continue organizing gay and lesbian clubs which destroy healthy family units and not allow other students to organize those “threatening” bible clubs. If you don’t agree, don’t sign up and don’t attend. Government property if for the use of ALL citizens without respect of religious orientation! Remember, your tax dollars support these government properties, BUT mine do too.

By: Max

Max — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 04:26:28 +0000

Trish, thanks for the reply. However NOwhere in the Constitution or the Amendments does it state “Separation of Church and State” as you made reference. Now you are on track to the correct analysis when you say that Thomas Jefferson made reference to a wall of separation. However when you read the 1st Amendment as written it speaks of the government making laws “respecting the establishment of religion.” This is the wall of separation. That government may not establish its own religion as England did in our founding fathers days. Don’t mean to beat a deadhorse, but nothing prohibits any government body from leasing space to nonprofit organizations or churchs and is commonly done both here and elsewhere. The old Barrineau Park Elementary School was used for the Northend Communtiy Church until they were able to obtain their own facilities.
It is interesting how when a disaster occurs, the government is rarely able to function easily and almost always turns to religious organizations to help the citizens as most religious organizations mobilize themselves better than the government can mobilize the public servants. But in the normal course of everyday life, citizens such as yourself then want the government to turn its back on religious organizations. Kinda like the pot calling the kettle black.

Sorry for the rambling, but to address your concerns, there is no fundamental problem with a government body leasing a public building that is not inhabited or being utilized to a religious organization. That is not the establishment of a “government religion.” They do not mandate that citizens must attend this organizations services or else.

By: Trish

Trish — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 03:09:14 +0000

Max,

If I remeber correctly, the first time there was prayer at the pole, people were afraid that they would be arrested because it was on school property. And very few people showed up. I aso vagly remember controversy over letting after school clubs be religious oriented. And I do believe it was all about church and state, First Amendment. Maybe you are not old enough to remember these things.

By: Trish

Trish — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 02:03:42 +0000

Max,

Thank you very much, I have read the First Amendment. Have you read Thomas Jefferson’s speech from Jan. 1, 1802. He is responding to a Baptist Association and makes the statement of the “wall of separation” between church and state estalished by the First Amendment.

We could pick this to pieces. Lawyers argue over this all of the time, and I really do love to debate. It is the best way to see all of the sides of the picture.

The point is that this was a huge mistake by both parties, the church and the school board. Correct it then we can get on to the next problem.

By: concerned citizen

concerned citizen — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 16:06:34 +0000

When the church leased the building and area around the building they were keenly aware of the situation. I wish the school board could pay everyone’s utility bills but they can’t. We can’t even keep schools open. I wonder what else the school board is paying for that is irresponsible on their part or they are unaware of? I wonder who has time to investigate that?

By: concerned citizen

concerned citizen — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 16:03:35 +0000

It is that simple if you have a lease and the church does. I am sure that it is defined in the lease what areas they are responsible for and what they are not. They have had several years to make the necessary arrangements with the groups they lease to and allow to use their facilities. I am sure that this is all clearly outlined in the paperwork.

If the church lets groups such as Relay for Life use their facilities I would assume they would either allow them to use it for free and consider it a donation/ community service or arrange payment for usage. As far as Headstart, they pay rent and utilities at all sites they use unless the church did not enter into a lease with them. In that case, the church is paying the bills of an organization that has plenty of funding from the feds to pay their way. That is not the school board’s responsibility that is the choice of the church.

They have had plenty of time and experience to understand the nature of what they are doing. If they are using it as a multi-use facility I am sure they are collecting appropriate funds to keep it operational. It appears to be operational now so apparently they know what they are doing.

However, if they have not been paying the substantial utility bills I wonder if they are able to pay them now. That is their business and it is a business. It is not the business of the school board and taxpayers to pay their way.

By: Delane Garrett

Delane Garrett — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 15:50:13 +0000

One more thing.I am so sick of people using God to do things like not pay utilitiey bills for four years. If that were aprivate citizen all hell would break loose in less than the time it would take for Escambia River to print a bill! My God!!!!!!!!! I’ve everything now!!!!!!!!!

By: Delane Garrett

Delane Garrett — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 15:43:34 +0000

Please, don’t tell me someone is stupid enough to think they are getting free electricity!!!!!! This man (pastor?) should have to pay for the past electricity he has used. Everyone in this area has been through the same storms he has and believe me, we would have known if we were not getting power bills. Again I say PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!