Muncie council president wants ‘In God We Trust’ decals on fire and police vehicles
The president of Muncie’s city council is proposing adding a religious decal to first responder vehicles in the city. As IPR’s Stephanie Wiechmann reports, residents told the council to spend city money on more practical things.
Audio Transcript
The ordinance sponsored by Republican council president Jeff Green would require adding an “In God We Trust” decal to all police and fire vehicles.
Citizens speaking at the city council meeting overwhelmingly opposed the idea.
“When money is tight at home, we look at our expenses and decide what is essential and what can wait,” said Chelsea McDonnel. “I believe our city should be doing the same thing.” She also questioned spending money on something that would not make the vehicles safer or better able to respond to emergencies.
Misty Barton said she believes in Jesus Christ and is a life-long Catholic, but said, “It is not a city’s place to tout Christian beliefs.”
The ordinance describes the historic use of the phrase on U.S. currency and in other state agencies, including on license plates created by the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles.
Resident Audie Barber pointed out that Hoosiers have a choice to display the “In God We Trust” license plate or another state-created option without the phrase.
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Green said he didn’t know how many vehicles the ordinance would cover, but council member Nora Powell guessed it was more than 200.
Green also said he didn’t have a final cost for the decals. He said was quoted between $1,500 and $3,000 in total from a company he did not name.
Both residents and council members said they think that quote is too low and the price will end up being much larger for decals that will withstand wear and washing. A resident also pointed out that it’s a reoccurring cost, as every new vehicle bought or replaced will need a decal.
Green was asked by both residents and fellow council members who asked him to write the ordinance. He replied, “I had some approach me concerning this. They would like to see this done as an act of encouragement in all the things that have been going on here recently. And I think we’re all aware of things that have taken place in our country.”
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Republican Muncie Mayor Dan Ridenour said he fully supports the decals. He said he would pay the bill with the EDIT tax fund he controls, if the price is as low as Green has quoted.
Council member Ro Selvey was born and raised in Lebanon. She said even her Muslim friends believe in one God. She considers the decals to mean God in all forms, not just “Jesus Christ.” She said she’d vote to introduce the ordinance, but would vote it down on second reading if the price for the decals becomes too high.
The proposal advanced on yes votes by all Republican council members. It will be considered again in October. Green has said he would have a more solid price for the proposal at that meeting.
Stephanie Wiechmann is our Managing Editor and “All Things Considered” Host. Contact her at slwiechmann@bsu.edu.
