God’s laws to be posted

FRANKLIN — The St. Mary Parish Council approved a motion Wednesday that provides for the posting of a copy of the Ten Commandments in the parish courthouse.

Councilman Michael Domingue initiated a discussion during the council’s meeting. Domingue requested that the council approve a motion to place a copy of the Ten Commandments in the facility.

In his plea for the motion, Domingue alluded to the incident in Alabama in 2003 that caught national attention.

“There was a judge from Alabama who had the Ten Commandments in his courthouse, and it went all the way to the Supreme Court. Although his life was ruined by this whole fight, he actually won,” Domingue said of former Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore.

In that case, Moore placed a stone monument that bore the commandments.

“This is part of a movement going on nationwide. This is not religion. This is our culture. We’d like to put our culture in the courthouse,” Domingue said.

Only one council member questioned Domingue’s request. Councilman Peter Soprano asked how much the document would cost.

Council Clerk Kim Pusateri said the cost of the scroll-like document is $10, and it can be framed for placement upon the wall at the expense of the parish.

“That’s one dollar a commandment. I think we can handle that,” Domingue said.

The council unanimously passed the motion to place the commandments in the building.

In Slidell, the Louisiana chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union announced it would pursue legal action if a print of Jesus Christ holding a copy of the Ten Commandments were not removed from the courthouse wall.

In other business, the council also received a request from the Bring Back the Neighborhood Park Board of Baldwin.

Board member Danny Pierre made the request for a press box and a restroom area in the park.

The council took the request under advisement. Council Chairman Albert Foulcard said he has visited the park and said a concession stand is also needed.