'In God We Trust' to grace City Hall?

Warden placed the item on the agenda for discussion, but doesn't know if it has the support of the rest of the council to make it to an actual vote. He is placing it on the agenda in hopes of getting it approved before the final touches are placed on the new City Hall being constructed on Sixth Avenue.

The trend started when Bakersfield Councilwoman Jacque Sullivan pushed for the motto to appear over the arched entrance of City Hall in 2002. Now she's taking her cause on the road and pushing for other cities to do the same. Warden received a note from her recently that sparked the idea, he said.

If the council agrees with Warden, the item could be up for further discussion and possibly a vote in the next two to four weeks, he said.

Warden said he'd like to see the logo placed in the chambers with a copy of the Constitution. However, he's not beholden to a certain idea is open to suggestions. In Bakersfield, the national motto circles the city's logo on a large wall behind the council seats. Warden said he'd settle for something a little less prominent.

Bakersfield also used private funds to pay for the construction of the motto. Warden said he'd use the same tactic to "take the sting of controversy away."

He also has a copy of a letter from Bakersfield's city attorney specifying the legality of placing the motto in City Hall. If the city decides to vote on it, Belmont's city attorney will also be required to check the legality of the issue.

Although other cities in the Central Valley adopted resolutions calling for the motto to be displayed in public facilities, Warden said Belmont would probably be the first in Northern California.

Dana Yates can be reached by e-mail: dana@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 106. What do you think of this story? Send a letter to the editor: letters@smdailyjournal.com.