Brown County Commissioners unanimously adopted a resolution Tuesday to continue displaying, within the courtroom, a framed print of the United States motto, “In God We Trust.”

According to County Judge Ray West, the court wished to adopt the resolution to “permanently and prominently display the motto,” which has been hanging in the courtroom.

West explained that the phrase has been utilized as the U.S. Motto since 1956, after having been used unofficially alongside the original motto of “E Pluribus Unum.”  West stated that the phrase was originally used by the 125th Pennsylvania Infantry Unit as a battle cry.

“There are hooligans who would have it removed, so I would like to see that we adopt a resolution that ‘In God We Trust’ be retained as our national motto and that it continue to be displayed permanently and prominently displayed in our courtroom and for that matter, any other portion of the courthouse that we deem appropriate,” said West as the resolution was being considered.

County Clerk Sharon Ferguson stated that most counties across the state have adopted this resolution to retain the national motto.  She stated that an email is received in her office daily of the counties who have adopted this resolution and that all counties are moving toward this.  West stated that all counties and cities within the state should do so.  After the unanimous vote, West stated, “The heathens in Washington who want to do away with this as our national motto should be run out of town on a rail.”

In other matters on Tuesday’s agenda:

*No action was taken to implement a burn ban.  All commissioners agreed conditions and rain forecasts do not warrant such a ban.

*Commissioner Joel Kelton, Precinct 2, received approval of a private line installation on County Road 407.  According to Kelton, the Zephyr Walter Supply is working on an extensive pipeline project and currently have a permit which needs to be modified to run the water line on the other side of the roadway in the right of way.  The installation will require a cut in the gravel road to county specifications.

*Commissioners approved a request by Justice of the Peace Precinct 2 Mike Holder to purchase $1599 in new office furniture for his office.  According to County Auditor Nina Cox, the current furniture is quite antiquated and all of the other JPs have already replaced their office furniture.  The money for the purchase will come from the JPs’ tech fund according to Cox.

*Commissioner Wayne Shaw, Precinct 3 received approval for the purchase of a three-quarter ton 2015 Chevy pickup with four wheel drive.   The vehicle has a gas engine.  It will be purchased by trading in 2003 Chevy, 2005 Chevy, and 2006 Toyota pickups which are owned by the county and have high mileage.  Bids were taken and the bid determined to be the best price for the county was through Bruner Auto Group of Brownwood.  The total price of the new pickup is $31,855; however, with the trade value of the three vehicles, the balance of the purchase will be $1086.32.  The bids considered used Buy Board contract pricing and the main difference of the bids were the trade values offered by competing dealerships.

*Ronnie Lappe of the Historical Commission received approval of appointments of new Brown County Historical Commission members.

*A proclamation was adopted by Commissioners to proclaim Oncor Electric Delivery to be a Brown County Community Partner.  This proclamation was made to recognize Oncor for their commitment to the community in a recent project to rehabilitate County Road 221 in south Brown County after a large substation was built in the area by Oncor.  This project caused wear and tear on the roadway and seeing the need for rehabilitation of the roadway to insure ease and safe passage for the men and women of Brown County.  The proclamation also recognized the many volunteer hours and charitable contributions Oncor has made to benefit the Brown County community.  Pictured below is Commissioner Gary Worley presenting the Proclamation to Ken Harris of Oncor.