Ontario council approves 'In God We Trust' to city seal
City Council members have determined that at least in their chambers, the words "In God We Trust" will always be with them.
The council unanimously agreed Tuesday to put those words in a semi-circle above the city seal in council chambers in City Hall.
"It was not difficult for me to bring this to the council, I knew they support God," said Councilman Alan Wapner, who requested the item be taken to vote.
Several weeks ago, Wapner come across a request from In God We Trust America, a volunteer-based organization asking the state's elected officials to display the nation's motto under the emblems of their respective cities.
Wapner said he is not concerned about any future litigation revolving the decision, adding that it became the nation's motto when it was approved by Congress in 1956.
"I read the legal material backing, and I felt comfortable with what we were doing," he said.
The exact cost for the addition to the city seal will be $375, but Wapner said donations from the public and the council will cover the costs.
On Wednesday, Annie Laurie Gaylor, co-president of Freedom from Religion Foundation, said she was sorry to hear the city approved the logo change.
Gaylor, whose foundation is based in Madison, Wis., said she didn't think the statement was a fair representation of Ontario residents.
"It should say 'In God some of us Trust,' and that would be a silly motto," she said.
About 15 percent of the nation's population and about 17 percent of California's population are atheists, she said, adding that there is interest in pursuing legal objection.
"It's aggravating to many of our members, you shouldn't be pounded with the belief in God," she said.
Councilman Jim Bowman acknowledged that their decision may cause a difference of opinion and "collectively we have to be prepared to defend that (decision)."
Ontario resident Thelma Rojo said she opposed the move and asked that the city keep church and state separate.
"It's specific to Judeo-Christian traditions and alienates non-believers," Rojo told the council.
Ontario resident Tom Burciaga thanked Wapner and the council for adopting the item.
Randy Inlow, manager of Bellevue Memorial Park who had attended the meeting for another reason, also thanked the council for taking action.
"It is our national motto, it is chiseled in stone in our public institutions," he said.
In the Inland Empire, similar decisions have been made in Chino, Highland and Victorville.
To date, 64 cities in the state and more than 70 cities nationwide have made the change, said Jacquie Sullivan, founder of In God We Trust America.
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| Liset Márquez has covered the city of Ontario for the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin since 2008. She started the OntarioNow blog in August 2008. To contact Liset, leave a comment on this blog or send an e-mail to Liset Marquez |
I think leaving the "In God We Trust" is a wonderful choice. And for the lady Annie Laurie Gaylor....I see the name of your company has the word "Freedom" in it. Give the city a chance to have Freedom in Ontario. Choose God! It's hell without him. She should be ashamed of herself for commenting "some" trust him. I thank the Daily Bulliten for putting this on the front page. AMEN!!
Thanks for the nice writing. I will be returning.
So glad to support our wise city council who recogize that this great nation was founded on Christian principles, by God trusting people. To say otherwise is
not accepting truth and history.
I am proud to have Ontario adopt our national motto - "In God we Trust".
God bless America!