Amanda Dodson | The Stokes News King City Council voted unanimously to add “In God We Trust” to the exterior façade of City Hall. In August, the council voted to add the motto to King Police Department as well. The installation comes at no cost to the city and will be paid for by the U.S. Motto Action Committee. -

In June of this year, King City Council voted unanimously to place “In God We Trust” on the front of City Hall, and on police and fire vehicles. The council made the same decision on Aug. 1 to add the national motto to the exterior façade of King’s Police Department.

The cost of materials and installation is paid for by the U.S. Motto Action Committee, an organization who offers placement of the sign at no expense to government bodies. The group raises funds and is working to install “In God We Trust” within or outside government buildings in as many communities as possible within all counties in the state.

Councilman Wesley Carter said it was an extremely patriotic project and would come at no cost to the city. Carter explained the phrase “In God We Trust” stretched back to the 1860’s when it was passed by congress and added to coin money.

“This is something that’s been in our country’s history for over 150 years,” he said. “We’ve all seen it, appreciated it and had no problem with it for a long, long time. I normally wouldn’t want to point out things, but its public record and I feel like it needs to be said publically.”

“If there’s ever a time that we need to read the words, ‘In God We Trust’, it’s now. Every day we turn on the news and another police officer is being killed. If there’s ever a time that we need to look at those words, and not just glance at them, it’s now.”

The councilman believes political correctness is controlling the country.

“If you’re offended by that I would encourage you to never go to Washington D.C. because you’re going to see hundreds and hundreds of things just like that. You’re going to see the Ten Commandments and pictures of Moses carrying the Ten Commandments.”

“As for me and the rest of the council, this is something that’s patriotic and ought to be done. For me, I will not cower to any pressure. I will not cower to any pressure from a small percentage of the population. This is something I feel strongly about,” he said. “Suddenly now when the city of King wants to do something that 70 plus municipalities and counties in the state have done, suddenly now we are offensive. I think it’s a great thing and I wish we’d have done it eight years ago when I got here.”

Carter reminded those attending the council’s monthly meeting that he was up for re-election in November.

“If you don’t like the way I stand you’re welcome to run against me. You’re welcome to vote against me. Someone can sit in my seat that can vote otherwise, but for me I will not waiver on this issue.”

Amanda Dodson can be reached at 336-813-2426 or on Twitter at AmandaTDodson.

King City Council voted unanimously to add “In God We Trust” to the exterior façade of City Hall. In August, the council voted to add the motto to King Police Department as well. The installation comes at no cost to the city and will be paid for by the U.S. Motto Action Committee. https://www.thestokesnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_DSC_0283.jpg King City Council voted unanimously to add “In God We Trust” to the exterior façade of City Hall. In August, the council voted to add the motto to King Police Department as well. The installation comes at no cost to the city and will be paid for by the U.S. Motto Action Committee. Amanda Dodson | The Stokes News