‘In God We Trust’ effort’s leader monitors Clark County debate

After weeks of contentious debate, the Clark County council voted 2 to 1 Tuesday to display “In God We Trust” in their public hearings room.

Councilor Jeanne Stewart cast the dissenting vote.

“At the first hearing, I saw what seemed to be a conversion of the issue,” Stewart said. “It created unnecessary turmoil and conflict. Sadly, it entered a political realm. A realm where God became a political football, and I find that deeply distressing.”

During a council meeting that at times felt more like a church service, more than two weeks of debate culminated in nearly four hours of public comment. Many were forced to watch the meeting from an overflow room opened for the crowd.

About 80 people spoke, almost evenly split between those for and against posting the national motto on a wall of the chamber.