(WBTV) They defended a Christian’s right to speak in a public park in Tennessee, fought for a Christian student’s right to give an anti abortion speech at a public school in Virginia, and supported a Florida Christian who wore an anti-Islam tee shirt to a public school.

“They” are the ACLU.

Even so, the group is under fire from some Christians in Rowan County for its stand against prayers offered in the name of Jesus at Rowan County Commission meetings.

“Heavenly Father,” Chairman Chad Mitchell opened the meeting.  “I thank you for the opportunity you’ve given us to come together and work on business of Rowan County.  On this President’s Day I ask for your wisdom and grace for your elected representatives and those in authority and I ask for your guiding hand in our deliberations and decisions, in Jesus name I pray, amen.”

That prayer, and the amen that closed it, was echoed by many in the packed meeting room.

Hundreds turned out for the Monday night meeting where the issue was discussed during the public comments section.

“The name of Jesus turns men away because they do not understand the grace and the love of God,” said one woman. “Do you want to us but we will not back down on our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. His name is Jesus and by God’s grace, I’ll keep calling him Jesus, what about you guys?,” offered one man.

There is one voice in dissent to the majority.

“This is like a revival and it’s not supposed to be when public business is being discussed,” the speaker said. “I don’t have confidence that you commissioners represent me and my best interest when you make public decisions and public policy.  I ask for the respect of you guys not using public meetings to advance and promote your religion, because that’s what it seems to be.”

That speaker told WBTV today that he was so intimidated by those in attendance, that he preferred his name not be used in this story.

Late Tuesday afternoon, the ACLU did respond to a request from WBTV to answer a few questions. Katy Parker, Legal Director for the ACLU of North Carolina told WBTV that the ACLU had gotten four complaints from citizens who objected to the sectarian prayer.  She said that since the controversy became public, there had been “a few more.”

Parker also told WBTV that the ACLU is hoping that “cooler heads will prevail,” and that the commission will “follow the law” and stop offering the prayer in the name of Jesus.

Parkers says the ACLU is standing up for Rowan County residents who are not in the religious majority.

“What really gets lost by the press, the media, is how it feels to be a religious minority in these cities and counties, and there a lot of religious minorities in Rowan County,” Parker said.  “Religious minorities are being excluded by their own government.”

The ACLU has given the board until March 5 to come up with a new plan of action.  Parker says litigation is possible.  “We did litigate this matter in Forsyth County, we hope we won’t have to do that here.”  Parker pointed out that the Forsyth County suit, in which the court sided with the ACLU, lasted for around five years and cost the county roughly $200,000.  And Rowan County, she said, “is clearly in violation.”

Commissioner Raymond Coltrain told the Salisbury Post this week that he will not seek re-election after finishing his first term in office.

Now, both seats for Rowan County Commissioner in the 2012 election will be wide open, since Commissioner Carl Ford announced last week he is running for N.C. House District 76.  Ford told WSTP Tuesday that he hasn’t yet, but will soon file for the state seat.

In announcing his decision not to run for the commission again, Coltrain sited his age and the time obligation of the office as two of the reasons, but also stated that he does not feel that he has been able to contribute to the lives of Rowan County citizens in the way he had hoped.

He told the Post that he has strived to make the best decisions he could for them based on the information available.  He encourages voters to find candidates who are good decision makers and who, in his words, “use that ability to serve the citizens instead of satisfying their own personal and political ambitions.”

The owners of Rowan Animal Clinic told the Salisbury Post yesterday that they hope to rebuild the 35-year-old business on the same site later this year, and it may include a memorial to the nine dogs that died in the blaze.

The fire began early Sunday morning at the 4155 Statesville Blvd. clinic.  Some of the dogs killed were being boarded and others had recently undergone procedures.

Fire officials say the blaze started in the attic.  The investigation into the specific cause is still ongoing.

Dr. Greg Lowe, the son of the founder of the clinic, told The Post yesterday that clinic operators are looking for a place to work and hope to find a site near the Statesville Boulevard office within a week.  There is a tentative plan to rebuild in the same spot within six to eight months.

(WBTV-WSTP)  “Amen” came the reply when Rowan County Commission Chairman Chad Mitchell opened Monday night’s meeting by praying in the name of Jesus.  That’s precisely the type of prayer the American Civil Liberties Union wants the commissioners to stop praying.

The J. Newton Cohen Meeting Room was filled to overflowing, dozens of folks stood outside in the halls, and others waited outside as the meeting started.  Commissioner Jon Barber told WBTV he plans to ask the county attorney what could happen to the board if ignored the ACLU request to stop sectarian prayer.

During the public comment section of the meeting, speaker after speaker encouraged the commissioners not to back down in the dispute with the ACLU.

WSTP will feature some of the comments during “Salisbury’s Early Morning News”, and discussion is invited at 704-636-1231.