The word “God” doesn’t come up much at Guilford County Board of Commissioners meetings after Guilford County Tax Director Ben Chavis, who’s also a certified minister, finishes his prayer to open the meetings.
However, the word will no doubt come up quite a bit at the board’s Thursday, Aug. 17 meeting, when the commissioners are expected to vote to put the phrase “In God We Trust” on 10 county buildings.
Republican Commissioner James Upchurch is bringing the move to the commissioners, who will discuss and vote on it at the board’s meeting this week.
Upchurch said the county owns about 100 buildings, and he knew it would be cost prohibitive to put the phrase on every one, so he decided on a list of 10 key ones.
“I knew I couldn’t get every county building,” he said.
The move, which is expected to be approved by the board, will cost about $40,000.
Upchurch said he thinks it’s important to make a statement about Guilford County’s values at this time when – both statewide and nationally – traditional values are under attack.
He said he was approached earlier this year by a citizen supporting the idea and said that discussion with fellow commissioners let him know that a majority of the board would likely back the move. He added that he expects at least six commissioners to vote yes on the matter on Thursday.
Here are the 10 Guilford County buildings that will display the phrase:
- Courthouse in Greensboro
- Courthouse in High Point
- County jail in Greensboro
- County jail in High Point
- Maple Street Human Services Building in Greensboro
- Social Services Building in High Point
- The Old Guilford County Court House
- County health division building in High Point
- Health department building on Wendover in Greensboro
- The Guilford County Animal Shelter
Upchurch said the buildings were chosen largely for their prominence. He said he knew it would be difficult to get the phrase put on, say, every county storage building and fire station, but that this was a good compromise.
“I decided to suggest 10 and I was willing to negotiate,” he said.
He added that, in the end, he didn’t have to reduce the number because there was little pushback from county staff and other commissioners at the $40,000 price point.
I hope it is approved. Based on history , I was unaware Guilford Couny had any values at all.
Well, we certainly don’t trust the politicians. Even those that claim to Trust in God..
A better statement for Greensboro would be IN THE DEVIL WE TRUST. God does not live here anymore.
Please, Please Please do!
Unfortunately there is going to be a small minority that will be very, very vocal in opposition and they will be given the overwhelming amount oxygen in the room, and the local MSM will fan those flames. If and when this happens, believers must turn out in droves to push back (figuratively) against this and defend that which contributed greatly to what made this country great.
Here’s a suggestion…when they start up with their clamoring we should all QUIETLY begin singing The Battle Hymn of the Republic
It’s absolutely unconscionable to waste $40,000 of taxpayer money on such an empty, misguided pursuit. There are over half a million people in the county, and “In God We Trust” doesn’t represent many of those people. It’s a waste of time and money and it shouldn’t even be considered.
I’ll gladly sing The Battle Hymn of the Republic right alongside you, though. I wouldn’t have taken you for a Union man.
Born and raised in SOUTHERN Ohio. Lost an ancestor, Col John Marshall, commander of the 27th NC Brigade who died taking the left wing of Picketts Charge to the wall after Pettigrew was reported killed.
I’ve also been told a Marshall was part of the crew of the CSS Hunley when it went down. I’m trying to confirm that.
If we do not trust in God- who do we trust?
Praise God. Guilford County does have a future.
Can’t we just put the much more famous and BETTER sentiment that we all know the be TRUE?
“JESUS, take the wheel!”
GOD has been going woke. I know, because I keep having charges filed against INNOCENT me and that is CRAZY.
Why is it okay to spend (waste) $40,000 of taxpayer money on signage that doesn’t change the function or effectiveness of county services and, as Alan points out, will be divisive to our community?
Please sir, I don’t remember saying “In God We Trust” would be divisive. Please refresh my memory
Why not put gods word into action? That little $40,000 would help a lot for the homeless. A food bank would love to have that money to help feed the community. I’m sorry but just adding words to a government building isn’t going to help the “traditional values” of this community. We need actions not empty promises.
The money “given” to the civil rights museum would help a lot of people. What traditional value does that bring? Yes, with skip it seems to be a tradition.
Because ma’am, this isn’t about the homeless, nor is it about faith. The ONLY thing going on here is a ploy by Upchurch (a supposedly recently reformed Democrat) to buy conservative votes in his campaign for NC State Auditor. Any auditor could clearly see through this. He’s not only playing the hearts of the voters, he’s spending $40k of our money to do it. While I’d love to see that clearly displayed on all public buildings and equipment, I cannot support this particular fiasco to do it.
If it were sincere, there would have been a push from the beginning, not just before he bails out to run on the opposing team for a statewide office. THIS is one more reason why we need other political parties. The two in power are both a mess. If our legislators had any guts, they’d make all races non-partisan. They enjoy the monopolized structure they’ve created to protect their plays for power.
Which God? There are so many, if it weren’t for the Romans adopting christianity, what god might you have been raised to worship? Odin, Zeus, Jupiter. What if the god of the wandering tribe of Israel isn’t the right one? Further more, why is this being done in the first place? What is motive and who is behind it? Couldn’t we feed a lot of hungry people with $400,000? How does this help anyone?
Why not question skip as to why the dudley boosters got 50k in the last budget. What was its purpose and why did not all schools get the same 50k Not just the black one. Skips so very RACIST
One word, in my personal opinion, “votes”
Christian Nationalists believe this is another way to “claim” the country for their extremist views. Problem is, this pluralistic nation with a secular Constitution, guaranteeing religious liberty for all, doesn’t belong to one narrow group of believers. E Pluribus Unum is the best motto.