Lone Tree Voice February 15, 2024

WEEK OF FEBRUARY 15, 2024

VOLUME 22 | ISSUE 50

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County commissioners mull ‘In God We Trust’

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

MANAGING THE PHYSICAL SIDE OF STRESS P6

Douglas County Commissioner George Teal speaks at the 2023 State of the County event in Lone Tree. BY SUZIE GLASSMAN COLORADO NEWSLINE

Douglas County commissioners are considering the addition of the words “In God We Trust” to the chambers where they meet. Commissioner George Teal during a Jan. 9 meeting first proposed installing the national motto, “In God We Trust,” or the state motto, “Nil Sine Numine” — Latin for “Nothing Without Deity” — for display behind the board’s dais. The matter arose again Jan. 24 during a commissioner meeting. The proposal echoes efforts by other local public officials in Colorado and elsewhere in the country to post “In God We Trust” in public places. Teal, who said he’s not locked

into the proposal, noted the idea came after a conversation with former Castle Rock Mayor Paul Donahue, who said the nation’s motto, “In God We Trust,” is often forgotten, Teal said. Donahue added a series of slogans to the City Council chambers during his tenure, including the national and state mottos, the town’s mission statement, and its incorporation date. “I think the people of Douglas County do believe (In God We Trust). I think we have the support of the people,” Teal said. He also noted that the project would be easy to complete and wouldn’t cause a financial burden. Commissioner Lora Thomas, who is running for a Colorado House seat, said she’s interested

VOICES: 14 | LIFE: 16 | SPORTS: 18 | CALENDAR: 19

PHOTO BY ELLIS ARNOLD

in hearing what people in the county think. “We know that there’s a portion of our population that’s not going to like this. So I want to make sure that if we do this, we’re being respectful,” Thomas said. However, Thomas in her weekly newsletter later questioned the purpose of Teal’s proposal. “At a time when we are all counting our pennies, especially our county government, is this REALLY how we need to be spending taxpayer dollars — on dubious decor and window-dressing?” Thomas wrote. While the topic didn’t appear on the Jan. 24 work session agenda, county resident Katie Barrett

THE WONDERS OF WONDERBOUND DANCE P24

HOMEOWNERS CAN DELAY PROPERTY TAX PAYMENTS P26

SEE MOTTO, P10

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