News from Aug. 25, 2005 issue



ACLU files records request
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has filed a Kentucky Open Records request with the Crittenden County Fiscal Court and sent a letter to Crittenden County Judge-Executive Fred Brown. The ACLU is requesting information regarding the county's policy for allowing non-governmental monuments at the courthouse.

The request and letter, each dated Aug. 19, directly reference the county's recent decision to allow a group of local churches to erect a permanent concrete and marble monument on the courthouse lawn engraved with the 10 Commandments.

The letter and request from the Kentucky Chapter of the ACLU were signed by David A. Friedman, general counsel for the group headquartered in Louisville.

The ACLU has been a nationwide leader in the defense of the separation of church and state clause in the U.S. Constitution.

The letter to Judge Brown started by saying that the ACLU understands that the Crittenden County Fiscal Court "permits non-governmental entities to erect permanent displays on the courthouse lawn." It asks if the county has a formal rule regulating the size, content, sponsor or other aspects of courthouse lawn displays and requests information regarding the county's policy for non-governmental groups that want to obtain permission to erect displays at the courthouse.

The Open Records request was sent directly to County Clerk Carolyn Byford, who is the records keeper for the county. It asks for "all ordinances, policies, practices or other documents governing displays on the Crittenden County Courthouse lawn or property."

It also requests memos, correspondence or other communications between the county judge and other county officials concerning permanent or temporary displays at the courthouse and seeks minutes from the July 19 fiscal court meeting when the 10 Commandments issue was discussed.

Judge Brown said the Crittenden County Fiscal Court will promptly respond to the Open Records Request.
"We don't have a written policy, it's all taken on a case-by-case situation. Groups just have to come before the court and make their request," Brown said regarding how the county deals with requests for displays at the courthouse. "The fiscal court will have to discuss how we're going to answer these letters."

The ACLU, contacted Monday by The Crittenden Press, said that its policy is to not comment on such letters or Open Records written by its general counsel.

Judge Brown said he'd received one other letter from a local citizen opposing the 10 Commandments monument at the courthouse.

It's unclear what the ACLU letter and Open Records request might mean for the county and the group of churches that are planning to put the monument in front the courthouse.

Rev. Tony Alexander, who is heading up the project, said donations are still being accepted for the monument, and he expects it to be erected in late September or early October.

Donations for the project are being taken at Henry and Henry Monument Company in Marion, which is creating the monument.

So far, $550 has been raised for the monument. It will cost $1,232, which does not include other improvements to the site. Plans are to erect an eight-foot tall granite tablet with the 10 Commandments etched into the stone. The monument will be surrounded by a concrete patio and two benches.

Alexander said a local contractor will be hired to help with lighting, installation and concrete work. The tablet was ordered in July and should be delivered by next month.

"As soon as it's here, we'll be ready to put it up," Alexander said.


Winders x3 preaching in Branson
When the preaching Winders clan hits Missouri next month, their message at the General Baptist Senior Adult Retreat won't be all about the strict interpretation of King David's 23rd Psalm.

Instead, David Winders and his sons, Nicky and Barry, will be reflecting on their personal experiences from 110 years of cumulative pulpit duty and sharing their insights regarding the Good Shepherd and perhaps the Old Testament's most quoted scripture.

David Winders, 74, raised both of his sons in Crittenden County and Nicky Winders, 54, has been preaching at Sturgis General Baptist for the past several years. Barry Winders, 51, lives in Missouri and is an author and associate pastor. Together they've spent more than a century preaching the gospels.

During a two-day retreat Sept. 6-8 at Branson, Mo., the Winders men will be the featured speakers. They will conduct each of the worship and educational session for the annual General Baptist event at the Stonecroft Conference Center in Hollister, just outside Branson. The theme is Shepherding Lambs Psalm 23. Each pastor will reflect on a different perspective of the verse.

David Winders, who has been a preacher for 55 years at 15 different churches and most recently at Barnett Chapel, will show how Psalm 23 has affected his more than five decades of ministry. He will reflect on his personal viewpoint and interpretation of the scripture.

Nicky Winders, a 34-year pastor, will take the scholarly approach, connecting the dots between Psalm 23 and the New Testament, showing how Jesus fulfilled the prophesy of the Psalm.

Barry Winders, who has written one book on ministering, will use the metaphoric approach to the Psalm and create a contemporary visual concept to guide the listener through a spiritual evolution.

"This is the first time in all the years that we've been preaching that we will have an opportunity to work together," said Nicky Winders, who is well known to local sports fans as the public address voice at home high school football games and radio broadcaster during basketball season.

"We've all been really excited about this since we were asked to lead the program," he added.

The event is sponsored by General Baptist Congregational Ministries in Poplar Bluff, Mo. To learn more about the conference or the ministry, call (573) 785-7746.