Mayor’s proposals violate U.S. Constitution

To the editor:

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

Above is the First Amendment of the Bill of Rights to the U.S. Constitution. Mayor Larry DeVilbiss proposes to violate two of the tenets listed above.

First, by endorsing the practice of religion within a government body. His proposal to have prayer at the beginnings of all assembly meeting is, in my opinion, fostering one religion over another and thereby establishing a preferred government religion.

Further, there is an unwritten understanding of that provision of the Bill of Rights that holds that the government is absolutely prohibited from participating in any religion. While what goes unwritten is that religion should be absolutely prohibited from participating in any government.

The mayor’s second proposal would eliminate from the Mat-Su Borough Assembly’s agenda the provision for “persons to be heard.” Our opportunities are currently limited to “petition” our government. Elimination of “persons to be heard” is one of those few remaining opportunities. I see this effort as no different than an effort to limit our right to bear arms.

I further pledge I will continue to fight the mayor’s efforts to limit the public’s right to govern themselves and to that end I pledge my fortune, reputation and good name.

William H. Bruu

Wasilla