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County working to fix Ten Commandments monument

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By Samantha Sommer, Staff Writer Updated 7:08 AM Friday, November 13, 2009

SPRINGFIELD — Perhaps the Eleventh Commandment should be thou shalt not hit and run.

But in the meantime, Clark County is working to repair the Ten Commandments monument from the courthouse lawn that was cracked by a hit-and-run driver a few weeks ago.

The stone monument likely will be repaired by Drake Monument Co., Assistant County Administrator Nathan Kennedy said.

“We’re going to do the best we can to fix it up,” he said.

He isn’t sure of the cost yet, but the monument is insured so expenses greater than the $2,500 deductible will be covered.

Meanwhile, the Springfield Police Division is investigating the incident in hopes of finding the individual who damaged the structure, Lt. Jeff Meyer said.

The county wants to repair the monument rather than replace it with a new one for several reasons, including to avoid a possible lawsuit over separation of church and state issues.

It also preserves the original stone dedicated to the county from the Fraternal Order of Eagles in the 1950s.

“To me, it seems more right to keep the old stone and try to fix it,” Kennedy said.

A national organization, the Alliance Defense Fund, has volunteered to cover any litigation from putting the monument back, should it occur.

The fund is based out of Arizona, said Thomas Kidd, a volunteer lawyer with the group who is originally from Springfield and now is in the Cincinnati area.

“We’re convinced that what they are doing is totally legal, constitutional and right,” Kidd said.

The stone will remain visibly damaged, Kennedy said, even once it is repaired.

The county received several phone calls about the monument.

Commissioner John Detrick said he took more than 20 calls, all of which wanted to see the Ten Commandments restored.

“We’re putting it back together and trying to make it look as good as possible,” he said.

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God left the courthouse a long time ago. I am all for God and try to obey the ten commandments, yet I am against having them in front of the courthouse. The courts do not take them into consideration for their ruling's. Therefore it would be disrespectful to God to have them in front of the courthouse. What would God think about the courts awarding a wife $500 a month in alimony when the wife admitted to having several affairs? That's not heeding God's word very well is it?

Bo
10:42 AM, 3/15/2010

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Jesus was and is the fulfillment of the law.

Which means that we are no longer under the law, and a monument to the ten commandments is pointless.

Jesse
11:02 PM, 11/14/2009

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Hey anti-Christ TROLL,
If you think Satan is your friend now or after your death, you have made his day. He cannot wait for your psycho behind to hit his doors. The torture will be merciless, your screams will go unheard. You will not be lucky enough to die, the excruciating pain will be unending. You'll 'love' for him for eternity, as annihilating any hope or peace of yours is his ultimate thrill. Have a wonderful life in satan, he's excited about devouring your soul & thanks you.

Down with being PC.
1:59 PM, 11/14/2009

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Jesus was and is the fulfillment of the law. (Agreement.)

3C
10:17 AM, 11/14/2009

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I will worship the dark lord for all eternity. I drape my midnight colored cloak over the 10 commandments and watch the graffiti coated concrete crumble to the ground below. There is no higher power than satan himself. For all he has done for us(****,drugs,rock and roll)we worship him. We find such messages as the commandments A trife and refuse them to be returned for all to see. Have a little respect for other religions as well.

ANTI CHRIST
10:10 PM, 11/13/2009

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