Specific religious references off limits in prayers at Newport public meetings

The mention of specific religions and deities during public prayers still won’t be allowed in the Newport Beach City Council chamber at the start of meetings, council members decided Tuesday night.

Councilman Scott Peotter had requested in December that the council consider updating the city code regarding invocations at public meetings.

The idea failed on a 4-3 vote Tuesday, with Mayor Pro Tem Diane Dixon, Mayor Ed Selich and council members Tony Petros and Keith Curry in the majority.

“This is a liberty and freedom issue at its heart,” Peotter said. “The city of Newport Beach shouldn’t be saying what they can and cannot say in prayer.”

He said he viewed the issue as bringing the city into compliance with a U.S. Supreme Court decision.

Last year, the court issued an opinion in Town of Greece vs. Galloway that the government should refrain from censoring invocations in advance by prohibiting speakers from referencing specific religions or deities.

Curry said he opposed changing the council’s policy because of the potential for prayers that would offend the community.

He said the council should not make it possible “to offend or isolate those in our community whose views are different or are a minority view from ours or to stick our thumb in their eye because we can.”

Councilman Kevin Muldoon, who joined Peotter and Councilman Marshall Duffield in voting for the change, said it only would affirm the freedoms granted to individuals by the Constitution.

But Petros referred to a passage in the Bible that calls on believers to pray privately.

“This is a house of governance,” he said. “When I want to pray, I will do it in my home or my house of worship.”

Corona del Mar pavement reconstruction

The City Council voted unanimously to award a $1-million contract to Corona-based All American Asphalt to replace sections of Ocean Boulevard and Marguerite Avenue in Corona del Mar.

Ocean Boulevard has significant potholes and cracks from years of use, according to city staff.

The project is the first phase of the Corona del Mar street improvements project, which aims to replace sections of Ocean Boulevard between Goldenrod Avenue and Marguerite Avenue and of Marguerite between Ocean and Coast Highway.

The project is expected to begin in the winter.