National Day of Prayer

The Brick Clergy Association held a Town Hall style meeting in OUR Civic Center this past Sunday, Apr 30 2017.

I posed a question to the Township Representatives who showed up to answer questions were only three: Mayor Ducey, Councilwoman Zapcic, and Chief Riccio. The audience attendees was only slightly more in number.

I submitted a question as to when most Governmental Meetings start with a nondenominational prayer or invocation, why does the Township Council Meetings stubbornly refuse to accede to repeated request to do so without any explanation. I pointed out the US House of Representation from day one has consistently started their deliberative sessions with a prayer. I added that currently a Catholic Priest the Rev Patrick Conroy, SJ serves as Chaplain.

Councilwoman Zapcic incorrectly replied that the Council President sets the "Format" at the Reorganizational Meeting at the beginning of the year. First of all the President, Mayor nor any other body sets the "Format" .

Look at the response supplied to me in answer to an OPRA request about the Rules of Council. There is no mentions of "Format" . It does direct to Robert's Rules of Order as the authority. Robert's Rules of Order has a Standard Format which it does not mandate but strongly suggests.

No matter the use of the Prayer is in Opening Ceremonies and not part of an actual Agenda (List) of Business Matters.