Carl Behr Takes Crosses Down, Explains "Salvation" Statement from Borough Meeting (Sort Of)

Being a part of national news turned out to be too great of a cross to bear for Carl Behr, puns intended.

Indeed, Behr, of the , took down his large wooden crosses on Friday, Feb. 18, per a letter sent to him by the borough telling him that he was in violation of Baldwin's structure code.

Specifically, a 24-foot-high wooden cross in his yard was the culprit. Baldwin officials learned of that cross after receiving complaints from neighbors that he was leaving the cross, decked out in holiday lighting, lit up during late hours and causing an annoyance.

Behr received his letter from the borough on Monday, Feb. 14, telling him to take down the 24-foot-high cross by Friday or face a $300 fine for each day that the cross remained.

The letter also said that a smaller lighted cross on his roof could be in violation of code as well. Behr played it safe on Friday by taking down both crosses.

The Baldwin-Whitehall Patch , and . Behr told anyone that would listen that he would not be taking down either of his lighted crosses, but he changed his mind on Friday.

The B-W Patch visited his home again on Friday, and though Behr was not home, his wife, Evonne, was. Evonne gave the B-W Patch his cell-phone number and spoke to this reporter, saying, "He [Carl] started realizing that it was more about fame. That's what it was turning into.

"If you know us, we're humble people ... When he saw his picture everywhere, it reminded him more of fame.

"That's not why he did it [put the crosses up]. He did it to send a message."

Evonne also said that her children and other relatives were receiving "flak at school" in regard to the Behrs' conflict with the borough.

"That on top of it ... I can't have it affect the kids like that."

Evonne then echoed earlier statements from Carl that their conflict with the borough is indicative of greater religious issues.

"It is something that needs addressed in this nation," Evonne said. "He stands behind everything he said, and so do I.

"If we couldn't keep that [the large cross] up, and it caused this much publicity and the choice of fame, [then] there's something wrong in America."

The B-W Patch then called Carl to find out how much the threat of fines contributed to his decision to take down the crosses.

"We had some attorneys call us and say they would take the case on for nothing," Carl said, "so it wasn't about the money issue.

"[The fines] were a coincidence ... I didn't even know what the numbers were.

"I wasn't worried about the borough, because I think they could have been overrode."

He then cited his First Amendment rights.

Carl said that his primary motive for taking down the crosses was to draw attention away from himself, much like Evonne had said earlier.

"I feel like I'm getting more important than the message," he said. "Me and my wife are real humble people.

"At first, it seemed like a real good thing. I meant every word I said, but I think I need to go about this a different way. I see myself instead of the Lord out there. That's not right. I don't wanna be in the spotlight like that.

"I wanna spread the word, but I gotta do this differently.

"The recognition gotta be to the Lord and not to me. I gotta do this in a more humble way."

When asked how he can spread word of his faith now without drawing attention to himself, Carl said, "I have to regroup here, think about it and come at this from a different angle. I need to go about this a different way."

Some parts of Carl's address to Baldwin Borough Council on Tuesday night were a bit unclear.

"I'm here tonight to tell people that the time has come to choose a side," he said at that meeting. "Atheism and devil-worshippers are trying to close the door on faith. It's time to slam the door on them.

"Forty-three years ago, a soul named Salvation was sent to Earth, and she made an unselfish choice of peace for mankind. As a result of that decision, the worst parts of the Bible will not take place.

"Instead of embracing this choice, the above people that I've mentioned have decided to take revenge on her. You all know who I'm talking about as far as 'the people above.'"

When asked about what he meant by that statement, Carl said, "Well, the only thing that I can say is that answer will be revealed shortly. Let me just put it that way.

"I really can't disperse what the story is ... There is a story behind that, but right now, at this time, I can't let the cat out of the bag.

"Let's say, for that question, I would have to say time is definitely gonna bring the answer to that question, for sure."