LARGO - Despite objections from a national organization, the city of Largo has made no changes in sponsorship for the 33rd annual Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast.
The Freedom from Religion Foundation sent out a press release on April 29 claiming that due to its formal objection to “Largo’s unconstitutional practice of hosting a city mayor’s prayer breakfast, the Largo/Mid-Pinellas Chamber of Commerce announced today that it has belatedly taken over sponsorship.”
Tom Morrissette, chamber president, said Wednesday afternoon that the FFRF’s statement was absolutely not true.
“We’re a supporting sponsor,” he said. “Nothing has changed.”
Morrissette said the National Day of Prayer, which was started in Washington years ago, is observed in major cities throughout the United States.
“The chamber was the one that started this in Largo years ago,” he said.
He said the inter-denominational event was designed to bring the public, private and business sectors together.
The FFRF also stated that the St. Petersburg Times reported that the Largo/Mid-Pinellas Chamber would sponsor the event.
Morrissette said the information in the Times was a typo. He said he writes a column for the Times each week and that his original copy said that the chamber was a supporting sponsor.
“I’ve never even heard of this group (FFRF),” he said. “The chamber did not take over sponsorship. We’re one of several in a supporting role.”
The FFRF sent a letter to the city stating its objections on April 18. The objections include the use of city resources and taxpayer funds to plan, organize and promote the upcoming Mayor's Prayer Breakfast.
Morrissette said that he didn’t believe taxpayer money was involved with the event. He said ticket sales pay for the event. Sponsors, including Tampa Bay Newspapers, provide advertising; and a local printer donates printing.
Mayor Pat Gerard seconded Morrissette’s words. She said that the city does not make money off the event, nor does the event cost the city any money.
The FFRF also objects to the statement on the city’s Web site that tickets to the event only are available at city hall.
“I don’t like that either,” Gerard said.
She explained that the statement was added to the event information due to an attempt by the city’s IT department to allow tickets to be paid for online.
“But that didn’t work out,” she said.
Morrissette and Gerard said despite what it said on the Web site, tickets have been available at city hall and the chamber office all along.
Alan Zimmet, Largo city attorney, responded to FFRF’s letter on April 20 and attempted to explain the purpose of the annual event.
“The prayer breakfast does not operate in any capacity that would constitute a violation of the Establishment Clause of the U.S. Constitution or any oath of office taken to defend that document,” Zimmet wrote.
He went on to say that the “interfaith event does not alienate any person or his/her specific belief, faith or practice but acts to support the community as a whole.” He also said that the money and in-kind contributions were used to pay for the event and are not donated to or offered to any religious institution.
“The city of Largo does not stand alone in its efforts to foster fellowship, inspiration and understanding during these difficult times,” Zimmet wrote. “Several cities throughout the United States and their mayors host such events, modeled after the National Prayer Breakfast.”
The FFRF filed two suits against the day of prayer, according to its press release. The first filed in federal court names President Barack Obama and Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle as well as Shirley Dobson, chair of the National Day of Prayer Taskforce. The other sues the Governor of Colorado in state court against the issuance of National Day of Prayer proclamations by executive offices.
In the press release, FFRF president Dan Barker said “…Churches and ministerial associations, private clubs, are free to pray, to issue days of prayer, to organize prayer breakfasts, but it is manifestly unconstitutional for government to get into the prayer business."
Gerard said while she understood the FFRF’s position, it wasn’t influencing the city’s long-time practice.
“They’re certainly free to believe what they want to believe,” Gerard said. “But we’re not going to change what we’ve been doing for 30 years because of it.”
Gerard said a few tickets were still available to the 33rd annual Mayor's Interfaith Prayer Breakfast on Monday, May 4, 7 to 9 a.m., St. Paul United Methodist Church, Christian Life Enrichment Center, 1199 Highland Ave.
Keynote speaker is Tampa Bay Rays first baseman Carlos Pena.
For ticket information, call 737-587-6702. Tickets are available at Largo City Hall, 201 Highland Ave. and the Largo/Mid-Pinellas Chamber, 151 Third St. N.W.
