Just what the Township needs: an expensive Constitutional battle. I'm glad there are some on the council who are wise enough to understand that if you want the wisdom of a spiritual advisor, go to church.

I thought they got rid of Preachers so they could go full steam ahead with all their evil plans?.... Don't want any Preachers asking questions why Galloway won't fix anything at the Municipal Complex or why they want to sell the Complex to developers. The moment of silence is for the Post Office they refuse to save....& for the death of Character on Galloway Council. Galloway is worried about lawsuits?....Don't make me laugh...They love lawsuits...They collect hem!

Nobody's being 'punished' if the council remains neutral on religious matters.

This could actully cause more lawsuits. This only stops the invitation to the ministers but anyone can stand up during public comment and say a prayer. There is nothing the Township or Ms. Whitney Ullman can do about it. And if they tired to stop it they would be looking at an ACLU freedom of speech lawsuit. I'm actully shocked the Ms. Ullman is the cause of this. Ms. Ullman was elected by the people to serve them. Not change the Township to suit her religious beliefs. How are you serving the people Ms. Ullman by denying Christians the right to pray to Jesus?

Here we go again. A moment of silence should satisfy most everybody.
Really, with all the darn issues facing Galloway Twp., this is unreal.......

No Christian in Galloway is being denied the right to pray to Jesus. There is no 'right' to hijack a council meeting to promote a particular religious view. There are Christians, Jews, atheists, Unitarians, Hindus, and plenty others paying taxes in this town. For that reason the council must remain neutral.

Maybe "Arch Liston" could lay off the priest along with the rest of the "Employee's"

"America" this is where it start's .."Main Street"

This Country is so Screwed up it isn't funny. No Flag salute in schools. You can't mention Christmas in schools either. "GOD" Forbid it might offend someone. Well that is America if you don't like it go the Hell back from where you came from.

"Had to stop it for EVERYONE"... you're forgetting that 'everyone' includes other religions and nonbelievers as well. I'm part of 'everyone' and agree with her entirely.

Why the focus on her Jewish beliefs?

Galloway invited every denomination so who did it offend? I just think Council doesn't want any religious types to nose around in their business. I would love to see another lawsuit...Galloway Township vs God... Arch runs day to day operations...but does he run Council Meetings as well? Why no vote?

Dofang has it completely right. Pray in church. Take care of township business at a council meeting.

If you want things to be FAIR that means acknowledging that you share this township and country with other people who may hold different beliefs than you do. All of you complaining about Christians being discriminated against, do you really want wiccan prayers and muslim prayers at the start of your meeting? I would guess that the answer deep down in your heart is NO. You only want YOUR way, and you are acting like little children about it. A moment of silence lets everyone think about what they want to think about -- pray silently if you want or think about what to pick up for dinner, but stop acting like your particular group is the only one that matters.

Council members led non-denominational prayers prior to Bassford's time as mayor.

This, the last sentence in the article, says it all. Go back to that, which is, in essence, what they've done with the moment of silence.

What's next they take the American" Flag out of the council room ???

Atheists too? Buddhists? Satanists? Agnostics? Jehovah's Witnesses? Scientologists? I know we have most, if not all of these in Galloway.

Then maybe consider this, there is a time and a place for everything. Religion and government do not mix well. We do not live in a theocracy. If you want to practice what your religion teaches you, then do it by being a good example of a kind, compassionate, THOUGHTFUL individual. Think of others. Think of how you would feel if their particular faith was the law of the land and you were the odd man out. Then thank your god that you do not have to worry about being killed for your beliefs because you live in the USA. Live your life as an example of what you believe rather than needing to to proselytize to others.

Business meetings should be about taking care of business. Those who feel the need to pray for guidance, or help, or to win a football game can do it on their own time.

Matthew 6:5
"When you pray, don't be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get."

Well, if so, she happened to 'connive' things in the right direction.

Props to PinkOrange for beating me to the quote from Matthew.

Be that as it may, if you step away from your focus on the personalities involved, the more important thing is the principle. And on the principle she was right.

I have been fighting this battle since I moved here in 1984.Separation of church and state! I'm Jewish and proud of it! 1776 needs to be a little more circumspect in his or her comments!

There is absolutely no need for any religion in a township council meeting. If you want religion and prayer, got to your church, temple, etc... Council meetings are for offical government business.

Dofang the Satanists have been in Galloway for a long time lol

First of all, it's "wandering",not wondering. Second,I did not vote for Councilwoman Ullman as I do not base my vote on religious belief but on who will do the best job governing.Last, I consider you comments incendiary and most unkind but in America free speech is what it's all about and you can demonstrate that freedom by voting your preference.

Separation of church & state is a joke....when you go to court...Do you swear the whole truth so help you God? Don't they swear people into to office with a bible? There is no separation of church & state. I still don't see the harm in having any Preacher who wanted to come to Galloway meetings come & say a pray for the misfits on Council. I don't think Purdy wants to share the spotlite...an attention hog!.....lol

Why doesn't this Council save the Post Office?...They got $175,000 grant for a bike path...but they can't get a grant for the Post Office?....Yes they can get a grant if they try....they get grants for everything else. Can Gorman & Mc Elwee do it?....Time will tell.

Councilman John Mooney called the controversy a case of judicial activisim.
“Social progressives are driving public policy and religious beliefs are sitting in the back of the bus,” Mooney said. “Until the courts retreat from being the second legislative branch they’ve become, I don’t see much hope there.”

I have to ask is this guy serious?? Too much Fox News there Mooney. Don't forget the same conservative altar you worship at is the same one that calls your voracious public trough feeding, your fleecing of taxpayers, your wealth at the expense of taxpayers the result of a broken and corrupt system. You Mr. Mooney have been unelected for exactly that reason. If I were you I would shut-up and go home where the taxpayers of Galloway sent you. We don't need your Fox News Conservative dribble.

Go to a Council Meeting in AC and it's like a revival, a councilperson often leads the prayer! With that said i could care less about anyone's God or savior or any other supreme being fairy tale. What I do care about is the bad behavior of Mr Ullman and the obviously dumbfounded Mrs Ullman who doesn't have a clue about very much. Because of this goofiness this will be her "signature" issue. She will not be re-elected. I also am concerned about the anti-jewish sentiments I have read on here, didn't realize we had so many christian bigots in galloway, disappointing but not a surprise.

Any Fox News Conservative Christian Bigot Evangelical that voted for Mormon Romney who follows the prophet/angel "Moroni" has offended God and will be punished.LOL!!! Joseph Smith is laughing in his grave (on another planet).

I'm wondering does Ullman or Liston have the power to pull the plug on the opening pray?....Seems like they should of had a vote on council about it. Ask the public what they thought. Just seems like King Purdy decided it was a good idea & that was it...No discussion...No vote. I always looked forward to some Preacher telling everyone when the next spagetti dinner was....lol

Was trying to decide between 'troll' or antisemite, but wow.

Another Bassford legacy. Everything that he has championed has gotten us into lawsuits or debt. He did nothing right and he has been poison for Galloway. Since he turned this town into a financial toxic waste site, the local garbage dump should be named in his dishonor.

I wonder if he is still living in Pennsylvania. He promised to find a job around here but we never heard another word from the twp. Maybe he is hoping the voters will forget a out it.

How about worrying about Friday or Monday when Galloway gives the Pink slips next week. Or about the Mass Gallowaywide Branches from the last 2 storms still on the ground. or about Leaf collection which just started with less employees. or like 9 Leaf Trucks and Leaf Vaccumes But what, 3 or 4 actual crews ( Not Secretaries Filling in for the terminated and or Laid Off Roads Division Employees who used to do this work for Low Pay and No Job Security. But why would we worry about those minor Thoughts when We the Taxpayers are instead paying Mannis Const/Demo. $10,000+ per Week for each Operator and small wheel Loader + to replace these lost employees as we read this. and much more!

As nice of a thing it was for Galloway to loan Equipment and Operators to help with the Sandy Storm ( My Family gave Requested Food and Cash Donations ), It is just Financially Odd to be Paying Mannis Const/Demo. $10,000. per week + for Rental of Equipment and Operators Simultaneously while PINK SLIPS go out Tomorrow not next week. But thats just my Opinion!

Nobody should make Whitney Ullman out to be a bogeyman. the only possible purpose of religious invocation at a public function is an impermissible one- to ensure that the public function (i.e. government meeting) is sufficiently deferential to the higher power, and under that power's protection. Otherwise why would it be necessary? This is all cover for the "we are a christian nation" crapola. The problem with the religious windbags is that, like Galileo, they've only recently discovered that they aren't the center of the universe.

Isn't it one nation under god (no mention of jesus) - what's wrong with a moment of silence which should appease everyone - and i read that the prayer has only been around since Bassford was mayor so town council has prescedent for not having prayer. Unless Galloway wants to run all the jews, athiests and others out of town or have them uncomfortable in public forums a moment of silence is a wonderful idea. i can not even believe some of the insensitivity here. what happened to our christian love

"Despicable", like all jews according to your previous rants - you definitely don't define how i practice our religion! Take off your white hood and read the news article above - i know you do not like when a jew like Whitney or her husband express their views but they aren't the story - Obviously, the moment of silence was started after a concensus of the entire council felt they had a failed policy.

In concept, it was a good idea, but the problem we were running into is that we were asking them to make it non-denominational, but the clergy went against our wishes and made it very denominational,” Liston said.

Unfortunately, I believe that Ulhman will be remebered only for this controversy and especially the classless husband's actions as a spectatator of a Council meeting.

so the husband stuck up for the wife after the 'old lady' berated his wife! boo hoo! his kind should tolerate the disrespect of his wife who probabally makes a dollar an hour working for the township while everyone else is entitled to their opinion! send me the address to your next kkk rally!

With all the scandals, lies, law suits, layoffs going on in our township, perhaps starting a meeting with a moment of prayer to God who is no respecter of persons would he a wise thing, an opportunity to heal our township and provide some wisdom to those who apparently need it. On another note, I would like to remind Christians, Jesus is the greatest Jew that ever lived, king of the Jews according to the bible..So stop the antisemitism remarks. Peace.

Actually 1776....most of what your stating isn't "factual". Now THAT is a fact.

1776: You sound like you believe what you're saying and that is worrisome to me, to say the least. Let me see if you can look at what you're saying from another point of view. Antisemitism is a subset of racism; racism just directed at the Jewish people. Racism is using stereotypes in a generalized way to say all people of a certain group (Jews in this case) behave a certain way based on my preconceived notions of the general way I believe most of 'those people' behave. Whether or not your preconceived notions are correct or not (they're not by the way... but that's besides the point) it is absolutely incorrect to say every Jew acts conniving (or whatever behavior you want to say) just because you believe that is generally how Jews behave. Remember, generally means for the most part, not all. To use stereotypes in such a fashion, to paint every Jew one way based on your preconceived notions of Jews in general, is the very definition of antisemitism. So if you weren't aware of it, you now are. Now, you could be an antisemitic person and still be correct about your point of view on prayers at government functions, but you are not. A moment of silence or nothing at all are the only two possible solutions I see that are consistent with the law of our land, the constitution.

Your name 1776 would seem to imply you are somewhat patriotic, as that's the date of our country's founding. If this is true please be aware that when the constitution was drafted many religious groups attempted to have religion, their religion, put into the document and it was rejected every time. In fact, the only time religion is mentioned in the constitution, the only time, is to state that no religious test shall be required to hold public office. This is the law of the land and the only time religion is mentioned. If you are truly a patriot (and why not, this is a great country) please see the incredibly well thought out way our founders drafted the law of our land: without religion being a part of government, in fact they went out of their way to ensure this.

@1776..."comments like Jews always act the same way, and they don't part with their money"...those my friend are antisemintism and scream racist. Sometimes we open our mouths without thinking...aren't we fortunate to have a God who forgives...back to a moment in prayer..check your history, where did George Washington go during his inauguration, right into st Paul's church in nycity..to ask for Gods blessing, guidance, and wisdom., God made a covenant with israel and has not forgatton it, so be careful, judge not lest you be judged, take your anger and pray for those with whom you have issue. Peace.

Leslie: Some good points there, some of our founding fathers were religious and did religious things, no doubt. And though there are many instances of religion being improperly mixed with government, Washington did it right. He was inaugurated at Federal Hall (then called Old City Hall) in NYC (then the US capitol). After the conclusion of the inauguration, he went with a procession to St. Paul's church. He went (here you are correct) to ask for God's blessing. Here we have a good example of how to properly keep church and state separate, but still be faithful to your religion. Washington had the inauguration in a state house and then after it was over, invoked his deity's blessing. There is never any problem with invoking your deity's blessing after or before the business of government is being done, just not during. And yes, there have been instances where this didn't happen in history, that's true, but those are instances where the constitution's explicit instructions were not adhered to.

Thanks Esty.
.I was not at the meeting, I saw this post and jumped right in..again..a moment of prayer with no respecter of persons certainly cant hurt this town let alone the country which is a mess right now... peace ~

I hear you Esty, i guess I would have to say ..lets pray about it :) , but if its ok for the United States Congress it should be ok for Galloway twp. My thoughts of course come from a place of deep faith and respect to others for their faith. Perhaps those who truly seek God for wisdom concerning affairs in the community can start a prayer meeting before or after the meeting....A moment of silence is certainly a start.

I would love to see all the Preachers...Rabbis...& everyone else who wants to say an opening pray for Galloway be invited back. Include everyone... Makes those dull meetings more bearable.

I thought I was done posting here until my eye just caught the headline in the current.."God doesn't have a prayer in Galloway" front page. I was saddened as I read...for many what I am going to say might sound like foolishness to you..but for those who have ears to hear..listen closely...The old testament ..adhered to by Jews and Christian alike..2Chronicleschapter 7 verse 14 reads..........IF my people who are called by my name will HUMBLE themselves and PRAY and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin and HEAL their LAND".........America is that land and so is Galloway. Something to ponder....one more thing..this is not about religion..it's about Gods love.. Religion has no part in government..God is not about religion..there in lies the key. Peace..

Why are there like 96 blogs about Prayer, but less than 25 max for $ 50,000.00 to million $ Taxpayer $ Waste????????? Priorities Needed!!!!!!!!

Why is it allowed for the US House of Resentatives, and the US Senate in our Nations CapitaL allow themselves for moments of Prayer befor their regular gatherings daily? Our US Congress may have Prayer, but not Galloway Council?
Dictator Arch Liston, Please respond.
Kevin Dermanoski
361 S Leopzig Ave
Germania, Galloway Township
Egg Harnor City, NJ 08215

Thomas Jefferson in 1802 ask for the separation of church and state and the distance in the relationship between organized religion and the nation state, An seeing Pray is part of organized religion does this not fall under the separation of church and state YES very much. See all these board-member ask was for non-denominational pray not a full on church service and they keep getting the opposites of what they ask for. And lastly to all you folks who think your religion rights are being taking away NO THERE NOT, it's not as if there saying no church's with-in 15 feet of the townships business offices because of the separation of church. Simply put the township ask for non- denominational pray and they did not get it and now there just stating no more pray at there board-meeting. peace an luv

Never compromise the name of Jesus from your prayers. If you do, it becomes nothing but an empty religious ritual at best, at worst, an abandoning of the faith.