By Helen Borland / Staff

Roswell politics sure isn't like D.C.

Sometimes it's more like Roswell, New Mexico -- of alien fame.

Betty Price, wife of the northside's beloved U.S. Rep. Tom Price (R-GA/6th) and one of Roswell City Council's newest members, listed "prayer before meetings" in January as one of her goals for 2010, explaining that it may have a calming influence during heated council meeting debates.

Seems innocuous enough, right?

Price thought she had her bases covered and didn't expect strong opposition. However, at the March 8 committee meeting on administration, several council members reported that they had heard complaints from constituents about the practice, listened to the concerns, and took action to stop the ritual before it even got started.

Then her so called "support" caved like a house of cards at a bankrupt Vegas casino.

COLLEAGUES RUN FOR COVER

Councilman Rich Dippolito said people who want to conduct business with the city have to be there and have no choice whether to hear the prayer or not. Councilwoman Becky Wynn said the only feedback she had received was negative. She felt there was no community support for the proposal. Councilmembers Nancy Diamond and Kent Igleheart concurred with Wynn's assessment of the situation. Councilman Jerry Orlans took it a bit further when he worried aloud that someone offering the prayer would go on for an inordinate length of time and would require Mayor Jere Wood to cut it short.

Wood said he couldn't see using his authority to "gavel down" someone saying a long prayer, but also added that because it is his duty to set the agenda and because there was near unanimous opposition to opening meetings with prayer, he would not put prayer on the agenda.

PRICE DID HER HOMEWORK, BUT THE LOCAL SHOPPER DIDN'T

When contacted about her exact quote at the meeting, Price responded in part, "I am shocked at the erroneous reporting by the Roswell Neighbor that I would somehow welcome a legal challenge to our city and subject its citizens to a costly and distracting lawsuit by inviting a legal proceeding against us. On the contrary, the legal research done was to show clearly that the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Pelphrey v. Cobb County has already provided us a precedent and decision in our same jurisdiction that unmistakably allows a broad application of invocations at public meetings. Do I wish to protect our city? Of course I do," Price assured. "First and foremost I seek the protection and guidance of a gracious God. I would also like to protect the city from a frivolous, grandstanding lawsuit," she asserted.

Price continued, "That is why the research into the applicable laws and rulings on the subject of invocations was essential. I am confident that a competent lawyer would not wish to engage against the city if we adhered a policy similar to the approved procedures used by the Cobb County Commission . . . The challenge that I welcome is not a legal challenge, but the challenge to each of us to examine our foundations, both as a nation and as individuals, to face our prejudices with an open mind, to recapture the strength of conviction of our founding fathers, and to welcome our neighbors of good will and engage these diverse leaders of our faith community in working with us as we attempt to solve the problems of the city. How enriching, illuminating and productive this could be."

So this is how the northside stacks up: no Milton County, no gas stations or sewer in Milton, no $25 million city centers or Prospect Parks in Alpharetta, no news of any kind whatsoever in Johns Creek, save for Mayor Mike Bodker's occasional speeches, and no high rises or prayer in Roswell.

Welcome to local politics, Betty.