News

The prosecutor in Athens County is recommending the removal of a church directory from outside the county courthouse.

 

Athens County Prosecutor Keller Blackburn tells The Columbus Dispatch that he doesn't believe the directory displaying local churches violates the constitutional separation of church and state.

 

But he recommended to county commissioners Wednesday that it be removed so the county doesn't put itself at risk of liability.

 

Commissioners say they're still deciding what do about it. Commissioner Lenny Eliason says he's heard from people who want the directory to stay, but he's inclined to follow the prosecutor's recommendation.

 

A 69-year-old Athens resident was charged with criminal mischief last month for attaching stickers of the First Amendment to the directory.