PORT HUENEME : Resident Challenges Council’s Invocation

The traditional opening prayer at the Port Hueneme City Council meeting was interrupted by an atheist protester who shouted his objections during Mayor Orvene Carpenter’s invocation.

For several moments Wednesday night, Carpenter and Charles Wilson, a resident challenging the city’s invocation, attempted to drown each other out.

“Point of order, point of order,” Wilson yelled, standing at his center row seat. Carpenter banged his gavel and raised his voice as he continued praying.

City Manager Dick Velthoen scrambled from his seat at the council dais in an attempt to stop Wilson.

“I’ll remove you,” Velthoen said, holding Wilson by the wrist. “You can’t do this.”

In a May 6 letter to the council, Wilson voiced his opposition to the invocation, calling it unconstitutional. During a discussion of the prayer at Wednesday’s meeting, he threatened to sue the city if the council did not cease praying at its meetings.

Wilson also cited a lawsuit pending against the Santa Rosa City Council challenging that city’s invocation.

Most of the council said they favor opening the meetings with a prayer. Many members of the audience Wednesday applauded speakers who chided Wilson for interrupting the prayer.

Police Chief John Hopkins said the tradition of prayer at the meetings should continue.

“I’ve been with the city 20 years,” Hopkins said. “I’m very angry with what I’m seeing . . . Mr. Wilson has made a declaration that affects everyone in this room. I think the council should continue with its prayer.”

City Atty. Don Kircher said the city was not violating any laws by opening the meeting with a prayer.

“In my judgment, the council has the discretion to use or not use an invocation under existing law,” Kircher said.