New Official Declines County Tradition of Oath Affirming Belief In God

The Frederick (MD) News-Post yesterday carried an op-ed about the decision of new county commissioner Kai Hagen who, in being sworn in, asked that a statement declaring his belief in the existence of God not be included. Circuit Court Clerk Sandra Dalton says that taking the oath with that addition as been a "Frederick County tradition", but it is fine with her if a commissioner does not want to include it. Two alderwomen who declined to include the statement when they were sworn in last year said that their refusals were about separation of church and state. News-Post columnist Joe Volz says: "it seems to this commentator that if a public servant declines to take an oath supporting God, he should be more than willing to explain his position."