A religious billboard in Brunswick is causing some to question the separation of church and state in the city.
It says, "Jesus is Lord! Welcome to Brunswick!" It then says, "Mayor Cornell Harvey and City Council."
We found out that no public money was used for that religious message. The money came from a local business owner who's now taking the billboard down.
She said even though she had permission from the mayor to use his name, she felt pressure from the city manager.
“I got a call from the city manager that said he had some calls and there were some issues with some people. They didn’t want it up, and something called separation of church and state,” said business owner Victoria Hightower.
Harvey said he didn't know the city manager even had a conversation with the billboard owner.
He said he didn't mean to make a statement by giving Hightower permission to include his name in the message. He said he liked the idea of welcoming people to the city.
The owner will take down the message by Oct. 1.
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Billboard: "JESUS IS LORD! Mayor Cornell Harvey and City Council" is set to come down after the private owner says got push back from city. pic.twitter.com/l3ialRTvuu
— Letisha Bereola (@LetishaANjax) September 23, 2016
I just talked to the owner...and she says she got OK from the Brunswick Mayor himself. Trying to track him down now.
— Letisha Bereola (@LetishaANjax) September 23, 2016
Cox Media Group
