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LONGWOOD, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35) - Longwood city commissioners will vote on Monday whether or not to change the invocation at the start of their meetings to a moment of silence. Monday’s Longwood city agenda already states that the opening invocation has been suspended by the city commission.
Longwood Deputy Mayor Richard Drummond and his fellow commissioners will vote Monday whether or not to end the practice in favor of a moment of silence. “In order to accommodate any religion that might be attending the meetings, that we'd be giving a moment of silence so anybody can worship or spend that time in any way they see fit,” he said.
Drummond said they've hosted religious and secular leaders for giving the invocation in the past. But he says this is a more respectful choice - and also a practical one. “It's always very interesting, but it's a lot of work for the staff, also, to line that up for each meeting.”
That's fine for Joseph Richardson, from the Central Florida Free-Thought community. “It's extremely inclusive. No one is 'outside' the idea of having a moment of silence. As opposed to any individual prayer is always somewhat exclusive.
If they pass the resolution, Longwood wouldn't be alone in this. Flagler County, Brevard County, and the City of Kissimmee all start their meetings with a moment of silence.