Editor’s Note:  After meeting yesterday to discuss controversial statements made by Mayor Craig Fletcher and Vice Mayor Tracy Carroll at the June 4 City Council meeting, members of the local ministerial association decided to voice their concerns in a letter to the City Council.  The following is the text of the letter, singed by 18 local pastors.

To:  Mayor, Vice Mayor and City Council Members of Vero Beach

From: Clergy and faith community leaders of Vero Beach

We, the undersigned, have been gathering as a group for more than a decade to support one another, despite our varied religious beliefs and practices.  Because of our deep commitment to our faith traditions we seek to work together intentionally to strengthen our faith communities and the wider community as well.  While we might have differing theologies, we agree that respect, fellowship, compassion and acceptance are hallmarks of our faith traditions.  We gather monthly in an attempt to counter the polarization and intolerance in today’s world.

On Tuesday, June 11, we gathered expressly to discuss what transpired at the June 4 City Council meeting when the proclamation in support of Humanist Recognition Week was adopted.  We would like to express our gratitude to the three City Council members who stepped forward to adopt and support the proclamation.  Their efforts demonstrated an absence of insularity and an inclusive perspective which supports the common good.

At the same time we were saddened by our Mayor and Vice Mayor’s apparent placement of personal concerns and beliefs above their duties as public officials, who have been elected to represent the entire community.  We believe their hostile tone on that occasion diminished their stature as our representatives.

We call upon all civic leaders to join us in the ongoing difficult task of building a tolerant, open community where every citizen is treated with equity, dignity, civility and respect.

We would like here to acknowledge that since writing the above letter, we have heard of Mayor Fletcher’s apology for his actions.  We appreciate his apology as an important part of this process and look to him to help create an atmosphere of dialogue and understanding.

Rev. Dr. Robert Baggott, Senior Minister, The Community Church of Vero Beach

Carol Ludwig, Executive Director, Center for Spiritual Care

Rev. Andrew C. “Jack” Diehl III, Senior Pastor, Our Savior Lutheran Church

Rev. Dr. Casey Baggott, Executive Minister, The Community Church of Vero Beach

Rabbi Michael Birnholz, Temple Beth Shalom

Keith Cutting, Recovery Coordinator, First Baptist Church

Rev. Shelly Satran, Associate Pastor, Our Savior Lutheran Church

Deacon Richard T. Blake,  Holy Cross Catholic Church

Rev. Dr. G. Timothy Womack, Senior Pastor, First Presbyterian Church of Vero Beach

Rev. Mindy Serafin,, Chaplain, Indian River Medical Center

Cantor Dannah Rubinstein, Temple Beth Shalom

Rev. Joseph DeGroote, retired

Rev.Scott Alexander,  Senior Minister, Unitarian Universalist Fellowship

Rev. Dave Phillips, Minister of Community Life and Mission, The Community Church of Vero Beach

Father Michael W. Goldberg,  Rector, St. Augustine of Canterbury Episcopal Church

Rev. Joel Reif, Minister of Community Care,  The Community Church of Vero Beach

Rev. Clifford V. Melvin, Pastor, Christ by the Sea United Methodist Church

Dr. Daniel Kroger,  Holy Cross Catholic Church