Fountain Valley may vote on ‘In God’

Fountain Valley Mayor Pro Tem Guy Carrozzo asked the City Council to consider displaying the motto of either ‘In God We Trust’ or ‘One Nation Under God’ in the council chambers at Tuesday’s City Council Meeting.

Carrozzo said he hopes the issue will be put on the agenda for the May 20 meeting during his comment period of the meeting.

“This should not be a difficult vote. We pledge allegiance to the flag at the start of each council meeting and recite the words ‘One Nation Under God,’” Carrozzo said. “Millions of students all over the nation repeat these same words each day at the start of school.”

Carrozzo said he would be fine with “In God We Trust,” but would prefer “One Nation Under God” because many cities already have the former. He said the Pledge of Allegiance quote would be more unique to Fountain Valley.

Mayor John Collins said the agenda for May 20 is far from set, but he suspects the issue will be on the agenda in the near future.

The council also voted to approve the city’s plans for the 2008-09 federal Community Development Block Grants.

The federal government’s Department of Housing and Urban Development provides cities with grant money for programs aimed at low to middle income households.

Fountain Valley will split $414,597 between grants for public service agencies, neighborhood revitalization grants, administration and fair housing.

Some money will also go to code enforcement and a federally mandated lead-based paint hazard testing.

Public service programs will split $52,430. The money will go to programs like the Boys and Girls Club, the Women’s Transitional Living Center, and services for seniors.

The council approved the action plan unanimously.

JOSH ADEN may be reached at (714) 966-4609 or at josh.aden@latimes.com.