Rio Rancho mayor takes heat for church speech

The New Mexico American Civil Liberties Union is criticizing the Mayor of Rio Rancho for holding a speech at a local church.

Mayor Tom Swisstack held his annual ?State of the City? Friday afternoon at the Destiny Center Church, a Christian-based house of worship.

"What it suggests to the public is that the city endorses that particular religious perspective and we don't think governments should be putting themselves in a position where it selects one religion or one denomination over another," said Peter Simsonson, Executive Director of the New Mexico Chapter of the ACLU.

Swisstack said he personally did not pick the venue for the speech. The event?s organizer, the Rio Rancho Regional Chamber of Commerce chose the church, according to Swisstack

?It?s a non-denominational venue and has the acoustics, visuals, and the seating arrangements that are conducive to making this presentation," Swisstack said.

The ACLU argued a speech as important as the "State of the City" should be at a secular building such as a city facility, a high school gym, or even the Santa Ana Star Center.

"In principal, it certainly suggests government is endorsing a particular religious viewpoint and that is strictly forbidden by our Constitution and for good reason," Simonson said.

Another point of contention is that the speech was a paid event. Non-members of the Chamber of Commerce were required to pay $45 to see the mayor deliver the speech.

Swisstack said his speech will be available online at the city?s public website and will be played on the city?s public access channel.

Source: http://riorancho.kob.com/news/people/131211-rio-rancho-mayor-takes-heat-church-speech

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