City council meetings will continue to start with the Pledge of Allegiance

A discussion of the Decorah City Council's Policy and Procedures on Monday night veered into a discussion of the Pledge of Allegiance.  Mayor Don Arendt two years ago started the practice of saying the pledge at the beginning of all city council meetings.

On Monday night, city council member Julie Fischer said she hoped the mayor would be open to reciting alternative pledges, such as the "Pledge of Allegiance to the Planet."  Fellow city council member Rachel Vagts then stated that reciting the Pledge of Allegiance "feels like public prayer."

However, Mayor Arendt called the pledge "fundamental" and said it should always be said at the start of the meeting.  Said Arendt, "the pledge will stay."