By Leah Justice

leah.justice@tryondailybulletin.com

 

After estimating the project would not be completed until the end of May, the words “In God We Trust” were installed on Polk County’s main government building, the Womack building in Columbus, on Thursday, March 31.

The wording was installed on the outside of the building as well as in the commissioner meeting room located on the second floor of the Womack building, in the R. Jay Foster Hall of Justice.

Polk County has joined several other local governments who have allowed the wording to be installed on government buildings. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office also recently placed “In God We Trust” decals on patrol cars as well as the Saluda Fire and Rescue Department installing decals on its vehicles. The City of Saluda, however, denied a request recently to install the wording on its city hall and police department. Saluda Commissioners heard several comments during its last meeting against the city allowing the placement of “In God We Trust” on the city’s building.

Polk County was asked by the U.S. Motto Action Committee to install the wording on the Womack building and courthouse last July. Commissioners approved the request but later discovered that placing the wording on the historic courthouse, which is on the National Registry of Historic Places would not be easily accomplished.

The U.S. Motto Action Committee paid for the installation of the wording at the Womack building.

Polk County is currently installing flagpoles on the front of the Womack building as well and is waiting for the second flagpole to be delivered before the installation is complete. The wrong flagpole was sent originally.