After public comment slams the suggestions, Councilor Wil Fuentes apologized for bringing up the Pledge of Allegiance and offered an explanation for his proposal to end the invocation

Paul Valencia
ClarkCountyToday.com

Public comment resulted in a swift response Wednesday at the Clark County Council’s Council Time meeting. After listening to more than a dozen passionate comments against his recent proposals, Clark County Councilor Wil Fuentes issued an apology and offered further explanation.

By the end of the meeting, no action was taken, and the invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance will remain part of Clark County Council meetings. 

Last week, on his second day in office, Fuentes said that the invocation prior to meetings was unnecessary and later suggested the same for the Pledge of Allegiance.

That drew a negative response from many in the community who voiced their displeasure on social media and with Clark County Today.

At Wednesday’s Council Time, more than 10 citizens showed up in person to urge Fuentes and his colleagues to keep the invocation and the pledge. Others spoke via the phone or computer. No one in public comment spoke in favor of getting rid of the invocation and the pledge.

After public comment, Fuentes asked to address the situation. 

“I want to start with apologizing for even considering removing the Pledge of Allegiance. As a community member said, I stuck my foot in my mouth. I recognize that. It was a big mistake on my part,” Fuentes said. “It was a response to a comment made here on the dais. It was thoughtless, and I apologize.”

“I am a proud American. I am a proud citizen of Clark County. And I am a proud citizen of the city of Vancouver. And I’m a patriot. This is why I’m serving my community here today. … So I sincerely apologize for that.”

He transitioned to the topic of the invocation.

“Removing the invocation is my commitment to inclusivity and the commitment I made to my voters, my constituents. Public meetings, in my opinion, are intended to serve all members of the community. I am simply advocating for a mutual start to the meetings,” Fuentes said. “My suggestion is about inclusivity and neutrality, not in opposition to religious expression. To be clear, I respect all beliefs, and I simply want to ensure everyone feels welcome at council meetings.”

Many who gave public comment reminded Fuentes and the council that the invocation is not designated for one religion or one belief system. 

Sue Marshall, the county chair, asked if anyone supported removing the invocation from the agenda. Silence followed. 

“There are not three votes to remove it,” she said.

Prior to Council Time, Rob Anderson, founder of Reform Clark County, talked to Clark County Today to share why he wanted to speak Wednesday. Anderson also reached out to many in the community, asking them to either speak up or email councilors. Anderson said that while the invocation and the pledge have religious perspectives, they are also historical and cultural.

While he disagrees with Fuentes, he did appreciate that Fuentes is making it a public debate.

“It’s not a surprise to me that Councilor Fuentes brought this up. It’s a little surprising that it came up on his second day in office and with the urgency that he did,” Anderson said. “I do think this is something in particular that Democrats, on the left, this is something they believe in. They want to remove prayer. They want to remove God. They are uncomfortable with ‘One Nation Under God.’ I disagree with it, but put it on the table at least. 

“I think those conversations are healthy,” Anderson said.

From the public comment perspective, it was a one-sided conversation on Wednesday. Again, all who spoke on this topic were against removing the invocation, against removing the Pledge of Allegiance.

Fuentes said last week that the invocation took time away from the business at hand.

“There is no better way to spend time than praying, publicly or privately. There is nothing more valuable than seeking the wisdom of God,” one person said.

Logan Ruiz, a 15-year-old, urged the council to consider the significance of the traditions before making any changes.

“The pledge is not just a series of words,” Logan said. “It is a powerful symbol of what makes this country great.”

The invocation, he added, serves as a moment of reflection before work begins.

“These are not just ceremonial acts. They are affirmations of who we are and what we stand for,” Logan said. “I respectfully ask that you reject the proposal to remove the Pledge of Allegiance and the invocation before meetings. Let us preserve the traditions that honor our shared values, our history, and the future we are all working to build together.”

Later during public comment, his older sister Ruby Ruiz spoke.

“The pledge and invocation represent our why. It represents our country’s why. It represents every person of faith’s why. When we don’t have a purpose in life, or what we’re doing, and we don’t know why we’re doing it, we have chaos and mayhem,” Ruby said. “Please keep the purpose of why we are here in your meeting. … Because if you don’t know why you are here, then why are you here?”

Ruby Ruiz, 20, is the field representative for Turning Point USA’s high school presence throughout Washington and Alaska. Logan Ruiz is the president of Clark County’s high schools chapter of TPUSA. 

“I came out here to take a stand for our country and our traditions,” Ruby said. “We need to keep our purpose in what we are doing.”

Rob Anderson, as part of his public comment, noted that Fuentes showed disrespect to the tens of thousands of people of faith in Clark County. 

“People of faith have built hospitals, schools, churches, shelters, food banks and more than that,” Anderson said, adding that Fuentes labeled prayer “a waste of time.”

“This wasn’t a move of inclusivity or diversification, but alienation because you believe it is not necessary,” he added.

Miranda Anderson made her comment as a Christian mother.

“Removing the invocation sends the message, whether you intend it or not, that faith and reflection don’t belong in the public square. I’m here to tell you they do,” she said. “Invocations can and should reflect the many beliefs in our community. That’s what makes us stronger. I’m asking you to think about the message you are sending. Removing the invocation doesn’t bring people together. It drives a wedge.”

Another woman said she appreciates the invocation every time she attends a meeting.

“It may not be my religion, but I’m going to … put my hands together and just respect the prayer because I thought to myself, ‘We can use all the help we can get,’” she said. 

“If you take time to reflect and calm the mind, in yoga, that is what we would do, set an intention. Make a good intention. Prayer to me is your connection to something bigger, and hopefully have a good intention. Praying together is a plus. Yeah, we’re all different religions and beliefs, but can we at least agree on one point in one minute in time to pray for peace and wisdom to guide each other?”

After in-person public comment, several people called in or spoke via virtual meeting online. One caller noted:

“These traditions are not mere formalities. They are profound expressions of our nation’s heritage and values.”