Published: August 04, 2009 12:21 pm      

Ten Commandments return — on private land near Jackson Co. Courthouse

The somewhat strange saga of the Ten Commandments display at the Jackson County Courthouse has taken another twist.

On July 28, payment was made to have a 5-foot tall stone tablet bearing the Ten Commandments installed on private property near the courthouse. A formal unveiling is planned later this month.

On July 20, several displays of the Ten Commandments were removed from locations in the courthouse after a lawsuit was filed last month by county resident Eugene Phillips and the American Civil Liberties Union of Kentucky. Judge-Executive William O. Smith said a cash settlement had been reached to have the lawsuit dropped.

Jim Muncy is the only survivor of the three people responsible for the original displays. Muncy said he put up the displays, along with Alfred “Toot” Isaacs and Bill Gays. Muncy delivered the $2,200 check for the monument with Heather Smith and Sue Madden, descendants of Isaacs and Gays.

“We did it,” Muncy said. “We asked for the churches’ and the public’s help, and we got it. It took less than one week to be able to get this monument.”

Muncy’s joy was tempered with lingering shock about the removal of the displays.

“It was hard for me to understand,” Muncy said. “They had stood for nine years and 11 months, and it took three weeks for one man to bring them down. I know it was the only thing the county could do, but one good thing came out of it. Mr. Phillips woke a sleeping giant in Jackson County and caused most everyone, young and old, to show support for the Ten Commandments.”

Local businesses got more than 1,000 signatures on petitions showing support for the displays. Rallies were organized and money was collected to purchase the granite monument, banners and yard signs.

“We hope to have a Ten Commandment yard sign in every yard ... in Jackson County,” Muncy said.