Local residents battle ACLU lawsuit

PACE, Fla. - Support is mounting for principal Frank Lay of Pace High School, who has been accused of violating a federal judge's order that banned prayer in Santa Rosa County schools. A fund has been set up to help Lay pay his legal fees.

The fund is managed by Robert Smith, proprietor of an eponymous-named insurance company in Milton. Smith, who attended high school with Lay, said that he has organized the fund with "other individuals, who are also friends." These friends are Noel Spurlock, a Pace-based dentist, and a Carol Cranford Jones, a history teacher at Milton High School.

Of the large sums raised, Smith said that he is "very delighted, somewhat surprised."

Donations to the fund have come in from other states, including Georgia and Oklahoma.

"It's not just Santa Rosa County, Florida. I think this is a national issue. People need to be aware of what's going on," said Smith.

The Web site is also selling t-shirts, which depict children praying on the front side and the message "Frank-ly against the ACLU" on the back side.

Smith's actions have caused a local movement. In addition to this, yard signs that read "Pray for our schools" are being displayed in yards as a means of tangible support for the movement. The next gathering of the Farmer's Opry in Milton will be used as a fundraiser, that is being held September 10.

On August 21, supporters are organizing a peaceful demonstration outside the federal courthouse in Pensecola where Michelle Winkler, another Santa Rosa County employee, will appear before U.S. Court Judge Casey Rodgers for a civil contempt hearing. Winkler is accused of allegedly asking her husband to say a prayer at a school luncheon.

Smith says that the fight is also about standing up for future generations.

"In the United States with the freedoms that we supposedly have, I think what has happened is we have sat back and allowed these things to take lace and until it hits home we don't take it serious. But it's hit home, and it's not necessarily just Frank Lay. It's the issue that concerns us," said Smith.

The legal fund, set up via the Web site, has raised nearly $13,000 in less than a week.