Mt. Vernon—
An event honoring FOX News talk show host Glenn Beck will go on as planned in Mt. Vernon this weekend.Mayor Bud Norris is giving Beck the key to the city and declaring Saturday, September 26, 2009 "Glenn Beck Day". The decision sparked a heated banter between residents and the city council.
Protestors came to Wednesday night's council meeting with a petition of 16,000 signatures asking the Mayor to stop the event. Some had a chance to speak out during the meeting.
"He has thought about murdering a man in cold blood," says protestor Brian Hill. "Not only has he called the President of the United States a racist, he has called an ex-President a waste of skin," says Hill.
Others are supportive of the event, like Laura Burt-Thorpe.
"He is very caring he does a lot of research and gives a lot of facts," says Burt-Thorpe.
Mayor Bud Norris feels it's important to honor beck, because he grew up in Mt. Vernon and has achieved what he calls tremendous professional success. Some city council members worry about the backlash.
"I have gotten lots of emails, hundreds that people aren't going to shop in Mt. Vernon and that gets me on fire," says council member Dale Ragan.
Despite the protest, Mayor Norris says Saturday's event will go on at 7:30 PM at McIntyre Hall. City councilors passed a resolution separating them from the event saying they do not want to be associated with it in any way.
