MOUNT VERNON — Each Wednesday, for the next five weeks, local attorneys and judges will educate the public on the U.S. Constitution and its ramifications in the 21st century.
The series is the brainchild of local attorney Phillip Lehmkuhl. He said the roots of the series started with his daughter, Kirby, who has an interest in the Constitution as well as American history.
“Everybody talks about it but nobody knows much about it. ... I see people on TV talking about the Constitution all the time and they are wrong. I concluded that a program to enhance general awareness about the Constitution couldn’t hurt and might help.”
Developing a firm grasp of the origins of the Constitution is important for every American, Lehmkuhl believes because it is so intricately weaved in governmental and judicial processes.
“Our Bill of Rights was a response to the times. Our Bill of Rights embodies the protections the colonists insisted upon because they never wanted to live through what they lived through with the king,” Lehmkuhl said. “Everything that is in the Bill of Rights has a historical basis for existing there — people don’t know it. When they know it they will better appreciate the rights they have and why they have them.”
The series was developed to provide easily digestible chunks of information by addressing specific topics in a manner that is easy for the average citizen, and student, to comprehend.
Speakers will have 45 minutes to present their topics. A 20-minute intermission will take place between the two nightly sections. Speakers have been instructed to leave out the legal jargon and talk to the audience as if they were addressing a high school class.
In addition to educating the general public, Lehmkuhl said the series will be videotaped in order to create a DVD set for local schools because no in-depth classes are offered on the Constitution.
“This should give kids a two-week course on the Constitution just by playing the video,” he said.
The series is sponsored solely by Lehmkuhl, who believes the money will be well spent.
“Once you learn about it, you’ll have a greater appreciation for our country; how we are unique from other countries; why we do things the way we do things in Congress; why we do things the way we do things in our courts. Unless you have a good grounding and understanding of that, you are left to wonder why,” he said.
Lehmkuhl said he has distributed packets of tickets throughout the county to various businesses, first responders, county office holders, attorneys, law enforcement and even barbershops.
“The idea is to make them available through multiple sources,” he said. “The only reason we have tickets at all is that the theater only holds a specific number of people.”
Tickets are also available at his office, 101 N. Mulberry St., and at the News office at 18 E. Vine St. The event will be held at the Memorial Theater beginning at 7 p.m.
The series schedule is:
Wednesday — Lehmkuhl, Origins of the Constitution; John Aebi, Separation of Powers.
Aug. 25: John Thatcher — The Supremacy Clause (Article VI) Slavery and Voting; Mark Zanghi — Full Faith and Credit Clause, Privileges and Immunities Clause, Extradition, New States, Regulation of Territories, Guarantee of Republican Form of Government, Process to Amend Constitution, Oath of Office for Congress and Ratification of Constitution.
Sept. 1: Knox County Juvenile Court Judge James Ronk — Freedom of Religion; Knox County Common Pleas Court Judge Paul Spurgeon — Grand Jury Indictments, Double Jeopardy, Right Against Self Incrimination, Due Process of Law, Eminent Domain, Right to Speedy Trial, Right to Counsel, Right to Subpoena Witnesses.
Sept. 8: Mount Vernon Assistant Prosecutor Robert Broeren — Amendments 3, 7, 8, 18, 21, 22, 23, 25, 27; Knox County Assistant Prosecutor Chip McConville — Freedom of Speech, Press and Assembly.
Sept. 15: William Kepko — Right to Keep and Bear Arms; Lehmkuhl — Fourth Amendment, Search Warrants and Arrest Warrants.
