MOUNT VERNON — The Knox County Commissioners met Thursday afternoon with Michael Young and Curtis Olson, members of the Peoples Constitution Coalition of Ohio.
Young explained that the PCCOH is a group formed to protect and promote governmental compliance and accountability to the state and federal constitutions.
“We want to introduce the Ohio Sovereignty Amendment to Knox County,” said Young. “The public has lost sight on the purpose of the constitution, and we want to re-educate people on this.”
The group conducts regular public educational meetings and has most recently been meeting at the Public Library of Mount Vernon and Knox County. But a current pending lawsuit at the Upper Arlington Public Library pertaining to building use for religious and political groups has put use of this building on hold. Another issue the group has with the public library is needing to be out of the building by a certain time as some meetings can be a bit lengthy.
“We just need a place for a classroom,” said Young. “Our goal is to build an ongoing perpetual organization with an interest in American heritage where people can come and learn in these classes. A lot of people in the area are really interested.”
While the group is unable to pay for renting a room on an ongoing basis, Young asked the commissioners about the possibility of using rooms in the Mount Vernon Memorial Theater for their classes.
“While the building does belong to the people of Knox County, we do have fees which help subsidize the cost of the building,” said Commissioner Allen Stockberger, adding that these fees don’t necessarily cover the costs of cleaning, utilities and payroll for employees securing the building.
Young suggested them trying a “test run,” where his group would be permitted to use the building and would be responsible for cleaning and securing the building. “We’re pretty responsible people,” said Young. “I think the community should have better access to [Memorial Theater].”
“I’m not sure the Memorial Building is a good fit for your needs,” said Stockberger, explaining that the rooms in the building may not be very conducive for the group.
