In a move

that may set a precedent, the Coweta County Board of

Commissioners decided last week to allow a little

old-time religion on the steps of the county's historic

courthouse in Newnan.

The

commissioners agreed to let the Gospel of Power Church

use the courthouse steps to conduct a prayer rally in

May.

While the

commissioners acknowledge that they did not know what

type of church the Gospel of Power is, they voted 4-0

with Commissioner Lawrence Nelms abstaining to allow the

service.

Nelms

emphasized that he is a church-going man, but wondered if

the move wouldn't open up the county to requests from

anti-religious groups.

County

attorney Mitch Powell said that is a possibility, but

added the county already allows the use of the steps for

different groups.

Earlier in

the meeting, the county agreed to allow a Taste of Newnan

to set up food booths around the courthouse in April and

commission Chairman Vernon "Mutt" Hunter said

the courthouse had been used by many different groups.

"There's

even been political announcements made there," he

said.

Hunter said

that any move the county makes is liable to set a

precedent, and he didn't see any harm in allowing the

church to use the steps.

Nelms

pointed out that anybody driving around the court square

would be subject to hearing the rally, but county

administrator Theron Gay said the county could impose

restrictions such as allowing the volume of the

loudspeakers to be placed at a certain level.

Commissioner

Robert Wood said you could drive throughout the county

and see preachers on public right-of-ways waving signs

and he didn't have a problem with the county allowing the

use of the steps.

After

approving the motion, the board instructed Gay to tell

the applicant that he would also have to receive

permission from the city of Newnan, since the surrounding

streets are municipal property.