DELHI — What began as a customary invocation quickly turned contentious at an Oct. 23 meeting of the Delaware County Board of Supervisors, when Chairperson Tina Molé publicly criticized Hamden Supervisor Wayne Marshfield for what she considered partisan language in his opening prayer. Molé’s reaction — a sudden turn and scornful laugh aimed at Marshfield — underscored tensions surrounding the role of prayer in government settings.
“If anyone other than myself noticed the partisan politics during the county prayer, I find it highly inappropriate, and I would ask that it be refrained from in the future,” Molé stated.
Marshfield was swift to defend his prayer, which included requests for compassion, peace, and humility among elected officials.
“Well, I don’t think there’s partisan politics in it. That’s my opinion, contrary to yours,” he responded.
The exchange, though brief, reflects a broader debate on the appropriateness of prayers at government meetings.
In his invocation, Marshfield prayed for elected officials to serve with “compassionate acts of peace, justice, and reconciliation,” while also mentioning “national world atrocities” and asking that those who hold office “not dominate or oppress those with whom they disagree.”
To Molé, these statements appeared political. New York state law permits prayer at government meetings but prohibits invocations that advance a specific political or religious agenda, aiming to preserve government neutrality.
Marshfield later explained, “I was just insinuating, which I thought was good, that our incoming elected officials treat the public with compassion and reconciliation and remember they represent everyone.”
Molé did not elaborate on what she found objectionable, stating she was too busy for further comment.
However, in a follow-up email to supervisors following an executive session of the county’s legislative committee held Nov. 6, Molé explained her stance further and announced a procedural shift regarding the prayer tradition.
“Since the very first meeting of the newly formed county of Delaware in 1797, an opening prayer has been an important part of reminding us of our role as elected public servants,” she wrote.
Although some governments have ended prayer practices, Molé emphasized that in Delaware County, the tradition “continues to be important to the majority.”
In her email, Molé announced that the county would transition away from having supervisors lead the opening prayer.
“An elected member of the board of supervisors should no longer administer the prayer,” she directed.
Instead, the lead chaplain of the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office, or a designated representative, will now deliver a “non-partisan prayer” to “seek guidance and grace before each meeting.”
Hamden Supervisor Wayne Marshfield expressed both shock and dismay to receive the email without any prior discussions or conversation with Molé. He’s led the prayer under three different chairs without issue, he said.
“I just didn’t feel there was anything political in it,” he said, noting that others from around the county had expressed similar views to him.
Molé’s public reprimand, Marshfield said, felt “unprofessional and uncalled for” and that a private discussion “after the meeting” would have been more appropriate.
“I just want to apologize to any of you that I might have offended, which I still say it’s a non-partisan prayer, but if I did, I’m sorry. I’ve done it. I’ve done the prayer for 17 years and I patterned my prayer mainly under Walt Johnson from Sidney, and Marty Donnelly from Andes who did it for several years. I took over for Marty, I think, in 2008 or 2009. I’ve done 300 prayers for this county and I gave it my all,” Marshfield said.
Reflecting on his faith, Marshfield, a regular churchgoer, explained that his prayers are heartfelt and inspired by his personal beliefs. Despite Molé’s criticism and the policy change, he intends to continue offering invocations at Hamden town board meetings, where he says his prayers have never sparked complaints.
The debate reflects the challenge of Delaware County’s longstanding tradition of prayer at government meetings. Whether this change will diffuse tensions or spark new ones remains to be seen, as Delaware County continues its two-century-old invocation tradition — now under new leadership.
For previous reporting visit the-reporter.net
