Dear Newton County Residents,

I have never written a letter to the entire county. As the mayor of the City of Covington, I dont
typically have a need to correspond on a large scale with those outside of the City limits, even
though we all are part of the same community. Recently though, I have been embarrassed by the
way the Newton County Board of Commissioners has handled the proposed mosque.
The mayors of the municipalities in Newton County approached me and asked that I correspond
with the BOC and relay to them our feelings. Below you will find a letter I am delivering to each
member of the BOC. It contains four requests the mayors have.
This letter has nothing to do with supporting or not supporting a mosque, church or any place of
commerce, school, etc. It is about following the rules that govern our great nation, which we
dont believe the BOC is currently doing. The mayors want to be transparent and let you know
the action we took.
Sincerely,

Ronnie Johnson
Mayor, City of Covington

Newton County Commissioners and Chairman

August 26, 2016
Dear County Commissioners,
The nation is watching Newton County and we are being embarrassed by our County leaders.
As a community, our goal should be to move everyone forward and to create an atmosphere
where people want to live, work and spend their leisure time. As we are creating an environment
to attract people and commerce to our community, I am sad to say that how the proposed
mosque was handled by the Board of Commissioners has hindered us in achieving those goals.
The Bill of Rights applies to all citizens and the Third Article states: Congress shall make no law
respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the
freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to
petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Simply put, by placing a moratorium on places of worship, you are, in my opinion, violating the
Third Article and making Newton County and its residents look ignorant and closed minded. Do I
have concerns and questions about any proposed development, including the mosque?
Absolutely. However, there are proper ways to voice those concerns and have those questions
answered.
The fact that organizations like the United States Department of Justice, the NAACP and the
Council on American Islamic Relations are threatening to come to our community and force us to
do the right thing, is shameful. We should do the right thing without being forced. Now is your
opportunity to take a step back and reconsider your stance on the proposed mosque.
Remember, if the mosque or any other development cant meet the requirements, they will not
be able to move forward with their plans. If they do meet the requirements, we need to welcome
them. You have already driven a wedge between our community and those associated with the

proposed mosque and we will all have to work to undo some of the ill will you created by your
actions. There have been many times in the history of our nation where people of all ethnicities,
beliefs and religious backgrounds have been embraced. It is the America we all know and love.
I have been asked by mayors of the municipalities in Newton County to contact you with our
requests. Let me be clear, these are the thoughts of all of the mayors in Newton County.
The Mayors of the municipalities in Newton County have four requests:
1) Remove the moratorium you enacted on places of worship.
2) Set up a meeting with the leaders of the proposed mosque, County Commissioners and
the mayors of Newton Countys municipalities to discuss the project.
3) Following that meeting, disseminate the information learned in the meeting and assure the
citizens of Newton County the following: That due diligence will be carried out and a
comprehensive plan will be created to help the Muslim community integrate into our
community in a positive way, provided they meet the permitting requirements and every
local law that would apply to all Americans.
4) Fully execute the permitting process in place that protects our community.
Newton County Georgia welcomes all people. It is the only way to move forward. Please respond
to this correspondence by Tuesday, August 30, 2016.
Sincerely,

Ronnie Johnston
Chapman
Covington

Jerry Roseberry
Oxford

Jefferson Riley
Mansfield

Gregg Ellwanger
Newborn

Arline

Porterdale