MOSES LAKE - The Moses Lake Irrigation and Rehabilitation District board meeting recently opened with the Pledge of Allegiance, at the request of an audience member.

"Mr. Hansen? I'd like permission to say the Pledge of Allegiance," Jennifer Powell, of Moses Lake, said from the audience.

Everyone in the room stood and recited the pledge.

Toward the end of the meeting, the issue came up again.

Board Director Ron Covey asked board Chairman Mick Hansen that the Pledge of Allegiance be included on the agenda.

The meetings were running too long and cutting the Pledge of Allegiance was one way to save time, said Hansen. He would consider reinstating it when the meetings don't run as long, he said.

"You're the one that's walking out before (the meetings are) done," he told Covey. "At that time I would be more than happy to reinstate it. In fact, we can add the Star Spangled Banner or we can add a number of things if you like, a prayer, anything that you'd like to add in that time if we can get it down under the two-hour period for a couple meetings."

Covey left not because the meetings were long, but because he didn't agree with Hansen "micromanaging" the district at the end of the meeting, he said.

"And for that reason I would leave, not because of the length, not because of anything else, so you just be straightforward and honest about it," he said. "Don't just tell half the story."

"I talked to a guy today that is in charge of being at three different irrigation meetings," said Hansen. "And I asked him, 'Do any of your three irrigation districts say this flag salute?' And he said no. He says, we get down to business and we get it done as quickly as possible. I don't know why you feel we have to do it. I'm not against it, but on the other hand I think we come here to do business."