Valdosta, GA- What was supposed to be a simple vote over a water well trust indenture turned into a religious debate at Tuesday’s Lowndes County Commission meeting. The request for a trust indenture was needed in order to send plans to the state Environmental Protection Division for a planned Islamic center hear Hahira.

Commissioner John Page was the only commissioner to speak out about the request, saying that many residents had complained about the potential Merciful Community Center on Old US 41 North.

While Page cited his experience as a Baptist minister and claimed that ‘no one supports religious freedom more than I do,’ he questioned the idea of developing property in that area.

Page admitted that at this point in development, the commission is approving nothing more than a well. However, “we know it’s just going to be a Muslim center.”

The commission voted 4-1 to approve the measure.