News - Northwest - Northwest McClatchy

POSTED: Sunday, Sep. 27, 2009

Mount Vernon: Fox News’ Glenn Beck gets key to city

As planned, the mayor of Glenn Beck’s hometown in Washington has presented the Fox News personality with a ceremonial key to the city.

Beck received a boisterous, minute-long standing ovation after receiving the plaque-mounted key from Mount Vernon Mayor Bud Norris.

Norris, a Republican, says he proclaimed Saturday “Glenn Beck Day” as a way to mark Beck’s success as a nationally known broadcaster.

Saturday evening’s event was preceded by weeks of protests and petitions calling for the cancellation of the visit by the conservative commentator. The event has been criticized by some who claim Beck is too polarizing a figure.

The City Council passed a resolution saying “Mount Vernon City Council is in no way sponsoring the mayor’s event on Sept. 26, 2009, and is not connected to the Glenn Beck event in any manner.”

Beck, a vocal critic of President Barack Obama, has garnered a strong national following, taking aim at such standard conservative targets as illegal immigration and big government spending.

The Associated Press