Hartford City Mayor Introduces Prayer at Start of Council Meetings

From the Hartford City Common Council meeting on July 6, 2026

Mayor Dan Eckstein introduced a new practice of opening council meetings with a prayer at the July 6 session. He said he had wanted to add this and framed it as asking for guidance and direction for the community.

The mayor offered the opportunity to council members first. When none volunteered, Eckstein led the prayer himself. This is the first time a prayer has been included in the meeting format during the period The Blackford Ledger has been tracking council meetings.

Source: YouTube transcript — Hartford City Common Council Meeting, July 6, 2026

Some information may be inaccurate due to video audio quality.