Familiar face at Kaplan meetings

KAPLAN — On June 26, at the Kaplan administration’s swearing-in ceremony, there were many new faces in the audience because of new aldermen and a second-term mayor.
However, one familiar face has attended Kaplan City Council meetings for at least eight to 10 years. That person is Pastor Farley Painter of Faith Christian Church in Kaplan.
Under two different Kaplan mayors, Pastor Farley is the person called on to say the opening prayer before the city council meeting. He attended the swearing-in ceremony and opened the ceremony with a prayer.
He began saying the opening prayer at the Kaplan meeting under former Mayor Kirk Champagne. When Mike Kloesel won his first term four years ago, Kloesel visited with Painter to see if he could continue saying the prayer.
“Pastor Farley has become a wonderful friend and offers a quiet and calming presence for me when things get hectic or out of control,” said Mayor Kloesel. “Sometimes, all I have to do is look his way and feel calmer.”
“I like and enjoy it,” said Pastor Farley about attending the once-a-month meeting. “Each prayer is different at every meeting. But, first, I pray to the Lord to give me a prayer.”
Pastor Farley, 71, did not start the tradition of a pastor leading off the Kaplan council meetings with a prayer. Instead, pastor Noah Langley, a Baptist pastor from Kaplan, began the prayer tradition.
Then the two pastors would alternate each meeting and eventually, Pastor Noah passed away, and Pastor Farley took over.
Pastor Farley has attended around 90 Kaplan meetings in the last eight years.
He has the Kaplan council meeting dates marked on his calendar. If he can not make a meeting, he calls the Mayor to look for backup.
Pastor Farley, from Gonzales, stays for the meeting and pays attention to what is said.
He has been pastor of the Kaplan non-denomination church for 43 years.
Pastor Farley has no plans to quit saying the lead-off prayer in Kaplan.
“I will continue to do it until I can’t,” said Pastor Farley.