MICHAEL COONS/Simi Acorn CONTROVERSY-The cross on top of Mt. McCoy in Simi Valley has become a topic of debate.

Although the stone cross on top of Mount McCoy in Simi Valley has long been an historical monument, it has come under fire recently because some object that it’s a religious symbol on public property.

According to Rick Johnson, spokesperson for the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District, the cross was adopted by donation almost 10 years ago, but taxpayer dollars do not pay to maintain it.

Stuart Bechman, president of the Ventura County chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, was offended by the cross, Johnson said.

"Mr. Bechman asked us about it and we told him the history of the cross and about the property acquisition," Johnson said.

Bechman made his complaint as a private citizen and his views might not be representative of the American Civil Liberties Union, Johnson said.

"The cross has been up at the top of Mount McCoy in one form or another steadily since 1858, but we believe it was there even before then," Johnson said. "It appeared on an 1858 Spanish (map), but historians say it had to have been up before that for it to appear on a map at that time ... Various service groups and church groups have restored the cross (throughout the years)."

Spanish priests installed the cross on the mountaintop as a means to direct travelers between Ventura and San Fernando missions at a time when signs didn’t exist and maps were crude.

In 1986, Ventura County declared the cross an historical county landmark.

A decade later the private owners of the cross and surrounding property donated the site to the park district.

"There’s no maintenance costs because there’s nothing to maintain," Johnson said. "There’s no grass to mow, no hedges to trim, there’s nothing to water, and there’s no electricity—there’s nothing."

At times, usually during Easter, the Rotary Club of Simi Valley brings a generator to the site and shines a light on the cross during evening hours, according to Johnson.

"That’s when Mr. Bechman saw the cross," he said. "It’s a 12-foot tall cross and I’m 6-foot 2-inches—that thing stands twice as high as me. It may seem like it’s pretty big (up close), but from far away you don’t normally see that unless it is lit up."

Johnson said people of different faiths from Simi Valley to Thousand Oaks have written and called saying they want the cross to remain. Simi Valley City Councilman Glen Becerra said he’s received similar correspondence. He said he would protect the cross if it were in danger of being taken down.

"Back in May of last year, because of what was going on up in Ventura—they have a cross up there as well (in question)—I figured it was just a matter of time before someone came after our cross," Becerra said. "And so I went to the historical society here and told them that if they were to offer to buy the 100 square feet underneath the cross, that I would pay $1,000 to buy that land."

Becerra said the cross is important to him because he’s lived in Simi Valley a long time and it’s become part of his life.

"My dad was born here. As long as I can remember and as long as my dad can remember, there’s been a cross on top of that hill," Becerra said.

He added that his two kids have become emotionally attached to the cross as well, saying that when his family returns from out of town they know they’re home when they see the cross.

Private parties have offered to buy the site to preserve it, Johnson said. Most people who favor the cross want it to remain for historical reasons.

"Mr. Bechman just wanted the background and history on it," Johnson said. "But we have to abide by the law. If for some reason this does go to court, it’s considered something that we need to deal with. We have to comply with the law."

Bechman, who was unavailable for comment, has yet to file a complaint.

Tenoch Flores, a spokesman for the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California, said he needs more information about the case before offering his opinion.