BANGOR, Maine — Bangor City Hall will open Saturday morning, Dec. 29, to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples on the first day they can obtain them under a law passed by voters Nov. 6.
City employees will be on hand to issue licenses from 6 to 8 a.m.
After a surprise addition to Monday night’s agenda, the City Council voted 5-3 to open City Hall to allow couples to be married as soon as possible. Only Bangor residents may obtain a marriage license in Bangor.
The decision to have a council vote came after councilors met prior to the meeting with a same-sex Bangor couple who told councilors they would like to be married on Dec. 29, councilors said.
The previous City Council, which had six of the same members as this year’s council, unanimously supported an October resolution to put its support behind the referendum to legalize same-sex marriage in Maine, which passed the next month.
That resolve was preceded by an emotional speech from Bangor resident Cara Pelletier in which she thanked the council for its support.
Councilors Joe Baldacci, James Gallant, Benjamin Sprague, Charlie Longo and Council Chairman Nelson Durgin each supported opening City Hall. Councilors Patricia Blanchette, David Nealley and Pauline Civiello each voted against the motion, citing concerns about finances and fairness. Councilor Susan Hawes was absent from the meeting.
Blanchette said that while she supported the same-sex marriage referendum, she wouldn’t support spending taxpayer money on a “special exception.”
“One more day or two more days is not going to sink the ship,” Blanchette said. The other councilors who opposed the motion echoed Blanchette’s concern about finances and also argued that couples could wait until City Hall opens during its regular hours on Monday.
Gallant argued that City Hall has opened for other reasons at odd hours, citing examples of New Years celebrations and election nights. Baldacci stressed that any couple, regardless of orientation, may get married on Dec. 29.
“There is a time and place for all history to change, and I think we shouldn’t make anybody wait for their dream any longer than they already have,” Gallant said.
“I want to make sure on that Saturday morning … that these folks can pursue the happiness they deserve,” Longo said.
City Clerk Lisa Goodwin said after the meeting that four or five city employees would work those two morning hours at a cost of a few hundred dollars. She said she doesn’t have budgeted funds to cover the costs, and that the city might have to find savings elsewhere.
“Waiting a couple extra days won’t hurt, and this way there won’t be a stretch for the city clerk’s budget,” Civiello said in explaining why she opposed the motion.
Councilor Joe Baldacci has volunteered to serve as a notary and perform marriage ceremonies after couples obtain their licenses, Goodwin said, adding that the city is hoping other notaries will volunteer their time.
Bangor joins Portland, Augusta, Hallowell, Gardiner and Brunswick on the list of Maine communities that have announced they will open up on the morning of Dec. 29 to issue licenses.
Also at Monday night’s meeting, the council voted to:
• Authorize City Manager Cathy Conlow to execute a collective bargaining agreement between the city and a union representing support staff at Bangor Police Department.
• Transfer administrative duties of the Historic Preservation Committee to the Planning Department because it has greater staff capacity than the Code Enforcement Office, which currently handles the duties.
• Authorize Conlow to accept a $73,000 grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development to help homeless individuals and families afford rent. This is the first year of the five-year grant. Each recipient is expected to have a case manager who assists them with healthy living, financial literacy and finding employment.
One little quibble: Contrary to the headline, these won’t be “same-sex marriage licenses.” They’ll be marriage licenses.
I wondered how long it would be for the gay-lesbian movement to find something else to complain about. And we bent over frontwards for them.
I feel the local town offices all should be open half day EVERY Saturday and can be staffed not to effect budgets. However it should not be open to give special rights to these marriage licenses. These people can wait and do their business Monday through Friday like anyone else.
As Councilor Baldacci pointed out, ANYBODY who wants a marriage license will be able to get one on Dec. 29. So, actually, nobody is getting a special right.
And as I pointed out it could wait for Monday. This would not be up for discussion if it were not for same sex marriages. So yes Ryan they are opening up special for this.
To quote you: “… [I]t should not be open to give special RIGHTS to THESE marriage licenses” (emphasis added).
And as Amy Fried pointed out, there’s no such thing as a “same-sex” marriage license; it’s simply a marriage license.
Yes they are simply marriage licenses.. but it is also special treatment. They would never opened for this in he past. They are opening to give special treatment to these couples.
So you’re claiming that if a municipality knew that a lot of people wanted to get married on a Saturday or Sunday at City Hall, City Hall would make no effort to collect those license fees from them, and just let them all go to local lawyers and let the lawyers collect the money ?
And you’re claiming that no city hall anywhere in Maine has ever opened on the weekend to do business ?
You’re right here of course— had Maine not made history, we wouldn’t have a reason to open town offices on Saturday.
Had Saturday not been the first day in which civil marriage was available to same-sex couples, we wouldn’t have a reason to open town offices on Saturday.
I’m glad you agree that Maine is a very special place :)
Actually Mike they are opening just to upset you one more time.
They are getting special treatment, if a straight couple had made the same request they would have been told that City Hall is open Monday through Friday for normal business hours and they would have to conduct their business within those parameters.
Obviously it’s lost on you guys that it doesn’t matter whether you’re straight or gay, you can get a marriage license that Saturday. So that’s not giving anyone special treatment.
What would be special treatment is saying that ONLY same-sex couples can get a marriage license that day.
Their complaint is that opening city hall at all represents special treatment because it is for a specific reason.
Yes, it’s open for regular [marriage license] business, but only because it’s the first day that same sex couples are eligible.
Anyone can get one this Saturday because of the special accomadations being made for same sex couples. At anytime in the past a couple seeking a marriage license on a Saturday would have been told the normal business hours are Monday through Friday from whatever time to whatever time.
This is a one-time thing. There are other things in life to stress about, this isn’t one of them.
How many “one time thing” exceptions have been made in the past for straight couples. If it can be proven that it has happened in the past then fine. I still am in the opinion that a special accommodation is being made for same sex couples and it is not right. It is an expense to the taxpayers of Bangor that is not necessary, as they(same sex couples) can wait for for normal business hours just like anyone else.
BTW
I am not “stressed” about it, I am only offering my opinion.
If the city clerk can figure out how to do it without added cost (as she should) would you find it less upsetting?
No. It is still an accommodation that has not been given to straight couples in the past. This is a pretty simple concept, the City of Bangor is giving special consideration to one group that they have not given to others in the past.
You apparently feel very strongly about this semloh. If you feel you are having your rights violated by City Hall opening on Sat Dec 29 for a couple of hours you are free to file for an injunction at the Federal Court on Harlow St.
Another comment from the cheap seats.
At 40 bucks a pop, it isn’t going to take issuing many licenses to run in the black.
It’s not a “special accommodation” if everyone can get a license, just as Christians are not receiving “special accommodations” when a store extends its hours during Christmas season.
Would City Hall be open for the issuance of marriage licenses on Saturday if it were not for the same sex marriage issue?…..NO! Therefore it is a special accommodation. You are comparing apples to oranges trying to relate this issue to Christians and Christmas, nice try though.
Would you otherwise fully support civil marriage for same-sex couples if it weren’t for the fact that it’s being allowed beginning on a Saturday?
No. That is why I voted against it. With that said, I do respect the outcome because apparently the majority were in favor of it. I just do not like the fact that a special accommodation is being given by opening City Hall on a Saturday for the purpose of granting marriage licenses because it becomes legal on a Saturday when a straight couple would be told to conduct their business during normal business hours and days of operation.
Great way to put it, but… the stores aren’t on the tax-payer’s dime.
Expect a comment in that fashion I’m sure.
No it isn’t lost. It is the reason they are openi g on Saturday .. They will be giving out marriage licences to all couples…but it is primarily to give the GL Community special treatment.
If a straight couple makes the request to get married at City Hall on Saturday, December 29, 2012, they certainly would be allowed!
You’re right, if a single straight couple had made the request they would probably have been told to come in Monday.
But this isn’t about a single person requesting a service from the city, which they are actually PAYING for, you know, marriage licenses cost money, and when a LOT of people request the service it’s not special treatment, it’s the city doing it’s job.
The knots bigots have to twist themselves into so that they feel a sense of phony persecution is truly pathetic and cowardly.
It does not matter if one or one hundred seek marriage licenses on December 29th, it is a special accommodation that has not been afforded to others in the past. You are trying to insinuate that I am a bigot and a coward for my opinion on this subject. That can’t be any further from the truth, I have previously stated, that I personally do not agree with the passage of the law, but I respect the outcome of the election and recognize that it is now the law of the land. Just do it on a normal business day for City Hall and avoid the appearance of giving preference to a select group.
“These people” have already waited long enough, and they were not treated like ‘anyone else’.
“These people?” – it’s probably time for you to consider leaving your antiquated, discriminatory views at the door. Society is evolving.
Bangorian. Discriminatory comments really? I’m far from it. I have good friends who are gay and lesbians hence my voting yes on 1. I just don’t feel it’s right to open a business specially for these licenses that can be given on a normally open day. Lepage could have made an exception as to what date they could be given. Like Friday the 28 th? I’m not saying dont give them out simply saying do it under normal business hours.
Do you seriously believe that these people crowing about this “outrage” that City Hall will be open on Saturday would not be equally “outraged” if Lepage made an exception to Maine election laws to allow this 1 day early?
I wouldn’t have a problem with that. That would be fine as long as it was done in the correct way.
So you would not have a problem with Lepage making an exception to Maine law so same-sex marriages can start sooner, but you have a problem with local officials making an exception to Maine law so same-sex marriages can start sooner?
Can you see where you’re being ridiculous yet?
No I don’t a problem if it was done as an across the board move. Any legislation that is passed that will be effected in it’s implementation by a date that does not coincide with a normal business day should have the date moved to avoid such problems. I only have a problem with the fact that an exception is being made that has not been made for others in the past and it is only for a select group. I, even though I don’t agree with the lifestyle, do not have a problem with the fact that same sex couples are being granted the right to marry. The majority spoke and those of us that did not agree did not prevail. Pretty simple, that is the only point that I have tried to make.
This is much ado about nothing. Some clerks in some towns have volunteered to do this for free. Lighten up, already. This is a one-time event. Come 2013, it will be “business as usual.” Gay couples have a chance to get married before the end of 2012 and thus will be able to file jointly on their 2012 tax return. This is the first and only time before the close of 2012 that they will be able to obtain a marriage license. I hardly find the opening of clerks’ offices to be any huge burden on the finances of the towns/cities of Maine.
Face it, you lost. Get over it. Same-sex marriage will be the law of the land soon enough. The world won’t come to an end. Your church can still clutch its bible and try to “pray away the gay.” In the end, SSM will have about as much negative impact on society as does the choice between plastic and paper. Ho hum.
Well said, Chuck.
Thanks. I might also add something I did not see mentioned – this is revenue for the municipality issuing the licenses. Since the offices are open specifically for marriage licenses (although you no doubt can pick up a dog license at the same time), they probably will realize more income per hour than during a normal work day. What does a license cost these days? I heard $40. Seems like a deal to me.
When Maine makes history as the first state in the nation to extend civil marriage equality by popular vote, it’s understandable to allow civil marriages on the first day they are available to all Maine families.
As noted elsewehere, any Bangor residents can get a marriage license at that time. Hardly a “special right”.
For the record I voted yes on 1
Born in lust
Turn to dust
Born in sin
COME ON IN
Born in lust
Turn to dust
Born in sin…
COME ON IN
PROUDLY VOTED NOOOOO
Clearly this must be the one and only thing you’re proud of…..aside from being a white male…..which frankly if that’s all you have accomplished in life is rather pathetic and laughable. Try again LOL.
i’m proud of a lot of things…voting the first time around that this was AND SHOULD HAVE been defeated…and this time too
Yes well…should have, could have, would have, been defeated but WASN’T DEFEATED. BOOM.
‘”A research team from the University of Rochester, the University of Essex, England, and the University of California in Santa Barbara found that “[h]omophobia is more pronounced in individuals with an unacknowledged attraction to the same sex and who grew up with authoritarian parents who forbade such desires.”
“Individuals who identify as straight but in psychological tests show a strong attraction to the same sex may be threatened by gays and lesbians because homosexuals remind them of similar tendencies within themselves,” the study’s lead author, Netta Weinstein, explained.”
Let me guess, the researchers are probably pro same sex marriage. Put a little spin on the subject to make some think that because they are in opposition they may be gay. What a bunch of BS.
you obviously know all about BS, a little insecure or just protesting too much?.
btw – i’m a happily married hetero grandfather , i just dont worry about what others do
btw I’m a single 26 year old white male who went to one of the most liberal schools in the most liberal areas. gays don’t want to be married for the word married. i talked to many gay couples and most are there for “security” in case their man lover dies they get their fortune
So when a young woman marries an old man are they getting married for love or for the “”security” in case their man lover dies they get their fortune”?
What about when a young man marries an old woman?
hey its not gay marriage…so why not. don’t even try comparing them
I don’t either, until special treatment is given to others that are not afforded to all, which is the case here. As far as the research goes, a researcher can come to any conclusion they want, as long as the right spin is placed upon the subject matter of choice. By the way, I don’t protest, I just vote for what I believe in.
Thank you. And I don’t protest. I try to share my educated response and I get derided or called facist
wait— where was your educated response at?
What about the special treatment given to those who merely choose to follow a religion? The ones spelled out in the Civil Rights Acts… why aren’t you upset about those?
Please give an example of the “special treatment” given to those who “merely choose to follow a religion” and I will offer you my opinion.
Read the civil rights acts of 1964 and 1968.
You cannot be refused housing because of your religion.
You cannot be refused a job because of your religion.
You cannot be refused public services, or private company services open to the public, because of your religion.
Need any more?
Now give the examples of “special treatment”. These civil rights cover EVERYONE from being discriminated against based on religion, even an Atheist. Nice try.
That IS “special treatment”.
It’s federal law that gives them special protections that not all citizens have. That’s “special treatment”.
In many states, gays can be fired for being gay.
Can be refused housing for being gay.
Can be refused public services for being gay.
There are no protections for them at the federal level.
Thus, those given to religious folks are indeed “special rights” under federal law.
If there are protections for gay citizens it comes form state or municipal government, not the federal government. Those “special protections” exclude gay citizens.
The Federal Government must not see a need for it at this time. I don’t recall that people that are straight getting any protection of discrimination from their sexual orientation either.
You are correct.
I’ve not asked for any special protections… but the fact is, some aspects of life get them, and some don’t.
And the offices being open are open for EVERYONE, even straight people… See how you aren’t making sense?
There is nothing to stop discrimination against gay citizens…
Race, religion, national origin, creed, and color ALL get special rights.
“until special treatment is given to others that are not afforded to all”
That’s NOT the case here. Any couple will be able to get a civil marriage license on Saturday the 29th, not just same-sex couples.
Equal treatment under the law is really a hard one for you to understand, isn’t it?
You seem to be the one that has a hard time to understand. If it were not for the issuance of marriage licenses to same sex couples, the Bangor City office would be closed on Saturday the 29th of December. I do understand equal treatment under the law very well, that is why I have a problem with this scenerio. No time in the past has City Hall been open on a Saturday to issue marriage licenses for straight couples. You are prejudiced in your belief that same sex couples do not have to wait for normal business hours like everyone else.
So you otherwise support our equal treatment under the law in regards to civil marriage?
Thanks for your support! I’m sorry you don’t see this historical occasion as a reason to allow civil marriage to happen on the first day the law allows for it, but I suppose you must find SOMETHING to be outraged about this holiday season…
I do not support your right to marry. I do respect the outcome of the election and that is about it. I am not outraged, I am disappointed that the majority that voted were in favor of something that I feel is morally wrong. This “historical occasion” is nothing more than a sad day as far as I am concerned. That is my personal opinion, right, wrong or indifferent. The first day should have been a normal business day, whether a day earlier or 5 days later.
Pretty certain that the first state to offer civil marriage to same-sex couples via popular vote is a historical occasion, no “scare quotes” needed there.
And the first date being a Saturday is due to Maine election laws, so go complain to them if you’re really this outraged over such a non-issue.
It was not a “scare quote” it is my opinion, I still have the right to an opinion in your world, right.
You used “scare quotes” in stating your opinion. That’s the term for adding quotes to a word to indicate you are disagreeing with it.
Yes you have a right to your opinion, as stubborn and ridiculously thin-skinned as it may be.
The only reason you call my opinion “stubborn ridiculously thin- skinned” is that it differs from yours.
Ok, you gave me an educated answer so I’m sure my educated response from my standpoint and the standpoint of many other people will probably get deleted and I’ll probably get banned on bdn again. But here is my response and please try to not get a liberal mindset and think I’m Hitler or Stalin like a lot of you people think I am.
The fact every time subject comes up, people on here think that people like myself are only against gays because I am afraid of gay people, lesbians transexuals, transvestites, etc. The matter of the fact is I am NOT gay, I do NOT secretly want to be with another man, NOR do I aspire to become one of these people.
Homosexuality is in our culture – its undeniable. Throughout world history their have been countless gay, lesbian, bi and transgendered people – such as possibly Abraham Lincoln, Joan of Arc, Elizabeth I, Elanor Roosevelt, and J. Edgar Hoover. Not to mention the entire Greek culture where men would bed with boys. The fact is not even religiously – because at my core on this subject I don’t look at this religiously – I am not baptised, nor have I been to a church in 15+ years. In fact the reason I got out of the last church was because I believe in equality for whoever you want to be with. My biggest issue on this is that the way – whatever way – we came to be – i prefer the evolution theory on this more than the bible theory – we evolved over thousands of years due to male and female relationships or sexual encounters.
Not that I think homosexuality is wrong – because for some people it is the right thing – my entire life I have believed CORRECTLY that marriage is between one woman and one man. Not in Maine anymore (haha me funny), but in the real scheme of things we have become who we are due to male and female reproduction. Our lizard brains may be wired differently on the subject because of our life experiences, our birth order, or the idea that people are “born gay” but the entire human and even animal kingdoms are here because of people like myself. Gays, lesbians, CANNOT and I repeat this – CANNOT have children of their own. Yes artificial insemination and test tube babies are almost common now even for straight couples – which again I think is an abomination of our humanity even for straight people – there is no natural way for reproduction.
Now before I do get hit with that often response by the agenda that if you are sterile, can’t have babies, or make babies then in my view I MUST think you must be gay I don’t think that way. There are thousands if not millions of sterile healthy relationships that have existed for a long time. At the very core of this subject however people of the liberal agenda do misconstrue many of my ideas and thoughts for their own benefit.
But let me get this straight. Come hell or high water. Gay marriage for me, gay sex for me, will never, NEVER be alright.
except for lipstick lesbians…then i’m all right
lipstick lesbians? its prob safe to say you’re one of these guys so against marriage yet you’ll watch some ll porn, cuz thats “all right”?
How’s the Lion King doing these days?
I hear Narnia is nice in winter.
Civil marriage conveys very real benefits under our government. It is wrong to deny some Maine families access to these protections simply because they are gay or lesbian.
I’m thankful the majority of Mainers now realize that same-sex marriage is the right thing to do, so that now ALL Maine families may protect the lives they build together with civil marriage.
Where on the marriage license form will I find the check off box that says “we intend to have children”?
so, I’m bisexual and I can totally have a kid w/whatever guy I want. I choose not to, and I am in love w/a woman. Period. We’re getting hitched. Oddly enough, we’re neither lipstick lesbians OR butch dykes.
Just to girls in love
Dude, you proud of something? Like what… never leaving your county of birth?
Specifically how does a same sex couple that obtains a civil marriage license impact you?
the same way you people not getting one for years…
Andre I am not “you people”. I am a person that has been married for close to 30 years.
So again, how does a same sex couple that obtains a civil marriage license impact you?
because maine will be the home of the gays
hahahaha “home of the gays”:? Please, go read a book or something. the point has been proven that 2 complete strangers you dont know (and prob never will) getting MARRIED has ZERO affect on your sad close minded life sir. Move along, unless of course you can comment with something above a middle school mentality..
You’re such a sad little man…
Such a sheltered, ignorant life should be pitied.
I pity you.
Andre, I hate to bring this fact to your attention but there were “gays” in Maine prior to this vote. There were gays in Maine prior to the 2009 vote. Ther have been gays in Maine since Maine was part of Massachusetts back in the 1690’s.
Maine has a long history of leading the nation on issues of equality. This is just another way in which Mainers recognize that our Constitution should protect all of us equally.
Why would Maine be any more “home of the gays” than the rest of New England, where civil marriage equality has been on the books for years?
yes, all the happy ppl live here
And lost.
You please me.
Sorry you’re so misinformed. You’ll be happy to know there’s truly nothing sinful about two people blessed enough to find in one another a loving, supportive, lifelong commitment.
f u
Is this one of your “educated responses”?
Not smart enough to come up with better than that?
Nobody cares how you voted. Just sayin’.
Send the workers who are scheduled to work Saturday home early on Friday. Budget problem solved.
Yeah, really. Lots of ways to do this. Each could leave work an hour earlier /start an hour later twice.
Also, I’m surprised that there is not a little wiggle room in her budget. Is there never a need for OT for a special project?
Great point.
What if none of them want to go home early for the purpose of granting a special accommodation to a select group of people. Are they now going to be forced to do it. I am sure that if they are union employees, the union will not like that.
Not union employees.
Are you sure of that? Just because some town employees are not union does not mean that all of them are not.
100% sure on that one.
Fair enough. I noticed that you previously stated that you were one volunteer that was happy to be there, or something to that effect. Are you an employee of the city/ and if so are employees given the option to work or not?
I am a City employee. I work in a different department than the Clerk’s Office. Because I am also a Notary, I volunteered to come in and help that morning. As far as the employees from the Clerk’s office being given an option, I honestly can’t answer that. Of the list of Notary’s that will be there, I am the only City employee.
Do you think that special accommodation is being given for same sex couples on this occasion and if not, will you also volunteer your services in the future on Saturdays for other couples seeking marriage licenses, gay or straight?
So just do it already…..do have to have a freaking article in the paper every stinking day about it?
yes because gay people need to know that the town office is open for business on Saturday. I’m sure those workers will want to be there on a Saturday
I haven’t heard any city or town workers complain. Have you?
Count this one who volunteered to be there glad to be there!
“Only Bangor residents may obtain a marriage license in Bangor.”
False. (Where IS the copy desk?) If both parties are Bangor residents, then yes, they must get their license from Bangor. But if one party is a resident of the city and the other is not, the couple can still get a license in Bangor. If neither party is a resident of Maine, the couple can go to any town or city clerk for a license — Bangor included.
It would be extremely helpful if reporters would verify whatever they may have been told (or believe) and if the copy desk would develop that sixth sense of skepticism a copy editor needs to be successful. You’re not there to just write headlines and check punctuation and spelling (although punctuation seems to be any iffy proposition over there these days with absent commas — maybe the paper is trying to save ink).
Charlie Howard is looking down and smiling…
BOOOO on city hall for catering to the same sex marriage license.Charlie Bongo what would be the reason to waste our tax dollars.
Poor little thing… does it hurt?
I think when Maine makes history as the first state in the nation to extend civil marriage equality by popular vote, it’s understandable to allow civil marriages on the first day they are available to all Maine families.
It is not understandable. Who came up with the date for the first day to issue licenses to same sex couples anyway, it is like saying the first day of deer season is on a Sunday but you can’t hunt. Real bright, why would it not have been the 28th or the 2nd of January.
You’re a sour little one, aren’t you?
I am not sour. I do not like that a special accommodation is being given, that is pretty simple. It seems people like yourself are trying to justify this happening by painting anyone who disagrees with you as prejudice sour over the election or a homophobe which is just not the case with me. I do not agree with same sex marriage, but as I stated above I respect the outcome of the election.
You sure seem to be making a mountain over a molehill here!
I think your tantrum here today is the very definition of sour grapes.
It is not a molehill and I am not throwing a tantrum. It is the belief that what is being done is wrong. If my girlfriend and I decided on a Saturday that we wanted to get married on that very same day, we would have to wait until City Hall was open during normal business hours to get our marriage license. Why will it hurt you to wait as a straight couple would have to ?
It seems an incredibly petty thing to get riled up about.
Why will it hurt you to have folks volunteer to come in on Saturday for this?
Dude, if you decided to get married that very same day, you absolutely could go to City Hall! They are not going to turn away a straight couple who wants to wed on the first day that civil marriage equality is a reality in Maine.
I am not your “dude”. The only day that my girlfriend and I could do that is December 29, 2012 if I wanted to do that this Saturday, December 15, I would be told to come back Monday. If you and your significant other have waited this long what is two more days, to avoid the perception that you are getting special treatment that I could not have gotten last week or this week?
Guess what… we aren’t Bangor residents… and our town office is closed on Saturdays. So… we’ll more than likely have to come back Monday… IF they’re open on New Years Eve, that is.
And we’re not outraged, nor are we demanding our town make any exceptions. We’re delighted that Mainers in other towns will be able to wed on that first day though!
The Bangor City Hall is normally closed on Saturday as well.
Tell you what— you keep ahold of this outrage and obsess over how awful it is that Maine might actually recognize this historic occasion, and we’ll go enjoy equal treatment under the law now that Mainers have agreed that allowing gay marriage is the right thing to do.
Deal?
See that is what the problem is, you are getting special treatment under the law. That seems to be where the disconnect is. I do not disagree with your newfound rights under Maine law just as long as no special treatment is given under that law.
Confirmed… we will have to wait until Jan. 2nd…
Feel better now?
The Secretary of State set the date. Some cities and towns have decided to open on the first day a license can be issued.
Aren’t there larger issues to argue about? ACA? Deficit? The “fiscal cliff”?
Maine state law dictated this as the first day, because it is 30 days after the election results were certified. You should inform yourself about what you get so worked up over.
You expect them to investigate something before vomiting vitriol and bile?
Never gonna happen.
I will make this very clear, I could not care less about two people of the same sex that want to get married, I do not agree with it, but I do not care enough about it that I would bother wasting my time to research the details of the law. I am offering my opinion on the issue and the absurdity of the City making special accommodations when they should not. Your commenting about me “vomiting vitrol and bile” is clearly a liberal left excuse for some kind of intelligent response. This does not se in the least, except it took you so long to resort to such comments.
“when they should not”
Hmmm… so people shouldn’t volunteer to be there that day? Why not?
You are vomiting… your angst is as thick as cold oatmeal over something that does not affect you.
You are not very perceptive are you? It is not a gay thing, it is a what is right versus wrong thing. I would not expect someone like yourself to understand the right and wrong thing though, the left only has one way, their way. The only way the city should allow anyone to be there Saturday as a volunteer, is if every Saturday from here on someone has to volunteer to be there for the same amount of time in case a straight couple wants to obtain a marriage license.
That’s funny that your prejudice leads you to think all people who agree with same-sex marriage must be liberals.
It was not because you agree with same sex marriage, it is how you choose to express your beliefs in such a negative and hateful way. The trademark of a true liberal who otherwise lacks an intelligent arguement.
Where have I been hateful? I’ve simply been pointing out how utterly silly you’re being with this obsessive outrage.
A person cannot by law “volunteer” for something they would normally be paid.
You wouldn’t bother wasting your time to educate yourself on why Saturday is the first date civil marriage for same sex couples is available, yet you waste your time here today to express such outrage over the fact that cities across Maine choose to celebrate this historic occasion by allowing civil marriage to take place on the first day it can take place.
Sounds like a tantrum to me…
It is not outrage. Do you not understand what an opinion is, and someone who feels strongly about what is perceived in that persons eyes as wrong and standing by one’s opinion and not just rolling over to what someone else’s viewpoin is.
So much vitriol… so many bitter, unaffected people.
It’s really sad.
Really, there just seem to be a couple bitter, unaffected people in this thread :)
They wanted no special treatment, I think costing taxpayers in several communities to open on a Sat. is maybe special treatment.
Think of the fees the communities will haul in. They probably will process more marriage licenses at $30 (?) a pop during that one day than they did in the past month. Seems like a good profit-making venture to me.
What budget problem ?
Marriage licenses cost money. Lawyers can collect those fees that day, or the cities can. There’s no reason the municipalities shouldn’t be open to collect the license fees, and the people who claim that this is costing anything obviously can’t manage simple addition, so why even respond to them ?
Never argue with a pig. It makes you look silly and just frustrates the pig.