The Free Press, Mankato, MN

Local News

September 17, 2012

Marriage amendment opponents ask for North Mankato City Council help

By Mark Fischenich The Free Press

NORTH MANKATO — Opponents of the Nov. 6 ballot amendment to constitutionally prohibit gay marriage asked the North Mankato City Council to take a stand against the amendment Monday night.

None of the five council members expressed any eagerness to join the Mankato City Council and a dozen other councils around Minnesota who decided to weigh in on the controversial topic that has split Minnesota's voters.

After a pair of emotion-laden appeals for the council to stand up for the rights of North Mankato's gay and lesbian residents, none of the council members responded in any way. Later, as the meeting was drawing to a close and each council member was provided the traditional opportunity to express thoughts on any topic, they were silent about the amendment again.

"Are you going to ignore it?" Jean Lovette of Mankato asked, referring to the request to pass a resolution opposing the amendment. "... It's hard to come before a body like this and say, "Help. This is an important issue to some of the citizens of North Mankato, as well as Mankato." We're just wondering if you're going to discuss it or have anything to say about it. And if not, I feel like I've been punched in the stomach."

Councilman Bill Schindle said the council is prohibited from voting on a resolution unless its been published in advance of the meeting.

"We have to listen to both sides of everything," Schindle said.

Councilman Billy Steiner then explained what would be required if Lovette and North Mankato resident Nancy Cramblit, who submitted the proposed resolution, wanted to pursue the matter. They would need to first get the request on a city council agenda.

"Just approach the city clerk," Steiner said.

Council members could have also asked City Clerk Nancy Gehrke to put it on the agenda of the Oct. 1 meeting.

In fact, a council member could have skipped that step and made a motion to set the public hearing on the proposed resolution. But the council's standard practice is to avoid setting public hearings unless that proposed action is on the printed agenda, Gehrke said.

After Monday's meeting, Cramblit officially made the request to be added to the Oct. 1 agenda. And Gehrke said there probably would be enough time to meet the 10-day publication requirement for a public hearing at the next scheduled meeting after that -- on Oct. 15, the final meeting before Election Day.

Lovette, Cramblit and other advocates of the idea appear to have some persuading to do, however, if the council is going to vote to set a hearing and pass the resolution.

Cramblit made the first attempt Monday.

"My husband and I have had the privilege to be married for 40 years," she said. "We have lesbian friends who have been in a committed relationship for over 30 years who have NOT had that privilege. My marriage would be even more precious to me knowing that any couple who loved each other and wanted to publicly declare their commitment to each other could get married."

North Mankato resident and City Council candidate Kim Spears argued against the Council taking action. The amendment will be decided by Minnesota voters, Spears said. And -- with polls showing neither side with majority support -- he suggested the council would be representing just half of its constituents regardless of which position they took.

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