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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region Forumsmy goodness - the little town I was born in has become a popular destination for same-sex weddings
Marriage equality went into effect more than two years ago. During that time it has been my pleasure as a city marriage officer to perform sometimes as many as 10 same-sex marriages per week. Couples have come to Jamestown from 20 different states and every continent in the world. My goal was to make Jamestown a same-sex marriage destination, and we have succeeded.
Couples stay in hotels, eat at restaurants and reserve local venues for receptions, including the Lucy-Desi Museum. Doing what is right has been good for business without the city having to spend a dime on promotion but relying on word of mouth. Every couple has remarked to me how friendly everyone in Jamestown has been and how warmly they have been received, resulting in referrals to their friends to get married in Jamestown by an openly gay city councilman.
In addition, we have been fighting poverty by waiving my fee and asking the couples to donate to St. Susans Center, our local soup kitchen, providing hundreds of meals each week to Jamestown residents in need. The couples have been very generous, writing checks in 100, 200 and 300 dollar amounts. This is all out-of-state money. I drop hundreds of dollars off to St. Susans each week without it having to do anything other than continue its good work.
I knew marriage equality was the right thing to do, and thanks to everyone in Jamestown and beyond, it has turned out to be a good thing as well.
I bring this up not to brag about my work but to celebrate this community and the wonderful loving gay and lesbian couples it has been my pleasure to bring together in marriage celebrating their love. Merry Christmas!
Gregory Rabb
President
Jamestown City Council
TlalocW
(15,388 posts)It appears to be affiliated with the Catholic Church (yeah, I know it's called St. Susan, but I don't take much for granted). I'm glad the people getting married are willing to be the bigger persons and donate, and hopefully, it will have an effect on at least one level of leadership in the church.
TlalocW
idwiyo
(5,113 posts)idwiyo
(5,113 posts)Mnemosyne
(21,363 posts)in Corry. What are the chances?
Douglas Carpenter
(20,226 posts)I moved to Corry when I was eight years old and graduated Corry Area High School in 1973 -- GO BEAVERS - but left to join the USAF about a month after that and gradually broke away especially after my parents died
Mnemosyne
(21,363 posts)replied to p.m.
exboyfil
(17,865 posts)in this area (attracting same sex couples for legal marriages), I strongly advocated it as a way to increase tourism to the state (it is hard to convince people to come to Iowa - after you get past The Field of Dreams and The Bridges of Madison County - you only have the John Deere tours as something special.
Douglas Carpenter
(20,226 posts)Berkley in the Midwest
exboyfil
(17,865 posts)but did not enjoy the nightlife (I was married and my wife lived in our house 1 1/2 hours away). Was pretty much a commuter job for me (did have a very run down sleeping room for about six months). My older daughter originally was thinking University of Iowa, but Iowa State was a better fit (she is studying engineering). I am hoping my younger one will end up there for medical school (very difficult to get in).
Iowa City seems to be a fun place though.
Douglas Carpenter
(20,226 posts)a few years since I lived there - But the small city of Jamestown is right on the shores of beautiful Lake Chautauqua and only a few miles from the old historic Chautauqua Institute - Jamestown, New York is in a setting surrounded by absolute pristine beauty that explodes with all the Autumn colors in October - As the hometown of Lucile Ball - a museum celebrating her work and life is in Jamestown. Jamestown, New York is only about one hour drive to the Canadian boarder and Niagara Falls, Ontario. You are within a few hours drive of Cleveland, Buffalo, Pittsburgh and Toronto. It would be a wonderful place to plan a wedding or any number of other events.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jamestown,_New_York
Mnemosyne
(21,363 posts)cntrygrl
(356 posts)there are a few gay/lesbian shop owners in Margaretville, NY. I have a sister who lives nearby and have visited the shops in the past. Thank you for all the work you've put in to this. We need more people like you.