Sioux City city council to weigh in on gay marriage

[rurallib]

Sure nice they have time to spend on crap like this. And having 'IOWA' tagged on their name gives us all a black eye.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) -- The city council in Sioux City is considering a resolution that would declare its opposition to gay marriage.

The motion, a mostly symbolic gesture, is on the council's agenda for Monday.

Councilman Brent Hoffman, who supports the resolution, says it's important because it clarifies the council's position and directs city departments, boards and commissions to stay in line with that position.

The resolution also asks for a statewide vote on whether gay marriage should be allowed.

Council members say the council is split 2-2 on the issue, with Councilman Dave Ferris the potentially deciding vote. He could not be reached for comment.

The council is set to meet at 4 p.m. on Monday.

Hoffman said his push for the resolution was prompted by a town hall forum hosted by gay marriage proponents that set for Tuesday in Sioux City.

He said residents had been asking him whether the city endorsed the group's message because the forum will be held at a public library.

The proposed ordinance addresses that question directly: "Citizens should not interpret the rent and use of any city facilities (for this purpose) by another organization as support for that organization."

Councilman Jim Rixner said the resolution is wholly unnecessary.

"It's just a sad day for the city. This resolution has nothing to do with the city's business, and it's a divisive issue," he said. "The whole resolution is overreaching."
http://www.siouxcityjournal.com/articles/2008/12/15/news/latest_news/0edad9d7e911348e86257520004660b8.txt

[progressoid]

1. Aiiieeee!!1! Teh gay! Teh gay!

I'm sure there is a general panic within the crazy wing up there. Ya know as soon as Obama gets sworn in the Muslim gay vegetarian socialists will take over Amurica! :scared:

Actually, I'm a little surprised that the vote is currently 2-2. Will have to check the results of the vote tomorrow.


And yes, this is just a showboating stunt. Unproductive and needless.

[47of74]

2. I see little has changed since the 1950s...

I remember reading about the panic in the 50s out in Sioux City and I hoped that the place would've changed for the better, but I guess not.

http://www.amazon.com/Sex-Crime-Panic-Journey-Paranoid-Heart/dp/1555836593

[progressoid]

3. Looks like it's on hold for now.

http://www.siouxcityjournal.com/articles/2008/12/16/news/local/321428d91be129918625752100197853.txt

Council tables gay-marriage resolution
--Mayor's move to kill measure fails--

SIOUX CITY -- City Councilman Brent Hoffman's resolution to define marriage as being between one man and one woman will have to wait for an attorney general's opinion before the council can take action on it.

But whether it returns to the council at all remains to be seen.

Despite an opinion from City Attorney Andrew Mai that the panel has legal authority to pass the measure, the council voted 3-2 Monday to table it and seek a second opinion after an effort by Mayor Mike Hobart to kill the resolution failed, also on a 3-2 vote.

Voting to keep the measure alive were Hoffman and Councilmen Aaron Rochester and Dave Ferris. Ferris also voted to table it, joining Hobart and Councilman Jim Rixner.

Citing the council's rules of procedure, Hoffman said neither he nor Rochester could ask the council to reconsider the resolution should the attorney general's opinion affirm the council has a right to take a stand. That's because under the rules, only one of those on the majority side -- Ferris, Hobart or Rixner -- would be allowed to bring it back to the table.

Consequently, Hoffman said he will not bring it back for consideration.

...