my goodness - the little town I was born in has become a popular destination for same-sex weddings

[Douglas Carpenter]

Letter: Jamestown, New York has benefited from doing the right thing


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. Susan’s 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. Susan’s 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]

1. Looking up St. Susan on the web

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]

4. I doubt it will, but as long as all the money goes to feed the hungry it doesn't matter.

[idwiyo]

2. k&r

[Mnemosyne]

3. That is very cool. I'm near there,

in Corry. What are the chances?

[Douglas Carpenter]

5. you're putting me on, right?

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]

11. I am very serious. Living here now!

replied to p.m.

[exboyfil]

6. Back when Iowa had a competitive advantage

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]

7. I once spent a week in Iowa City - I thought it was really cool - kind of like

Berkley in the Midwest

[exboyfil]

8. I got my M.S. Engineering from Iowa City

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]

9. not to sound too much like the Jamestown, New York Chamber of Commerce - it's after all been quite

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]

12. Chautauqua and Cattaragus counties are gorgeous, especially in the Fall. nt

[cntrygrl]

10. Bravo, I know that

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.

[Douglas Carpenter]

13. another kick