March 08, 2004
Lonnie Roberts Strikes Back
As we know, County Commissioner Lonnie Roberts at the moment is two things: First, he's opposed to same-sex marriage; and second, he's not particularly happy about being left out of the loop.
This week, Roberts pushes back.
According to this KATU report, Roberts has introduced a resolution to the Board of Commissioners:
Roberts wants the commissioners to hold a formal vote on same-sex marriage.
That would largely be symbolic, since Roberts is the only opponent of gay marriage on the five-member board. Roberts says he wants the commissioners' positions to be formally fixed in the record.
Also largely symbolic because the County's authority to issue marriage licenses is rooted in state statute, and therefore the "hows" of it are an administrative function of Chair Diane Linn. Nonetheless, there's nothing inherently wrong with Roberts asking his fellow Commissioners to go on the official record with their support, and we encourage them to do so with pride.
Just as long, of course, as they make sure to have a public discussion first, since a Board of Commissioners vote on a resolution obviously qualifies as a legislative function, and therefore covered by the state's open meetings law.
Meanwhile, a far more sinister move by Roberts reportedly is underway. In our item on enemies of same-sex marriage, we detailed a move to amend the County Charter to define marriage as being between one man and one woman.
As reported in Saturday's Oregonian, Roberts "has asked an outside lawyer to draft an amendment to the county charter that would define marriage as between a man and a woman."
Also in that post of ours, we mentioned how Roberts had called for his supporters to gather at the Multnomah Building this Tuesday night, and we mused about whether he had erred, thinking that the meeting of the Multnomah County Charter Review Committee was being held there as usual -- when it was really been held at the Brentwood-Darlington Community Center.
Indeed, the "alert" about Roberts' call to gather which is presented on the website of the Christian Coalition of Oregon has now been changed to read: "Regarding Multnomah's commissioner's same-sex actions, Commissioner, Lonnie Roberts, is calling for a meeting to all interested on March 9th, 6:30 p.m. at the Multnomah Building at at the Brentwood-Darlington Community Center, 7211 SE 62nd Avenue."
Putting aside the clear error in the above, it's obviously meant to be a "change of venue" notice of sorts. So it's safe to assume that Roberts hopes to pitch his charter amendment at this session of the CRC.
Comments (4)
pdxkona on 09 Mar 2004
Is that legal?
To have a County Commissioner to first ask an outside legal source besides the County Attorney to actually create and draft legislation?
pdxkona on 09 Mar 2004
As reported in Saturday's Oregonian, Roberts "has asked an outside lawyer to draft an amendment to the county charter that would define marriage as between a man and a woman."
Is that legal?
To have a County Commissioner to first ask an outside legal source besides the County Attorney to actually create and draft legislation?
Bob R. on 09 Mar 2004
Do we know who makes up the Charter Review Committee? Have they expressed positions on this issue in the past?
- Bob
The One True b!X on 09 Mar 2004
Re: Legal. Sure, although presumably any change would have to be vetted procedurally by the County Attorney, I imagine. I don't know that for certain, though.
Make-up of CRC: Personally I know nothing about the CRC except what's on the Coutny website. News reports suggest, meanwhile, record attendance tonight, mainly from same-sex marriage opponents. I'm not even sure if I'm going to make it, since it's a pain to get back from it via bus.