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The
future of the law in Dundee remains to be seen
Has police coverage improved with NPD
patrolling the streets?
Chief's lawsuit asks for $60,000
Five cited for selling alcohol to minors
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Pols share their feelings on Measure 36 |
Dialogue about the anti-gay marriage measure varies
widely between mayors, commissioners and legislators |
By Schellene
Clendenin, Newberg Graphic reporter
E-mail Schellene at
sclendenin@eaglenewspapers.com |
The creation of Measure 36, which would change language in the
Oregon constitution to define marriage as between one man and one
woman, is necessary, according to the Defense of Marriage Coalition.
The amendment, the coalition insists, would not change the essence
of the constitution, but clarifies the definition of marriage.
Local politicians representing the city, county and region weighed
in on the measure and the repercussions of its passage or failure.
Dundee Mayor Roger Worrall, who is not seeking re-election, said
lawmakers have no business ruling on social issues. He said two
issues are involved in the decision: First is the issue of changing
the constitution.
Second: “I believe it’s crossing the line with religion interfering
with the law,” he said.
Worrall insisted the problem is with the word “marriage.” “Marriage
has its own connotation and morays that go with it,” he said.
“It’s dumb that seriously ill partners cannot be visited by their
loved ones due to a lack of legal rights for some, whatever the
source of the relationship,” he said. He considered that a hole in
the society.
“I believe all segments of society should have equal rights under
law,” he argued. “Personally I don’t understand gay and homosexual
(relationships), they are beyond me, but I am concerned about
people’s rights to live their own lives under protection of law.
“I don’t believe we should use the constitution to replace
Webster’s. It’s not the place to define. The word ’marriage’ means
something; social contracts mean something else. Let’s forget the
jargon and the words and get to the human relationship factors.
“I believe approving this measure is taking a giant social
step backwards.”
Newberg Mayor Bob Stewart, who faces Ed Leffler in the November
general election, declined to comment on the measure.
Yamhill County Commissioner Kathy George said she supports the
passage of Measure 36.
“I believe it is dangerous to change our culture like this, and
this would definitely be a cultural change,” she said. “Marriage is
very important to the stability of family and society.”
George added that as far as she knows there is no other culture or
religion past or present that condones same-sex marriage.
“I think it is appalling that activists courts could radically
change our culture and infringe on traditional religious beliefs to
this extent,” she said. “(The amendment would) interpret the
constitution the way it has always been interpreted. If that means
we have to clarify, I would be in favor of clarifying.”
Leslie Lewis is also in favor of the measure.
“Clearly marriage is about a man and a woman,” she said. “I feel it
is clear in the statutes the legislature intended for a man and a
woman, but because we have a difference of opinion among different
jurisdictions I believe it needs to be clarified in the
constitution.”
State Rep. Donna Nelson said she also thinks the measure is valid
and that the one man one woman definition was already established in
the constitution.
Nelson represents Dundee, most of Yamhill County, and rural areas
west of Newberg.
State Sen. Charles Starr also hopes the measure will pass.
“It’s absolutely necessary to define marriage,” he said.
“(Homosexuality) is not a condition, its a chosen lifestyle.”
Starr’s district includes Newberg within its borders.
Once the definition of marriage has become explicit, he insisted,
the debate over whether same sex couples should be allowed to marry
will end. The question will become whether or not to allow civil
unions or some other opportunity for homosexuals to access benefits
enjoyed by married folks today.
Starr said he believes the Supreme Court was correct in the 1980s
when it ruled sodomy laws in Georgia were legal due to public health
issues. Numerous rulings have changed that to claim that state
sodomy laws are unconstitutional and infringed upon the rights of
consenting individuals.
Yamhill County Commissioner Mary Stern, Congressman David Wu, state
Rep. Vic Backlund who represents Newberg and St. Paul, and state
Sen. Gary George, who represents Dundee and much of Yamhill County,
could not be reached for comment.
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From
Sept. 18, 2004,
Newberg Graphic
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