July 09, 2012

Mankato will hold a public hearing to listen to residents' views on whether the City Council should consider taking a stand to oppose the state Marriage Amendment. 

The City Council last night, after some back and forth and push and pull, voted to set the date for the public hearing on August 13. 

Rules and procedures for the public hearing will be decided the next time the Council meets.  Some suggested rules being considered include allowing only Mankato residents to speak, limiting speakers to 3 minutes, and allowing repeat speakers only after everyone has had an opportunity to speak.

Council member Charlie Hurd abstained from the vote.  He told KTOE Radio News that he abstained to take a stand against the Council's refusal to further discuss the hearing. Meanwhile, council member Jack Consadine said the Mankato City Council has a long history of moving requests such as the public hearing forward even if only one or two Council members make the request.

Mayor Eric Anderson decided to put forward the vote on setting the public hearing date based on Council history and precedent. The exact time and location of the public hearing are yet to be decided. 

The Marriage Amendment would limit the status of marriage in Minnesota to opposite sex couples, and will be voted on by citizens in a referendum this November.  

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