It’s almost at the point where you need a scorecard to know who can marry whom here.
Minto councillors once again renewed and revised the town’s civil marriage solemnization bylaw on April 19.
Chief Administrative Officer Bill White said the previous bylaw had two people in place “both of whom are no longer with the municipality.”
The new bylaw repeals the previous one and includes a mix of past and present staff members including White, clerical assistance Peg Schieck and former deputy-clerk Theresa Campbell.
The town has provided civil marriage services since 2005.
In 2009, 15 marriages were done by Minto and in 2010, there were 11.
White noted that Campbell has roughly a dozen bookings for 2011, “so we need to keep her in the bylaw.”
He appeared surprised that Campbell had so many for 2011.
Minto charges $300 for off site services, with the funds split between the municipality and the authorized individual.
The charge is $200 during business hours at the town office.
The current bylaw allowed for former staff members Marsha Paley and Campbell to do the service.
Paley currently performs the services in Ingersoll where she now serves as that town’s clerk, and Campbell continues to provide the service locally.
White noted that he should be authorized to perform civil marriages, and that will require some training.
Schieck has already had training through AMCTO in 2009.
White said having Campbell continuing to perform the services generates some revenue and provides and additional choice, while having both the CAO, clerk and clerical assistance authorized provides additional flexibility, particular for services held during office hours.
White suspects that at the end of this year when Campbell’s booking are completed, she would continue the marriages in the municipality where she currently is employed, while White and Schieck would be the two performing services for Minto.
“If there is a need for an additional person, we can do that.”
Councillors subsequently endorse the appointment of White, Schieck, and Campbell as marriage solemnization officials for Minto.
On the title, councillor Rick Hembly quipped “it almost sounds illegal.”
