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Good Tuesday Morning,
Yesterday, June 30, 2008, County Executive Bob Bondi signed Putnam County's Domestic Partner Registry bill into law placing our county on the civil rights map and bringing every county resident one step closer to full equality under the law. This is an historic event and Mr. Bondi should be applauded for his decision to allow this bill to pass into law.
This past week the City of Pittsburgh enacted similar legislation and last April, Salt Lake City also initiated a partner registry, defeating a Utah State Legislature attempt to kill it. Putnam County now joins these, and dozens of other municipalities across the nation which locally includes Rockland and Westchester counties.
It was hard work getting here and congratulations go first to Patricia McElroy of Patterson for asking the Legislature to consider this legislation back in February and to Vinnie Tamagna and Sam Oliverio for moving it through Committee and out to the floor for its historic vote last month. A special Mazel Tov goes to those who attended the County Executive's mid-day public hearing last week and/or who wrote, called or faxed his office between then and yesterday - for there is no doubt it was our collective actions that convinced him this was the right thing to do.
A few years ago while handing out campaign literature alongside then Democratic party chairman, Bob Bennett, he asked me, "Why are you always talking about controversial issues when there is so much that is not controversial to talk about?" The answer is right here before you. When you talk about issues that are controversial they loose their controversy and become common and acceptable enough to talk about. Congratulations then go to every member of the PlanPutnam list who participated in this discussion after State Assemblywoman Sandy Galef voted against similar legislation in Albany last year. By having that discussion, which was controversial at the time, we were able to create a positive environment in which the county legislature and ultimately the County Executive felt safe enough to take this important step today.
So, pat yourselves on the back - you deserve it! Today marks an early independence day for Putnam County and we should all celebrate!
(Honestly though, I still can't believe it!)
We will celebrate this victory on Saturday July 12th at the Summer 2008 Garden Party to which you have all been invited. Please visit the website and RSVP from there for more information and directions.
And that's the News That Matters.
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