UPDATE: Supervisor John Benoit Wants to Marry You

The Riverside County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously today to support state legislation that would permit county supervisors to wed couples, though one area resident questioned the need for it.

4th District Supervisor John Benoit introduced the resolution endorsing Senate Bill 991, which seeks to include supervisors on the list of those who can preside in matrimonial ceremonies.

"There are a lot of unpleasant things we deal with, difficult times we
struggle through,'' Benoit said.  "But once in a while, there's still a ray of
hope, and people get married.''

Under current California law, parsons, rabbis, priests, judges, members
of Congress, court commissioners, state legislators -- even mayors -- are
authorized to "solemnize'' marriages, but not supervisors.

Benoit said he conducted one or two marriages while a state assemblyman
and believes supervisors should have the same opportunity.

"County supervisors represent large constituencies (that), in some
cases, (are) larger in area or population than local congressional or
legislative districts,'' the supervisor said in his resolution, noting that
"constituents, friends and family'' may like the idea of a supervisor
presiding over a civil ceremony.

Meadowbrook resident Gary Grant, however, said it should remain a
religious practice and questioned the motive behind the resolution.

"Do you get overtime for this? Do you get paid for it?'' Grant asked.
"If you can do things like this to change the law, couldn't it also be changed
so a doctor or a scientist could marry people? Where does it end?''
Supervisor Jeff Stone replied that he had conducted three marriages
unpaid.

"We cannot charge for this,'' he said. "We represent more people than
most mayors in the state. It's a great honor to be able to do this for our
constituents who can't afford a big wedding. I can't think of a higher honor
than joining a couple in marriage.''

Stone said he was about to conduct a fourth wedding ceremony. The
current authorization process requires a supervisor to apply to the county
clerk-recorder for a temporary permit to conduct a service -- a hassle which SB
991 would eliminate, Stone said.

The bill, sponsored by Sens. Sharon Runner, R-Lancaster, and Roderick
Wright, D-Inglewood, is awaiting review by the Senate Judiciary Committee.