Ledyard (WSYR-TV) -- Everyone has their own reasons for running for office. Some want more of the same, while others are looking for change. But for one Cayuga County candidate, his reason stands for what he calls an injustice when it comes to same-sex marriage.
Ed Easter will admit he's never held a government position or knows much about the position he's vying for, but he's decided to run for the town of Ledyard clerk.
"The current town clerk has made it very clear that she refuses to sign same-sex marriage licenses even though the law of New York says she has too," Easter said.
The current clerk’s position was made clear back in August when Katherine Carmichael and Deidre DiBaggio tried to get a marriage license from her office. Arthur Bellinzoni was with them when they didn’t get one.
"I think it's embarrassing to our community that you can get married anywhere in the state, but you can't get a marriage license in the town of Ledyard," Bellinzoni said.
The clerk, Rose Marie Belforti, told the town she wouldn't issue marriage licenses to any couple whether they were straight or gay. Last month, she told NewsChannel 9 it was because of her religious beliefs.
Belforti said, "I take the Bible very serious. For me it's the foundation of my own perceptions, so that is my truth."
Easter says that's not a valid reason, which is why he doesn't want the current clerk to run unopposed. But the problem, it's too late to get his name on the ballot for November. That means he needs a good portion of Ledyard’s nearly 930 registered voters to write him in next month.
"I don't want people to associate the town of Ledyard with that kind of bigotry," Easter said.
We reached out to Belforti Thursday night. She declined to comment.
