This just in from the Eureka Springs City Advertising & Promotion Commission (CAPC.)

Actually, we got it yesterday but we so busy celebrating with the first registered domestic partners in the entire State of Arkansas we dropped the ball right into our Martini glass. Fortunately, Ken Rundel at the CAPC was on the job.

And now a word from Ken....

(EUREKA SPRINGS, AR) – The city of Eureka Springs made history Friday by becoming the first government entity in the state to issue certificates of domestic partnership. «It was an historic day for the city of Eureka Springs and the state of Arkansas,» beamed Mayor Dani Wilson, «and I'm proud of what we have accomplished.»

Friday marked the end of the waiting period between the passage of the domestic partnership registry (DPR) ordinance and the date the city could begin issuing certificates. According to the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, the city joins over seventy governmental units in the country recognizing domestic partnerships.

Local residents Jan and Kim Ridenour were the first couple to apply and have their domestic partnership registered by City Clerk, M.J. Sell. The Ridenours were followed by local store owners Alvin Byrd and Charles Thomas, who were the first male couple to register.

According to clerk Sell, 18 certificates of domestic partnership were issued on the first day. One couple came from Oklahoma, one from Texas, two from Little Rock and the rest of the couples who registered Friday were from the Eureka Springs area.

The DPR ordinance allows individuals over the age of 18 who are not married or a partner to a civil union and who are not registered elsewhere as domestic partners to declare their domestic partnership and receive a certificate from the city registering their partnership. Applicants must appear in person with a photo ID and proof of age. The fee of $35.00 must be paid in cash. Certificates of Registry will not be mailed to applicants.

The City Clerk's office is in the City Hall, lower level of the Western Carroll County Courthouse, 44 S. Main. Office hours are 9:30 a.m. to noon and 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Further information on the ordinance is available from the city of Eureka Springs online at www.cityofeurekasprings.org. For information on Eureka Springs tourism, call 1-866-947-4387 or go online at www.eurekasprings.org.

(Photo courtesy of Mike Ellis, Lovely County Citizen)

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