CUYAHOGA FALLS: The question over whether membership rates at the Falls Natatorium will change to include a provision to offer a “spouse” discount to gay couples married in other states won’t be decided for at least another month.
The Cuyahoga Falls Parks and Recreation Board, which sets such rates, did not take up the issue when it met Thursday.
Tim Gorbach, chairman of the Park and Recreation Board, said members just received a legal opinion from Paul Janis and need time to review it. He added that parks and recreation superintendent William Lohan is on vacation and should be present when the matter is discussed.
The board should be ready to discuss the matter when it meets April 12, Gorbach said.
Shane and Coty May of Akron made headlines when in January they tried to purchase a married couple pass for the Falls Natatorium. They were turned down for the discounted rate.
The pair were married four months ago in Washington, D.C., where same-sex marriage has been legal since 2010.
In a 10-page opinion released Wednesday, city Law Director Paul Janis wrote that while the Natatorium is not required to recognize the couple’s marriage, the rates can be modified to include same-sex couples.
“In any event, the Park and Recreation Board would appear to have wide latitude in crafting alternative membership categories, should it wish to do so.” Janis wrote. “… Any proposed changes to the membership classification and rate structure should be undertaken with sound legal advice.”
Falls Council President Mark Ihasz asked Janis for an opinion after members’ email boxes overflowed with form letters from hundreds of people who signed an online petition at Change.org urging a change in the Natatorium’s membership policy.
Ihasz and other council members have said they want to give the Park Board time to act before deciding whether to take on the issue.
Gorbach said he hopes to have something ready for the next board meeting “that we can pass and send on to Council.”
“We will review the matter and come up with something,” he said. “I don’t know if it will be some kind of change or no change.”
