Wedding Bells, No Commute

County Clerk branch office opens in Mesquite

By BOBBIE GREEN

The Progress

County Clerk Lynn Goya cuts the ribbon for the new Mesquite branch of the clerk’s office during a special ceremony held in front of City Hall last week. PHOTO BY VERNON ROBISON/The Progress

A special Ribbon Cutting ceremony was held on Thursday morning, Jan. 6 in front of Mesquite City Hall to welcome the new Mesquite branch of the Clark County Clerk’s Office.

The ceremony included an introduction to Mesquite resident Debbie Deboodt, who will be the Assistant Clerk for this branch located inside City Hall. DeBoodt actually started work on Wednesday and issued her first marriage license in Mesquite. Before the event began on Thursday, Deboodt issued her second marriage license. Both of the couples attended the ceremony.

It was a festive event. On the table was a beautiful white “wedding cake” made by Hole Foods Bakery, that was later shared with all the guests.

Clark County Clerk Lynn Goya attended the event and was the one to cut the ceremonial red ribbon. Also assisting with the ribbon cutting was County Commissioner Marilyn Kirkpatrick, Mesquite Mayor Al Litman, City Councilwoman Sandra Ramaker and others.

The event was actually celebrate the re-opening of the Clerk Mesquite branch that was closed back in 2012. City officials hailed the day as an anticipated event that had been a long time coming.

New Assistant County Clerk in the Mesquite Branch office Debbie Deboodt was introduced at the ribbon cutting event last week. PHOTO BY VERNON ROBISON/The Progress

“Mesquite can now become a wedding destination for couples in our neighboring state, as well as our citizens having the convenience of obtaining a marriage license and other services without traveling to Las Vegas,” said City Councilwoman Sandra Ramaker.

Goya pointed out that Las Vegas is the marriage capital of the world and Clark County is swiftly approaching the landmark of 5 million marriage licenses issued. She recognized the importance of offering these services once again in Mesquite.
“We will do everything we can to help Mesquite become a Destination Wedding Hub,” Goya said.

Goya thanked Sandra Ramaker and Mayor Litman for their hard work and tireless efforts in pushing for the branch to reopen in Mesquite.

She also expressed appreciation to Commissioner Kirkpatrick for finding funding to keep the new branch staffed.
“We closed back in 2012 because our funding was cut,” Goya explained in an interview with The Progress. “To reopen, I just needed funding for another position to staff this office. I couldn’t get that funding myself. But as soon as Marilyn found out about it she quickly responded. She found the money for staffing and now we are able to open again.”

Some representatives from the hospitality industry were also present and were asked to say a few words.
Diana Emerson, the Food and Beverage Manager at Wolf Creek Golf Course, said that she was pleased at the new branch being offered. “We are honored to do many weddings, rehearsal dinners and ceremonies at Wolf Creek,” Emerson said. “This will be very convenient for what we do and allow us to expand those activities.”

Darryn , Mesquite Gaming Director of Catering and Convention Services, expressed appreciation for the efforts to finally bring the new services to Mesquite.
“I have been here for 10 years,” Heath said. “And all of that time, we have had to send our customers to Vegas to get marriage licenses. We are so excited now to be able to let them know that they can just come right down the street to get licensed.”

Local certified wedding officiator Karen Fielding talked about what an inconvenience it has been for people wishing to get married in Mesquite to go all the way to Las Vegas to get their license. She said that the new office would be a sea change for Mesquite.

“This is the first step to bringing more wedding tourism to the city,” she said. “We have needed this for years now. It is good to finally have it.”

At the close of the ceremony Deboodt gathered all the single ladies in attendance together and threw a beautiful bridal bouquet donated by The Front Porch. A very happy Courtney Billings caught the bouquet.

The Mesquite Branch of the County Clerk’s office is located at Mesquite City Hall and will be open Wednesdays and Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Fridays from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. In addition to marriage licenses, the office will also provide Vow renewal certificates. Notary Bonds and Oaths, and Fictitious Firm name applications and renewals.