Peter Kotzer's proposal to increase marriages was a good starting point. Marriages are a lifetime commitment involving the spending of close to a million dollars when children are born and raised.

When couples apply for a license they are usually in so much heat that they have no thought of the future, especially consequences in case of divorce, ones that directly affect all the lives of us Auburnians, taxwise and otherwise.

Just as the government requires an exam before the state issues a driver's license then the city clerk, under direction of city council, should issue the license only after the couple reads and understands the forever binding contract family law book between them and government. It is a far more important document than getting a mortgage or even a driver's license.

Then the couple must prove they understand it by filling out a questionnaire and “passing” a test, particularly of those parts granting powers to local judges, custody, child protection services and support collection that neither of the couple may like but agree to when signing. The couples then fill out and file a pre-nuptial agreement before the license is granted. The agreement will state with 100 percent clarity as to child custody and property division and whatever else the couple want to include, in case of a divorce. This will greatly reduce the need for private and court appointed lawyers #- a big plus for both parents and children.

They now have shown that they are fully informed and truly understand and agree to conditions of marriage and possible divorce. This will result in more marriages, producing more children and a greatly reduced possibility of divorce. The result: the couple will have a much better chance in living in marital bliss, a heaven on earth, ever after.

Francis “Bob” Hanley

Auburn