Dennis P. Iavarone: Serve all if paid by all

As a public servant for over 30 years, I am incensed over the North Carolina legislature’s new law that now gives elected and appointed officials permission to refuse to carry out the duties for which they were appointed or elected with respect to performing marriages.

Those of us lucky enough to have worked in public service realize that we have an obligation to carry out our duties no matter what our personal beliefs may be.

State employees who are paid with taxpayer dollars must serve the entire public, not just those who share their beliefs.

If they can’t bring themselves to do that, maybe they should find employment at their nearest Hobby Lobby.

This story was originally published June 13, 2015 at 2:00 PM with the headline "Dennis P. Iavarone: Serve all if paid by all."