Alternative energy ballot measure in trouble
Remember that ballot measure that called for Grand Forks to get a fifth of its electricity from renewable resources?
Citizens for Affordable Renewable Energy turned in 4,108 signatures the other day and city finance director John Schmisek certified the sigs. Then he did a double-take. Most of the sigs were on petitions that called for action by the "City Commission." That's something that exists in Fargo but not here in Grand Forks. Ours is called "City Council."
Small technical glitch but there's a possibility the signatures would be thrown out. Assistant city attorney John Warcup is doing research and will make a ruling Monday.
If he says "City Commission" is close but not close enough, it would leave CARE with only 223 sigs, which is exactly half of what they need to get on the November ballot. County auditor Debbie Nelson said she needs those signatures certified and turned into her office by 4 p.m. Sept. 8. That means Schmisek will need a few days before that to vet the signatures. I'd say CARE has about two weeks or so. That just might be enough time.
If not, the City Council could just heed the will 4,108 residents and put the measure on the ballot itself.
I see Dakota got to this story a few hours before I did and had an interview with Council member Eliot Glassheim to boot. Eliot says the council shouldn't be so small-minded as to reject the ballot for technical reasons.
Citizens for Affordable Renewable Energy turned in 4,108 signatures the other day and city finance director John Schmisek certified the sigs. Then he did a double-take. Most of the sigs were on petitions that called for action by the "City Commission." That's something that exists in Fargo but not here in Grand Forks. Ours is called "City Council."
Small technical glitch but there's a possibility the signatures would be thrown out. Assistant city attorney John Warcup is doing research and will make a ruling Monday.
If he says "City Commission" is close but not close enough, it would leave CARE with only 223 sigs, which is exactly half of what they need to get on the November ballot. County auditor Debbie Nelson said she needs those signatures certified and turned into her office by 4 p.m. Sept. 8. That means Schmisek will need a few days before that to vet the signatures. I'd say CARE has about two weeks or so. That just might be enough time.
If not, the City Council could just heed the will 4,108 residents and put the measure on the ballot itself.
I see Dakota got to this story a few hours before I did and had an interview with Council member Eliot Glassheim to boot. Eliot says the council shouldn't be so small-minded as to reject the ballot for technical reasons.
posted by Tu-Uyen at 5:12 PM
4 Comments:
An excellent question I'm trying to answer. Check this space in a few weeks.
I think the "Council" should be able to understand what the intention of all the signers was.
If the City Attorney decides that the signatures cannot be accepted, I believe that the council should put the measure on the ballot themselves. They have the authority to do that.
Once on the ballot, the issue will be legitimately discussed, all the numbers will come out, the energy companies will weigh-in, and the proponents will have to argue their case. The citizens of Grand Forks would then have the power to accept or reject it.
This concept should "appeal" to more than just Glassheim.
The organizers went to the City Attorney while the petition was being circulated and advised him of the typo. He said that it wouldn't impact the ability for those sheets to be counted. We'll see if that actually happens!
Back in the late 70's (1978?) someone decided to capitalize on the oil boom in western ND by taxing the oil and earmarking it all to education. (early start on "For the children" I guess) Well as it happened the oil boom went bust and our school funding is headed for the courtroom.
The same thing here for "warm, fuzzy feelings" on renewable resources.
Instead of forcing their system on all of us, why not work within the system, with the power producers, encouraging wind or whatever power?
Come on people, bring forth the evidence and prove me wrong. and just your hunch that it'll work once it becomes an ordinance isn't evidence.
Meanwhile:
"If you can't dazzle 'em with brilliance, baffle 'em with B-S" and get it on the ballot.
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