To have Graceale's future decided by the voters, 10% of the County's registered voters must demand that it be placed on the ballot. Those who wish to take this matter out of County Council's hands had a perfect opportunity on November 2, at the last general election. They tried, but they came up short. Way short.According to record on file at the Voter Registration office, 10,774 have asked to let the voters decide Gracedale's future. But they need nearly 20,000. As the weather gets colder and night comes sooner, this seems like an insurmountable burden.
Of the 10,774 signatures on file, at least ten per cent are defective in one way or another. Addresses are missing, names are left blank. One of the petitions is duly notarixed, but was never signed by the person circulating it.
14 comments:
And the sad part is that NOBODY who works for Gracedale came out to save their own jobs... It was the Steelworkers that did the petitions. WHat does that say about those employees???
Bernie -
10,000 signatures (9,000 valid) is still a pretty large amount to gather in such a short amount of time.
It seems to be a ridiculously high amount to gather. Has any issue ever been successfully brought to the voters this way?
Thanks for your update. Your work on this story has been very helpful to this visitor's understanding of the issues being decided.
Who cares how many signatures anyone gets. Both County Council and the Administration don't give a damn about the taxpayers or voters. If they did, they would have funded the open space referendum we voted for. We even agreed to a 1/2 mil tax increase for the project. We as voters are going to remember Mr. Angle and his vigilantes raid on those funds. This is the second year they took our tax dollars for a project they haven't funded. Total 1/2 mil generates in taxes is 3 million a year. So far, they have stolen 6 million of our money. We will remember
"Has any issue ever been successfully brought to the voters this way?"
Since the inception of home rule in '78, only one matter came close. I was involved in that matter, and we missed by about 40 signatures. I think Initiative can be and is abused in places like California, where not that many signatures are required. To get something on the ballot for an exercise in direct democracy, it should not be easy. But perhaps the 10% threshold is too high.
Angle and Company voted against a tax cut this year. No one is surprised Angle will use tricks and gimmicks to invalid the concerns of families.
Make that 10,881
I completed another sheet today
I think the "Hell No"
is incorrect
of all I've encountered
99% want to keep Gracedale
and they sign the petition
"Hell No"
might be the response the workers give
when asked to get signatures
It defies reason
they want to keep the place
but refuse to get engaged in this process
Oh well, I will continue
with or without their help
will I give up
HELL NO
The group has until January to get the signatures. So it is not game over yet. Thanks for the post. Maybe this will motivate the employees to actually get behind this movement to save the place.
"10,000 signatures (9,000 valid) is still a pretty large amount to gather in such a short amount of time."
It's very impressive, to be sure. What helped was that many circulators stood outside the polls on election day, knowing every person who went thru that door was a registered voter. From my cursory examination, that's when most of the petitions were signed.
But we don't have an election until Spring, and they have about 60 +/- days to get another 10,000. I doubt it can happen, and if it does, I suspect many of those signatures will be tossed.
"It defies reason
they want to keep the place
but refuse to get engaged in this process"
The employees who refuse to circulate are actually being smart. half of them will qualify for a pension and can start working on a new one with a second owner. They all know they will have a job. They all know that Gracedale is not closing.
No shit, Gracedale is not closing, it will just be substandard. I do agree with you about the benefits though. Because of this action many people will get a pension and benefits for life. Because they were technically fired by the County they will get medical benefits for themselves and spouses for life.
So the Gracedale union goons who take the money and run are now "smart", because they are taking the money you think is smart.
I guess the enemy of my enemy is now my friend in the Angle/O'Hare crazy universe, right Benie.
Praise Allah!!!!
pretty impressive i'd say ... keep up the good work the taxpayers overwhelming don't support this idea ... the county should be doing everything they can to save gracedale , it is well thought of in all corners of the county . the taxpayers have a negative public opinion of the sale .. i believe the reason for these meetings about gracedale is because john stoffa and angle realize the taxpayers don't support the idea of selling . lets get it on a referendum and see how the chips fall.
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