Jump to full article: Green River (WY) Star, 2008-01-21
Author: STEPHANIE THOMPSON Staff Writer
Intro: "The petition is invalid."
This was a short sentence written by city attorney Ford Bussart to sum up why the the Green River City Council didn't need to take action on a petition filed against the smoking ordinance.
In a letter to the Green River City Council, the city administrator and the city clerk, Bussart stated why he believed the petition filed against the smoking ordinance was invalid.
The smoking ordinance went through many changes. First, it was passed as a comprehensive smoking ban on Dec. 4. At that time, there was a petition circulating against that ordinance.
Then on Dec. 18, the Council reconsidered the motion and amended it to exclude the bars, lounges, taverns and private clubs.
However, on Jan. 7 a petition against the Dec. 18 amended ordinance was filed.
Bussart stated in his letter: "There is clear and convincing evidence that one or more individuals procured possession of the original petition from its sponsors; changed the title of the petition without the knowledge and consent of its signatories; copied the signatures of the original signatories and affixed copies of those signatures to the altered title of the petition."
. . .
Councilman Dan Beckermann said he was happy the petition was not legitimate because it would have put the whole smoking ordinance on hold until the city could have a special election, which is exactly what Beckermann wanted to avoid.
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