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2803 <br />Petitions were then received by Mayor Warkentien. Beardsley <br />asked when the council is going to render a decision <br />and he asked the council's indulgence before the proposal <br />to change the structure of the fire department is finalized. <br />He asked the council to give consideration to this petition <br />for a referendum vote. <br />Attorney Seed stated a vote on this proposal would be <br />absolutely impossible. <br />Beardsley said it seemed to him the people who signed this <br />petition are strongly against this proposal. <br />Councilman Black said in part that people elect a council <br />to make certain decisions and asked why the people thought <br />the council would discontinue any department if it is way <br />off base. <br />The rates and tax saving were again discussed, also the <br />daytime coverage and ff adequate with only volunteers. <br />University f~rove Area Alan McCoid, attorney, who lives in University Grove Area <br />Petition: presented petition similar to one above signed by approximately <br />40 residents and stated the language on above petition dice not <br />represent their view, and so was changed. He Gafd there i <br />serious concern about the welfare of the community, <br />and it was consensus of opinion that maintenance of very <br />highly qualified men and the need for improving the <br />quality of the fire department are the concerns. The <br />people are concerned with the limited funds available <br />and this change might be made at the expense of some risk <br />or delay in providing the kinds of emergency needs as in <br />the past. The petition with the modified language, was <br />received by Mayor Warkentien. <br />Attorney Seed said a referendum would be illegal. He <br />looked at the statutes and said there is no provision for <br />referendum. He did say he did not find any prohibition <br />offering an opportunity to express opinions. Concern of <br />over 400 petitioners shows there is grave concern about <br />this matter. He thinks one of the difficulties has been <br />that people are ill info~rrrled on the problem. He thinks <br />one of the difficulties has been that people have not <br />been able LQ ~~ar the r esults of tests, etc. <br />is <br />McCoid said h~concerned as a citizen that if the <br />council should act now and act to adopt the proposal <br />people would lose faith in actions of the counci ~':. <br />Full explanation of the factors that were considered by <br />the council has not been given the people and if they <br />had been given, the council may find overwhelming <br />approval. We know a vote on this is not binding, <br />