Chief
08-30-2007, 07:45 AM
JEFFREY MIZE, columbian staff writer
April 21, 2001; Page A1
Opponents of Vancouver's proposed special events center said Friday they have collected almost enough signatures to force a public vote, but city attorneys maintain the effort is futile. Larry Patella said a loose tally Friday counted 3,000 to 3,025 signatures, with more than 100 petitions sheets still out.
"We feel good," he said. "We've still got four or five days left to go."
Petitioners are ratcheting up their efforts in an attempt to gather at least 5,000 signatures.
Although they need fewer than 3,000 signatures, they expect some to be thrown out because signers don't live inside the city limits or aren't registered voters.
Patella said signatures will be gathered today at the Vancouver Farmers Market, along the west side of Esther Short Park; outside Wal-Mart, 221 N.E. 104th Ave.; and near the Sears entrance inside Westfield Shoppingtown Vancouver.
"We hope to start at 9 o'clock at each one," he said. "That varies because sometimes people don't get there on time."
Opponents are trying to use a provision in the Vancouver City Charter, but city attorneys said the special events center is immune from referendum provisions.
The charter allows residents to challenge ordinances by gathering signatures during a 30-day period equal to 10 percent of votes cast in the last city election. That means opponents have until next week to collect 2,947 signatures.
However, city attorneys said local referendum powers are superseded by state law allowing cities to set up public facilities districts to build events centers and similar projects, which is precisely what Vancouver did in October 1999.
City Attorney Ted Gathe said he hasn't received any requests from council members for information.
"I'm sure at some point we're going to be briefing the council on this," he said. "We just haven't had a formal request yet."
Both Mayor Royce Pollard and Councilman Jack Burkman this week declined to speculate on what the city council would do if petitioners gather enough valid signatures in the 30-day period.
Patella said he hasn't heard many people say the petition drive is on shaky legal grounds.
"I've had a few people tell me, 'You're just wasting your time; they're going to do what they want to do,' " he said. "I tell them, 'I'm not willing to give up my right to vote.'"
Patella said he fully expects the council to say the project is "referendum-proof."
Opponents are prepared to file a lawsuit if the council refuses to honor their petitions, but they have not yet retained an attorney, he said.
"We've got one in mind," Patella said. "But we're trying to find one who will do it for free."
Gathe said there hasn't been a citizen-initiated vote in Vancouver since a group attempted to bring cardrooms back into downtown.
Voters overwhelming rejected that measure in November 1987.
Identity Clark County, a pro-business group that strongly backs the events center-convention center complex, recently mailed out 80,000 fliers supporting the $59.1 million project.
The project would be partially paid for using taxes already in place: a 2 percent hotel-motel tax and a credit that allows a tiny slice of existing sales tax now flowing to the state to be diverted to the project.
April 21, 2001; Page A1
Opponents of Vancouver's proposed special events center said Friday they have collected almost enough signatures to force a public vote, but city attorneys maintain the effort is futile. Larry Patella said a loose tally Friday counted 3,000 to 3,025 signatures, with more than 100 petitions sheets still out.
"We feel good," he said. "We've still got four or five days left to go."
Petitioners are ratcheting up their efforts in an attempt to gather at least 5,000 signatures.
Although they need fewer than 3,000 signatures, they expect some to be thrown out because signers don't live inside the city limits or aren't registered voters.
Patella said signatures will be gathered today at the Vancouver Farmers Market, along the west side of Esther Short Park; outside Wal-Mart, 221 N.E. 104th Ave.; and near the Sears entrance inside Westfield Shoppingtown Vancouver.
"We hope to start at 9 o'clock at each one," he said. "That varies because sometimes people don't get there on time."
Opponents are trying to use a provision in the Vancouver City Charter, but city attorneys said the special events center is immune from referendum provisions.
The charter allows residents to challenge ordinances by gathering signatures during a 30-day period equal to 10 percent of votes cast in the last city election. That means opponents have until next week to collect 2,947 signatures.
However, city attorneys said local referendum powers are superseded by state law allowing cities to set up public facilities districts to build events centers and similar projects, which is precisely what Vancouver did in October 1999.
City Attorney Ted Gathe said he hasn't received any requests from council members for information.
"I'm sure at some point we're going to be briefing the council on this," he said. "We just haven't had a formal request yet."
Both Mayor Royce Pollard and Councilman Jack Burkman this week declined to speculate on what the city council would do if petitioners gather enough valid signatures in the 30-day period.
Patella said he hasn't heard many people say the petition drive is on shaky legal grounds.
"I've had a few people tell me, 'You're just wasting your time; they're going to do what they want to do,' " he said. "I tell them, 'I'm not willing to give up my right to vote.'"
Patella said he fully expects the council to say the project is "referendum-proof."
Opponents are prepared to file a lawsuit if the council refuses to honor their petitions, but they have not yet retained an attorney, he said.
"We've got one in mind," Patella said. "But we're trying to find one who will do it for free."
Gathe said there hasn't been a citizen-initiated vote in Vancouver since a group attempted to bring cardrooms back into downtown.
Voters overwhelming rejected that measure in November 1987.
Identity Clark County, a pro-business group that strongly backs the events center-convention center complex, recently mailed out 80,000 fliers supporting the $59.1 million project.
The project would be partially paid for using taxes already in place: a 2 percent hotel-motel tax and a credit that allows a tiny slice of existing sales tax now flowing to the state to be diverted to the project.