11-09-2007, 05:15 AM
Dan, your point is valid. Who sits on this board, goals etc are all open to discussion. I think the ideas thrown about are for getting feedback. But, it shows that when emotions are removed, the idea of an "official" group with real legal standing and rights to deal with this serious issue is a viable consideration.
The other thing is will it be best to do it by petition or initiative?
A petition is good because you can say anything, request anything, and complain about anything without having to worry about solutions or its legality. An initiative has to be clear in its purpose, legality and outcome. So it’s written differently than a petition.
A petition is nothing but a complaint or request that shows support. So I present a petition to the county signed by 20 million people, asking for a commission to deal with helicopter noise, the petition itself, has no weight. They county can say "thanks, we'll take it under advisement" but has no requirement to do anything with it. Although 20 million people support it, it’s legally nothing but a pile of papers. Yeah they may be required to save it as a received document or recycle the paper, but that's it.
An initiative is basically the same thing but the county must by law, review it, make recommendations, and come up with a plan to implement it. If they do not, or if they revise it and it's not acceptable to the initiative sponsors, it automatically gets placed on the ballot for the people to decide. So the county must act or the people get to act by vote.
Either way, it's the peoples' call and I'll lend whatever help I can.
The other thing is will it be best to do it by petition or initiative?
A petition is good because you can say anything, request anything, and complain about anything without having to worry about solutions or its legality. An initiative has to be clear in its purpose, legality and outcome. So it’s written differently than a petition.
A petition is nothing but a complaint or request that shows support. So I present a petition to the county signed by 20 million people, asking for a commission to deal with helicopter noise, the petition itself, has no weight. They county can say "thanks, we'll take it under advisement" but has no requirement to do anything with it. Although 20 million people support it, it’s legally nothing but a pile of papers. Yeah they may be required to save it as a received document or recycle the paper, but that's it.
An initiative is basically the same thing but the county must by law, review it, make recommendations, and come up with a plan to implement it. If they do not, or if they revise it and it's not acceptable to the initiative sponsors, it automatically gets placed on the ballot for the people to decide. So the county must act or the people get to act by vote.
Either way, it's the peoples' call and I'll lend whatever help I can.