PETITIONS SUBMITTED REQUESTING THE TWO NEW ZONING DISTRICTS BE PUT ON  THE NOVEMBER BALLOT FOR A VOTE OF THE PEOPLE.

Huron Daily Tribune

08/11/2010

 

Also during their meeting, the commissioners discussed the two petitions submitted Friday requesting the two new zoning districts be put on the November ballot for a vote of the people. According to Koehler, the first petition seeks a ballot referendum on the zoning ordinance amendment that creates a wind energy overlay district in Bloomfield, Rubicon and Sigel townships. This petition had 977 signatures. The second petition seeks a ballot referendum on the zoning ordinance amendment that creates a wind energy overlay district in McKinley Township . This petition had 960 signatures. The minimum requirement was 608 signatures, per state law.

 

On Tuesday, Koehler told the board her office currently is verifying the signatures using the Qualified Voters File (QVF), a computerized statewide voter registration and election management system that links election officials throughout the state to a fully automated, interactive voter registration database. She said the QVF is a godsend and makes verifying signatures a much more efficient process.

 

Once signatures have been verified, and as long as there are enough verified signatures to meet state requirements, County Corporation Counsel Stephen J. Allen will draft ballot language. The county commissioners would then approve the language. This needs to be done by Aug. 24, Koehler noted.

 

“These are some of the best petitions I’ve ever seen so far,” Koehler said, noting the petitions are very organized.