Page 12 The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch September 6, 2013 . . Referendum Request Rejected FROM PAGE 11 We saw the [Democratic] process went to the end … there wasn’t a huge conspiracy … the voters decided they didn’t want paid parking, so I made the motion to repeal, and I stand by my motion, and I stand by this ordinance,” Councilman Joe Mitrecic said. Gisriel came before the council stating the decision to repeal the parking ordinance is denying the voters’ right to a referendum. “If you repeal the ordinance, the citizens cannot weigh in on the issue,” he said. According to Gisriel, petition organizers followed city code that states “upon turning in a successful petition it goes to the voters for their approval or disapproval.” Gisriel acknowledged the mayor’s pledge to veto additional paid parking on city streets but his words are not binding and the result of a referendum is. Gisriel concluded petition organizers have two other options -- petition the ordinance to repeal the parking ordinance or challenge the council’s repeal in court. According to Gisriel, the petition organizers don’t have an interest in either action. ”What is the intent of the repeal?” Gisriel asked. “Is it so you can come back and put parking meters in municipal lots? If that’s the case, state that to the public so we know why the repeal … if you were candid and told the public why, it would satisfy some.” Pillas was in favor of the referendum because she felt the question should be placed on the ballot to receive the public’s opinion, and felt many voters signed the petition for the same reason to gain the public’s consensus regardless of their own personal opinion. For that reason, she is not in favor of the repeal. Council Secretary Mary Knight said she is in favor of the repeal so that the city could be open to charging for parking in municipal parking lots in the future. The council voted 5-2 to repeal the ordinance with Ashley and Pillas in opposition. Councilman Doug Cymek made a motion to put the issue to rest by making it an emergency ordinance that would eliminate the need for the ordinance to return on second reading. The council voted in the same fashion to pass an emergency ordinance and Mayor Rick Meehan approved. Meehan supports the council’s decision to repeal the parking ordinance. The intention from the beginning was to lessen the burden on the taxpayers by coming up with alternative revenue sources but the taxpayers spoke, and the council is now aware additional paid parking is not the favored direction. “It was a clear indication that the community didn’t want this and by repealing it the council is listening … let’s move on,” he said. Prior to the release of the petition results, Ocean Place Condominium owners challenged the Mayor and City Council and Board of Elections over the length of time that had passed for the Board to review the petition results. On Tuesday, July 30, the Clerk’s Office received the petition for referendum. The Board of Elections convened Wednesday, Aug. 21, and Thursday, Aug. 22, to review the petition signatures. Last week, Bradford explained the submission of a petition is not a scheduled event therefore the board, which is made up volunteers, have to find an appropriate time to meet to review and certify the petition. “The question of any member of the Board of Elections would either slow down or speed up a petition for personal gain or political gain is absolutely unconscionable,” Bradford said. “I assure the citizens of Ocean City that we do our very best to give you the results of a petition in a timely fashion but also in an accurate fashion ...” Gisriel returned to the podium at the conclusion of the legislative session to give his own suggestions in speeding up the petition verification process. “It was a lengthy process and that concerned a number of people,” he said. Gisriel suggested in the future that once a petition and its fixed turn-in date is announced the Board of Elections plan to meet within a week after the petition is submitted. “Meanwhile all summer long people are paying the meters. The perception is this is extended somewhat as a revenue source,” he said. Let Bunting Go To Bat For You! 208 WEST GREEN STREET DOWNTOWN SNOW HILL Full Service Restaurant with Beer, Wine & Liquor License and Real Estate available in Downtown Snow Hill. Fantastic opportunity to own a full service restaurant. 3149 sqft building built in 1930. $600,000 Call Duty Agent Dan West 443-859-3190 24 Broad Street, Berlin, Md. • 410-641-3313 For Virtual Tours: www.buntingrealty.com