Your right to vote

To the editor:

On July 25, the Marion City Council enacted Ordinance 22, which took away your right to approve city borrowing on general obligation bonds and projects now and for all times.

It would allow the city council to exceed statutory debt limits of 10% of assessed valuation of taxable tangible property within the city.

On Oct. 5, a petition signed by more than 10% of electors who voted in the last city election was filed with the city clerk questioning the action of the council.

The petition stops the governing body from carrying out the action detailed in the ordinance unless a majority of voters approve of the action at a special election within 90 days after the petition was filed.

The council voted 3-2 (Kline and Herbel against) to conduct a special election at the cost of $4,000 plus.

If a majority of voters vote “no” against the proposed action Dec. 20 the council may not proceed further.

If Ordinance 22 is not defeated with a “no” vote, the City of Marion could issue general obligation bonds without your approval for up to $16,425,000 for projects listed in the city’s capital improvement plan, and more projects could be added at any time.

Please help stop Ordinance 22 by voting “no” Dec. 20. Only your vote can stop this ordinance!

Early voting can be done at the courthouse the week before Dec. 20 from 12:30 till 4:30 p.m., and Dec. 19 from 8:30 a.m. till noon.

Ruth C. Herbel
Marion City Council member