Barstow Casino
Vote Must Wait
As reported by the San Bernardino
County Sun: "An initiative supporting Indian
casinos in west Barstow has qualified for the ballot,
but the measure is not likely to go before voters
for five to nine months.
"Of 2,101 signatures on an initiative petition
circulated in July, 1,490 are valid, said George
Bennett, manager of voter services for the San Bernardino
County Registrar of Voters.
"That's 256 names above the 1,234 signatures
needed to qualify the initiative as a ballot measure.
"However, today is the deadline for the initiative
to qualify for the Nov. 8 ballot, and City Clerk
JoAnne Cousino said the California Elections Code
prohibits her from certifying the signatures until
the City Council's next regular meeting, scheduled
for Monday .
"…Only council members Helen Runyon
and Joe Gomez agreed to ask for the meeting. A majority
is needed. But Cousino said a special session would
only allow council members to discuss the issue
and not place the measure on the ballot.
"Former councilman Manuel Gurule, who spearheaded
the petition effort, disagrees.
"…He pointed out the city attorney told
council members this month that they can always
call a special meeting to place an initiative on
the ballot.
"…Mayor Lawrence Dale declined to call
a special meeting.
"…Cousino said it could be months before
voters can cast ballots on the initiative…"
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