TRAVERSE CITY — Margaret Dodd and company hustled around town to circulate two petitions that could drastically alter Traverse City Light & Power's operations.
Now the petitions are approved, and Dodd can unwind a bit.
"I'm relieved," said Dodd, a former Traverse City mayor. "We had a lot of people working on it, and it's nice to know it's on the road now."
City Attorney Karrie Zeits on Wednesday afternoon said the petitions would be certified by day's end. That means residents will weigh in on two ballot questions in the November general election.
The first would bring Light & Power back under city control and make it essentially no different than any other city department. The city owned public utility now is run by its own seven-member board with limited city commission input.
The second question would give residents the right to request a vote on construction of a new power generation facility. Such a decision currently isn't subject to a public vote, Zeits said.
Dodd wanted the planned construction of a new power facility to automatically trigger a vote, but the wording on her petition means residents will have to request a vote. Despite the extra step, she's relieved residents will now at least be able to vote for a vote.
Dodd needed 566 signatures for each issue; she turned in nearly double that amount.
The petitions were circulated in the wake of public outcry over Light & Power's now-scuttled plans to construct a wood-burning biomass power generation facility.
Dodd and others were upset with Light & Power's handling of the biomass issue. They alleged the utility didn't seriously consider public opposition to the project, or thoroughly examine other power generation options.
Light & Power eventually opted to put biomass plans on the "back burner," though the utility still wants to construct some form of local generation.
Region
TCL&P petitions approved for ballot
Voters in Nov. will weigh in on future of utility
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Disabled man killed in blaze
Heavy smoke and flames rebuffed attempts by family, neighbors, police and fire officials to rescue a disabled man stranded in his Kalkaska Township home.
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Woman pleads guilty to animal cruelty
The frozen carcasses of two horses lay in Danelle Marie Round's pasture on the day she pleaded guilty to a single animal cruelty misdemeanor.
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Charged teacher waives exam, denied bond
A former Traverse City schoolteacher waived a preliminary examination and remains in jail on a charge of having sex with a student.
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BATA: 'Don't know how much money we will receive'
County transportation authorities are criticizing a federal bill they say could hurt state mass transit funding by putting it on year-to-year life cycle.
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Third Level offers suicide alertness workshop
Third Level Crisis Intervention Center will offer a one-day workshop for people who want to help those at risk of suicide.
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DNA ties Holly man to 2009 break-in
Authorities issued an arrest warrant for a Holly man whose DNA ties him to a 2009 Traverse City break-in.
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Man arraigned in late-night chase
A man shot by police Taser after a late-night chase was arraigned in 86th District Court.
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Trojan debate team receives $30,000 grant
A local foundation donated $30,000 to Traverse City Central High School's debate team.
Continued ... - Friday, February 10, 2012
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One dead in Kalkaska blaze
Fire and police officials found a victim about 3:30 p.m. today inside a Kalkaska Township home engulfed by flames.
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Vasa brings skiers, business
Skiers aren't the only ones thrilled the annual Vasa race will proceed despite warm temperatures and little snow.
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Sparks fly over TCLP substation plan
Traverse City Light & Power wants a new southside substation to shore up its electric system, but Mayor Michael Estes fears the big site is a Trojan horse for a new power plant.
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Grand Traverse freezes pay for officials
Grand Traverse County plans to freeze elected officials' salaries and eliminate a car allowance in 2013 because of continued uncertainty over its revenue stream.
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Blair man accused of meat-fork threat
A Blair Township man was arrested for assault after police said he threatened his girlfriend with a meat-carving fork.
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Drop-off recycling site relocating
A drop-off recycling site on LaFranier Road is being relocated.
Continued ... - Thursday, February 9, 2012
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Ex-TC teacher to waive exam in sex case
A Traverse City teacher accused of first-degree criminal sexual conduct with a student is expected to waive a preliminary examination in 86th District Court.
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A changing of the guard in GT County
The 2012 elections will bring a major change of the Grand Traverse County guard. The county's long-time clerk, treasurer and prosecutor won't seek re-election this year — three officials whose combined county experience spans more than 90 years.
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Janik tapped for Leelanau administrator
Chet Janik hopes to come home. The Leelanau County board offered its administrator job to Chet Janik, who came to Leelanau as a child when his parents emigrated from Poland.
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Dog park backers plan fundraisers
Dog park supporters raised more than a third of a $15,000 goal just a month into efforts to pay for Traverse City's first park for pets. Work continues to bring in the remaining money.
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Police: Man breaks up fight with gun
Police said a man on Traverse City's east side tried to stop a fight outside his home with a handgun.
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Tased man charged as habitual offender
A man stunned by police Taser in a home invasion incident was arraigned in 86th District Court.
Continued ... - Wednesday, February 8, 2012
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Body of missing fisherman found
Authorities say a dive team has recovered the body of a 33-year-old fisherman who fell through the ice of a pond near Mesick.
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Pears to replace dead ash trees
Downtown streets in the Cherry Capital soon will bloom with the color of another fruit.
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Vasa trail in good shape for weekend
Despite unseasonably warm temperatures and a lack of significant snowfall, the 36th annual North American Vasa cross country ski race is on for this weekend.
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Acme officials defer Meijer decision
Acme Township officials deferred a decision on a long-proposed Meijer store along M-72 until a special meeting in two weeks.
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Parks smoking ban on hold in TC
City Commissioner Jim Carruthers wants more time to work on smoking rules at city parks.
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