After absorbing the hundreds of comments concerning Traverse City Light & Power's proposal to spend $30 million to build a biomass energy plant here, we're left with the powerful impression that a substantial proportion of city residents — if not a substantial majority — oppose the plan.
That citizens question a government policy is no big deal. It happens every day. This time, however, the stakes, the cost and the level of opposition are so high that taking the debate to the next level seems not only fair but necessary.
Former Mayor Margaret Dodd is circulating a petition that would allow city residents to decide in November if the city charter should be amended to give residents the right to vote on plans for the biomass plant. If the proposal is approved, voters presumably would be asked at some later date to actually say yes or no to a plant.
While that process may seem long and convoluted, it's a smart way to avoid the prospect of voters coming out overwhelmingly against a biomass plant but later finding out they don't have the authority to make anyone do anything.
Right now, Light & Power is run by its own seven-member board, five of whom are chosen by the City Commission, and two city commissioners. The commission's only sway over Light & Power is that it names the board, approves its yearly budget and has a final say-so on issuing bonds for any building project.
More to the point, though, is that there are currently no charter provisions that allow for a direct vote of the people on Light & Power policies and projects. Thus the need for an amendment.
Given the size, cost and expected longevity of any new power plant — $30 million and maybe 30 years — plus the stout opposition that has arisen in recent months, it's easy to endorse an extra step here.
While residents will have to be very, very sure what they're voting for, answering the immediate question — should residents sign the Dodd petition — is easy: yes. The window to get it on the ballot is narrowing and there will be only one shot. She needs the signatures of 566 registered voters.
After that there will be plenty of time for due diligence. But only if the issue makes it to the ballot.
Dodd & Co. also are circulating a second petition to ask voters if Light & Power, which once was just another city department, should be brought back in house.
While there are plenty of pros and cons to that one, there is no reason for it not to make the ballot now, with the expectation of vigorous debate later.
Given the two-step process, signing the petition is a no-harm, no-foul kind of decision. Sign now, argue it all later.
Police: Houston Found Dead in Her Hotel Room
Paul Suffers Narrow Loss to Romney in Maine
Recording Superstar Whitney Houston Dead at 48
Maine GOP Chairman Says Romney Wins Caucuses
Palin Brings Anti-Washington Message to CPAC
Obama Scraps Birth Control Mandate
US Airmen's Killer Sentenced to Life in Germany
Navy Names Ship for Gabrielle Giffords
Raw Video: Deadly Blasts in Syria
Romney Slams President Obama at CPAC
Gingrich: Pres. Obama 'waging War on Religion'
5 Killed in Wrong-way Crash on I-10 in La.
Uzbek Man Pleads Guilty in Plot to Kill Obama
Denver's Largest-Ever Drug Bust Nets Dozens
Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag
Vets Look to Translate Military Skills Into Jobs
Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames
LA School Reopens Amid Sex Abuse Scandal
$25B Settlement Reached Over Foreclosure Abuses
Pentagon: Allow Women Closer to Front Lines
