Amador County – The Ione City Council last week spoke in support of the Ione Police Department, as a pair of area residents began to gather signatures to force a vote to eliminate the department. City Attorney Kristen Castanos released a title and summary of a proposed initiative, sought by Jim Scully of Old Stockton Road and Ione resident Denise Roberston, of Stonybrook Road. Castanos said they filed a “petition for an initiative that proposes to transfer law enforcement services from the city of Ione Police Department to the Amador County Sheriff’s Department.” She was required by law to provide a title and summary of the initiative to the city clerk by February 16th. Castanos said the initiative appears to be “illegal and unconstitutional,” in part because it “attempts to compel the county” to “take over law enforcement services for the city.” Castanos said “it’s invalid because” the “right of the city to contract for police services is vested in the council’s discretion” and is “not a proper subject for an initiative.” Castanos said “the city is reserving its option to file a lawsuit to challenge this initiative, if it qualifies for the ballot or at a later date, if it is actually put on the ballot and it is approved by the voters.” 4 of the 5 council members said they will fight to protect the IPD, including Councilwoman Andrea Bonham, Mayor Skip Schaufel, Vice Mayor David Plank and Councilman Lee Ard. Councilman Jim Ulm said he will wait to see how it plays out. City Manager Kim Kerr said petitioners must collect signatures from 10 percent of the city’s 2,051 registered voters (or 205 signatures) to put the initiative on the ballot. She said staff in early March will lay out the steps and time-frame, “indicating to the city council at what point where we should intervene at, and what would make sense. But I think probably the biggest thing is letting people know not to sign the ballot initiative if they truly want to protect the city.” City Clerk Janice Traverso said Scully lives outside city limits, but was authorized to gather petition signatures by Robertson. The county elections office said the petition shall be filed within 180 days of February 16th release of the title and summary. Traverso said the rule did not mention holidays, Scully and Robertson must gather the signatures and file the petition by August 14th. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Monday, 22 February 2010 00:51
Ione City Council Throws Support Behind Ione Police Dept.
Written by Tom-
font size
decrease font size
increase font size
Amador County – The Ione City Council last week spoke in support of the Ione Police Department, as a pair of area residents began to gather signatures to force a vote to eliminate the department. City Attorney Kristen Castanos released a title and summary of a proposed initiative, sought by Jim Scully of Old Stockton Road and Ione resident Denise Roberston, of Stonybrook Road. Castanos said they filed a “petition for an initiative that proposes to transfer law enforcement services from the city of Ione Police Department to the Amador County Sheriff’s Department.” She was required by law to provide a title and summary of the initiative to the city clerk by February 16th. Castanos said the initiative appears to be “illegal and unconstitutional,” in part because it “attempts to compel the county” to “take over law enforcement services for the city.” Castanos said “it’s invalid because” the “right of the city to contract for police services is vested in the council’s discretion” and is “not a proper subject for an initiative.” Castanos said “the city is reserving its option to file a lawsuit to challenge this initiative, if it qualifies for the ballot or at a later date, if it is actually put on the ballot and it is approved by the voters.” 4 of the 5 council members said they will fight to protect the IPD, including Councilwoman Andrea Bonham, Mayor Skip Schaufel, Vice Mayor David Plank and Councilman Lee Ard. Councilman Jim Ulm said he will wait to see how it plays out. City Manager Kim Kerr said petitioners must collect signatures from 10 percent of the city’s 2,051 registered voters (or 205 signatures) to put the initiative on the ballot. She said staff in early March will lay out the steps and time-frame, “indicating to the city council at what point where we should intervene at, and what would make sense. But I think probably the biggest thing is letting people know not to sign the ballot initiative if they truly want to protect the city.” City Clerk Janice Traverso said Scully lives outside city limits, but was authorized to gather petition signatures by Robertson. The county elections office said the petition shall be filed within 180 days of February 16th release of the title and summary. Traverso said the rule did not mention holidays, Scully and Robertson must gather the signatures and file the petition by August 14th. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Published in
News Archive
Latest from Tom
- Richard Forster previews this week's Amador County Board of Supervisors meeting with host, Tom Slivick. (2 of 2)
- Richard Forster on TSPN TV News December 7, 2015 (1 of 2)
- Ebbetts Pass (State Route 4) Closed for Winter
- State HWY 89 Closed for the Winter
- Richard Forster on TSPN TV News November 23, 2015 (2 of 2)
