Anti-two-way petitions verified; vote likely to be held June 5

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Petitions to force a public vote on a Mitchell City Council decision to convert three streets from one-way traffic to two-way have been approved by the city.

Finance Officer Marilyn Wilson said there were far more than the 471 signatures required to force a vote.

The next step is for the City Council to set an election date for the vote at the Nov. 22 meeting. While the council could slate a special election, Mayor Lou Sebert and members of the council have said they do not want to spend the money for an election outside of the normal election schedule.

The referred decision will likely be on the city’s June 5 ballot, Wilson said Wednesday.

Other potential items on that ballot are a mayor’s race, competition for four council seats and designs for a rebuilt Corn Palace, which was suggested by Councilman Mel Olson on Monday night.

Jerry Toomey, a former councilman, led the effort to reverse the council’s Oct. 17 traffic decision. Since the decision was referred, it will be put on hold until after the vote.

Toomey said more than 1,000 signatures were gathered. Wilson said she did not count the total number.

The anti-two-way traffic group needed valid signatures from 5 percent of registered voters at the time the petition was filed.

Toomey said the people who came together to oppose the decision will mount a modest campaign next year.

He said they will buy some advertisements and speak to local media on why they feel the decision should be overturned by voters.

Tags: city council, one way, news, updates, local, mitchell, traffic, downtown