WILMINGTON, NC (WECT) – Wilmington City Council member Laura
Padgett said it's not fair for city tax payers to carry the financial burden of
building a baseball stadium.
As council approved city money to study the possibility of a
ballpark at Tuesday's meeting, Padgett mentioned that she will consider a
resolution for the group's next session.
She suggested bringing the issue of baseball to a vote for
the people to decide in the May primary election. Fellow council member Kevin O'Grady
tells WECT.com that it is too soon for the idea.
"We still need a concrete plan," said O'Grady. "The people
can't vote on an idea."
Any additions to the ballot need to be submitted by March 9,
according to New Hanover County Board of Elections Director Marvin McFadyen.
That gives the department less than two weeks to provide absentee ballots by
March 19.
City council is scheduled to meet March 6, giving it a three-day
grace period to submit a referendum. Council members would have to pass the
proposed resolution unanimously, then waive it for a second reading.
If the issue is not on the May or November ballots, the city
would have to hold a special election. That could cost the city up to $25,000
in personnel fees alone, according to McFadyen.
Copyright 2012 WECT.
All rights reserved.
All content © Copyright 2000 - 2012 WorldNow and WECT, a Raycom Media Station.
