Wording of open burning referendum question delays action in MP

By Bob Balgemann
REPORTER

The proposed wording of an advisory referendum that may appear on the Nov. 6 general election ballot reads: “Should the Village of Machesney Park allow small, recreational campfires and prohibit burning of leaves within the village limits?”

That information was contained in a news story in the May 31 issue of the Post Journal, and Trustee James Kidd said during the June 4 village board meeting that he had received several phone calls about the wording.

“Some think it’s a trick question,” he said. “The concern is burning of leaves, not fire pits in the back yard. Shouldn’t we just say, ‘burning of leaves?’”

He continued: “The phone calls I received called Mr. (Mayor Steve) Johnson a crooked politician. I think he’s a great guy. I don’t think staff has done this deliberately. I just think we need to focus on the leaf burning aspect, and not fire pits.”

At that point he moved to delay action on the referendum for two weeks, to this Monday night’s board meeting.

Read the rest of the story in the June 14th edition of The Post-Journal.