CRAIG BEACH Another meeting needed to get issues on Aug. ballot
CRAIG BEACH -- Another emergency village council meeting will have to be called next week to meet the deadline Thursday for placing a 1.5-mill replacement fire levy and a referendum on the 1 percent village income tax on the Nov. 6 ballot.
Mayor Camillo Gaia made the announcement after the absence of Councilmen Larry Ellis and Dennis Champion from an emergency meeting Thursday evening prevented the six-member council from having the five votes necessary to override the normal rules. Those rules call for three readings and a 30-day waiting period for measures to be enacted.
Ellis' mother, Luella, told council her son was in Chicago on a trip for which there had been long-standing arrangements and would return Sunday evening.
"I think the fire department is the greatest thing that we've ever got out here for our bucks. They're voluntary. They ought to be honored. I think we ought to vote to keep our fire department.
"Folks, it's time for us to get together and build this village and go forward," said former Councilman Sam Matheny.