#381 changes
April 26th, 2007 by 
Alica
On April 23 at a special meeting, the Brandon City Council made some changes to the recently-passed Ordinance #381, the ambulance ordinance. That would be considered the first reading.
The Council scheduled a second special meeting for April 30, to discuss changes to the ambulance license application. At that meeting, the Council may hold the second reading of the ordinance changes.
If they do, and pass it, the ordinance would have to be published in the Brandon Valley Challenger. The earliest that could happen would be May 9. Then, if no one turns in a petition referring the matter to a public vote, the ordinance changes would go into effect 20 days after publication, or May 28.
If the Council doesn’t hold the second reading of the ordinance at the April 30 special meeting, they would probably do so at their next regular meeting, which is May 7. Then publication would be May 16 and the law would go into effect June 4 if no one contests it.
The founding fathers knew what they were doing when they devised a system of government with many checks and balances. The first amendment guarantees citizens the right to petition the government. That’s to help keep bad laws from being passed. The first amendment also guarantees citizens the right to voice their opinion of government proceedings. That promotes discussion. It’s not a perfect system, but it’s pretty good.
Posted in Uncategorized, Ambulance | 
April 26th, 2007 at 7:18 am
Not sure if this is called a first reading? They kept stating this is a draft only. I am very pleased with most of the changes….but with all the changes…it is not what the people voted on. But hopefully the council will continue to listen to input. Next meeting is Monday April 30, 6:00 pm at City Hall and will be going over the application form. The next step is to make up the contract. A long ways to go. Please come to the council meetings…be involved!!!
May 2nd, 2007 at 2:42 pm
We know now that the Council plans to hold a first reading on #381 at their next regular meeting, May 7.
If that passes, the second reading could be May 21. If so, and if it passes its second reading, it presumably would be published May 30 and then would be vulnerable to a petition. If none is filed, it would go into effect June 20.
If a petition is filed, however, then it would go to a city vote.
It’s quite a process, isn’t it. Lots of checks and balances are in place so the people have their say in how their government is run. It’d be best, of course, if the people would pay attention and provide input on the front end of the process.