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<br /> . <br /> referendum, or opposition to Council's action in a timely manner. <br /> - He felt it tcr be a result of a specific issue (fluoride). There is <br /> not enough justification for change, which could now require up to <br /> 1-1/2 years before actually being placed on the ballot. <br /> Mr. Williams felt the ordinance applied only to an issue that had <br /> been decided at a primary or general election and would have to be <br /> again placed on those same type ballots. He said it did not affect <br /> other actions of the Council. <br /> Mr. Delay said there were two theoretical arguments for the time for <br /> voting on legislation. On one hand, it is argued that at a general <br /> election, the will of the people is reflected more clearly because of <br /> the larger number of persons voting. On the other hand is the argument <br /> that special elections are important because the major issue is not <br /> buried among other issues and actually draws only those persons who are <br /> interested in that particular issue. He felt by the passage of this <br /> ordinance the Council would be locking itself into either one or the <br /> other position. He did not know which to be true and did not want to be <br /> put in a position of preempting which is true. He felt the changes in <br /> the ordinance came about as a result of a particular issue, i.e., <br /> fluoride. He felt there was merit to both arguments and felt by Council's <br /> passing this ordinance it would be making judgments that it is not <br /> capable of knowing. <br /> Mr. Williams said he had very little difficulty in making a choice <br /> e between the two arguments suggested by Mr. Delay. When 65 to 75 percent <br /> of the people have voted on a question, he felt that was more represen- <br /> tative and a more valid response of what the people want or do not want <br /> than would occur in a special election. <br /> Ms. Smith supported the ordinance based on the fact that a larger <br /> representation is a better indication of people's wishes than the <br /> l7to 20 percent turnout in special elections. <br /> Mr. Delay wondered then why the Council did not schedule all of its <br /> elections at primary or general elections, i.e., the budget, or charter <br /> elections. He supported fewer elections and more people turning out at <br /> those elections. <br /> Mr. Williams disagreed that the budget election is not an emergency. <br /> Ideally, he agreed with fewer elections. However, at the same time <br /> he said the budget has to be passed. He did not like the outcome of <br /> special elections where clearly a small group is permitted to distort <br /> the majority preferences. <br /> e <br /> 12/6/78--7 <br /> 143 <br />