New Jersey: Use of initiative and referendum creates opposing views in Wildwood

Tue, Mar 5 2013 — Source: The Press of Atlantic City

The city is rescinding an ordinance that would have created a beach utility, another demonstration of the power of the petition.

Residents in this shore community have used the power of initiative and referendum recently to reverse decisions made by the three-member City Commission including the 50-year lease of a Boardwalk property and beach, plans to buy a downtown property for recreation, and most recently the utility’s formation.

Residents say the use of petitions gives them the ability to keep local government in check, but some city officials say it is being used to micromanage city government.