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City Clerk Barb Elvert last week issued her findings after reviewing the petition submitted by We the People of Prairie du Chien, a group opposed to three roundabouts planned for the city’s main road.
Elvert disqualified the referendum petition, saying the proposed ordinance — “There shall be no roundabouts on Marquette Road” — was not in proper format and is “not a proper subject for direct legal legislation,” according to the city attorney.
Clem Wachuta, president of We the People, said the group is “looking into challenging the legal technicalities” and blamed the Common Council and a pro-roundabout organization for ignoring popular opinion.
“This council and all of their lawyers have been very consistent in ignoring, refusing, denying what the citizens of the town overwhelmingly want,” Wachuta said Thursday. “It’s not the way democracy is supposed to work. City council and this group seem to have a deadlock on running this town without regard to what 90 percent of what the people want.”
We the People has until Monday to correct the petition but cannot change the wording of the proposed ordinance without gathering new signatures. The original petition submitted Aug. 1 had more than twice the 300 signatures required.
Since 2002, the DOT has built 30 roundabouts in 14 counties, including Eau Claire, using state and federal funds. It has plans for another 137 and estimates about 30 others have been built by county or municipal governments.
The DOT proposed them for Prairie du Chien because they are considered safer and more efficient than traditional intersections, and Marquette Road has an unusually high crash rate.
The council approved the roundabout plan in 2003, and the DOT said the city could be on the hook for up to $500,000 in design fees if it changes plans.
Wachuta said his group is going ahead with efforts to recall five aldermen over their roundabout support. Only two of the 12 council members, along with the mayor, have voted consistently against the roundabout plan.
“More and more, it appears the only way to stop the roundabouts is to replace this council,” he said.
Chris Hubbuch can be reached at chris.hubbuch@lee.net or (608) 791-8217.
