Document Page 1 of 2 Tribune Archive 1997 TOWNSHIP ISSUE MAY GET ON BAL... 03/11/97 Salt Lake Tribune Types: Utah Published: 03/11/97 Page: D1 Keywords: Communities, Laws-Regulations, UT Legislature Caption: Steve Baker/The Salt Lake Tribune Graphic: Outlawed Townships Township Issue May Get on Ballot Byline: BY LINDA FANTIN THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE From Hooper to Holladay and Marriott to Mutton Hollow, residents are launching a petition drive to stay the execution of townships. On Monday, crusaders filed a letter with the Lieutenant Governor's Office challenging House Bill 363, the controversial legislation that abolishes townships. Their objective is to have voters not legislators -- decide the fate of townships, a new form of government authorized by lawmakers last year. Under state law, residents can force the matter to a referendum if they get 67,188 signatures by April 14. Those names must at least equal 10 percent of the votes cast for governor in the 1996 election in at least 15 counties. If the petitioners are successful, the bill would be put to a statewide vote in the November 1998 general election, or during a special election called by the governor. In that case, the earliest date voters could decide the matter would be Aug. 12. "We're what you would call die-hards," said township veteran Eddie Alter. The Holladay resident was one of thousands of Utahns who latched onto the concept last year as a way to protect their communities from the threat of annexation. In all, 15 townships were created through an exhaustive petition-and-election process. Then last week, lawmakers nullified those efforts. "They stomped on citizen involvement," said Max Simpson, chairman of the Hooper Township in Weber County. The legislation, sponsored by House Speaker Mel Brown, R-Union, replaces townships with planning districts. The new entities allow residents to create planning-advisory boards similar to those authorized by townships. By creating stricter standards for creating and enlarging cities, Brown believes his bill protects residents from unwanted annexation. But unlike township boards, planning districts do not have veto power over annexations and incorporations. Without that protection, township supporters believe it is only a matter of time before cities swallow their historic communities. Brown did not return phone calls Monday regarding the referendum petition. Township leaders said they prefer that Gov. Mike Leavitt veto the bill and call a special session to hammer out a law that preserves the best elements of Brown's plan -- and townships. Barring that, they are ready to hit the streets, clipboards in hand. They will target the northern counties where township support is strong, said Deyonne Walker, resident of Weber County's East Huntsville Township. And they will go after small counties like Daggett and Piute, where they need just 40 and 70 signatures, respectively, to reach the 10 percent quota. The challenge is huge considering the most signatures gathered by an individual township totaled 70