QuikTrip Referendum Process Begins, Here's How it Works

Last Tuesday the Maplewood City Council passed an ordinance allowing QuikTrip to relocate from its current spot to the corner of Big Bend Boulevard and Manchester Road. The corner is adjacent to the Maplewood Richmond Heights high school and middle school buildings.

Maplewood resident and MRH parent Tonya Powell threatened a referendum if it passed, and has now followed through.

Powell said she and Maplewood residents Beverly Tronicek, Jeff Wiggs, Jason Dodson and Jim Ablin are the referendum committee. They signed the affidavit to begin the process.

They need signatures from 1,038 registered voters in the city of Maplewood within 30 days of the referendum committee's signatures.

If they don't get enough signatures, the ordinance stands. If they get enough signatures to put it on the ballot, then it goes in front of the council again.

If the council repeals the ordinance then the ordinance is repealed. If they don't repeal it, it goes on the ballot for the next election. If the voters vote to repeal the ordinance, then it's dead, if not, then it is in full effect.

Update: In response to a question, only a simple majority is needed for either the council to repeal an ordinance, or for voters to repeal in a municipal election.

Also in Patch:

• Maplewood Mayor: School Board Made it Clear QT Discussion Was Over