In The Forest-Blade’s coverage of the city council meeting on October 2, we reported that a motion to increase city fees passed by a vote of three in favor with two opposed and one abstention. This vote was accurately reported by this newspaper. However, there was no official declaration made from the chair following the vote to declare if the motion had passed or failed. Consequently, The Blade reported the three to two vote as a pass. In recent correspondence, The Blade has now been informed that the position of the City is that based on earlier legal cases, the motion did not pass even though the council members in favor outnumbered those opposed. We are frankly confused. However, in full faith and expectation of receiving more clarification on this subject and in consideration of the best interest of the public, this paper accepts the City’s opinion regarding the vote to the effect that the motion and vote in question did in fact not pass.
