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LA VERKIN, Utah (AP) -- City Council members, saying their duty was to attend to the needs of La Verkin, have refused to pass a resolution calling for repeal of the 17th Amendment.
The amendment to the U.S. Constitution provided for U.S. senators to be elected by the voters of their states and instead of by state legislatures.
Councilman Ray Justice said he was elected to take care of La Verkin and that if residents have concerns about the amendment, they should tell their legislators.
Resident Norman Gubler presented the resolution at the council meeting Wednesday night. He said he will take the issue to other city councils.
"It's real simple. We are moving to what the original founding fathers set up to balance powers," Gubler said.
La Verkin drew national attention in 2001 when a former council declared the city a United Nations-Free Zone. After new council members were elected, they repealed the ordinance.
City Manager Ben Reeves said Wednesday that when local government makes decisions outside its jurisdiction it hurts the credibility of the community.
Councilmen Phil Jensen and Doug Beecher agreed with Reeves and said that the council is not the right vehicle to address the issue.
(Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
