Red Light Camera Opponents Score Another Victory As Attempt To Gut St. Charles County Ballot Measure Fizzles

St. Charles County Councilman Cronin found himself without any support from his fellow Councilmen when he attempted to effectively derail the impact of a county-wide referendum on banning Red-Light Cameras.  Cronin had attempted to alter the ballot measure to say it would only cover the unincorporated areas of St. Charles County, rather than the cities which Red-Light Camera opponents had intended.

"The unincorporated areas of the county don't have any Red-Light Cameras, so this attempt at an end-run around the intent of the ballot measure would have been an insult to voters," said Red-Light camera opponent Attorney Michael Carter.  "County Councilman Joe Brazil who sponsored the original ballot measure, and his fellow County Councilmen are to be commended for standing firm in their commitment to let the voters decide."

Councilman Cronin contends that the measure will result in lengthy litigation between the County and the City of St. Peters, which has threatened to sue the County if the measure passes.  Carter says St. Peters may be less enthusiastic about going against the will of the people since city residents will be voting as well.  "This is not a fight between people who live in cities and those who don't.  City residents in St. Peters have never been given a chance to vote and express their popular will on the subject of Red-Light Cameras.  If they agree that this is nothing but a money grab by elected officials and, as St. Peters' own Police statistics showed, causes more accidents not less, St. Peters residents may send their own officials a message in November," Carter explained.

Carter has sent out updates to tens of thousands of St. Charles County residents on the issue and says he will be working hard to educate voters prior to the November 4th election.  "I'm hoping to organize a forum and issue a challenge to the Mayor of St. Peters to debate the issue before the press and public.  This is the first ballot test of Red-Light Cameras in Missouri.  If voters support the county-wide ban it will send a powerful message to our elected Representatives and Senators that a statewide ban is needed," explained Carter.