photo by Karen Laslo
Attorney Jim McCabe, Chico City Councilmember Karl Ory and attorney Richard Harriman persuaded a North Butte County Superior Court judge that a referendum on Chico Scrap Metal should go forward during a Jan. 16 hearing on a lawsuit filed by the city. But later Tuesday, the City Council voted to appeal the judge's ruling. The referendum would give Chicoans a chance to vote on an ordinance that allows the scrap metal recycling business to stay on East 20th Street near a residential neighborhood. "We were successful," said Adrienne Edwards, who worked with the Move the Junkyard group, "but the city is going to pour more money down the drain to appeal the judge's decision."