Iraq war opinions will stay off towns' ballots

Voters in Bloomingdale and Downers Grove townships will not be asked for their opinion on the Iraq war on the November ballot.

Peace advocates from both townships tried Tuesday to place a nonbinding advisory referendum on the ballot. It would ask voters if the U.S. government should withdraw from Iraq. Both requests were denied.

In Bloomingdale, roughly 100 citizens showed up at the township's annual town meeting and an overwhelming majority voted against the question. In fact, because it did not have enough support, it didn't even make the agenda.

Karl Gabbey, of Bloomingdale, pleaded with the crowd in opposition of the war. Quoting the World News Daily Information Clearhouse Web site dedicated to collecting information about the war, he said that the death toll for US troops has reached 4,023 to date and that it costs taxpayers $341 million per day to fund the war. He also blamed the receding economy on the war.

"We can't afford to fight this war," said Gabbey, a member of DuPage Against War Now. "The war has cost us and will continue to cost us."

Nobody spoke in support of the war.

Roselle Village Trustee Sam Tornatore, who was the moderator during the meeting, said that the effort was likely overthrown because the township has no power to dictate over the war.

"I don't believe that this issue is germinated to township government," he said. "It's not relevant (to township government). That's why I think people voted it down."

Gabbey and other peace advocates said that they plan to propose the question again next year, if the war isn't over by then. They hope to get it on the agenda prior to the meeting next year.

Tornatore said that the only way for the question to get on the agenda is if it is approved by the township's board of trustees.

Peace advocates would have to make the request at a regular township meeting and the board would have to approve it.

In Downers Grove, the issue actually appeared on the agenda.

People spoke both in opposition and in support of the war. But when it came time to vote, an overwhelming majority voted against placing the question on the ballot.

More than 200 people attended the meeting.

"I think it's a democracy," said Diane Konicek, Downers Grove township clerk. "More people were against it than for it. My personal opinion is that it's not a township issue."

Sara Dobyns, a member of DuPage Against War Now, was disappointed.

"I don't know what they're afraid of," she said. "Democracy in Downers Grove Township is not doing well."