Signatures to overturn anti-discrimination ordinance certified

KALAMAZOO, Mich. (NEWSCHANNEL 3) – The Kalamazoo City Clerk says he has certified the referendum petition for the anti-discrimination ordinance.

The ordinance, which has been the subject of controversy in Kalamazoo, was to extend housing and employment protection to gays and lesbians.

After being approved, and then rejected, and then approved again, a group in opposition to the ordinance turned in 2,073 signatures on a petition to overturn the ordinance. Of those signatures, the City Clerk says 1,624 signatures have been determined to be valid. This exceeds the required 1,273 signatures.

The City Clerk says the ordinance is now suspended, and the City Commission will take action on Monday to decide whether to repeal the ordinance, or to submit it to the voters of the City of Kalamazoo.