Deciding not to take any action on a petition condemning possible military action against Iraq, the Chapel Hill Town Council voted Monday to discuss the petition further on its retreat this weekend.
The petition was presented by its author, resident Robin Helweg-Larsen, and received support from former council member and human rights activist Joe W. Straley.
Calling the possible war "morally bankrupt" and "fiscally irresponsible," Helweg-Larsen urged the council to adopt an anti-war stance like many other municipalities -- from Oakland, Calif., to Carrboro -- have recently.
"Though the glory of war goes to the federal government, the cost of war is felt on the local level," Helweg-Larsen said.
The theme of Helweg-Larsen's plea concerned the local impact of a war with Iraq. He said the effects and burden of the war will fall on local governments and their constituencies.
Mayor Kevin Foy said the council would like to get community input on the issue before it takes any action.
Foy said the council wanted to make sure the decision on the controversial issue would be reflective of the community at large.
Council procedure normally dictates that petitions are referred to the town staff to obtain further information; however, the council decided to refer the petition to itself for further debate.
The Carrboro Board of Aldermen in October passed a resolution similar to the one proposed to the Town Council.
